Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

that royal sport with an enthusiasm and energy
which have contributed largely to that predominance
of yachting in America, which has done so
much to preserve and popularize the traditions of
her old achievements on the sea, and so far at
least as national pride is involved, to compensate
in some measure for the decadence of American
marine commerce. Incidentally, Commodore
Smith's example and influence have done more in
the last twenty years than those of any other
individual to promote the interests and keep alive
the spirit of this noble, outdoor pastime in his
home port of Stamford where he has been seen
during the past five years, a revival of an interest
in yachting affairs culminating in the summer
of 1892, in the organization of the Stamford
Yacht Club, and the erection of one of the finest
yacht club houses on the Connecticut shore.
Commodore Smith's membership in the
New York Yacht Club dated from the
spring of 1873. He was its commodore in
1882, a member of the regatta committee
in 1884, and a member of its committees
on admissions in the following year. For
twelve years he was chairman of the
America's cup committee, and during that
time three British challengers, the ''Gala-
tea," "Thistle" and "Yalkyre" tried to
win back the trophy, but it is still with
us. He was a member of many other
clubs, among them the Union League
Club of New York, with which he had
been identified for forty-five years ; the
Colonial. Players, New York Club, and
the Suburban Club of Stamford. He had
served as a director of the National Academy
of Design, and as vice-president of
the Stamford Historical Society. He
filled the office of president of the Stamford
Hospital from its organization, and
was one of the incorporators of Woodlawn
Cemetery in 1S63 and served on its
board of trustees. He was elected its first
secretary, and filled that office until he
was elected president in 1896, to which he
was continuously reelected as long as he
lived.
In 1857, Commodore Smith married
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326
Elizabeth Henderson, daughter of Archibald
Henderson, of New York City. Four
children were born of this union : Mary
Louisa, deceased ; Archibald Henderson ;
Helen Woodruff; Dickinson Woodruff.
Commodore Smith died September 21,
1909.
Well merited and fitting resolutions
were adopted upon his decease by practically
all the organizations with which
Commodore Smith was identified. He
was universally esteemed and his loss was
as widely mourned.
HEALY, Frank E.,
Legislator, Public Official.
In the life of certain men there is a
quality of distinction which causes them
to stand out among their fellow citizens,
and while there is no positive rule for
the achievement of success, it is this quality
combined with an honesty of purpose
and courageous perseverance which makes
it possible. We find this truth illustrated
in the career of Frank E. Healy, Attor-
ney-General of the State of Connecticut.
Mr. Healy is preeminently a man-ofaffairs,
a man of wide interests and sym-
pathies, and it was mainly through his
efforts that the Workmen's Compensation
Act became a law. An original thinker,
he has been a leader in all of the progres-
sive movements of Windsor Locks, his
native town, and especially during the
recent War Work campaigns, Mr. Healy
has been an ardent worker, personally di-
recting all of the activities.
The surname of Healy was originally
Heah Leach, signifying High Lea, which
gradually evolved itself into the present
form. It is usually spelled Healy, although
often found Healey, and belongs
to the class known as place names.
Frank E. Healy was born November
8, 1869, in Windsor Locks, Connecticut,