The Newtown bee., 1900-06-15

body and mind as is the good fortune ot Philo Hurd Skidmore to possess. InMr Skidmore's case, however, it is no acci- dent, as he believes that 1t IS the result of a life of self-denial, and a constant study of cause and effect.
 Mr Skidmore is not man who cares for publicity, but at the urgent request of the editor of THE BEE he re- luctantly consented to an inter- view. The writer has always cher. ished high respect and most kindly feeling for Mr Skidmore, because of the generosity shown by him to 8 clergy man who 2s years ago was the pastor Of the Congregational church in Newtown. This particular minister happened to be the writer's father. MT Skidmore has always been warm friend of TEE BEE, and the editor la glad to make acknow- | ledgment of his helpful and kindly in- ! duence.
 MT Skidmore has been an early riser, from 4. 30 to 5.30 o'clock, and has always made it rule to start the fires in the house. He always does 6 reasonable amount of work and often may be seen with his wheelbarrow by the roadside gathering up stones or doing other work. MT SkidmOre insists that circulation is life and that there is no disease but con- gestion. He lives simply and says he does not eat six pounds of fbrous meat in year. Speaking of labor, MT Skid more says he could not do without it.
 When he goes away visiting he al ways asks to be shown the wood pile that he may get his customary amount of exer- else. He finds that if he neglects to la Dor even for three days that he suffers. In regard to the effect of any particular food or exercise on his body MT Skid more says he has always made it a rule meyer to repeat anything that he believed injured him, and to this fact he believes he owes his remarkable health. He says he sleeps grandIy and every morning his first thought is of gratitude to Almighty God for this inestimable blessing.
 The following sketch of MT Skidmore is from the Fairfield County Commemo- rative Record, and is so interesting and complete we give 1t entire:
 In modern times the qualities which constitute "generalship'' find their best field of activity in business life, and the bloodless victories of our great promC- ters deserve to be chronicled as of more value to the race than the cruel and de- structive movements in which nations too often engage for the sake of greed or glory. The man who seeks to broaden the channels of trade and industry is to be commended, and no one can read the following history without feeling admi- ration for the ability, energy and per- sistence shown in worthy lines of eff )rt by the well-known citizen of Newtown whose career it briefly reviews.
 MT Skidmore was born, October l, 1877, in Bethlehem, Litchfeld county, Conn.,, but his ancestors were early set tiers in Fairfield county. Abel Skid more, the grandfather of our iubj ject, was native of the town of Newtown, and for many years was engaged in farming 'on the Neck," in the northwestern section of the town. He was thrifty man, &C., quired fair competence, and held an honorable place among the old time res- ldents of the locality. In religious faith he was an Epis scopalian, but he was not especially active in church work. He died September 30, 1s46, aged 92 years, and his wife, Bethiah (Glover), who was woman of much ability and force of character, died July IS, 1853. They had 13 children, 12 of whom lived to adult age, their names, so far as can now be ascertained, being: John, Booth, Charles, Daniel, Glover, Zsrah, Bennett, Annis (who married Henry J. Oksop) ), Mrs Samuel Blackman, Mary Ann (who married Glover Botsford), Mrs Lake, and one whose history is not known. All married, some more than once, and John was married three times. With the exception of Bennett and Zerah, all lived and died in the vicinity of Newtown, and all were identified more or less closely with the agricultural clement of the com. munity. The sons displayed in mark ed degree qualities of industry, economy | nhA OhOAByf AndAubolucu hu cACcR lent standing as citizens.
 Zsrah Skidmore our subjects father, was born in Newtown and throughout life was interested in agricultural pur suits. About 1905 he removed to Beth lebem, where he purchased farm of 4( or 50 acres, and when that tract was paid for, he bought another in the center ot the town. He was sturdy. thorough going man, showing the thrifty charac teristics of his race, and was highly es . teemed by his associates. He was no tet for his independence in thought and ac tion, and was fond of argument upon re ligious topics, being close student o the Bible. He was always active il . church work, belonging to the Episco pal church. and in politics was firr supporter of Democratic principles. B his wife, Bernice (Hurd) he had fly children, one of whom died in infancy
 the others being as follows !: Homer, bor in 1907; Julia, born in 1910, married Ro ,f well A. Morse, and is still living
 Wealthy, born in 1913, married Lucir
 shelton and Philo Hurd our subject. :, The Hurd family is well.known in tn