Isaac S. Catlin

Isaac Swartwood Catlin was an American lawyer and a decorated officer in the American Civil War. A native of Owego, New York, Catlin studied law in New York City before returning to Owego to begin his career. He joined the Union Army in the first days of the Civil War and rose to become commander of the 109th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Severely wounded during the Battle of the Crater, he remained on the field and led his regiment until being injured a second time, resulting in the loss of his leg. For this action, he was awarded the U.S. militarys highest decoration, the Medal of Honor. After the war, Catlin moved to Brooklyn and established himself as a criminal defense lawyer and district attorney. He was politically active but lost a race for Mayor of Brooklyn and declined several other opportunities to run for higher offices.

Catlin was born on July 8, 1835, in Owego, New York, to Nathaniel and Jane Catlin. After receiving his early education at Owego Academy, he attended Hobart College in Geneva for a single year. In 1856, he moved to New York City to study law and was admitted to the bar the next year. Returning to Owego in 1859, he joined his brotherinlaw Benjamin F. Tracys law firm, Tracy, Warner amp Walker. Tracy, who had married Catlins sister Delinda in 1851, would also earn the Medal of Honor in the Civil War and would go on to become United States Secretary of the Navy. Catlin was elected mayor of Owego in 1860 and continued in that role until the outbreak of war. In 1862 in Brooklyn, Catlin married Virginia H.S. Bacon the couple had one son and one daughter.

Source: Wikipedia