Albert Hungerford Phelps, a well known representative of insurance interests in New Haven, was born in Killingworth, Connecticut, November 7, 1866, and is a representative of old and prominent families of the state, the ancestry being traced back through ten generations in the paternal line and through nine generations in the maternal. His great-great-grandfather Phelps was a colonel in the Continental army during the Revolutionary war and his commission bore the signature of George Washington. A great-grandfather, Aaron G. Hurd, was a captain in the War of 1812. Alvin P. Phelps, grandfather of our subject, mar-ried Azuba Hungerford, a sister of Hon. William E. Hungerford, the famous Connecticut jurist, the Hungerfords being among the eminent families of this state. John A. Phelps, the father of Albert Hungerford Phelps of this review, was the youngest of nine children, all of whom were six feet tall or more. John A. Phelps, a native of Killingworth, was for many years connected with the Phelps Publishing Company, of  Springfield, Massachusetts, as part owner. Disposing of his interests there in 1902 he retired from active business. He resided at Guilford, Connecticut, where he died in January, 1917. He was interested in collecting antique fire arms, particularly the old flint lock rifles, of which type he owned one hundred and sixty-eight at the time of his death. He married Ellen G. Wright, a daughter of Captain Jeremiah Wright, and a descendant of an old and prominent family of Killingworth.
     Their son, Albert H. Phelps, was educated in the schools of Clinton and of Guilford, Connecticut. He started out in the business world as assistant to his father in newspaper publication at Springfield, Massachusetts, working on the circulation department of the paper for six years. His experience and ability in that line led to his appointment to the position of circulation manager of The Country Gentleman, now one of the three big magazines issued by the Curtis Publishing Company. He remained with The Country Gentleman for sixteen years and did very excellent work in the upbuilding of the circulation department, remaining with that publication until it was sold to the Curtis Company. He was asked to continue with the latter company as circulation manager but preferred to enter the field of life insurance and conduct business on his own account. He had previously taken up the study of life insurance and, removing to Montpelier, Vermont, he also had a year's training and study there in connection with the National Life Insurance Company. At the end of a year he was offered the choice of positions as general agent at three different places. He chose New Haven and located here on the 10th of April, 1913. He has made good, greatly developing the interests of the company through his agency here, and today he is in control of a large and growing business.
     Mr. Phelps has been married twice. On the 3d of September, 1890, he wedded Edith I. Griswold, of Killingworth, the only daughter of Judge Washington E. and Cordelia (Barnum) Griswold, of old Connecticut families. They had one child, Edith Griswold, who was born in 1895 and began her education in the same room and under the same teacher in Clinton, Connecticut, as her father. She completed her education in Boston, Massachusetts, and is now a kindergarten teacher of Waterbury, Connecticut. Mrs. Phelps died December 20, 1894. On the 29th of August, 1898, Mr. Phelps was married to Miss Frances H. Burnham, a daughter of the late Senator Henry C. Burnham, of Hadlyme, Connecticut. Her grandmother was a member of the Dewey family and a relative of Admiral Dewey.
     Mr. Phelps' work on The Country Gentleman has led him to practice what he then preached. He occupies a country place and takes a deep interest in things agricultural. He is an expert judge of horse flesh, being called upon to act as judge at many fairs and horse shows. He enjoys all kinds of farm work and frequently slips away from his office to take active part therein, thus maintaining the normal condition and promoting the normal development through an even balance of indoor and outdoor life and activities. He belongs to the Grange and to various club and fraternal organizations. He has membership in the Union League and the Manor Clubs, is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and for thirty years has been a Mason, holding membership in Clinton Lodge, No. 95, A. F. & A. M.; and Hallett Chapter, R. A. M. In politics he is a republican and for some years served on the town committee of Guilford. He maintains that interest in all public affairs which shows an even belance in character and a recognition of one's duties and obligations in public life. His entire career has been actuated by the spirit of progress—the progress that has been continually an upbuilding force in New England. Correctly judging of his own capacities and powers and of those things which go to make up life's contacts and experiences, his even-paced energy has brought him continually nearer and nearer the goal of success.