Obituaries of Noted Stamfordites

Saturday, May 20, 1905
Stamford Advocate
transcribed from newspaper clipping

ISAAC WARDWELL IS DEAD
In 90th Year, But Active Till A Few Days Ago
HELPED PROGRESS OF TOWN

Entering Waring’s Foundry as a Boy, He Became the Head of Business
Which Still Flourishes -- His Twin Sister, Mrs. Hoyt, Still Survives.

Isaac Wardwell died yesterday, at 5 p.m., at his home in Elm Street. He was stricken with apoplexy last Monday, and at no time after that was there much hope for his recovery. Unconscious nearly every moment from the time of the attack, his fatal illness was attended by little suffering.

The deceased was a son of Isaac Wardwell, born in Stamford, Dec. 28, 1766, and was one of 14 children. He was born at the Westcotts farm home of his father, Dec. 10, 1815. His twin sister, Betsy, who married Rev. William C. Hoyt, May 1838, is the only survivor of the fourteen. Mr. Wardwell passed his boyhood at his father’s homestead. He received a good common-school education. In 1832 he was apprenticed to the carpenter’s trade, and served five years at it. In 1838, he went to work for George Waring, in the Rippowam Foundry, and in 1846 he became the junior member of the firm. In 1851 the firm became J.D. Warren & Co., and subsequently it became a stock company under the name of the Stamford Foundry Co., of which J.D. Warren was made president. Mr. Wardwell continued his interest in the firm, and up to his day of his sudden illness was in the habit of visiting the offices frequently. Mr. Wardwell was one of the promoters and builders of the Canal, and he was also instrumental in a good deal of the later harbor improvement. He held stock in the First National Bank of Stamford, which by the way, is the oldest national bank in the United States. His business career was characterized by rugged honesty, shrewdness and sound judgment.

His health has been remarkable, considering his age. Up to the day he was stricken ill, he was able to go about every day, driving, and transacting business. Until a few years ago he used to take a lot of delight sailing in the sound. He was a great fisherman.

On April 27, 1847, Mr. Wardwell married Miss Frederica L. Shaw, a daughter of Frederick Shaw. There were four children by the union – Anna Wilkinson, Ida Louise, Dr. I. Franklin Wardwell, a dentist who has been actively identified with the Stamford Yacht Club, and Dr. Claison S. Wardwell, also a dentist. The Wardwells have been active members of St. John’s Church.

Mr. Wardwell helped many young men in this town by his advice, and started some upon the road to a successful career in business. He had large real estate holdings near the canal, and had great faith in the growth of the town. Shrewd in making investments, he was nevertheless very kind-hearted, and many will testify to his generous qualities. His greatest activity was during a generation of Stamfordites of whom few are left, for Isaac Wardwell was active in affairs here in more than half a century ago.

In his private life he was devoted to his family, and his home was singularly happy. It was the constant aim of his children to make his declining years peaceful and comfortable. He was not, however, the type of man willing to relinquish his grasp upon business when old age crept on. Full of energy since boyhood, he seemed to like work just as well at a time when most men would be satisfied to go into retirement.

Isaac Wardwell’s life contributed materially to the progress of his native town. He has left a record of which his children and his fellow citizens may feel proud.

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Obituaries