Connecticut western news., 1911-01-19
CHANCE IN THE FIRM
JOSEPH L. PARSONS
 HEAD OF BUSINESS
6. Willis Parsons Retires Because of Poor Health, and George |. Parsons ReIinquishes Active Management Business 35 Years Old.

neIlnquiSneS ACIIt6 WdHduefHeHI
 Business 35 Years Old.
 To confirm runners of change in the business of G. l.. Parsons and sons. The News has interviewed the firm, and is permitted to state that MT. G. Willis Parsons will withdraw from the firm after Feb. but the business will con- tinue under the firm name of G. l.. Par sons & Son. MT. Joseph l.. Parsons be- ing the active member. It is 8 source of great regret to all the firm, as we'll as to 8 host of friends of G. Willis, that this step seems necessary, but close attention 50 business for many years has 80 af- facted his health that this change seems advisable.
 MT. G. Willis has no settled business plans for the future as yet but will en- joy a season of freedom from care before taking up some other line of work.
 The Parsons mercantile establishment is the oldest of it's kind in Canaan, and one of the best-known business concerns in the county. George L. Parsons, head of the concern came to Canaan April 1, 1872. as clerk in the store of the late 8. c. Beckley, with whom he remained about four years.
 In 1876, when the Cummings Block was built, he leased the ground floor and part of the basement and started in bus mess for himself, in small way, stock ing only one side of the store, with gro. ceries, and sold few boots and shoes on commission. Shortly afterward he added line of dry goods.N
 After his sons, G. Willis and Joseph L, finished their education they entered the store as assistants to their father. About 1861 Joseph L. went West to en- gage in business, and little later G. Willis was taken into partnership, the firm being named G. L. Parsons 6 Son. The business steadily, as it had done from the beginning, and new lines were added from time to time. E.
 In 1889 Joseph l.. rsturned from the West, acquired an interest in the busi- ness and it's firm became G. L. Parsons 6 Sons.
 The rapid expansion of the business demanding increased room and facilities, the firm purchased the block. enlarged it by additions to the rear, put in 8 new and up-to-date front, and the entire building, except the third floor, occupied az lodge room by the Masons, was de- voted to the use of the firm. Formerly there had been a number of tenants in various parts of the building. Today, even with the enlargement, the full cap acity of the block below the lodge room two floors and basement-is needed for the firms business, and there isn't an inch of room to spare, at that.
 The growth of the business has been steady and progressive, a natural result of comm unity growth and development, and intelligent management and the wise business policy of ''ths square deal' which have always distinguished the Parsons establishment. And today, the enterprise which started as little gro- cery store on one side of hired room. presents the proportions of model de- parrment store. occupying practically an entire block of its own, and stocked with complete lines of goods embracing not only groceries, but general merchan- dise-furniture, boots and shoes, cloth ing, furnishing goods. ready made cloth ing, crockery and so on. Of this we'll equipped and long established institu- tion Joseph L. Parsons now becomes the active head.