Leading Business Men of Fairfield County

The premises occupied for the transaction of this extensive retail trade are located at the cor- ner of Warren street and Railroad avenue, cover- ing an area of 20x35 feet and are well stocked with a choice selection of beef, veal, mutton, ham, poultry, vegetables, etc. The services of two very capable assistants are required in the discharge of the many details of the house, which are under the direct supervis- ion of the proprietor, who is experienced in his line of business. Mr. Porter is a native of Bridgeport and a highly respected member of the Knights of Pythias, and it is with pleasure that we commend his market to the residents of this community. Howard H. Scribner, Real Estate, Loan Agency and Fire Insurance, 10 Franklin Block. — One of the most active and successful real estate and insurance agents in this city is Mr. Howard H. Scribner, whose office is at No. 10 Franklin Block (corner Main and State streets). This gentleman began business thirteen years ago, and has established a large patronage in both branches of his profession by the zeal and ability with which he has served his customers. Any of our readers who may wish to buy, sell, exchange or rent a dwelling house or building- lot, would do well to give Mr. Scribner a call, as he is in a position to render them material aid in attaining any or all of these objects. He is prepared to give prompt and conscientious attention to the various duties of a real estate agent, and his record in this respect in the past is sufficient guarantee of his ability to do so. A loan agency is also conducted, through which money maybe loaned or borrowed at five and six per cent, interest on city real estate security. Mr. Scribner is agent for the following reliable and popular fire insurance companies: Girard, Philadelphia, Pa.; Firemen's, Newark, N. J., and Hamburg, Bremen, Germany. He has written many policies in these companies, and is prepared to take additional desirable risks. He is thoroughly familiar with city property, as his long experience has afforded abundant oppor- tunity to study it carefully and well. Lee & Ketcham, Dealers in Choice Fruits and Fancy Groceries, 20 Fairfield Avenue. — As an important factor in the growth and general pro- gress of the city the grocery trade has played no insignificant part, as can be illustrated by the de- tailed history of the above-named house, which was established eleven years ago. It is located at 20 Fairfield avenue, occupying three floors, each 24x85 feet, where a large and well-selected stock of staple aud fancy groceries is carried. LEADING BUSINESS MEN OF BRIDGEPORT. 113 The extensive retail trade of this house gives employment to three competent clerks, who are conversant with the business in all its details. This house was first established by Mr. Henry Lee, and after six years of prosperity Mr. Charles J. Ketcham was admitted as partner to the firm, and for the past five years the business has been conducted under the firm name of Lee & Ketcham. They carry an extensive and com- plete stock of groceries of all descriptions, also deal extensively in choice fruits of all kinds, and all goods to be found in a first-class establish- ment of this kind. The most watchful care is exercised by this firm under all circumstances, and particular attention is paid to the filling of orders and goods are delivered to all parts of the city wiih promptness and dispatch. The mem- bers of this firm are both experienced and practi- cal men. F. D. Randall, Druggist, 204 State Street.— Of the druggists anddealers in medicines of Bridgeport, "here is no establishment which bears a higher character among the people of this city for fair dealings and first-class goods than that of Mr. F. D. Randall, located at 204 State street. This house was established in April, 1887, and although of such very recent inception, it is classed with the most popular and finely- appointed establishments of its kind in the city. Mr. Randall keeps a full line of pure drugs, patent medicines, chemicals, and a full line of toilet articles, including soaps, sponges, brushes, combs, etc., also fancy goods and perfumery. The premises occupied cover an area of 40x20 feet, and are handsomely fitted up with all the requisites necessary for the prosecution of the re- tail trade in the above-named profession. The utmost care is taken in compounding physicians' prescriptions and family receipts. Only safe and reliable pharmacists are employed, and the en tire management of the business is under the direct personal supervision of the proprietor, who is well worthy the confidence and esteem of this community. Mr. Randall is a native of Brook- haven, N. Y. Having had a large experience in the drug business and being a licentiate of New York and Connecticut State Boards of Pharmacy, he is now prepared to dispense drugs and medicines with accuracy and dispatch, and is too well known to require personal remarks at our hands, but we may be permitted to say that none in this trade has a higher reputation for reliability in this city than has the subject of this sketch. Mrs. W. T. Van Yorx, Dealer in Wools and Embroidery Materials, Felts and Canvas, Toys, and Holiday Goods, etc., etc., No. 423 Main Street. — The importance of an enterprise of this character in a large city like Bridgeport is too apparent to need comment. We have here a de- pot for the supply of all kinds of embroidery materials), such as are used in the various styles of embroidery and fancy work, and may be pro- perly classed as art needle work. This establish- ment was founded by its present proprietor, Mrs. W. T. Van Yorx, in 1871, and during the time since elapsed she has built up an extensive retail trade. The premises utilized for this branch of industry and located at 423 Main street, consists of a store 60x20 feet in dimensions, with base- ment for storage purposes. The fine and exten- sive stock carried at this house embraces a large variety of wools in all the new and varied shades so much used, also an elegant assortment of embroidery materials of all kinds, also felts and canvas. In addition to the above-named goods, Mrs. Van Yorx deals extensively in toys and holiday goods, etc., etc. Employment is given to four very capable assistants, and the citizens of this community, especially the ladies, will find this store headquarters for all the desirable supplies in the above-named line of goods. Mrs. Van Yorx is a fair and honorable business wo- man in all her transactions, and she enjoys one of the largest trades in this line in Bridgeport. W. E. Wills, Choice Family Groceries, 58 State Street (between Main Street and the Post- office). — The grocery trade is one of Bridgeport's most important industries. Of the many who are fairly entitled to this distinction, none deserve more notice than W. E. Wills, located at No. 58 State street (between Main street and the Post- office). The store occupied covers an area of 18x65 feet, thus giving ample room for properly con- ducting the business. The stock, which is large and well selected, consists of staple and fancy groceries, teas, coffees, spices, sugar, flour, but- ter, cheese, eggs, syrups, etc., also a full assort- ment of the finest canned goods in the market, and at the most reasonable prices. The large trade extends throughout the city and vicinity and is exclusively retail. The business was es- tablished seven years ago by W. R. Miller, it having been under the present management for the past four years. Four clerks are employed, and all customers are waited upon in an atteniive and courteous manner. All orders are promptly filled, and goods are delivered to all parts of the city free of charge. Mr. W. E. Wills is a native of Canada, and is well and favorably known throughout the city. In conclusion, we may say that he conducts his business on a sound basis and in a liberal manner. R. Plalzgraf, Proprietor of South End Market, 113 Main Street. — Among the many and varied commercial industries pursued in Bridgeport, that branch devoted to the handling of meats, fish and vegetables, forms an important part of her trade, and prominent among the many estab- lishments utilized for this purpose is the South End Market, which was founded in 1886 by Mr. R. Plalzgraf, who conducts a strictly first-class market, located at 113 Main street, comprising one floor and basement, each 40x30 feet iu di- mensions. The stock carried embraces a complete and choice variety of meats, poultry, fish, fruits and vegetables. This house offers the best of inducements, both as regards prices and quality, which in the end cannot fail to attract and hold a large share of patronage and support. Mr. Plalzgraf is a native of Germany. We may be pardoned for saying, in conclusion, that the standing and reputation achieved by him are such as to warrant the entire confidence of cus- tomers. 114 LEADING BUSINESS MEN OF BRIDGEPORT. F. G. Gates, Pharmacist, 187 East Washing- ton Avenue. — A tine appearing and well -fitted- up pharmaceutical establishment is that of which Mr. F. G. Gates is the genial and popular pro- prietor, located at No. 187 East Washington avenue. It was founded over twenty years ago, by Mr. George Main, the present owner having been in possession about two years. The store occupied is of the dimensions of 30x 50 feet, and as before remarked is very finely appointed, containing all the modern facilities for carrying on a first-class pharmacy. Two courteous and efficient assistants are in attend- ance, and customers will receive early and polite attention. A very large and complete stock of drugs, medicines, etc., is on hand, and every- thing is guaranteed to be of standard quality and reliable manufacture. Physicians' prescriptions are compounded promptly and accurately, and as a specialty is made of this branch of trade, satisfaction is confidently warranted. All the drugs, etc., used are fresh and free from adultera- tion, and no doubt most of our readers under- stand the importance of these points in this connection. Toilet requisites and fancy articles are on hand in great variety, and all prices will compare favorably with those of any similar establishment ia town.