USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Bridgeport > History of Bridgeport and vicinity > Part 39
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FRANK J. OSTROFSKY
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cist license, which he passed. A year later he received a pharmacist's license. Mr. Ostrofsky continued to work for druggists in Chicago for six years and during that time took out his naturalization papers, becoming a citizen of the United States.
It was in 1894 that Mr. Ostrofsky removed to Bridgeport, Connecticut, where he had a sister living, and here rented a vacant store at the corner of Hallam street and Pembroke in East Bridgeport, which had previously been occupied by a druggist and still contained fixtures suitable for his business. These he also rented from the landlord as at that time his capital was very limited and he did not have enough money to buy hoth fixtures and a stock of drugs. He opened his store for business on the 7th of May, 1894, with all his savings invested, but prospered in his new undertaking and in a few years was able to purchase a vacant lot at the corner of Pembroke and Hamilton streets, on which he erected a modern two story brick building in 1900, the lower floor heing especially arranged and equipped for a drug store, while the upper floor was made into living apartments. Here Mr. Ostrofsky has since carried on business with marked success, and in January, 1913, also bought a store building and lot at No. 1141 East Main street, Bridgeport, where he also conducted a drug store under a manager and has built up a fine trade there. He is a member of the American Pharmaceutical Association and the Connecticut Pharmaceutical Association.
Mr. Ostrofsky was married in Bridgeport, October 15, 1896, to Miss Mary Casey, who was born, reared and educated in Holyoke, Massachusetts, and is a daughter of James P. and Mary (Mosher) Casey. Her father was a native of Bridgeport and here died. Mrs. Casey was born in Seymour, Connecticut, and belongs to an old New England family which was represented in the war for independence, making her eligible to the Daughters of the American Revolution. She also had a brother in the Civil war. Mr. and Mrs. Ostrofsky have three children, all born in Bridgeport, namely: Frank J., born September 28, 1899; Edna May, September 2, 1901; and James N., May 14, 1904. The older son is now attending high school.
Mr. Ostrofsky purchased the old Nathaniel Wheeler homestead at the corner of East Main street and Boston avenue and there the family now reside. They are members of the Roman Catholic church, and he is also identified with St. John's Slavonian Sick & Benefit Society and the Independent Order of Foresters at Bridgeport. In politics he is independent. He assisted in organizing the American Bank & Trust Company of Bridgeport, of which he is now a director and a member of the executive committee. He stands high in business circles and is respected wherever known.
AXEL PEDERSEN.
Axel Pedersen, of the Pedersen Brothers Manufacturing Company of Bridgeport, was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, April 23, 1884, and was well qualified by educational training for the life work which he has taken up. He is a graduate of a technical school and in his youthful days he learned mechanical engineering. Attracted by the opportunities of the new world, he determined to try his fortune on this side the Atlantic and came to America in 1906. He first secured employment with the Yost Typewriter Company, spending five years as one of its representatives in connection with the tool department at Bridgeport. He spent three and one-half years in Detroit, Michigan, holding responsible positions with the Cadillac Motor Car Company, the Buick Motor Car Company, the Studebaker and Ford companies and gaining experience which was invaluable to him when his present business was organized. He afterward worked for a year and a half in the plant of the American Graphophone Company and in January, 1916, became one of the organizers of the Pedersen Brothers Manufacturing Company, his partner being Julius Pedersen. They established busi- ness at No. 236 Middle street for the manufacture and designing of tools and special
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machinery, gauges, etc. The plant has about two thousand square feet of floor space and is equipped with modern machinery. They employ about twenty skilled mechanics and all tools made by them are tested by the famous Johanson blocks. They turn out some of the finest tools made in Bridgeport and their ontput includes special tools of all kinds.
Axel Pedersen holds membership with the Masonic fraternity and is loyal to the teach- ings and purposes of the craft. He also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His attention, however, is chiefly given to his business interests and his intelligently directed efforts have brought him a measure of success of which he may well feel prond. His experi- ence in a business way has been very broad, developing his accuracy and efficiency, and he is recognized as an expert in tool making and mechanical engineering.
CLARENCE NILES PAYNE, M. D.
Dr. Clarence Niles Payne, a physician and surgeon of Bridgeport, was born in Waverly, New York, September 8, 1862, a son of Frederick York Payne, whose birth occurred at Smethport, Pennsylvania, his parents being Hiram and Sarah (York) Payne. The latter's parents were living in Pennsylvania at the time of the Wyoming massacre but managed to escape from the Indians. Both Frederick Y. Payne and his wife have now passed away.
Dr. Payne was reared under the parental roof and in the New York Homeopathic Medical College he prepared for a professional career, winning the M. D. degree in 1885. His first practical experience came to him through serving as interne in the Cumberland Street Hospital of Brooklyn, New York, where he remained for a year and a half, having ample opportunity to put his theoretical training to the practical test in the varied experiences of hospital work. He practiced medicine at Port Jervis, New York, from 1886 until 1890 and since the latter date has been in Bridgeport. In the interim he has built up an extensive practice which is bringing to him a substantial measure of success.
On the 15th of November, 1887, Dr. Payne was united in marriage to Miss Jeannie MeLean, of Brooklyn, and they have a daughter. Beatrice Marion, who is a graduate of Miss Fuller's Ossining (N. Y.) School for Girls. Mrs. Payne was born at Inverness, Scotland, and was brought to the United States by her parents when a little maiden of but twelve summers.
Dr. Payne is a member of the First Presbyterian church and he is a director of the Bridgeport Christian Union. His fraternal allegiance is given to the Odd Fellows. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the probibition party and has ever been a stalwart advocate of the cause of temperance. He belongs to the American Institute of Homeopathy and to the Connecticut State Homeopathic Medical Society and of the latter was at one time president-a fact which indicates the high position accorded him by his colleagues and contemporaries in the profession. His aid and Influence are always given on the side of progress and improvement and he stands as a loyal supporter of those movements which are seeking the uplift of the individual and the better- ment of the community.
HARRY J. PLATT.
Harry J. Platt, president of the Reo Garage, Incorporated, is conducting a well organized and rapidly developing business in this connection. He was born in Bridgeport, October 20, 1880, a son of Henry and Mary (Blake) Platt, the former a native of Bethlehem, Connecticut, while the latter was born in Bridgeport. The father devoted his life to the occupation of
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farming and in his home, in the usual manner of farm lads of the period, Harry J. Platt spent the days of his boyhood and youth. He acquired a public school education and he has been engaged in the automobile business longer than any other man in Bridgeport. In fact he is a pioneer in this field. He started as a chauffeur, thoroughly acquainted himself with the mechanism of motor cars and eventually organized the Reo Garage, Incorporated. Of this company he is the president, with George W. Smith as secretary and treasurer. The business is located at Nos. 172 to 178 Elm street and they are now erecting a new garage on Golden Hill street, near Washington, a two-story structure sixty by two hundred and seventy feet. It is equipped with tile floor and has a showroom fifty by forty feet. In fact the plant is thoroughly modern in every particular and in addition to show and salesrooms there is maintained a complete machine shop. The company carries a full line of anto parts and at the new plant they will conduct a garage business, having room for two hundred cars, there being sixteen thousand square feet of floor space on each floor. The garage is equipped with a ramp for taking cars to the second floor and this is the largest and most modern garage in Bridgeport, being ready for business in July, 1917. The company does all classes of mechanical work except painting and wood work and they employ twenty skilled mechanics. They handle the Reo and Stearns-Knight cars and also Reo trucks and have the agency for Fairfield county and also a part of New Haven county. Something of the notable growth of their patronage is indicated in the fact that they are now doing double the business which they did a year ago and this result has largely been achieved through the enterprise, industry, perseverance and capable management of Mr. Platt.
On the 11th of September, 1906, Mr. Platt was united in marriage to Miss Susanne McQuade, of New York. He belongs to the Algonquin Club and is popular in both business and social circles of this city.
FRANK H. MULLINS.
Among the wide-awake, enterprising business men of Bridgeport is numbered Frank H. Mullins at the head of the Mullins Typewriter Exchange, which is doing the largest business of its kind in the state of Connecticut. Mr. Mullins was born in Bridgeport on the 18th of April, 1880, and is a son of Patrick and Bridget (Collins) Mullins, natives of Ireland, where they were reared and married. On leaving his old home in Limerick the father came to the United States in 1870 and made his home in Bridgeport throughout the remainder of his life, dying here in 1916. By occupation he was a steam engineer. The mother also passed away in Bridgeport, in the faith of the Catholic church, to which both she and her husband belonged.
Frank H. Mullins was educated in the city schools of Bridgeport and in early life took up mechanics, being first employed at repairing typewriters with the Marshall Typewriter Exchange in this city. On leaving that company in 1906 he began business in a small way at the corner of State and Main streets under the name of the Mullins Typewriter Exchange and as time passed he steadily built up a good trade. In 1915 he removed to his present locality at No. 1280 Main street, where he now has a large, handsome up-to-date establish- ment, and is enjoying an excellent business. He is the Bridgeport agent for the Corona typewriter and is today the oldest, man in the retail typewriter business in the city, having been identified with that enterprise since starting out in life for himself.
On the 27th of January, 1914. Mr. Mullins was married at Stratford, Connecticut, to Miss Cecelia McGrath, who was born in that city and was graduated from St. Vincent's Training School for Nurses at Norfolk, Virginia. Her father, Thomas MeGrath, is also a native of Stratford, where he is now engaged in business as a market gardener. Mr. and
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Mrs. Mullins have a daughter, Cecelia Frances. They are members of the Roman Catholic church and Mr. Mullins is also a charter member of Rogers Council, No. 1248, K. C., which he has served as financial secretary. In politics he is an independent democrat. He is one of the representative business men of his native city and the success that has come to him is hut the just reward of his own industry, enterprise and good management.
MICHAEL HAWIE.
Michael Hawie, who is engaged in the manufacture of buckles, is one of the enterprising and resourceful manufacturers who are fast making Bridgeport one of the leading industrial centers of the country. He was born in the Mount Lebanon district, in Syria, in 1876 and is a son of Ayub and Lillian Hawie. He received an excellent education in the English and American mission schools in his native country and in 1896, when twenty years old, emigrated to New York city. For some time he was employed in various factories there and later hegan manufacturing in a small way on his own account. He met with gratifying success in his independent ventures and in 1907 came to Bridgeport and purchased a buckle factory at No. 729 North Washington avenue, which he has since owned and operated. At that time there were only twenty-five employes, but during the ten years he has been in control of the business that number has heen increased three hundred per cent, the factory now employing twenty-five men and fifty women. The output has increased proportionately. The chief product is suspender and hose supporter buckles and almost the entire output finds sale in New York city and abroad. One important factor in the rapid growth of the business has been the automatic machinery used in the plant. Many of the improved features of this machinery are the inventions of Mr. Hawie.
One machine which formerly required two men and six women to operate, now through Mr. Hawie's improvements, is absolutely automatic, thus effecting a great saving in labor cost. He is continually studying his business, both in its operating and in its selling depart- ments, in an effort to effect other changes which will make for efficiency and lower costs. .
Mr. Hawie was married in New York city a short time before his removal to Bridgeport .. Although not a member of any denomination, he attends the various Protestant churches and supports those measures making for moral advancement. The highly gratifying success which he has gained during the twenty-one years that he has been a resident of the United States is but the natural result of his quickness to recognize opportunities, his initiative and keen business judgment, and he is held in the highest esteem in manufacturing eireles.
DAVID HENRY MONAHAN, M. D.
Dr. David Henry Monahan, who since October, 1900, has been engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Bridgeport, now enjoys an enviable reputation, for throughout this entire period, covering seventeen years, he has made steady progress owing to his broadening experience and constant study. He was born at Southington, Connecticut, Feb- ruary 9, 1862, a son of James M. and Bridget (McKiernan) Monahan, both of whom were natives of Ireland, in which country they were acquainted, although their marriage was celebrated in New Haven after they had emigrated to the new world. The father was a coal merchant and thus provided for his family, but both he and his wife are now de- ceased. Dr. Monahan was the sixth of their ten children, of whom only three are yet living. He has a brother and sister: Dr. Joseph B. Monahan, a physician of New Haven; and Julia A., also living in that city, where she is engaged in teaching in the public schools.
DR. DAVID H. MONAHAN
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Dr. David H. Monahan spent his youthful days in his native city and in the year in which he attained his majority was graduated from Manhattan College of New York city, winning the Bachelor of Arts degree on the completion of a four years' course in that institution. He afterward followed business pursuits in Southington for several years but at length determined to prepare for the practice of medicine and in 1896 matriculated in the medical department of Dartmouth College, from which he was graduated in 1900. He then opened an office at Derby, Connecticut, but in October of the same year removed to Bridgeport, where he has since successfully practiced. He is now serving on the board of health and is a member of the staff of St. Vincent's Hospital. Through the interchange of thoughit and experience in the meetings of the Bridgeport, the Fairfield County, the Con- necticut State and the American Medical Associations, of all of which he is a member, he keeps in touch with the trend of modern thought and scientific medical research.
On the 16th of April, 1902, Dr. Monahan was married to Miss Mary E. Tuite, of Hart- ford, who was a teacher in the public schools there and is a graduate of the Connecticut State Normal School of New Britain. They have five children: Mary E., David T., Julia, Catherine and Elizabeth. The family are communicants of the Sacred Heart church and have always adhered to the Roman Catholic faith. Dr. Monahan has membership with the Knights of Columbus. also the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and he belongs as well to the Algonquin Club. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and he has served as a member of the board of education of Bridgeport for six years. His home is practically his club, for he is devoted to the welfare of his family and prefers to spend his leisure hours at his own fireside.
JUDGE CARL FOSTER.
Although a native of Virginia, Judge Carl Foster, attorney of Bridgeport, is a repre- sentative of one of the old and well known Connecticut families identified with the history of New England since early colonial days, the Fosters first making settlement at Middletown in 1625. Down through succeeding generations the family has stood for loyalty in citizen- ship and progressiveness in public affairs, and when the Civil war was inaugurated Isaac McKendry Foster, father of Judge Foster, responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting as a private in the One Hundred and Forty-sixth New York Volunteer Infantry, with which he served throughout the period of hostilities, spending ten months of that time in Confederate prisons. When the war was over he returned to New York and devoted his life to the work of the ministry as a Methodist clergyman. He wedded Julia E. Mosher, whose ancestors were also Connecticut people, settling at Milford in 1639.
Judge Foster accompanied his parents on their removal from Virginia to New York and from the Empire state came to Connecticut. His more specifically literary course was pursued in Dickinson College, which conferred upon him the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1893 and in 1896 the honorary degree of Master of Arts. It was in that year that he was admitted to the bar in Fairfield county, having successfully passed the required examination in January after having carefully studied in preparation for a legal career. He entered upon active practice in connection with the firm of Lockwood & Beers and upon the death of the senior partner, Judge David B. Lockwood, in January, 1897, he was admitted to a partnership by Judge Beers under the firm style of Beers & Foster, a relation that was main- tained until April 15, 1915. At that date he entered into partnership with Frederick E. Morgan and the firm of Foster & Morgan is now engaged in general law practice in Bridge- port, where a liberal clientage is accorded them. While well grounded in the principles of common law when admitted to the bar, Judge Foster has continued through the whole of his professional life a diligent student of those elemental principles that constitute the
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basis of all legal science and this knowledge has served him well in the courts, where he has successfully conducted many cases. Preparing his cases with great care, if there has been a close legal point involved in the issue, it has been his hahit to thoroughly examine every authority within his reach bearing on the question, and this makes him a formidable adversary. His addresses before the courts are models of clearness and logic and his reputation as a lawyer has been won through earnest, honest labor, while his standing at the bar is a merited tribute to his ability.
On the 29th of June, 1897, Mr. Foster was married in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, to Miss Delia J. Norcross, of that state, and they have become parents of two sons and five daughters, namely: Mary Louise, Julia Mosher, Elizabeth Norcross, George Norcross, Ruth Sheldon, Sheldon Jackson and Delia Sheldon.
Judge Foster is a stalwart republican and on various occasions has been called to public office by his fellow townsmen, who have recognized his worth and ability. In 1898 he was elected a member of the board of aldermen and served for one term of two years, acting as president of the board during half of that period. In 1907 he was elected deputy judge of the city court and in 1909 he was elected judge of the city court, which position he filled for four years. He has also been one of the trustees of the Connecticut Colony for Epileptics. In Masonry he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and also the Knight Templar degree of the York Rite. He has been the national head of the Improved Order of Red Men, thus serving from 1912 until 1914, and he holds membership with the Sons of Veterans and the Sons of the American Revolution. His name is also on the mem- bership roll of the Yale Graduates Club of New Haven and of the Sigma Chi Club of New York city, while in Bridgeport he has membership with the Brooklawn Country, the University and the Black Rock Yacht Clubs, indicating his popularity among his fellow townsmen.
CHARLES W. PFLOMM.
Charles W. Pflomm, a man of sound business judgment, alert and enterprising, con- ducting a substantial business as a florist, is also one of the directors of the American Bank & Trust Company of Bridgeport, which he aided in organizing. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1861, a son of Charles and Emma (Frauenberger) Pflomm. The father was a native of Germany and in young manhood came to America, settling first at Brooklyn, New York. whence he removed to Bridgeport in 1866. Here he began business as a florist, turning his attention to the raising of flowers on Barnum avenue, in the eastern part of the city. He continued in business up to the time of his death and long ranked as one of the leaders in his line of activity, having one of the finest florist's establishments of the city. When he opened his business on Barnum avenue his location was out in the country. Both he and his wife passed away in Bridgeport, the death of Mr. Pflomm occurring in 1911.
Charles W. Pflomm was a little lad of but five years when he came to Bridgeport with his parents and here he attended the city schools. His business training was received under the direction of his father, with whom he learned everything in connection with flower propagation and development. He continued as an employe of his father until 1891, when he and his brother George were admitted to a partnership in the business under the firm style of Charles Pflomm Sons. This association was maintained until the father's death in 1911, when the firm was dissolved and Charles W. Pflomm established an independent enterprise at No. 1195 Barnum avenue, where he has a fine modern florist's establishment with hothouses and open gardens as well as a most attractive sales room. He enjoys an excellent trade. His entire life has been devoted to the business and he has a comprehensive knowledge of everything connected therewith. He also assisted in organ-
{ HARLES PFLOMM
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izing the American Bank & Trust Company of Bridgeport and his recognized business judgment led to his election to the directorate. He now has active voice in the manage- ment of the bank and brings to bear in the solution of its problems the same keen discern- ment and sagacity which have won for him success as a florist.
On the 29th of November, 1902, Mr. Pflomm was married to Miss Anna Marie Kachele. of Bridgeport, who was born in Newtown, Connecticut, a daughter of George and Anna M. (Steib) Kachele, who were natives of Germany. The father was a farmer of Easton, Connecticut, and it was there that Mrs. Pflomm was reared and educated.
In politics Mr. Pflomm follows an independent course, voting according to the dictates of his judgment. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has never sought to figure in any public life outside of business, but has concentrated his efforts upon his business as a florist and has made for himself a most creditable name and position in commercial circles.
CHARLES R. PEABODY.
Charles R. Peabody, Bridgeport manager for Duntee W. Flint in the handling of the Ford automobile, was born in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1877. After completing a public school education he turned his attention to the clothing business in his native state and in 1911 he engaged in the automobile business in connection with D. W. Flint at Providence, Rhode Island. With the development of the business he opened a branch house for Mr. Flint at Newport and in 1914 came to Bridgeport in charge of the interests of Mr. Flint, who has the agency for Fairfield and New Haven counties in Connecticut and for the entire state of Rhode Island. In this connection he controls sixteen stores, nine of which are located in Connecticut. The Bridgeport branch is at No. 141 Cannon street and at 388 Fairfield avenue. Mr. Peabody in his business covers all of the territory here and also at Stratford and Southport and carries a full line of Ford cars and Ford accessories, having put out a thousand or more cars in the year 1916. He employs thirty men who are skilled mechanics and has his own repair shop, garage and gasoline station. The business under his direction has grown steadily until it has now assumed extensive and gratifying proportions, indicating the excellent methods and enterprising spirit of Mr. Peabody.
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