USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Leading business men of Fairfield County : and a historical review of the principal cities > Part 7
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PETER FOLAND was born in Scoharie connty, New York, and for many years was- engaged in the grocery and later in the hotel business at Albany, New York. After a long experience as hotel man he came to Bridgeport in 1880, and bought the At- lantic House, which he has since conducted in a liberal and enterprising manner, fully in keeping with the spirit of the city.
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BRIDGEPORT, PAST AND PRESENT.
HON. CIVILION FONES was born in Toronto, Canada, October 1, 1836, so that he is of the same age as the city of Bridgeport, of which he is the present Mayor. He is a descendant of two Huguenot families, and spent his early years in Canada and New York State, coming to Bridgeport first in 1858. He began life in the occupa- tion of his father, as architect and builder, but after coming to Bridgeport entered the dental profession, studying first with Dr. D. H. Porter, of this city, later at Maryland Medical College and Baltimore Medical College. He has practiced suc- cessfully in this city for more than twenty-five years, and has gained the esteem of his colleagues and fellow-citizens. He was elected president of the Connecticut Val- ley Dental Association. He was elected to the Common Council of the city in 1884, served as Alderman in 1885, and Mayor in 1886-7, which offices he has administered with distinguished ability and success.
DAVID BENJAMIN LOCKWOOD, son of David and Abigail (Gray) Lockwood, was born January 7, 1827, in Weston, and is a direct descendant of Robert Lockwood, who settled in Fairfield in 1649. After a preparatory course at Staples' Academy, Easton, Connecticut, he entered Wesleyan University in 1844 and graduated in 1849. He studied law under Hon. Thomas B. Osborne of Fairfield and Hon. Sidney B. Beardsley of Bridgeport, where he was admitted to practice in 1851, and continued here until 1856, when he removed to New York city. He served with distinction as a sergeant in the Second Connecticut Light Battery throughout the war, and after its close for a number of years performed editorial work upon the Bridgeport Stand- ard and Waterbury American. Since 1867 he has practiced his profession here with his former ability and success. IIe was Judge of the City Court of Bridgeport from 1869 to 1871, Representative to the Legislature in 1875 and 1883, and City Attorney of Bridgeport in 1880 and 1885. He took a leading part in the establish- ment of the Bridgeport Public Library and Reading Room, the Mechanics' and Farmers' Savings Bank and the Fairfield County Law Library Association, beside exercising a wide influence which has been beneficially felt in every important meas- ure for the public welfare, and has placed him in the leading ranks at the Fairfield County Bar.
FREDERICK J. LOCKWOOD is a son of Mr. Frederick Lockwood, one of the pioneers and important promoters of Bridgeport's business prosperity. Mr. F. J. Lockwood has also achieved marked success in commercial life and has been promi- nently connected for several years with the Bridgeport Savings Bank.
DAVID M. READ was born in Hoosac Falls, New York, and was a descendant by a regular line of five generations from Colonel Thomas Read, of Hertfordshire, England, who settled in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1630. He early removed with his parents to North Adams, Massachusetts, where he received his education, and after considerable business experience, came to Bridgeport and entered the employ of E. Birdsey, in 1857. In the same year he formed a partnership with Mr. W. B. Hail which lasted until 1877, since which time he has carried on his dry goods business as the senior partner of the firm of D. M. Read & Co., and engaged exten- sively in carpet manufacturing. Mr. Read has been president of the Bridgeport Board of Trade since its organization, a member of the Common Council, Board of Education, and State Legislature. He is vice-president of the City Savings Bank, a director in the Bridgeport National Bank, Mountain Grove Cemetery Association, and Fairfield County Agricultural Association, and has held the position of brigade-
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commissary of the Connecticut National Guard with the rank of Major, besides other important offices.
ISAAC SHERMAN, EsQ., was born in Stratfield, September 25, 1788, the son of David and Rebecca (French) Sherman, and descended from one of the earliest settlers of the colony. At the age of sixteen he tried four years of seafaring life and when twenty started in business for himself in the firm of Beach & Sherman. He soon became one of the leading merchants of the borough and accumulated a large property. He was one of the influential citizens of Bridgeport in its early days, having been town clerk from 1831 to 1847, and town treasurer for twenty-two years, beside holding the office of Judge of Probate, recorder of the city, and several others for a number of years. In his later years he wrote a historical work entitled " Esquire Sherman's Recollections," which is undoubtedly the most valuable document remaining to testify to the events in the early history of the city. No one better than old "Esquire Sherman " deserved the honorable title of "Father of the City."
JAMES STAPLES was born in Swanville, Maine, January 19, 1824, and until he was seventeen years old spent most of his time upon his father's farm at that place. He then began teaching school, which continued to be his profession until 1854 when he made his home at Bridgeport and entered business, first as a lumber merchant and afterwards as a real estate and insurance broker. He has established himself as a leading business man and citizen, has taken an active and influential part in the doings of the Board of Trade and Board of Education, and in many ways has done much for the advancement of the city.
HON. DANIEL H. STERLING was born in Bridgeport, July 10, 1819, and was a member of one of the oldest and most influential families in this section of the State, being a direct descendant from Jacob Sterling, who first settled in Stratford about 1708. He entered Yale in the Class of 1839, but later went to Union College, where he graduated with honors in 1840. He then engaged in business in Bridgeport and in 1841 organized the firm of D. H. Sterling & Co. He continued during the next thirty-five years to be one of the most powerful business men in the city, and took an influential part in building up all her interests. He was the war mayor of Bridgeport, being elected in 1860, and reelected in 1861 and 1862, and performed distinguished services in that important and critical position. He was Vice-Presi- dent of the Board of Education, chairman of finance committee, and was a member of the Common Council and Board of Aldermen for many years, exercising a beneficial influence in all the public affairs of the city which has hardly been equalled by that of any other man in her history.
COLONEL WM. H. STEVENSON, son of Wm. G. and Georgie T. Stevenson, was born in Bridgeport in 1847. Col. Stevenson prepared for college, but resolving to enter business, took a course at Eastman's National Business College, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., where he graduated with the degree of Master of Accounts. He entered the Housa- tonic Railroad office at Bridgeport in 1864, and actively and permanently engaged in railroad life, being appointed Special Agent of the New York & New Haven Railroad in 1872, Paymaster of the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad in 1878, Superintendent of the Shore Line Division in the same year, and Superintendent of the New York Division of the New York, New Haven & Hartford in 1882, which is one of the most important railroad positions in the country, and was administered
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with great success. He is now Vice-Pres. of the Housatonic R. R. Col. Stevenson was a member of the Common Council in 1875, an alderman in 1876, 1877 and 1878,. was admitted to the Fairfield County Bar, after passing examinations, in the same year, was President of the Young Men's Democratic Cleveland and Hendrick's Club in 1884, was appointed Aid-de-Camp with rank of Colonel on the Staff of Governor Waller in the same year, was President of the Eclectic Club of Bridgeport, Grand Master and General Aid of the I. O. O. F., a prominent Mason, President of the Association of American Railroad Superintendents, a Director of the Railway Tele- graph and numerous other companies and railways, beside having held many other prominent and influential positions, which give abundant evidence to the progressive- ness and energy of his active life.
CHARLES S. STRATTON, otherwise and generally known as General Tom Thumb, was born in Bridgeport in 1837, and in 1842 was secured by Mr. Barnum as one of the most striking curiosities of his great show, he being at that time only two feet in height, yet perfectly formed and handsome. His father was Sherwood E. Stratton, of Bridgeport, and he came of an old family who had lived in this region for over a hundred years. General Tom Thumb had great success in New York, and in 1844 sailed for Europe with Mr. Barnum, where he received distinguished attention and honors from Queen Victoria, King Louis Ph.llippe, of France, and other prominent people, while he was greeted with enthusiasm in London, Paris and other great cities on the Continent. He returned to America after three years' absence, in 1847, hav- ing, before he was ten years old, accumulated a large fortune for his parents and himself, thirty thousand dollars of which were expended in the erection of a beautiful residence in this city. In 1862 Mr. Barnum added to his company the beautiful and highly educated young lady dwarf, Miss Lavinia Warren, and a genuine love and courtship sprang up between herself and Gen. Tom Thumb, resulting in the marriage of the two at Grace Church, New York City, February 10, 1863, which attracted the attention of the civilized world. From that time on they lived and traveled together to all appearances worthy to be numbered among the happiest married couples in America. Gen. Tom Thumb and his beautiful wife visited Europe several times, and were probably introduced to a large majority of the present generation living in this. country. The General died at his beautiful home in Middleboro, Mass., July 15, 1883, and was buried in Bridgeport.
This record of the public men of Bridgeport is one of which she may justly be proud, and their names and services will ever be cherished in the grateful memories of her citizens.
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BRIDGEPORT, PAST AND PRESENT.
CHAPTER VIII.
A MODERN CITY.
In no other respect, perhaps, is the admirable foresight and care of the leading citizens of Bridgeport more remarkably displayed for the present and all time, than in the many forms and ways in which the city has been and is being beautified as it has grown into large proportions. As a result we now have beautiful avenues and magnificent parks, which justly have won for Bridgeport the sobriquet of "Park City," it being estimated by competent authorities that the city has one acre of park territory to every 170 of its population, "probably a larger park area to the number of inhabitants than any other city in the United States." Among other beautiful objects of interest it is right that we should consider the most important, the parks, first. These comprise the following: Seaside Park, one hundred acres in extent; Beardsley Park, one hundred and twenty-five acres; Washington Park and the Pa- rade Ground, about fifteen acres; in all two hundred and forty acres of park territory.
Seaside Park is the result of a movement started in 1863, in which Hon. P. T. Barnum took the lead. His efforts were admirably seconded by Messrs. Frederick Hurd and James C. Loomis. Originally it was thirty-five acres in extent, of which Mr. Barnum gave seven. It has received many additions since, Mr. Barnum himself giving thirty acres more, and has been continually improved and adorned, until now it has few equals in New England. It is situated on the shore of Long Island Sound, about a mile out Main street from the post-office, and extends as far west as Black Rock Harbor. A striking picture of its situation and outlook is given by the fol- lowing sketch, which appeared in the Standard, October 1, 1863, when the move- ment for the park was first started:
" It is a beautiful piece of land, free from rocks, skirted for a considerable part of the way on the north by fine forest trees, and bounded on the south for its entire length by the sparkling waters of the Sound. From this water-front, which is cool and pleasant in the hottest days, a picturesque and enchanting water view is ob- tained. On the left, as we stand facing the harbor, is the city, with its tall spires and chimneys pointing skyward from among the trees; the harbor, dotted with its sailing craft; and the wooded point opposite with its cottages; to the west the green, sloping shores of Black Rock stretch far around to the lighthouse. Far away to the south, across the Sound, rise the hills of Long Island, in picturesque beauty, while upon the intervening, placid waters, float a constant panorama of white-sailed vessels, passing up and down these blue waters of the Sound."
Two beautiful monuments have been erected in the park and add to its attrac- tions. The first is in honor of the soldiers of the late war, and is a magnificent work of art, having cost about $30,000. Upon it are inscribed the names of the men who
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VIEW IN SEASIDE PARK.
died in the war. The movement to obtain it was started and conducted by the Ladies' Soldiers' Monument Association, being aided by a special appropriation of the town of Bridgeport. A fine statue of Elias Howe, Jr., also stands in the park, facing the Sound, and reminding visitors of what perseverance and skill can do in the achievement of success in life. There is also a trotting course- in the park, which is a model of its kind, having an amphitheater from eight. to fifteen feet below the road-bed of the boulevard, and the race-course passing around a beautiful lake which is on a level with the surface of the Sound. The fine residence of Mr. Barnum, " Waldemere " (woods-by-the-sea), on the northern boun- dary of the park, together with several other residences, have a beautiful effect upon the scenery to one riding through the park.
The princely gift of Beardsley Park, made to the city by Mr. James W. Beards- ley in 1878, has already been mentioned. This park is located in East Bridgeport, on the opposite side of the city from Seaside Park. In contrast to the sea-view of the latter, it presents beautiful woodland, hill and lakeside scenery, and thus the- two together make Bridgeport unusually rich in this most important department of city life, the recreative. The other parks and greens are easily accessible and well worthy of a visit.
There are seven cemeteries in Bridgeport. The Mountain Grove Cemetery is situated in the northwestern part of the city, and contains about eighty aeres, admirably graded, adorned and maintained. It is bounded on the west by the pic- turesque stream known as Ash Creek, and at the entrance are a very beautiful stone tower and gateway. Pembroke Cemetery is situated near "Old Mill Green," in.
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BRIDGEPORT, PAST AND PRESENT.
63
Morse
THE BAND STAND IN SEASIDE PARK.
East Bridgeport, bordering on Stillman's Pond, and is about sixteen acres in extent. It is next to the oldest in the city, having been originally chartered in 1811. The. Old Stratfield Burial Ground dates back to the earliest days of the colony and con- tains the earthly remains of many of the first settlers. It is therefore invested with peculiar reverence and interest, and has been preserved with scrupulous care. The tombstones present a strange and often very pathetic blending of the sincere reli- gious devotion and rude poetic art of the Puritanic days. This cemetery is located in the northwestern part of the city and will well repay a visit, as it is rich in his- toric associations. Park Cemetery is one of the most recent of all the cemeteries, having been first opened in 1878. It is situated in the northeastern section of Bridgeport. There are beside three Catholic cemeteries in the city, which are all finely situated and kept.
The Bridgeport Hospital, situated on Mill Hill avenue, is one of the largest and most admirably arranged institutions of its kind in the State. The first bequest was. made by Mrs. Susan Hubbell, consisting of $13,500 and an acre of ground. Through the devoted efforts of Dr. George F. Lewis and others the fund was increased to $50,000, and the legislature granted $50,000 more and a charter in 1878. The building was completed in 1884, at an expense of over $100,000, and has since been maintained in a manner worthy both of the noble charity itself and the generous Christian humanity of the citizens of Bridgeport.
Reference has already been made to the fine church edifices and school buildings of the city as well as the beautiful structures containing the public library, Y. M. C.
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A., and the various large societies of Bridgeport. Among other large and magnifi- cent business houses may be mentioned those of the Connecticut and Bridgeport National Banks, beside many others which are hardly surpassed by any in New England, or the country. The Bridgeport Post-office and City Hall building are situated on State street, and it is sufficient to say of all the departments of the city government that they are executed with the same energy and attentive care which have marked the whole history of Bridgeport. Hawes' Opera House, situated on Fairfield avenue, affords entertainment of the highest order to the citizens, and the best companies of the country are accustomed to give productions there.
The beautiful shaded avenues of Bridgeport make pleasant drives in all direc- tions, and are the pride of the city. In this short sketch, of what to us seems a model modern city, we have been able to give only a few outline pictures, and trust that our readers will fill in the details by a practical experience of the unexcelled beauties of the justly renowned "Park City."
.
LEADING BUSINESS MEN OF BRIDGEPORT.
N the following pages will be found a brief review of the principal Business firms of Bridgeport. While the majority are old established houses and leaders in every sense of the word, we have mentioned others who, though recently established, are, through their enterprise and ability, deserving of notice. We commend these firms, as a whole, to the favorable attention of all.
W. B. Hall & Company, Dry Goods, Fancy Goods, Cloaks, Suits, etc., Corner Main and Cannon Streets .- Among the large dry goods houses in New England, none stand higher in the estimation of the community than that of W. B. Hall & Co., whose mammoth store- erected for them-is located at the corner of Main and Cannon streets.
This business was established in 1878 by W. B. Hall & Co., and has since been conducted with great enterprise and energy by these gen- tlemen. Everything usually found in a first- class dry goods store may be obtained here. A large and complete stock of dress goods includ- ing silks, velvets, satins and woolen goods, down to calicoes, etc. A fine stock of ladies', misses' and children's garments carried to suit all tastes. Their hosiery and underwear departments are replete with everything desirable in that line, while their laces and dress trimmings could not fail to please even the most fastidious.
On the second floor is situated the custom cloak and dress-making departments, where a number of first-class modistes are employed. The custom cloak rooms are under the supervision of Mrs. Hartshorne, who has had a long experience. The custom garments enjoy a reputation of fit and workmanship which is unexcelled. Adjoin- ing this department will be found a full assort- ment of the celebrated Buttericks' patterns. The basement contains one of the largest wholesale stocks in the State. Here a stock is carried large enough to fill three ordinary dry goods establishments. This is necessitated by the demand made on the stock each day by the large trade.
Buying as they do, in large quantities, it is natural that Messrs. Hall & Co. can undersell so many competitors. All goods are marked at most reasonable prices and every attention is paid to customers.
The premises occupy two floors and basement of a large building, situated in the most desirable part of Main street, and cover an area of 130x40 feet. Eighty-five experienced hands find em- ployment in the several departments, and a very extensive business is transacted, both wholesale and retail.
The members of the firm are Messrs. W. B. Hall, a native of Springfield, Massachusetts, and H. W. Pettis, a native of Gt. Barrington, Massa- chusetts, both very enterprising and energetic gentlemen, widely and favorably known through- ont the State-people coming from far and near to avail themselves of the bargains offered by them.
This is the leading establishment in the dry goods line in the State, and their business, though established but nine years ago, has already reached colossal proportions.
As an instance of the distance the trade of the house extends, Messrs. Hall & Co. have frequent orders from New York State. Their custom in the towns between New York city and Bridge- port is very large. Their trade in Norwalk and South Norwalk alone reached $30,000 last year, ladies preferring to do their shopping and inspect the beautiful park and other attractions, to a fatiguing journey to New York. As rents are much lower in this city, Messrs. Hall & Co. can naturally afford to sell lower than New York retailers.
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LEADING BUSINESS MEN OF BRIDGEPORT.
David B. Crockett Co., Manufacturers of Preservative or Architectural Finish, and Spar Composition, Bridgeport, Conn .- In these days, when everybody who can afford it owns a yacht, no apology is needed for bringing to the notice of the public any really meritorious article spec- ially designed for the use of yachtsmen. The pur- pose of this article is to bring before the public that production that has gone into more general use and been received everywhere with more
Trade Mark
NONE GENUINE
Patented.
TRADE C.C.C.
UNLESS BEARING
D.B.CROCKETT
TRADE MARK Feb. 14,
MARK
OF INVENTOR 1871.
favor than any other article of its kind. We refer to Crockett's Spar Composition.
It is not too much to say that no yachtsman who values the appearance or preservation of his spars can afford to be without this, for this is the universal verdict after severe and repeated trials, under all conditions.
This substance was patented February 14, 1871, so that abundant opportunity has been had to test it in every way. Crockett's specialties are Spar Composition, No. 2 Preservative, No. 1 Preservative, Painter's Composition, Spar body finish, Spar gear finish, Spar one-coat finish, Spar quick rubbing, Car and Carriage primer, Railway outside car finish, Railway inside car finish, Rail- way polishing car finish, Railway inside flowing finish, Railway locomotive finish, Railway quick rubbing, Waterproof floor finish, Elastic oil finish.
David B. Crockett's Preservatives are composed of the hardest and most expensive gums, and prepared in a manner analogous to that employed in the manufacture of the costly English var- nishes, but with the prime object of " preserva- tion " in view.
Spar composition differs from " preservative " mainly in its special adaptation for resistance to the weather. Asits name indicates, it was primarily in- tended for the spars and all exposed parts of vessels; but it is obvious that such a compound is equally valuable for all outside work, either wood or metal. Hence, as a protection for front doors, vestibules, porches, railway cars, carriages, wagons, or any exposed parts of edifices, whether of grained work or natural wood, it is superior to anything ever invented. It also adds a gloss and finish unsurpassed by the finest var- nish.
No compound has ever been devised which more truly fulfils the promise of its name than " Crockett's Preservative." Thoroughly per- meated with it, wood becomes absolutely inde- structible by any ordinary processes, and may defy all the elements but fire. This, however, is but one of its merits. The unpractised eye will hardly detect in the plain, unpolished piece of oak or maple, the latent beauties that linger beneath the surface. Treated with Preservative, they are instantly developed, and shine forth
with a lustre which art can but faintly imitate. Nor is this a mere transient or ephemeral effect, but as lasting as the wood itself. Permanence is one of its cardinal virtues. Preservative, ap- plied in accordance with directions on the can, is unchangeable; and if stained, smoked, or soiled, can be immediately restored by the simple use of sponge and water-a treatment which would ruin other "wood finishes" as well as most costly varnishes.
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