Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

who followed him. Mr. Daskam was a
member of Union Lodge, No. 5, Ancient
Free and Accepted Masons ; of Rippowam
Lodge, No. 24, Independent Order
of Odd Fellows.
Mr. Daskam married, December 6,
1864, Sarah Remer Stanley, daughter of
Edward T. and Sarah (Remer) Stanley,
of New Haven, Connecticut, old residents
of that city.
The tribute paid to Mr. Daskam's memory
on the event of his death, February
15, 1883, by the "Stamford Advocate"
should stand in more enduring form.
The news of Theodore J. Daskam's death will
fall upon the ears of the great majority of Stam-
ford people with common sorrow. Especially
will it awake the readiest sympathy and touch the
tenderest memories of those whose acquaintance
with the man is largest, and who knew him best,
of those who shared the struggles of his active
young manhood, before disease and physical suf-
fering had forced him to become a sort of recluse,
but little known to the later accessions of Stam-
ford citizenship. These last may inquire the
secret of Theodore J. Daskam's unbounded popu-
larity, but his host of old friends need not be told
why they loved him. He had in a remarkable degree
the power of winning friendships, and not
by any means through an effusive disposition to
placate those who chose to assume an unfriendly
attitude either in the field of politics or business.
But his friends, those who possessed his confi-
dence, ever found him a man to tie up to. His
word was as good as his bond. What he said
he would do, he would do. For over twenty years
he was the most active organizer and manager
of political campaigns on the Republican side.
In politics, he was a fighter, and went in to win,
and generally did win. To say that a man could
occupy a position like that without making some
enemies would be to state something incredible.
Yet all through his career he numbered many of
the warmest personal friends among the staunch-
est of his political opponents, and to-day as his
fellow-citizens contemplate the lifeless form once
so full of manhood's proudest energies, every
feeling of party strife, every recollection of party
enmity, will fade into thin air, and not the party
chief but the genial, whole-souled kindly friend
and fellow-citizen will be longest and best remembered.
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
303
In 1919 the Park Board of Stamford
gave the name of Daskam to the park on
Glenbrook avenue, in honor of this family
which from the time it first became connected
with the town to the present day
has been notable for its public spirit and
patriotism.
(V) Walter Duryee Daskam, son of
Theodore J. and Sarah Remer (Stanley)
Daskam, was born September 18, 1865.
He was educated in the King School of
Stamford, of which he is at the present
time president. On May 16, 1882, he entered
the Stamford National Bank as messenger.
His dependability, accuracy, and
unremitting attention to his duties won
for him promotion to the position of teller,
which he held for some years. Dur-
ing this time he lost no opportunity to
make himself acquainted with the theory
and practice of banking. At that time there
was no trust company in Stamford, and
recognizing the need for such an institution,
Mr. Daskam organized The Stamford
Trust Company, of which he became
treasurer. The growth and financial
strength of the company as indicated by
its present capital and surplus of $450,000,
with total resources of $5,094,965. The
safe deposit vaults are of the most modern
construction. Mr. Daskam was elected
vice-president of the company in 1918. He
is also a director and secretary of the
Stamford Water Company ; a director and
treasurer of the Stamford Gas and Elec-
tric Company ; vice-president and director
of the St. John Woodworking Company
treasurer and director of the Stamford
Hospital ; trustee of the Stamford Chil-
dren's Home. Mr. Daskam succeeded
Edward W. Kneen, of Shelton, as treas-
urer of Fairfield county.
In politics, Mr. Daskam is a Republican
and served as town treasurer from 1894 to
1903 ; was chairman of the Republican
Town Committee from 1903 to 1906, and
;