JAMES WALKER BEARDSLEY
STRATFORD: A Retired Farmer and Stock Dealer
Mr. Beardsley is a son of Elisha H. Beardsley, and has been a farmer all his life. He is a native of the town of Monroe, where he was born May 8, 1820, and where his father pursued the same occupation. He is descended in regular line from William Beardsley, one of the first settlers of Stratford; and on his mother’s side, through a distinguished ancestry, from Robert Walker, one of the founders of the Old South Church of Boston in 1669. Mr. Beardsley was educated at the common schools and at the preparatory institute of Samuel B. Beardsley. As before stated, his life has been spent entirely on the farm, and he long ago became the holder of much landed property, including a large and valuable stock farm in the state of Illinois. His residence has been in Monroe and in Bridgeport, to both of which localities he has contributed much in the way of material adornment and of personal influence. In 1878 he gave to the city of Bridgeport one hundred acres of land for a public park, on condition that the city should expend a certain comparatively small amount of money yearly, for a number of years, in its care and management. At first the city doubted the propriety of accepting the gift on the conditions which the donor imposed, but it was finally accepted, and the conditions have been fulfilled. This park is now regarded as one of the great features of the city. For the original property Mr. Beardsley had been offered $20,000; it would be worth for city lots today hundreds of thousands. It cannot be doubted that he takes great satisfaction in seeing the improvements which the city is making from year to year in "Beardsley Park," many of which were of his own suggesting. He bestows yearly upon it much time, attention, and money, and his efforts in its behalf are highly appreciated by the citizens of Bridgeport, as is the original magnificent gift.
Mr. Beardsley’s fine residence was originally the homestead of James Walker, Jr., which descended to the former through his mother, Betsey (Walker) the daughter of James Walker, Jr. It is kept very choicely, and regarded sacredly as the home of his ancestors for three generations, or since 1739. Mr. Beardsley was a member of the Connecticut legislature in 1848, representing the town of Monroe, and being elected to the office by the democratic party. He is an influential member of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and a liberal contributor to its charities.
Source: Illustrated Popular Biography of Connecticut - 1891, Compiled and Published by J. A. Spalding, Hartford Conn., Press of the Case, Lockwood and Brainard Company, 1891
Free Connecticut Genealogy Lookups
Connecticut Societies
Connecticut Surname Queries
Connecticut Genealogy Data Resources
|