Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 150

Author: H. H. Beers & Co.
Publication date: 1899
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1795

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21, 1875, Mr. Tuttle was married at New Ca- naan to Jane A. Williams, by whom he has one child, Leon E. Our subject is united with the Baptist Church at New Canaan, and is a substan- tial, thrifty citizen of that town, one whose gen- uine worth entitles him to the respect of all.

TONATHAN C. TAYLOR, a veteran of the Civil war, whose valor and courage were tested on more than one battlefield, and whose body now bears the scars of wounds that speak louder than words of the sacrifice and he- roism of young manhood, is one of the substan- tial farmers of the town of Westport, and a well- known citizen throughout Fairfield county.

Mr. Taylor was born December 16, 1833, in the town of Westport. His paternal grandfa- ther, also named Jonathan, was a soldier of the war of 1812. He was born in the town of Wes- ton, married Nancy Taylor, of Westport, and in that town engaged in farming. The two chil- dren born to this marriage were: Alfred and Paul L., the latter being the father of our subject. Both were farmers of the town of Westport. The father of these children was a Whig in his political views, and in religious faith Alfred was an Episcopalian, Paul L. a Congregationalist.

Paul L. Taylor was reared on his father's farm. He became a school teacher by profes- sion, but later in life was chiefly engaged in ag- ricultural pursuits. He married Matsey Chap- man, a native of the town of Westport, and a daughter of Phineas Chapman. This marriage was blessed with four children, namely: Harriet E. married a Mr. Nichols, resided in New Ha- ven, and there died; Charles H .. for many years a merchant in Westport, died in Tacoma, Wash .; Jonathan C., our subject, is referred to farther on; and Ann E. married Benjamin Toquet, of Westport. The parents of these died in 1867. They were excellent people, and their deaths were mourned by a host of friends and acquaint- ances. . Politically, the father was first a Whig. then a Republican.

Jonathan C. Taylor was reared on the home farm, attending the local schools during his earlier years, then the private academy of William H. Richards, at Westport. When he had ad- vanced sufficiently to be able to teach, he entered into the work with a zeal that was characteristic of his after life. Beginning the profession in the schools of his home town, he was not con- tent, so later sought wider fields with greater opportunities. He taught at Bethel, Conn., and in the States of New Jersey and Illinois, and in all probably one-third of his life has been given

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to that profession. In the fall of 1861, when the Civil war seemed to be no longer simply a threat, but a stern reality that called for men of nerve and determination, young Taylor became enthu- siastic, recruited a squad of men. which became a part of Company C. 28th Conn. V. I., organ- ized in New Haven. The command was assigned to the Army of the South, under General Banks. He participated in all the engagements in which the regiment took part. In the charge on Port Hudson, La., June 14, 1862, in which five out of six were either killed or wounded, our subject was wounded twice through the side and in the sword hand. He was second lieutenant in his own company, and in the company detailed for the charge; was taken prisoner out of a ditch under the breastworks of the Confederates, and was restored to his own command at the sur- render, July 11, 1862. His record as a soldier was indeed an honorable one. He was discharged from the service at New Haven, Conn., in August, 1862, and about five years after resumed school- teaching. Later on he engaged in farming, which occupation has since claimed his attention. He has a well-improved and highly-cultivated farm of eighty acres, and has prospered. He is identi- fied with the Congregational Church, and takes a deep interest in all work looking to the better- ing of humanity. . He is a member of the Sauga- tuck Historical Society; also a member of the G. A. R. In his political views he is an Inde- pendent.

On April 3, 1861, Mr. Taylor was married to Elizabeth L. Mundy, a native of Somerville, N. J., a daughter of Israel C. Mundy, of Scotch extraction, and to the union were born children as follows: Catherine E., Mary E., and Charles P., a traveling salesman. The wife and mother died in 1869.

W 'ILLIAM WEBB has done general con- tract work in Stamford, Fairfield county, for many years, and is a respected resident of that place, where he was born August 6, 1836. His grandfather, also named William, was a na- tive of Stamford, and was twice married, the second time to Rhoda- Epenetus Webb, the father, was born and reared in Stamford, and was engaged in the fish and lobster business for many years. He married Delia Ann Weed, a daughter of Jonas Weed, and they became the parents of six children: Charles R., Henry (of Darien, Conn.), William, and Harriet S., Martha Ann and Alice L., all three also in Stamford.

William Webb attended the district schools of Stamford in his early boyhood, and when

eighteen years old was apprenticed to Thomas P. Dixon to learn the carpenter's trade, serving three years with that gentleman. For some years following he worked as journeyman, finally commencing to do contract work, in which he now has an extensive custom. Mr. Webb was married in New York City to Miss Harriet Huested, who was born in Westchester county, N. Y., and at the time of her marriage was liv- ing in Sound Beach, this county. Two children have blessed this union: Cordelia, who is the wife of Mortimer S. Brown, of Stamford, and William H., a resident of Stamford, who is in the employ of the United States Express Com- pany in New York City. In political sympathy Mr. Webb is a Republican.

A LFRED BEACH FAIRCHILD, whose career as a business man and citizen of Bridgeport for a third of a century is well and favorably known, is descended from one of the old Colonial families of New England, being of the eighth generation in direct line from Thomas Fairchild, a merchant who came from London, England, and settled in Stratford, Conn., about 1639. His death occurred December 14, 1670. He married (first) a daughter of Robert Seabrook, of England, and (second) Katherine Craig, of London, England. A copy of the last marriage contract, executed in England on the 22d day of December, 1662, is found in the library at the Capitol at Hartford, in Priv. Controv. Vol. I, Doc. 20. In it Mr. Fairchild binds himself to convey to said Katherine a life estate in his lands at Stratford, or in case of his death before his arrival in New England, to cause to be paid to the said Katherine the sum of 200 pounds sterling. Of his eleven children, three (inclad- ing Joseph, our subject's next ancestor) were born to the second marriage.

II. Joseph Fairchild was born in Stratford April 18, 1664, and died July 25, 1713. He owned lands in Durham. His wife, Johanna, daughter of Timothy Willcoxson, died August 15. 1713. They had ten children, among whom was a son Timothy, the next in line of descent.

III. Timothy Fairchild, born December 9. 1687, was married November 15, 1715, to Sarah Thompson, of New Haven, and died November 23, 1726. They had four children.

IV. Daniel Fairchild, son of Timothy and Sarah (Thompson) Fairchild, was born February 18, 1719, and died May 9, 1807. On December 6, 1743, he was married to Hepzibah, daughter of Samuel Lewis, of Old Mill, in the town of Stratford, and nine children were born to this

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union. Daniel Fairchild was among the first settlers of North Stratford (now Trumbull), and lived at Nichols Farms. He taught school in his earlier years, but afterward became a merchant, was influential in town and State affairs, being appointed justice of the peace for the Colony of Connecticut for many years. During the Revo- lutionary war he was also very prominent in the affairs of the Colony.

V. Lewis Fairchild, son of Daniel and Hep- zibah (Lewis) Fairchild, was born March 14, 1747, and died May 10. 1817; married Mary Uffoot September 22, 1768, by whom he had six children. His home was at North Stratford (now Trumbull), at a place called Nessha Hill, and he was one of the most successful and influential farmers of that county. He was prominent in the Revolutionary war, and was with General Wooster in the Danbury raid, April 25 and 28. 1777, it being generally understood that he acted as assistant commissary during the time.

VI. Reuben Fairchild, son of Lewis and Mary (Uffoot) Fairchild, was born in 1782 and died October 5. 1855: be resided in Trumbull during the greater part of his life: in 1813 he married Anna, daughter of Robert Hawley of that town. Six children were born to them, viz. : Caroline, Elizabeth. Mary Ann. Starr. Lewis and Charles Nichols. Reuben Fairchild was a very ingenious man, and having learned the cabinet maker's trade in his youth he applied his skill in many lines of manufacturing business. He also pro- cured a number of patents during his life. About the year 1810 he took apart an old saddletree, and made one like it; he then made a dozen, had them ironed, and took them to New York where he found a ready sale. He then, in connection with his brother Eben, commenced the manu- facture of saddletrees on a large scale at Nichols Farms. Trumbull, and conducted the business for many years, it being very successful. In May, 1817, they purchased the store and dock prop- erty near the foot of Wall street in Bridgeport, and conducted a store, in connection with same operating a packet line of boats along the coast from New York to Boston. Eben Fairchild re- moved to Bridgeport in 1817 to take charge of that branch, and about the year 1818 they com- menced the manufacture of saddles there, asso- ciating with them Hartford Lyon and Lemuel Coleman, under the firm name of Fairchild, Lyon & Co. Later they opened a branch house in Charleston, S. C., but after about nine years they withdrew from the saddle business, selling out to their partners. In 1826 Reuben, Lewis & Eben Fairchild built the mills at Trumbull, and commenced the manufacture of paper, which

was continued by them until 1835. when Reuben sold his interest to his brothers and retired from business with a comfortable competence.

Being a man of progressive ideas, and finding a retired life distasteful, he in 1836 commenced the manufacture of carriages in Bridgeport, asso- ciating with him Messrs. Haight. Hurd and Keel- er, under the firm name of Haight, Keeler, Fair- child & Co. This business was continued until 1840, when he retired to his farm at Nichols. Farms, Trumbull, where he was engaged in. agriculture until his death.

VII. Hon. Charles N. Fairchild, son of Reuben and Anna (Hawley) Fairchild, was born in Trumbull October 27, 1818. and died Septem- ber 6. 1891. He was educated in the district schools at Nichols Farms, and as a young man. learned the carriage maker's trade in Bridgeport. For some years he followed that occupation at Nichols Farms, but later he devoted his attention to agriculture. Politically, he was a Democrat. Being a man of ability and sound judgment, disciplined by practical participation in business and public affairs, he was often called to serve in. official positions, which he filled with credit to himself and satisfaction to his fellow citizens. He was selectman of the town in 1859-60, and in 1876 was a representative in the State Legis- lature. Mr. Fairchild was twice married. his first wife being Louisa, daughter of Alfred Beach, of Trumbull Centre. To them were born two sons: Henry and Alfred Beach, who for years have been closely identified with the busi- ness interests of the City of Bridgeport. The mother of these died August 13. 1845, aged twenty-four years, and the father subsequently married Mary B .. daughter of S. O. Banks, of Easton, Conn. Two children, Laura Frances. and Erwin Starr. were born of the second union.

VIII. Alfred Beach Fairchild, son of Charles N. and Louisa (Beach) Fairchild, and the sub- ject proper of this sketch. was born in the vil- lage of Nichols Farms, town of Trumbull. July 13, 1845. and received his education at the com- mon schools of the village of his birth. At the age of eighteen he left his father's farm to take a position in Bridgeport as clerk in the general store of his brother. Henry C. Fairchild, with whom he remained until 1867. Being of age, he then commenced business for himself by pur- chasing the village store in his native town, where he continued successfully for three years; next venture was the purchase, in 1870, of the general store at North Bridgeport, which was conducted in connection with the woolen-mills of Dean La Monte & Co. Here he was very

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successful until the mills were consumed by fire. thereby in a large measure destroying his busi- ness. In August, 1874; he turned his attention to the insurance and real-estate business, and it is in these lines that he is now most widely known, his energy, enterprise and ability having won for him enviable prominence. For about ten years Mr. Fairchild was secretary of the Bridgeport Mutual Life Insurance Association, and is now its president, and he has held the sec- retaryship of the Bridgeport Board of Under- writers for nearly ten years. In May, 1894, he associated himself in business with the late Will- iam C. Mead as a partner, under the firm name of Fairchild & Mead, which is still continued by the surviving partner. In 1897 Mr. Fairchild was appointed, as a Democrat, by Mayor Thomas P. Taylor, as one of the board of fire commis- sioners of Bridgeport. For many years he has been identified with the South Congregational Church, and socially, he is connected with the Sea Side Club and with the Masonic Fraternity.

On June 18, 1873, Mr. Fairchild was married to Eliza Mills Tomlinson, daughter of Gideon M. Tomlinson, of Stratford, and the marriage has been blessed with the following children : Ralph Tomlinson; born. January 24, 1882, and Alfred Huntington, born May 26, 1886.

E B. WATERBURY, who is known as one of the most progressive, successful agricultur- ists of Greenwich township, Fairfield county, Conn., was born September 27. 1834. in Pound Ridge township, Westchester county, N. Y., which has been the home of this branch of the Waterbury family for at least a century.

Mr. Waterbury is a great-grandson of Josiah Waterbury, and a grandson of Jared Waterbury, who died of pneumonia in the spring of 1810, leaving a widow and children, of whom four grew to adult age, namely: Samuel, who became a farmer. died in Pound Ridge; Phineas, a shoe- maker, died in New Canaan, Conn .; Elmira (Mrs. William Haight) died in Pound .Ridge; Ebenezer was the father of our subject. For her second husband the mother married Thomas Potts. She lived to the advanced age of ninety years, dying at Pound Ridge.

Ebenezer Waterbury was born April 9, 1805, in Pound Ridge, and there he was reared, during his boyhood receiving such advantages for an education as the primitive schools ,of that day afforded. His brothers learned trades, but he began to assist his stepfather on the farm as soon as he was able to be of any use. and he continued to follow agricultural pursuits all his life. When

a young man he married Caroline Smith, who was born in New York City, a daughter of Aaron and Betsy Smith, and they commenced house- keeping in Pound Ridge, Mr. Waterbury buying the farm on which they made their home. Later he removed his family to Long Ridge, and there passed the remainder of his days, dying at the good old age of seventy-nine. He was small physically, but he had excellent judgment in farming matters, was an energetic, determined worker, by his own exertions became the owner of a comfortable property, and acquired a com- petence for his declining years. Mrs. Water- bury passed away at the age of eighty-two years. They were the parents of ten children, riz .: Aaron T., who lives in Pound Ridge (he is an invalid); George P. and E. B., farmers of Green- wich: Sarah E .. widow of Isaac Williams, of Bedford, N. Y .; William S., of Stamford, Conn .; Jared. W., a farmer of Greenwich; a son who died in infancy; John O., of Pound Ridge; Charles P .. who makes his home in Stamford township. and Caroline E., who married Henry Lockwood, and lives in Jersey City, N. J. Mr. and Mrs. Waterbury's religious connections were with the Congregational Church, and they were highly esteemed by all their neighbors and friends, who were numerous in Long Ridge and vicinity. He was originally a Whig in political sentiment, in time becoming a member of the Republican party, but, although he took a patriotic interest in the public welfare, he consented to hold office but once, in his later years steadfastly refusing to take any active part in political matters.

E .. B. Waterbury was reared to manhood oo the parental farm at Long Ridge, and first at- tended school in that neighborhood, finishing his education in the academy at Bedford, N. Y. He was about twenty-four years old when he decided to start out on his own account, and having by industry and economy managed to accumulate some capital, he purchased a $6,000 farın in North Castle, Westchester county. He had to go in debt for three-quarters of this amount, but he was young and strong, and even at that time had acquired a thorough knowledge of the work of cultivating a farm, so he set bravely about paying it off, turning every hour's work to ac- count. In addition to the ordinary farm work he engaged in buying and selling lumber, cutting considerable from his own property, and also carried on a coopering business, in which at times he employed from sixteen to eighteen men. Con- stant labor brought its reward, and before many years Mr. Waterbury found himself the possessor of a fine property. He made his home on the old North Castle farm until 1875, when he bought

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and moved to the farm where he has ever since " resided, and which consists of ninety-nine acres of good land in North street, Greenwich town- ship, Fairfield Co., Conn. Later he disposed of his first farm, and invested in another in Green- wich township, which he still owns. Mr. Water- bury's home is one of the best in the town, and , gives ample evidence of his ability as an agricult- ' urist, and the interest and pride he takes in its · cultivation and appearance. He is not slow to : adopt new methods whenever practicable, and . has an enviable reputation among the neighboring farmers for good management and skill in every- · thing pertaining to the successful conducting of a . farm. His integrity and straightforwardness in all matters have gained him universal respect, and . he is regarded as one of the deservedly prosper- ous men of this section.

On March 30, 1869, Mr. Waterbury was uni- ted in marriage to Miss Lenwilla Ferris, who was born March 21, 1848, in Greenwich township, where she was reared and educated. She is one of the three daughters of Gilbert and Harriet {Howeth) Ferris. Five children have blessed their union: Edith, who lives at home; Grace, who died at the age of six years; Everett H., who died when twelve years old; and Ellen B. and Frederic G., living at home. Mrs. Water- bury is a member of the Stanwich Congregational Church. Mr. Waterbury believes in the princi- ples of the Democratic party, but he is non-par- tisan in local affairs, and takes little active part in public matters.

FREDERICK S. STERLING is a representa- tive of the fourth generation of the Sterling family who have made the Chestnut Hill District, town of Trumbull, their home. The house in which he dwells was built by his great-grand- father, Sylvanus Sterling. who died January 6, 1781, leaving his wife Esther (who died July 16, 1811) and six children: Eunice, Elijah, Philip. Nathaniel, Gurdon and Jesse.

Elijah Sterling was born in 1766, and followed farming as his occupation. He married Anna Nichols, and their children were: Nancy. Elam, Sylvanus. Betsey Ann, Starr, Lucetta and Sher- wood. The entire family were members of the ·Congregational Church. Elijah Sterling died June 16, 1844, and his wife, who was born in 1767, died September 19, 1851.

Elam Sterling was born on the old home farm in 1791, and the days of his youth were passed in the manner usual to sons of farmers in those days. For fifteen years he engaged in the coasting trade, which he carried on between Bos-

ton and New York. Later in life he returned home, and ended his days in the management of the farm. On September 6, 1829, he married Susan Hurd, a daughter of Frederick and Hannah (Edwards) Hurd, and three children graced their union: Frederick S .; Lucetta and Washington I., the two last named being now deceased. For several years Elam Sterling served as town clerk, and was one of the earnest workers in the Con- gregational Church. He died July 22, 1861. His wife, who was born December 6, 1801, lived a long life of great usefulness; her bright and cheerful disposition endeared her to all who came within her circle of acquaintances, but there came a day in 1889, when her sweet smile van- ished and her chair was empty, for she was no more.

Frederick S. Sterling was born October 12. 1830, and he enjoyed such educational privileges as the customs of the times afforded. The first seventeen years of his life he spent at home, and then he went to Bridgeport to learn the coach- making business, serving an apprenticeship of four years. In 1852 he began firing for the Housatonic railroad, and after nine months was promoted to engineer. This he continued for a year, and then spent two years in the same capacity for the New York Central, running be- tween Utica and Albany. Since 1856 he has found contentment in the cultivation and improve- ment of the old home.

In 1855. Mr. Sterling was married to Anna Mary Duckels, who was born in England, March 5, 1834. and was brought to America by her parents in 1836. One child has blessed the union of our subject and his wife: Anna Lucetta, who is now the wife of Franklin Sherman, of Long Hill. Mr. Sterling casts his ballot in support of the Democratic party, and has served his party as selectman, town clerk and in several minor offices. He has always been conscientious in the performance of whatever duties fell to his lot. For six years he has been treasurer of the Grange.

W WILLIAM O'BRIEN. That oft-repeated phrase "the dignity of labor " has more than a sentiment at meaning with this well-known citizen of Greenwich, who, although he has gained a handsome competence through his work, still declines to spend his days in idleness.

Mr. O'Brien was born September 5, 1837, at Limerick, Ireland, the son of John and Mary O'Brien. His mother died when he was an infant of two years, and the father, who was a farm laborer, survived her but eight years. Our

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subject's only sister, Ellen, died in childhood, and thus at the age of ten years he was left without a near relative. As his father's labor had been the sole support of the family, the little lad re- ceived no inheritance, and would have fared badly had it not been that his cleverness attracted the attention and sympathy of a wealthy lady, a Mrs. Barrington, who employed him upon her estates. During the winter the family resided in Dublin, but the summer seasons they spent at Barrington Bridge, where our subject passed the greater portion of his time for six years. His benefactress was a Protestant, and when Mr. O'Brien was about sixteen years old she endeav- ored to persuade him to renounce the Catholic faith, in which he had been reared. He refused, notwithstanding some tempting offers of help in business, and finally after much discussion his benefactress paid his passage to the United States and supplied him with a small fund for his support while obtaining employment here. In July, 1854, he sailed from Liverpool on the ves- sel " Constellation," and after a voyage lasting six weeks and three days he landed in New York. Through the help of friends he found work a few days later with Silas Husted, of Round Hill, Conn., at seven dollars per month, which was considered good wages for one of his experience. During two winters he attended school in that section, and while he was usually employed profit- ably by different persons during the summer he often worked in the dull season for $3.00 per month, and sometimes for board only.

In his twenty-first year he married his first wife, Miss Mary Harrigan, a native of Ireland, and daughter of Patrick and Ellen Harrigan, and they began housekeeping in a small rented house at Round Hill. Mr. O'Brien continued to work at anything that would bring him in an honest dol- lar, and by close economy and shrewd manage- ment he secured a home of his own two miles north of the village of Greenwich. Later, as his prosperity increased, he decided to invest in more valuable property, and in 1880 he pur- chased his present attractive homestead in Lake avenue, Greenwich village. His industry, in- tegrity and thrift have won for him the respect of all who know him, and he has the satisfaction of knowing that his success has been honestly and honorably obtained. He owes no man a cent, . and his well-invested earnings bring him in an ample income. During the summer of 1897 he allowed himself a vacation, the first that he has had since coming to America. In politics, he is a Democrat so far as State and National issues are concerned, but in local affairs he votes independently.

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 150

Author: H. H. Beers & Co. Publication date: 1899 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1795

Author: H. H. Beers & Co.
Publication date: 1899
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1795