Commemorative Biographical Record of Fairfield County, Connecticut

The Messenger was published for one year, or until November 21, 1832, when, Jackson hav- ing been elected, and the particular mission for which the paper was founded accomplished, its publication was suspended, not, however, until an arrangement had been made for merging it with its rival, The Fanner, by which Mr. Pom- eroy became part owner and editor of the latter paper, the firm name being Stiles, Nichols & Co. With The Farmer Mr. Pomeroy was connected from that time until his death. Mr. Nichols withdrew January i, 1842, in favor of his grand- son, Charles B. Nichols, when the firm name was changed to Pomeroy & Nichols. The lat- ter's connection with the paper ceased December 23, 1846, when Mr. Pomeroy became sole editor and publisher. He continued to conduct the paper alone until 1855, when the firm became Pomeroy & Morse. On September 8, 1856, the Daily Fariiier was established, and both that and the Weekly were regularly published until August 24, 1 86 1, when the office was destroyed by a mob. What remained of the material, to- gether with the "good will" of the establish- ment, was sold at auction to close up the busi- ness of the firm, and was purchased by the late E. L. Simpson, for Mrs. Pomeroy. On Decem- ber 13, 1861, the publication of the Weekly was resumed by Mr. Pomeroy, who found a host of friends in the sterling Democracy of Fairfield and Litchfield counties, and on September 23, 1864, the Daily Fanner was resuscitated. In 1866 the veteran editor found it necessary, on account of failing health, to again reorganize his establishment, and the partnership of Pomeroy, Gould & Co. (William S. Pomeroy, J. L. Gould and H. B. Stiles) was formed. Mr. Pomeroy was all his life an ardent, un- compromising Democrat, and in early years took a prominent part in politics. His bold and de- cided stand for Jackson in 1831 gained for him a host of friends, and when in 1832 the unity of the Democratic party was restored, and he be- came identified with The Farmer, the number of his friends was greatly increased. The gallant service rendered by him in the Presidential cam- paign was not forgotten, and as his fellow citi- zens came to know him and to appreciate more fully his many sterling qualities of head and heart, they took delight in paying him honors by electing him to positions of trust and responsibil- ity. He was twice elected from the town of Bridgeport to the Legislature — once in 1837 and again in 1850. He was also nominated for Con- COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 59 gress in 1841, just after the celebrated "Hard Cider Campaign," when the district was almost hopelessly Whig, and was defeated by Hon. Thomas B. Osborne, then of F"airfield, and a very popular man with his party. In 1844 he was run for the State Senate, but was again de- feated, by only twenty-four majority. The nomination and election of James K. Polk to the Presidency were earnestly advocated by I'/w Fanner in 1844, and, some time after his inauguration, Mr. Pomeroy was rewarded by be- ing appointed collector of the port for the dis- trict of Fairfield. In this position he remained until the inauguration of Zachary Taylor in 1849, when he was removed to make way for a friend of the administration. He was re-appointed in 1853 by President Pierce, and continued to hold the office until the coming in of Mr. Lincoln in 1861. He never afterward held public office, ex- cept such as were conferred upon him by his town or city. At the time of his death in 1870 he was one of the assessors of Bridgeport, an of- fice to which he was elected the spring before he died. To the discharge of ail his public duties he brought a clear head and an honest heart and a faith in Democratic principles that never was shaken. He believed that tfie constitution of his country was the palladium of its people's liberties, and for all the great principles of the Democratic party he entertained a singularly earnest affection. A warm supporter of Jack- son, he imbibed fliuch of that earnest states- man's patriotism, and, like him, was uncom- promising in his opposition to the enemies of the Constitution and the Union. The singular obstinacy with which he adhered to his political convictions, and the fearlessness with which he defened them against all comers, are well-known to his friends hereabouts. He had witnessed the rise, growth and final success of the Republican party; was perfectly familiar with its designs; believed that its leaders contemplated the over- throw of State Rights and the building up of a vast central despotism; and all the powers of his singularly earnest nature were devoted to the task of exposing the objects of the party, and making the designs of its leaders known to the people. But notwithstanding his firm and ear- nest convictions, he was peculiarly cautious and sagacious in his political advice and leadership. In his conduct of The Fanner, he was always earnest and outspoken, and yet always aimed to keep within the pale of journalistic courtesy to his opponent. Indeed we do not know that he ever penned anything that could be justly ex- cepted to. We are not aware that even during the exciting days of 1861 any complaint was ever made in reference to his management of the paper; but, however that may have been, the fearless attitude of The Fanner brought down upon it the vengeance of a mob, at a time when the senior editor was confined to his bed with sickness (where he had lain for three months), and the office was sacked. All the material, presses, forms, type and tools, together with the editor's books and private papers, were com- pletely destroyed. The accumulated property of a lifetime, gained by patient toil in the service of a party devoted to the Union, was in one brief hour swept completely away. The blow was a severe one to Mr. Pomeroy. He had lost all, but his faith in the saving grace of Democracy was only strengthened by the event, and with a sad heart but undaunted spirit he set about to acquire means to renew his life struggle. In this, by the help of his political friends, whose confidence in him was unlimited, he was entirely successful, and in a few months a new office with new material was at his disposal, and the old Fanner once more appeared to battle for the Constitution and the rights of the people. In 1826 Mr. Pomeroy was married to Frances E., daughter of Zerah Eaton, of Hartford, who survived him; one daughter only — May S., born in 1839 and died in 1856 — blessed their marriage. James L. Gould retired from The Farmer in 1890. He had been managing editor for a quarter of a century. At the time of his retire- ment an acquaintance wrote of him: "When actively and successfully engaged in the practice of the law as a member of the Fairfield county Bar I knew him. As a judge of probate for the district of Bridgeport I knew him, and I have known him for the last twenty years that he has been editor and one of the proprietors of The Farmer, a man of high character and great worth. In whatever position he has been placed he has always exhibited the true characteristics of manhood, and has discharged every duty de- volving upon him with great fidelity and marked ability. But as a journalist he has spent the greater portion of his life, and as such he may be more appropriately spoken of at this time — at his retirement, with the exception of the Hon. A. E. Bun, of the Hartford Times, Mr. Gould is believed to be the oldest and most experienced. For twenty years he was unfaltering in his devo- tion to the interests of The Farmer. Seldom absent from the office a day, exemplarily punc- tual in his arrival and departure, vigilant and actively engaged every moment, and kind to and considerate of employes, he has been an exam- ple worthy to be copied by all who wish to be successful in business engagements. While he (.'•5 al , ^;',! '60 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. successfully and faithfully managed the business of T/w Fartncr, he has never neglected the inter- ests of Bridgeport. He advocated measures which in his judgment would result beneficially to the public, and which would contribute to the material prosperity of the people of Bridgeport. Politically he was trained in the school of the old Jeffersonian and Jacksonian Democracy, and has been all his life a true exponent of its teach- ings. TIic Faniur, during his connection with it, has fearlessly and consistently advocated the tenets of the Democratic faith, and while never attempting in any way to dictate or control nom- anations, insisting only that they should be good men and true Democrats — it has always given the warmest support to all regularly nominated Democratic candidates." Since the incorporation of the paper a few years ago, H. B. Stiles has been the president of the company, and Floyd Tucker secretary and treasurer. Their long identity with the paper — Mr. Stiles since 1866 and Mr. Tucker since 1871 ■ — associated with such men as Pomeroy and Gould, it is not to be wondered that, on their assuming ownership and afterward manage- ment, the general tone and scope of the paper should remain the same. Democrats each of them of the old Jefferson and Jackson type, The Fanner still continues to advocate the same old sound Democratic principles as it has during the whole century of its existence. Mr. Tucker is a journalist #f large experience and ability. He has been the editorial writer and news editor much of the time through his long connection with the paper. Mr. Stiles was born in South- bury, Conn., December 12, 1820. He held the position of foreman in the office of the New Haven Regisler from 1852 to 1866; removed to Bridgeport in 1866, and became a member of the firm of Pomeroy, Gould & Co. He has served terms in the conmion councils of both New Haven and Bridgeport. Floyd Tucker is a native of Redding, Conn., and was educated principally in the Easton (Conn.) Academy. After four years' residence in New York City he became a member of the editorial staff of The Farmer, in 1871, where he has since remained, being now, and since 1891, business manager of the paper. \