Norwich bulletin., 1909-04-19
DEATH OF HON. FRANK 7. BROWN
Occurred Saturday Night at Midnight After Weeks III
with Pleuro Pneumonia-Dstinct Loss Not Only
to Norwich But to Entire State-Man of Marked
Capabilities

Hartford Railroad company also re-
tanned him as their counsel and his
advice has been carried out in many
matters of magnitude, involving hard
legal tangles, and one of Theses the
suit of Mckay VS.. the New Haven
road. was decided during the week of
his illness by the supreme court in his
favor. He was also counsel for the
Billiard interests in the Boston and
Maine railroad, involving about a third
of the capitalization of the road, and
as such was elected a director of the
Boston and Maine railroad and its al
lied interests.
That his prominence as a lawyer
has attracted attention is shown by
the fact that twice has he been Of
fered an appointment as a Judge of the
superior court in this state, once by
Governor Woodruff and once by Gov
ernor Lilley. Because of his large
practice. however, he would not accept
such appointments, though he fully
appreciated the honor done him. Mr..
Brown had been particularly success
full in the practice of his profession,
having possessed remarkably good
judgment, and this particularly in in
tricate cases, where his opinion was
highly valued. AS one lawyer said:
IF Mr.. Browns opinion could be Sc
cured upon a hard legal tangle, II
could invariably be relied upon" He
built up a large civil business, and
his quick thought and strong. common
sense argument, coupled with the
backing of the sound legal authority
whereon he rested his cases, made him
a lawyer of power and influence in all
the courts where he practiced. At
tention was paid to him by all, and his
standing as an attorney who should be
needed in his arguments was well
recognized. In all the courts, from
the justice to the supreme court Of err
rors, this condition prevailed. It was
right and justice which influenced
him. He did a large corporation bust
ness, and probably one of the largest
cases with which he was identified
was that case which followed the vote
of the city of Norwich to take over the
Norwich Gas and Electric Light COM
pany, Mr.. Brown representing the
company. Another case of great i'm
portance was Mckay VS.. the New
Haven road, recently decided. while
the suit Of the board Of water COM
missioners of New London VS.. Robbins
& Potter, which is to come before the
supreme court here this month, by the
plans, and in which he was counsel
for the defendants, was another case
of magnitude.
In banking, educational, Industrial
or social organizations his advice was
eagerly sought. and he was a member
of the corporation and a trustee Of the
Norwich Free Academy, a trustee of
the Norwich Savings society and the
Chelsea Savings bank. a member of
the Billiard corporation, which has a
bill authorizing its existence before the
legislature. a director Of the Hopkins
& Allen Arms company, and was a
member of the Norwich club.
He was a member of the New Lon
don County Bar association, being a
member of the grievance committee,
and was alos a member Of the Bar
Library association.
Mr.. Brown was a thorough student
and looked deep into his cases, being
recognized for his ability to analyze a
case quickly and accurately. Reserved
in manner, he possessed a kind and
sympathetic disposition. He was I'M
Ostentatious and numbered his friends
on every hand. He could often cleo
trify a public meeting by his clear and
concise presentation of facts and sell
dom failed to carry the meeting on
the side of common sense and good
judgment. His services have been
much in demand for the past few year
and much Of his time has been spent
on out of town matters. He was frank
and open in his statements and out
spoken upon mis- CONVICTIONS. Ihere
was a determination and persistence
in all his work. He possessed a genial
and jovial way, yet he was swayed by
dignity and justice.
By his death Norwich loses one of
its leading citizens who evor guarded
its welfare and worked for its uplift.
He was in every way an exemplary
citizen whose life and work will stand
as a lasting monument to his memory,
Particularly sad is his taking away
at the time when he had worked up
the height of his fame and with such
bright prospects ahead, and his family
has the sympathy Of a bereaved com
munity.
On Aug. 5. 1855. he married Isabel c.
Geer, daughter of George and Eliza
beth Mitchell Geer Of this city, by
whom he is survived; together with
two daughters. Miss Faith E. Brown
and Miss Katherine Brown. He also
leaves a brother, Charles S. Brown, Of
East Great Plain.