Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

Nile, and similarly in the Mediterranean
basin. His interest in and knowledge concerning
Egypt made him an honorary
secretary of the Egypt Exploration Fund,
and also gave him distinction as a leading
authority on Egyptology. He was also
diligent in astronomical observations. In
art and literature he was an enthusiast.
He acquired a rare collection of paintings
and works of sculpture. He was an ad-
mirer of and familiar with the classical
languages, and was one of the founders of
the Greek Club of New York City . He col-
lected one of the largest and best private
libraries in the State, and particularly rich
in Americana. He was a careful and indus-
trious writer, especially upon subjects of
sociological importance, such as taxation,
and the relations of capital and labor. In
1896 he wrote an important work on
"Gold and Silver," which was particularly
timely, and was recognized as a first authority
by the sound money parties. He
published translations from the "Iliad" in
blank verse ; an elaborate work, "Crea-
tion" (the title subsequently changed to
"The Beginning") ; and a number of
poems of varied subject and range, including
"Lauda Sion." translated from
the Latin of St. Thomas Aquinas. He
received the honorary degree of Master
of Arts from Yale and Williams colleges,
and from Brown University. In religion
he was a Baptist. His business and social
relationship were varied. He was a direc-
tor of the Hartford National Bank and of
Case, Lockwood & Brainerd Company;
vice-president of the Wadsworth Athen-
aeum ; a trustee of Brown University ; a
member of the Colonial Club ; the Connecticut
Society, Sons of the American
Revolution ;
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
the American Statistical As-
sociation ; the Society of Biblical Litera-
ture and Exegesis ; the Hartford Scien-
tific Society ; the New England Society of
New York; the American Association for
246
the Advancement of Science ; the Yale
Alumni Association ;
the Hartford Board
of Trade; and the American Society of
Civil Engineers.
Mr. Batterson was for many years a
political factor in the State, always gov-
erning his conduct by loftiest principles.
He aided in the organization of the Republican
party, and held to it loyally to
the last. During the Civil War he was a
mighty supporter of the Union cause, and
of its great leader, Lincoln. He had op-
portunities of and desire for military dis-
tinction, but turned them aside for sake
of the usefulness he could be in civic concerns
at that critical time. Throughout
the entire war he was chairman of the
Republican State Central Committee of
Connecticut, and chairman of the war
committee. He exerted himself to the
utmost to keep the State in the Republi-
can column, and to provide its various
quotas for military service, and succeeded
to such a degree that the State contrib-
uted more men to the army than was re-
quired of her. He was a tower of strength
especially in the various elections, which
were at various times saved through his
tact and determination, and resulting in
the choice or retention of congressmen
and governors who were devoted to the
Union cause. He spent much time and
money in relief work for soldiers and their
families. In public gatherings his power-
ful voice, persuasive manner, ready wit
and cogent reasoning, made him a mag-
netic speaker, and he was a gifted presid-
ing officer. The fact that he resolutely
declined to accept all offices, elective or
appointive, tended greatly to the enlargement
and maintenance of his great politi-
cal influence.
Mr. Batterson married, June 2, 1852,
Eunice E. Goodwin, born April 6, 1827,
died January 16, 1897, daughter of Jona-
than Goodwin. Children : Clara Jean-