One of a Thousand/Fay, John S.

 

Fay, John S., son of S. Chandler and Nancy (Warren) Fay, was born in Berlin, Worcester county, January 15, 1840. He obtained his education in the public schools of Marlborough, and at the Commercial College in Worcester.

When twenty-one years old, at the outbreak of the civil war, he enlisted as a private in company F, 13th Massachusetts infantry. He was with the army continually, in all of the marches and engagements of his regiment, till April 30, 1863, when, in an action near Fredericksburg, Va., he received a wound from a shell which necessitated the amputation of his right arm and right leg. While in the field hospital he was taken prisoner and confined in Libby prison for a month. He did not succeed in reaching his home until October—the most mutilated and crippled of all who survived of the eight hundred and thirty-one who enlisted for the war from the old town of Marlborough.

In 1865 Mr. Fay was appointed postmaster of Marlborough, by President Johnson, and by successive appointments has held the position ever since. He has been an active Grand Army man, and has held many offices in Post 43, which he aided to organize. He is also a prominent Odd Fellow and a member of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.

November 20, 1869, Mr. Fay married Lizzie Ingalls, daughter of James M. and Elizabeth (Pratt) Ingalls, of Marlborough. Their only child is Frederic H. Fay.