The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-08-14
CYRUS " FIELD AND HIS FAMILY
from the Springfield Republican, August lo.l

from the Springfield Republican, August 1ol
Cyrus W. Field having achieved greatness and re-
through the that has crowned his energy
and perseverance in the laying of the Atlantic telegraph
cable the public is interested to know what Of
he is and to learn the chief incidents of his history
His family is of the most honorable in western Mas
sachusetts with members distinguished in nearly every
department of active life. Rev. ID. D. Field native OF
East Guord Conn graduate of Yale College in 1902,
first settled in Haddam Conn. There, probably, his
children were all born-seven sons and two daughters.
OF the former David Dudley Field of the first
lawyers Of New York city; Jonathan Il. Field, member
of the Berkshire bar and resident of Stockbrdge Cyrus
W. Field whose name is now household word Matthew
D. Field of Southwick in this county, civil engineer
and of the republican senators from Hampden county
In 1857 Stephen l. Field, judge of the supreme court
of California; and Rev. H. NJ Field formerly pastor Of
the Congregational church in West Springfield and
of the conductors of the New York Evangelist The
seventh and Oldest son. Timothy went to thirty
more years ago. and has never been heard from since
One of the daughters married the brother of Mr. Cyrus
Fields wife, and died ut Paris within few years
The other daughter married Rev. Josiah Brewer, and
became with him missionary in Greece, whence they
have returned, and reside ut the family home ia
Stockbrdge, in this State
In 1919 Rev. DR.. Field removed from Haddam to Stock
bridge when his children all young and became
pastor of the village church there relation which he
continued till 1887, when it was dssevered and he
turned to his old charge at Haddam for few years but
he retired from the ministry some ten years since, and
came to Sockbridge again. where among his old friends
peace and honor the few remaining days of long and
useful e Thus Stockbridge may fairly claim to be the
family home here the father passed his most active and
important years and here his reared and pre-
pared for the important lines of action into which they
have nearly all since fallen. David Dudley Field and
Rev Henry M graduates of Williams College in the
same county.
Mr. Cyrus Field engaged clerk for his older brother
Matthew, who paper manufacturer at Lee. About
the period of his majority, perhaps before he engaged in
the same business his account in Westfeld In
this county, but failed about 1897. He subsequently
went to New York and established paper commission
house, of the first of the large modern establishments
Of that description. Ill overlook him here again.
but did not conquer its victim Nerved to labor,
he continued the same business, commanded fortune,
paid off all his old debts, and became rich Lib
era in dispensing the blessings of his wealth. he the
patron of art and surrounded his father at Stockbdge
with all the comforts and luxuies that old age covets
Some five six years ago he seemed to have conceived
the purpose of constructing the ocean telegraph and at
threw into its consumnaton all his native enthu
sasm, all his acquired knowledge Of and things all
his energy and perseverance, and all his pecunary
There seems to be divided honor In this enter
possibility of question to the author OF the
great achievement of modern civilization. Hundreds
may have dreamed and suggested the idea; but Mr.
Field the first to set seriously at work for its rea
zation, and the first to accomplish it, Fortunate is he
in having completed his work. No Fulton can
come in and rob him of his honor.
Mr. Field is about forty three years DID, and looks
younger, if possible. He has light, 1.-the body all
muscles and nerves. and flesh, five feet eight inches
high and weighs perhaps I40 pounds His features
sharp and prominent, that almost exhaists his
face eyes small sunken, gray blue, and apparently
half closed large forehead, and full head of auburn
hair There is youthful, almost boyish appearance
about him. that makes him younger than he really
is There is little of the impressvencss of figure and
manner about hiin that distinguish his brother Dudley
of the New York bar
We do not know that these facts in the history of the
Moral Hero of the Christian Civilization exact
date and letter. but they trace tho outline of his life and
character with correctness.