The daily morning journal and courier., 1901-12-12
NOTABLE BUSINESS CHANGE
GEN. GEORGE II. FORD CONTEM- PLATING RETIREMENT
From the Big JeweIry Business With Which He Has Been So Long Identified Am Interview on the Subject-Wbat GeMeral Ford Says in the Case.

tthtcn Il ttR been 80
 Am Interview on the Subject-Xvha
 General Ford Says in the Case.
 A rumor that General George H. Fore
 was contemplating change Of 1mpor-
 tance in his business affairs was con-
 firmed last evening. In an interview
 there was foundation for the report
 His business and other official associa-
 tions were so numerous and complex as
 to absorb too much of his time and
 leave him little or no time for relaxa-
 ton and he contemplated lessenlng
 these obligations to a considerable ex-
 tent. Changes were contemplated in
 the business of the George Il. Ford
 company The exact outline in this
 matter were not yet sufficiently devel-
 oped to permit yet of public announce
 ment in the case and General Ford was
 somewhat surprised that the rumor had
 gained currency as he had thought that
 the matter was known only to few in
 innate friends. The change could not
 be made immediately as so large and
 valuable stock as the George H. Ford
 company carries could not be success fully liquidated quickly
 As to the rumor that General Ford contemplates changing his residence
 and making his home in Europe Gen
 eral Ford said that this was not his purpose although it was his intention
 to spend a part of each year abroad retaining, however, his home and resi- dence here New Haven would still continue to be his home. It would be impossible, he added, to entertain the idea of leaving locality and the peo- pie to whom he was so much attached and bound to by so many ties of friend ship.
 The absence of General Ford from the position of active head of the com pany with which he has been so long and prominently identified will indeed be business change that will call for widespread attention. He has been in the company continuously since 1864, and during his regime the house has developed to a magnificent establish
 nent whose fame is known throughout the state, and which, from the value and variety of Its output ranks it among the notable houses in it's line in the United States,
 It is understood that General Ford will spend part of each year at Rome, Italy, at the beautiful home of Mrs. Ford, which she still retains and main tains. General Ford has for several years contemplated lessening his busi- ness strain and enjoying little of the leisure due after many years of sue
 j believes that a good time to throw off some of the cares of business is when health and vigor are yet unimpaired
 The business house of the George H. Ford company is one of the oldest mer- cantle houses in the city The business was started by the late Everard Benja- min, who established the house in 1S31 MT. Benjamin began in a small way, but his business increased, and after some changes he moved in 1S47 to the premises now occupied by the George H Ford company. General Ford be- gan his connection with the house in 1864. He was made partner in 1869 and when MT. Benjamin died in 1873 | he became the sole proprietor.
 The year 1891 was the sixtieth ann- versary of the foundation of the busi- | ness and it was marked by noteworthy | changes. The George H. Ford company | was established with General Ford as president and Frederick L. Tfbbals as secretary and treasurer. The company at that time purchased the building and remodeled it to befit the requirements of modern establishment of it's char acter. The result was an ideal one, tasteful, artistic rich and ella borate. Some few years ago T. c. Lewis was made secretary of the company, MT Tibbals remaining the treasurer.
 Success has been the reward of the company in it's progress and it's busi- ness has become immense. Its mail order department alone exceeds that of any other similar house in the state The company has it's own factory and designers, and countless bits of exclu- sive models are produced that have made the imprint of the company name of national fame.
 General Ford has been frequent traveller in Europe, and during these tours he has kept in close touch with the best foreign objects of art, those things which cultured people delight to own. As connois- seur in all that pertains to art in gold, silver, bronzes, marble, paintings and artistic pieces from all over the world he has few, if any, superiors and his correct taste is displayed in the beauti- full examples carried by the company and in many valuable collections that are his personal property. The house is one that the city points z to with pride. It is complete in every detail, resourceful, adequate to the : most exacting demands and it's name f n an article is an affidavit of indisput- I able value. General Ford is president of the i George H. Ford company, president of I he Grilley company, ex-president of Z he New Haven Chamber of Commerce, , president of the Quininpiack club, and , # the Ansantawae company, and presi- . lent of David Humphreys branch, Sons if the American Revolution He is connected with several n financial and charitable institutions md movements, and is noted for his E lctive public spirit and interest in all f hat pertains to the interests of New T. Haven and is exceedingly popular and r ,o11 in hph asteaan1 in the ritV and