New Haven has no more wide-awake and progressive business men than those representing the insurance companies and prominent among these is Joseph S. Blinn, general agent for the Aetna Life Insurance Company, handling accident, health, casualty and automobile insurance. A native of Connecticut, he was born in Waterbury, August 14, 1858, and on the paternal side is of French origin, the name being originally de Blin. The founder of the family in America settled at Pompton, New Jersey, and its early representatives in this country were seafaring men. One of the ancestors of our subject sailed the first ship into what is now Port Annapolis, Maryland.
     George H. Blinn, the father of Joseph S , was born in New Jersey but in early life removed to Connecticut and for some years was superintendent of the Scovill Company's brass foundry at Waterbury and later superintendent of the Seth Thomas Clock Company. He lived to the ripe old age of eighty-seven years. He was a member of the First Methodist church of New Haven and took a very active part in church work, being especially interested in the Bethel Home for seamen. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Louisa M. Eno, was a daughter of Amos F. Eno, a soldier of the Revolutionary war and a first cousin of John Eno of New York, a well known historic character. Mrs. Blinn died in 1892 at the age of fifty-eight years.
     Joseph S. Blinn is the fourth in order of birth in a family of six children. His education was acquired in the public and high schools of Plymouth, Litchfield county, Connecticut, but at the age of sixteen years he laid aside his textbooks and began his business career as an apprentice to the jewler's and watchmaker's trade in the store of J. R. Benjamin at Winsted, Connecticut, but he did not like that occupation on account of its close confinement. He was next with Amos F. Barnes & Sons, wholesale grocers of New Haven, as bookkeeper and traveling salesman for six years, and subsequently was with Augur & Tuttle, a coffee, tea and spice concern, for whom he traveled several years. In 1889 he became a member of the firm of Elliott, Blinn & Company, successors to Amos F. Barnes & Sons, and was engaged in the wholesale grocery business for three years. Since then he has given his entire time and attention to the insurance business, representing the Aetna Life Insurance Company for the past twenty-three years. Mr. Blinn began as a soliciting agent, later received a special agency, which was followed by a district agency, and for eleven years he has now been general agent, his promotion coming to him in recognition of his ability and the confidence and trust reposed in him by the company which he represents,
     In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, January 9, 1884, occurred the marriage of Mr. Blinn and Miss Ida F. Hubbert, a native of that city and a daughter of Christian and Sarah (Brown) Hubbert, both deceased. Mr. Hubbert was very prominent in Masonic circles and attained all the orders possible in this country. Mr. and Mrs. Blinn have a son, Laurence H., who was born in New Haven, November 30, 1886, and was married November 11, 1916, to Miss Mary K. Foster, a native of New York state.
     Mr. Blinn is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and takes a very active and prominent part in religious affairs, being a member of the Grand Avenue Congregational church. He is now serving as president of the Grand Avenue Congregational Men's Club and as vice president of the Congregational Church Club of New Haven. For eight years he was superintendent of the Sunday school and he does all within his power to promote the moral welfare of the community. His upright, honorable life commands the respect and confidence of all with whom he is brought in contact and he has a host of friends in the city where he makes his home.