Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1892-01-19
FOR HALF A CENTURY.

Word About Some of Our Oldest
Merchants-A Notable Change on
State Street.-The Few Half.Century
Business Scores.
A striking and notable business change,
one of much more than ordinary interest, |
is the retirement from the grocery bust |
ness of Deacon D. S. Cooper, after having
been in business on State street for over
half century. He is one of the very few
merchants in New Haven whose business
life has SPAWNED half century. Mr.. Coo
per retires by the dissolution of the firm
of Cooper & Nichols, Mr.. Elmer E. Nichols,
the junior partner, gentleman and young
business man already most favorably
known, continuing the business, after hav-
ing been associated with Mr.. Cooper for
the last ten years, the last six as partner.
Mr.. Cooper's business life laps over the
ffty-year mark, he having scored fifty-one
years. He began on State street, and his
store for years was, as old residents well
remember, in the old building, torn down
years ago, which was later for years occu-
pied by the New Haven Ice company for
its Office. Mr.. Cooper is one of the old
time merchants and ever has been one of
| those characterized by the strictest probity
| and integrity. A deacon in the church,
| he has ever been one to be looked up to
and respected for his sincerity, truthful
ness and genuine worth, and the golden
| wedding he and his amiable wife celebrated
not long since brought out house full
of our most esteemed people, all eager
to do their honor. Mr.. Cooper's long
record in business and half century span
is only equalled by that of our esteemed
| Chapel street merchant, Mr.. Edward E.
Hall, and by our equally esteemed old
resident, Mr.. A. G. Wilcox, who retired
recently after fifty years record. Mr..
Benajah n. Douglass, who has been con-
fectioner for half century, honored and
half century. His record as a business
man is somewhere in the forties. He is
now the only one of the quartet still &C.
lively engaged in business, and owing to
the resistless approach of advancing years
upon even his sturdy frame is not able to
devote himself as unreservedly to business
as hitherto, leaving the main work Of
carrying on the firms extensive business
to his sous. Mr.. Halls health, owing te
increasing years, does not permit him to
actually attend to business affairs. Mr.
Edward Mslley comes next in length Of
years in business in New Haven, but he il
BULL 81 dCGlSo u IN1u1IOu dASl 1Anhh " aALOu
SO active in business and enjoys hunting
and fishing SO thoroughly Except wher
visiting Maryland) that he il still
reckoned as a very lively business
man indeed, and is depended upon t.
erect one or two big mercantile buildings
every year in New Haven, to say nothing
of capturing world famous works of ar
for New Haven. Mr.. Cooper is not yet b.
any means very venerable man, being
only about seventy-one and he may ye
engage in other business, being active ant
spry and enjoying very fair degree o
health. His many friends and the publ
will wish him many more happy years
Another of our venerable ex-business men
but outside of the mercantile branch, i
Mr.. Henry Hale, who is also deacon, bu
not like his brother, Deacon Cooper,
Baptist, being pillar in the Congrega
tional denomination. Mr.. Hale's eye
not dimned nor his natural force mucl
abated, although he can soon talk abou
| four-score mile stones of life. He is on
of our venerable men who, though h
. might not shoulder musket for a wa
! with Chilli, would be admirable
sturdy Nestor for counsel and,reliability-
, staunch and true as citizen and patriot