Norwich bulletin., 1916-01-01


 what is termed "a good fighter and was very successful in his efforts as an advocate Late in life he was ap- pointed coroner of the county, and held this off1ce until succeeded by the present incumbent, Franklin H. Brown, Esq.
 Elder Park, like his brother, was not one who mixed generally with his fel- low men, but he. too, was of a kindly ments, and lived a fife of usefulness fo himself and to the community.
 WALTER cLAPP
 Another 1ayman occupying judicial office. that of deputy judge of the city court, either under Judge Thayer or Judge Colt, was Walter Clapp. For many years he was conductor on the $ a. m train on the old Norwich and Worcester railroad, and because of that position, enjoyed a wide acquaintance.
 An elderly man. of dignified mien, on the few occasions when he occupied the bench. he did so with due regard to the propr1eties of his office and doubt less his judgments were as fair and considerate as were those of his asso- ciate.
 Tn private life was one of the most delightful of men and ready to lend a hand to all who might need his coun- sel or assistance. His son, Edward T.. Clapp. for long time secretary of the Norwich and Worcester Railroad com pany, was one of the prominent fg- ures in church and social circles in the city, afterward removing to St. Louis, with the Big Four" railway.
 WILLIAM s. coNopoN
 MT. Congdon. an associate and law partner of Col. Tenny, dying in early life as his usefulness was ripening, was one of the most brilliant scholars in the Academy, and afterward in Yale, where he graduated. At one time he was, we believe, clerk of the city court.
 MT. Congdon was a very eloquent young man and his early demise was a distinct loss to the city and town in which he was born. Few young men in this vicinity ever began their ca reer with more brilliant prospects.
 EDWARD H. THOMAS
 One of the younger men in practice at this period, was Edward H. Thomas. and while he was in some degree suc- cessful in his practice, he was seldom engaged in the trial of cases in the courts. MT. Thomas was g man of fine literary tastes and wrote and pub- lished number of poems of considera- ble merit. For a time he was at the city desk of The Bulletin, and after wards retired to private life.
 Among the other young men who graduated from Col Waits office at singer of considerable merit, who afterward removed to Providence and John W. Murphy, a man of fine pres- ence and a great social favorite, who died very early in his career.
 GENERAL EDWARD HARLAND
 General Harland was in the midst of his active career at this time, having served with gallantry and distinction in the Civil war, and was one time judge of probate in this district, but living to a ripe old age, his history Is familiar to the present. generation as an active member of the state board of pardons until very lately and presi- dent of the Chelsea Savings bank until his demise.
 FRANK r. BROWN !. Although a young man at the period when the majority of the attorneys yond, Frank T. Brown, because of his profound legal talent and the active part which he took in public affairs as well as in the practice or his pro- fessfon, deserves notice in this paper; and if ali his various activities were to be dwelt upon, 1t would be impossi- ble to describe them in this limited space.
 For MT. Brown was distinctly a mar of affairs, in his profession and outside it. From boyhood whatever interested him, interested him intensely. whether 1t were baseball or football. or the tria of a difficult and perplexing case, he went into it with all of his yirile energy. As a student in the Academy where he afterward graduated and taught, in Yale. in business, where fol time he was employed by our es- teemed fellow -townsman. John T Clark, in his profession, and later 1T life, in the affairs of numerous cor porations. with which he was connect ed, MT. Brown gave to them all h1f be truthfully said of him that he wal one of the most successful practition' CTS in the state.
 His success in the matter of the city and the Norwich Gas and Electric com pany is well remembered and In th' matter of the Fitch estate, which hs argued with great force and ability, ht was equally successful: and his labors were rewarded in both these cases by fees. as he himself, said which rem dered him independent.
 tl In the famous New York and New 1 HayenlBoston and Maine deal, nov being aired in the U. 8. court, MT Brown was counsel for Mir. Billiard Iwho handled deals involving millionl with apparent nonchalance, and wal also made a director or the Malns Central railroad, subsidiary of th' Boston and Maine and was counsel rol and otherwise interested In severa other corporations. | MT. Brown was a delightful man ts | meet. always jolly in friendly conver sation. and inclined to laugh upon tn slightest provocation. He had an utte iiack of system in the conduct Of hi lpersonal affairs, and his office witt every chair in it cushioned with news papers and his desk piled htgh witl books and papers, were a source amusement to his friends. and at times to himself as well.
 l MT. Browns early demise was Iereat loss, for he had apparently I stretched out before him, a long ca reer of usefulness and prosperity. H seemed to have but few moments fo relaxation, outside his family circle except at whist: and not the least his Accomplishments was the fact tha he was superb player of this, tn king of games.
 In bringing to conclusion thes Unnecessarily imperfect character-sketch es of men who were, twenty-five o more years ago, leaders, in their va rious ways, of the bar of Norwich. an of the younger men of the time who, ] mot so brilliant or important as thei seniors, were perhaps limited becaus of their surroundings or opportunities