Roger Averill
Encyclopedia
Roger Averill was an American
politician
who was Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut.
. Some of his ancestors were among the earliest European settlers of Connecticut. His grandfathers, Samuel Averill and John Whittlesey, were natives of Washington, Connecticut
. His parents, Nathaniel P. Averill and Mary Whittlesey, moved to Salisbury in 1805. He was one of seven children reared on a small farm, and his education was mainly of his own earning. He went to the common school and used a public library and prepared for college under the guidance of his brother Chester, who was a professor at Union College
, and he graduated from that college with honour in 1832. He studied law and was admitted to the Bar in 1837. He opened his first practice in Salisbury, but attained a more successful practice after moving to Danbury
in 1849.
He married Maria D. White, of Danbury, in October, 1844. Four of their children survived him and all of his sons also became lawyers.
for President. However, the instance that he heard the news of the assault of Fort Sumter
, he hastened to raise his flag and refuse any compromise or surrender. From then on, he devoted himself to the success of the Union army. He was elected Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut in the spring of 1862 and continued in that function throughout the war, during the last four of the eight years in which William A. Buckingham
was Governor of the state, until 1866.
After the time as lieutenant governor, Averill was one of the organizers of the American Bar Association
and was for many years acting chairman of the bar of his home county.
He died in Danbury, December 9, 1883, aged 74.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
who was Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut.
Early life
Roger Averill was born in Salisbury, ConnecticutSalisbury, Connecticut
Salisbury is a town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States. The town is the northwest-most in the State of Connecticut. The MA-NY-CT Tri-State Marker is located just on the border of Salisbury...
. Some of his ancestors were among the earliest European settlers of Connecticut. His grandfathers, Samuel Averill and John Whittlesey, were natives of Washington, Connecticut
Washington, Connecticut
Washington is a rural town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, in the New England region of the United States. The population was 3,596 at the 2000 census. Washington is known for its picturesque countryside, historic architecture, and active civic and cultural life...
. His parents, Nathaniel P. Averill and Mary Whittlesey, moved to Salisbury in 1805. He was one of seven children reared on a small farm, and his education was mainly of his own earning. He went to the common school and used a public library and prepared for college under the guidance of his brother Chester, who was a professor at Union College
Union College
Union College is a private, non-denominational liberal arts college located in Schenectady, New York, United States. Founded in 1795, it was the first institution of higher learning chartered by the New York State Board of Regents. In the 19th century, it became the "Mother of Fraternities", as...
, and he graduated from that college with honour in 1832. He studied law and was admitted to the Bar in 1837. He opened his first practice in Salisbury, but attained a more successful practice after moving to Danbury
Danbury, Connecticut
Danbury is a city in northern Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. It had population at the 2010 census of 80,893. Danbury is the fourth largest city in Fairfield County and is the seventh largest city in Connecticut....
in 1849.
He married Maria D. White, of Danbury, in October, 1844. Four of their children survived him and all of his sons also became lawyers.
Political career
Roger Averill fulfilled many functions in public service, such as member of the Connecticut General Assembly. In the spring of 1861, he was a prominent leader of the political party which opposed the election of Abraham LincolnAbraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
for President. However, the instance that he heard the news of the assault of Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter is a Third System masonry coastal fortification located in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. The fort is best known as the site upon which the shots initiating the American Civil War were fired, at the Battle of Fort Sumter.- Construction :...
, he hastened to raise his flag and refuse any compromise or surrender. From then on, he devoted himself to the success of the Union army. He was elected Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut in the spring of 1862 and continued in that function throughout the war, during the last four of the eight years in which William A. Buckingham
William Alfred Buckingham
William Alfred Buckingham was a Republican United States Senator from Connecticut.Born in Lebanon, Connecticut, Buckingham attended the common schools and Bacon Academy in Colchester, Connecticut. He engaged in mercantile pursuits and in manufacturing. He served as the mayor of Norwich,...
was Governor of the state, until 1866.
Later years
Averill's wife Maria died in February, 1860. In September, 1861, he married Mary A. Perry, of Southport, who survived him.After the time as lieutenant governor, Averill was one of the organizers of the American Bar Association
American Bar Association
The American Bar Association , founded August 21, 1878, is a voluntary bar association of lawyers and law students, which is not specific to any jurisdiction in the United States. The ABA's most important stated activities are the setting of academic standards for law schools, and the formulation...
and was for many years acting chairman of the bar of his home county.
He died in Danbury, December 9, 1883, aged 74.