The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-05-24
THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
INTER EsrING FEATUREs OF THE
CHAMBER's YEAR BOOK FOR '97.

The Chambers Work of the Year-Its Aims
and Obiects-The Neurological Record
Sketches of Deceased Members-Reoord
of the Incorporation of the Chamber
Many Noted New Haven Men.
The year book of the New Haven
chamber of commerce for 1897 is just Is
sued and is very interesting; is, IN
fact, the most complete and notable re-
port ever issued by this distinguished
and honorable body, containing besides
the usual features a number of addi-
tional ones highly appropriate and very
valuable for future reference. The able
and comprehensive address of the
chambers president, General Ford,
leads off with the various suggestions
and recommendations, evidencing the
deep interest taken in matters OF I'M
portance to the we'll being and progress
of our goodly city, among which are
the setting forth of what the true aims
and objects of chamber of commerce
are as shown by reference to various
historic data, the province of body OF
this character being also spoken of as
regards its relation to national and
state as well as city government affairs
Other features of General Ford's ad-
dress are in reference to what the
chamber has done as to obtaining from
congress action for the widening ana
deepening Of our harbor and its pro-
jects for the erection of a chamber Of
commerce building, together with
suggestive reference to some OF the
public measures for the Improvement OF
our city which have resulted In the eff
forts and action of the chamber OF
commerce in years that are past
Another feature is the neurological
report for the year by William e.
Chandler. The dead of the year, among
the membership of the chamber, COM
prise such well known and esteemed
men as Wallace W. Ward, who was a
member about nine years; Captain Da-
vid Stevens Thomas, member for like
period; Henry Sutton, who was elected
a member in 1885; Leonard Winship,
member for nearly twenty-three years;
Wooster Adriance Ensign, who was
elected member February 10, 1916, and
who died March 1, 1897, having been
member of the chamber for over half
century, and General Francis A. Walk
err, elected a member in 1873. Appro-
pirate sketches of the life and promi-
nent events in the careers Of the de-
ceased members are given.
OF the late W. w Ward it is remark
ed: ''He was an undefatigable worker,
a shrewd far-sighted business man,
public spirited citizen and one whose
influence was always exerted for what
was best for the public welfare. He
was an honored member of Christ
church, West Haven, and his private
life, as well as his public career, was
blameless."
Of David S. Thomas, after recounting
some of the leading events Of his in
teresting and stirring career, 1t is
added: 'tMr. Thomas was connected
with the numerous secret and social
organizations, in all Of which he was
extremely popular. He was a friendly,
kind hearted man. loving peace and
true religion He was regular attend
ant, a member and vestryman of st.
Paul's church"
OF Henry Sutton is is remarked, after
speaking Of his long prominent position
rs a ship builder and managing owner
Of vessels, tMr. Sutton's quiet, unob-
trusive. transformations and thoroughly
methodica1 habits contributed largely
towards making him what he was a
successful business man and a good cit
izen."
OF Leonard Winship, after speaking
20 - a. q b,,ct ~
merchant, it Is said: "Mr Winship
was an unassuming, upright, cheerful
kindly and useful Christian man and
an honored member of Center church"
Concerning Wooster A. Ensign, it is
remarked, among other things: "In 1s47
he started business for himself and
had he lived until this May he would
have rounded out a full half century
of active, successful business life in his
native city.
''He was one of the original forty
seven charter members of the chamber
nine only of whom are now living
who in 1872, by securing the passage Of
the act Incorporating the chamber of
commerce of New Haven, rescued the
chamber which prior to this time was
a voluntary organization, from a state
of innocuous desuetude, and placed it
on a foundation where its influence has
always been exerted for the best inter
est of our fair city. He and Mr. Ed
win Marble were the only two surviv-
ing members who joined the chamber
prior to it's reorganization, in 1872. Mr..
Marble is now, of course, the only one
of the Old Guard left
mr. Ensign literally died in the har-
ness on March l. 1897, in his seventy
fourth year. While seated at his Of
flee desk reading business letter he
was struck with heart failure and He
was not. for God took him. -
Of General Walker 1t is said: Fran
els Amasa Walker, LII. D., president
of the Massachusetts, Institute of Tech
nology. and one of our distinguished
honorary members elected December
3, 1879 was born in Boston, July 2,
1910, and passed away suddenly Janu-
airy g. 1897, in the full vigor and power
of O splendid manhood and a useful
life Those of lis who listened to his
address before the chamber at the last
annual banquet cannot yet realize that
this master mind will never again meet
with us on this side of the great ocean
of eternity So much has been written
ID. LII tD.y%