Philip Doeppensmith, conducting a grocery business at No. 703 Dixwell avenue, was born July 6, 1861, at Hamden, Connecticut, a son of the late Philip Doeppensmith, a native of Germany, who was a wood carver. Coming to America he responded to the country’s call for troops to aid in the preservation of the Union and enlisted in the Connecticut Cavalry from Hartford. To him was assigned the important duty of carrying dispatches, and he served throughout the entire period of the war. The hardships and privations which he endured as a part of army life broke down his health and caused his early demise in New Haven in 1870, when he was but thirty-three years of age, his birth having occurred in 1837. In early manhood he married Josephine Genter, a native of New York, now living at the age of seventy-seven years. She is of German lineage. By her marriage she became the mother of seven children, all of whom survive.

  The second of the family is Philip Doeppensmith, who was educated in the public schools to the age of eleven years, when he started out to provide for his own support, being first employed by the Cowles Company in Water street, New Haven. There he learned the trade of drop forging, which he followed for twenty-four years, becoming an expert workman in that field. In 1896 he entered the grocery and meat business in Hamden, and in 1905 removed to his present location at 703 Dixwell avenue, being now the oldest retail merchant in his section of the city in years of continuous business. He established his store with a small capital and with a limited stock but he has built up a business of very satisfactory proportions, having today the leading grocery and meat market of the vicinity.

  In Hamden, in 1885, Mr. Doeppensmith was married to Miss Rosella Visel, a native of New York and of Germany parentage, her parents being Daniel and Rosella Visel. Mr. and Mrs. Doeppensmith have a daughter, Mabel, who was born in Hamden.

  In politics Mr. Doeppensmith is a republican. Fraternally he belongs to Day Spring Lodge, F. & A. M.; to the Knights of Pythias; to Friendship Lodge, I. O. O. F.; and to the New England Board of Protection. He was also at one time a member of the Highwood Volunteer Fire Association. He is a Protestant in religious faith and it is characteristic of him that he is loyal to every cause which he espouses. Starting out to earn his own living when a boy of but eleven years, his success is due to his efforts, and his persistent energy has carried him over obstacles and difficulties and forward to the goal of success.