Among the influential business men of Cheshire is Frederick Augustus Ives, treasurer of the Ball & Socket Manufacturing Company. His entire life has been passed here and his interests are thoroughly identified with those of the community. He was born March 21, 1860, a son of Titus B. and Ann E. (Peck) Ives. In the paternal line he is descended from Joseph Ives, one of the first planters of West Farms, now Cheshire, locating there in 1694. From that time to the present the family has been represented in this section and its record through the centuries has been one of which its representatives may well be proud. The grandfather of our subject, Benajah Ives, was prominent in public affairs, representing his district in the lower house of the state assembly from 1828 to 1839, and being chosen state senator in 1840. He was also a prominent church worker and helped to select the site for the Congregational church of Cheshire. His son, Titus Ives, was born February 26, 1828, and reached an advanced age, dying in 1901. He spent his boyhood upon the home farm but in early manhood became connected with the Cheshire Manufacturing Company, of which he was an original stockholder. In 1850 he was elected a director of that concern and in 1885 became treasurer and superintendent. He discharged the exacting duties devolving upon him in those connections with marked capability and was in large measure responsible for the success of the company. He, too, took a great interest in the work of the Congregational church and in fact was active in many movements looking toward the moral and civic advancement of Cheshire. In 1870 and again in 1876 and in 1878 he was chosen by his fellow citizens to represent them in the state legislature and he became known as one of the most efficient members of that body. On the 1st of June, 1857, he was married to Miss Ann E. Peck, a daughter of John and Mary T. Peck, and they became the parents of two children, of whom our subject is the elder.

Frederick A. Ives attended the public schools and also the Cheshire School, conducted under the auspices of the Episcopal church and widely known for the excellence of its work. In 1882, after completing his education, he entered the employ of the Cheshire Manufacturing Company and by reason of his ability and hard work gained rapid promotion. When the company was incorporated in 1901 as the Ball & Socket Manufacturing Company he was secretary but with the election of the new officers was made treasurer, which office he has since filled. He is also a director and a large stockholder and his opinions carry great weight in determining questions of business policy. He thoroughly understands the principles underlying the successful administration of all large enterprises, keeps in close touch with the general business conditions in the country, especially as affecting the line in which the company is engaged, and has seldom been at fault in his decision as to what course is best to pursue under the circumstances. The company mannfactures buttons of all kinds, metal trimmings for hose supporters, thumb tacks, wall hooks, etc., and the factory is new and of the most modern construction and equipped with up-to-date machinery. Improvements are constantly being made and it is known as one of the most progressive industrial enterprises of Cheshire. Mr. Ives is also interested in other manufacturing com-panies and is financially independent.

In 1886 occurred the marriage of Mr. Ives and Miss Lillian E. Morse, of Litchfield, a daughter of Holmes O. Morse, a prominent citizen and a large landowner and farmer. Mr. Ives usually supports the republican party and although in no sense a politician, he was chosen in 1905 as a representative to the state legislature and made an excellent record as a member of that body, especially in connection with the work of the manufacturers' committee. He is connected socially with the Quinnipiac Club and with the Highland Country Club of Meriden and in church membership is a Congregationalist and is now serving as treasurer of the ecclesiastical committee. His wife is prominent in the Daughters of the American Revolution and is popular in social circles. In all relations of life Mr. Ives has measured up to high standards, and the esteem in which he is generally held is fully merited.