Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

So he claims a youth, perpetual,
Greenwich special "Grand Old Man,"
May he live to be a hundred
He will do it, if he can.
TODD, Arthur Stanley,
Enterprising Citizen.
Among the hardy pioneers of the early
settlements, the members of the Todd
family held a prominent place. They con-
tributed much to the growth and pros-
perity of the colonies. They were honest
citizens, industrious toilers, and when
necessity demanded, hard fighters. Of
such worthy ancestors is Arthur Stanley
Todd, one of the leading merchants of
the town of Greenwich, Connecticut, a
descendant.
Arthur S. Todd was born in Ridgefield,
Connecticut, July 15, 1881, the son of Wil-
liam Sheridan Todd, M. D., and his wife,
Mary (Conklin) Todd. He is a grandson
of David Todd, who married Clarissa
Bradford, a direct descendant of Governor
William Bradford, who was one of the
most important figures in the early history
of New England.
William Sheridan Todd, M. D., father
of Arthur S. Todd, was born in Colerain,
Massachusetts, January i, 1840, and died
February 19, 1893. His father, David
Todd, was a Methodist clergyman, and
his son, William S., was brought up in
various towns, as Rev. David Todd was
assigned to various pastorates. William
S. Todd was graduated from Deerfield
Academy, and from Wesleyan University,
in 1864. From Middletown he went to
Ridgefield as an instructor in the clas-
sics in the famous Peter Parley School.
Subsequently, Mr. Todd became principal
of Hill's Academy, in Essex, Connecti-
cut. The medical profession had early
appealed to him, and the opportunity pre-
sented itself in Essex to take up this
!
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
study under the able preceptorship of the
leading physician of that town. Mr. Todd
availed himself of this chance, and pre-
pared himself for entrance to the College
of Physicians and Surgeons, of New York
City, and was graduated from this insti-
tution in due course of time. He took up
the practice of his profession in Ridge-
field, continuing until his death. By his
uprightness and high ideals he won many
friends ; he was the true physician, and
brought solace to the mind as well as to
the body.
Dr. Todd was interested in many activi-
ties outside of his profession, particularly
those which had to do with the welfare
of the community. He served in the Legislature,
and was on the Committee on
Prisons. A great deal of his time was de-
voted to educational matters, and he also
served on the State Charities Commission.
He was a member of the staff of the
Bridgeport Hospital, and was frequently
called in important consultations. Dr.
Todd was a member of the Fairfield County
and Connecticut Medical societies, and
the American Medical Association. It was
through the eiTorts of Dr. Todd that the
public library in Ridgefield was founded,
and he was also one of the founders of
the Ridgefield Press. Fraternally, he was
affiliated with the Masonic order of Ridgefield,
and was a member of the Independ-
ent Order of Odd Fellows.
Dr. Todd married Mary Conklin, daughter
of Gamaliel Conklin, and they were
the parents of two children : Walter Brad-
362
ford, and Arthur Stanley Todd, of further
mention.
Arthur Stanley Todd received his elementary
education in the public schools of
Ridgefield and Norwalk, and under the
able teachings of his father. On completing
his studies he went to New Haven
and there entered the employ of the New