List of members of the Connecticut General Assembly from Norwalk Facts for Kids

This article is about the people from Norwalk, Connecticut who have served in the Connecticut General Assembly. This is the main law-making group for the state of Connecticut. These representatives help make important decisions for their towns and the state.

Early Representatives from Norwalk (1651-1700)
Norwalk's Leaders in the 1700s
Norwalk's Representatives in the 1800s
Norwalk's Representatives in the 1900s
- Creation of Districts (1967)
Norwalk's Representatives in the 2000s
See also

Early Representatives from Norwalk (1651-1700)

Norwalk was founded in 1651. From the very beginning, people from Norwalk were chosen to represent the town in the Connecticut General Assembly. These early representatives were often the founding settlers of Norwalk. They helped shape the new settlement and make rules for everyone.

Some important early representatives included:

Richard Olmsted: He was one of the first settlers and served many times, starting in 1653.
Matthew Campfield: Another founding settler, he also served frequently in the early years.
John Gregory: He was a founding settler and served for a very long time, from 1659 to 1695.
John Bowton: He was also a founding settler and served many terms in the late 1600s.
John Platt: He served many times in the late 1600s, helping to guide the town.

These early leaders were crucial in setting up the government and laws for Norwalk and the wider Connecticut colony.

Norwalk's Leaders in the 1700s

The 1700s saw many more Norwalk citizens step up to represent their town. During this century, Norwalk continued to grow, and its representatives played a role in the colony's development and later, the new United States.

Some notable representatives from the 1700s include:

Joseph Platt: He served the longest of any representative from Norwalk, from 1705 to 1746. He was a very dedicated public servant.
Samuel Hanford: He served many terms and was also the Norwalk Town Clerk, keeping important records for the town.
Thomas Fitch: He was a very important figure. He served as a representative, then on the Council of Assistants (like a state senate), and even became the Governor of Connecticut.
Samuel Fitch: He served many terms throughout the mid-1700s, showing long-term commitment.
Thomas Fitch, V: Another member of the Fitch family, he served many terms leading up to and during the American Revolution.
Thaddeus Betts: He served during the time of the American Revolution and into the early years of the new nation.
Stephen St. John: He was a representative during the Revolutionary War period and after.
Samuel Silliman: He served many terms from 1779 into the 1790s, helping Norwalk transition into the new country.
Hezekiah Rogers: He helped decide if Connecticut would approve the United States Constitution in 1788.

These individuals helped Norwalk navigate important historical changes, from being a British colony to becoming part of the United States.

Norwalk's Representatives in the 1800s

The 1800s brought new challenges and growth for Norwalk. The representatives from this era helped shape the town and state as the United States grew.

Key figures from the 1800s include:

William M. Betts: He served many terms in the early 1800s.
Jabez Gregory: He was a frequent representative in the early part of the century.
Benjamin Isaacs: He served many terms, including in the Connecticut Senate, and was also Norwalk Town Clerk.
Moses Gregory: He was part of the important group that wrote the Connecticut Constitution in 1818.
Thaddeus Betts: He had a very distinguished career, serving in the Connecticut Senate, as Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut, and even as a United States Senator.
Clark Bissell: He also had a remarkable career, serving in the Connecticut Senate, as a judge on the Connecticut Supreme Court, and as Governor of Connecticut.
Thomas B. Butler: He served in the Connecticut Senate, was a leader in the Connecticut Senate, a member of the United States House of Representatives, and even the Chief Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court.
Asa Hill: He was a representative in the mid-1800s, representing the American Party.
Thomas Guyer: He served multiple terms over several decades, representing the Republican Party.
Josiah Carter: He served as the Speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives in 1862, a very important leadership role.
William C. Street: He served during the Civil War era, representing the Union Party.
Asa Woodward: He served as a leader in South Norwalk and in the Connecticut Senate.
James W. Hyatt: He was a leader in South Norwalk, served in the Connecticut Senate, and became the Treasurer of the United States.
Edwin O. Keeler: He served as mayor of Norwalk, a leader in the Connecticut Senate, and as Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut.

These representatives played key roles in both local and state government, and some even served at the national level.

Norwalk's Representatives in the 1900s

The 20th century brought significant changes, including the growth of political parties and the creation of specific districts for representatives.

Some important representatives from the early 1900s include:

John H. Light: He served as the Speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives in 1901, a major leadership position.
Jeremiah Donovan: He served as mayor of Norwalk, in the Connecticut Senate, and in the United States House of Representatives.
Sara Maschal: She made history as the first woman to represent Norwalk in the General Assembly in 1939.
Fred Buckley: He served in the early 1940s.
Louis Padula: He served many terms over several decades, from 1947 to 1973.
John Shostak: He served multiple terms and also became mayor of Norwalk.

Creation of Districts (1967)

Starting in 1967, representatives were elected from specific areas called "districts." This changed how people were chosen to represent Norwalk.

Some of the first representatives elected by district were:

Thomas Tierney: He was one of the first representatives for the 140th district.
Howard Newman: He served several terms for the 146th district.
E. Ronald Bard: He served multiple terms for different districts.
Otha Brown Jr.: He was a representative for the 148th district.
Lawrence Anastasia: He served for many years, from 1975 to 1991, representing the 138th district.
John Atkin: He represented the 140th district in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Frank Esposito: He served several terms for the 137th district.
Douglas Mintz: He served for several terms before becoming a judge in 1992.
Alex Knopp: He served many terms for different districts and later became mayor of Norwalk.
Sally Bolster: She represented the 137th district in the late 1980s.
Donnie Sellers: He served for the 140th district in the mid-1990s but resigned from office.

Norwalk's Representatives in the 2000s

In the 21st century, Norwalk's representatives continue to serve their districts and the state.

Current and recent representatives include:

Lawrence F. Cafero: He served for a very long time, from 1993 to 2013, representing the 142nd district.
Joseph Clemmons: He represented the 140th district in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Bob Duff: He served as a representative before being elected to the Connecticut Senate for the 25th District.
Joseph Mann: He represented the 140th district in the early 2000s.
Chris Perone: He has served multiple terms for the 137th district since 2005.
Bruce Morris: He served several terms for the 140th district.
Friedrich Wilms: He represented the 142nd district in 2015.

These individuals continue the long tradition of Norwalk citizens serving in the Connecticut General Assembly, working to improve their community and state.

List of members of the Connecticut General Assembly from Norwalk facts for kids

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