Читать книгу History of Bridgeport and Vicinity, Volume 2: Biographical - George Curtis Waldo jr. - Страница 9

Lyman S. Catlin, treasurer of the Mechanics & Farmers Savings Bank of Bridgeport and a public-spirited citizen, who in every relation of life has manifested loyalty to his country, whether on the battlefields of the south in the Civil war or in the legislative halls of the state, is a native son of Connecticut. He was born in Harwinton, Litchfield county, January 21, 1840, and is a descendant of an old colonial family that sent its representatives to the American army in the Revolutionary war. His parents were Sheldon Catlin and Cornelia (Baldwin) Catlin, the former a stone worker and farmer.

Lyman S. Catlin was a pupil in the little red schoolhouse of Harwinton and began earning his living by working on a farm when but ten years of age, being thrown upon his own resources owing to his father's death. He worked in the fields during the summer months and in the winter seasons engaged in clerking in a country store, at the same time improving his mind by reading and study at every opportunity. At an early age he took up school-teaching with the idea of educating himself, it being necessary to earn the funds that would enable him to pursue a more advanced course of study. The outbreak of the Civil war, however, changed his plans and in 1862 he enlisted in Company A of the Nineteenth Regiment of Connecticut Volunteer Infantry as a private. After two years with that regiment he was commissioned first lieutenant in the Thirteenth Regiment of United States Colored Artillery and while participating in an engagement on the Cumberland river in southwestern Kentucky he was captured by General Forrest's cavalry. He was then imprisoned and sentenced to be hung, together with officers of other colored troops, but they escaped on a gunboat and in 1865 Lieutenant Catlin with his command was mustered out. He was commissioned a first lieutenant in the Fifth Regiment of United States Cavalry (Colored) and served in Arkansas until 1866, when he was again honorably discharged and returned to Connecticut. He located in Bridgeport and soon afterward organized the Mechanics & Farmers Savings Bank, the growth and development of which has been largely due to his ability, close application, foresight and sound judgment.

On the 28th of September, 1871, Mr. Oatlin was married to Miss Helen J. Lewis, of Stratford, Connecticut, and they became the parents of the following children: Sheldon; Lucy J., the wife of Egbert Marsh; George L.; and Cornelia, the wife of Lieutenant Julius A. Furer of the United States Navy. The wife and mother passed away in October, 1906.

Mr. Catlin is a member of Elias Howe, Jr., Post, No. 3, G. A. R., of the New York Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion and also of the Ex-Prisoners of War Association. His political allegiance was for many years given to the republican party, although at the present time he follows an independent course. From 1881 until 1883 he represented the town of Stratford in the general assembly and served on the joint committee on school funds in 1881 and as house chairman on banks in 1883. In 1888 he was elected senator from the thirteenth district and in 1889 was chairman of the joint committee on banks. He gave most careful and earnest thought to all the vital questions which came up for consideration and in their settlement threw the weight of his influence on the side of development, looking to the future as well as to the present needs of the state. In fact in all matters of citizenship he has followed a farsighted policy, which has also been manifest in his business