New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-10
JUDGE MoCURDY.
THE SENIOR YALE ALUMNUs.


Charles Johnson McCurdy, whose death has already
been recorded. was Jhe second Of Richard ana
Ursula Wolcott (Grswod) McCurdy. Of Lyme, Conn.
lie was born in that town December Z, 1891 lie
was thts grandson OF John McCurdy, Of Scotch Irish
blood, whom the historical Gordon refers to as a
Jealous patriot before the american Revolution. His
mother was granddaughter Of the Rev. stephen John
son. Of Lyme, who is noted In history for his elo-
quent papers in favor Of colonial rights, published,
with the aid Of John McCurdy ten years before the
Revolution and great granddaughter Of William
Diodate. OF New-Haven, whom late researches have
proved TO have belonged to a distinguished ruling
Italian family, who left Lucca for conference.-the,
and took refuge in Geneva in 1872. He the great
grandson OF Governor Matthew Grisw6d, Of Con-
necticut, and Of his wife, who a daugh-
ter Of Governor Roger Woloott, OF Con
necticut. In many other lines OF descent he came
from prominent early settlers Of New-Engand He
was elder brother Of the late Robert II. MoCurdy
an eminent New-York merchant, and uncle Of Richard
A McCurdy. president Of the Mutual Life Insurance
Company of New-York
Having had his early educational training at the
Colchester Academy In his native State he entered
vale College In 1873 and graduated In 1917, in
the last class instructed by the first President Dwight
After graduation he devoted himself 10 the study OF
law chiefly in the Office Of Chief Justice Swift, Of
Wndhafn, and was admitted 20 the bar IN 1919.
Three years later he married Miss Sarah Ann Lord,
granddaughter OF Judge Richard Lord, Of Lyme,
of great refinement and sensiuveness Of nature
a devoted wife and mother. who died in 1885 at the
age Of thrtyslx after which time during the remain
der Of his life. more than half century. Mr.. McCurdy
remained vidower. They had one child, a daughter,
now the wife Of ex Professor Edward E. Salisbury Of
New Haven Conn, Mr. McCuriy soon attained emf
in his profession and early became interested in
political affairs. He elected TO the Legislature
OF his native State ard served as a member Of that
body for eleven years being Speaker of the House
three years and Senator year. For two years
he Lieutenant Governor Of Connecticut. When
taking part In the legislation Of his native State. he
originated and with the assistance of the Hon. Charles
Chapman chiefly influential In carrying through
IN 1S48) that great change Of the common law by
which those interested in the event Of suits allowed
to be Witnesses change which has since been gen
orally adopted in this country. and in England Gn
1851 through the Influence Of Lord Denman). He
OF the projectors, and in some sense, one Of
the most active promoters of the New Haven and New
London Railroad the Shore Line
In 1851 he was nominated Charge d'Afaires In
Austria by President Fillmore, receiving his COM
mission from Daniel Webster, Secretary OF State
Prince Schwartzenberg was then Prime Minister At
this time Kossuth having his triumphal reception
in the United States and cOuntryman, the late
Charles Lorng Brace, who travelling in Hungary
being suspected Of completely with the revoluonsts
there. arrested by the Austrian authorities.
These two circumstances made the position of the Min
Inter to Vienna one Of great delicacy. Mr. McCurdy
was true to his country openly the friend Of liberty
he unfnchngy insisted the innocence OF his
fellOwcountryman untustly arrested and obtained
his release He returned to the United States at the
end Of 1853, and resumed the practice Of his pro-
fession. In 1856 he was appointed a Judge Of the
Superior Court and in 1868 raised to the Supreme
bench where he sat till his retirement by legal mlta-
ton OF age in 1867. In 1861 he active mem
Der of the Peace Convention at Washington where he
Of the first to discover the irreconcableness
Of the opposing views Of the North and South. But
after the Civil War began and during It's darkest
days, he never doubted of the final success of the
cause Of the Union. He admirer and personal
friend Of Horace Greeley.
After the death Of Governor Dutton who had been
for some years al the head of the Yale Law School,
and when the school was temporarily languishing,
Judge McCurdy obtained for it subscription OF
IS OOO and gave his personal aid by delivering
than once in successive years of lectures
life insurance, which noteworthy for clearness
Of statement finished language and richness Of ma
teral drawn largely from his legal experience,
thus contributing much TO the restoration aud increase
Of the prestige of the school In 1868 the honorary
degree Of Doctor of Laws was conferred upon him By
In 1850, after his fathers DEATH leaving the home
where he had lived since his marriage, he took pos
session Of the ancestral homestead large farm which
had then been in the family for more than 100 years
lie became deeply interested In agriculture, and
enthusiastic In obtaining some Of the finest and most
beautiful farm stock. lie was always a constant and
discriminating observer of public events, though for
many Of his later years he took no active part in
public life Almost TO the last he was looked TO by
his nelChbOrs and friends for counsel aud aid
Inheritlng a constitution OF remarkable vigOr and
elasticity always temperate and regular in his habits
he never had serious illness and his physicians say
that he had disease at the last. Until about
two years ago. though then over nlnety-one years
old, he showed none Of the nhrmities Of that age.
but was erect in figure. active In movement, with .
delicate bloom upon his cheek. and eyes not dim
His voice stll rich and meOdious, his converse
ton was still full Of point and wit his interest in
life As keen and his society attractive ever, and
he still retained his early fondness for poetry, general
literature and art