William Porter Burrall

Background

William Porter Burrall was born on September 18, 1806 at Canaan, Connecticut, the son of the Hon. William M. Burrall by his wife Abigail Porter Stoddard of Salisbury, Connecticut.

Education

William Burrall was educated in the public schools and by private tutors and entered Yale College, graduating in the class of 1826.

Career

Immediately upon graduation he began the study of law with his father. After one year he entered the office of the Hon. Samuel Church (afterward chief justice of the State of Connecticut) in Salisbury, subsequently attended a course of lectures at the Litchfield Law School, and was admitted to the bar of Litchfield County in April 1829.

He practised law in Canaan, Connecticut, until October 1839 at which time he was elected president of the Housatonic Railroad Company which was just being organized. He held this office until his resignation due to press of other business in 1854, during which time he lived in Bridgeport, Connecticut In 1856 he was made vice-president of the Hartford and New Haven Railroad Company then being constructed and held the position until 1867 when he was elected president, which office he occupied until the road was consolidated with the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Company in 1872.

At this time he was made vice-president of the consolidated corporation which position he held until his death. He was also connected with the Illinois Central Company having been elected treasurer in 1852 and president in 1853, and holding this office until 1855 when he resigned but continued in the service of the company as advisory counsel until 1857.

In 1859 he made his permanent home in Salisbury, Connecticut, and took an active part in local politics, representing that town in the General Assembly in 1861. He died from apoplexy in Hartford, Connecticut Burrall was considered one of the ablest railroad executives of his time, particularly in the legal phases.

Achievements

• As a negotiator of railroad contracts William Porter Burrall was most successful and his services were of very great value in consolidations. Under his management the Hartford and New Haven Railroad Company was known as one of the best paying roads in the country.

Personality

In manner he was quiet and reserved, a practical business man, admirably fitted for an executive position requiring coolness, forethought, and decision.

Connections

In May 1831 William Burrall was married to Harriet Holley.

Father:

William M. Burrall

Mother:

Abigail Porter Stoddard

Grandfather:

William Burrall

1748–1825

Wife:

Harriet Holley

Daughter:

Harriett Holley Burrall

1840–1860

Son:

William Holley Burrall

1832–1891

Son:

John Milton Burrall

1834–1880

Son :

Porter Burrall

unknown–1842

grandmother:

Elizabeth Morgan

1755–1829