Leading Business Men of Fairfield County

J. W. Johnson, Real Estate Agent, Rooms 3 and 4, Connecticut National Bank Building, cor- ner of Main and Wall Streets. — The East being emphatically the moneyed section of the United States it naturally follows that in that part of the country should be established numerous agencies of more or less reliability to facilitate loans on property situated elsewhere. We say of more or less reliability for it is an open secret that some of these agencies are of what may be called the "bucket-shop" variety and only seek to fleece their patrons in the shortest possible time. But there are others of undisputed character and value and prominent among these stands the agency conducted by Mr. J. W. Johnson in rooms 3 and 4 in the Connecticut National Bank Building, corner of Main and Wall streets. This gentleman began operations in 1882 and has already built up a large clientage by the abil- ity and zeal which he has shown in his dealings with investors. He is a native of Easton, Connecticut, and was for nine years treasurer of that town as well as selectman. He does a real estate arjd insurance business, representing Meriden Fire Insurance Co., of Meriden; The Quincy Mutual, of Quincy, Mass. ; The American Investment Co., and the Jarvis-Conklin Mortgage Trust Co., of Kansas City, Mo. Mr. Johnson makes a specialty of Western securities and real estate and has ex ceptional advantages to offer to investors. He is an authority on real estate matters and may be implicitly depended upon to advance his clients' interests as though they were his own. Smith & Hubbard, Attorneys at Law, Solic- itors of Patents, Offices, Corner Main and Wall Streets; also, Danbury, Meriden and Shelton. — The great good which may be and is attained by the employment of honorable and competent patent solicitors is now generally conceded by those best qualified to judge in the matter, and although the entire profession has no doubt suffered to some extent by reason of the absurdly extravagant claims and generally egotistical and unprofessional conduct of some who have loudly vaunted their skill in procuring patents, etc. . yet so 'has the medical profession, to say nothing of the clergy, and still we believe that the necessity of both these professions is allowed by the ma- jority of people. Among the best known and most highly es- teemed of these attorneys-at-law who have made a specialty of patent cases, are Messrs. Smith & Hubbard, whose Bridgeport offices are at the corner of Main and Wall streets. Here (in the Connecticut Bank building), five rooms are occu- pied, and a large amount of business is done, there being branch offices at Danbury, Meriden and Birmingham. The inception of the business was by Mr. F.W. Smith, Jr., in 1877, it first being established at Washington, D. C. In 1881, a removal to Bridgeport was had, and a partner- ship was formed with Mr. A. M. Wooster a year later. The present firm was founded in 1883, and has since been entrusted with many valuable inven- tions for which patents have been promptly secured, and all the necessary legal business done faithfully, and to the perfect satisfaction of all parties concerned. Savage & Smith Building Co., 112 Cannon Street. — The work of the builder is of the great- est importance and when one reflects how abso- lute the confidence is which is placed in the skill and integrity of he who follows this business and how seldom this confidence is misplaced, he will see that builders, as a. body, have just cause to congratulate themselves on their high standing in the community. If a stranger in Bridgeport were to inquire whenever he saw an unusually fine building, what the name of the builder was, he could not fail to be struck with the constant repetition which he would hear of the firm name "Savage & Smith," or the "Savage & Smith Building Co.," as the case might be. When the more prominent members of this company first became associated in business in 1881 it was under the name of Savage & Smith, and they carried on operations for six years under the style given, until their transactions became so extensive as to necessitate the formation of a joint-stock company, which change was consum- mated the first of the current year. The officers are: Mr. W. A. Smith, president, and Mr. W. L. Savage secretary and treasurer, and these gen- tlemen, with the addition of Mr. Chas. Botsford, also form the board of directors. They do an enormous business, employing fifty-five men and occupying two large floors at No. 112 Cannon street. Among their work may be mentioned the Connecticut Bank building. LEADING BUSINESS MEN OF BRIDGEPORT. 91 THE CONNECTICUT NATIONAL BANK, ERECTED IN 1886. $2 LEADING BUSINESS MEN OF BRIDGEPORT. w J -etc. few I he clay. One of the most reliable establishments in this line of business is that of P. C. Bennett, located at Nos. 380 and 382 Water street. He imports very extensively and wholesales, an excellently selected stock of fine goods, embracing leading and favorite brand of imported and domestic whiskeys, brandies, gin, rum, and still and spark- ling wines of every kind. The business was originally estab- lished by Abijah Burroughs, later by H. Hall & Co., succeeded by the pres- ent management in 1879, and the trade, which has constantly increased from the first, extends throughout the State. .Mr. Bennett quotes the lowest prices to be obtained in the market for rirst- class goods. The building occupied is four stories, all of which are used by this mammoth concern. They cover an area each of 24x90 feet, and emplojr- ment is given to capable and efficient assistants Wilkinson, Dealer in Bicycles, Tricycles, 187 State Street. — During the comparatively years that the modern bicycle has been known in this country its use has spread with most wonderful rapidity, and the many who prophesied on its first introduction here, that it in the several departments would speedily share the fate of its prototype the Mr. F. C. Bennett is a native of Connecticut, "velocipede" or " bone crusher," as it was and is a gentleman of energy and ability, being known to the initiated', have seen their croaking highly esteemed throughout the city by a large come to naught and the " wheel" come to stay, circle of friends. Considered simply as a marvel of mechanism, a We commend this house to the trade as an high grade "light roadster," is worthy of careful i enterprising one. Mr. Bennett ably conducts the business, and knows thoroughly the wants of the public. Boylston & Phillips, Dealers in Stationery, Toilet and Fancy Goods; also, Manufacturers of Children's Carriages, Doll Carriages, Girls' Pro- pellers, Sleighs, Sleds and Velocipedes, 102 State Street. — In pursuing our investigations to obtain material to compile this volume, the facts are prominently brought before us that thous- ands of operatives and hundreds of thousands of wear out, and do break down occasionally, and I capital are here invested in the manufacture of then it is of the greatest importance that their ! carriages; and, furthermore, that the products repair be entrusted to one who is not only a fine ' of Bridgeport's workshops are fully equal, and workman, but who has had large experience with : iu many cases, superior in quality and finish to that particular kind of work. Such work can , carriages manufactured elsewhere, be given with a complete assurance that it will j Of the houses concerned in this vast industry, l)e properly done to Mr. J. Wilkinson, who j we will now devote a space to the one presided deals in bicycles, tricycles, etc., and does general J over by Messrs. Boylston & Phillips. This busi- repairing in all branches, at No. 187 State | ness was opened in Bridgeport in March, 1887, study, and when this has been given it an an- swer is found to the oft-repeated question, " Why do bicycles cost so much ?" Twenty-five pounds of steel and rubber, stand- ing fifty inches or more high, have to be com- bined with no small degree of science and me- chanical skill to safely carry a 150-pound man up hill and down at a high rate of speed, and these things always have and always will cost money. But these machines, as perfect as they are, will street. This enterprise was started in 1883, by Wilkin- son Bros., and has been carried on by the present owner alone since 1884. Mr. Wilkinson is a native of Sheffield, Eng- land, and is thoroughly acquainted with bicycles and bicycle work in all its branches. He carries a fine stock of wheels, which are warranted to prove as represented, and those in need of a stylish, safe and speedy bicycle should give him an early call. He is sole agent for this vicinity for the cele- brated Columbia, Star and the Otto (for boys). He carries the largest stock of steel wheels in the State. F. C Bennett, Successor to H. Hall & Co., Importer and Wholesale Dealer in Fine Liquors and Wines, 380 and 382 Water Street.— The large consumption of spirituous liquors forms an important item in the commercial transactions of by the present proprietors, who started in Green- field, Mass., in 1850, moving to New York in 1857, where a branch is now located. For the manufacture and sale of children's carriages, etc., the extensive premises located at 102 State street are utilized, covering an area of 70x25 feet, which is furnished with every facility requisite for the prosecution of the business, which is devoted to the manufacture of chil- dren's carriages, dolls' carriages, girls' propellers, sleighs, sleds and velocipedes. In addition to the manufacture of the above named line of goods, Messrs. Boylston & Phillips are dealers in stationery, toilet and fancy goods. They conduct an extensive wholesale and retail trade in their line of goods, repairing of children's carriages being a specialty. Both Mr. R. H. Boylston and Mr. II. L. Phillips are Massachusetts men by birth. These gentlemen are well known in social as well as business circles. LEADING BUSINESS MEN OF BRIDGEPORT. 93