The Newtown bee., 1902-03-28
PhilOH.SkidnnOre.
HIS DEATH OCCURS ON
THURSDAY EVEN.
ING, 1.-THE Doth.
An Interesting and Remark
able Man.
STORY OF His CAREER.

An interesting and commanding
figure has passed out of our midst in
the death, Thursday evening OF last
week, about 10 O CLOCK; of the venerable
Philo Hurd Skidmore. Mr. Skidmore
was striken with the grip several weeks
ago, which developed into pneumonia,
and notwithstanding he had the best
of nursing and medical attention it
was seen from the first that the end
was not far distant. DR. J. w. Gordon
was in charge of the case, and DR.
Godfrey of Bridgeport was called in
consultation. Throughout his last
illness, his daughter, Mrs Beard, of
Cambridge, Mass, was constantly at
his side, while his sons visited him fire.
quently as the occasion seemed best.
Mr. Skidmore always believed his
good health and long life was mainly
due to his simple method of living.
Previous to his last sickness he always
did a reasonable amount of work and
often might be seen in the summer
time with his wheelbarrow by the
roadside gathering up stones, picking
up stray papers or doing other work.
Mr. Skidmore insisted that circulation
was life and that there was no disease
but congestion. He lived simply and
often told the writer he did not eat
six pounds Of fibrous meat in a year.
Speaking of labor, Mr. Skidmore said
he could not do without it.
lo uicif n1
ways asked to be shown the wood pile
that he might get his customary
amount of exercise. He found that if
he neglected to labor even for two or
three days, that he suffered. In regard
to the effect of any particular food or
exercise on his body Mr. Skidmore said
he had always made it rule never to
repeat anything that he believed in
jured him, and to this fact he believed
he owed his remarkable health. He
said he slept grandly and every morn
ing his first thought was of gratitude
to Almighty God for this inestimable
blessing.
Mr. Skidmore generally paid an an
nual visit to Bethlehem, taking keen
delight in meeting the old neighbors
and friends. 1t was his custom till
within year or two to go by train to
Southbury and then walk to Bethle-
hem that he might greet his old-time
friends by the way.
About a year ago he surprised his
townsmen and friends by his deter
mination to engage in business again,
at the age of 80 years, having bought
a large amount of machinery for the
manufacture of lace in England. Six
months after the first purchase he
made personal visit to England and
bought more machinery. When inter-
viewed by BEE reporter at the time
of his visit to England and asked his
reason, Mr. Skidmore said:
''In all this matter I have but one
belief, that is, my Heavenly Father
leads me. I have not a particle OF
worry in regard to the matter. ]
believe it will be success, not by any,
thing that l may do, but by Gods
blessing"
my life," continued Mr. Skidmore
when I went into the Pacific Iror
Works 1 didn't know thing about the
iron business and yet prospered, an6
of all the establishments in Bridgeport
in business when I commenced in 1856:
only two weathered the gale, and on'
was my establishment"
"Then again. said Mr. Skidmore
"when I went to Florida, built ;
railroad, but had had no previous ex
perience in railroading. The road wa
Is miles long and extended from tn,
St Johns river to St Augustine.
sold out for $50, 900, half cash and hal
10 per cent bonds, clearing handsom
sum- In New Orleans a prominen
business man of that city said to
presence of Mr. Skidmore: Here yo
will stand around and not invest a cen
~ in real estate but you will let damne
= Yankee like P. H. Skidmore com
|, down here, invest $40, 900 and make
p fortune" "There isn't man in tn
, state of Connecticut, probably, tina
e has been through what 1 have" sal
: Mr. Skidmore with emphasis.
Mr. Skidmore was man of generol
and kindly impulses, and was quick
respond with resistance to a person
distress or trouble.
tie Mr. Skidmore was born October
1917, in Bethlehem, Litchfield count
but his ancestors were early settle
in Fairfield county. Abel Skidmor
the grandfather of P. II. Skidmor
was native of the town of Newtow
and for many years was engaged
farming "in the Neck" in the mort
/. western part of the town. He was
thrifty man, acquired a fair COZ
petence, and held an honorable pla'
among the Old-time residents of tt
lie locality. In religious faith he was ;
y Episcopalian, but he was not especial
active in church work. He died Sc
tember 30, 1916, aged 81 years. and Il
wife. Bethiah (Glover), who was
woman of much ability and force
character, died July 18, 1853. Th
had 13 children, II of whom lived
Y adult age, their names, so far as c;
now be ascertained, being: job
Booth, Charles, Daniel, Glover, Zera
II Bennett, Annis (who married Hen
~ J. Okson), Mrs Samuel Blackma
Mary Ann (who married Glover Bo1