Leading Business Men of Fairfield County

The principal store is located at the corner of Main and Elm streets; this store covers an area of 25x85 feet in dimensions, and contains a large and very fine stock of pure drugs and medicines, perfumery, toilet and fancy articles and all drug- gists' sundries. Employment is given in the various depart- ments to about ten thoroughly competent assist- ants, and the patrons of this establishment are assured that physicians' prescriptions are care- fully prepared, and that none but the purest drugs and medicines are used here in the com- pounding of physicians' prescriptions and family receipts and every care is taken. Mr. L. F. Curtis is a native of Stafford. Conn., and is one of the best-known and popular busi- ness men of Bridgeport. Goodyear Rubber Store, 465 Main Street, F. C. Tuttle, Proprietor. — Perhaps one of the most indispensable branches of trade that we have among us is that of rubber goods, etc., and the only house devoted exclusively to handling this class of goods in Bridgeport is that of Mr. F. C. Tuttle, at No. 465 Main street, who deals en- tirely in the celebrated "Goodyear" Rubber goods. This branch was established in April, of the present year, the main store being located in New Haven at No. 73 Church street. The premises in which the business is carried on in Bridgeport consist of a store 50x25 feet in area, where the goods are arranged in a systematic manner, displaying every conceivable article known in this branch of trade. All the novel- ties of the trade may be found here as soon as manufactured, and the stock of useful and stand- ard articles is very extensive. Four are em- ployed in this store and all are waited upon with promptness and attention. The trade has in this short time assumed immense proportions and is both wholesale and retail. Mr. Tuttle, although a native of New Haven, is too well known in this community to admit of further comment at our hands. We may add in conclusion however, that his establishment is regulated with the best system and order and his prices will be found reasonable and just. 76 LEADING BUSINESS MEN OF BRIDGEPORT. The Keller Piano Company, Manufacturers of Piano Fortes, No. 88 John Street.— With many years' practical experience in the business, Messrs. Jos. Keller and F. C. Stickney, both suece-sful expert manufacturers of pianos, estab- lished themselves in business in Bridgeport, and their success was both gratifying and deserved. The growth of their trade was such that a large increase in facilities was absolutely demanded, and the business was incorporated in March, 1887, with Joseph Keller as President, and J. W. Knowlton, Secretary and Treasurer. The company occupips a large factory at No. 88 John street, which is a model of complete- ness and convenience in its equipment and ar- rangement, the machinery being operated by steam-power, and a force of skilled workmen of Ions; experience in the various details of the business is employed. The piano fortes of this reliable house have a wide spread reputation for quality of tone and touch, durability and general excellence of finish, and the demand for their instruments emphasizes the opinion of musical experts as to their desir- able and admirable qualities. The best of thoroughly seasoned and prepared materials alone are used in the construction of their pianos, and their facilities for satisfactorily supplying the needs of the most exacting are all that could be desired. The officers and directors are energetic, pro- gressive, reliable business men, and their worth and tact has firmly established the company in a large and growing trade, and in the good opinion of all with whom they are brought into business relations. Hull & Palmer, Civil, Hydraulic and Con- sulting Engineers, Room 14, Waller's Building. — That a thing " well begun is half done '* is a saying as true as it is old, for oftaitimes the principal difficulties attendant«upon an enterprise must be overcome during its inception, totally disappearing when once the proper start has been made. This being understood, and the importance of beginning in the right way appreciated, the value of expert advice when any enterprise of moment is in contemplation will be readily seen, and such counsel will be obtained whenever possible. For instance, no one would think of building a cotton or a paper mill to be run by water-power without first securing the services of a competent hydraulic engineer, and by the way, right here iu this city, at Room 14, Housatonic R. R. build- ing is located a firm of Civil and Hydraulic engin- eers that is second to none. We refer to Messrs. Hull & Palmer. Mr. Bradley H. Hull began the practice of his profession here some thirty years ago, and has established a most enviable reputation as a skill- ful and progressive engineer. Wm. B. Palmer became associated with him under the present firm name in 1885, and the union has proved mutually advantageous. Special attention is given to the construction of water works, dams, etc., and plans and speci- fications for cotton, woolen, paper and flouring mills, railroads, farms and estates are promptly and accurately surveyed, and maps and plans furnished showing all - desired details. Also special attention is given to the sewerage and drainage of cities and towns. LEADING BUSINESS MEN OF BRIDGEPORT. Charles B. Russell, Manufacturer of 3d. Fine Lath-Nails, Upholsters' Tacks, Carpet Tacks, etc., 237 Water Street. — We fancy that very few people have any idea of the immense variety of nails, tacks, etc., there is produced in this coun- try or of the many costly and ingenious machines in use in this industry. When one thinks of the enormous difference between a railroad spike and a half ounce carpet tack, and of the almost innumerable variety of fastenings that come in between these extremes, he gains some faint con- ception of the importance and extent of this line of manufacture, but nothing shirt of a personal inspection of the factories would really bring the matter home to him. A house in this city devoted to the manufac- ture of 3d. fine lath nails, upholsterers' tacks, carpet tacks, etc., is that carried on by Mi'. Charles B. Russell, at No. 23? Water street. This enterprise was inaugurated in 188(5, and has already secured a firm and assured footing. The proprietor is a native of Birmingham, and is a well known business man. The factory com- prises one floor 34x90 feet in dimensions and another 30x35 feet. It is fully fitted up with modern improved machinery, and is sup- plied with ample steam power. The produc- tions of this house are becoming generally known throughout the trade, and the business bids fair to soon outgrow its present quarters. Charles H. Hartmann, Successor of the Bridgeport Brewing Co., 127 and 129 Hamilton Street, East Bridgeport. — If there is one industry in this country which shows every sign of not only being great at present, but also of haviDg a still greater extension in the near future, it is that of the brewer, for despite all the studied and vehement opposition which many well-mean- ine;, but in our opinion deluded, people have offered to its sale and use, the great favor with which lager beer has been received by the large majority of people has made its manufacture a business of immense proportions. And it is well that this should be so, for as the history of man- kind goes to showr that with all peoples and in all ages, a stimulant of some kiud has been invariably used, it is of course better that Ibis necessity should be as harmless and as healthful as possible, and no objections can reasonably be made to lager beer, that is to say, provided it be pure, on the ground that it is noxious. It is easy to obtain a pure and reliable article if pains are taken to patronize a reputable brewer, and in the Eastern States no beer can be found of more uniform and healthful quality than that produced by Mr. Charles H. Hartmann, who succeeded the Bridgeport Brewing Company, at Nos. 127-129 Hamilton street. Business was begun in 1886, and a large and desirable trade has already been established The brewery is four stories in height, and covers half an acre of ground. It is supplied with steam power, and all the facilities and appliances of a first-class modern establishment of this kind. Employment is given to twenty-five men. Mr. Hartmann is a native of Germany, and as it is in the " Fatherland " that lager beer has been brought to its greatest perfection, it is not at all strange that he thoroughly understands the busi- ness in all its branches. Wm. H. Gunderman, Manufacturer of Fine Carriages, Wagons and Trucks, 217 and 219 Middle Street. — One of the best known of Bridge- port's carriage and wagon manufacturers is Mr. William II. Gunderman, whose establishment is located at Nos. 217 and 219 Middle street. The business was started fourteen years ago, and so effectual have the good and honest work turned out and the reasonable prices charged for the same been in attracting patronage, that this house now ranks with the hading establishments of the kind in the city. A building three stories in height and of the dimensions of 00x80 feet is utilized as a factory and store house, and from ten to twelve skilled workmen are afforded employment. Fine car- riages, wagons and trucks are made, much of the work being done to order to suit the pecu- liarities of the service for which the vehicles are wanted. Particular attention is paid to repairing, paint- ing ami trimming, all such orders being given prompt and careful attention at the veiy lowe.-t rates allowable for good work. Like any other man who does good work, Mr. Gunderman dis- likes to see a good article abused, and makes a few suggestions as to how the paint on carriages, etc., should be treated, which are at once so sensible, so efficacious and so easy to follow, that we cannot forbear bringing them to the notice of our readers :