Leading Business Men of Fairfield County

men, who did honor to their city in many a hard fought battle. A large part of Company A, Fourteenth Conn. Regiment, were citizens of Norwalk, and the city was represented in many companies of almost all the State regiments which went out. The same anxious waiting for news from loved ones on the field of battle, the same mingled joy and sadness at a great victory gained but a friend or relative, lost, the same unwearying toil for the soldiers and their country, which was the universal experience of the time, marked the four dread years of civil conflict in Norwalk. On almost every great battle-ground some of her sons yielded up their lives, and throughout the South, on the sunny hillside or in the dismal swamp, many of them in unmarked graves are sleeping to-day. Beside General Ferry, Norwalk was represented by Brigadier-General Wm, T. Clark, whose zeal and ability, displayed in many an important engagement, won merited reward, also by Lieut. Col. Cunningham of the Eighth Conn. Volunteers, a talented officer and chivalrous soldier. Many other commissioned officers, among whom Lieut. Thos. Norton, whose untimely, fate created unmitigated sorrow, should be mentioned, as well as no less devoted and patriotic private soldiers, sustained the reputation of the commonwealth and city for intrepid bravery, with heroic self-sac- rifice. More than three hundred volunteers went out from Norwalk, and as many score never returned. At the time of the war, the grand list of Norwalk showed the total valuation of the property in tehe city to be $4,676,978. The contribution by the citizens of §82,- 938 to the general expenses of the war-government, demonstrates the unselfish patriotism which animated the minds of the people, and upon which the security and even the existence of our country must ever depend. In this account of Nor- walk's part in the war, one name deserves honorable mention, that of Mr. A. H. By- ington, of Norwalk, the war-correspondent of the New York Tribune. The services of men like Mi*. Byington are not so widely known or appreciated as those of men in more conspicuous positions during the war, but the indomitable spirit and unrest- ing activity he displayed surprised and delighted Horace Greeley and are worthy of the most honorable recognition. During the battle of Gettysburg, all telegraphic communications with the field were destroyed. By risking his life in scouring the region around, Mr. Byington succeeded in getting men to help him restore one of the broken lines through miles of rough desolated land, and when it had been set in operation, after the most 'heroic exertions, not only did the Tribune receive the first and only accurate news of the battle, but the line was placed by its restorer at the service of 'Gen. Meade and the War Department, for which important service Mr. Byington received the per- sonal recognition and thanks of President Lincoln. Such quietly performed deeds of exemplary talent and devotion are most pleasant to learn of and to read. The close of the war found Norwalk somewhat poorer in numbers and riches, but unspeakably enriched by noble traditions and the memory of the sainted dead. Dur- ing the last few years of the war the manufacturing interests received a marked im. petus, which continued to increase for several years. Through all the unhealthy ex- citement and business fluctuations of the subsequent years in all parts of the country there has been a steady advance in all the various departments of mercantile and mechanical activity in the city. 134 NORWALK, PAST AND PRESENT. At the present time the town of Norwalk consists of the borough of Norwalk proper and the city of South Norwalk. The borough contains between eight and nine thousand inhabitants, and in everything but name is a representative and enter- prising city. It is situated upon the Norwalk River about one-and-a-half miles to the north of South Norwalk in a valley, with peculiar natural advantages and beautiful in every respect. On the direct line of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad and also the Danbury & Norwalk Railroad, with regular steamboat connections with New York city beside, nothing more could be desired in the way of transportation facili- ties. It has for many years been a favorite home for the city merchants, and its fame as a summer resort is widely known. The prospect from the borough toward the river and Sound presents a most varied and attractive outlook. The wide and stately avenues are lined by the magnificent elms and maples, which add another charm to the beauties of the place. The healthful location of the borough is not the least of its attractions, the natural advantages of atmosphere, river and dry soil, being supplemented by the most assiduous care on the part of the officers of the borough. In addition to the railroads there is an excellent horse-railway connecting the borough with South Norwalk. There are several large and beautiful churches, three banks, and private educational institutions of the highest character, which in addi- tion to the admirable public schools, render the borough of Norwalk an ideal resi- dence to those seeking to combine the advantages of the city with the pleasures and repose of country life. LEADING BUSINESS MEN OF MILL National Bank of Norwalk. — For thirty years the National Bank of Norwalk has taken promi- nent part in promoting the growth, and prosperi- ty of the town and section, and its influence has been felt and gratefully recognized by the leaders of successful manufacturing and mercantile indus- try throughout Fairfield County. Under the name of The Bank of Norwalk, the institution was organized and incorporated under the State laws, and was reorganized under the National Banking Laws, with its present corpo- rate name, in 1865. With a capital stock of $240,- 000, the bank has ever extended substantial aid to deserving enterprise, and its loug career has been one of great usefulness. The condition of this institution as shown by its statement, attests the sagacity and prudence of the management past and present, and the intelligence and finan- cial ability of the officers and their policy has es- tablished the institution in universal confidence. In order to meet the requirements of its in- creasing business as well as for better protection against the modern burglar, it has very recently purchased a massive burglar proof safe, also a new vault door and entrance to vault. This work is of the most modern, and manufactured by special order, combining several new features of safe wrork. The officers are: President, E. Hill; Vice- President, E. J. Hill; Cashier, H. P. Price, and •the two first named, with the following, consti- tute the Board of Directors: Edward Beard, E. K. Lockwood, J. A. Osborn, O. E. Wilson, D. W. Fitch, and William G. Thomas, all of whom are prominent, influential manufact- urers and merchants of this section, whose com- mercial standing emphasizes the faith of the gen- eral public in the solidity of the institution. O. E. Wilson, General Insurance and Real Es- tate Agent, Room No. 3, Gazette Building. — The enterprising Insurance and Real Estate firm of O. E. Wilson, organized in 1872, has built up a surprising amount of trade within the period during which it has been operation, and the amount of its annual business shows how impor- tant are its transactions as related to the business interests of the city. It is the vast amount of business done by the leading firms of the city which effectually pre- vents stagnation in trade and creates and fosters a business vitality which permeates all the small- er industries. The business of this energetic house is mostly local, the bulk of it being confined to the citv and especially the suburbs, but it also reaches out into all quarters of the State. Those who have had occasion to deal with Mr. Wilson can testify to his gentlemanly and business qualities and the uniform courtesy and consideration ex- tended to all his patrons. Mr. Wilson is promi- nently interested in all that pertains to the growth and improvement of Norwalk, and he labors zealously not only to meet the public wants in the way of sales and private transactions in the line of Real Estate, but also to aid and en- courage all those public expedients which are from time to time devised and put into execution to forward the material prosperity of this city. His office, located in Room No. 3, Gazette Building, is a model of neatness and convenience, well calculated to facilitate in the best manner possible the despatch of business connected with the numerous transactions in Real Estate in which this enterprising house is at all times engaged. Mr. Oliver E. Wilson is anat^eof Harwinton, Litchfield County, Connecticut, and is well known and highly respected in business and social circles. Mr. Wilson is also agent for the following list of Fire, Life, Accident, Tornado and Plate Glass Insurance Companies: New York Life Insurance Co., assets $74,000,- 000; Girard of Philadelphia, started in business in 1853, assets $1,357,468; The Pacific of New York, assets $753,854, chartered 1878; Agricul- tural of Watertown, assets $1,782,720; American Philadelphia, assets $1,768,092; Hanover of New York, assets $2,547,326; Howard of New York, assets $879,468; New Hampshire of Manchester, $1,014,579; Niagara of New York, $1,851,597; Orient of Hartford, $1,474,443; Phomix of New York, assets $4,342,430; Phoenix of London, assets $5,619,408; Scottish Union and National of Lon- don, $14,031,409; Sun of London, $40,000,000; State Mutual of Hartford, $48,819; Union of Phil- adelphia, assets $866,429; Williamsburg City of New York, $1,191,180; Continental Life of Hart- ford, $3,000,000; Travelers' Life and Accident of Hartford, $6,000,000; Fidelity and Casualty Plate Glass of New York, $521,000. The stability of these companies has been dem- onstrated by their long standing and by the con- fidence put in them by their friends. They are the chief insurance companies in the world, and Mr. Wilson was fortunate in obtaining the agency for them.