JOHN RAPHAEL REMBERT

Through an active and successful business career John Raphael Rembert was closely associated with the commercial interests of New Haven, where he was also widely known as a valued citizen and a man of honor and worth. He was born in Wallingford, New Haven county, Connecticut, July 30, 1853, a son of Stephen and Sarah Laura (Hiddleston) Rembert. He came of a family of French lineage, the founder of the family in America having been a Hugenot who settled in South Carolina, where his descendents have lived for many generations.

Stephen Rembert, father of John Raphael Rembert, was born in Georgetown county, South Carolina, in October, 1831, and was there reared and educated. He was a splendid type of the southern gentleman, displaying the southern geniality and hospitality and at all times carefully guarding his honor and his good name. Through the summer seasons he resided in Wallingford, which had been the birthplace of his wife, and the winter months were spent in their southern home. After the Civil war he continued to reside in the south, there remaining until called to his final rest. He was greatly devoted to his family and was a man highly respected by all who knew him. He had married Sarah Laura Hiddleston, who was born in Wallingford, Connecticut, April 9, 1831, and, who passed away in Georgetown, South Carolina, in 1903. She was a daughter of John and Sybil (Mansfeld) Hiddleston, the formeir a native of South Carolina and the latter a native of Connecticut, her father having been John Mansfield. To Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Rembert were bcrn six children: John Raphaiel; Henry H., who resides in his southern home in South Carolina; Robert H., who died ait the age of ten years; Herbert, who in 1881 was murdered by a negro in his employ; Florine S. and Mary, both of whom died in womanhood.

John Raphael Rennbert spent his boyhood in Wallingford, his native city, aid supplemented his early education, acquired in its public schools, by further study in the schools of New Haven. After putting aside his textbooks he entered the employ of Mr. Gould of New Haven, who was a well known stationery dealer and who used wagons in traveling through different towns, selling stationery to the trade. On attaining his majority John R. Rembert took up a seafaring life, to which he devoted a period three years, shipping on steamers engaged in the South American trade. This brought him wide experience among the people of the southern continent. Returning to Connecticut, he located in New Haven, where he embarked in business on his own account, opening a stationery store which he continued to conduct throughout the remainder of his active life, covering a period of more than forty years. He carried on the business alone for a number of years and in 1898 he admitted John B. Tower to a partnership, after which the business was carried on under the firm style of John R. Rembert & Company but is now called The John R. Rembert Company. This became one of the best known firms in the city and a business of large and gratifying proportions was built up. For a number of years the store was located on State street and later a removal was made to the Chamber of Commerce building. Mr. Rembert remained in active business until within a year and a half of his death, when he met with an accident, falling from a street car on Whitney avenue. This so undermined his health that he passed away September 18, 1913, his remains being interred in the Memorial cemetery in Wallingford. He is survived by his widow, who is still a resident of New Haven.

It was on the 30th of July, 1884, that he wedded Charlotte Rosette Johnson, who was born in Waterbury, a daughter of Riley and Louisa M. (Bronson) Johnson. Mrs. Rembert is descended from several of the oldest and best known families of Connecticut. She still occupies the attractive residence on Everit street, which was completed by Mr. Rembert in 1907. He was most devoted to his home and found his greatest happiness at his own fireside. He was also a great lover of nature and the surroundings of his home bespeak his artistic taste and temperament. He was also much devoted to art and literature and found great joy in those things which are of cultural value.

As a young man Mr. Rembert was keenly interested in politics but less in his later years though he took a deep interest in the progress and welfare of city, state and nation. He resided in the tenth ward for many years and while there living hig party nominated him for the position of alderman, but the tenth was a strong republican ward and in consequence he was defeated. He attended St. John's Episcopal church and his patriotic devotion to and love of his country caused him to give intelligent cooperation to the work of the Sons of the American Revolution, holding membership with the Connecticut Society of that organization. He likewise had membership in Hiram Lodge, No. 1, F. A A. M., and he was a member of the Union League Club of New Haven. A gentleman of the highest type, devoted to friends and family, in his death New Haven lost a most loyal American citizen whose recognition of public obligations led to the faithful performance of every duty that devolved upon him.

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