Читать книгу History of Bridgeport and Vicinity, Volume 2: Biographical - George Curtis Waldo jr. - Страница 20

The story of the steel industry in Bridgeport would be incomplete were there failure to make prominent reference to Joel Farist, who was president of the Farist Steel Company. As a skilled mechanic his expert knowledge was sought in many connections and he was a director of many important institutions of Bridgeport. Sheffield, England, numbered him as a native son. He was born June 27, 1832, his parents being Joseph and Grace ( Wolstenholn ) Farist, the former a steel forger of Sheffield, England. The family came to America when Joel was but twelve years of age and almost immediately he began providing for his own support as a worker in a rolling mill in Kentucky, where the first American steel was manufactured in 1848. For several years he was employed as blacksmith and roller in rolling mills at Covington, Kentucky, at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and at Jersey City, New Jersey, and was advanced step by step as he mastered the business in its various phases. He closely applied himself, for it was his ambition to work upward, and in 1856 he entered into partnership with two other workmen in leasing a portion of the steel plant of the Rockaway Manufacturing Company of Rockaway, New Jersey. There they carried on business for about six months, their efforts being attended with marked success, so that early in 1857 they took a three years' lease upon the Pompton rolling mill near Paterson, New Jersey, which they operated through the panic of 1857.

Mr. Farist's connection with the business development of Connecticut began in 1860, when he removed to Windsor Locks, where under the firm style of the Farist Steel Company he began the manufacture of cast steel. During the Civil war his notable mechanical skill was utilized in the manufacture of gun barrel and bayonet steel for the United States government, and so valuable were his services in that direction that the United States made provision for a substitute for him in case he should be drafted. In 1872 the business was removed to Bridgeport, Connecticut, and established upon the site of the extensive plant later operated by the Farist Company. Here were secured facilities for the shipment of their manufactures by water direct on vessels at their dock in the harbor. Mr. Farist's associates when the company was founded were George Windsor, secretary, and John B. Windsor, treasurer. The continuous growth of the business led to the removal to Bridgeport. Within a short time this company became one of the leading concerns of the kind in Bridgeport and has maintained that position through all the intervening years. Mr. Farist remained through the greater part of this period the directing spirit and the executive head of the business, bending his energies to administrative direction and at the same time keeping in close touch with the mechanical processes. The company manufactured all descriptions of steel, hammered or rolled, also spiral and elliptical car springs for steam and street cars. The growth of the business is indicated in the fact that the plant covered ten acres and included a huge rolling mill, spring factory, gas house, melting shop, hammer shop, producing house and power house, the last named containing five large engines generating power to operate the plant. With the growth of the business agencies were established in Chicago, St. Louis, San Francisco and New York city, and throughout all the period of its development Mr. Farist kept his hand closely upon the helm of his business, his practical knowledge resulting in expert skill that made him a leader in his line. After his death the company continued this business until February 16, 1916, when the plant was destroyed by fire and liquidation of the company's assets followed. His cooperation was also sought in other business connections and for twenty years he was a director of the Pequonnock National Bank of Bridgeport and was also chief promoter and the first . president of the Bridgeport Electric Light Company and the first president of the Bridgeport Crucible Company.

Mr. Farist was twice married. In 1855 he wedded Eliza Estelle and they had a daughter, now Mrs. Arthur E. Penfield. In 1867 Mr. Farist was united in marriage to Miss Martha Wood and they became the parents of two children: J. Windsor, who later was president of the Farist Steel Company; and Lulu E. While Mr. Farist won a notable position in the business world, he never allowed his extensive industrial interests to monopolize his time and attention but remained ever a progressive and public-spirited citizen and throughout his life was actuated by broad humanitarian principles. He was vice president of the Bridgeport Hospital from the time of its organization until his death, which occurred on the 12th of November, 1904, and he was interested in educational matters, serving for nine years as a member of the Bridgeport board of education. He was a charter member of the Seaside Club and an active member of the Board of Trade from its inception. For many years he served as a trustee of the Washington Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was always a most generous supporter. He was honored and respected by all, not only because of bis notable success but also for the straightforward business policy which he ever followed, combined with. earnest work for civic betterment and right conditions in the labor world. He displayed notable power in managing men and in maintaining harmony among them. They recognized that he was ever considerate of their interests and rights and this attitude awakened their loyalty and regard. In a word, throughout his entire career he stood as a man among men, honored and respected by all.