Biographies of Prominent Families
Town of Durham
Middlesex County Connecticut
Transcribed by Lynn Tooley
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Biographies of Prominent Families of Durham, Middlesex County, Connecticut, extracted from The History of Middlesex County 1635-1885, J. H. Beers & Co., 36 Vesey Street, New York, 1884, Page 281
W. C. Fowler, LL D., Biography
Most of the facts stated in this history have been condensed from the History of Durham, prepared by W. C. Fowler, LL.D., and printed by the town.
The writer was acting school visitor jointly with him during the ten latter years of his life. During this time Prof. Fowler lived on his place in Durham, and cultivated his farm. He was remarkable for the correctness and certainty of his memory, which remained unimpaired. Aged people often remember what took place in their youth, and forget the things of the present. He remembered both equally well. He seemed to take as much interest in his farm as if he were a young farmer just starting. He watched the schools like a man of 45. He knew the village gossip, kept the run of the young people, and what they were doing. He always had on hand some literary work, and occupied his time fully. He talked like a book, and it was a pleasure to listen to him. He loved his native place, and was zealous for its interests. He was an illustrious example of the way in which old age may be used, enjoyed, and improved. His other public works are more widely known, but his History of Durham should always make his name remembered among his town people.
Chauncey Goodrich, Biography
Chauncey Goodrich was born at Durham, Connecticut, October 20th 1759: graduated from Yale College, in 1776, with a high reputation for genius and acquirements. After spending several years as tutor in that institution he established himself as a lawyer at Hartford in 1781, and soon attained to eminence in the profession. He was a representative in the Legislature in 1793, and a representative in Congress from 1795 to 1801. From 1802 to 1807 he was a councilor of the State; and he was elected United States Senator from 1807 to 1813. He received the office of mayor of Hartford in 1812, and resigned his seat in Congress. He was elected lieutenant-governor of the State in 1813, and was also a delegate to the Hartford Convention in 1814. He died at Hartford, August 18th 1815.