SETH PADDOCK STORRS
BIOGRAPHY and GENEALOGY
(ca. 1800 – October 1854)
Georgia, Coosa and Autauga Counties, Alabama
(Excerpt from History of Coosa County: by the Rev. George Evans Brewer, 1887)
While the residence of Seth P. Storrs was on the west side of the river, (Coosa River) his office and business were on the east side, and he was more identified with Coosa than Autauga, so that his name rightfully appears as one of Coosa’s prominent men. Mr. Storrs was born in Vermont, and was of a family that gave several prominent men to the country, notably the celebrated Dr. Storrs who for so long a time was not only in the front rank of the ministers of New York, but of the world as well.
Mr. Storrs came to Covington, Ga., about 1830, and from there to Wetumpka in 1835. He came a lawyer, and from the start was regarded with high esteem for his ability, integrity, and urbanity. He devoted himself to his profession, and accumulated a good property. He could not be called a politician, for he only engaged in political affairs when called by the people to serve them.
In 1847 he was elected Senator from the District over Mr. W. S. Kyle, also a prominent lawyer of Wetumpka. He continued to serve until the election in 1853, when he failed to run. He was appointed Judge of the Circuit Court by Gov, Jno. A. Winston in August 1854. But he died at his home in Wetumpka about the first of October 1854, during the session of the Central Association with the church there. The meeting, in its profound respect for him, adjourned as a body and attended the burial, where he now sleeps in Wetumpka’s cemetery.
Colonel Storrs was never a member of the church, though inclined to the faith of the Presbyterians. He was always highly moral, pure, and chaste, and his deportment would put to the blush that of many who were members.
His wife, who was a Miss Bigelow, of Massachusetts, was a member of the Baptist church at Wetumpka from its organization, and one of its most active, liberal, and influential ones, continuing so until her death. Colonel Storrs was of medium height, with some tendency to corpulency. He was always remarkably clean and neat in appearance, with a handsome pleasant face, and his head, though bald, was beautiful, owing to its fine shape, the smoothness of its skin, and perfect freedom from scalp troubles. The rim of hair surrounding the head was heavy, always smooth and even, and a rich silver grey. He was a pleasant and instructive speaker.
He left three sons and two daughters, all highly esteemed. Henry was a lieutenant of the Wetumpka Light Guards, and was accidentally killed by a sentinel at Norfolk, Va.; George S. was a major of artillery; and Charles P. was a captain in the 7th Ala. Cavalry, and now resides just below Wetumpka. The daughters were Miss Charlotte, who never married, and Miss Libbie, who married Capt. Thomas Smith of Hilliard’s Legion. Both George and Charles made fine reputations as soldiers and officers.
ADDITIONAL EXCERPT FROM Alabama, Her History, Resources, War Record, and Public Men: From 1540 to 1872 By Willis Brewer, 1872
Seth Paddock Storrs was a prominent citizen of that part of Autauga now embraced in Elmore. He was a native of Middlebury, Vermont, where he was born in 1800. His father was a prominent lawyer, and gave the college and cemetery grounds to the town. His mother was the daughter of Gen. Strong, to whom Vermont voted a sword for his military services. The son graduated at the Middlebury college. Admitted to the bar, he at once removed to Covington, Georgia, where he practiced till he came to Autauga in 1835. He resided in Wetumka, (sic) and was frequently mayor of the town, though he refused to receive pay for his services. His profession was profitable and he accumulated property. In 1847 he was elected to represent Coosa and Autauga in the Senate, and acted in that capacity six years. In August 1854 Gov. Winston appointed him judge of the circuit court, but he died the following month. Judge Storrs was short and stout, with a large, round, bald head, and a fair complexion. He was a gentleman of refinement, cultivation, and close observation, and stood high for integrity and morality. His wife was a Miss Bigelow of Massachusetts, and three of his sons were officers in the Southern armies, viz: Lieut. H. R. Storrs of the 3d Alabama, killed by a sentinel at Norfolk, Va.; Major Geo. S. Storrs who commanded a battalion of artillery; and Capt. Charles P. Storrs of the 7th Alabama cavalry.
