HISTORY OF KENTUCKY AND KENTUCKIANS, E. Polk Johnson, three volumes,
Lewis Publishing Co., New York & Chicago, 1912. Common version, Vol. III,
pp. 1153-54. [Jefferson Co.]

WILLIAM R. BELKNAP--In the matter of definite accomplishment and high
personal integrity the city of Louisville has every reason to be proud of
those of her native sons who are lending their influence and co-operation
in forwarding her industrial, commercial and civic advancement.  As a
member of one of the old and honored families of the Kentucky metropolis,
and as one of the essentially representative business men of his native
city, William Richardson Belknap is eligible for a place in this history of
Kentucky and Kentuckians.  On preceding pages may be found a memoir of his
father, the late William Burke Belknap, and as adequate data concerning the
family history is incorporated in that article it is not necessary to
repeat the same details.  Mr. Belknap after serving as president for
twenty-eight years, is now chairman of the board of directors of the
Belknap Hardware & Manufacturing Company, of which important industrial
concern his honored father was the founder, and he is otherwise closely and
prominently identified with the business interest of Louisville.
     William Richardson Belknap was born in Louisville on the 28th of
March, 1849, and is a son of William B. and Mary (Richardson) Belknap. To
the public and private schools of his native city Mr. Belknap is indebted
for his early educational discipline, which included, besides two years
under Rev. Stuart Robinson, a full course in the Male High School, in which
he was graduated as a member of the class of 1866.  A few months afterward
he was matriculated in Yale University, and in this celebrated institution
he was graduated in 1869, with the degree of Bachelor of Science,
bestowed by the Sheffield Scientific School.  After his graduation he
passed another year in his alma mater, in which he completed a well defined
post-graduate course in natural science, including botany, zoology, history
and economics.  Upon his return to Louisville he became an active member
of the firm of W. B. Belknap & Company, of which his father was was the
founder and executive head.  This concern was engaged in the wholesale
iron and hardware trade.  Upon the incorporation of the business, under the
present title, the Belknap Hardware & Manufacturing Company, in 1880, he
became vice-president and later president in 1882.  He continued as such
until May, 1910, when he resigned this administrative office and assumed
that of chairman of its board.
     For forty years has Mr. Belknap been actively identified with the
business interests of his native city, and he has in this field as well as
in the domain of loyal citizenship well upheld the prestige of the
honored name which he bears.  He has been a resourceful and potent factor
in giving solidity and progressive tendencies to the commercial and
industrial activities of Louisville, and as a citizen has never denied his
support to enterprises and measures which he thought contributed to the
welfare of the community.  He has taken part especially in the upbuilding
of the Louisville Young Men's Christian Association, in whose work he
still maintains a most lively interest.
     He was one of the charter members of the Salmagundi Club and for
twenty years its secretary.  He is an independent in politics.  Both he
and his wife hold membership in the Presbyterian church, Mr. Belknap as
ruling elder.
     Among other connections and official positions of Mr. Belknap's might
be mentioned, vice president Associated Charities of Louisville, vice
president Kentucky Humane Society, 1899-1900 president Commercial Club,
honorary life member Commercial Club, trustee of Berea College.
     Mr. Belknap has been twice married.  In December, 1874, he was married
to Miss Alice Trumbull Silliman, daughter of Professor Benjamin Silliman,
of New Haven, Connecticut.  She was summoned to the life eternal in 1890.
Concerning the children of this union the following brief record is given:
Eleanor is the wife of Lewis C. Humphrey, of Louisville; Alice S. is the
wife of Dr. Forbes Hawkes, of New York; Mary is the wife of George H. Gray,
of Louisville, an architect by profession; William B., who was graduated in
Yale University as a member of the class of 1908, is now associated with
the Belknap Hardware and Manufacturing Company; and Christine, the youngest
of the children, remains at the parental home. In 1894 Mr. Belknap was
united in marriage to Miss Juliet Rathbone Davison, who was reared in
Louisville, a daughter of Charles G. and the well known Mrs. Emily Andrews
Davison, noted for her musical talents and social qualities.

Belknap Richardson Silliman Humphrey Hawkes Gray Davison Andrews Robinson
=
CT NY

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/jefferson/belknap.wr.txt