Draft:Augustus H. Fenn

Augustus Hall Fenn (January 18, 1844 – September 12, 1897) was a justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court from 1893 to 1897.

Biography

Early life and career

Augustus Hall Fenn was born in Plymouth, Connecticut, to Augustus L. and Maria Hall Fenn, with ancestry in the state tracing back to their 1635 arrival there. He attended the common school in his native Plymouth and the high school in Waterbury, Connecticut. He "early showed unusual literary talent", and at fifteen published a volume of poems, although in his later life he studiously hid this volume from the public eye.

He began the study of law at the age of eighteen with Hon. Ammi Giddings in his native town, but relinquished it after a few months to enlist in the United States Army during the American Civil War. He entered the military service as lieutenant in the 19th Connecticut Infantry Regiment, in July, 1862. The following year, when his regiment became the 2d Connecticut Heavy Artillery, he was promoted to captain. The adjutant and historian of his regiment says of him: "He proved himself one of the best drill masters and disciplinarians in the regiment, and one of the most competent officers in every position". He served for a time on the staff of General Emory Upton, and was five times detailed as judge advocate. At the Battle of Cedar Creek he lost his right arm. Hospital surgeons who attended him proposed to muster him out for disability, but he protested, and through the influence of General Ranald S. Mackenzie, he was retained. "In less than seven weeks from the time his arm was taken off at the shoulder he reported for full duty", writes his regimental historian, and he subsequently participated in several engagements. He was promoted to major in January, 1865, and was brevetted lieutenant-colonel and colonel for conspicuous instances of bravery.

Fenn was mustered out of the military service with his regiment on August 18, 1865, and the following month resumed the study of law with Gen. S. W. Kellogg in Waterbury. He gained admission to the bar in Litchfield County, Connecticut, on February 15, 1867. He then pursued a course of study for a year at the Harvard Law School, from which he received a bachelor of laws. After practicing for a year in Waterbury he opened an office in his native town, where he continued in the practice of his profession until 1875. He was judge of probate for several years in Plymouth, also holding several other minor public offices. In 1875 he was Republican nominee for Connecticut Secretary of State, but his party ticket was unsuccessful in that election.

In 1876 he removed to Winsted, which since that time has been his home. He had become an ardent admirer of Samuel J . Tilden in his fight against the " Tammany ring" of New York, his admiration being so strong as to lead him to remark that if Tilden should be a presidential candidate he should support him. He was true to his word, and thus became allied with the Democratic party. He was judge of probate of the district of Winchester several terms, and by the careful study of that branch of his profession became known as one of the best authorities in the State on probate law. In 1884 he represented Winchester in the General Assembly, serving on the judiciary committee, and as chairman of the committee on forfeited rights. In 1885 he was appointed by the Governor member of a committee to revise the statutes, a task of which he performed his full share.

Notwithstanding his changed political affiliations he continued to hold the highest esteem of his former political associates, for he was never regarded as strenuously partisan. He was nominated judge of the Superior Court in 1887 by a Republican governor, and as associate justice of the Supreme Court of Errors in I892 by another governor of the same party. His appreciation of these advancements at the hands of his political opponents was such as to lead him to say-when his name was mentioned in various newspapers in connection with gubernatorial honors-that he should never allow himself to accept a nomination for an y position which would bring him into competition with any Republican. He had been advanced in his profession by his political opponents and felt that it would indicate lack of appreciation, or ingratitude, were he to take advantage of his promotion to the bench as a stepping-stone to further political preferment.

It may be well doubted if there can be recalled, within the remembrance of the present generation at least, another equally conspicuous in stance showing firmer or more intimate friendships than existed between Fenn and those who differed with him politically. His relations with his towns-people, with his professional associates, and with his comrades of the war, were such as to indicate that political differences were not thought of, or if thought of, were no bar to the most intimate confidences. His loyalty to his personal friends and neighbors was not unlike that he exhibited to his country-firm and unwavering. In the presidential campaign of 1896 he affiliated with the Republican party.

Fenn first sat on the supreme bench as a regular member at the May term in Norwich, in 1891, although his appointment by the legislature was not completed until the 2d of February, 1893. His last duty was at the May term in Norwich, 1897. He was regarded by his associates of that tribunal as an agreeable companion, cheerful, kindly, sympathetic and generous. He had unusual power to acquire knowledge, a singularly clear and retentive memory, great industry and wonderful endurance. He had read not only the common books of the law but some which are not commonly looked at. He had read most of the text of Littleton in the Norman French, Fearne's Contingent Remainders, and had gone over Coke's second, third and fourth Institutes.

Fenn was president of the Connecticut Army and Navy Club at time of his death, a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and of the Loyal Legion.

Personal life and death

Fenn married twice. His first wife was Frances M. Smith, whom he married in 1868; and his second wife was Mary E. Lincoln, whom he married in 1879. Four of his children, two of which were from each wife, were still living at the time of his 1897 death.

Fenn died in Winsted.

References

Category:1844 births Category:1897 deaths Category:People from Plymouth, Connecticut Category:U.S. state supreme court judges admitted to the practice of law by reading law Category:Justices of the Connecticut Supreme Court

This open draft remains in progress as of July 5, 2023.