Connecticut western news., 1895-01-31

Mir Batten was born in Norfolk, in in the house where he died. on the 9th day of April, 1919, and was therefore about three months less than 76 years of age. He was the youngest son of the late MT and Mrs Joseph Battell, which family held prominent place in this county and state. He has one brother living, Mir Phillip Battell, 87 years of age, who resides at Middlebury, Vt. He also leaves a daughter, Mrs Ellen B. Terry, the widow of Mir Frederick Terry, who died several years ago at Mont Clair, N. J. He also leaves sev- eral nephews and nieces, among whom is the well known Eldridge family of Norfolk.
 MT Batte1 was married in 1849 to Miss Ellen R, the accomplished daugh- ter of Mir George s. Mills of Newark, N. J. She died in 1851, soon after the birth of her daughter. MT Battell was very much attached to his native town and to it's people. He did much to make it attractive and desirable for summer visitors and summer home, and it's present popularity in that re- spect is due largely to his influence and effort. He will be greatly missed and mourned by the people of that town, where he was so we'll known and held in such high esteem for his benevolence and kindly acts. His death is loss to the town in various ways, which can hardly be over estimated.
 MT Batten was a great lover of music and was the author of several musical compositions. It has been said of him that '.music was inborn iu his soul, 7" and to this saying the people of Nor folk can give ample testimony. As a composer of vocal music he ranked among the first. A short time before his death he caused to be distributed among his friends and acquaintances copies of his last composition, beau tiful melody. comprising male quartet and solo.
 His extreme love for this greatest of arts induced him for some years to pro- cure the services of Oilers famous band of New York, which would play morning and evening in pine trimmed stand in the center of the park, to the ediication of all lovers of fine music. At various times since then he has en- gagged the services of talented musi- clans, who have assisted at divine ser vices in the church.
 He was also great lover and patron of art, and has valuable gallery ol paintings in his residence which he took much pleasure in showing to any who might desire to look at them. Since his youth he has been an active faithful and sincere member of the Con. gregational Church in Norfolk of which his honored grandfather, Rev Ammi Ruhamah Robbins, was the first settled pastor and of which his brother in law the Rev Joseph Eldridge, was pastor fol over forty years. During his entire life he has taken special interest in the mu sic of the church and participated il the exercises of the church choir unti his late illness. It can be said of him he was christian gentleman in every sense of that word, and active in al good works.
 He was a graduate of Yale University to which institution he made severa | large donations, among which was chime of bells which were placed in tn, Battel chapel. This was in accord with his excellent musical taste, whicl was also shown by placing in the churcl at Norfolk chime of bells and also il presenting chime to the college a Williamstown, Mass.
 MT Battell loved his home, his famil,, and his friends, and in his social habits was remarkably pleasant and agreeabl to every one, whom he recognized. RI had pleasant word of greeting for all high or humble. It was a natural trai of his character that never forsook him and 1t was always great pleasure t. meet him. He had good word for all l The management of his estate an' that of large trust which was in hi care, required his presence in Ney York weekly, yet notwithstanding, h. made it special point to be at hi home in Norfolk over the Sabbath, an' in the church choir unless prevente, by circumstances which could not pos sibly be overcome.
 | A loving desire to continue thetworl along educational lines commenced b, the Rev Ammi R. Robbins, and fix ed purpose to give young men the bene fit of higher education and to prepar them for college, persuaded Mir Battel and his sister, Miss Anna, to found tn present Robbins School, which wa done in September, 1884. The result
 of this purely labor of love were man. and varied, and the school is recogniz
 ed to-day as one of the leading prepara
 tory schools of the land.
 Although Mir Battell held decide,
 views on political questions in his ale
 gience to the republican party. yet h ] had no taste for political office, of whicl