Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

stead, was a very substantial farmer, and
died February 8, 1918. He was one of
the most prominent and useful citizens of
the town, and filled varied official stations.
From 1855 until his death he was
justice of the peace. On the organization
of the town of Newington in 1871, Mr.
Kirkham was chosen town clerk, and with
the exception of three years filled that
station for a quarter of a century. From
i860 to 1898, he was a member of the
Board of School Visitors, and during
most of the time acting visitor. He was
superintendent of the Congregational
Sunday school several years. For ten
years he was treasurer of the State Board
of Agriculture, was a staunch defender of
the rights of the farmer, and a leading
spirit in the local and State granges, fill-
ing the office of chaplain in the latter
organization. He was a charter member
of Newington Grange and served as mas-
ter. Until the free silver campaign in
1896, he was active in promoting the in-
terests of the Democratic party. In 1878
he represented Newington in the Lower
House of the State Assembly, and ten
years later was elected Senator from the
Second Senatorial District. For many
years, down to his death, he was clerk of
the Congregational church in Newing-
ton, and throughout his life was respected
for his sound judgment, self-reliance, and
strong, executive ability. He married
Prudence Atwood, daughter of Josiah and
Prudence (Kellogg) Atwood, who died
in 1882. Their eldest child, Frances Har-
riet Kirkham, born September 17, i860,
became the wife of Henry Laurens Kel-
logg, as previously noted.
LADEN, Michael R.,
Physician.
Foremost among the prominent physi-
cians of the city of Hartford, Connecticut,
ENCYCLOPEDIA OE BIOGRAPHY
306
Dr. Michael R. Laden was born in Wal-
lingford, that State, February 11, 1874,
son of James C. and Cecelia (McGrath)
Laden, and died in Hartford, August 2,
1917.
The elementary education of Dr. Laden
was received in the local and high schools
of Wallingford, where he prepared for
entrance to the medical department of
Yale University, where he studied one
year, and was graduated from the New
York University in the class of 1898, with
his degree of M. D. In order to more
fully equip himself for his life's work, he
became an interne of Bellevue Hospital,
New York City, and subsequently re-
ceived extensive training in Yonkers,
New York, and Providence, Rhode Island.
He engaged in the practice of his profession
in Torrington, Connecticut, where
he remained for a year, and removed
thence to Hartford, establishing his office
there and building up a large and flour-
ishing clientele.
Dr. Laden was keenly interested in the
civic affairs of Hartford, and had always
taken more than a passive interest in the
political life of that city. He was very
prominently mentioned by his party several
times as mayoralty candidate, and
served as the commissioner of charity. In
1912 he was elected to the Common Coun-
cil from the Sixth Ward, which body he
had the honor of serving as vice-presi-
dent. Dr. Laden was associated with the
fraternal organizations, among them being
the Benevolent and Protective Order
of Elks, Eagles, Moose, Orioles, Knights
of Columbus, Foresters, Modern Woodmen
of America, and the New England
Order of Protection.
In 1893, Dr. Laden married Mary E.
Duffin. of Chateaugay, New York, and
they were the parents of the following
children : Lester T. and Dorothy J.
Laden.