The following is a biography of Herbert Lerou former Norwich Mayor and Norwich Rotarian from A modern history of New London County, Connecticut; by Marshall, Benjamin Tinkham.
HERBERT MORGAN LEROU— In 1902 Herbert Morgan Lerou, then a young man, came to Norwich, Connecticut, an experienced pharmacist, with a pleasing personality and an ambition to succeed in the business world. Nearly two decades have since elapsed and the young man is now the veteran merchant, his store on Main Street a great center of business activity. Mr. Lerou is also the chief executive of Norwich, one of New England’s fairest cities. Business success invariably follows correct methods, energy and ability, and that Mayor Lerou has succeeded as a business man need not be dwelt upon, for he possessed the qualities that cannot be denied. Success in public is not so easily explained, for the public is not always easy to please, but when convinced that a man is their friend, that he is honorable, upright and to be trusted, he can always rely upon their support. The feeling the voters of Norwich have for Mr. Lerou is of that nature, for he has proved his loyalty to the public interest in lower positions, and when he was presented for their consideration as a candidate for mayor, they rallied to his standard, and though there were strong opposing forces, and party spirit ran high, he was returned the victor at the polls, although the margin was so close as to be almost negligible. But it was victory, and the presidency of the United States was once won by a single vote.
Mayor Lerou is a son of Evans M. and Elizabeth (Evans) Lerou, his father born and educated in Paris, France, his mother in Swansea, South Wales. Evans M. Lerou came to the United States when a young man, an expert silversmith. He located in East Haddam, Connecticut, there became foreman in a leading silver manufacturing establishment, and died in 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Lerou are the parents of four children, this review following the fortunes of their son, Herbert Morgan Lerou.
Herbert Morgan Lerou was born in East Haddam, Connecticut, March 23, 1871, and educated in the grade and high schools of Meriden. Connecticut. He entered business life as a clerk in the drug store of John R. Briggs, in Meriden, and during the years employed there he studied pharmacy. His next position was with C. A. Pelton, a druggist of Middletown, Connecticut, with whom he remained several years. There he continued his studies, and in 1894 he passed the examinations of the State Board of Pharmacy and was listed as a registered pharmacist. With that dignity he located in Springfield, Massachusetts, where he was pharmacist with the N. F. Wheeler Company for eight years. He rose high in his profession, improved his opportunities, accumulated some capital, and with the confidence of youth, and strong in his belief in his own ability, he came to Norwich in 1902 and opened a drug store. His pleasing personality brought him friends, and it was soon demonstrated that Mr. Lerou was an unusually skilled pharmacist. He prospered in his first store in the western part of the city, and in 1910 opened a second store at No. 289 Main street. This second store became the more important, and after a time Mr. Lerou sold his original store and gave his entire attention to the Main street establishment, now one of the most widely known, and well patronized in every department. Mr. Lerou gives his business his close personal supervision and it has been his energy, coupled with his ability, that has made his success.
Coming closely in touch with the people of his city in a business way, and avowedly a man of the people, Mr. Lerou has a deep and abiding interest in all that concerns the public welfare. This led him into political life and a mere liking for politics as a game. He embraced the principles of the Republican party, and in 1905 was elected to represent his ward in the Common Council. In 1906 he was elected registrar, and, in 1910 was elected a member of the city Board of Education and for two years served as secretary of the board. His high standing as a pharmacist was recognized by Governor Holcomb, who on February 21, 1917, appointed Mr. Lerou a member of the State Board of Pharmacy for a term of five years. On June 7, 1920, came the crucial test of Mr. Lerou’s popularity and influence, when he was elected mayor of Norwich, the strong opposing factions making it the most closely contested election in the history of the city, Mr. Lerou as the Republican candidate winning by one vote.
Mr. Lerou is one of the incorporators of the Chelsea Savings Bank of Norwich; is a trustee of Maplewood Cemetery; is one of the incorporators of the Masonic Temple Corporation of Norwich; member of the Connecticut State Pharmaceutical Association, of which he was president in 1911; member and Treasurer of Somerset Lodge, No. 34, Free and Accepted Masons; Franklin Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Franklin Council, Royal and Select Masters; Columbian Commandery, Knights Templar; and in the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite holds the degrees of King Solomon Lodge of Perfection, Van Rensselaer Council of the Princes of Jerusalem, Norwich Chapter of Rose Croix, and Connecticut Consistory, Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret. He is a noble of Sphinx Temple, Ancient Arabian Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. His clubs are the Arcanum, of Norwich, and the Rotary, and he is a member of the Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Lerou married (first), in Norwich, February 7, 1895, Bertha B. Carroll, daughter of Charles and Emily (Rathbun) Carroll, of Norwich. Mrs. Lerou died in Springfield, Massachusetts, March 2, 1902, leaving two children, one of whom, Edna Evans Lerou, is living. Mr. Lerou married (second) March 24, 1908, Mary S. Tourtelotte, daughter of James Newton and Harriet (Clark) Tourtelotte, of Norwich. Mr. and Mrs. Lerou are members of the Congregational church.
