Fredus Moses Case (1856-1925)

Portrait from the Hartford Courant, December 26, 1926 (courtesy of Findagrave.)

   One in a long line of unusually named Connecticut state representatives profiled here over the past several years, Fredus Moses Case was a resident of the towns of Milford and Windsor and established a reputation as a leading citizen in both those towns, being a prominent booster for the YMCA, a Mason, first selectman, and one term state legislator. The son of Richard D. Case, Fredus Moses Case was born in Windsor on April 25, 1856. His early education occurred in Hartford County and after reaching maturity joined the trucking and transportation firm that had been established by his father. 

   In 1878 Fredus Case married his first wife Minnie D. Smith, to whom he was wed for only six years. The couple had one son, Herbert S., and following Minnie's death in 1884, Case remarried in 1895 to Nathala Parsons Merwin (1867-1959), who would survive him. The couple had one further child, Nathala Merwin (1906-1910). Case began his political career at the youthful age of 26, winning election to the Connecticut House of Representatives in 1882. Remarked as the youngest legislator to serve in the session of 1883-84, Case was a member of the committee on New Towns and Probate Districts. Following his term he continued to serve Windsor politically, holding the office of selectman in 1889-90 and was for many years first selectman, an office that saw the town get:

"Many dollars of valuable and concientious service from him for every dollar it pays him. Whatever he does is done thoroughly and with all his might and the willing personal service and assistance he gives to the many Town enterprises that appeal to him constantly is appreciated by more people than he will ever realize."

From the Windsor Town Crier, April 1916.

  A former president of the New Haven County chapter of the YMCA, Fredus Case was also instrumental in establishing the Mohawk YMCA camp in Litchfield. A longstanding member of the Washington Lodge of Masons in Windsor, Case would move to Milford, Connecticut late in his life and died in that town on December 25, 1925, aged 69. He was survived by his wife Nathala and son Herman and later was interred at the Milford Cemetery.

From the Windsor Locks Journal, January 1, 1926.