James R. Disbrow is the secretary and treasurer of the J. L. Disbrow Company of New Haven and is thus prominently identified with the commercial interests of this city, in which he has spent his entire life. He was born in 1872, a son of John Lewis and Mary (Russell) Disbrow. The family has been represented in Connecticut through several generations. His great-grandparents were John and Priscilla (Mallory) Disbrow, the former a native of Saugatuck, Connecticut. Their son, John Lewis Disbrow, Sr., was born in Nor-walk, Connecticut, in 1816 and when a youth of fourteen began learning the hatter's trade, which he afterward followed in New Haven as a journeyman until 1835. He then began business on his own account and for a number of years was the only hat manufacturer who also conducted a store in New Haven. He carried on the business for thirty years or until death ended his labors in 1864. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary R. Miller, was born in Norwalk, Connecticut, and her father was a sea captain in the West Indies trade but with his vessel and crew was lost at sea. His daughter afterward became the adopted child of Captain Shipman, of New Haven, and passed away in 1878, at the age of sixty-four years. She was long a devoted member of the Congregational church.
     John Lewis Disbrow, son of John Lewis and Mary (Miller) Disbrow, was born in New Haven, March 28, 1830, and was indebted to the public school system for the educational opportunities which he enjoyed. He learned the hatter's trade under the direction of his father and continued in active connection with the business until his father's death save for the period of four years when he served as a railway mail clerk between New Haven and Bellows Falls, Vermont, under appointment of President Buchanan. In 1864 he succeeded to the business which his father had established and which he conducted successfully from that time until his own demise on the 17th of January, 1897. With the growth of his trade he established a second store and thus became an active factor in commercial interests in New Haven.
     In all community affairs John Lewis Disbrow was deeply and helpfully interested. He was a member of the fire department for thirty-five years, acting as assistant chief under Mr. Hendricks, while for twenty-six years he was secretary and treasurer of the Firemen's Benevolent Association. His political allegiance was given to the democratic party and he was called upon to represent the third ward in the city council. He held membership with the Congregational church and also in the Masonic fraternity—associations which indicated the nature of the rules which governed his conduct. On the 29th of June, 1859, he wedded Mary Russell, a native of New Haven and a daughter of Calvin Russell, who was a grandson of Samuel Russell, in whose house Yale University was incorporated. Calvin Russell learned the blacksmith's trade in New Haven and after following that pursuit for several years established a wholesale confectionery business. which he also carried on for a number of years. Subsequently he became a wholesale merchant in butter and cheese and made for himself a creditable position in business circles, winning a large measure of success that enabled him to spend his last years in retirement from business connections. His daughter, Mrs. Disbrow, is a member of the Congregational church and is a lady of charitable spirit, extending a helping hand to many who need assistance. In the family of John Lewis and Mary (Russell) Disbrow were five children, throe of whom survivor Mrs. Nellie Treat; Florence E., now Mrs. William Foskett, Jr.; and James R.
     The last named enjoyed the advantages offered by the public schools of New Haven and received his business training under his father's direction. Thus three generations of the family have been connected with the hat trade in New Haven. The business has been incorporated under the style of the J. L. Disbrow Company, of which James R. is now the secretary and treasurer, and in this connection he directs the interests of the house and by his progressive business methods has greatly enlarged its trade relations.
     Mr. Disbrow has an interesting military chapter in his life record, having been a member of the Naval Reserves and of the Governor's Foot Guard. He ranks high in Masonry, having attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, and is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. In the city in which his entire life has been passed he has a wide acquaintance and warm regard is entertained for him by all who know him.