Litchfield enquirer., 1870-06-09
FIFTY YEARS AT THE LITCHFIELD
 COUNTY BAR.
BY CHARLES F. sEDawIcK, ESQ.

I am now to speak of class of lawyers much younger than those to whom have already referred. but who had obtained g good standing at the bar fifty years ago. WILLIAM G. WILLIAMS,
 Of New Hartford, stood as high as any member of this class He belonged to the eminent and reputable Williams family O! Massachusetts, his father being nephew of Colonel Ephraim Williams the founder of Williams College, and himself the first cousin of Bishop Williams of the Episco I pal Church of Connecticut. As special pleader he had no superior at the bar. He had tolerably fair standing as an advo cate, and was indefatigable in pursuing to the last possible effort any purpose he had undertaken If he failed in one form of action he would try another, and never gave up till further persistence was hope. less. He commenced business as lawyer in Sharon, where he married, but after a few years he removed to New Hartford, where he remained during his life. He had scarcely reached the age of sixty years when he died.
 JOHN STRONG JR,
 Of Weodbury, his native town, was a law. yer of very fair standing. I remember once to have heard Judge Boardman say, that if he found John Strong differing from himself on law point. he always doubted the correctness of his own conclu- sions. He was ready speaker and had a peculiar habit of looking all over the hall, frequently directly behind himself, while he was addressing the jury. His argu- ments were clear and logical, and he was always listened to by the court with atten- ton. He had scarcely reached the age of fifty years when he died.
 CALVIN BUTLER, Of Plymouth. had a very good reputation as a lawyer. He also stood we'll with his fellow citizens of Plymouth, as he was often 8 member of the legislature, and he was of the convention which formed the constitu- tion of this state He was also member of the Senate in 1882. He had part in all the cases which came from that town and managed trial very we'll. He was earnest in his manner of addressing the jury, and he was in full practice up to the time of his death, when he had reached the age of seventytwo years. He died suddenly, while away from home, and left behind 8 good record as faithful lawyer and an honest man.
 CYRUS SWAN,
 Of Stonington, came to sthe bar of this county in 1798. He settled in Sharon, and continued in full practice for twenty years. He was appointed judge of the county court in 1918, and reappointed for the suc- ceeding year, but resigned the office before the close of the term. His health becom- ing intolerant of sedentary habits and re- quiring outdoor pursuits, he never resum- ed full practice, although he occasionally appeared in trials where his old friends de- manded his aid. His arguments were clear, sound and sensible, and were listened to with attention. His mind was we'll stored with sound legal maxims and his aim seemed to be to make sensible applica- tion of these to the case in hand. He died in 1885 at the age of sixty-fve years. ANsEL STERLING,
 A younger brother of the General, with whom he studied law, settled first in Sails bury, but in 1908 went to Sharon, where he spent his life. His talents were diversi- fled, addicting himself readily to any pur- suit which was source of money mak- ing, in which he was very successful. As a lawyer, his forensic ability was of high order, nor was he deficient in legal science. His language flowed readily and rapidly, and sometimes his appeals to the jury were very effective. He was member of Con, gress for two terms. and did not conceal his disappointment that he was not nomi' mated for the third. That compliment was afforded him two years later, but he was defeated by Orange Merwin whom the fed. eralists had placed on their ticket. He died at the age of seventy-two years. leav. ing large estate and numerous family. JOSEPH MILLER,
 Of Winsted, who died recently in Michi. gan at very advanced age, was man of more talent and of higher order of legal requirements than he usually had credit 1 for. After the removal of MT. Miller to Litchfeld, his practice was large and con- tinued to be so for several years. His ar. guments were short. compact and logical. and were listeneu to with attention and in. terest. In middle life he removed to Michigan, where he had a prosperous ca. reer.
 WILLIAM M. BURRALL,
 A native. and through life a resident, of Canaan, was lawyer of very extensive practice in one branch of business. He commenced great many cases to the court, but never argued one on the final trial.