The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-07-26

The deceased began to practice his profession in this city in 1868, immed- lately after his graduation in law from just past his majority. Since which year, until compelled a few months ago by illness to relax his labors, he had been in continuous and active practice iT this city. His sclientage was a large one and not confined to Bridgeport nor to Fairfield county, and the business entrusted to him was gen. erally of financial magnitude and of a most respons sible character.
 During his professional career of forty years, he had been almost con- etantly engaged in the trial of causes with marked success. He was emil nently qualified for trial work and those natural traits of character which seem to be requisite to the success of "a trial lawyer. He achieved a high standing in his profession at an early age and at a time when the Fairfield County Bar had many members of ex- ceptiona1 ability and brilliancy, among the number being William K Seeley, Israel M- Bullock, Edward w. Sey- mour. David B. Lockwood and Robert E. DeForest of this city, Samuel Fes- senden, James H. Olmstead and Calvin G. Child of Stamford, OTris S. Ferris of Norwalk, and former States Attor- ney Nelson L. White and Lyman D. Brewster of Danbury.
 Goodwin Stoddard ranked with the foremost among these and his contests in the forum of the courts won for him the respect of the profession for his exceptional abilities and also very fre- auently the warm friendship of those members of the bar who met him on opposite sides of a cause.
 A strong friendship, of many years standing, existed between him and the late lamented States Attorney Samuel Fessenden, whose departure from life and the activities of legal practice pre- cesled that of Goodwin Stoddard by only a short period.
 Among his closest friends was Fred erick B. Hall, Judge of the Supreme court, who was a partner of MT. Stod- dard in tEe practice of the law, prev fouS to his elevation to the bench, for many years After the judicial hon ors conferred upon his partner, F. B. Hall. removed him from active prac- tice. Mir Stoddard associated with him William R. Shelton. Afterward Jo- Later the firm consisted of Goodwin Stoddard, William T. Haviland and William D. Bishop, Jr. The firm later was composed of Goodwin Stoddard Boardman, and at the time of his death there were associated with him in the firm Arthur M. Marsh and his two sons. Sanford Stoddard and Henry B Stoddard.
 Besides these two sons, who are fol- lowing the profession in which their lfather had become distinguished, MT. f8toddard leaves a widow. Julia E. E6toddard, daughter of the late E. G.. Sanford, with whom he was united in marriage in 1875.
 & Mr. Stoddard never cherished any po- Hfical ambitions. He reluctantly ac- 6epted a nomination to the Legislature fn one occasion and represented Bridgeport with distinction Never afterward did he allow political place Co withdraw from the practice of his Profession any of his time or energies. Neither did Judicial position ever at tract him, although his abilities and standing in the community would have Justified high expectations in either direction He adhered with severe fi- 3elify to the study and practice of the law and seemed to recognize that he was best qualified for that field of la Dor and the successes which crowned his efforts throughout life have justi- fled this belief.
 As an orator, MT. Stoddard possessed great ability. His diligence always made him master of his subject and he had at his command large vocabulary from which he was able to select, with admirable nicety, the language which would exactly and impressively express She idea which the mind had formed. Tn addition he possessed a culture of 1nanners and grace of person, which made him a man of pleasing and pow <rfsi address-
 IT had q profound knowledge of the