The Newtown bee., 1902-11-14

Genuine sorrow and regret was ex-
pressed in Newtown over the death of
that able and far-sighted. business man,
Philo H. Skidmore OF Bridgeport, who
breathed his last on Saturday morning,
after an illness of few days. He was
in one sense NewtOwn man, for he
passed His boyhood here, and was in
timately known to large number of
our citizens. He has visited NewtOwn
regularly these later years, as his
father resided here up to his death a
year ago.
facts: Philo Fl. Skidmore was born in
Bethlehem, Litchtield county, on Au-
gust 8, 1851. Although he was not
born in Bridgeport, he was to all in
tents and purposes a native of this
city, for when he was but two years
old his parents took up their residence
here, and with the exception of three
years when he lived in Newtown, while
attending school there, and five years
| he lived in Florida he has resided here
since.
After coming to this city, he lived
here until 1867, studying in the public
schools, and in 1867 going to Newtown,
where for three years he attended the
private school conducted by Rev G.. B.
Day, one of the most celebrated pr-
vate schools in this portion of the
country, at that time. He lived in
Newtown from 1867 to 1870, at which
time, when he was 10 years old, he
went to Florida, where he became
manager OF small railroad running
from &ocoi to St Augustine
HG1vas married in St Augustine in
June, 1873, and two years later, with
his family, returned to Bridgeport,
where he took the position of book
keeper for the Pacific Iron Works.
His business tact, his skill in manage
ment and the many hints he offered in
the more economical management of
the firm won him recognition ard his
promotion was rapid. He remained
with the firm until 1879, when he be-
came one Of the members of the firm
of P. H. Skidmore & Sons. The firm
continued until 1854, at which time
Mr. Skidmore became proprietor and
continued SO until the present time.
Mr. Skidmore served the city in many
capacities. He was councilman,
serving for one year, an alderman for
Two years, and in both capacities he
made an excellent record. He served
as a member of the board of health for
one year, and for seven years served as
police commissioner In October,
1898, he was nominated by the demo-
cratic party as senator from the Four
teenth senatorial district, comprising
the city of Bridgeport, and he was
elected, although every other demo-
cratic candidate on the ticket was
defeated.
Mr. Skidmore was 32d degree Mason,
and was a member of all Of the atfilia-
ted bodies connected with Masonry.
He was Knight Templar, member
of Pyramid Temple, Mobiles of the
Mystic Shrine; of Bridgeport lodge Of
Elks, of the Algonquin club, of which
lie WdS pTcSlUcI1U Ill 1893, dIlu Ol Ullt
Camp Riga club.
Personally Mr. Skidmore was d man
of an unusually sunny disposition, and
wherever he went he made friends. He
was thoroughly democratic in his prin-
ciples, and had many warm friends
among the workmen he employed in
the many business ventures in which
he has been interested from time to
time. His keen appreciation of a good
story or clever joke; and his genial
ity kept him in demand among his
friends and won many others for him.
Mr. Skidmore is survived by a widow
and three children, Mrs Sidney M.
| Brewster, Mrs Henry S. Curtis and
Preston Skidmore. He has a sister
living, Mrs Beard of Boston, Mass, and
brother, Julius W. Skidmore of this
city.