Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 74

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

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On May 31, 1883, Doctor Day was married to Frances D. Stevens, of New Haven, Conn., and the union has been blessed with one child, Dorothy. Mrs. Day is the daughter of Robert Stevens and Adelia A. (Youngs) Stevens, natives of New Haven, Conn., and Long Island, N. Y., respectively.

HOMAS A. MEAD, a prominent young business man of Greenwich, is winning for himself a high standing in financial circles by his efficient service in the responsible post of teller for the Greenwich Loan & Deposit Com- pany, and he also represents two leading insur- ance companies, the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, and the Ætna Accident Insurance Company of Hartford. While he is most unassuming in manner, he has shown him- self equal to every duty connected with these

important interests, and his fellow-citizens, re- cognizing his ability, have twice chosen him to the office of township auditor, in which he is still serving.

Mr. Mead was born September 30, 1870, in the town of Greenwich, where his family has been prominent from pioneer times. He is a son of Seaman and Sarah E. Mead, and grand- son of Col. Thomas A. Mead, who was one of the ablest and most popular citizens of this county in his day. As a representative of the ninth generation of the Mead family, our subject traces his descent as follows from John Mead [other authorities say William]. the pioneer through John, son of the pioneer, Ebenezer (1), Ebenezer (2), Amos, a well-known physician of the olden times, Col. Thomas A., and Seaman Mead, our subject's father, of whom a biograph- ical sketch appears elsewhere.

Mr. Mead's education was obtained in the schools of his native town, and at an early age he began to display marked interest and ability in business lines. While a mere boy he entered the employ of Frederick Mead & Co., of New York City, the establishment being located at No. 138 Pearl street, and he continued there until March, 1889, when he accepted a position in the offices of the Greenwich Loan & Deposit Com- pany. Since first entering the institution he has been gradually advanced, and the able discharge of his present duties would seem to promise still greater things for his future. Steady and relia- ble. he commands the respect and confidence of all who know him, and he is deservedly popular among a large circle of acquaintances and friends. He has always affiliated with the Republican party politically, and in 1894-95-96-97-98 he was elected on that ticket to his present post of auditor. He is an active member of the Amog- erone Fire Company, and takes keen interest in athletics, giving his support to various move- ments of that kind. Among the societies in which he holds membership are the Indian Har- bor Yacht Club and the Putnam Athletic Asso- ciation, and he and his accomplished wife are leaders in the best social life of the locality. In 1894 Mr. Mead married Miss May B. Roys, daughter of Charles A. Roys, of Brooklyn, N. Y., and they occupy a pleasant home on West Putnam avenue, Greenwich, built by our subject and completed in February, 1895.

G' EORGE F. DASKAM (deceased). Few busi- ness men have enjoyed to a greater degree the confidence and esteem of their fellow-citizens than did this well-known resident of Norwalk.

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His honorable career as a soldier during the war of the Rebellion indicates his patriotism and courage, and in peace as well as in war he was ever ready to fulfill the duties of an American citizen.

Mr. Daskam was a native of Norwalk, and his parents, William and Ruah (Boalt) Daskam, were both descended from early settlers of that locality. After receiving an education in the schools of his town he engaged in the grocery business, which he continued successfully through- out his active years. In the early days of the Civil war he went to the front as a private in the 2nd Connecticut: Light Artillery, enlisting at Bridgeport, this county, and served three years. He died at his home in Norwalk December 28, 1877, his death causing deep grief among a large circle of friends. Socially, he was promi- nent, and he was one of the leading Freemasons of the State, having attained the 33rd degree, while at one time he held the rank of Grand Master in that body. He was a descendant of Capt. William Daskam, who served with La- Fayette during the Revolution, and received his discharge from Washington himself. He also commanded a company during the war of 1812, and was granted a pension for his services.

In 1856 Mr. Daskam married Miss Sarah Elizabeth Finch, who survives him with one daughter, Miss Georgia Frederika Daskam. They now reside at Darien, where they have a comfort- able home, showing every evidence of refine- ment and taste in its occupants. Both ladies take great interest in the work of the Episcopal Church, of which they are members. Mrs. Das- kam is a daughter of Curtis and Catherine Sands Gray Finch, who were both related to some of the oldest families of this State. The Finch fam- ily came from England. On the maternal side, Mrs. Daskam is also connected with the Selleck family. which originated in England; and whose coat of arms shows an ancient lineage. The an- cestors of the Selleck family came to Connecticut in 1640, and purchased property from the Indians which is still in the possession of some of their descendants. She has one brother, William H. Finch, of New Rochelle, N. Y., and a sister, Mrs. George A. Ferguson, of Darien, Connec- ticut.

J OSEPH HERMANN SCHULDICE, whose sudden and lamented death in the very prime of life occurred on the last day of the year 1894, was one of the most valued and influential men of Danbury.

A native of Bavaria, Germany, he was born

March 19, 1852, a son of Michael and Mary Schuldice, and while he was a boy the family came to the United States, taking up their resi- dence in Danbury, Conn. The son at an early age left school to become an apprentice to the hatter's trade. In 1875 he formed a partnership in the hat-manufacturing business with William Beckerle, Charles H. Peix and Thomas F. Fay, the style of the firm being Beckerle & Co., and they commenced in a comparatively limited way, in what was then known as the old comb shop, employing at first but a few hands. By perse- verance and industry they widened the business steadily from year to year, until at the time of the death of Mr. Schuldice it had become one of the most extensive hat manufacturing concerns in the district, occupying two large factories and giving employment to several hundred hands. Danbury attained its present growth solely through the development of the hat-manufactur- ing business, and this industry is the keystone of its prosperity. Mr. Schuldice did a great deal toward building up and firmly establishing the industry in Danbury, and in this way he had a material share in the development and growth of the city.

In 1873 Mr. Schuldice was married to Miss Anna T. McConnell, of Danbury. Of the chil- dren born to them, Jennie, Mayla, Anna, Flora, Sara, Joseph Hermann and Bertha are now liv- ing. The family have their home at No. 112 Liberty street, Danbury, in the house which was built by Mr. Schuldice some fifteen years before he died. He was a great lover of flowers, and he made the grounds surround- ing his handsome residence one of the most attractive spots in the city. As has been said above, he died on the last day of December, 1894, after a brief illness. On Christmas Day he was apparently in the best of health, but the fol- lowing day he was taken seriously ill, and he died after a few days of patient suffering. His death was a severe shock, not only to his family, but to the community at large. In the circle of his much-loved home he was a kind and affectionate husband and loving father. In Danbury, where he had passed his entire life from childhood, he was recognized as a man of strict integrity. tender-hearted sympathy and great benevolence. He possessed in an eminent degree those sterling attributes that win and retain friends. His bene- factions were extensive and unostentatious. The financial success he attained was as much for the good of others as for himself, for to his less for- tunate fellowmen his purse was always open. He was closely identified with the best interests of Danbury, and he accomplished more good for

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the city than will ever be known. In his busi- ness dealings he was honorable and honored, and in business affairs his well-known success attests his wisdom and integrity. In the business circles of Danbury his influence was always for the best. Socially, he was a true friend, a willing adviser, a benefactor and a Christian. His worth as a citizen and benefactor was probably more realized in his connection with the Danbury Hospital, one of the leading charitable institutions of the State, than in any other capacity. In 1886 he was elected a director of the hospital, and served upon the building committee, in whose charge was placed the planning and construction of the present hospital building. His active work on this committee showed that his heart was in the cause of charity, and from that time on the hospital was one of the chief objects of his attention. In 1890 he was chosen president, which office he held until his death. At the time of his decease it was said with truth that the hospital had lost its best friend. To his liberal- ity, both in money and time, and to his kindly constant thought, the institution is more indebted than is generally known, except perhaps to his fellow-workers in the charity. Mr. Schuldice was also a director in the National Pahquioque Bank. In politics he was a Republican, but he never held or aspired to office.

MOLOMON STODDARD MEAD. One of the principal charms of foreign travel is found in the opportunity to visit localities made sacred by past associations, many a spot which is by no means noted for its beauty being invested with world-wide interest because it furnishes a link between our day and some historic period or personage. America, despite the beauty of her scenery, lacks the atmosphere of age which allures the thoughtful tourist, but it is gratifying to observe that our best citizens value our he- roic though brief past, and are already taking steps to preserve unchanged such relics as have come to us from the earlier times. Within the limits of Fairfield county are many places to which advancing years will attach more and more interest, the old Colonial residences in va- rious localities being especially worthy of note.

The old Mead homestead, a beautiful estate in north Greenwich, now occupied by the sub- .ject of this sketch, has one of these old build- ings which has recently been repaired in a sub- stantial manner, no expense having been spared to preserve it intact. As an instance of the faithfulness which has characterized the work in every detail we may mention the fact that the

original nails were re-sharpened and used at a cost of seventy-two cents per pound, although new ones could have been bought for three cents per pound. The old fireplaces are retained, and while various modern conveniences have been introduced the house looks exactly as it did when its occupants were loyal subjects of the King of England, even the small diamond-shaped peep-hole above the outer door remaining to give evidence of the dangers which made our forefathers wary and watchful. A well on the estate has supplied a continuous flow of soft spring water since a period long previous to the Revolutionary war. The land, which is high and well drained, is admirably adapted for use as a stock farm, and since 1728, when it was first taken for a homestead by Benjamin Mead, Senior, an ancestor of our subject, the various members of the family who have had it in charge have been chiefly engaged in that business. There are twenty buildings on the farm, consist- ing of a dwelling house, barns, wagon houses, stables, blacksmith shop, carpenter shop, and lately a new wagon house has been erected which measures 24 x 130 feet. The stables are first- class in every particular, affording accommodations for one hundred horses, and they are equipped with a perfect system of drainage and ventila- tion. On a hill two hundred feet north of the farm buildings, forty feet high, a large water tower has been recently built standing fifty-six feet high with a reservoir on top holding 7.500 gallons of water, pumped from a well in the road by a Delamater hot-air engine. In addition to this supply of water there are eight hydrants on the premises for use in case of fire, and over five hundred feet of hose is kept in a convenient place in boxes adjoining each hydrant, made especially for the hose. Since 1873 Mr. Mead has given especial attention to boarding horses, colts, and stock of all kinds the year round, and he person- ally superintends every department of his exten- sive enterprise. Ten men are employed to carry out his instructions, and these are comfortably housed in apartments above the carpenter shop, the rooms being neatly finished in natural wood, and amply supplied with drawers and closets. Mr. Mead buys his hay and feed by the car load, a five-ton scale on the premises giving facilities for weighing, and he always has a large amount of live stock on his hands, some of his boarders being superannuated pets whose wealthy owners are making their last days as pleasant as possible. His customers include some of the best known citizens of the metropolis, and some of the most noted horses in the country have en- joyed his care and attention.

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Solomon Stoddardle Mead.

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Mr. Mead was born at the homestead Febru- ary 27, 1826, the son of Obadiah and Alla Mead. He belongs to one of the oldest families, being a descendant in both paternal and maternal lines from William Mead [other authorities say John], who came to America in 1635 [other authorities say about 1642] from Greenwich, County of Kent, England, with a brother Joseph. The latter went to Virginia, but William [or John] located first in Massachusetts, and afterward re- sided for a time at Hempstead, Long Island, whence he came in 1660 to this county with his two sons, John and Joseph, who settled in the town of Greenwich. Soon afterward a purchase of land was made from Richard Crab and others, the deeds being made out in the name of John. Joseph Mead died May 3, 1690, John on Febru- ary 5, 1699.

John Mead (above) became one of the "twenty-seven proprietors of 1672," who pur- chased in that year from the Indians a large tract of land, it being a common method in those days to appoint commissioners, to effect such purchases. This tract, then known as Miosehassehy (meaning Horseneck), has long been familiarly called by the Anglicized form of the name, and it included the present homestead of our subject. John Mead married a Miss Potter, whose father afterward became the owner of Shippan Point, and through this marriage he gained considerable property. He died in 1696, leaving the following children: John, Joseph, Jonathan, Ebenezer (paternal ancestor of our subject), David, Benjamin, Nathaniel, Samuel, Susannah, Abigail and Mary.

Benjamin Mead, known as Benjamin, Sr., from whom our subject is descended through his grandmother, was the first of the family to settle at the present homestead, which he deeded to his son, Benjamin, Jr., on July 6, 1770, with some other lands. In his last will and testament, dated December 19, 1784, the following words occur: "The residue of my estate, real, personal and mixed, I give unto my eldest son, Benjamin, Jr., and to his heirs and assigns." Benjamin Mead, Jr., was born in 1735, and died March 5, 1815, and his entire life was passed at the homestead. He was a prominent citizen in his day, serving in various township offices, and he acted as justice of the peace for many years. His remains now rest in a cemetery on the farm in North Green- wich. He married Martha Ferris, and they had five children: Annie, who first married David Mead and afterward became the wife of James Bailey, of circus notoriety; Theodosia, our sub- ject's grandmother, who married Edmund Mead, and is mentioned again below; Obadiah, a Revo-

lutionary soldier, who was killed at the home- stead by British soldiers during that war; Mary, who married Samuel Peck, of Clapboard Ridge, Conn .; and Phoebe, who married Jehiel Mead. Among the most-prized heirlooms in our subject's possession is the jacket worn by Obadiah Mead when shot to death on his farm. The garment is falling to pieces from age, but the bullet-holes can still be found at various places, and the bloodstains are also plainly to be seen.

Ebenezer Mead (1) married Sarah Knapp, of Stamford, and had children as follows: Ebenezer, Caleb, Sarah, Hannah, Jabez, David, Abigail, Susannah and Jemima.

Ebenezer Mead (2) married Hannah Brown, of Rye, N. Y., and they had twelve children: Ebenezer, Silas, Abram (1), Jonas, Solomon, Deliverance. Amos, Edmund, Hannah, Jabez, Jared and Abram.

Jonas Mead, our subject's paternal great- grandfather, was born December 25, 1725, at In- dian Field, in the town of Greenwich, and died there September 14, 1785. For many years he was a deacon in the Congregational Church at Greenwich. By his first wife, Sarah Ferris, he had two sons, Solomon and Edmund, and by his second, Sarah Howe, he had three, Noah, Mark and Jonas.

Edmund Mead, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was a merchant in New York City, and while on a trip to the West Indies, about 179-, all trace of him was lost, and the vessel he sailed on, the "Sally," was never heard from. His wife, Theodosia Mead, to whom he was married on February 15, 1776, was born August 2, 1756, the daughter of Benjamin Mead, Jr., mentioned above. Their children were Edmund, Jr., born in May, 1777, died April 28, 1778; Solomon, born April 28, 1778, died of yellow fever, Sep- tember 20, 1798, at the house now occupied by Zenas Mead Peck, of Clapboard Ridge, Green- wich; Benjamin, born April 24, 1780, died De- cember 10, 1860, in Newark, N. J., while attend- ing prayer meeting in the Market Street Methodist Church; Sarah, born August 22, 1782, married Benjamin Mead, of Golden's Bridge, N. Y .; Oba- diah, our subject's father, is mentioned more fully below; Mary, born June 1, 1787, married Judge Aaron Reed, of Bedford, N. Y .; Ralph, born April 24, 1789, was run over by a carriage, July 23, 1866, at the corner of Sixth avenue and Thirty-fourth street, New York City, while on his way to visit Central Park, and died from his in- juries; Staats Morris, born April 23, 1791, died January 17, 1863, at Naples, Italy, while resid- ing there temporarily, his death, which was in- stantaneous, being caused by heart failure; Maria,

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born March 15, 1793, was drowned when four- teen months old; Brockholst L. (1), born August 8, 1795, died in New York City in 1796; Brock- hotst L. (2), born August 3, 1797, died June 21, 1874, aged seventy-seven years, at the home of Mrs. Amos Sacket, One Hundred Twenty-fifth street, New York City. After the mysterious death of the father of this family the mother re- turned to the homestead of her father, Benjamin Mead, Jr., who afterward adopted her son Oba- diah, to whom he gave the farm. Her other sons went to New York City, where they became wealthy business men.

Hon. Obadiah Mead, the father of our sub- ject, was born March 10, 1785, at a residence in Cherry street, New York City, where he lived until the removal of the family to North Green- wich. In 1793, when the dwelling now occupied by our subject was erected, Obadiah, then a boy of eight years, rode the horses that dragged the logs from the woods for the structure. He be- came one of the leading men of the locality, and for more than half a century he served as a dea- con in the Congregational Church, of North Greenwich. In politics he was first a Whig, and Jater a Republican, and he held several important offices; including that of representative in the State Legislature, and justice of the peace for many years. Although he attained the advanced age of ninety-three years, he was remarkably well preserved, retaining his faculties to the last. His death occurred February 20, 1878, and he was interred in the family lot in the North Green- wich Church cemetery. He came into the pos- session of the homestead April 30, 1806, through a deed from his grandfather, Benjamin Mead, Jr., who conveyed him ten acres that he might be qualified to vote. In 1815, his grandfather, after making certain bequests in his will to his wife and daughters, gave "all the rest and re- sidue " of his estate " not before disposed of to Obadiah Mead, his heirs and assigns."

On June 22, 1809, Obadiah Mead married his first wife, Ruth Hibbard, who was born Feb- ruary 4, 1786, the daughter of Nathaniel Hib- bard, a Revolutionary soldier. She died in 1822, and was buried in North Greenwich Church cem- etery, and on May 29, 1823, he married Miss Alla Mead, who was born June 22, 1798, in North Greenwich, and died June 23, 1880. She was a daughter of Darius and Hannah (Peck) Mead, and was of the seventh generation from John Mead, the pioneer, the line of descent being traced through John (2); Benjamin, the fifth son of John (2); Eliphalet (1), born 1708, died 1796; Eliphalet (2), born 1738, died 1808; and Darius Mead, the maternal grandfather of our subject.

Solomon S. was the only child of the second mar- riage, but there were three by the first union, as follows: Benjamin, born February 4, 1811, mar- ried September 16, 1835, to Hannah M. Mead, daughter of Deacon Jonas Mead, of Indian Field, and died in Rye, N. Y., July 24, 1891; Mary Ann, born September 8, 1814, was married March 22, 1839, to George Sullivan, and her death oc- curred at the homestead March 14, 1847; Theo- dosia, born March 22, 1819, . was married November 26, 1839, to Isaac Knapp, of Round Hill, now deceased, and she resides at present at East Berlin, Connecticut.

During his youth Solomon S. Mead attended the district school near his home and the acad- emy at Greenwich, while he secured at the same time a practical knowledge of farming under his father's direction. In 1848 he succeeded to the latter's business as a stock farmer, and later he became the owner of the estate through his father's will. In May, 1896, he sold the place to Dr. F. E. Hyde, of West 53rd street, New York, a wealthy man who wished to purchase it, not only on account of its charming location but because his mother had many pleasant mem- ories of the farm where she had spent consider- able time in her girlhood; she was a daughter of Ralph Mead, brother of Obadiah. Mr. Mead will retain possession of the farm for himself or heirs until May 20, 1911, and he continues his oversight and management as of old. Although now past the limit of threescore and ten years he is hale and hearty, and his conversation shows a keen and well-stored mind. He is generous to a fault, a most hospitable enter- tainer, and his home has always been the center for a pleasant social life. Politically, he is a Re- publican of Whig antecedents, and while he has not craved official honors he once served as con- stable. He and his family are identified with the Congregational Church at Quaker Ridge, in the work of which he is prominent, and he is at present the oldest member of the congregation. Mrs. Mead is a birthright Quaker, her parents having been members of the Society of Friends, as are all her relatives on both the paternal and maternal sides, but she attends her husband's Church.

On November 9, 1848, Solomon Stoddard Mead was united in marriage with Miss Mary Elizabeth Sands, who was born April 2, 1828, in King street, Greenwich, the daughter of John and Mary (Carpenter) Sands, who were mar- ried November 18, 1818. The father was born

and died November 8, 1868; the mother, born November 13, 1795, died July 27, 1872. Their children were: Thomas Clapp,

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born December 29, 1824, died September 21, 1826; Mary Elizabeth, born April 2, 1828; and Sarah Carpenter, born August 6, 1831. Joseph Carpenter, maternal grandfather of Mrs. Solomon S. Mead lived in the Revolutionary period, was an extensive farmer in the town of Harrison, Westchester Co., N. Y., and a very influential man in his day. He was the father of ten chil- dren-five sons and five daughters, viz .: John, William, Thomas, Joseph, Charles, Phebe (Mrs. James Field), Martha (Mrs. John Schureman), Dorcas (Mrs. William Cornell), Mary, and Sarah, who never married. Each of the sons received a good farm from their father, and the daughters a good "setting out " in life. Mary, who was the youngest daughter, married John Sands in 1825, and they resided for some time at the Rye Lake farm, with Thomas Clapp, after his death removing to the present Sands farm, now owned by Mrs. Solomon S. Mead and her sister, Sarah Carpenter Sands. On this farm is built a dam to direct the waters of Byram through a tunnel 2,600 feet long to Kensico lake, and from there in a four-foot conduit pipe to New York City. The farm, which is a very productive one, is used for keeping horses, etc., as is also the home farm of the Meads, and our subject has managed it very successfully since 1873.

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut, Part 74

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