Leading Business Men of Fairfield County

Mr. Birdseye is a native of Huntington, Fair- field county, Connecticut, and a gentleman well and favorably known in Birmingham and in Bridgeport, where he has resided since 1880. Rogers & Morford, Wholesale Grocers, But- ter, Cheese and Commission Merchants, Nos. 469, 471, 473 and 475 Water Street.— Standing in the front rank in this line is the well-known house conducted by Rogers & Morford, situated at Nos. 469 to 475 Water street. The building occupied by them consists of five stories 50x110 feet in dimensions and is entirely filled with a complete stock of goods in their line of trade, embracing sugars, coffees, teas, flour, etc. They a'so deal extensively in butter and' cheese and are also agents for Pillsbury's flour and Pratt's astral oil. Their prices are the very lowest to be obtained in this city for first class goods. A rapidly increasing interest in this house is manifested by dealers, and the facilities for sup plying them upon favorable terms are unsurpass- ed by any wholesale and retail establishment in this line in Bridgeport. A large force of assistants are employed and they have also in connection with their business an Otis steam elevator with a capacity of 4000 lbs. This well-known house was established in 1876 by Mr. Noah Rogers, having been under the present management since 1881. It is one of the most reliable houses in the city. The business is conducted in the most prompt and systematic- style and meets that liberal patronage which gives to it a commanding influence. The members of the firm are Messrs. Noah. Rogers & Geo. Morford, both reliable gentlemen. With an activity and industry that knows no pause, they have made their house a favorite one for those who appreciate the advantages they offer in quality, quantity and prices. We be- speak for them a continuance of the patronage they so well deserve. Dwight H. Terry, Investment Securities, Office No. 69 State Street, next East of Pequon- nock Bank. — In this work of the commercial resources and industrial advance of the city, it will not be out of place for us to speak of the business of a gentleman, who for so many years has been actively engaged in the insurance busi- ness, and in the sale of investment securities. We refer to Mr. Dwight H. Terry, who established his business here in 1867, and has so conducted it that to-day he stands among the leading busi- ness men of Bridgeport. The premises occupied by him consist of a fine office 30x25 feet in dimensions, and is located at 69 State street. Mr. Terry at present devotes his energies to the transaction of the insurance business to a limited extent only, giving his principal attention to the sale of Western farm mortgages, in wTkich he is considered a reliable and trustworthy au- thority. He also officiates as notaiy public. Mr. Terry is a native of Plymouth, Connecti- cut, but has been a resident of Bridgeport for twenty years, and is a highly respected member of both social and business circles of this com- munity. J. E. Howes, Wholesale and Retail Dealer in Paper, Paper Bags, Twines and Butter Dishes, 48 Middle Street, Standard Building.— One of the- class of pushing, enterprising merchants to whom Bridgeport owes in a great measure her commer- cial supremacy is Mr. J. E. Howes, whose place of business is located at No. 48 Middle street, Standard Building. This gentleman is a native of the city in which he does business and founded his present estab- lishment about a year ago. He carries on a wholesale and retail trade in paper, paper bags, twines and butter dishes, and tags, envelopes, writing pads, etc. He occupies premises very centrally located at 48 Middle street. Mr. Howes brought to his en- terprise a vigor, energy and intelligence which demanded and deserved success, and that his ex- pectation in this respect have been more that re- alized is a fact which, in view of all the circum- stances attending the case, is much more gratify- ing than it is surprising. A large and well- selected stock of the various articles dealt in is- carried, and Mr. Howes is prepared at all times to meet reasonable competition, as he keeps a sharp eye on the market he is ever prepared to meet whatever exigencies may arise. An ample force of assistants is on hand and all orders will be given prompt and pains-taking at- tention. Mr. Alex Morrisey who has been iden- tified for many years with the paper business., represents Mr. Howes on the road. LEADING BUSINESS MEN OF BRIDGEPORT. 73 C. H. Bennett Dealer in Boots and Shoes, 339 Main Street, next City Bakery. — The establish- ment known as "Bennett's Mammoth One Price Boot and Shoe Store" is well known and too high- ly regarded by the residents of this city to require extended mention by us, were it not for the fact that the importance of this model enterprise de- mands suitable recognition in this account of the city's industrial growth. Mr. Bennett started in business in 1878 and very soon established a large and desirable pat- ronage, which has steadily increased until it has become an important factor in Bridgeport's retail trade. The store occupied is 30x100 feet in dimen- sions and contains a magnificent and admirably selected stock of boots, shoes, rubbers, etc. Mr. Bennett evidently believes in quick sales and small profits, for he offers ladies' best French kid button shoes, the best fitting goods in the market ■and fully warranted, at the absurdly low figure of $3.50, and ladies' dongola, curacoa, kid and glove top button in common sense and opera toe at $2.00 and $2.50. Four courteous and experienced salesmen are employed and prompt and careful attention is shown to all customers. A full line of goods for men is also in stock and is offered at very low rates. Mr. Bennett is a native of Plainfield, Connecti- cut, and is one of the most pushing and ener- getic of Bridgeport's men of business. S. H. Gage & Co., Brokers, Bishop Block, Bridgeport, Conn., United Bank Building, Dan- bury. Stocks, Grain, Provisions and Petroleum, Bought and Sold in Fractional Lots and on Mar- gins to suit customers. — A recently established but already successful brokerage firm in this city is that of S. H. Gage & Co., whose offices are in Bishop Block. This enterprise was started on the 1st of Jan- uary, 1887, and has already proved itself to be worthy of the highest confidence andmost liberal patronage. Stocks, grain, provisions and petro- leum are bought and sold in fractional lots and margins to suit customers, and as the offices have telephone connection and the use of private wires to New York and Chicago, exceptional ad- vantages are offered to those wishing to make in- vestments in any of the articles mentioned. Mr. S H. Gage, who is the resident member of the firm, has had much experience in this line of business and enjoys a very high reputation for probity, em rgy and business shrewdness. He is a keen and discriminating judge of the stock and produce markets and is well known among in- vestors of the New York and Chicago exchanges. All orders will receive prompt and careful atten- tion and instructions rnaj' be given with the surety that they will be followed to the letter. An elegant suite of rooms is occupied by this firm and the comfort and convenience of its patrons are everywhere consulted. A branch office has been recently opened in United Bank Building, Danbury, which is in charge of the other partner, Mr. Edward Banks. As the two offices are connected by private wire, equal advantages are offered as at the main office, and orders will receive the same prompt ami careful attention. E. S. Belknap, Dealer in Teas, Coffees, Spices, Sugars, 488 Main Street. — This establishment is probably one of the leading stores in the city devoted exclusively to the tea, coffee, and spice trade. This enterprise was first established in 1876 as a tea company, and was conducted as such until January, 1887, when Mr. E. S. Belknap assumed proprietorship, and has since been conducted in such an enterprising business spirit that it has become tiie popular house with those who use nothing but the best quality of goods in this line. The store is eligibly located, at 488 Main street, and well stocked with the finest grades of teas, coffee, spices, sugars, etc. The large retail trade of this house requires the employment of three thoroughly competent clerks, who are prompt and efficient in the transactions of all their duties. The store, which is 24x50 feet in size, is at- tractively fitted up, and patrons are presented with an elegant gift in crockery, etc., when pur- chasing goods, and the fact of this feature of the business being so generously carried out draws many to the store who would probably not have been numbered among its customers. The excellent quality of the goods sold here, which is proved by a trial of them, has extended the trade to all parts of the city and suburban towns. Mr. E. S. Belknap is an active, enterprising- business man and representative citizen. New York Butter House, F. I. Hitchcock, Wholesale and Retail Dealer in Butter, Cheese and Eggs, 44 Fairfield Avenue. — If there is one branch or department of general commerce that is of more importance than the produce trade then we plead ignorance of it. Because it deals exclusively with the necessities of every day life it seems to us pre-eminent, and in considering the relative value of commercial interests, those which contribute most largely to the supply of the actual necessities of mankind are entitled to be regarded as the most import- ant. A representative house engaged in the butter, chee?e and egg trade in Bridgeport is that of the New York Butter House, F. I. Hitchcock, proprietor, located at No. 44 Fairfield avenue, which was established in 1877 by Mr. Hitchcock and has been conducted in an eminently success- ful manner.