Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

William, of whom further; James, and
Susan.
(II) Captain William Daskam, the son
of John Daskam, was but seventeen years
of age when he enlisted in the Revolu-
tionary War. His slogan was : "I will
give Johnny Bull a pull." His service
was under General Lafayette, and in the
War of 1812 he answered his country's
call and commanded a company, later
receiving a pension in return for his
services. He married Huldah James, undoubtedly
a daughter of Benjamin and
Sarah (Whitney) James.
(III) Benjamin James Daskam, son of
Captain William Daskam and his wife,
Huldah (James) Daskam, was born January
20, 1809, in what is now Darien,
Connecticut, and died September 3, 1885.
He learned the trade of carpenter, but its
appeal was not strong enough to interest
him and he went to New York, where he
entered mercantile pursuits. In 1836 Mr.
Daskam established himself in business
in Stamford, Connecticut, his store being
located on Main street, east of the Quin-
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
tard block. He filled many public offices
was representative to the Legislature and
discharged his official duties in a manner
entirely satisfactory to his constituents.
Mr. Daskam was a very ardent Abolu-
tionist. He also served as justice of the
peace. He married Mary Ingraham.
(IV) Theodore J. Daskam, son of Benjamin
J. and Mary (Ingraham) Daskam,
was bom March 3, 1833, in Stamford,
Connecticut, and died there February 15,
1883. In his youth he assisted his father
in business, and in time was placed in
charge of the business. From his first
association with men and affairs he was
interested in public life. The problems
of city and State government were of
keenest interest to him, and it soon became
apparent in political circles that
here was a young man whom they needed.
;
302
He was at once a young man of practical
ideas and incorruptible ideals ; and he had
both the personal force to win his way
through and the personal magnetism to
carry others along with him. From the
first he was affiliated with the Republican
party. One of the first appointments
made by President Lincoln was that of
Theodore J. Daskam as postmaster of
Stamford, April 14, 1861. His first office
in the gift of the local party was that of
first assistant engineer of the borough
Volunteer Fire Department, being elected
May 7, 1859. The following year he was
elected chief of the Fire Department,
which office he held continuously until
1874. Mr. Daskam was unable to go to
the Civil War, owing to a physical disability,
and he could hardly resign himself
to staying at home. Meanwhile he
was reappointed postmaster by each succeeding
president down to the time of
President Arthur, holding this office until
the day of his death. There have been
only three postmasters whose terms of
service have exceeded that of Mr. Daskam.
He was also for many years United States
deputy collector and was assistant as-
sessor of internal revenue, holding three
Federal offices at the same time. His
official record is of the highest, an honor
to his constituency as well as to his own
name.
In 1864 Mr. Daskam embarked in the
insurance business, meeting with marked
success. He was a corporator of the Gulf
Stream Fire Engine Company, No. 2, of
Stamford, and was foreman of the company
for years. Mr. Daskam's health
became permanently broken while yet in
the height of his career. Notwithstanding
this handicap, he continued his interest
in public affairs and relinquished his activities
only after such a conspicuous
struggle with the encroaching disease as
made his memory an inspiration to those