F. Henry Monroe is a partner in the real estate firm of Monroe Brothers and in this connection is handling some of the most desirable property in New Haven, including Whitney Terrace, which the firm is developing. He was born September 8, 1863, at North Wilna, Jefferson county, New York. His father, Alexander Hamilton Monroe, was born in the Empire state and came of Scotch and English ancestry. The founder of the American branch of the family was John Monroe, who crossed the Atlantic in early colonial days and settled in Lexington, Massachusetts. One of the ancestors, Thomas Monroe, was a soldier of the Revolutionary war and also of the War of 1812. The family was very prominent in Massachu-setts through many generations. In the maternal line of the Monroe ancestry there was done connection with the Carpenters, of whom William Carpenter was the founder of the family on American soil. Major Nathaniel Carpenter won his title by service in the Revolutionary war and was a prominent figure in the colonial epoch in the history of his commun-ity. William Carpenter was a surveyor and filled other offices at Rehoboth, Massachusetts. Thus from Revolutionary war ancestry Alexander Hamilton Monroe was descended in both the paternal and maternal lines. He followed various pursuits, devoting some time to edu-cational work as a teacher, and he was also connected with mercantile interests as a dealer in wall paper and paint. He became a resident of New Haven in December, 1881, and here continued to make his home until called to his final rest on the 28th of March, 1887, when he was sixty-three years of age. In early manhood he had married Lucinda J. Churchill, a native of Bethlehem, Litchfield county, Connecticut, and a daughter of Samuel C. and Reliance (Byington) Churchill, both of whom belonged to old families of this state. Josiah Churchill became the founder of the Churchill family in Connecticut and was a very early settler of Hartford. He was of English lineage. Mrs. Monroe passed away February 20, 1907, at New Haven at the age of seventy-seven years. By her marriage she had become the mother of six children, of whom four are yet living: Eva, the wife of Elmer Purdy, a resident of Jacksonville, Florida; Ida Estelle, who is living in New Haven; Charles T., also a resident of New Haven; and F. Henry, of this review, the last two constituting the firm of Monroe Brothers.
     F. Henry Monroe pursued his education in the public schools of Jefferson and Lewis counties, New York, and started out to earn his own living when a youth of fourteen years, being first employed at painting and decorating. He learned this business under the direction of his father, who was then active in that line, and he followed the trade as a journeyman and on his own account for a quarter of a century. He was employed by others for twelve years and then started in business on his own account, winning a good patronage along that line. His pursuit of the painting and decorating business led him to an understanding of the real estate field and at length he determined to direct his efforts along that line. In February, 1914, he entered into partnership with his brother under the firm style of Monroe Brothers and they have since conducted a successful and growing real estate business. They are now largely turning their attention to the development of Whitney Terrace, which is a naturally beautiful district, located about twenty minutes' trolley ride from Church and Chapel streets. The property extends for nearly a half mile along Whitney avenue. There is a big, broad area of dry level land, forming wide and beautiful thoroughfares, with a wonderful background supplemented by a natural sloping terraced hill. As one ascends this hill the panorama broadens and when the summit is reached there is an expansive plateau dotted here and there with beautiful trees. The district is already supplied with water, gas and electricity and has connection with the New Haven Telephone Exchange. It is being transformed into a most attractive residential district and the progressive methods of the Monroe Brothers promise to make it one of the most beautiful and most desirable residential sections of the city.
     On the 30th of September, 1891, at Cornwall, Connecticut, Mr. Monroe was united in marriage to Miss Cynthia Rebecca Harrison, who was there born and is a daughter of Hon. George Harrison, who died at Cornwall in 1907. He was well known as a judge and was a man of marked prominence. Mr. and Mrs. Monroe became the parents of a son, George Harrison, who was born April 25, 1893, and passed away May 1, 1907.
     Mr. Monroe gives his political allegiance to the republican party, which he has supported since reaching adult age. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is a past grand master. In fact he has been a very active and influential member in the organization for twenty-eight years. He has an interesting military chapter in his life record, having served for five years in Company D of the Connecticut National Guard as a private and for two years in the Second Company of the Governor's Foot Guard. He started out in life a poor boy dependent upon his own resources, but possessed of courage, energy and determination. From the initial point of his career he has steadily progressed, taking no backward step, and in the course of years he has reached a creditable position among the successful business men of New Haven, where he now owns an attractive home at No. 303 Norton street, while he is conducting a business that is proving a source of benefit in connection with the upbuilding and improvement of New Haven as well as a source of individual prosperity.