who were farmers of that town. His education was in the local district school and the academy. At 19 years of age he began to teach during the winters and farm during the summer. After a few years he entered Yale Law School, where he graduated in 1846. He was admitted to the bar and began a successful legal career.
    In 1858 he represented Derby in the State Legislature and was re-elected in 1861. In 1859 he served in the State Senate. In 1867 he became paymaster general in the state.
    Wooster is best known for his military work. He served as part of the Military Committee which directed the formation of Connecticut's Volunteer Army of the Civil War. He drew up many of the acts and resolutions of the legislature, supporting them in their passage. At the same time he was enlisting volunteers and making many patriotic speeches.
    When President Lincoln issued his famous call for 300,000 volunteers, Wooster himself joined the Connecticut Volunteers. He was commissioned August 22, 1862 as Lieutenant colonel of the 20th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry and went to the front. He served at the Battle of Chancellorsville, and was made colonel by brevet for distinguished gallantry.
    He was captured and taken to Libby Prison. On his release from that place, Colonel Wooster rejoined his regiment and later led the command at Gettysburg.
    In March, 1864, Wooster was assigned the command of a black regiment, the 29th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry and made colonel of it.
    At the close of the Civil War, Wooster returned to Connecticut and opened a law office in Birmingham. He also served as president of the Derby Gas Company and the Birmingham Water Company.
    Wooster married Miss J.A. Wallace, daughter of Thomas Wallace of Ansonia, and they resided on Clifton Avenue.
    At the time of his death on September 20, 1900, the Hartford Courant wrote, "His name has stood for many years on Connecticut's roll of honor. He was a patriot and a gentleman. He was Derby's first citizen."

HONORABLE DAVID TORRANCE OF DERBY

    David Torrance was born March 3, 1840 in Edinburgh, Scotland, the son of Walter and Ann Sharp Torrance. His father died, leaving his widow with five children. The mother took