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Connecticut Volunteers, for a term of
nine months, and served thirteen, reen-
listing in the Sixth Connecticut Regiment.
While in the latter command he was
taken prisoner and spent ten and a half
months in captivity. At the time of his
capture he weighed from one hundred
and forty-five to one hundred and fifty
pounds, but when released his weight had
been so reduced by privation as not to
exceed ninety pounds. On his return
home he again engaged in the oyster business.
In politics he was first a Democrat,
but later became a Republican. He mar-
ried Armenia Jones, born in 1829, in
Poundridge, daughter of Ebenezer and
Maria (Dixon) Jones. Mr. Palmer died
in December, 1888.
(IV) Millard Kossuith Palmer, son of
Isaac B. and Armenia (Jones) Palmer,
was born November 29, 185 1, in Sound
Beach, Connecticut. He attended local
public schools, his studies suffering fre-
quent interruptions by reason of his often
being employed at some kind of work. At
seventeen he went to Stamford, where he
filled the position of general utility man
to John C. Moffat, receiving fifty dollars
for the first year and seventy-five for the
second. Meanwhile he supplied the de-
ficiencies of his early education by attend-
ing a night school known as St. John's
Guild, and for a time studied under Professor
Scipio Stevens. At the end of two
years, Mr. Palmer, out of his scanty
wages, had saved $115 and had gained a
mental equipment which fitted him to
earn much more. After going home he
became night watchman at the railroad
engine house, Stamford, and later served
for thirteen months as fireman on the
New York, New Haven & Hartford Rail-
road. This employment, while much to
his liking, proved injurious to his health,
in consequence of which he was forced
to abandon it. In partnership with his
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
162
brother, Joseph G. Palmer, Mr. Palmer
purchased the sloop '"Louise" and engaged
in the oyster business, continuing for
several years, eventually selling the ves-
sel and dividing the grounds. He then
formed a partnership, in the same busi-
ness, with William YVhalley, and together
they built the sloop "Libby M.," which
was sold on the dissolution of the firm,
the grounds being divided. Mr. Palmer
was the owner, in association with his
brother, Andrew Palmer, of the vessel
named "Mary Belle." About ten or
twelve years ago he abandoned the run-
ning of a boat, and is now the owner of
"Isle de Kass," at Sound Beach. In ad-
dition to his own house he owns three
which he rents, and also one at Sound
Beach. In politics Mr. Palmer is a Re-
publican, but has never taken any active
part in public affairs. He belongs to the
Senior Order of United American Me-
chanics, Stamford. He and his wife are
members of the Protestant Episcopal
church, in which Mr. Palmer holds the
office of trustee. He served both as elder
and trustee of the Presbyterian church at
Sound Beach until that church united
with the Episcopal.
Mr. Palmer married, September 30,
1882, Kate L. Kane, born in New York,
daughter of Edward and Jane (Nolan)
Kane, both of whom are deceased. Edward
Kane was born in the province of
Connaught, Ireland, and was educated in
Dublin. As a young man he emigrated to
the United States, settling in New York
City, where for many years he worked at
carriage making. During the Civil War
he enlisted from New York and was dis-
charged at the close of the conflict. His
death was caused by tuberculosis contracted
while in the army. His wife was
a native of West Meath, Ireland. Mr.
and Mrs. Palmer have been the parents of
the following- children: 1. Millard Kos-