The Newtown bee., 1902-03-28

ford), 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 element of the community.
The sons displayed in marke degree
qualities of industry, economy and
energy, and maintained an excellent
standing as citizens.
Zera Skidmore, our subjects father,
was born in Newtown, and throughout
life was interested in agricultural pur-
suits. About 1905 he removed to
Bethlehem, where he purchased farm
of 40 or so acres, and when that tract
was paid for he bought another one in
the center of the town. He was a
sturdy, thorough-going man, showing
the thrifty characteristics of his race,
and was highly esteemed by his asso-
ciates. He was noted for his indie
pendence in thought and action, and
was fond Of argument upon religious
topics, being a close student of the
Bible. He was always active in church
work, belonging to the Episcopal
church, and in politics was firm sup
porter of Democratic principles. BY
his wife, Bernice (Hurd), he had five
children, one of whom died in infancy,
the others being as follows: Homer,
born.in 1907; Julia, born in 1910, mar
ried Roswell A. Morse; Wealthy, born
in 1913, married Lucius Shelton; and
Philo Hurd, our subject,
The Hurd family is we'll known in
this county, and Jabez Hurd, the ma
ternal grandfather of our subject, was
a prosperous farmer of the town of
Brookteld. He married Lucy Black
man and had five children-two daugh-
ters and three sons. Of the latter:
(1) William B. is a dentist in Brook
lyn, N. Y, and has one son, William
who has recently been appointed judge
(2) Philo had three children-Mrs J. B
Dunham of Bridgeport; Mrs Meekel
of New York City; and Melancthon, a
member of the firm of Hurd & HOugh
ton, of New York and Boston. (3) Fer
ris S. had two Henry, who
married a daughter of P. T. Barnum
and resides in New York; and Cath
arine, wife of DR. Hewett of Bridge
: port.
P. H. Skidmore spent his early year.
, in Bethlehem, and received all hi
education at the local schools. Whe1
about Is years old he went to Norwalk
and for four months was employed
there as clerk, in the following win
, ter securing a similar position in New
! Haven, in the wholesale grocery stor
t of Henry Oakes, where he remained
2 until he attained his majority. HI
then engaged in business for himsel
in partnership with n. @. Hall, pu1
chasing the interest of Mr. KittsOn
4 this arrangement continuing five years
: then Mr. Skidmore returned to Beth
8 lehem and opened general store, tn
e enterprise proving so successful tina
I at the end of one year bought out hi
f only competitor in business. Unde
p these flattering prospects he establish
f. ed a home of his own, marrying Mis-
a Abigail N. Ives of Cheshire, Conn
. who shared his joys and SORROWS unit
II her death, which occurred July II
II 1898. He carried on his business
d Bethlehem successfully until 1856
~ when the failure of the Woodbul
a bank, of which he was a director, il
10 volved him in serious loss. AS resu
- bo ronooved to RridpepOrt in Septen