Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 44

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

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W TILLIAM E. HINE. This venerable and highly esteemed resident of Shelton has watched the entire development of that thriving village, having located there when its site was under cultivation as a farm. But two or three persons are now living in that vicinity who were there when he settled at his present homestead, and he is regarded throughout the community as one of its foremost citizens.

Mr. Hine is of English descent on the pater- nai side, but his ancestors located in Connecticut at an early day, and his grandfather, Thaddeus Hine, followed the tanner's trade at Derby. William Hine, the father of our subject, was born in Derby, August 30, 1772, and became a farmer by occupation. In politics he was a Whig, but he did not aspire to official honors. He died in Naugatuck, January 24. 1850, and was buried there, as it was incorporated a town in 1844. His wife, Esther (Hickox), a native of Waterbury, born August 19, 1782, died April 19, 1864. Their married life was spent partly in Waterbury, but later they made their home at Derby, returning, however, to Waterbury in 1835. They had nine children, of whom two died in infancy; of the others, the eldest, Samuel B., was a farmer; Lu- cius followed the carpenter's trade; Rufus was a joiner; Mary never married; William E. is the subject proper of this sketch; Charles is a tailor in New Haven; and Henry was a joiner by occu- pation. Of this large family none are now living except William E. and Charles.

Our subject was born February 6, 1822, at the old home in Waterbury, and was about three years old when his parents removed to Derby, where he grew to manhood. He learned the joiner's trade, which he followed successfully for many years. In 1846 he married Miss Catherine Booth, a daughter of David C. Booth, and grand- daughter of Philo Booth, of Trumbull, where her family has long been prominent. No children were born of this union. In 1859 Mr. Hine and his wife removed to Shelton, where they have since resided, taking a helpful share in the vari- ous movements that have tended to bring about the present prosperity of the town. Mr. Hine is a Republican in politics, and at times he has held local offices, including those of assessor and grand

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juror. His parents were members of the Con- gregational Church, and he has always been in sympathy with the work of that society.

E ARWIN EDWARDS, proprietor and editor of The Greenwich Graphic, which needs no introduction to the residents of Fairfield county, is a native of this State, born in Norwich. His primary education was obtained at his birth- place. where he attended both public and private schools. When he was twelve years old his parents, Elisha and Lauretta (Strong) Edwards, removed with their family to New Haven, Conn., to give their sons a college education. Erwin Edwards attended the Hillhouse High School. At the age of fourteen, when about to graduate, he was obliged to abandon study on account of ill health, and went on a farm, on the advice of a physician, to build up his strength. He had been there but four months when he was called home by the death of his father.

Mr. Edwards embarked in business, continu- ing thus for a year or so, when he decided to go to college. He entered Wesleyan Academy, Wilbraham, Mass .. where he fitted for Yale Scientific School, but being not over-robust, and having an offer to engage in stock farming in the West. he went to Dallas Center, Iowa, where he remained for nearly a year. Being averse to the rough life of the plains, Mr. Edwards re- turned to New Haven, where he again entered business, being in the office of The Elm City Press, of which his brother was editor. From there he went to Brooklyn, N. Y., and became connected with a large book house.

His family removed to Hartford, and, desiring to study law, he went to that city and entered a law office, gaining a good insight into the prac- tice of the profession. From there he went to New York, where he was employed on The New York Daily Witness.

In 1880 Mr. Edwards and a brother started The Bloomfield Republican, at Bloomfield, N. J., but he sold out in the winter of that year, and went to Washington. D. C., in which city he did some newspaper work. In the summer of 1881 he came to Greenwich, Conn., on a vaca- tion, but was urged to start a newspaper there, and decided to stay. For a time he was corre- spondent for a New York newspaper, and in De- cember, 1881, he and a brother launched The Greenwich Graphic. On February 3, 1883, ; they bought The Greenwich Observer, which they consolidated with The Graphic, and our subject has been the sole owner and editor since July 28, 1890.

`The Graphic, by its fearless stand on public matters and its constant efforts to further the in- terests of the town, has become, under Mr. Ed- wards, a newspaper of marked influence and weight in the community, and gained wide re- nown as a model country newspaper.

Mr. Edwards is one of the trustees of the Greenwich Savings Bank, but has never cared for public office. He has a valuable library, and spends his leisure movements over his books. He is an antiquarian, and has always taken a great interest in Put's Hill, which is lo- cated in Greenwich, and has written much about it, as well as of other incidents of the Revolu- tionary war, with which Greenwich is so inti- mately associated. These articles have attracted attention all over the country from those who are interested in such matters.

R EV. ARTHUR REQUA. The influence of a consecrated life cannot be estimated by earthly standards, for all outward manifestations are but faint indications of the deep and lasting impression made upon his associates by one who strives to work out in his own character and life his highest thought. In the history of the well- beloved pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Noroton there is revealed a devotion and courage in the pursuit of the ideal, which overcame most unpromising conditions in his early years, and to these inspiring qualities, as well to his knowledge and eloquence, we may attribute his success in his sacred calling.

His ancestry was noted for piety, and four gen- erations in the paternal line were identified with the Presbyterian Church at Yorktown. N. Y., his father. Isaac Requa, and grandfather, Daniel Requa, holding the office of elder for years. His mother, whose maiden name was Ellen Crosby, was also a member of a family which had long been connected with the Presbyterian Church, and at her death in July, 1856, when our subject was but seven weeks old, her last words were a prayer that he might enter the ministry. Both parents were natives of New York State, and their lives were spent there, the father, who died in 1878, being a farmer by occupation.

Our subject was born May 19, 1856, in the town of Patterson, Putnam Co., N. Y., and for some years of his boyhood he attended a district school at Jefferson Valley, N. Y. At the age of fifteen he went to Peekskill, N. Y., to make his home with an uncle and aunt, and while there he pursued his studies in the district school and the military academy. Later he entered the semi- nary at Pennington, N. J., but his course there

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was interrupted by an attack of typhoid fever. From that time his studies were prosecuted with- out aid except as helped by private instructors, but his zeal and persistence have enabled him to gain an excellent education covering a wide range of information. After his recovery from the fever he spent some time in working upon a farm, in order to strengthen his constitution by wholesome out-door life, and on fully regaining his health he opened a select school at Patterson. N. Y. His ability as a teacher being proved, he was soon placed in charge of a district school in the same locality, and he continued this occupa- tion for ten years. From childhood he had felt a strong call to the ministry, and when only eleven years old he united with the Presbyterian Church. Having no funds to enable him to pur- sue a theological course, and being at the same time unwilling to accept aid from the Presbytery, he found his progress sadly delayed, and yet it may be that in this period of struggle he learned practical lessons from the book of experience which have been of untold value in the work of the ministry. While teaching, he made use of all his spare time in study, and he was frequent- ly called upon to assist the neighboring pastors in revival seasons. After a time his pastor, Rev. Isaac L. Kip, of the Presbyterian Church, Patter- son, N. Y., offered to instruct him in theology, and this opportunity was gladly accepted. Two years he spent with this instructor, and then he completed his course with Rev. J. Ritchie Smith, of Peekskill, N. Y., continuing his work as a teacher until his last year of study.

The Church at Noroton having been without a settled pastor for a number of years, Mr. Requa, in 1886, went there as a supply, and so effective was his work that in January, 1887, he was or- dained and installed as pastor. There were only thirty-five members at that time, but eighty- one have since united with the Church, which is in a most prosperous condition. Recently a new chapel was built at a cost of $3.500. In addi- tion to his regular duties Mr. Requa preaches once a month at Fitch's Home for Soldiers at Noroton. He is greatly interested in temper- ance reform and in work among the young peo- ple, being one of the leading members of the State Sabbath School Association, and for four years he was president of the Stamford Christian Endeavor Union. While he is not a politician, he takes keen interest in all the questions of the day. and is outspoken in his convictions. One might suppose that the varied activities men- tioned would fully occupy his time, but he is also deeply interested in editorial and educational work. At one time he was chairman of the ed-

itorial committee of the Connecticut Sunday School Record (not being published at present), and is editor and publisher of the monthly known as Church Tidings. As to educational matters, he is president of the board of education of the town of Darien, also the sole Acting Visitor of the schools, which office is similar to that of superintendent of public instruction.

On October 11, 1876, Mr. Requa married Miss Mary J. Stebbins, daughter of Benjamin J. Stebbins, of Patterson, N. Y., who died in 1885 in his eighty-first year.

ADWARD MEAD (deceased). This, in his day, well-known citizen of Greenwich, who died October 27, 1885, was a man whose char- acter and life were an inspiration to good works among all who knew him. In every relation of life he satisfied the test of a true Christian char- acter, and the most precious inheritance left to his family is the memory of an honorable and honored career.

Mr. Mead was a descendant of John Mead, the noted pioneer [other authorities say Will- iam], of Greenwich, who (according to some au- thorities) located at Sound Beach in 1660, the line of descent being traced through John, son of the pioneer, Ebenezer (1), Ebenezer (2), Deliv- erance, and Robert Mead, our subject's father. Ebenezer Mead (2) was born in October, 1692, and died in May, 1775. He and his wife Han- nah (Brown) reared a large family of children. Deliverance Mead, who married Abigail Howe, made his home at Indian Field, in the town of Greenwich, and a more complete account of him is given in the biographies of other members of the family. Robert Mead, our subject's father, was born at Indian Field November 22, 1768, and was married October 29, 1794, to Prudence Mead, who was born May 15, 1775, a daughter of J. Mead and his first wife, Rachel (Knapp), of whom further mention is made elsewhere. Robert Mead inherited from his father the home- stead on the Post road, near Cos Cob, which later became the property of our subject, the dwelling occupied in the old days being only a short distance east of the present residence of the family. He followed farming during his active life, but in later years he was an invalid. His death occurred April 30, 1836, and his wife died September 23, 1849, the remains of both being interred in the Congregational cemetery at Green- wich.

Our subject was born June 22, 1809, at the old homestead, and his education was begun in the district schools of Cos Cob. Later he at-

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tended a private school in Stamford, also the academy in Greenwich, but being an only child he was called upon to take charge of the home- stead at a comparatively early age. He was of small stature and slender build, yet his industry and shrewd management brought him marked success in his chosen occupation, as he was re- garded as one of the leading farmers of the neighborhood. While he was not inclined to os- tentation he believed in enjoying the good things of life, and his handsome and commodious resi- dence, built in 1832, is a model of comfort. His affection for his family was a notable trait in his character. Without relaxing from wholesome discipline he gave his children every suitable amusement at home, no games being barred out except cards. Fond of books himself, he placed a high value upon education for his children, and their appreciation and use of their opportunities afforded him keen pleasure. The spacious home is admirably adapted to social gatherings, and has long been the center of a refined hospitality, Mr. Mead delighting in the society of his friends. His kindly nature was manifested in many ways, and he was prominently identified with religious work in his locality, being a leading member of the Church at Greenwich. For many years he held the office of treasurer of the society, and his voice added much to the effectiveness of the the choir for a long period. He was a quiet, un- assuming man, but he had the "courage of his convictions," supporting fearlessly any cause that he thought just. Politically, he was a strong Re- publican, but he never aspired to office.

On December 24, 1832, Mr. Mead was married in Greenwich to Miss Susan Ann Eliza Merritt, who died August 26, 1884, her remains being laid to rest beside his own in the Congregational cemetery. She was born February 6, 1814, a daughter of Capt. Daniel and Sarah (Lyon) Merritt, and sister of Capt. Caleb W. Merritt, of Greenwich, whose biog- raphy appears elsewhere. The Merritt fam- ily is one of the oldest in New York State, and Mrs. Mead traced her descent from Will- iam Merritt, who was mayor of New York City from 1696 to 1698. Among others of the family who have won distinction is Gen. Wesley Merritt, who graduated from West Point in 1860, and after a notable career in the army was appointed in 1898 as Governor-General of the Philippine Islands. Our subject and his wife had a large family of children (six of whom are living): (1) Daniel Merritt, born June 2, 1834, attended Yale College and the law school at Poughkeepsie, and for some time practiced law in Greenwich. He was a young man of fine

intelligence, deservedly popular among his asso- ciates, and gave promise of a successful career. In 1857 he completed the "History of Green- wich." At the opening of the Civil war he went to the front as captain of Company I. Tenth Conn. V. I., and later was promoted to the rank of major. While in the service he was stricken with typhoid fever and sent home, where his death occurred September 23, 1862. On June 16, 1856, he married Miss Louise Mead, but they had no children. She survived him and became the wife of Thomas Ritch, of Green- wich. (2) Mary A., born July 22, 1836, was married December 17, 1856, to John G. Clark. of Bedford, N. Y. (3) Sarah E., born Febru- ary 2, 1839, married Seaman Mead, of Green- wich. (4) Miss Amelia resides at the home- stead. (5) Susan C., born January 20, 1844, was married October 18, 1865, to W. H. Wilcox, of Greenwich. (6) Miss Catherine M. resides at the old home. (7) Robert, born May 1, 1849, died August 11, 1872, at the threshold of a promising career. (8) Edward W., born March 2, 1852, was a graduate of Columbia Law School, and engaged in practice with every prospect of success. He married Miss Mary Ella Knapp, and died October 6, 1882, leaving no children. (9) Augustus, born September 13, 1854, is not married, and has charge of the homestead.

SAMUEL W. BEARDSLEE, formerly pro- bate judge of the town of Stratford, is one of the influential citizens of his locality, being prominent in business, political and social circles. During most of his life he has been in- terested in agricultural pursuits, but is now less active than in former years. His family is one of the oldest in Stratford, and his great-grand- father, Abraham Beardslee (2), was a native of the town. He was born in Stratford in 1726, a direct descendant of William Beardslee, who was one of the first settlers, locating in Stratford in 1639. He came from Stratford-on-Avon, Eng- land, and his descendants claim that in remem- brance of his old home he gave the name of Stratford to the town. Abraham Beardslee was a blacksmith by trade, and had also a high reputation as a gunsmith. His shop was located just across the street from where the subject of this sketch resides. He served in the war, and was at one time an inspector of gunpowder. In 1753 he married Bethia, daughter of Joseph Curtis, and had eight children. Abraham died in 1815, his wife in 1801.

Abijah Beardslee, our subject's grandfather,

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was born in 1763, in Stratford, was reared there and became a successful farmer of that town. He married Nancy, daughter of Samuel Wilcox- son, and had several children, among whom was a son Oliver. our subject's father. Abijah Beardslee died in 1839, his wife in 1811, and the remains of both were interred in Stratford.

Oliver Beardslee was a native of Stratford, and always resided there. In early manhood he taught school for a time, but farming was his chief occupation. He was a member of the Episcopal Church, and in politics was a strong Democrat, holding various minor offices. He married Miss Mary Wilcoxson, of Stratford, a daughter of Ephraim John Wilcoxson, and a descendant of William Wilcoxson, a native of Lancashire, England, who came to this country about 1636, and settled in Stratford in 1640. Six children were born of this union: Sarah A. {deceased), who married John Hilton, of Strat- ford; Oliver, who died in 1859; Mary, who died single; Samuel W., our subject; Morton (de- ceased), who was a school teacher by occupa- tion; and Alfred, who died at the age of three years. The father passed away in 1865, the mother in 1875.

Samuel W. Beardslee was born in Stratford, April 24, 1841, and was educated in the com- mon schools of the locality, also at the Stratford Academy. He is a Democrat, always active in politics, and one of the leading Democrats of the town, while his high standing as a citizen has made him a popular candidate for local office. He has served three terms as town clerk, three years as probate judge, one term as postmaster under President Cleveland, during his first term, has also been auditor of the town accounts, and for many years has served as registrar of voters. He is a leading member of the Episcopal Church at Stratford, in which he has held the office of clerk, and for. thirty years has served as vestry- man. In 1876 Mr. Beardslee married Miss Louisa Wilcoxson, daughter of Albert Wilcox- son, of Stratford, and they have one son, Oliver, who is at home.

CHARLES E. BEERS. Contentment is a virtue that certainly brings its own reward, and the quiet routine of country life would seem to be the environment best adapted to its devel- opment and exercise. Many a man, after wandering over the earth in search of enjoy- ment, has realized at last that "home keeping hearts are happiest," and has envied those who have chosen to pass their lives amid familiar sur- ; roundings.

The subject of this sketch, a prominent agri- culturist of Newtown township, has always resided at the old family homestead, and worthily rep- resents an ancestry which has been identified with that locality from an early date. Elias Beers, his grandfather, had his home at the present farm, which has been in the possession of the family for many years without interrup- tion. He was the twin brother of Eli Beers, and both were well-known citizens of the olden times. Elias Beers married (first) a Miss Peck and (second) Miss Betsey Botsford, of Newtown. By the first union he had two children, Zenas and Smith, and by the second the same number : Norman who is mentioned below, and Elias, Jr., who married Julia Beers and had three children -Cornelia, Mary Frances and Edgar, all of whom died at an early age.

Norman Beers, our subject's father, was born at the present homestead December 21, 1803, and although he followed the combmaker's trade in his youth he later engaged in farming. For many years he resided at the homestead, his suc- cessful management of which gave him a high reputation as a substantial and thrifty man of business. He attended the Episcopal Church, and he was always much interested in all local affairs. In politics he was first a Whig and later a Republican, and as he was a man of strong convictions he wielded considerable influence among his associates. In 1833 he married Miss Betsey Dykeman, the daughter of Nathaniel Dykeman, of Lands End District, Newtown town- ship, and she passed away on February 20, 1867, after thirty-four years of wedded life. His death occurred some years later, on January 21. 1879. They had five children: (1) Sylvia Elizabeth, born January 17, 1834, died at an early age. (2) Julia Elizabeth was born March 7, 1839. (3) Sylvia Maria, born March 6, 1842, was married April 19, 1871, to Lambson B. Lake, of South Center District, who died March 9, 1897; they had two children -- Grace Elizabeth, born March 8, 1873, and Florence Amelia, born January 2, 1880. (4) Charles E. is our subject. (5) Homer E., born December 2, 1848, died De- cember 10, 1849.

Charles E. Beers was born October 18, 1844, at the old farm, and agriculture has been his only occupation. He has been successful as a general farmer and for ten years past has also been engaged in dairying with excellent results. As a citizen he has shown much public spirit, and throughout his active life he has given stanch support to the principles and policy of the Re- publican party. In 1872 and again in 1894 he was chosen to represent his party on the board

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of selectmen, in which post of duty he did faith- ful service. On October 10, 1877. he married Miss Florence L. Burrett, who was born January 21, 1854, the daughter of Austin Daniel and Julia (Livingston) Burrett, of Roxbury, Conn. Mr. Beers and his wife are prominent members of the Congregational Church of Newtown, but his sisters are of different religious faith, Miss Beers being an Episcopalian and Mrs. Lake a Meth- odist.

J BOTSFORD FAIRCHILD. Among the early settlers in this county was Thomas Fairchild, a native of England. who located at Stratford in 1639 and became one of the lead- ing pioneers of the place, being named by both Barber and Hollister as the first magistrate there. The family is of ancient origin, and its coat of arms indicates that three pilgrimages were made by some of its members to the Holy Land in the time of the Crusades, and that three captives were made by them during these chival- ric journeys. It is likely that the name was originally Fairbairn, and that the family went to England from Scotland at a very early period. Thomas Fairchild, the pioneer settler at Strat- ford, was twice married and had several children.

About 1720 Edward Fairchild removed from Stratford to Newtown, and made his home at the place afterward occupied by Arunah Fair- child, and later, in 1887, by John ]. Hughes. Edward Fairchild had four sons: (1) Jonathan, who is mentioned below; (2) Moses, who settled in Sheffield, Mass .; (3) James, who had three sons, Silas, Philo and James; and (4) Ebenezer, who had five sons, Edward, Peter, Clement, Truman and Abram.

Jonathan Fairchild, the great-great-grand- father of the gentleman whose name opens this sketch, had three sons: Seth, Josiah and Zadoc. Of these, (1) Seth remained in Newtown until 1796, when he removed to Ulster county, N. Y., with his sons, Jonathan, Abel, Daniel, Levi and Isaac. Some years later he sold his farm there. and with his eldest son, Jonathan, located at Butternuts, Otsego Co., N. Y., where he died in 1815. His other sons settled in Pennsylvania and Ohio, but no information is given as to their descendants. Jonathan remained at the " But- ternuts " for six or eight years after the death of his father, and then went to Ohio with his three sons, Seth, Zerah and Elam. (2) Josiah, men- tioned above, had five sons: Adoniram. Wheeler. Sturges, Ira and Josiah. (3) Zadoc. the young- est of the sons of Jonathan, son of Edward, was the great-grandfather of our subject.

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 44

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