Prominent among the lawyers and lawmakers of Connecticut is numbered Hon. Edwin Ruthven Kelsey, who is now judge of the town court and also judge of the probate court of Branford and who in 1912 was elected to represent his district in the state senate.

He was born in Clinton, Middlesex county. Connecticut. September 8, 1873, and is a descendant of William Kelsey, who was one of the original settlers of Killingworth, Connecticut. His father, Edwin Ruthven Kelsey, was born in Clinton and took up the profession of school teaching, while later he engaged in the business of manufacturing fish oils and fertilizer products, establishing a large plant for his business on Darrows island, off the town of Branford, in 1870. This was during the days of the large fishing industry in this locality and he conducted a business of extensive proportions, with which he was connected until 1908, when he retired from active life. He was always much interested in public education and was a helpful member of the Branford board of education. He also served as president of the board of trustees of Short Beach Union chapel and he was vice president of the Short Beach Association. He made his home at Short Beach, Branford, and there passed away February 5, 1910, honored and respected by all and most of all where he was best known. In early manhood he wedded Charlotte Parks, who was born at Clinton, Connecticut, a daughter of Edwin Parks and a representative of one of the old families of Clinton. She still survives and now lives at the Kelsey home at Short Beach.

Edwin Ruthven Kelsey acquired his early education in tin; Morgan school at Clinton, Connecticut, and then entered Yale, in which he won the Bachelor of Arts degree upon gradu-ation with the class of 1897. His broad literary learning served as an excellent foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of professional knowledge which to acquire he entered the Yale Law School, from which he was graduated in 1899 with the LL. B. degree. For a time he engaged in active practice as a member of the firm of Harriman & Kelsey, well known attorneys of New Haven. In 1901 he was appointed deputy judge of the town court of Branford and held that position for eight years. In 1909 he was appointed judge of the town court and is still serving upon the bench. In the fall of 1911 he was elected judge of the probate court of the town of Branford to fill out an unexpired term, taking the office in January, 1912. In that year he was elected for a two years' term and was reelected in 1914 and in 1916, so that he is still the incumbent in the office, having served continuously since the 1st of January, 1912. In 1912 he was elected state senator, serving during the session of 1913, during which he was made a member of the committees on fish and game, public health and safety, on claims and on senate appointments. He proved an active working member of the upper house and was connected with much important constructive legis-lation.

On the 26th of September, 1899, Mr. Kelsey was married to Miss Frances Elizabeth Watrous, of East River in the town of Madison, New Haven county. She was born in Madison, a daughter of Andrew Stone and Jennie (Dudley) Watrous, who were also natives of Madison. Her father is a retired stone mason and now resides at East River, but the mother has passed away To Mr. and Mrs. Kelsey have been born four children: Frances Watrous, Grace Gavina, Edwin Ruthven and Roger Allen.

Mr. Kelsey gives his political endorsement to the men and measures of the republican party. He is president and treasurer of the board of trustees of the Short Bench Union chapel, in which position he became his father's successor and is a past master of Widows Son Lodge, No. 66, F. & A. M., of Branford.