USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Bridgeport > History of Bridgeport and vicinity > Part 34
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Men. He enjoys baseball, football, fishing, hunting, boating, a good saddle horse and a motor car, but his chief recreations are horseback riding and motoring. He is fond of music and a guitarist of no mean ability. Dr. Atkins is a young man alert, energetic and actively interested in the welfare of his community and maintains a high professional and personal reputation.
ROBERT DOUGLAS ROLLER, JR., M. D.
Dr. Robert Douglas Roller, Jr., physician and surgeon of Bridgeport, who is associated with Dr. W. Lee Weadon in the ownership of the Galen Hospital, was born in Richmond, Virginia, May 24, 1879, a son of the Rev. Robert Douglas and Carrie (Booker) Roller, who are also natives of the Old Dominion. The father is an Episcopal minister, now rector of St. John's church of Charleston, West Virginia, where he has served for nearly thirty years.
Dr. Roller was reared in Charleston and acquired his more specifically literary education in the University of West Virginia at Morgantown, from which he was graduated in 1900. Later he entered upon preparation for the practice of medicine and surgery and in 1905 won his M. D. degree from the University College of Medicine at Richmond, Virginia. For nine years thereafter he continued in active practice in West Virginia but in 1915 removed to Bridgeport and became identified with the Galen Hospital as one of its owners and managers, entering into business relations with Dr. W. Lee Weadon, a former classmate in the medical college. He keeps in touch with the trend of modern thought and scientific investigation along the lines of medical and surgical practice as a member of the Bridgeport, the Fairfield County, the Connecticut State and the American Medical Associations. He specializes in internal medicine and is now clinical assistant in the department of medicine in the New York Post Graduate School.
In leisure hours Dr. Roller finds pleasure and companionship in the University, Seaside and Brooklawn Clubs and he is also well known in Masonic circles, having taken the degrees of lodge, chapter and commandery, while in his life he exemplifies the beneficent spirit upon which the craft is founded.
FREDERICK C. ECKART.
Frederick C. Eckart is a factor in the business development of Bridgeport as senior partner of the Eckart Brothers Brewing Company. He was born in this city in 1879, of the marriage of George and Caroline Eckart, who in 1865 emigrated from Meiningen, Germany, to the United States. They first settled in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, but in 1868 came to Bridgeport and here the father, in association with a half-brother, Frederick Ehrsam, established the Eagle Brewing Company, which is now known as the Eckart Brothers Brewing Company. The father passed away in 1889, but the mother survives To them were born three children: Frederick C., of this review; George, who is the junior partner in the Eckart Brothers Brewing Company; and Louise, who married Franz Schulz, of Bridgeport.
Frederick C. Eckart graduated from the high school in Bridgeport and then went to New York city, where he took a full course at the National Brewers College, receiving the degree of Master Brewer. In further preparation for his life work he was connected for some time with the John Kress Brewing Company of New York city and was for two and a half years employed by the James Wallace Brewing Company, also of New York. He thus added to his theoretical knowledge broad practical experience and upon his return to Bridgeport was qualified to take an active part in the management of the brewery established by his father. In 1896 he and his brother took over the concern, which they
DR. ROBERT D. ROLLER, JR.
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reorganized under the name of the Eckart Brothers Brewing Company. In the intervening twenty-one years they have added many improvements to the plant, the most important being a large bottling works. They employ an average of fifteen men and two trucks are required in delivering their goods to various parts of the city. They make high class porter, beer and ale, and the local demand for their product is so great that almost the entire output of the brewery is sold in Bridgeport.
Mr. Eckart was married in 1902 to Miss Louise Cunningham, of Bridgeport, and they have three children: Carl, John and Louise. It is the intention of Mr. Eckart to give all of his children a college education. Fraternally he is connected with the Benevolent Protec- tive Order of Elks and the Improved Order of Red Men. In politics he is an independent democrat but the demands of his private business interests have been so heavy that he has had no time to take an active part in public affairs. Among his salient characteristics are determination, energy and good judgment, qualities which go far toward insuring success in any field of endeavor.
LOUIS KUTSCHER, JR.
Louis Kutscher, Jr., the president of the Home Brewing Company of Bridgeport, was born in New York city about forty-eight years ago and during his infancy was brought to Bridgeport by his father, Louis Kutscher, a native of Hanover, Germany, who in his boyhood days was brought to the new world by his parents. For a number of years he resided in Bridgeport, where he engaged in the bottling and sale of Weiss beer. He founded a brewery, which he developed, building up a large and profitable business. He died in the year 1916. He was an active and public-spirited citizen and gave generous support to many well defined plans for promoting the public welfare. He lived retired from 1890 until his demise, his business being taken over by his sons.
The birth of Louis Kutscher, Jr., occurred in New York city, April 16, 1868, and in the public schools and a business college of Bridgeport he pursued his education. On attaining his majority he entered the bottling and brewing business in connection with his father and upon the latter's retirement he and his brother, William F. Kutscher, succeeded to the business of brewing and bottling Weiss beer under the name of Kutscher Brothers. The association was maintained between them until March 15, 1896, when the partnership was formally terminated, and not long afterward Louis Kutscher became connected with the management of the Hartmann Brewing Company, contributing greatly to the success of that undertaking and the upbuilding of the interests of the firm. When the Hartmann brewing interests were reorganized and enlarged and the firm name was changed to the Home Brewing Company Mr. Kutscher succeeded to the presidency of the new firm after having previously acted as president of the old. He is therefore at the head of a business which is one of the important productive industries of the kind in Bridgeport, with a capacity of one hundred thousand barrels. The plant is splendidly equipped with modern machinery necessary in their line, is operated by motor power, and they have their own water system and electric plant. His brother, William F. Kutscher, with whom he was formerly in part- nership, continued in business alone for a time and then sold out to the Hartmann Brewery in 1899. Aside from his other interests Louis Kutscher is connected with the American Gun Barrel Manufacturing. Company of New Haven and is the vice president and one of the directors of the American Bank & Trust Company.
On the 20th of April, 1897, Mr. Kutscher was united in marriage to Miss Flora Weber, a daughter of Robert Weber, a prominent citizen of Bridgeport, who for a number of years was town clerk. They have become the parents of two sons and a daughter, Louis, Robert and Flora, all at home.
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In politics Mr. Kutscher is a democrat and for some time served on the park board and has also been a member of the commission government plan committee. He has attained high rank in Masonry, having reached the thirty-second degree in the consistory, while with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine he has crossed the sands of the desert. He also has mem- bership with the Elks, the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias and he belongs to the Arion Singing Society. He is a public-spirited man, cooperating in many plans and move- ments for the general good, giving strong endorsement and generous financial support to various projects which have been promoted for the welfare of the city. He is now a member of the Second Company of the Governor's Foot Guard and he has important club connections, being an ex-president of the Algonquin Club and a member of the New Haven Union League.
GEORGE FREDERICK ECKART.
George Frederick Eckart, junior partner of the Eckart Brothers Brewing Company, was born in Bridgeport in 1883, in the room which is now used as the office of the brewery, but which was then one of the family living rooms, as for some time the family resided above the brewery. The business was established in 1868 by his father, George Eckart, further mention of whom appears in the sketch of Frederick C. Eckart elsewhere in this work.
George F. Eckart completed the work of the grades in the Bridgeport schools and took a short course in the high school, after which he attended the National Brewers College at New York city. which conferred upon him the degree of Master Brewer on the completion of his course. He then returned to Bridgeport and at once became connected with the Eckart Brothers Brewery, of which he is junior partner. He has worked in every department, including collecting, selling, brewing and bottling, and is now serving in the important capacity of brewmaster. The senior member of the firm is his brother, Frederick C. Eckart. They employ fifteen men on an average and use two trucks in the delivery of their product, including beer, ale and porter, to all parts of the city, the local markets utilizing practically all of the output. In 1907 the company organized the Eckart Brothers Bottling Works and erected a large building to house this concern adjoining the brewery.
In 1906 George F. Eckart was united in marriage to Miss Dorothy Gilbert, of Trumbull, Connecticut, and they have six children: Charlotte; George F., who is named for his father; Caroline, who is named in honor of her paternal grandmother; Harold; Dorothy, who is her mother's namesake; and Frederick, who is named for his uncle, Frederick C. Eckart. The four older children are attending the Bridgeport schools, and Mr. Eckart intends to give all the best possible educational advantages.
He is an independent demoerat in politics and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in Trinity Episcopal church. Fe belongs to no lodges or clubs and when not at home or at work spends his time hunting or fishing. He holds the record for the biggest bass caught in the Berkshire Hills in New Hampshire and is well known as a sportsman. He possesses the initiative and confidence characteristic of a young man and also has the soundness of judgment necessary to the successful management of large business interests.
ARTHUR H. MOORE.
Arthur H. Moore, manager of the estimating and sales departments of the Bridgeport Metal Goods Manufacturing Company, was born in Newtown, Connecticut, December 20, 1878, his parents being Andrew C. and Frances (Fairchild) Moore, the former a native of Canada, while the latter was born in Newtown, Connecticut, where the Fairchilds settled at a very
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early day. In early manhood Andrew C. Moore was a mechanic and became a manufacturer but is now following the occupation of farming in Newtown.
Arthur H. Moore acquired a public school education, supplemented by further study in Newtown Academy, and he made his initial step in the business world as an employe in the Wheeler & Wilson factory in 1896. He afterward became connected with the Bridgeport Brass Company, which he represented for eighteen years, eventually having charge of the estimating department. His fidelity and capability were plainly indicated in his long con neetion with that corporation. In 1916 he came to the Bridgeport Metal Goods Manufacturing Company, assuming charge of the estimating and sales departments, and in that connection still continues, his previous experience well qualifying him for the responsibilities that now devolve upon him.
On the 2d of October, 1907, Mr. Moore was united in marriage to Miss Ethel Holroyd, a native of Bridgeport and a daughter of Mathew and Ermina Holroyd. The children of this marriage are Evelyn Frances, Mildred Jane and Arthur Holroyd. Mr. Moore has been quite active in Masonic circles. He belongs to St. John's Lodge, No. 2, is a past thrice illustrious master of Jerusalem Council, R. & S. M., and is now standard bearer of Hamilton Com- mandery, No. 5, K. T. He has also attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and is a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. He belongs likewise to the Weatogue Country Club and is appreciative of the social amenities of life, while his genial nature is such as sheds around him much of life's sunshine.
FREDERIC JOSEPH ADAMS, M. D.
Dr. Frederic Joseph Adams, who, actively engaged in the practice of medicine in Bridge- port, specializes in gynecology, has won wide recognition as an able representative of the profession, working his way up by individual merit based upon thorough preliminary prepara- tion and continued study. He was born in Saline, Michigan, December 7, 1868, a son of the Rev. Frederick H. Adams, who was born in London, England, and in 1848 came to the United States. He was graduated from the Peekskill Military Academy of New York in 1854 and then in preparation for the ministry pursued a course in the General Theological Seminary of New York. Immediately afterward he began the work of preaching the gospel in the Congregational church and for about fifty years was well known as a elergyman in New York, Michigan, Connecticut and Rhode Island. In the pursuit of his labors he was not denied the full harvest nor the aftermath, and his influence constituted an effective force in promoting the moral progress of the communities in which he lived. He married Electa Jeannette Booth, who was born in Trumbull, Connecticut, a daughter of Walter Booth, a farmer, and Mrs. Adams still survives. She has two sons, the elder being Walter Booth Adams, who for many years has been professor of materia medica and therapeutics in a medical college at Beirut. Syria.
The younger son. Dr. Frederic J. Adams, acquired his preliminary education in the public schools of New Hartford. Connecticut, being graduated from the high school with the class of 1885. He completed a course in the Robbins school at Norfolk, Connecticut, in 1887 and was graduated from the academic department of the University of New York in 1891, while his professional degree was won from the medical department of the New York University in 1895. His father and brother were both graduates of the same school and the work of the family has been a most valuable contribution to the medical profession. Dr. F. J. Adams obtained his initial experience by six months' connection with the J. Hood Wright Hospital. He spent a year in the Bellevue Hospital and four months in the Chambers Street Hospital, also two months in the Broome Street Lying-In Hospital, all of these institu- tions being in New York. His hospital experience came to him ere his graduation in 1895.
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since which year he has been in active practice in Bridgeport, being now located at No. 339 West avenue, where he owns a splendid home in which luxury, comfort and artistic adornment are most harmoniously blended. In his practice he has specialized in gynecology and his opinions along that line have in large measure been respected as standard by his fellow practitioners of Bridgeport and the state.
On the 21st of December, 1898, Dr. Adams was married to Miss Mildred May Beamer, of Bridgeport, and they have one child, Alice Electa. Dr. Adams is a member of the People's Presbyterian church and the Psi Upsilon, a college fraternity. As a Mason he is identified with Corinthian Lodge of Bridgeport and he also belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. On both sides he is descended from ancestry represented in the Revolutionary war, so that he is entitled to membership with the Sons of the American Revolution. He belongs to the Bridgeport Club and to the Weatogue Club of Stratford and he finds relaxation from onerous professional duties and cares in golf and music. For thirteen years, or since 1904, he has been connected with the Connecticut National Guard and in October, 1916, was appointed chief surgeon by Governor Holcomb with the rank of major. He belongs to the Bridgeport Medical Society, Fairfield County Medical Society, Connecticut State Medical Association and the American Medical Association, and his professional duties are ever regarded as his foremost interest. He has ever fully recognized the obligations and respon- sibilities devolving upon him in this connection and has earnestly striven to make his service of the greatest possible worth, accomplishing this end through that wide study and investigation which leads to broadened experience and greater accuracy.
J. WALTER SCHEFFER.
J. Walter Scheffer, attorney at law, is now successfully practicing in Bridgeport. He was born in Meriden, Connecticut, July 1, 1885, a son of Thomas and Katie (Haas) Scheffer, who are residents of that city. The father, who is a chemist, was born in the province of Quebec, Canada, while the mother is a native of New Haven, Connecticut. On the paternal side the family is of Holland Dutch descent and on the maternal side of German, Irish and English lineage. Mrs. Scheffer was a daughter of John Haas, who was born in Germany but came to the United States prior to the Civil war and served as a Union soldier during that conflict, being on one occasion wounded in battle.
J. Walter Scheffer was reared in Meriden and graduated from the high school of that city with the class of 1905. He afterward spent a year in the Drexel Institute of Phila- delphia, where he studied electrical engineering and later he began preparation for the bar, spending four years in the law department of the George Washington University, from which he was graduated with the LL. B. degree in 1914. The following year he was admitted to the Connecticut state bar and at once began practice in Bridgeport, being associated with Marsh. Stoddard & Day until February 1, 1917. Since then he has been practicing as an individual. While one of the younger representatives of the profession in this city he has already made a good start and his qualifications promise success for the future. Along with those qualities indispensable to the lawyer-a keen, rapid, logical mind, plus the business sense and a ready capacity for hard work-he brought to the starting point of his legal career the gifts of eloquence of language and a strong personality. He displays a thorough grasp of the law with ability to accurately apply its principles, which constitutes a strong factor in his efficiency as an advocate. Mr. Scheffer passed a successful civil service examina- tion in 1909 and for several years was in the civil service department of the United States government, being thus connected during the four years in which he studied in the George Washington University, his position being that of stenographer and private secretary, for which work he was qualified by a course in the Butler Business College of New Haven, from
J. WALTER SCHEFFER
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which he was graduated in 1907. While in the government service his position was first with the navy department and later with the commerce department, in the Bureau of Cor- porations. His work in this department consisted of work on the study of trusts and corporations, and for one year he assisted in an investigation throughout the country of the Harvester trust. He worked his way steadily upward in the government service and became private secretary to George Rublee, member of the Federal Trade Commission.
Mr. Scheffer holds membership with Phi Sigma Kappa, a college fraternity. His religious faith is indicated in his membership in St. Augustine's Roman Catholic church. Along pro- fessional lines be is connected with the City and County Bar Associations, and he is putting forth every effort to make legitimate advancement in the profession which he has determined upon as a life work.
GILES C. FULLMER.
Giles C. Fullmer, master mechanic with the Bridgeport Metal Goods Manufacturing Company, is a native of Herkimer, New York He was born October 20, 1868, of the marriage of Theodore B. and Mary E. (Squires) Fullmer. After acquiring a public school education he attended the Fairfield Seminary of New York and started ont in the business world as an employe of H. M. Quackenbush, gun manufacturers of Herkimer, New York. His entire life activities have been directed along industrial lines, in which connection he bas gradually worked his way upward. He was for a time with the Remington Arms Company of Ilion, New York, and was afterward with the Remington Typewriter Company. Removing to Niagara Falls, he became superintendent of the Kelley-McBean Manufacturing Company and later he was with the Dougherty Typo Company of Kittanning, Pennsyl- vania, as master mechanic. His next position was with the MeMillan Typesetting Machine Company of Syracuse, New York, in which connection he had charge of the business. He then went to the Brady Manufacturing Company to make a model typewriter and in 1896 he became associated with the Bridgeport Brass Company in the model machinery and experi- mental department. His identification with the Bridgeport Metal Goods Manufacturing Company dates from March, 1909, and through the intervening period he has been master mechanic. His preliminary training thoroughly qualified him for the responsibilities which devolve upon him in this connection. He is an expert workman and added to his notable skill is a spirit of initiative and inventive genius that has contributed to the success of the various concerns which he has represented.
In 1888 Mr. Fullmer was married to Miss Lucy Park, of Little Falls, New York. He belongs to the New England Order of Protection and he is well and favorably known in business circles of his adopted city, while during the period of his residence in Bridgeport he has also gained many friends.
BENJAMIN BROOKS FINKELSTONE, M. D.
Dr. Benjamin Brooks Finkelstone, a Bridgeport physician numbered among the alumni of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Baltimore, was horn in New York city, July 4, 1887, and is the eldest of the three sons of Jacob Finkelstone, who is inspector of excava- tions of the city of Bridgeport, which position he has held for six years. Dr. Finkelstone came to this city with his parents in 1893 and the family home has since been maintained here. He has two brothers, both of whom are lawyers of this city.
In the attainment of his education Dr. Finkelstone attended the public schools until
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graduated from the high school with the class of 1905. For four years he studied in the medical department of Yale and afterward entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Baltimore, from which he was graduated in 1910, winning the M. D. degree. Following his return to Bridgeport he was house surgeon in St. Vincent's Hospital for a year and later was assistant house surgeon in the Lying-In Hospital of New York in 1911 and 1912. Since the latter year he has engaged in the general practice of medicine and is accorded a liberal and growing patronage. He is also chief of the obstetrical department of St. Vincent's Hospital and he belongs to the County and State Medical Societies, to the American Medical Association and the Alumni Society of the New York Lying-In Hospital. He writes largely for medical publications and his contributions to the literature of his profession are regarded as most valuable. Among his contributions of this character can be mentioned; "Accessory or Aberrant Pancreas" and "Esophago-Tracheal Fistula in the New Born," which appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association; and "Cholelithiasis Complicating Preg- nancy," published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children. Dr. Finkelstone has been tendered an appointment as a member of the International Board of Health, connected with the Rockefeller Foundation, for investigation of the hookworm disease at the government mines in Pi-ang China. He has done some cancer research work at varied intervals.
Dr. Finkelstone holds membership with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and adheres to the religious faith of his fathers, who were of the Hebrew race. His time and attention are chiefly concentrated upon his professional duties and his growing ability has gained him prominence in his chosen field.
NELSON C. LUND.
Nelson C. Lund, manager of the West End Theatre, was born in Germany February 14, 1881, and attended public schools there until thirteen years of age, when in 1894 he crossed the Atlantic to the new world and became a resident of Bridgeport, where he con- tinued his education for two years. When a youth of sixteen he entered the employ of the Ashcroft Company of Bridgeport, with whom he remained for twelve years. During this period he displayed much interest in amusements and music and taught music while working with the Ashcroft Company. At length he bought out the Little Theatre. a moving picture house, but realized that he could not attend to three lines at once-the shop work, the teaching of music and the theatre, so concentrated his efforts upon the last named. He is now the manager of the famous West End Theatre, which he built in 1910 and which then had a seating capacity of four hundred. In three years he enlarged it so that its seating capacity was seven hundred and eighty, and two years ago he rebuilt it so that it will now seat twelve hundred. It is thus one of the oldest yet one of the newest theatres of Bridge- port and is devoted exclusively to moving pictures. It is thoroughly modern in every way and beautifully equipped. Mr. Lund was the first man to use an orchestra in a moving picture theatre and now has an eight-piece orchestra, constituting one of the attractive features of the house. Possessing marked musical ability himself, he naturally pays much attention to featuring music in connection with the production of the films. He has fran- chises with the Selznick, the Clara Kimball Young, the G. W. Cohen, the Douglas Fairbanks, the Paramount, the Metro, the Brady and the New Art pictures and also the Chaplin and Linder comedies.
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