Robert Augustus Brown, deceased, figured prominently in banking circles of New Haven for many years and was one of its honored citizens whose activities had much to do with shaping business development.

     He was born in New Haven, November 30, 1835, and was descended from Francis Brown, who was one of the original settlers of the New Haven colony. The line of descent comes down to Captain Robert Brown, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, who won official rank and who married Miss Mary Law, a granddaughter of Governor Law. Captain Robert Brown was the father of Robert Brown, Jr., and he in turn the father of Andrew Law Brown, who was born in New Haven and became a ship chandler and manufacturer of soap and tallow candles. He was a partner in the firm of C. & A. L. Brown, which business was established in 1789 on George street by Captain Robert Brown. Andrew L. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Beebe, of an old New London family of that name.

     Robert A. Brown, eldest son of Andrew L. Brown, after attending the public schools of New Haven, entered in 1855 the employ of the New Haven Manufacturing Company in the capacity of bookkeeper and remained in active connection with that concern for fifty-two years, occupying the presidency from 1876 until his death. About 1877 he became one of the incorporators of the New Haven Savings Bank, becoming vice president in 1889, treasurer in 1893, and was the active manager for the remainder of his life. A new bank building was erected under his administration. He was from 1877 on one of the directors of the Tradesmen’s National Bank and its vice president from 1901 until his demise. He died September 22, 1907.

     Mr. Brown was married twice. He first wedded Phebe Hart Hull, of Wallingford, daughter of Hiram and Caroline (Ives) Hull. One daughter was born of this union, Caroline Marcia, who married Joline B. Smith and resides at Madison, Connecticut. Mrs. Brown died in December, 1866. On the 16th of April, 1872, Mr. Brown was married to Miss Charlotte Alene Killam, a daughter of Henry and Charlotte (King) Killam, of New Haven, and they became the parents of two daughters: Florence Alene, and Katharine Frances, the latter the wife of William D. Scranton, of New Haven.

     In politics Mr. Brown was a republican but not an active party worker. He belonged to the Union League Club and to the Country Club and he was treasurer of Grace Hospital. In a word, he was interested in all those things which have to do with the welfare of the community. He contributed through his business connections to the material upbuilding of New Haven and in various other ways furthered public progress and improvement, cooperating in all those agencies which were promoted for educational, social and moral progress.