Son of Henry Sill and Almeda Marshall, husband of Mary J. Preston and father of George Elliott, Grace Preston, Helen (Ellen) Beecher, and William Raymond Sill.
Obituary - Hon. George G. Sill, former lieutenant governor of the state, died at 8:30 yesterday morning at his home, No. 124 Garden Street. Death followed a progressive attack of locomotor ataxia and a weakened condition of his entire system which was aggravated by several falls. Mr. Sill's health had been failing for a couple of years, and he had been confined to the house for several months.
Mr. Sill was for many years one of the best known lawyers in Hartford and only a few lawyers of the state have been longer in practice. He had a brilliant mind, a nimble wit, aptness in repartee and unusual geniality of manner. His sympathy was far-reaching and never failing. A kindly disposition and a heart full of charity were among his most marked characteristics. Mr. Sill was regarded by his associates at the bar and by the public as an able lawyer, well versed in the principles and practice of his profession and skillful and resourceful in the trial of cases in court. He was highly respected by his associates because he was always fair and his ready wit and humor were never tinctured with sarcasm or bitterness of cynicism. He was always an optimist, full of hope, cheerful and carrying sunshine wherever he went.
In his household Mr. Sill was a model husband and father. For his wife, who died some years ago, he had the most constant and tender affection. For his children his affection was combined with an intimate sympathy with their hopes and efforts, and there was no one to whom they would more readily turn in any difficulty or trial. Mr. Sill's home has always been a house of hospitality, and he always had a personal welcome for the friends of his children. His conversation was bright and entertaining. He had a large fund of anecdote and was a good story teller, but he was also well equipped to converse seriously on serious subjects. Many stories are told by Mr. Sill's friends about his readiness with an answer on any occasion. Charles E. Perkins, president of the state and county associations, tells one. One day Governor Sill was arguing a case before the Supreme Court and there was a certain law point upon which he laid considerable stress. One of the justices asked:- "Governor, do you think this is a good law?" "I don't think it is, your honor," he replied, "but I didn't know how the court would feel about it." Mr. Perkins spoke of Mr. Sill as a good lawyer and a pleasant companion, as being always courteous and as possessing intelligence of a high order.
Hon. Lewis E. Stanton, of this city, was at Yale at the same time as Governor Sill, but in a later class. Mr. Stanton says that is was one of the delights of those days for him to hear Mr. Sill debate. Both were member of the same then famous literary society, Linonia, and Mr. Sill was one of the most prominent debaters among its members. It was a regular thing to "call up Sill," and the members felt confident of hearing a bright and humorous speech. As a lawyer, Mr. Stanton says, Governor Sill saw the practical side. He was quick to seize a point and was ready witted in the trial of cases. Mr. Stanton regarded him as frank, outspoken and always reliable in his practice in court. "He will be remembered as one of the brightest and wittiest men we have had at our bar in many years," Mr. Stanton added.
George Griswold Sill was born in Windsor, October 26, 1829, and came of a long ancestry of English origin, descendents of John Sill, who emigrated from Lyme, England, about 1637. Mr. Sill was one of the seventh generation, the line being from John Sill through Captain Joseph, Joseph, John, John and Henry Sill. Mr. Sill's father, Henry Sill, was born in Windsor, August 25, 1786, and married in May, 1809, Miss Almeda Marshall of Windsor. Their children were: Henry G., who died in 1835; Eliza A., who died in 1859; John M., who died in 1834; Julia, who married Samuel Mather and died in 1883; William R., a prominent resident of Lacrosse, Wis.; Emily, who married E.S. Alford of Windsor and died in 1865; George G. and Jane H., who died in 1859. The father of these nine children was a farmer and surveyor and a man of prominence in Windsor. He held all the town offices, was judge of the probate court, settled a great many estates and transacted a great deal of legal business. He died July 21, 1870, aged 84 years. His wife was a lineal descendent of Captain Samuel Marshall, who was killed by the Narragansett Indians, and she died in 1858.
George G. Sill, the subject of this sketch, was educated at the Ellington Academy and was prepared for college by private tuition. He was graduated from Yale College in 1852 with the degree of A.B., and attended lectures at the Yale Law School. He was admitted to the bar in 1854 and continued in the practice of his profession for over fifty years. He was for over forty years a justice of the peace, was for many years a grand juror. From 1873 to 1875 he was recorder of the city court. He was one of the counsel for the support of the will of the celebrated Fox will case.
Mr. Sill was active in the cause of the Union of the Civil War, and the first company of the Connecticut volunteers for the war was formed in his office. He was an active republican until 1872, when he espoused the cause of the liberal republicans and supported Horace Greeley for the presidency, his view being that the government should display a more conciliatory policy toward the southern states. He was a delegate to many county and state conventions and was, in his earlier days, noted for his success as a public speaker. He delivered many platform addresses.
Mr. Sill was nominated for lieutenant governor on the democratic ticket in 1873 when the late Charles R. Ingersoll of New Haven received the nomination for governor, and was elected by a large majority. He was re-elected to the same office in 1874, 5, and 6, the term then being one year. In 1883 Mr. Sill was elected one of the democratic representatives from Hartford in the General Assembly and was the nominee for his party for speaker of the House. In March, 1888, Mr. Sill was appointed by President Cleveland, United States district attorney for the District of Connecticut, a position which he held during the first Cleveland administration.
Mr. Sill served the city as a public officer in several capacities. He was an alderman in 1864 and 1865 and a councilman in 1872. In 1879, '80 and '81 he was a member of the board of police commissioners and he was a member of the board of street commissioners in 1892 and 1893, being appointed by Mayor Hyde as his successor on the board when Mr. Hyde was elected mayor. Mr. Sill was the president of the board from June 1, 1892, to April 13, 1893. He had not since been in public life.
In 1850 Mr. Sill was a member of the Fremont Club and of the Lincoln Club a year later. When Lincoln visited this city Mr. Sill presented him to the public. Mr. Sill was for several years counsel for the Security Company of this city and had held professional connection with other financial institutions and commercial concerns of Hartford. Impaired health had affected his practice the past few years of his life and his business had largely been confined to consultations. Mr. Sill was married, December 18, 1861, at Rockville, to Mrs. Mary J. (Preston) Peek, the widow of DeWitt C. Peek of Rockville, and daughter of Esek J. Preston of this city. She died April 13, 1894. They had four children, George Elliot Sill, who died in 1896; Grace P. Sill, who died in 1893; Mrs. Ellen B. Wood, the wife of Hubert Kip Wood of this city, and William Raymond Sill, formerly in newspaper work in this city and in New York, and now in theatrical work.
Mr. Sill leaves, besides his two children, four grandchildren, children of Mr. and Mrs. Wood. They are George Sill Wood, Lawrence Griswold Wood, Helen Kip Wood and Margaret Preston Wood, the last two twins.
The arrangements for the funeral were not completed last night.
Also - Hartford, May 20- Ex-Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut died at his home last night, following an attack of locomotor ataxia.
George Griswold Sill was born at Windsor, Conn., Oct. 26, 1829. After being prepared at Ellington Academy, he entered Yale in 1848 and was graduated in 1852. After receiving his diploma, he attended the lectures at the university for a year and a half, and then entered the law firm of the late Governor Hubbard. He was admitted to the Hartford County bar in 1856. When the Civil War broke out he went to the front. He organized the first company of the Connecticut Volunteers in his own office.
After being a Republican from the first vote that he was entitled to cast, Sill turned to the Democratic Party in 1872 under the leadership of Horace Greeley. In 1873, he was nominated by the same party for Lieutenant Governor, and received a large plurality, running ahead of the rest of the ticket. He was also successful in business life. He was at the head of several large firms and corporations, serving as President of the Hartford Governor Company and Director of the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company.
(George Griswold Sill in the North America, Family Histories, 1500-2000; The New York Times, March 8, 1888, page 1; George G Sill in the Connecticut, Deaths and Burials Index, 1650-1934; George G Sill in the Connecticut, Hale Collection of Cemetery Inscriptions and Newspaper Notices, 1629-1934; Robert Hankins; The New York Times, Tuesday, May 21, 1907, page 9; Historical Newspapers, Birth, Marriage, & Death Announcements, 1851-2003)
Obituary - Hon. George G. Sill, former lieutenant governor of the state, died at 8:30 yesterday morning at his home, No. 124 Garden Street. Death followed a progressive attack of locomotor ataxia and a weakened condition of his entire system which was aggravated by several falls. Mr. Sill's health had been failing for a couple of years, and he had been confined to the house for several months.
Mr. Sill was for many years one of the best known lawyers in Hartford and only a few lawyers of the state have been longer in practice. He had a brilliant mind, a nimble wit, aptness in repartee and unusual geniality of manner. His sympathy was far-reaching and never failing. A kindly disposition and a heart full of charity were among his most marked characteristics. Mr. Sill was regarded by his associates at the bar and by the public as an able lawyer, well versed in the principles and practice of his profession and skillful and resourceful in the trial of cases in court. He was highly respected by his associates because he was always fair and his ready wit and humor were never tinctured with sarcasm or bitterness of cynicism. He was always an optimist, full of hope, cheerful and carrying sunshine wherever he went.
In his household Mr. Sill was a model husband and father. For his wife, who died some years ago, he had the most constant and tender affection. For his children his affection was combined with an intimate sympathy with their hopes and efforts, and there was no one to whom they would more readily turn in any difficulty or trial. Mr. Sill's home has always been a house of hospitality, and he always had a personal welcome for the friends of his children. His conversation was bright and entertaining. He had a large fund of anecdote and was a good story teller, but he was also well equipped to converse seriously on serious subjects. Many stories are told by Mr. Sill's friends about his readiness with an answer on any occasion. Charles E. Perkins, president of the state and county associations, tells one. One day Governor Sill was arguing a case before the Supreme Court and there was a certain law point upon which he laid considerable stress. One of the justices asked:- "Governor, do you think this is a good law?" "I don't think it is, your honor," he replied, "but I didn't know how the court would feel about it." Mr. Perkins spoke of Mr. Sill as a good lawyer and a pleasant companion, as being always courteous and as possessing intelligence of a high order.
Hon. Lewis E. Stanton, of this city, was at Yale at the same time as Governor Sill, but in a later class. Mr. Stanton says that is was one of the delights of those days for him to hear Mr. Sill debate. Both were member of the same then famous literary society, Linonia, and Mr. Sill was one of the most prominent debaters among its members. It was a regular thing to "call up Sill," and the members felt confident of hearing a bright and humorous speech. As a lawyer, Mr. Stanton says, Governor Sill saw the practical side. He was quick to seize a point and was ready witted in the trial of cases. Mr. Stanton regarded him as frank, outspoken and always reliable in his practice in court. "He will be remembered as one of the brightest and wittiest men we have had at our bar in many years," Mr. Stanton added.
George Griswold Sill was born in Windsor, October 26, 1829, and came of a long ancestry of English origin, descendents of John Sill, who emigrated from Lyme, England, about 1637. Mr. Sill was one of the seventh generation, the line being from John Sill through Captain Joseph, Joseph, John, John and Henry Sill. Mr. Sill's father, Henry Sill, was born in Windsor, August 25, 1786, and married in May, 1809, Miss Almeda Marshall of Windsor. Their children were: Henry G., who died in 1835; Eliza A., who died in 1859; John M., who died in 1834; Julia, who married Samuel Mather and died in 1883; William R., a prominent resident of Lacrosse, Wis.; Emily, who married E.S. Alford of Windsor and died in 1865; George G. and Jane H., who died in 1859. The father of these nine children was a farmer and surveyor and a man of prominence in Windsor. He held all the town offices, was judge of the probate court, settled a great many estates and transacted a great deal of legal business. He died July 21, 1870, aged 84 years. His wife was a lineal descendent of Captain Samuel Marshall, who was killed by the Narragansett Indians, and she died in 1858.
George G. Sill, the subject of this sketch, was educated at the Ellington Academy and was prepared for college by private tuition. He was graduated from Yale College in 1852 with the degree of A.B., and attended lectures at the Yale Law School. He was admitted to the bar in 1854 and continued in the practice of his profession for over fifty years. He was for over forty years a justice of the peace, was for many years a grand juror. From 1873 to 1875 he was recorder of the city court. He was one of the counsel for the support of the will of the celebrated Fox will case.
Mr. Sill was active in the cause of the Union of the Civil War, and the first company of the Connecticut volunteers for the war was formed in his office. He was an active republican until 1872, when he espoused the cause of the liberal republicans and supported Horace Greeley for the presidency, his view being that the government should display a more conciliatory policy toward the southern states. He was a delegate to many county and state conventions and was, in his earlier days, noted for his success as a public speaker. He delivered many platform addresses.
Mr. Sill was nominated for lieutenant governor on the democratic ticket in 1873 when the late Charles R. Ingersoll of New Haven received the nomination for governor, and was elected by a large majority. He was re-elected to the same office in 1874, 5, and 6, the term then being one year. In 1883 Mr. Sill was elected one of the democratic representatives from Hartford in the General Assembly and was the nominee for his party for speaker of the House. In March, 1888, Mr. Sill was appointed by President Cleveland, United States district attorney for the District of Connecticut, a position which he held during the first Cleveland administration.
Mr. Sill served the city as a public officer in several capacities. He was an alderman in 1864 and 1865 and a councilman in 1872. In 1879, '80 and '81 he was a member of the board of police commissioners and he was a member of the board of street commissioners in 1892 and 1893, being appointed by Mayor Hyde as his successor on the board when Mr. Hyde was elected mayor. Mr. Sill was the president of the board from June 1, 1892, to April 13, 1893. He had not since been in public life.
In 1850 Mr. Sill was a member of the Fremont Club and of the Lincoln Club a year later. When Lincoln visited this city Mr. Sill presented him to the public. Mr. Sill was for several years counsel for the Security Company of this city and had held professional connection with other financial institutions and commercial concerns of Hartford. Impaired health had affected his practice the past few years of his life and his business had largely been confined to consultations. Mr. Sill was married, December 18, 1861, at Rockville, to Mrs. Mary J. (Preston) Peek, the widow of DeWitt C. Peek of Rockville, and daughter of Esek J. Preston of this city. She died April 13, 1894. They had four children, George Elliot Sill, who died in 1896; Grace P. Sill, who died in 1893; Mrs. Ellen B. Wood, the wife of Hubert Kip Wood of this city, and William Raymond Sill, formerly in newspaper work in this city and in New York, and now in theatrical work.
Mr. Sill leaves, besides his two children, four grandchildren, children of Mr. and Mrs. Wood. They are George Sill Wood, Lawrence Griswold Wood, Helen Kip Wood and Margaret Preston Wood, the last two twins.
The arrangements for the funeral were not completed last night.
Also - Hartford, May 20- Ex-Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut died at his home last night, following an attack of locomotor ataxia.
George Griswold Sill was born at Windsor, Conn., Oct. 26, 1829. After being prepared at Ellington Academy, he entered Yale in 1848 and was graduated in 1852. After receiving his diploma, he attended the lectures at the university for a year and a half, and then entered the law firm of the late Governor Hubbard. He was admitted to the Hartford County bar in 1856. When the Civil War broke out he went to the front. He organized the first company of the Connecticut Volunteers in his own office.
After being a Republican from the first vote that he was entitled to cast, Sill turned to the Democratic Party in 1872 under the leadership of Horace Greeley. In 1873, he was nominated by the same party for Lieutenant Governor, and received a large plurality, running ahead of the rest of the ticket. He was also successful in business life. He was at the head of several large firms and corporations, serving as President of the Hartford Governor Company and Director of the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company.
(George Griswold Sill in the North America, Family Histories, 1500-2000; The New York Times, March 8, 1888, page 1; George G Sill in the Connecticut, Deaths and Burials Index, 1650-1934; George G Sill in the Connecticut, Hale Collection of Cemetery Inscriptions and Newspaper Notices, 1629-1934; Robert Hankins; The New York Times, Tuesday, May 21, 1907, page 9; Historical Newspapers, Birth, Marriage, & Death Announcements, 1851-2003)
Son of Henry Sill and Almeda Marshall, husband of Mary J. Preston and father of George Elliott, Grace Preston, Helen (Ellen) Beecher, and William Raymond Sill.
Obituary - Hon. George G. Sill, former lieutenant governor of the state, died at 8:30 yesterday morning at his home, No. 124 Garden Street. Death followed a progressive attack of locomotor ataxia and a weakened condition of his entire system which was aggravated by several falls. Mr. Sill's health had been failing for a couple of years, and he had been confined to the house for several months.
Mr. Sill was for many years one of the best known lawyers in Hartford and only a few lawyers of the state have been longer in practice. He had a brilliant mind, a nimble wit, aptness in repartee and unusual geniality of manner. His sympathy was far-reaching and never failing. A kindly disposition and a heart full of charity were among his most marked characteristics. Mr. Sill was regarded by his associates at the bar and by the public as an able lawyer, well versed in the principles and practice of his profession and skillful and resourceful in the trial of cases in court. He was highly respected by his associates because he was always fair and his ready wit and humor were never tinctured with sarcasm or bitterness of cynicism. He was always an optimist, full of hope, cheerful and carrying sunshine wherever he went.
In his household Mr. Sill was a model husband and father. For his wife, who died some years ago, he had the most constant and tender affection. For his children his affection was combined with an intimate sympathy with their hopes and efforts, and there was no one to whom they would more readily turn in any difficulty or trial. Mr. Sill's home has always been a house of hospitality, and he always had a personal welcome for the friends of his children. His conversation was bright and entertaining. He had a large fund of anecdote and was a good story teller, but he was also well equipped to converse seriously on serious subjects. Many stories are told by Mr. Sill's friends about his readiness with an answer on any occasion. Charles E. Perkins, president of the state and county associations, tells one. One day Governor Sill was arguing a case before the Supreme Court and there was a certain law point upon which he laid considerable stress. One of the justices asked:- "Governor, do you think this is a good law?" "I don't think it is, your honor," he replied, "but I didn't know how the court would feel about it." Mr. Perkins spoke of Mr. Sill as a good lawyer and a pleasant companion, as being always courteous and as possessing intelligence of a high order.
Hon. Lewis E. Stanton, of this city, was at Yale at the same time as Governor Sill, but in a later class. Mr. Stanton says that is was one of the delights of those days for him to hear Mr. Sill debate. Both were member of the same then famous literary society, Linonia, and Mr. Sill was one of the most prominent debaters among its members. It was a regular thing to "call up Sill," and the members felt confident of hearing a bright and humorous speech. As a lawyer, Mr. Stanton says, Governor Sill saw the practical side. He was quick to seize a point and was ready witted in the trial of cases. Mr. Stanton regarded him as frank, outspoken and always reliable in his practice in court. "He will be remembered as one of the brightest and wittiest men we have had at our bar in many years," Mr. Stanton added.
George Griswold Sill was born in Windsor, October 26, 1829, and came of a long ancestry of English origin, descendents of John Sill, who emigrated from Lyme, England, about 1637. Mr. Sill was one of the seventh generation, the line being from John Sill through Captain Joseph, Joseph, John, John and Henry Sill. Mr. Sill's father, Henry Sill, was born in Windsor, August 25, 1786, and married in May, 1809, Miss Almeda Marshall of Windsor. Their children were: Henry G., who died in 1835; Eliza A., who died in 1859; John M., who died in 1834; Julia, who married Samuel Mather and died in 1883; William R., a prominent resident of Lacrosse, Wis.; Emily, who married E.S. Alford of Windsor and died in 1865; George G. and Jane H., who died in 1859. The father of these nine children was a farmer and surveyor and a man of prominence in Windsor. He held all the town offices, was judge of the probate court, settled a great many estates and transacted a great deal of legal business. He died July 21, 1870, aged 84 years. His wife was a lineal descendent of Captain Samuel Marshall, who was killed by the Narragansett Indians, and she died in 1858.
George G. Sill, the subject of this sketch, was educated at the Ellington Academy and was prepared for college by private tuition. He was graduated from Yale College in 1852 with the degree of A.B., and attended lectures at the Yale Law School. He was admitted to the bar in 1854 and continued in the practice of his profession for over fifty years. He was for over forty years a justice of the peace, was for many years a grand juror. From 1873 to 1875 he was recorder of the city court. He was one of the counsel for the support of the will of the celebrated Fox will case.
Mr. Sill was active in the cause of the Union of the Civil War, and the first company of the Connecticut volunteers for the war was formed in his office. He was an active republican until 1872, when he espoused the cause of the liberal republicans and supported Horace Greeley for the presidency, his view being that the government should display a more conciliatory policy toward the southern states. He was a delegate to many county and state conventions and was, in his earlier days, noted for his success as a public speaker. He delivered many platform addresses.
Mr. Sill was nominated for lieutenant governor on the democratic ticket in 1873 when the late Charles R. Ingersoll of New Haven received the nomination for governor, and was elected by a large majority. He was re-elected to the same office in 1874, 5, and 6, the term then being one year. In 1883 Mr. Sill was elected one of the democratic representatives from Hartford in the General Assembly and was the nominee for his party for speaker of the House. In March, 1888, Mr. Sill was appointed by President Cleveland, United States district attorney for the District of Connecticut, a position which he held during the first Cleveland administration.
Mr. Sill served the city as a public officer in several capacities. He was an alderman in 1864 and 1865 and a councilman in 1872. In 1879, '80 and '81 he was a member of the board of police commissioners and he was a member of the board of street commissioners in 1892 and 1893, being appointed by Mayor Hyde as his successor on the board when Mr. Hyde was elected mayor. Mr. Sill was the president of the board from June 1, 1892, to April 13, 1893. He had not since been in public life.
In 1850 Mr. Sill was a member of the Fremont Club and of the Lincoln Club a year later. When Lincoln visited this city Mr. Sill presented him to the public. Mr. Sill was for several years counsel for the Security Company of this city and had held professional connection with other financial institutions and commercial concerns of Hartford. Impaired health had affected his practice the past few years of his life and his business had largely been confined to consultations. Mr. Sill was married, December 18, 1861, at Rockville, to Mrs. Mary J. (Preston) Peek, the widow of DeWitt C. Peek of Rockville, and daughter of Esek J. Preston of this city. She died April 13, 1894. They had four children, George Elliot Sill, who died in 1896; Grace P. Sill, who died in 1893; Mrs. Ellen B. Wood, the wife of Hubert Kip Wood of this city, and William Raymond Sill, formerly in newspaper work in this city and in New York, and now in theatrical work.
Mr. Sill leaves, besides his two children, four grandchildren, children of Mr. and Mrs. Wood. They are George Sill Wood, Lawrence Griswold Wood, Helen Kip Wood and Margaret Preston Wood, the last two twins.
The arrangements for the funeral were not completed last night.
Also - Hartford, May 20- Ex-Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut died at his home last night, following an attack of locomotor ataxia.
George Griswold Sill was born at Windsor, Conn., Oct. 26, 1829. After being prepared at Ellington Academy, he entered Yale in 1848 and was graduated in 1852. After receiving his diploma, he attended the lectures at the university for a year and a half, and then entered the law firm of the late Governor Hubbard. He was admitted to the Hartford County bar in 1856. When the Civil War broke out he went to the front. He organized the first company of the Connecticut Volunteers in his own office.
After being a Republican from the first vote that he was entitled to cast, Sill turned to the Democratic Party in 1872 under the leadership of Horace Greeley. In 1873, he was nominated by the same party for Lieutenant Governor, and received a large plurality, running ahead of the rest of the ticket. He was also successful in business life. He was at the head of several large firms and corporations, serving as President of the Hartford Governor Company and Director of the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company.
(George Griswold Sill in the North America, Family Histories, 1500-2000; The New York Times, March 8, 1888, page 1; George G Sill in the Connecticut, Deaths and Burials Index, 1650-1934; George G Sill in the Connecticut, Hale Collection of Cemetery Inscriptions and Newspaper Notices, 1629-1934; Robert Hankins; The New York Times, Tuesday, May 21, 1907, page 9; Historical Newspapers, Birth, Marriage, & Death Announcements, 1851-2003)
Obituary - Hon. George G. Sill, former lieutenant governor of the state, died at 8:30 yesterday morning at his home, No. 124 Garden Street. Death followed a progressive attack of locomotor ataxia and a weakened condition of his entire system which was aggravated by several falls. Mr. Sill's health had been failing for a couple of years, and he had been confined to the house for several months.
Mr. Sill was for many years one of the best known lawyers in Hartford and only a few lawyers of the state have been longer in practice. He had a brilliant mind, a nimble wit, aptness in repartee and unusual geniality of manner. His sympathy was far-reaching and never failing. A kindly disposition and a heart full of charity were among his most marked characteristics. Mr. Sill was regarded by his associates at the bar and by the public as an able lawyer, well versed in the principles and practice of his profession and skillful and resourceful in the trial of cases in court. He was highly respected by his associates because he was always fair and his ready wit and humor were never tinctured with sarcasm or bitterness of cynicism. He was always an optimist, full of hope, cheerful and carrying sunshine wherever he went.
In his household Mr. Sill was a model husband and father. For his wife, who died some years ago, he had the most constant and tender affection. For his children his affection was combined with an intimate sympathy with their hopes and efforts, and there was no one to whom they would more readily turn in any difficulty or trial. Mr. Sill's home has always been a house of hospitality, and he always had a personal welcome for the friends of his children. His conversation was bright and entertaining. He had a large fund of anecdote and was a good story teller, but he was also well equipped to converse seriously on serious subjects. Many stories are told by Mr. Sill's friends about his readiness with an answer on any occasion. Charles E. Perkins, president of the state and county associations, tells one. One day Governor Sill was arguing a case before the Supreme Court and there was a certain law point upon which he laid considerable stress. One of the justices asked:- "Governor, do you think this is a good law?" "I don't think it is, your honor," he replied, "but I didn't know how the court would feel about it." Mr. Perkins spoke of Mr. Sill as a good lawyer and a pleasant companion, as being always courteous and as possessing intelligence of a high order.
Hon. Lewis E. Stanton, of this city, was at Yale at the same time as Governor Sill, but in a later class. Mr. Stanton says that is was one of the delights of those days for him to hear Mr. Sill debate. Both were member of the same then famous literary society, Linonia, and Mr. Sill was one of the most prominent debaters among its members. It was a regular thing to "call up Sill," and the members felt confident of hearing a bright and humorous speech. As a lawyer, Mr. Stanton says, Governor Sill saw the practical side. He was quick to seize a point and was ready witted in the trial of cases. Mr. Stanton regarded him as frank, outspoken and always reliable in his practice in court. "He will be remembered as one of the brightest and wittiest men we have had at our bar in many years," Mr. Stanton added.
George Griswold Sill was born in Windsor, October 26, 1829, and came of a long ancestry of English origin, descendents of John Sill, who emigrated from Lyme, England, about 1637. Mr. Sill was one of the seventh generation, the line being from John Sill through Captain Joseph, Joseph, John, John and Henry Sill. Mr. Sill's father, Henry Sill, was born in Windsor, August 25, 1786, and married in May, 1809, Miss Almeda Marshall of Windsor. Their children were: Henry G., who died in 1835; Eliza A., who died in 1859; John M., who died in 1834; Julia, who married Samuel Mather and died in 1883; William R., a prominent resident of Lacrosse, Wis.; Emily, who married E.S. Alford of Windsor and died in 1865; George G. and Jane H., who died in 1859. The father of these nine children was a farmer and surveyor and a man of prominence in Windsor. He held all the town offices, was judge of the probate court, settled a great many estates and transacted a great deal of legal business. He died July 21, 1870, aged 84 years. His wife was a lineal descendent of Captain Samuel Marshall, who was killed by the Narragansett Indians, and she died in 1858.
George G. Sill, the subject of this sketch, was educated at the Ellington Academy and was prepared for college by private tuition. He was graduated from Yale College in 1852 with the degree of A.B., and attended lectures at the Yale Law School. He was admitted to the bar in 1854 and continued in the practice of his profession for over fifty years. He was for over forty years a justice of the peace, was for many years a grand juror. From 1873 to 1875 he was recorder of the city court. He was one of the counsel for the support of the will of the celebrated Fox will case.
Mr. Sill was active in the cause of the Union of the Civil War, and the first company of the Connecticut volunteers for the war was formed in his office. He was an active republican until 1872, when he espoused the cause of the liberal republicans and supported Horace Greeley for the presidency, his view being that the government should display a more conciliatory policy toward the southern states. He was a delegate to many county and state conventions and was, in his earlier days, noted for his success as a public speaker. He delivered many platform addresses.
Mr. Sill was nominated for lieutenant governor on the democratic ticket in 1873 when the late Charles R. Ingersoll of New Haven received the nomination for governor, and was elected by a large majority. He was re-elected to the same office in 1874, 5, and 6, the term then being one year. In 1883 Mr. Sill was elected one of the democratic representatives from Hartford in the General Assembly and was the nominee for his party for speaker of the House. In March, 1888, Mr. Sill was appointed by President Cleveland, United States district attorney for the District of Connecticut, a position which he held during the first Cleveland administration.
Mr. Sill served the city as a public officer in several capacities. He was an alderman in 1864 and 1865 and a councilman in 1872. In 1879, '80 and '81 he was a member of the board of police commissioners and he was a member of the board of street commissioners in 1892 and 1893, being appointed by Mayor Hyde as his successor on the board when Mr. Hyde was elected mayor. Mr. Sill was the president of the board from June 1, 1892, to April 13, 1893. He had not since been in public life.
In 1850 Mr. Sill was a member of the Fremont Club and of the Lincoln Club a year later. When Lincoln visited this city Mr. Sill presented him to the public. Mr. Sill was for several years counsel for the Security Company of this city and had held professional connection with other financial institutions and commercial concerns of Hartford. Impaired health had affected his practice the past few years of his life and his business had largely been confined to consultations. Mr. Sill was married, December 18, 1861, at Rockville, to Mrs. Mary J. (Preston) Peek, the widow of DeWitt C. Peek of Rockville, and daughter of Esek J. Preston of this city. She died April 13, 1894. They had four children, George Elliot Sill, who died in 1896; Grace P. Sill, who died in 1893; Mrs. Ellen B. Wood, the wife of Hubert Kip Wood of this city, and William Raymond Sill, formerly in newspaper work in this city and in New York, and now in theatrical work.
Mr. Sill leaves, besides his two children, four grandchildren, children of Mr. and Mrs. Wood. They are George Sill Wood, Lawrence Griswold Wood, Helen Kip Wood and Margaret Preston Wood, the last two twins.
The arrangements for the funeral were not completed last night.
Also - Hartford, May 20- Ex-Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut died at his home last night, following an attack of locomotor ataxia.
George Griswold Sill was born at Windsor, Conn., Oct. 26, 1829. After being prepared at Ellington Academy, he entered Yale in 1848 and was graduated in 1852. After receiving his diploma, he attended the lectures at the university for a year and a half, and then entered the law firm of the late Governor Hubbard. He was admitted to the Hartford County bar in 1856. When the Civil War broke out he went to the front. He organized the first company of the Connecticut Volunteers in his own office.
After being a Republican from the first vote that he was entitled to cast, Sill turned to the Democratic Party in 1872 under the leadership of Horace Greeley. In 1873, he was nominated by the same party for Lieutenant Governor, and received a large plurality, running ahead of the rest of the ticket. He was also successful in business life. He was at the head of several large firms and corporations, serving as President of the Hartford Governor Company and Director of the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company.
(George Griswold Sill in the North America, Family Histories, 1500-2000; The New York Times, March 8, 1888, page 1; George G Sill in the Connecticut, Deaths and Burials Index, 1650-1934; George G Sill in the Connecticut, Hale Collection of Cemetery Inscriptions and Newspaper Notices, 1629-1934; Robert Hankins; The New York Times, Tuesday, May 21, 1907, page 9; Historical Newspapers, Birth, Marriage, & Death Announcements, 1851-2003)
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