Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

than Brace, born November 12, 1754, in
Harwinton, and graduated from Yale in
the class of 1779. While at Yale he pur-
sued the study of law, and after graduation
removed to Central Vermont where
he began the practice of his profession
and attained a considerable success
within a short time. Returning to Hart-
ford in 1794, he made his home in Glas-
tonbury, and was one of the most widely
known citizens of Connecticut in his
time. He married, April 15, 1778, Ann,
widow of Thomas Kimberly, of Glaston-
bury.
Thomas Kimberly Brace, son of Jonathan
and Ann (Kimberly) Brace, was
born October 16, 1779. He completed his
education at Yale College, graduating in
1801. Very early in life he was engaged
in the public service ; filled various positions
in the city government and from
1840 to 1843 was mayor of the city of
Hartford. He was twice nominated for
Congress, first in 1843, when he was can-
didate on the Whig ticket, his party
being in the minority he was defeated. He
was subsequently again nominated, but
declined in favor of James Dixon, who
was elected. Mr. Brace engaged exten-
sively in business and built up the wholesale
grocery house of Thomas K. Brace
& Company. He belonged to the class
of men to whom others naturally turned
for guidance. He was possessed of great
executive ability, with a wide grasp of
affairs and events, and his sound judgment
made him always a safe counselor.
Through his influence and exertions, the
^Etna Insurance Company was brought
into existence, and he served as its first
president until 1857, when the infirmities
of age led to his resignation. He died
June 14, i860, in his eight-first year.
Mr. Brace married. August 25, 1807,
Lucy Mather, and they were the par-
ents of several children. One of these,
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
350
Thomas Kimberly Brace, Jr., born Octo-
ber 14, 1825, in Hartford, was a resident
of Litchfield county. He married, January
18, 1853, Mary Jane Buel, daughter
of Samuel and Minerva (Wadhams)
Buel. Their daughter, Lucy Mather
Brace, became the wife of Joshua Wilson
Allen, of Hartford (see Allen).
ALLEN, John,
Business Man.
The name of Allen is very frequently
met in the United States, and it is also
represented by many distinct families. It
was brought to this country by several
immigrants, and members of these families
have proved themselves worthy and
desirable citizens in the communities in
which they have lived.
Joshua Allen, the immigrant of the
family herein traced, was born in Lon-
donderry, County Donegal, Ireland, son
of Robert and Margaret (Russell) Allen,
in the year 1787. His father was one of
the most prominent and influential citizens
of Londonderry, where he was
engaged in farming on an extensive scale.
His mother, Margaret (Russell) Allen,
lived to be ninety-two years of age, and
was a descendant of an old and honorable
family, connected with that of Lord John
Russell. As was the custom in that coun-
try at that time, Joshua Allen inherited
the paternal homestead upon the death of
his father by virtue of the fact that he
was the eldest son. He continued to carry
on the tilling of the farm until 1825, the
year in which his first wife, who was
Margaret Scott, died. At that time he
came to America and located first in New
York City. Remaining there for seven
years, he removed to Hartford, Connecti-
cut, in order to find a better location to
engage in his agricultural calling. He
purchased a large tract of land west of