USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Bridgeport > History of Bridgeport and vicinity > Part 42
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Charles C. Crouch was brought by his parents to Bridgeport, Connecticut, in 1871, when but four years old, and received his education in the Prospect Street school. Upon putting aside his textbooks he went to sea and for some time was in the coastwise trade, sailing on the steamer Fannie Garnor and later on two steamers, the C. H. Bentley and the Abbie P. Cromer. At length he returned to Bridgeport and learned the bakery business under A. W. Wallace, with whom he remained for fifteen years. Upon severing that connection he formed a partnership with William P. Plassmann and they conducted a bakery in Buffalo, New York, during the Pan-American Exposition, leaving that city just three days before President Mckinley was assassinated in September, 1901. They then established a small bakery in a basement at 870 Main street, in Bridgeport, and did all the work themselves for a time. but the excellence of their product led to a steady increase in their trade. After remaining at their first location for six years they removed to No. 601 Howard avenue, where they remained for a similar period. From that time on the business has grown with such rapidity
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that they have had difficulty in securing large enough quarters. At one time they leased from three different landlords in an effort to get sufficient room and at length they erected a large plant at the present location, at No. 760 Beechwood avenue, which they have occu- pied since the 14th of March, 1914. When they built they felt that they were providing for their needs for some time to come, but in 1915 were compelled to erect a large addition to their plant. Nine automobiles are required to make the city deliveries and employment is given to thirty-five people all told. Eighty per cent of their output is sold in Bridgeport and the remaining twenty per cent in nearby towns and cities.
In Bridgeport, November 2, 1901, Mr. Crouch married Miss Catherine Amelia Rae, of Bridgeport, who came from Ireland to the United States when about nineteen years old and first made her home with her unele, William Boyden, of Brockton, Massachusetts. Two children have been born to this union, namely, Charles Rae and William Maxwell, both of whom are attending the Bridgeport schools. The former was born December 10, 1902, in Bridgeport. the latter, August 22, 1904.
Mr. Crouch is a member of the First Presbyterian church and gives his hearty support to its work. Fraternally he is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks All that he has, and he now ranks among the substantial men of Bridgeport. he has made himself and his success gives him added satisfaction because of the fact that it is proof of his ability to recognize the salient points in a situation, his sound judgment and his enterprise.
NILS H. ANDERSON.
Nils H. Anderson is the president of the Anderson Die Machine Company of Bridgeport, and is thus an active representative of industrial interests in the city. He was born in Sweden in 1881, a son of Nils H. and Anna (Nystrom) Anderson, who brought their family to the new world in 1892 and settled at Trenton, New Jersey. It was there, after completing his public school training, that Nils H. Anderson of this review began learning the machinist's trade in the Joe Crossley Machine Works. There he remained until 1896, when the family removed to Bridgeport and Nils H. Anderson then entered the employ of Harvey Hubbell. He was afterward with the American Tube & Stamping Company and subsequently became associated with the Stanley Instrument Company at Great Barrington, Massachusetts, occupy- ing the position of foreman of the manufacture of meters. Each change in his business connection represents advancement along the line of his chosen life work. He became fore- man of the Grant Machine Company and later was superintendent for the Standard Gauge Manufacturing Company of Syracuse, New York. At a subsequent period he went to Middletown, Connecticut, where he was made works engineer for the Noiseless Typewriter Company. In December, 1913, he organized a small plant of his own and did experimenting in lines that he now manufactures and in special typewriter work. Perfecting designs and devices on which he was working he then organized the Anderson Die Machine Company in June, 1915, Mr. Anderson becoming the president with L. H. Anderson as secretary and C. H. Newman as treasurer. The business is located at No. 590 Water street, where they have two thousand square feet of floor space utilized in the manufacture of machinery for making dies. These machines are patented after designs made by Mr. Anderson, who has also patented a vertical tapping machine which is now on the market. They employ thirty skilled mechanics. Their output includes the Anderson Die Forming Machine and the Rotary Super-Helical Cutter, and their machines have received the indorsement of many of the most prominent firms of the country indorsing its efficiency in the making of blanking dies, irregular shaped gauges and templets and formers for cams or profiling machines. The ver- tical tapping machine has a direct motor drive and variable cutting speed with constant
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speed per operation. It has many improved features and is meeting fully the requirements of the trade. Mr. Anderson has taken out about one hundred patents, and the Noiseless Typewriter, as it is now built, is entirely his invention.
In 1904 Mr. Anderson was married to Miss Katherine Kaechell, of Bridgeport, and they have two children: Nils Theodore, born May 21, 1904, at Great Barrington, Massachusetts; and Dorothy. Mr. Anderson and his family attend the Congregational church. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and cooperates in all its well devised plans and projects for the npbuilding and improvement of the city, but he maintains an independent course in politics, nor is he a member of any club. He indorses those interests that he believes to be for the publie good and gives active support to movements of general worth .. His has been an active and useful life, winning for him the high respect of those with whom he has been brought in contact.
EDWARD S. BRAY.
Edward S. Bray, conducting a garage in Bridgeport, was born in this city August 18, 1879, his parents being John W. and Rose A. (Gaffney) Bray. The father was born in Ireland and in 1868 came to Bridgeport, while the mother, who was also a native of the Emerald isle, arrived in the new world during her girlhood. For a considerable period John W. Bray was connected with the Bartroms in the beef business.
Reared under the parental roof, Edward S. Bray acquired a public school education and then began learning the machinist's trade in the Bullard factories, there working for five years. He was afterward employed in various connections until he opened his garage at No. 1185 Grand avenue in 1909. The place of business is forty by one hundred and forty feet and in addition to housing cars he does all kinds of repair work and handles a full line of accessories. He has space for the storage of forty cars and he employs four skilled mechanics.
In 1901 Mr. Bray was married to Miss Louise A. Richard, of Bridgeport, and they have two children, Rosalynd and Dorothy. Mr. Bray has membership with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks but politically does not bind himself by party ties and votes according to the dictates of his judgment. While he has supported many progressive measures having to do with public welfare, he does not seek nor desire office himself but concentrates his attention upon his business, knowing that industry and close application are the basis of success.
JAMES DOOLAN.
James Doolan, a teaming contractor of Bridgeport, was born in Ireland May 8, 1864, a son of Thomas and Bridget Doolan, and after acquiring a public school education in that country crossed the Atlantic to New York city, where he arrived in 1881. He soon after- ward made his way to New Hartford, Connecticut, where be was employed in the cotton mills, and subsequently he secured a position with the Waterbury Brass Company. There he remained until 1892. when he came to Bridgeport, where he has since resided. He was first employed here by the Aluminum, Brass & Bronze Company, with which he continued for a year. and later he spent two years in the Seabright Brass shops. He bought his first horse during the widespread financial panic of 1893, the purchase price being one hun- dred and twenty-five dollars. He began the contract hauling of ashes and while employed in that way for a year made enough money to purchase another horse. He then turned
JAMES DOOLAN
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his attention to general teaming and soon afterward was able to purchase a second team. To the number he continuously added until he had more than thirty teams and in the meantime he had become an excellent judge of horses. This led him to enter the field of buying and selling horses and mules as a side line and both branches of his business developed rapidly. Recognizing the fact that he needed more room, he then purchased from time to time more than seven lots on Frank and Catherine streets. All of this he still owns. He today has big barns and fine houses upon this ground. His office has been at its present location at No. 273 Frank street for nineteen years. He today has many teams and trucks of the most modern construction and he handles about one thousand horses a year and about twenty mules. The growth of his business is furthermore indi- cated in the fact that today he has thirty employes.
On November 2, 1894, Mr. Doolan married Miss Ellen French, of Bridgeport, a native of Ireland, and they have a son and a daughter, James L. and Marguerite, the former of whom is assisting his father in business. The family belong to St. Patrick's Roman Cath- olie church. Mr. Doolan deserves much credit for the success which he has achieved since arriving in America a penniless young man of seventeen years. Determination and energy have constituted the basis of his growing prosperity.
ARTHUR H. PLATT.
Arthur H. Platt, treasurer of the Booth & Platt Company of Bridgeport, is well known in trade eireles of the city. He was born in Milford, Connecticut, October 6, 1869, in the old Stephen Stowe place, which his father owned for more than seventy years and which was built two hundred and thirty years ago or more, and figured prominently in Revolutionary days. His parents were Howard B. and Ida L. (Holt) Platt, the former a native of Milford and the latter of Massachusetts. The family is one of the oldest in New England, the ancestry being traced back to Richard Platt, who came from England in 1639 and was one of the first settlers in Milford, Connecticut. The line of descent may be traced down directly from him to Arthur H. Platt. The father, Howard B. Platt, was a tinner by trade, but in his later life was forced to retire from active business, becoming an invalid. He died in the year 1911 but his widow survives.
Arthur H. Platt was graduated from the high school of Milford with the class of 1885 and began work in a shoe factory, while later he turned his attention to railroad work. He became connected with the Smith-Comstock Company in 1903 and thus gained experience along the line in which he is now actively engaged. In 1909 he was one of the organizers of the Booth & Platt Company, of which he has since been the treasurer. This is a close corporation which has enjoyed constant growth in its trade. The plant is a two-story and basement building, thirty-five by seventy feet, at No. 737 Water street, in addition to which they have a storage yard on Gold street. They conduct a wholesale business in bottles, bottlers' supplies, barroom supplies and druggists' sundries, and their trade covers western Connectucut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. while the house is represented on the road by four traveling salesmen.
Mr. Platt married Miss Lillian Ley, of Monroe, Connecticut, who passed away January 27. 1909, leaving two children, Milton Arthur and Grace Louise. In June, 1915, Mr. Platt was again married, his second union being with Eleanor M. Norris, who was born in Bridge- port and is a niece of George William Smith. Mr. Platt is a loyal member of the Masonic fraternity and is a past master of Ansantawae Lodge, No. 89. A. F. & A. M., having served for three consecutive years in office. During this time he raised thirty-six candidates. He is also a member of Joseph Andrews Chapter, No. 46, R. A. M., of West Haven. He was one of the founders of the Milford Wheel Club, which was organized in 1891, and he is the only
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charter member left. Both he and his wife belong to the First Congregational church and in the social circles of the city they occupy an enviable position. Politically Mr. Platt is a republican and is conversant with the leading questions and issues of the day, but does not seek nor desire office as a reward for party fealty.
WILLIAM HENRY EVERS.
The life record of William Henry Evers had spanned seventy-five years when on the 20th of February, 1917, he was called to the home beyond. He was born in Hanover, Ger- many, December 24, 1841, and was a lad of ten years when he accompanied his father, Carl F. Evers, to the new world. Carl F. Evers was a native of Germany and was born January 19, 1804. He came to the United States in 1851, reaching American shores after a voyage of one hundred and eight days. He established a home in Bridgeport and here he conducted a slaughter house, remaining in business in Bridgeport throughout the remainder of his life. He died January 22, 1886, at the age of eighty-two years. His wife, who was Doris Witte, was born December 23, 1815, and lived until January 23, 1897.
William H. Evers pursued his education in the Gates private school on Hill street and on starting out in business became the associate of his father, while eventually he established a meat market of his own. For many years he carried on business in that way on State street, having one of the leading markets of the city and enjoying a very liberal patronage. There he remained until 1888, when he sold out, after which he was not active, having no business at all, his competence being sufficient to supply him with all of the necessities and many of the luxuries of life. For a time after his retirement he occupied his farm on East Main street extension, but afterward removed to the home at No. 33 Richardson street, in Bridgeport.
Mr. Evers was united in marriage May 16, 1867, to Miss Wilhelmina Liebrum, of Bridge- port, a native of Hesse-Cassel, Germany, and they became the parents of six children: Ernest L., who is now in St. Louis; Caroline, the wife of Louis Schwerdtle, of Bridgeport; Augusta, the wife of Frank Riehl, of Bridgeport ; Henry A., residing in Providence, Rhode Island; Carl F., of Bridgeport; and Gertrude, the wife of Paul E. Becker, of Bridgeport. The wife and mother passed away September 25, 1891. and in 1892 Mr. Evers was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Friedericka Stoll, of Bridgeport, who survives him.
Mr. Evers was a member of Mithra Lodge, No. 8. K. P., and his brethren of that frater- nity attended the funeral services in a body. His remains were laid to rest in Mountain Grove cemetery. He had crossed the ocean back and forth eleven different times and was well known as a traveler. His life, however, was that of the quiet business man intent on the pursuit of an honorable purpose which won him success.
WILLIAM PETER BERNARD PLASSMANN.
William Peter Bernard Plassmann, junior partner in the well known firm of Crouch & Plassmann, bakers, was born in Westphalia, Germany, on the 8th of December, 1874, a son of Henry Frank and Theresa (Niemeyer) Plassmann, who are still residents of Germany. To them were born five children, those besides our subject being Frank, Harry, Peter and Annie, likewise residents of the fatherland.
William Peter Bernard Plassman was edueated in the public and high schools of his native country and also studied business methods there for three years. In 1893, when about nineteen years old, he crossed the Atlantic, landing at Halifax, and on the 19th of August of
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that year came to Bridgeport. He began learning the bakery business here under Charles Stackman and was later employed by a number of concerns. While at the Wallace Bakery he became acquainted with Charles C. Crouch, his present partner, and their first independent business venture was the establishment of a bakery at Buffalo, New York, at the time of the Pan-American Exposition. They left that city just three days before President Mckin- ley was shot in September, 1901, and returning to Bridgeport, established a bakery in a basement at 870 Main street. There they remained for six years and for a similar period were located at No. 601 Howard avenue, but due to the rapid growth in the business their quarters there became too crowded and they erected a large plant at their present location at No. 760 Beechwood avenue. In 1915 they were compelled to build a large addition and their trade is still showing a marked increase. When the business was established the partners did all the work themselves, but they now have thirty-five employes and use nine automobiles in delivering their gocds to various parts of the city. Eighty per cent of their output is sold in Bridgeport and the firm name is recognized as a guarantee of purity and high quality.
Mr. Plassmann was married on the 12th of December, 1900, to Miss Mary Schreiber, who was born in Trumbull, Connecticut, and is a daughter of Edward and Teresa Schreiber. To this union has been born a daughter, Clara A., who is now in school preparing for college.
Mr. Plassmann generally supports the republican party at the polls but has not otherwise been active in politics. He is a member of the German Catholic church and of the Elks lodge and in 1898 was president of Bakers' Union, No. 38, of which he was financial secretary for several years. Among the factors which have contributed most to his success have been his practical knowledge of the baking business, his habit of analyzing business situations carefully, his systematic coordination of the work of the various departments of the com- pany and his close adherence to high business standards.
SAMUEL REICH.
Samuel Reich is an active member of the Bridgeport bar and his present law office in the Newfield building is located only two hundred feet from the spot on which he was born, for at that time it was a residence district. His natal day was May 23, 1893. His father, the late Isadore Reich, was a merchant, well known in Bridgeport, having been the founder of the White House Clothing Store at 639 Water street, which he conducted successfully for many years prior to his death and which is still being carried on by the surviving members of the family. He passed away in 1908 and is still survived by his widow, who bore the maiden name of Rosa Morris. They were married in Bridgeport in 1885 and became the parents of twelve children, of whom eleven, eight sons and three daughters, are yet living.
Samuel Reich was reared under the parental roof and attended the public schools of Bridgeport until graduated from the high school with the class of 1911. In the fall of that year he hecame a law student in the University of Pennsylvania, where he remained for a year and afterward spent two years as a student in the New York University Law School, from which he was graduated with the LL. B. degree in 1914. He finished his last examination at the New York University Law School at ten o'clock at night on the 27th of May, 1914, and on the following day he passed an examination at New Haven for admission to the Connecticut bar. He was then but four days past twenty-one years of age. He opened a law office in his native city, where he has since practiced with marked success. Already he has won a reputation which many an older practitioner might well envy, and those who are familiar with his characteristics feel no hesitancy in predicting for him a still more successful future. His brother Morris, now twenty-one years of age, was graduated from the Bridgeport high school and is now a member of the graduating class of the New York
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University Law School. He will complete his course in 1917 and then plans to become the law partner of his brother Samuel.
Mr. Reich gives his political allegiance to the republican party and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. In 1915 he was a candidate for alderman on the citizens ticket. He belongs to the Phi Sigma Delta, a Greek letter fraternity, and while a law student in the University of Pennsylvania he was a member of the Miller Law Club. He also belongs to the Independent Order of B'nai B'rith and is a member of the Park Avenue Hebrew Temple. He finds his chief recreation in motoring, but he allows no out- side interests to interfere with the faithful performance of his professional duties and his devotion to his clients' interests is fast becoming proverbial.
HARRY D. FITZGERALD.
Almost countless enterprises of every character and variety are found in Bridegport, contributing to the business development of the city. At the head of one of these stands Harry D. Fitzgerald, who is conducting a general plumbing and heating business and also does sheet metal work. He is one of Bridgeport's native sons, his birth having here occurred in 1875, his parents being Daniel and Mary (Rafferty) Fitzgerald, the former a native of Ireland, while the latter was born in Bridgeport. Both parents died during the early boy- hood of their son Harry. The father had engaged in the plumbing business and had thus provided for the support of his family.
At the usual age Harry D. Fitzgerald entered the public schools of his native city and when his textbooks were put aside he began learning the plumbing trade with the firm of Wheeler & Cook. He afterward worked for other firms and then established business on his own account, organizing the H. D. Fitzgerald Company, Incorporated, on the 1st of January, 1909. This company succeeded to the business which he had established under his own name about 1905. His first location was in a cottage on Bassick avenue but later he removed to State street and subsequently established his business at his present location about 1911. His thorough practical training made him familiar with every phase of the plumbing and heating business, so that he is now well able to supervise the execution of contracts given him for work of that character and also sheet metal work. The present officers of the company are: H. D. Fitzgerald, president and treasurer; Thomas Carroll, vice president; and Joseph Morrissey, secretary.
Mr. Fitzgerald was united in marriage in Bridgeport to Miss Anna McMahon, of this city, and their children are Helen, Edith, Harry, Leo, Arthur and Burnedette. Mr. Fitzgerald is affiliated with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Politically he maintains an inde- pendent course, voting for men and measures rather than party. He is not remiss in the duties of citizenship, yet he does not seek nor desire office as a reward for party fealty, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business interests.
DANIEL JOSEPH MCCARTHY, M. D.
Connecticut has drawn a large percentage of her able physicians and surgeons from her native sons. To this class belongs Dr. Daniel Joseph Mccarthy, of Bridgeport, who was born at Ansonia, New Haven county, May 29, 1884. His parents, Charles and Mary (O'Sullivan) McCarthy, were both natives of Ireland and the former died when their son Daniel was but six months old. They were married on the Emerald isle before coming to the new world and both have now passed away.
DR. DANIEL J. MCCARTHY
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Dr. MeCarthy is the youngest of their four children who are yet living. He was reared in Ansonia, where he attended the public schools, and after determining upon the practice of medicine as a life work he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore, Maryland, where he won his M. D. degree in 1906. After four years devoted to study there he came to Bridgeport and spent two years as house surgeon in St. Vincent's Hospital. When he first took up the study of medicine his preceptor was Dr. W. H. Conk- lin, of Ansonia, who directed his reading for five years before he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore. Dr. MeCarthy benefited greatly by the instruc- tion, assistance and advice of Dr. Conklin. who proved a splendid preceptor as well as a fine man. He is still in active practice in Ansonia and Dr. McCarthy acknowledges his indebtedness for his early thorough training. Since 1908 he has been an active physician and surgeon of Bridgeport and is now visiting surgeon of St. Vincent's Hospital, to which position he was appointed January 1, 1914. He holds to high professional standards, is most careful in the diagnosis of his cases, studies broadly and thinks deeply. He possesses a fine medical library and that he is devoted to his profession is indicated in the fact that he has not taken a vacation since beginning practice in 1908. He specializes in surgery and few equal him in the skill and ability which he displays in the performance of important and complex operations.
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