Leading Business Men of Fairfield County

The premises occupied are 30x70 feet in dimen- sions, comprising one of the largest and finest grocery stores in the city, located at 234 State street, where will be found a complete and exten- sive stock of staple and fancy groceries, flour, teas, coffees, vegetables and canned goods, in fact everything to be found in a first class estab- lishment of this kind can be purchased at the most reasonable prices. From its first establish- ment this house has been a favorite source of supply in this line. Those who come here for the first time will find a large and superior stock from which to make selections and will experi- ence the benefits of the pursuance of a liberal policy and an obliging promptness such as is in accordance with the honorable record of such a long-established house. Harry Nichols' Market, Dealer in Meat, Fish and Vegetables, 382 State Street. — To show what this city produces and what it has to supply, the extent and character of her resources, and the attractions she offers to capital for permanent in- vestment, and to the trade as a purchasing cen- ter, is the mission of this volume, and among those houses which have done so much to build up the meat, fish and vegetable trade of the city, the most casual observer must accord to the house of Mr. Harry Nichols a prominent posi- tion. This market was founded in 1877 by Messrs Nichols & Booth, and in 1S7S Mr. Harry Nichols assumed full control of the business, since which date it has gained a widespread reputation, and to-day is recognized as one of the most attractive and well arranged markets in Bridgeport. It has a floorage of 60x20 feet. LEADING BUSINESS MEN OF BRIDGEPORT. 123 The stock consists of a varii ty almost too numer- ous to memion, and embraces all kinds of meats, fish and vegetables, butter, eggs, cheese and canned goods, all of which are guaranteed to be of the best quality to be obtained in the city. The extensive retail trade gives employment to three very capable assistants and the entire busi- ness is most ably managed under the direct per- sonal supervision of the proprietors. Mr. Nichols is a native'of Stepney, Connecticut, a gentleman whose extended experience makes him fully acquainted with the wants of the public, and he is fully able to supply any demands made upon him. Stephen Osborne, Stationer and Newsdealer, 6G1 State Street. — While reviewing the commer- cial interests and enterprises of Bridgeport we must not in any manner fail to do justice to those establishments that do so much to elevate society by the dissemination of the products of the printing press, and to provide for their use such aids to refinement and education as may be required. We have reference to the well known house of Stephen Osborne, which is the leading representative of this line of trade in the West End. The house was founded in 1882 by Messrs. Buckley & Robbins and changed to its present title in March 1887. The premises occupied for the business are specially well arranged for its transaction, being located at 661 State street, and cover an area of 35x15 feet in dimensions. The stock carried by this house includes such a variety as would be expected in the larger estab- lishments of metropolitan cities, and reflects in a creditable manner the tastes and character of the community. It includes a full line of stationers' and newsdealers' goods, and in fact everything that would go to make up a complete and first- class stock. In addition to the above-named goods Mr. Osborne carries a fine line of confec- tionery, ice cream, etc., which are guaranteed to be fresh and free from all injurious qualities. Mr. Osborne is a native of New Milford, Connec- ticut, and a highly respected citizen of Bridge- port. Hulton Bros., Dealers in Meats, Vegetables and Fruits, 663 State Street. — Among those in- dustries that it becomes the special province of this work to display, the enterprise of the Hulton Bros, deserves prominent mention. Identified so closely with the growth and commercial well being of the city, they occupy a place of a most interesting character as relates to house and table supplies. The actual number of beeves, hogs, sheep, etc., annually slaughtered for this market runs into thousands, to say nothing of the poultry and game. But leaving these statistical items for their appropriate place we refer our readers to the establishment of Messrs. Hulton Bros., which was founded in Jan. 1887, since which time they have enjoyed a well-merited reputation for the reliable quality of stock kept on hand, which embraces choice beef, veal, mut- ton, lamb, pork, lard, etc., also canned goods, vegetables, fruits, pure milk, etc., etc. The premises utilized for this business are located at 663 State street and its large retail trade extends throughout the city. The individual members of the firm are Mr. H. J. and P. J. Hulton, both natives of Bridgeport and highly esteemed citi- zens of this community, Mr. H. J. Hulton being a member of the Knights of Columbus, and both are members of the West End Social Club. A. S. Bodine, Manufacturing Stationer, Steam Printer and Lithographer, Office Room 11, Con- necticut National Bank Building. — The business of the stationer is one that affords a pretty surs criterion of the state of culture of the community in which it is carried on, for the varying needs of the people from either a business or a social point of view are quickly and accurately reflected by the stationery for which there is the mosl demand. A manufacturing stationer, steam printer and lithographer who may reasonably be expected to have a tolerably accurate idea of the wants of the people as he has been engaged in serving them in this direction for over a score of years, is Mr. A. S. Bodine, whose Bridgeport office is in the Connecticut National Bank Building, Room 11. Mr. Bodine began business in New York City as a manufacturing stationer, in 1866, and has carried on his office in this city since 1884. His goods are manufactured solely for consumers, and from ten to twelve employees are kept busy attending to the many orders constantly coming in. In connection with his stationery business, steam printing and lithographing are extensively carried on, and orders in either or both of these lines will receive prompt attention and will be executed in the highest style of the art. Clarence H. Bradley, Dealer in Beef, Mutton, Lamb, Veal, Vegetables, Fruits, of all kinds in their seasoD, No. 227 Fairfield Avenue. — The great cry of the average man is for good meat and plenty of it, and when they find a reliable place where fresh and fine goods can be bought at reasonable prices they will be apt to continue as steady patrons. In this connection we would beg to call the attention of our numerous readers to the newly established house of Clarence H. Bradley located at No. 227 Fairfield Avenue. Here may be found a choice and well selected assortment of beef, mutton, lamb, veal, vegeta- bles and fruits of all kinds in their season. Mr. Bradley enjoys every facility for providing his entire trade in a prompt, neat and attentive manner, with all kinds of meat from the best stock to be found, and at prices fair and reason- able. The premises occupied cover an area of 20x40' feet and are admirably arranged for the business, which has every indication of being an extensive one. Polite and attentive assistants are em- ployed, and all orders are called for and deliv- ered free of charge, if desired. Mr. Bradley is a native of Bridgeport, and is a young man well and favorably known through- out the city. He is very accommodating, and possessed of ability to conduct the business he has undertaken. We confidently recommend his establishment to our many readers, feeling assured they will receive a full equivalent for their money. 124 LEADING BUSINESS MEN OF BRIDGEPORT. The People's Savings Bank of Bridgeport, Incorporated 1860. — It is difficult to over-esti- mate the good which may be done in a com- munity by a well managed and perfectly secure savings institution, and where such establish- ments are found a grade of population percep tibly higher than the average is sure to be noticed. Inculcating as they do principles of thrift and •economy, and by example and precept striving to make the community at large more economical and prosperous, they form a conservative force whose importance is not fully appreciated, save in times of trial, when it becomes apparent to every one. The People's Savings Bank of Bridgeport cer- tainly needs no eulogy from us, for during the quarter cen'ury and more which it has been es tablished, it has surely worked its way to a high and secure position in the minds of the people. How well it merits the name of "People's" Savings Bank will be seen from the treasurer's report of October, 1886, at which time deposits to the amount of $1,734,364.32 were due 5,039 depositors or, in other words, the average de- posit was but a small fraction over $344.18. No extensive capitalists here you will see but the hard earned savings of the " plain people," as glorious "Old Abe" used to call them. The re- sponsibility of the judicious investment of the enormous sum total is shown by the following well-known citizens: President, Geo. B. Waller; First Vice-President, William E. Seely; Second Vice-President, Samuel VV. Baldwin; Secretary and Treasurer, Edward W. Marsh; Trustees, D. W. Kissam. Eli C. Smith, John E. Pond, F. A. Barlram, Elbert E. Ilubbell, Wm. II. Rockwell, Henry Atwater, Enoch P. Hincke, Asa S. Par- sons; Bookkeeper and Teller, Frank Hubbard. It will be see>n that the list is a strong one, and contains the names of those who to a man fully deserve and merit the con- fidence reposed in their business sigacity and honor. The Sterling Restaurant, 365 Main Street, Jesse Sands, Proprietor. — Whatever may have been the case in the past, Bridgeport now possesses a restaurant which, in the completeness and elegance of its appointments and the promptness and courtesy of its service, can safely and confidently in- vite comparison with any similar es- tablishment in the State.