Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut

W SA N. HAWLEY (deceased), who in his life- -^^ time was one of the substantial citizens of Brookfield, Fairfield Co. , Conn., was born March 5, 1827, in the town of Brookfield, descending from William Hawley, born in 1732, in Hawiey- ville, town of Newtown. Hisgrandfather, Joseph Hawley, was born May 17, 1762, and his father, John N. Hawley, was born December 29, 1791, in Newtown. John Hawley farmed in Brookfield nearly all of his lifetime. He married Harriet Norton, and their only child was Asa Norton. Asa N. Hawley in boyhood attended a private school in Brookfield, and in after years, being fond of reading, acquired a good education. He clerked for a time in a store, and later was a merchant in Hawleyville. Next for several years he was bookkeeper in the office of the Bridge- port Iron Foundry & Machine Company. In 1857-he went to Carthage, 111. , where he engaged in business, and for a time was deputy clerk in the office of the clerk of the circuit court. For two years he was county school commissioner of Hancock county. He was well acquainted with President Lincoln, whose friendship he formed. In 1862 he returned to Brookfield, and was oc- cupied chiefly in farming until his death, which occurred June 17, 1890. He was a notary pub- lic, and executor of a number of estates, was a conscientious man, correct in his dealings, and commanded the respect of the community. He was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church at Brookfield Centre, and was affiliated with the F. & A. M., and I. O. O. F. , while in his political views he was a Democrat. He was enterprising, public-spirited, and quite successful in his business affairs. In 1 85 1 Mr. Hawley was married to Julia M. Stoddard, a daughter of William and Clarissa (Wyllis) Stoddard, and, having no children of their own, adopted Ida E. , a daughter of Mrs. Hawley's brother, Seth. The adopted daugh- ter is now the widow of the late Robert S. Hawley. William Stoddard was a manufacturer of woolen cloth at Cornwall, Conn. His children were: Hammon (deceased); Sarah M. (deceased wife of Mr. Safford, of Buffalo, N. Y.); Harriet and Jane (deceased); Minerva, wife of Horace H. Seaton, of Newark, N. J. (she is living at the ripe age of 83 years, in good health and with mind strong and active, attending to all of her business, which is enough for any active man of 45; she also takes a trip south every year, and comes to Hawleyville, Conn., three or four times a year); Seth (deceased), married Mary N. Brush, of Woodbury, Conn, (she resides with her daughter, Mrs. Gus. Honshell, of Hunting- ton, W. Va., at the age of 82 years); Elizabeth (deceased), married Collis P. Huntington, of New York; Clarissa was the wife of Edwin Prentice; Hannah married (first) Daniel Ham- mon, of New York, and (second) John Haviland. of California; William Moses (the third son) is living at the age of 70 years, and is the father and grandfather of a large family (he has for many years lived in California); Mary J. married Delos W. Emmons, of Oneonta, N. Y. , now of Huntington, W. Va. ; and Julia M. (Mrs. Asa N. Hawley) is living at the homestead, in Haw- leyville. TTfON. ROBERT JAY WALSH. Men of 11 marked ability, forceful character and cult- ure, leave their impress upon the world, written in such indelible characters that time is powerless to obliterate their memory or sweep it from the minds of men. Their commendable acts live long after they have passed from the scene of their earthly careers. In the subject of this sketch we /^'^i^^r?7f(/^2^ COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 141 find one of the most distinguished members of the Fairfield County Bar; twice State Senator representing the Twelfth district; member of the commission of 1888 to revise the statutes; since 1889 Secretary of State of Connecticut, and now judge of the Criminal Court of Common Pleas. His is a familiar figure in the streets of Green- wich, and his fine presence and dignified manner would attract attention anywhere,' while, to those who have the pleasure of his personal ac- quaintance, his well-stored mind and conversa- tional powers are a source of perpetual enjoy- ment. Born August i, 1854, at Lewisboro, West- chester Co., N. Y., Judge Walsh is a son of James F. and Annie E. Walsh. In 1864 the family removed across the boundary line into Connecticut, settling in the town of Ridgefield, and here our subject, already advanced in his elementary studies, continued them in the local public schools. At the age of twelve years he left the common school, becoming a student in the High Ridge Institute at Ridgefield, where he had the advantage of instruction under the ac- complished Prof. William O. Seymour, then principal of the institution, but at present rail- road commissioner of Connecticut. Brilliancy of scholarship did not characterize his school life so much as careful, painstaking effort, coupled with a willing observance of the rules of the school; and here we find an apt illustration of the aphorism: "The boy is father to the man." Indeed, at that time, and during the few succeed- ing years he remained in Ridgefield, the youth presaged the man — a natural leader of men. By his companions he came to be a recognized lead- er, a captain in their games, ' ' The observed of all observers," and the one looked up to in all local circles and social gatherings. After devoting two years to acquiring a knowledge of the higher branches, he felt that the time had now come for him to enter the arena of practical life, and take his stand among those who have to bear the "white man's bur- den." A sturdy lad, descended from sturdy an- cestors, he chose the ancient and honorable trade of a blacksmith, even thus early recogniz- ing the fact that the possession of a useful handi- craft was a certain means of rising to a state of financial independence. During the years of his apprenticeship, like his prototype, Elihu Burritt, "The Learned Blacksmith," he made good use of his spare hours for the improvement of his mind by study and useful reading, at every op- portunity refreshing his mental caliber at the "Pierian spring," which proved to him a strong motor in his after acquirements. When about seventeen years of age, having already mastered his trade and prepared to do manly work, he became conscious of the inner promptings for something higher and better. Seeking the advice and assistance of Dr. William S. Todd, then (and now) a practitioner of medi- cine in Ridgefield, with him he reviewed his English studies preparatory to teaching. He taught one year, and then, in order to perfect himself in his profession, entered the State Nor- mal School, but did not complete the full course of instruction because of an advantageous posi- tion offered him in Port Chester, N. Y. His career as a teacher was characterized by the same qualities that have been his rule and guide in every station, and from first to last, he more than fulfilled the expectations of his warmest friends. His first school was a success from the start, and wherever he taught he left but one re- cord, a record crystalized in the words: "The best teacher we ever had." But this profession, successful with him as it was, did not satisfy his ambition. It was a habit of his while filling one position to be looking forward to and preparing for some other. Characteristically, while yet teaching, he commenced the study of law, under the advice and instruction of Col. H. W. R. Hoyt, a prom- inent lawyer at Greenwich, Conn., reciting once or twice a week till the end of the term. Cwl- onel Hoyt, early recognizing his ability, advised him to cease teaching, and offered him terms that made it possible for him to enter his office and be self-supporting while he pursued his profes- sional studies. In due time Mr. Walsh was admitted to- practice at the Fairfield County Bar, and being at once received into partnership by his accom- plished and experienced preceptor, he was imme- diately thrown into the arena of practical effort, and won his spurs as a lawyer under the most benign auspices. In 1882 his self-reliant nature prompted him to seek absolute independence, and accordingly he opened a law office of his- own at Greenwich. His professional work in- creased with great rapidity, and he attended to it with so much diligence and ability that he speed- ily won distinguished prominenc-e at the Bar. The knowledge and experience thus gained eminently qualified him for public positions of honor and trust, and the community in which he lived were not slow in recognizing his ability and worth. During the year of his admission to the Bar he was chosen corporation counsel of the town, also borough attorney of the borough of Greenwich, which incumbencies he still fills with characteristic acumen and probity. In political 142 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. work, also, it is but natural that he should seek to attain prominence, gifted as he is with fluent eloquence and rare argumentative powers. An ardent Republican, he, during the Presidential campaign of 1880, took the " stump " in Con- necticut in behalf of Garfield and Arthur, and in the same year was placed on the Republican State Central Committee for the Twelfth Sena- torial District of Connecticut — a party honor which was accorded him by re-election down to the time he was elected judge, when he resigned. In the Presidential campaign of 1884 he was equally active in his support of Blain and Logan. Before the year ended he was placed in the field by the Republicans of the Twelfth district as their candidate for the State Senate, and was elected by a large majority, his popularity being so great that he ran far ahead of his ticket. In 1886 he was chosen secretary of the State Cen- tral Committee, and, being renominated for the Senate, was re-elected by twice the majority re- ceived in the previous campaign.