Dr. Walter C. Skiff, a prominent homeopathic physician o£ New Haven, was born on the 22d of September, 1857, in Kent, Litchfield county, Connecticut, of which place his father, Peter Skiff, is also a native. He belongs to an old and honored Connecticut family of English origin, which was founded in America by James Skiff, who came to this country prior to the Revolutionary war, and in that struggle some of his descendants took part with the colonial troops. He was an agriculturist by occupation, and Peter Skiff, the Doctor's father, also followed farming with good success throughout his active life but he is now living retired in Cheshire, Connecticut, at the age of ninety-two years, having been born on the 24th of June, 1825. He still enjoys good health however, and seems to have the vitality of an average man of fifty years, being able to take hunting trips and similar recreation. In early life he was a democrat but now supports the republican party and in 1866 represented his district in the state legislature. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Phoebe Jane Tanner, was born in Dutchess county, New York, February 11, 1825, and belonged to an old Virginia family that early settled in New York state. Her mother's people, the Duncans, were quite prominent in the Old Dominion. Mrs. Skiff died in 1912 at the age of eighty-seven years, and two of her six children have also passed away, those living being Walter C., Charles, Henrietta, and Gertrude, the wife of Reno Swift.

Dr. Skiff began his education in the public schools of Kent, and later attended the Fort Edward Institute at Fort Edward, New York. Having decided to enter the medical fraternity he matriculated at the New York Homeopathic Medical College, from which he was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1883. After his graduation he began practice with his uncle, Dr. Paul C. Skiff, who was one of the leading physicians of New Haven for fifty-three years, and our subject has since remained in active practice in this city. He stands high in the esteem of his professional brethren and is an honored member of the New Haven County Homeopathic Medical Society, the Connecticut Homeopathic Medical Society and the American Institute of Homeopathy. The Doctor is also a director and charter member of the Grace Hospital of New Haven and is one of the most prominent physicians of the city. He is identified with the Masonic fraternity and is a member of the Congre-gational church. Politically he is not bound by party ties but votes an independent ticket, supporting the men whom he believes best qualified for office.