History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 195

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) comp. cn
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1572

USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 195

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Daniel Fairchild, son of Col. Lewis Fairchild, was born iu Trumbull, Dec. 20, 1807. He remained on the farm until he was twenty, when he entered the paper-mill of his father, and in 1836 he entered the firm of Lewis Fairchild & Bros., which was changed to E. Fairchild & Co., aud the firmn contin- ued under that title until 1847, when he and his brother Plumb N. bought out the remaining members of the firm, aud it was then known as D. & P. N. Fairchild. Since 1861, Horace L., son of Daniel, has been identified with the firm, which is now known as D. & P. N. Fairchild & Co. This firm is one of the oldest in the county. It is extensively known for honorable dealings with all, and enterprise in carry- ing on business.

In politics Daniel Fairchild is a Republican. He has represented his town in the State Legislature, and has held the office of selectman and other town offices. He married Ann Eliza, daughter of Horace Hungerford, Sept. 11, 1833. They have had four children, three of whom are living.

Plumb Nichols Fairchild, son of Col. Lewis Fair-

child, was born in Trumbull, Nov. 12, 1809. He re- mained on the farm until he was eighteen, during which time he acquired a common-school education. At eighteen he became interested in the paper busi- ness, and in 1836 was admitted to the firm, who, to- gether with his brother Daniel, succeeded their father in the business. Mr. Fairchild still retains an in- terest in the business, but has retired from the active duties of the manufacturing, and devotes his time in part to his farm. He also holds the position of direc- tor of the Bridgeport National Bank, where he has been identified for twelve years. In politics he is a Republican, has been a member of the State Legisla- ture, magistrate of the town, etc. He married, May, 1856, Jennett H., daughter of Charles U. Lewis, of Bridgeport.

EBEN FAIRCHILD.

Eben Fairchild was the youngest son of Lewis Fairchild, of Trumbull, Conn., and was born Novem- ber, 1784, and died Sept. 13, 1865, aged eighty years, nine months, and seven days. He only had the ad- vantages of a common-school education, and was then apprenticed to a cabinet firm in Danbury, Conn., to learn that trade, but on account of ill health did uot coutinue long, but returned to Trumbull and joined his brother Reubeu in the manufacture of sad- dle-trees, at the village of Nichols' Farms. The busi- ness was very successful. The principal markets were New York, Philadelphia, Hartford, and Bridgeport. May 30, 1817, they purchased the store and dock property at or near the foot of Wall Street, in the then borough of Bridgeport, and opened a store and ran in connection therewith packets to New York, Boston, and other places, doing a coasting business. At the commencement of the store business Eben moved to Bridgeport and had charge of the store and business there. Reuben continued in charge of the business at Nichols' Farms.

About the year 1818 they commenced the manu- facturing of saddles in Bridgeport, taking Hanford Lyon and Lemuel Coleman into the firm, under the firm-name of Fairchild, Lyon & Co., with a branch house at Charleston, S. C.

This firmn continued the business about nine years, when the Fairchilds (on account of being extensively engaged in other manufacturing enterprises) with- drew from the firm.

About the year 1826 they turned their attention to the manufacture of paper at Trumbull, associating their brother Lewis with them, under the firm-name of L. Fairchild & Bros. Eben then returned to Trumbull and lived near the paper-mill, and contin- ued in the business about twenty years, or until 1847, when he disposed of his interest to his nephews, D. aud P. N. Fairchild, who are still connected with the business. Eben married Betsey A. Nichols; they had no children. He moved to Bridgeport in 1847, pur- chasing the property corner of Main and Franklin Streets, where he lived a retired life until his death.

Daniel Fairchild

P. N. Fairchild

Legrand & Beers

797

TRUMBULL.

REUBEN FAIRCHILD.

Reuben Fairchild was the second son of Lewis Fairehild, of Trumbull, and brother of Lewis and Eben. He was born in 1782 and died Oct. 4, 1855, aged seventy-three years. His education was limited to the advantages of a common school. When a young man he was apprentieed to a cabinet firm and learned that trade, and soon after commenced the manufacture of saddle-trees, at Nichols' Farms, Trum- bull, Conn., where he resided during his life. The business was very prosperous, and, taking his brother Eben in company with him, under the firm-name of R. & E. Fairchild, they soon had a very large busi- ness, with a demand for all they could produce. They continued in the business together until 1817, when Eben moved to Bridgeport and took charge of the business there.

Reuben became interested in the paper-mannfae- turing with his brothers, Lewis and Eben, in 1826, and continued with them for several years.

About the year 1836, Reuben commenced the man- ufaeture of carriages, at what was then known as the stone factory, in Bridgeport, Conn., associating with him Messrs. Haight, Hurd, and Keeler, under the firm-name of Haight, Fairehild & Co. They contin- ued until 1840, when Reuben withdrew from the busi- ness. From that time until his death he made farm- ing his chief occupation. He married Anna Hawley. Of this union were born the following children,-viz., Caroline, Elizabeth, Mary Ann, Starr (deceased), Lewis (deceased), and Charles N.

Charles Nichols Fairchild was born in Trumbull, Oct. 27, 1818. He was educated at the Nichols' Farms distriet school. He learned the trade of car- riage-manufacturing in Bridgeport, and afterwards engaged in the manufacture at Nichols' Farms, but soon withdrew, and has sinee followed the occupation of a practical farmer. He has held many important town offices and represented the town in the State Legislature. In polities he is a Democrat. He mar- ried for his first wife Louisa Beach, daughter of Al- fred Beach, of Trumbull Centre. Of this union they had two sons, Henry Charles and Alfred Beach, who are living and doing business in the city of Bridgeport, Conn. Aug. 13, 1845, Mrs. Charles Fair- child died, aged twenty-four years. He was then married to Mary B., daughter of S. O. Banks, of Easton, Conn. They have two children, Laura Franees and Erwin Starr, who are now living at Nichols' Farms.

LE GRAND GREGORY BEERS.

Le Grand Gregory Beers was born in Long Hill, in the town of Trumbull, Dec. 12, 1819, and traces back his paternal ancestry nearly four hundred years. His lineal ancestor first in America was Anthony Beers, who came from England in 1635 and settled in Water- town, Mass., and subsequently removed to Roxbury, Mass., and later to Fairfield, Conn. Barnabas Beers, son

of Anthony, was born in Roxbury, Mass., in 1658, and while a boy removed with his father to Fairfield, Conn. Elnathan Beers, son of Barnabas, married Anna Beach, then living in the part of Stratford now included in Trumbull, and removed to that place early in the last century. Peter Beers, son of El- nathan, and great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in Trumbull, as was also his grand- father James Beers, and his father Philo Beers. His mother, Charita Gregory,, was daughter of Daniel Gregory, a substantial farmer formerly residing in Trumbull.

Mr. Beers was educated at the district school in Long Hill, the Easton Academy, and Beardsley's select school in Monroe, Conn. During his whole life, with the exception of one year, he has lived on his ancestral homestead in Trumbull. He was bred a farmer and has mostly followed that oceupation, but was engaged in teaching a portion of the time for some fifteen years.

In 1845 he was married to Hepsa A. Edwards, daughter of Levi Edwards, for many years a mer- chant and prominent resident of Stepney, in the town of Monroe. He has three daughters and two sons,- Adaline Louisa, who is married to Theodore W. Bcaeh, of Bridgeport, Frances Helena, Sarah Eliza, Rollin Edwards, and Fred. Lonis.

Mr. Beers has during the greater part of his life been prominently identified with the public affairs of his town, and has taken an active part in local trans- actions and controversies and held many public offices. He was a member of the board of school visitors for thirty consecutive years, and several years acting visitor. He has been justice of the peace for twenty- two consecutive years, and during that time has tried most of the justice court cases brought in his town. He has at different times been constable, selectman, assessor of taxes, registrar of births, marriages, and deaths, registrar of voters, and auditor of town ac- eounts. He represented his town in the State Legis- lature in 1861, and the Tenth Senatorial District in 1870. He was appointed county commissioner by the Legislature in the spring session of 1876, and held the office three years. He has been intrusted with the settlement of many estates in the capacity of adminis- trator, exceutor, and assignee, and has frequently performed the duties of appraiser, distributor, arhi- trator, and conservator.

Mr. Beers has for many years taken an active part in politics, and has often been delegate to the different politieal conventions of his party, and has several times presided over the congressional, senatorial, and Probate conventions. His time is now occupied with attention to his farm, and to such public business as is intrusted to him. During his memory Long Hill has grown from a few scattered unpainted houses to a pleasant country village, with some fifty neat resi- denees, with handsome surroundings, two churches, stores, and several flourishing manufactories.

798

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

MILES BEARDSLEY.

Miles Beardsley, son of Stephen and Catharine Beardsley, was born on the place where he now resides in the town of Trumbull, Fairfield Co., Conn., Jan. 18, 1810.

Stephen Beardsley, son of David Beardsley, was born in Trumbull, March 20, 1763; married, March 2, 1791, Catharine Beardsley, who was born March 2, 1770, in the town of Monroe.

They had five sons, four of whom lived to adult age,-namely, Samuel, Stephen M. Hall, who died at the age of fourteen years, Sheldon, and Miles, all of whom are deceased except Miles. He was a carpen- ter and joiner in carly life; afterwards he became a farmer. In politics he was a Democrat, and as such was elected to the Legislature and served there a number of terms, was a magistrate for a number of years, and settled several estates.

Mr. and Mrs. Beardsley were members of the Con- gregational Church, and he was deacon of the same. He died Feb. 8, 1849, aged eighty-six years, and his wife died July 22, 1850, aged eighty years.

Miles Beardsley worked on his father's farm until he was seventeen years of age, when he commenced life as a merchant at the same place where he is still doing business.

At the age of twenty-one he opened a public-house, which he carried on in connection with the store until the completion of the Housatonic Railroad, which materially changed travel. He still owns the old homestead, with its one hundred acres.

He was postmaster for a long time, succeeding his father and brother Samuel. He has been a director of the City National Bank of Bridgeport since its organization, and was elected to the Legislature in 1848. In politics he is a Democrat.

He is a regular attendant and liberal supporter of the Congregational Church.

He married Eloisa, daughter of John Nichols, of Trumbull, Jan. 18, 1832. She was born Nov. 18, 1809, in Trumbull. They have three children, -- viz., Marriette C., who married James C. Johnson, of Monroe ; Elliot M .; and Susan E., who married Mar- cus O. Wheeler, of Trumbull. Mrs. Beardsley died Sept. 18, 1867.

The Beardsley family is probably one of the oldest in the county, some of the name being among the first colonists, and many of the family have held the highest positions of honor and trust in the county. Mr. Beardsley has been very successful in all his busi- ness relations, is a good neighbor, and a kind friend.

ELLIOT MILES BEARDSLEY.

Elliot Miles Beardsley, son of Miles and Eloisa Beardsley, was born in Trumbull, Conn., Sept. 26, 1838. He attended the common school until he was twelve years of age, when he went to a select school, then to the State Normal school at New Britain, where

he acquired an academic education. Commenced teaching at seventeen years of age, which he followed until he was twenty-one, having taught in Savannah, Ga., one year, since which he has been engaged in farming, and in rendering assistance in his father's store.

He married, June 3, 1863, Mary S. Bcardsley, daughter of Ezra Beardsley. She was born July 16, 1841.

In politics he is a Democrat .. He represented his town in the State Legislature in 1879, and was on the Committee of Cities and Boroughs. He has been school inspector for four years of the town of Trum- bull. He has often been a delegate to town and county conventions, chairman of the town committee of the Democratic party for several years past, and still holds the same position.

His wife is a member of the Episcopal Church, and he is a regular attendant of the same.

DAVID SHELTON EDWARDS,

MEDICAL DIRECTOR, UNITED STATES NAVY.

The late Surgeon David Shelton Edwards, the sub- ject of this sketch, sprung from a sturdy English- American stock which has given many notable men to this county, was the son of Hezekiah Edwards, of Trumbull, Conn., and was born at Chestnut Hill, Trumbull (near Bridgeport), June 22, 1794.

In early life he evinced a taste for the pursuit of knowledge. He graduated at Yale College in 1814 and entered upon the study of medicine, and after completing the required course and practicing for a short time in New Haven he solicited for and received an appointment in the United States navy as sur- geon's mate (the title of this grade was afterwards changed to assistant-surgeon), July 30, 1818. His first service was in the "Alert" (18), but he was soon transferred to the frigate " Congress" (44), Capt. John D. Henley, and served in her during a cruise in the China seas. While the ship was at Manilla that port was visited by the Asiatic cholera, then to Europeans a new discase, and the young surgeon gained a vast amount of knowledge in its treatment, which enabled him to afterwards benefit his own countrymen when the dread scourge visited New York in 1832.

In 1822 he was attached to the schooner "Grampus" (12), this vessel being one of a squadron fitted out. under the command of Com. David D. Porter for the suppression of piracy in the West Indies. In a fight with the pirates, which took place off the coast of Cuba, in which five piratical vessels were captured or destroyed, Dr. Edwards was severely wounded. He was temporarily attached to the steamer " Fulton" in 1823, and in September of the same year joined the " Erie" (18), and went to the Mediterranean. In 1824 he acted as surgeon of the schooner " Nonsach" (2), and in 1825 was granted a leave of absence,

Tlust M. Brandsling

ed en

Miles Beardsley

2. J. Edwards

JOHN E. SUMMERS.

799

TRUMBULL.

which was the first after seven years' continous serviee.

May 5, 1825, he was appointed to the rank of sur- geon, and in 1826 was ordered to the " Boston" (18), and in her made a eruise of nearly four years on the Brazilian and African stations.

In 1830 he was attached to the rendezvous at New York, and it was during this time that the Asiatic cholera made its appearance. In 1832, at the request of the leading citizens, he was appointed to take charge of the cholera hospital at that eity, being abso- lutely the only physician in the country who had actual experience in the treatment of that disease. It is not too much to say that the services and skill of Dr. Edwards were a priceless boon to citizens of New York and adjoining cities.

In 1834 he was attached to the naval hospital at Pensaeola, Fla., and in 1835 to the "Talmouth" (18), and afterwards, in 1836, to the "St. Louis" (20), when, in June, 1837, he became, through the death of Sur- geon Leonard Osborne, fleet-surgeon of the West In- dia squadron, and joined the flag-ship " Constella- tion" (36), Com. Alexander J. Dallas.

In 1839 he was attaelied to the navy-yard, Wash- ington, and in 1841 to the steamer "Fulton" (4), em- ployed at New York on experimental gun service.

In 1843 he was placed on waiting orders for a short time, and then ordered to the "North Carolina" (74) ; waiting orders in 1846, and in 1847 was ordered to duty with the marine battalion, then under orders to Mexico, and entered on the most important and brilliant serviee of his life, forming, as he did, a member of that glorious army which Gen. Scott led to the capture of the City of Mexico.

In 1847 he became the medical director of the brigade commanded by Gen. Franklin Pierce, and contracted a friendship with the future President of the United States which lasted through life.

He participated in the siege and capture of Vera Cruz, in the engagements of Santa Fé, National Bridge, Tres Rios, and in August, 1847, at Pueblo, he was appointed medical director of the division of Gen. Quitman, ten thousand strong, en route for the City of Mexico. He participated in the battles of Con- treras, Chapultepec, and the City of Mexico. He was in charge of the general hospital of San Agos- tino, and aeted as inspector of the siek and wounded previous to their return to the United States,

In 1848 he was stationed at the marine rendezvous, New York, and in 1849-50 served as fleet-surgeon of the West India squadron on board the "Raritan," Com. Foxhall A. Parker, Sr. From 1851 to 1854 he was employed on duty at the rendezvous, New York, and from 1854 to 1857 he was attached to the navy- yard, Washington.

In 1857 he joined the steam-frigate "Merrimac" (40), commanded by Com. Long, as fleet-surgeon of the Pacifie squadron. While in Valparaiso he was taken ill with a disease which undoubtedly shortened his life.

During his illness he was several times at the point of death, and he was sent back to the United States as an invalid, and we find him in 1860 on leave of absence.

During the great Rebellion, Dr. Edwards, though sixty-seven years of age and technically retired in consequence of his age and long years of service for his country, yet served from 1861 to 1864 as surgeon of the naval rendezvous at New Bedford, Mass., from whence went hundreds of noble men to fight the bat- tles of the country under Farragut, Porter, and others. In 1865 we find him on active duty on the " Rhode Island," at Mobile.

In 1869 he was president of the Board of Medical Examiners and member of the Naval Retiring Board, and continued on that board until the spring of 1873, when by law all retired officers were excluded from active duty except in time of war. On the 3d of March, 1871, he had attained the relative rank of commodore on the retired list, after a total service of fifty-four years and five months.

On March 18, 1874, he died at his residence, Chest- nut Hill, town of Trumbull.

Dr. Edwards, to speak briefly, was one of the most distinguished medical officers the United States navy ever bore on its rolls, and his record was an unexcep- tionably noble one,-a long career of faithful service to his country and to humanity. Whether in the rush and din of battle or in the deadly quiet of the chol- era hospital, lie evinced at all times courage in action and skill and devotion to duty. In private life his eareer was no less honorable, pure, and blameless; in liis daily walks charitable beyond measure, devoted to his friends and beloved by all; simple-hearted and devoted to his religious faith, a long career of use- fulness was finally ended by a Christian man's death.

Dr. Edwards was descended from a race of extraordi- nary longevity. His father lived to the age of ninety- four, and his grandfather, David Edwards, to the age of ninety-six, while his mother was ninety-two wlien she died, and her father was ninety-six.

The Edwards family traces its deseent from Rhoerick the Great, King of Wales, and the family arms are gules á chevron between three roses argent. Crest, lion's head raised ermines between two palm-branches proper, with this motto, in Welsh : "Hob. donw. Heb. ddim. duw adign," or, in English, " Everything with God, nothing without God."

JOHN E. SUMMERS.

But very little is known of the early history of this family of Summers. They are undoubtedly of Eng- lish origin, and settled somewhere in the New Eng- land States at a very early day.

John E. Summers is the son of Anson Summers and Abby G. Smith, and grandson of Capt. Elijah Sunmiers, who was engaged for a mimber of years as captain of a vessel running between Black Rock and

800

HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT.

Boston, and who died at the age of twenty-nine. He was born in Bridgeport, Conn., Sept. 4, 1827. His father was a small farmer, and often worked out by the day. His father died in 1836, at the early age of thirty-eight, leaving a wife, who still survives him, and three sons, Elijalı F., John E., and George M.

John E. was early thrown on his own resources. He remained at home on the farin until he was sev- enteen years of age, when he began to learn the boot and shoe trade, which he followed till he was twenty- one. In March, 1849, he went to California by the way of Cape Horn, and remained some three years ; while there he was successfully engaged in mining.

In 1853 he returned home, and was engaged for the following twelve years in the manufacture of paper with Messrs D. & P. N. Fairchild and D. B. Hinman. During this time he bought a farm, which he sold in due time, and purchased in 1866 his present beautiful farm-house, which he has greatly improved since he owned it. It contains some one hundred acres of choice land, which is in good state of cultivation. In politics he has been a life-long Democrat.

He married Henrietta, daughter of Elisha Neal, of Woodbridge, Conn., Feb. 12, 1857. They have two daughters,-viz., Ida G. and Bertha.

ANDREW TAIT,

THE GOLDEN WEDDING IN TRUMBULL.

The green fields, smiling meadows, waving woods, and good people of Old Trumbull have experienced a genuine sensation, and one the memory of which will linger long with those who immediately partici- pated in its scenes. On Friday, the 14th of June, 1872, occurred the golden wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Tait, at Tait's Mills, about three-quarters of a mile above Trumbull church. A full carload of friends and relatives left Bridgeport by the 10.15 A.M. train on the Housatonic road, and, by the kindness of the conductor, were put off at the mills instead of at Trumbull church, thereby saving a considerable distance. From the railroad to the family mansion was a romantic walk through a beautiful wood, over the picturesque rustic bridge which spans the Pe- quonnock River below the dam, past the mill, and up a gentle declivity. The Tait mansion, built on the good old plan of "more for comfort thian for show," is a model of a commodious and pleasant Connecticut homestead, and stands on an elevated knoll sur- rounded by the broad acres of a fine farm, with an ample yard in front, shaded by beautiful and wide- spreading maples. Here the Bridgeport delegation found a large number of friends and relatives already arrived, and here they greeted Mr Andrew Tait and his wife, who had on this day completed the full half- eentury of wedded happiness.

ployment. Thinking to better himself in America, and having a liking for republican institutions, in August, 1820, he emigrated to America, going to Morris Co., N. J., where he worked a year at his trade, going thence to Hartford, New Haven, and other places, till finally, in 1827, he came to Trumbull, where he super- intended the building of the well-known paper-mill of the Messrs. Fairchild, and where he remained in the employ of that firm a number of years. While in the vicinity of Hartford he found himself in : situa- tion to send home to Scotland for his sweetner rt, who was Miss Bella Ronaldson, and who crossed the ocean alone to marry him, making the difficult and tedious passage in six weeks and four days. Immediately after her arriving in this country the then young couple were married, June 14, 1822. After leaving the employ of the Messrs. Fairchild, Mr. Tait eom- menced business for himself in a small way, marbling paper for bookbinders' use, and finally, in 1835, eame to his present location and commenced the building now known as Tait's Mills, where some of the best straw-board known to the trade is still manufactured under the supervision of Mr. Andrew Ta't and his son Mr. William Tait. His business caree. huis been marked by industry, frugality, and the integrity of an upright Christian man, and he has been prospered even as was Abdel Hassan :

" And his life of peaceful labor, In its pure and simple ways, . For all loss fourfold returned him, And a mighty length of days.

"Seventy years of faith and patience Gave him Wisdom's mural crown ; Sons and daughters brought him honor With his riches and renown."

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History of Fairfield County, Connecticut : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 195

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) comp. cn Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co. Number of Pages: 1572

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) comp. cn
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1572