John Henry Kite (1849 - 1902)

Born 27 Apr 1849 in Charlestown, Suffolk, Massachusetts

Husband of Harriet (Eaton) Kite — married 18 Sep 1872 in Tolland, Tolland, Connecticut

Descendants

Died 15 May 1902 at age 53 in Rockville, Vernon, Tolland, Connecticut

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Oliver Purnell [send private message]

Biography

John was born in 1849. He passed away in 1902. JOHN H. KITE DEAD (clipping from unknown newspaper)

Demise of the cashier of First National Bank.

Death came suddenly yesterday Noon, While he was at home--Was Employed in the Bank Since He was 21 Years Old--Cashier for Period of Thirty Years--Had Been in Failing Health.

Although knowing that he was in poor health, the people of Rockville were shocked yesterday to learn of the death at noon of Cashier John H. Kite of the First National Bank. Mr. Kite had not been at the bank since Saturday, May 3, owing to ill-health. Yesterday morning he was up and about the house, and remarked that he was feeling much improved. At 8 he had a fainting spell, which was followed by a paralytic stroke, from which he never rallied. Mr. Kite was devoted to business and his close application to banking matters in years past gradually undermined his health, which culminated, on the day of the death of Teller E.B. Durfee, on June 23, 1900, in a slight shock. He did not return to business until October. Then in January following he went south, remaining until the first of April, when his family and everyone felt quite encouraged to see him able to resume his familiar position in the bank. Since then he has been gradually failing until at last came the final collapse, and death. Mr. Kite was a self-made man and was an example of what any young man may accomplish by strict integrity and an ambition to advance in life. He was born in Charlestown, Mass., April 27, 1849, and when quite young his parents died. He came to Tolland and worked upon the farms in the vicinity for a few years, when he took a position in E.E. Freeman's grocery store, then located on Park street. His strict integrity and natural business ability attracted the attention of the directors of the First National Bank, when they were casting about for a young man to act as teller, and they proffered him the position. He accepted and on April 19, 1870, when but twenty-one years old, he took up what was to prove his life's work. He succeeded William Hooper as teller.Six months later, upon the resignation of the cashier, C.H. Dillingham, the directors elected him to that position. He was a young man for such responsibility, but the faithful manner in which he fulfilled the trust, developing into an able financier, showed that the confidence of the directors had not been misplaced or their judgment in error. this position he held up to the time of his death, faithfully guarding the bank's interests for a period of over thirty years. Mr. Kite was also one of the directors of the bank and an incorporator of the Savings Bank of Rockville. He`was a member of the Rockville Lodge A. O. U. W., and an attendant at the Union Church. In 1847 he was married to Miss Hattie [Harriet] Eaton, daughter of Dr. Eaton of Tolland. She survives him, together with three children, Howard C., salesman for the J.J. Regan Manufactuiring Company; Grace Lillian, student at Mount Holyoke College; and Marjorie Lucille. He also leaves four sisters, Mrs. Ella Tufts and Mrs. Lina [Salina] K. Gamage of Malden, Mass, Mrs. Emma Storrs of Macon Georgia, and Miss Matilda Kite...[the rest of the article is missing]

Note: A.O.U.W. see http://www.phoenixmasonry.org/masonicmuseum/fraternalism/aouw.htm

Sources

• *Birth: From Gravestone. Also, Charlestown 1849 birth record shows the birth of a male, but doesn't give a name for the child.
• Death: Vernon, CT Vital Records, 8/33.