Since the year 1649 the Pitkin family has been represented in Connecticut. The name appears on the roll of governors of the state and in connection with other public offices of honor and trust, and in relation to many events which figure prominently upon the pages of history. James Sherwood Pitkin, the father of James S. Pitkin, was born at East Hartford, Connecticut, and was engaged in the management of the real estate interests of the family for many years, wisely administering the trust so that at the time of his death he ranked with the capitalists of New Haven. He had made extensive investment in property on his own account which returned most substantial dividends, and thus he left his family in very comfortable financial circumstances when on the 11th of February, 1914, he was called to his final rest at the age of seventy years. His wife was born in New York city and was a daughter of Howard Sherman, of Whitneyville, Connecticut, and came of a family active in the colonization of the state. She was a lady of notable refinement and culture and occupied a prominent position in social circles. She passed away at the summer home of the family at Pine Orchard, Connecticut, in 1887. There were three children born of her marriage: William R., residing at 180 Livingston street; James S., of this review; and Lewis S., whose home is at 185 Edward street.

James S. Pitkin was born in New Haven, April 9, 1880, and was sent to Boston to school, where after completing his preparatory course he entered Harvard. He was graduated on the completion of the academic course in 1903 and then entered the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, being graduated in 1906. His college days over, he returned to New Haven and became trustee of his father's estate, which he has most ably managed to the entire satisfaction of the other members of the family. In this connection he displays marked business ability and enterprise, and in placing investments his sound judgment is brought into full play.

On the 19th of June, 1915, Mr. Pitkin was married to Miss Annie Lawrence De Forest, of New Haven, a daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Louis S. De Forest, her father being a well known and prominent physician and a representative of one of the leading families. Mr. Pitkin has membership in Trinity church and his political views are indicated in the fact that he belongs to the Young Men's Republican Club. Something of the breadth of his interests is further manifest in the fact that he holds membership in the New Haven Colony Historical Society. He also belongs to the Graduates Club, the Yacht Club and the New Haven Country Club. The interests of his life are well balanced, making his a well rounded character. Born of a prominent family, his life activities have been so directed that his course adds new laurels to an untarnished family name.