Litchfield enquirer., 1860-05-17
Sketches of the Early Lights of the
 Litchfield Bar.
ELISHA STERLING.
No. XI.

ELISHA STERLING.
 NEW MILFORD, May 7th, 1860.
 10 Me Editor otr. .aae Litc]ldeld Enquirer:
 SIR: Gen. Elisha Sterling of Salisbury, who was for long time very respectable member of the Litchfeld County Bar, was native of Lyme in this State, where he received his train- ing and early education until he became n.em- Der of Yale College, of the class which gradua- ted in September, 17s7 and that he sustained good standing in it is evinced by his having an honorary share in it's commencement exercises. Immediately after his graduation he assumed the charge of an academy, then recently established in Sharon and during the two years while it was under his management and tuition it became very thoroughly established and very extensively and popularly known. While at the head of the academy he pursued the study of Law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1789 or 179O, and imme- diately opened an office for the practice of his profession in Salisbury, where he continued to re- side during the remainder of his life. He was very fortunate in his place of settlement, and soon found himself engaged in lucrative practice, which he pursued with much industry for long time; and it is believed that very few lawyers have by the mere practice of their profession in Connecticut acquired larger property than he did. He was at an early period by the County Court appointed the Attorney for the State in that County, and by them Ito whom alone the right of that appointment then pertained,) annu ally reappointed for many years, and until DO litical change in majority of that Court led tc change in the attorneyship. The propriety o his management as public prosecutor was never questioned even by his political opponents. A. mere advocate he did not stand at the head O such practice, but did a respectable share of it and stood high in the secondary rank and ir the entire amount of business, in point of profit lew equaled, and perhaps none surpassed him In addition to the office of States Attorney, he Tor long time held the office of Judge of Pro bate for the district of Sharon-an office then de pending upon the annual appointment of the legislature, and until for like course above men toned he was required to give place to auothe, of different political principles from his own and the latter office he held two or three years afo, he ceased to be, of the then, healthy politics faith. He was very often representative to in, General Assembly from Salisbury when the m litical standing of the town would allow of sncl choice, and was a major-general of the militia At asomewhat earlier period he married daupb ter of the Hon. John Canfeld, deceased, of sba ron, who for long time was distineuisbe, member of the Bar of Litch6eld County in form CT times and by that marriage he became thu father of a somewhat numerous family, nearly al Of whom were sons. They were all young me, or promise, and on entering into business wer well endowed by their father, and it is believe, were respectable and prosperous in their severn vacations. Gen. Sterling somewhat late in lift married the widow of the Rev. Dr. John Elliot, who survived him; through life Gen stsrl;n, enjoyed good state of health, and dief, wbe, over seventy years of age, in the year laas If sudden illness occasioned by slight wou,a :, the leg too much neglected He vas ahora =. dium size, of light complexion and good ns, sonal appearance, and his moral and re,;v;ou habits unimpeachable.