Leading Business Men of Fairfield County

Mr. Setzer established his business in 1879, and during the eight years of its existence has built up an extensive trade, wtiich is both wholesale and retail; the extent of this business gives em- ployment to six capable clerks. The market is eligibly located and very convenient for the trade, being located at 313 Main st It is 24x90 feet in size, and is well stocked with an elegant supply of meats, canned goods, table delicacies, game, etc., etc. This market is very neat and attractive and goods are arranged in the most inviting manner. Mr. Setzer enjoys a large retail trade from among the best citizens of Bridgeport. This is due in part to the superiority of the goods car- ried and in part to the prompt filling and de- livery of all orders placed here, as well as the courteous treatment given to patrons. Mr. Setzer is an native of New York, an honorable and enterprising business manager, and it is with full confidence that we commend him to the favorable notice of all who read this review. Alexander Reid, Dealer in Choice Groceries, Produce B night, Flour a Specialty No. 476 Main Street. — Probably one of the oldest and best known establishments in the city devoted to the grocery business is that of Alexander Reid. It affords us no little pleasure in recording the vari- ous industries of Bridgeport to mention those firms or individuals in any branch of trade who have achieved prominent positions through the force of natural ability unaided by any influence except those exerted by their own ability and industry. As for instance, the one above mentioned LEADING BUSINESS MEN OF BRIDGEPORT. 101 which was established in 1858 by its present pro- prietor, and by energy, enterprise and close at- tention to business he has largely increased it with each succeeding year, and to-day it is one of the oldest houses in this branch of business in the city. The premises are commodious and well fitted up for the business and cover an area of 24x50 feet, being well stocked with a full line of staple and fancy groceries. The store is located at 476 Main street and is neat and attractive in appearance and everything sold by this old and time honored establishment are at prices which defy competition and such as will please the most careful buyers. Mr. Reid has the assistance of thoroughly com- petent and reliable clerks who are conversant with all the details of this long established re- tail business. Mr. Reid is a native of Scotland and a gentle- man whose standing and reputation may be re- garded of the highest character. John F. Noble, Real Estate and Insurance, 468 Main Street. — One of the most enterprising and energetic <-eal estate and insurance agents in this city is Mr. John F. Noble, whose office is at No. 468 Main street. This gentleman began his present business some five years ago, and has worked his way up to his present position by sheer force of energy and perseverance. He is an authority on real estate in Bridgeport and vicinitjr, and has control of the leasing and sale of many highly desirable pieces of property. In his office may be found very complete lists of such city property as is in the market to rent or sell, and many weiry steps and much annoyance may be saved by those who are engaged in that absorbing but not particularly exciting or agree- able form of sport known as " house-hunting," if they will give Mr. Noble a call and make their wishes known. He has also excellent facilities for placing large lines of insurance in the soundest companies at lowest rates, among which we would mention the Merchants and the Greenwich Insurance Company of New York, both of which has been uninterruptedly and suc- cessfully in business for upwards of 50 years. The Greenwich was incorporated under the laws '•of the State of New York, and on the 1st of January, 1887, had a sworn surplus as regards policy holders of $665,811.24. Probably there is no sounder institution of the kind in the country, and as its premium rates are low and its insur ance sure in deed as in name, it is not surprising that Mr. Noble has issued many policies during his connection with the company. Coughlin Bros., Dealers in Wall Papers of Superior Quality and Artistic Design, Paints, Oils, Varnish, 459 Main Street. — A leading mer- cantile house in Bridgeport and one which has long commanded the confidence and erijoyed the patronage of the public, is that of Messrs. Coughlin Brothers, dealers in wall papers, paints, oils, etc., No. 459 Main street. The business was established twenty }rears ago by the Messrs. Coughlin, and since the death of his partners it has been conducted with gratify- ing success by the sole surviving partner, Mr. Patrick Coughlin, under the old firm name. The premises occupied by the firm are large and attractive, and the stock of merchandise is always complete and sufficiently varied to meet all requirements. The wall papers include every stylish, desirable and artistic design and patterns of superior quality, and the best paints, oils, and varnishes in the market, and prices are uniformly the lowest in the city, quality being considered. Mr. Coughlin employs a force of from twenty to thirty five skilled painters and paper hangers in his business, and has every facility for execut- ing all kinds of house decorating in the most tasteful and satisfactory manner, with dispatch, and the reputation of the old house is a sufficient guarantee of first-class and reliable work. Mr. Coughlin is a thoroughly energetic and responsible business man, and enjoys the univer- sal confidence of patrons and the general public. Goodsell, McNeil & Co., General Insurance Agents, 450 Main Street. — This reliable insurance firm have for ten years past conducted the gen- eral agency established in 1857 b3r Mr. E. B. Goodsell, and from the beginning the concern has deservedly enjoyed a large share of patronage. The offices of Messrs. Goodsell, McNeil & Co. are located at 450 Main street, and representing many of the old and reliable insurance companies of the country, the firm have every facility for their large and steadily growing business. They represent eighteen of the strongest and most reliable companies of America and Great Britain, and in any or all of these time tried and responsible corporations, the firm effect insur- ance at lowest rates of premium. Alwrays zeal- ous in protecting the interests of their patrons, and accurate and vigilant in all their engage- ments, these sagacious underwriters have firmly established their agency in general confidence, and are steadily extending their influence. Messrs. N. A. McNeil and S S. Banks com- prise this well-known firm. They are both natives of Bridgeport, and are recognized among the representative, reliable and successful busi- ness men of this thriving, progressive city. R. E. Whittlesey, Special Traveling Agent, Mutual Benefit Lite Company, Office 450 Main Street. — Of all the plans of life insurance as yet devised, there are none which have so generally commended themselves to more general favor than that conceived and adopted by the Mutual Benefit Life Company of Hartford. An examina- tion of the plan establishes beyond question or cavil, that, on the co-operative five-year endow- ment plan of this company, a man at average age can, at ordinary rates of premium, secure in- surance, and if he survives at the end of five years, he will receive back in cash more money than he has paid, and thus actually securing his insurance for nothing, and proving it to be the best possible investment. Mr. R. E. Whittlesey, who has his office at No. 450 Main street, Bridgeport, has for nine years been connected with this substantial com- pany, and has been eminently successful as special traveling agent. He is a native of this State, and has a wide acquaintance throughout this section, and those desiring insurance on their lives would do well to write or consult him as to the superior advantages offered by his company. 102 LEADING BUSINESS MEN OF BIUDGEPOBT. G. C. Hamilton, Druggist, 273 East Main Street.— Perhaps one of the most important busi- ness interests necessary to the good health and welfare of a community, is that of the druggist and apothecary. The most important requisites for the successful operation of this profession is a complete stock in each department and a thor- ough knowledge of the business in all its branches, and the good will and esteem of the community wherein the business is established. Prominent among the druggists possessing these requisites ' is Mr. G. C. Hamilton, whose establishment is located at 273 East Main street, where he has been located tince 1885, and dur- ing that time he has built up a reputation for pure drugs and medicines, careful compounding of prescriptions and attention to the wants of his patrons that has resulted in an annual!}' in- creasing business. The premises occupied consist of a finely ap- pointed store, covering an area of 18x50 feet, where is displayed a choice assortment of drugs, medicines, chemicals, toilet and fancy articles, and in connection with the goods already men- tioned Mr. Hamilton deals extensively in confec- tionery, of which he has a choice assortment constantly on hand. Mr. G. C. Hamilton is a native of Bridgeport, and an educated pharmacist of twenty-three years experience, whose intelligent fulfilment of all orders may be confidently relied upon. John H. Reid & Co., Jewelers, 340 Main Street, United Bank Building. — Of the many jewelers of Bridgeport, there is no establishment which bears a higher character among the people of this city, for honest, fair dealing and first- class goods than that of John H. Reid & Co., which is located at 340 Main street. This house was established by its present pro- prietor, Mr. John H. Reid, in 1883, and from its inception has enjoyed a steadily increasing retail trade. The premises comprise a fine and attrac- tive store, which contains an elegant stock of jewelry, watches, clocks, silverware and optical goods. The proprietor and his assistants are courteous and attentive to all patrons. Mr. Reid is an experienced jeweler and gives close personal supervision to all branches of his estab- lishment.