Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-08-25
VOL. 4.--N0. SO.
CYRUS W. FIELD AND HIS FAMILY.

From the Springfield Republican, August 10.
Cyrus W. Field having achieved greatness
and renown through the success that has CROWN
ed his energy and perseverance, in the laying
of the Atlantic Telegraph cable, the public ia,
interested to know what manner OF man ne
is, and to learn the chief incidents of his his
tory. His family is one of the most honora-
BILE in WesternM Massachusetts,w with m embers dis
tinguished in nearly every department OF ac-
tive life. Rev. ID. ID. Field, native OF East
Guilford, 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 are,
David Dudley Field, one of the first lawyers
of New York city; Jonathan E. Field. a MEM
Der of the Berkshire bar, and resident OF
Stockbridge /; Cyrus W. Field, whose name is
now household word Matthew d. Field, Of
Southwick, in this county, civil engineer,
and one of the Republican Senators from
Hampden county in 1857; Stephen 1. Field,
Judge of the Supreme Court of California;;
and Rev. ii. M. Field, formerly pastor of the
Congregational Church in West Springfield,
and now one of the conductors of the New
York Erdngelisf. The seventh, and oldest
son, Timothy, went to sea thirty or more years
ago, and has never been heard from since.
One of the daughters married the brother OF
Mr.. Cyrus Fields wife, and died at Paris with
in few years. The other daughter married
Rev. Josiah Brewer, and became with him
turned, ard now reside at the family home in
Stockbrdge, in this State.
In 1873, Rev. DIR. Field removed from Had
dam to Stockbridge, when his children were
all young, and became pastor of the village
church there, a relation which he continued
till 1887, when it was discovered, and he re-
turned to his old charge at Haddam for a few
years but he retired from the ministry some
ten years since, and came to Stockbridge
again, where among his old friends, and with
portion of his children, he is living out in
peace and honor the few remaining days of q
long and useful life. Thus Stock bridge may
fairly claim to be the family home here the
father passed most active and important years;
and here his sons were reared, and prepared
for the important lines of action into which
they have nearly all since fallen. David Dud-
ey Field and Rev. Henry II. are graduates OF
Williams College In the same county.
Mr.. Cyrus w. Field engaged early as clerk
for his older brother, Matthew, who was q
paper manufacturer at Lee. About the peri
cd of his majority, perhaps before, he engag-
ed in the same business on his own account
in Westfeld, in this county, but failed about
1887. He subsequently, went to New York
aud established paper commission house,
one of the first of the large modern establish
ments Of that description. Ill success over
took him here again; but it did not conquer
its victim. Nerved to new labor, he continu-
ed the same business, commanded fortune,
paid off his old debts, and became a rich man.
Liberal in dispensing the blessings of his
wealth, he was the patron of art, and surroun-
ded his father at Stockbridge, with all the
comforts and luxuries that old age covets.
Some five or six years ago, he seemed to have
conceived the purpose of constructing the
ocean telegraph, and at once threw into its
consummation all his native enthusiasm, all
his acquired knowledge of men and things
all his energy and perseverance,, and all his.
pecuniary means.
There seems to be no divided honor in this
enterprise-no possibility of question as to
the author of the great achievement of mod
ern civilization. Hundreds may have dream-
ed and suggested the idea; but Mr.. Field was
the first to set seriously at work for its real-
cation, and the first to accomplish it. Fortu-
nate is he in having completed his own work.
honor.
Mr.. Field is about As years old, and looks
younger, if possible. He has light, 1.-the
body, all muscle and nerves, and no flesh, five
feet eight inches high, and weighs perhaps
140 pounds. His features sharp and prom
inent, nose that almost exhausts his face :;
eyes small, sunken grey or blue, and appa--
rently half closed large forehead, and a.
full head of auburn hair. There is ayouthful,
almost boyish appearance about him. that
makes him seem younger than he really is.
There is little Of the impressiveness of figure.
and manner about him, that distinguish his
brother Dudley of the New York bar.
We do not know that these facts in tho.
history of the new Moral Hero of the Chris
tian Civilization are exact to date. and letter.;
but they trace the outline of his life and char
acter with correctness.