Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1843-03-02

MEMORY OF WILLARD WADHAMS, ESQ.
When superior talents learning and virtue en-
.nv;ned in youthful manhood, go down to the grave
,S all their freshness and beauty wildly impressed
ron ,he memory of surviving friends the sorrowing
haar, tIrobs with no common emotion, but swells
with sympathetic grief that man has lost friend and
.ha World a benefactor. Over the memory of such
DISTINGUISHED individuals not only does kindred af
f.c.on open the deep fountains of sorrow and utter
II. lamentations in the language OF universal nature,
hut the scholar the patriot, and the philanthropst
;nOls their grief with that Of bsreaVsd relatives
fur brother has fallen
WILLARD WADHAMs, Esq, the subject of this brief
memoir, was born at Goshen, Conn. on the 18th of
1an'y 1915. His boy hood was distinguished for go
briefly, industry and amiableness of department. He
pursued the preparatory college studies the Aca
denny in bic native town; attending school during
the winter and laboring on the farm with his father
during the summer The diligence and zeal with
which he prosecuted his studies at this time did not
pass the notice of the observer and but few
yer have been equally distinguished by those quail
ties in that institution In 1928 at the very early
age of thirteen he entered the Freshman class in tie
University at Burlington, Vt. He was graduated in
$50, being but seventeen years of age. The year
after his graduation he employed as Principal
sof an Academy at Burlington, during portion of
which time he was engaged in acquiring know
edge of the German language.
Before the completion of bis 18th year, Mr. Wad
Ahans embarked for Europe for the purpose of pur
suing more extended course of study. No one &C.
tccmpanied him with whom he had previously form
'od an acquaintance. He landed al Portsmouth, Sep
temhet 18th, 1888, after voyage of twentysix days.
Having visited the navy yard and other curosities of
Portsmouth. he travelled thence on foot to London,
where he also spent few days in viewing the vari-
GUS interesting objects and then proceeded on his
route to Germany He passed through Rotterdam,
thence proceeding up the Rhine to Calogne and from
the latter place across the country through Hesse,
Cassel, and Westphalia 20 Pottinger. Here he at
tended lectures il the University, and assiduously
applied himself to the acquisition Of his object. A
short time before the expiration of his second year
at this place his health failed him and he left for the
purpose of travelling among the mountains of Swift
zerland After making tour through a considera-
bic part of that picturesque country he arrived in the
Canton Of Appensell where he passed the remainder
ofthe summer. From Switzerandhe went to France,
visiting the principal cities of the latter country. He
sailed from Havre for the U. States and reached
home the latter part of December 1885,
During the residence Of Mr.. Wadhams in Earope
there was fully evnced in his episolsry commun
cntons, that clearness Of comprehension and prec
sion Of observation that mark strong and well bal
anced mnd and extensive scholarship
He was minute observer Of every thing passing
around him men or things did not escape his
tiny. Retaining wildly the impresso Id he had re-
csived, and his mind enriched with extended an
acquaintance with books and men of the highest it,
erary Distinction he returned to his rends bringing
the strongest evidence of well improved opportun-
ties and rightly directed Efforts in the acqus ton OF
knowledge.
Two years after his return from Europe were
spent in Virginia; partly in teaching and in tie stu
dy of Law. While in Virginia. Mr.. w. formed an
acquainf ance with some wealthy and distinguished
families who were shout removing to Texas the
kindness and generous attention shown by them won
his friendship and induced by this and other causes,
he resolved to accompany them to the young Repu-
bic. The first year af er his arrival there he
employed as Surveyor He then located himself in !
Colorado County and commenced the practice OF
law. His learning, integrity, and popular manners,
which would have surely rendered him successful |
in any country, where refinement and Intelligence |
were appreciated, soon brought him to public no.
tcs and he early received the appointment OF SUI
preme Justice of the county. After a stay of five
years in Texas, and having acquired competent
fortune Mr.. W. closed up his business and made all
necessary arrangements for leaving, intending to
take up his permanent residence in the U. States.
Exhara:ed with the fond hope of returning TO
his dear parents and early friends, and revisit,
the scenes of his childhood he commenced his jour
ney. But an inscrutable Providence had determined
that those joyous ancipaons should never be reali
zed. On the third day of his journey he was attack
ed with disease, which proceeded to fatal termna
ton, the twentyihird day from its commencement
He died the 2On of November, 1912, at the early age
Of twen'y-seveR years. The stranger hand which
com municated the sad intelligence of his death to
his afflicted parents, bore the strongest testimony Of
the high standing and fatterng promise which their
departed son held in that community.
In the brisflife Of this individual there is much toni
- eatssm ~ siis nnd was Of
no common order. Although its natural powers
were strong and vigorous, it was the digent and UNI
firing perseverance with which it sought knowledge