John E. Dunn, of New Haven, state manager for the Union Central Life Insurance Company, has expert knowledge concerning all features of life insurance and the careful systemization of the business under his direction has been one of the strong elements of the success which has been brought to the company through his efforts.

     Born in Manchester, Connecticut, on the 13th of February, 1866, he is a son of the late Michael Dunn, a native of Ireland, who came to America in 1848 and settled in Manchester, where he successfully followed agricultural pursuits, there remaining until his death at the age of seventy-six years. He married Ellen Brennan, also a native of the Emerald isle, whence she came with her parents to the new world in 1849 and also became a resident of Manchester, where she gave her hand in marriage to Michael Dunn. She survived her husband for some time and passed away at the age of eighty-three. Their family numbered nine children, of whom John E. was the fourth and but only two are now living, the brother being Michael Dunn, a resident of Hartford, where he is connected with the Travelers Life Insurance Company.

     In the acquirement of his education John E. Dunn attended school in Manchester, Connecticut, and in St. Charles and Ellicott City, Maryland, before entering Niagara University, from which he was graduated with the class of 1886. He later attended the College of Montreal, where he completed his studies in 1888, and after his graduation he returned to Connecticut, locating in Hartford, where he entered the field of journalism in connection with the Record. He continued in newspaper work for two years, after which he became office man with the Aetna Life Insurance Company, with which he remained for three years. On the expiration of that period he took over the management of the firm of Donovan & Dunn for the Equitable Life Insurance Company, with offices at New Haven and Hartford, and continued with the company until 1903, when he became connected with the Union Life Insurance Company in a similar capacity. He has since been continuously and successfully engaged in business as state manager for the Union Central Life Insurance Company and there is no phase of the life insurance business with which he is not familiar. His plans have been most carefully formulated in the management of his business affairs and the soundness of his judgment is manifest in the splendid results which have attended his labors.

     On the 22d of June, 1892, Mr. Dunn was married in Manchester, Connecticut, to Miss Elizabeth E. Welch, a native of South Windsor and a daughter of John and Catherine (Brennan) Welch, the former born in Ireland and the latter in South Windsor. Mr. and Mrs. Dunn are the parents of five children: Francis J., Helen Dorothy, Joseph V., Justin S. and John E.

     The religious faith of the family is that of the Roman Catholic church and Mr. Dunn is connected with the Knights of Columbus. He is also a member of the Union League Club. In politics he is independent but is ever interested in community affairs and holds membership with the Chamber of Commerce, being in hearty sympathy with its purposes to advance the welfare of the city, extend its trade relations and uphold its civic interests.