Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

usiness of paper making, and Andrew
had served an apprenticeship of seven
years in the same business, so it was with
a remarkable equipment of skill and ex-
perience that the young man made his
start in this line in the new country. He
came to America in 1820, locating in
Morris county, New Jersey. After look-
ing about in various Connecticut towns,
he married and located permanently in
Trumbull. He erected the paper mill of
D. & P. N. Fairchild, directed the instal-
lation of the machinery, and started the
business in operation. Soon after he engaged
for himself in the manufacture of
special papers for the use of bookbinders.
In 1856 he built "Tait's Mill," which has
borne the same name for over sixty years,
manufacturing strawboard. He early became
a citizen of the country of his
adoption, and was a loyal Whig and later
a Republican. He married,' June 14, 1822,
Bella Ronaldson, who crossed the ocean
to become his wife, the voyage taking
forty-six days. She died May 22, 1875,
five years after the celebration of their
golden wedding.
William Tait, their eldest son, was born
in Scotland, and died in Hartford county,
Connecticut. He received his education
in the public schools of Trumbull, and
learned the trade in which his father was
making so definite a success. He remained
with his father until 1848, when
he went to California. Two years of
adventure in the gold country assured him
of the wisdom of patiently building his
success, and he returned to Trumbull,
where he was admitted to partnership in
his father's interests. The company remained
thus until 1872, when the founder
of the industry withdrew from active participation
in the management. William
Tait became the head of the business,
taking into the partnership a son, William
Franklin Tait, and later another son, An-
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
45
drew Tait. In 1895 the plant was removed
to North Bridgeport, where it still
remains. Reorganized in 1896, it has
ever since borne its present name, the
Tait & Sons Paper Company. They now
make boxboard exclusively.
William Tait is one of the few remain-
ing veterans of the Civil War. He served
as a corporal of Company D, Twentythird
Regiment, Connecticut Volunteer
Infantry ; and later as orderly sergeant of
Company C, Fourth Regiment, Connecticut
National Guard. He is a prominent
member of Elias Howe, Jr. Post, Grand
Army of the Republic, of Bridgeport. He
is well past ninety years of age, and still
actively interested in all that concerns
the public good, as well as in the business
which has commanded his attention for
so many years.
Mr. Tait married, May 31, 1848, in Mil-
ford, Connecticut, Grace Camp, born in
Milford, September 4, 183 1, died January
6, 1917. In 1898 they celebrated their
golden wedding, and were the recipients
of many congratulations from friends and
relatives. They were the parents of four
children: William Franklin; Isabella R.,
who became the wife of Edward Morris
Goulden, and since his death has been at
the head of the business he established;
Andrew, now of Bridgeport ; and Eliza-
beth, who married Charles F. Plumb, of
Bridgeport. The family have always
been members of the Congregational
church.
The people of Stamford, as well as the
members of Mr. Goulden's family, will
long remember the genial, warm-hearted
man who was a part of the every-day life
of the city. He was an honored member
of Puritan Lodge, Independent Order of
Odd Fellows ; and a devoted member of
the Congregational church. Mr. Goulden
was a man who put all the genuine benev-
olence and good will of his nature into the