The daily morning journal and courier., 1895-11-16
SONS OF CONNECTICUT
IN CHlCAGO-A FLOURISHING SO-
 CIAL ORGANIZATION.

Sketches of Its FOunders-Men Active and
 Prominent in the Windy City-To Hold a
 Grand Banquet in January.
 Connecticut is one of the states that cannot be measured by It's acres. Its influence extends not only over Amer ica, but to the uttermost ends of the earth. It has furnished men and brains for the development of many western states, and its industry, skill and gen ious are known throughout the civil ized world. Who does not know of it's clocks, thread, watches, rifles, silver ware, locks woolens, sewing machines, rubbers and hats? Fair Haven oysters and Guilford clans share honors with Connecticut river shad Moodus cider and Connecticut leaf have cheered many dropping spirit. Everyone has heard of the Naugatuck Valley with it's busy shops, Bridgeport with its great fac tories, Ansonla with it's brass and cop per mills; Naugatuck, Torrington and Winsted; New Britain with Its hard ware factories; Bristol, Southington and Colllnsville; the Connecticut Valley with its ivory works and other industries, the Shetucket and Yantic with their cotton and woolen mills, Every stream is utilized and every valley has it's silk mill or hardware factory. Hartford in- sures, and New Haven educates. Yale, Wesleyan and Trinity are the pride of the country, and the common schools are second to none in the land. Acad- emies and schools of the highest grade can be found in every town. While its blue laws and it's wooden nutmegs may bring forth a smile of ridicule, the names of Davenport, Putnam, Whitney, Morse, Dwight, Terry Buckingham and Merwin bring the blush of pride to the cheek of the true son of Connecticut. While the soil is rocky and the hills rough, the men Connecticut has pro duced show the states sterling worth. It has been said of Daniel Webster that when twitted about the farms of New England, he replied that New England cultivated brains and produced men rather than farm products.
 In 1892 a number of prominent busi- mess men of Chicago, who owe the foun- dation of their mental development and business success to their native state, conceived the idea of bringing together in social organization all citizens of this city who claimed Connecticut as their birthplace or former place of resi- dence. An organization was effected and incorporated under the laws of the state of Illinois, to be known as the Sons of Connecticut. Among the in- corporators were F. St. John George F. Bissell, J. s. Woodruff, F. M Blair and A. A. Dewey
 The first social gathering of the or ganization was an informal reception given at the Connecticut state build- ing at the Columbian exposition, in September, 1S93 A most enjoyable af- ternoon was passed in bringing together large number of men who never knew before that they had this bond of mu- tual goodfellowship. Many pleasant memories were exchanged, and the so- ciety gathered strength and unification. A large number of the citizens who had never heard of the society before gladly signed the constitution, and the membership has now grown to 150. Among these are ex-Judge Lorin c. Col n. Woodruff, F. M Blair A. A. Dewey, Everett St. John, c. M Henderson, A. H. Andrews George H. lHamline, Dr. William R. Harper, Sidney A. Kent, James Peabody, Thomas Lord, Josiah Stiles, John H. Bradley, w. D. Allen, S. A. Treat, Colonel William Mason Loomis, Professor George S. Goodspeed, F. B. Griswold, John H. Nolan, Rev. Kittridge Wheeler, Frank Holbrook, Rev. James Gibson Johnson, D. $. Bot tum, Charles H. Allen, Erskine M. Phelps, A. T. Hemingway George H. Laflin, G. J. Corey, George E. Robert son, Ives Lake, c. o. French, A. B. Schubert, George W. Pitkin, Dr. E. R. Kellogg, A. G. Pettibone, Professor Robert Francis Harper, J. w. Brooks, E. A. Converse, Grove Sackett Rev. w. s. Post, John De Koven, H. M. Sher- wood, Rev Floyd Tomphins, G. A. Jew cit, A. s. Terry Henry c. M. Thomp- son, F. E. Moses, F. D. Gray, F. $. Terry and many others.
 The first formal banquet of the so- ciety was held in the Auditorium An mex, May z, 1895. Sixty-five loyal sons and daughters of the old Nutmeg state were present
 The success of the organization from the beginning to the present time Is due to the persistent energy and un- tiring activity of A. A. Dewey. At the annual meeting of the Sons of Connec- ticut, held Monday evening, October 21, the following officers for the ensuing year were elected: President, ex-Judge Lorin c. Collins, jr.; first vice presi- den, A. A. Dewey; second vice presi- dent, J. s. Woodruff; secretary, George Eustis Robertson; treasurer, James R. Chapman; directors, ex-Judge Lorin c. Collins, jr., John De Koven, J. s. Woodruff, G. J. Corey, F.. A. Converse, A. A. Dewey and H. M. Sherwood.
 The president, ex-Judge Lorin c. Col Iins, jr., was born in Windsor, Hart ford county, Conn.,, and came west at an early age. He graduated from North western and soon after was admitted to the bar. He has served three terms in the legislature, the last time as speaker of the house. For nine years he served on the circuit bench of Cook county, six of which time was spent as chancellor He is now senior member of. the law firm of Collins, Goodrich, Darrow &