Leading Business Men of Fairfield County

Yale & Towne Manufacturing Co. (Locks, etc.) 163 MISCELLANEOUS. Ayres Bros. (Stamford China Store) 168 Bennett & Healy (Horse Shoers) 116 Cosier, D. S. (Undertaker) 178 Cavanagh, J. W. (Marble and Granite) 148 Drueke, F. (Hair Goods) 126 Danbury, Historical Sketch of 170 Ellis & Reilly (Marble Works) 78 Goodyear Rubber Store (F. C. Tuttle) 75 Gledbill, S. W. (Cotton and Woolen Rags). . 128 Hull & Palmer (Civil Engineers) 76 Howes, J. E. (Paper, Paper Bags and Twines) 72~ Hercher, Paul (Artist) 109- 10 INDEX. MISCELLANEOUS — Continued. PAGE Norwalk, Historical Sketch of 131 Pembroke Custom Laundry (O. E. Lindsley) 68 Rogers' Farm Dairy 128 Robinson, H. H. (Furniture Moving) 81 Stamford, Historical Sketch of. . . ., 152 South Norwalk, Historical Sketch of 142 -Stevens, George R. (Artists' Materials) 180 Smith & Hubbard (Attorneys and Patent Solicitors) 90 West End Floral Gardens 110 "Wilson, F. L. (Pictures, Picture Frames, etc.) 185 Wilkinson, J. (Bicycles) 92 PATTERN MAHLER. O. S. Piatt 126 PRINTERS, STATIONERS AND NEWS- DEALERS. Alphonse, J. W 162 Bodine, A. S. (Printer) 123 Bradsbaw, James, Jr 104 Gillespie Bros. (Printers and Bookbinders). . 165 ■ Osborn, Stephen 123 Plumb & Beardsley 112 Seltsam, Geo. (Printer) 103 PHOTOGRAPHERS. Bronson, C. R 106 Blackman, C. A 138 Couch, H. E 185 Folsom, J. H 179 Farini, L 100 Montiguani, F. M 79 PAINTERS, PAPER HANGERS, ETC. Coughlin Bros 101 Peterson, J. M. F. & Co 82 Toms, C. R 161 PIANOS AND ORGANS AND SHEET MUSIC. Behning & Son 124 Christie, J. H. (Temple of Music) 166 Copp, H. M. (Agent forB. Shoninger & Co.) 74 Horr, W. H 80 Hoyt, W. 0 180 Keller Piano Co. The 76 iSeiler, S 108 PIANOS AND ORGANS AND SHEET MUSIC— Continued. PAGE Studwell, J. W. (Agent for B. Shoninger & Co.) 146 Taylor, A. H. (Manager Loomis' Temple of Music 82 PLUMRERS AND GAS FITTERS. Benjamin & Ames 71 Cornwell, Timothy 110 Fox. Theodore 102 Kearns, John 126 Mills, L. H 87 REAL ESTATE. Allen, F. C 129 Bostwick, W. B 128 Cosier, John H 184 Clark, D. H 159 Hubbard, H. A 158 Jones, D. W 107 Johnson, J. W 90 Loewith, S. & Co 71 Nichols, Walter 100 Noble, John F 101 Quien, Christian 183 Scribner, Jas. H 67 Scribner, H. H 112 Staples, James & Co 70 Wilson, O. E 135 TAILORS AND CLOTHIERS. Adams, S 168 Barnaby, J. B. & Co 83 Comstock Bros 137 Cohen, Morris 140 Gusowski, E 140 Hurlburt, W. P. & Son 159 Hartwell, F. E. & Co 178 Hutchinson, Oscar 107 Harlem, J. L 108 Hansen, J 104 National Clothing Co. The 78 Peterson, C 103 Park City Clothing Co 70 Waterbury & McDonald 167 Werner Bros 184 TOYS AND FANCY" GOODS. Boylston & Phillips 92 Hunt, F. S. & Co 106 Mclntyre, Wm. H 88 Van Yorx, Mrs. W. T 113 HISTORICAL REVIEW OF THE City of Bridgeport INTRODUCTION. Macaulay has well said that " the circumstances which have most influence on the happiness of mankind, the changes of manners and morals, the transition of commu- nities from poverty to wealth, from knowledge to ignorance, from ferocity to humanity — these are, for the most part, noiseless revolutions." Few more striking illustrations of this universal truth could be found than that afforded by a review and analysis of the wonderful progress of Bridgeport during the more recent decades of the present century. The causes and influences which have contributed to advance the little hamlet with a population of less than three hundred in 1800, to the important position which it holds at present among the cities -of the State, are worthy of the most careful attention. To the thoughtful observer of the times, who recognizes the value of the past his- tory of this country in solving the troublesome problems which are now pressing themselves into prominence, as well as its significance in casting the horoscope of the future, the simple records of the internal growth of a representative New Eng- land city commend themselves and carry their own moral lessons. To all readers, whether bound to the city by the tender ties of birth, or those whose acquaintance with it hitherto has been unfortunately meagre, the story ot success, as is always the case, must render the history of Bridgeport of more than ordinary interest. That success which comes as the result of honest effort, inspired by high motives, has always possessed peculiar attraction for the American people, has spurred them to unceasing activity, and has contributed not a little through its influence in bring- ing this country to its present unequalled prosperity. A glance at the aggregate results of the century, such as is afforded in Andrew Carnegie's admirable work, " Triumphant Democracy," is of the highest value, proving, beyond cavil and with- out extravagance, that to-day, in resources the United States is the richest, in manu- factures the largest, and in morals the best nation in existence. Hardly less important, can it be deemed, to observe, in the miniature but no less perfect representation afforded by a historical review of Bridgeport, the same in- strumentalities, the same devoted public spirit, the same individual energy and self- sacrifice, all working harmoniously together to the same glorious end. 12 BRIDGEPORT, PAST AND PRESENT. It may be questioned whether as a people we thoroughly recognize and appreciate the beneficent causes which have brought us the best of what we have and are. For this just estimate of the present, history furnishes the most accurate data. Cer- tainly, if we are to make progress and to continue in developing those blessings of our civilization, which, it goes without saying, are far from as perfected and univer- sal as might be the case, we can rest assured that the lessons of the past, as record- ed in history, must have an intrinsic worth which renders a full acquaintance with them not only of the highest importance but as truly an absolute essential. CHAPTER I. THE DAWNINGS OF HISTORY. The dark veil which enshrouds the primeval history of this continent, has con- signed that period in its existence prior to the advent of the white man chiefly to the realm of fancy and poetry. A few mounds, some interesting relics, and number- less traditions are all that remain to tell the story of its youth. Who were the original inhabitants ? of what origin? to what degree of civilization had they attained ? All such moot questions must be left to the interested archaeol- ogist to investigate and decide. Yet, from amid the mass of tangled traditions some facts of abiding interest and valuable for our present purpose may be derived. The main tribe, to which all the Indians in the district which is now Fairfield County were allied at the time of their introduction to the whites, were designated by the name of Paugausetts. They seem to have been settled here for centuries, but at the beginning of the Seventeenth were rapidly passing away. They were near of kin to the Quinnipiacs, of New Haven, whom they resembled much in general chai-acteristics. Like the latter, they had been sorely depleted by the deadly destruction in that struggle for " the survival of the fittest," which was continually disturbing the Indian tribes of Connecticut. Every second year, the Mohawks would sweep down upon them from the west, cutting a broad red furrow across the land. The Pequots toward the east were continually supplementing the attacks of the Mohawks by further depredations, so that between the two a rather scanty living, among none too pleasant or secure sur- roundings, was all that was left to this quiet, easy-going people. They drew their chief sustenance from the sea, as enormous heaps of oyster shells have abundantly testified. Too lazy, even, to appreciate the ordinary incentives to hunting, the Paugausetts seem to have looked upon it as a last sad resort, while agri- culture was almost too bitter to be thought of. The tribal union of all the small clans in the vicinity is clearly proven by the fact that they had a common place of refuge, in the shape of a fortified fort, on the east bank of the Ilousatonic River, a short distance above its junction with the Naugatuc. Hither they were all accustomed to flock, whenever sufficient warning was given of a powerful enemy's approach. There is no reason to suppose that their moral or civil condition differed essentially BRIDGEPORT, PAST AND PRESENT. 13 from that of surrounding tribes. Whether originally a spirited race or not it would be hard to decide, but whatever had been their character, at this time all traces of a strong and vigorous nation had disappeared. The usual faults of " lying, unclean- ness, idleness and stealing," were theirs in abundance. They formed, however, the least troublesome of neighbors to the English settlers, and it was a most happy thing that the proverbial Indian cruelty and ferocity were lacking. This fact explains their insignificance in colonial history, their easy conquest by the Mohawks and Pequots, and in a great part, their continued and rapid decay under the comparatively kind treatment of the whites. It is a matter of common belief that the arrival of the whites was the only cause for the disappearance of the Indians from this region. Many as were the acts of injustice practiced against their race in all parts of the country, just as have been most of the sad complaints which they have made, nevertheless it has been proved by careful research that the Indians of Connecticut were a dying race. They were all of Algonquin descent, one of the three great divisions of the North American Indians, but were as deadly hostile to each other as the olden-time Greeks. The Pequots and Mohawks represented the younger branches of the common stock, and were constantly engaged in desultory warfare. The Paugausetts were an older tribe and were wasting away through their own degeneracy and the onslaughts of the stronger nations. In all, according to DeForest, the historian of the Indians of Connecticut, the whole number in the State at the time of the white settlement could not have exceeded six thousand.