Leading Business Men of Fairfield County

We regret that our limited space forbids our giving a detailed de- scription of the expensive decoration and superb accessories of this palatial cafe, but as gfter all, no account of them, however elaborate, could pro- perly present them to our readers, we will simply urge them to call at No. 365 Main street, and see and admire for themselves. A visit will show to all that not only liberality and taste, but also large experience must have been possessed by whoever founded so admirable and complete an estab- lishment, and this is indeed the case, as Mr. Jesse Sands, the proprietor, is a native of New York City, and has long been familiar with similar insti- tutions conducted on a scale of metropolitan magnificence. The apartment is of the dimensions of 20x80 feet, and a large number of guests can be accom modated and promptly served, as fifteen courte- ous and efficient employes are at hand. Ladies, especially, will find the cafe highly satisfactory, for while everything is of the best, the prices are very reasonable and the patronage select. Mr. Sands makes a specialty of catering for societies and clubs and has a separate room, ele- gaut in its appointments, for the use of societies. Behning & Son's, Bridgeport Agenc}', 532 Main Street, W. F. Mader, Manager. — The growing opulence of Bridgeport has been so marked during the past few years as to have oc- casioned a considerable increase in those lines of trade and industry which administer to the LEADING BUSINESS MEN OF BRIDGEPORT. 1 35 pleasure of the people and which cannot he strictly called necessities. As an evidence of the truth of this statement, the well known piano manufacturers, Messrs. Behning & Son, of New York, have established branch wareroomsforthe sale of their instruments at No. 532 Main street and are doing quite a prosperous and satisfactory trade. The superior quality of the "Behning" pianos and the honorable business methods of this house having won for them the confidence of the peo- ple, whose unanimous verdict is that "Behning Piano is the Favorite," "We feel safe in buying a Behning piano." The Behning pianos certainly have a richness, purity and sweetness of tone and a delicacy of touch that is unrivaled, and are noted for their durability and standing in tune. A full line of these pianos are always kept in stock at their warerooms, 532 Main street, con- sisting of grands, uprights and squares in rose- wood, French walnut, mahogany, cocobola and ebonized cases— all hand polished and finished in A No. 1 style. The trade of this branch store is chiefly confined to this city and vicinity. Mr. W. F. Mader, who has been connected with Messrs. Behning & Son for a number of years in New York city, has charge of the busi- ness here and is well worthy of the patronage he has received and the success he has met with. Messrs. Behning & Son are always glad to have customers call at their factory on 128th street be- tween Third and Lexington avenues in New York city, and will be glad to show them their pianos in every stage of construction. The Pierce Manufacturing Company, Con- tractors for Building Sewers, Drains, Wells, Cisterns, etc.; also, Manufacturers of Cement Pipe, Chimney Tops Garden Vases, etc.; Office and Pipe Works, Junction Hou>atonic and N. Washington Avenues. — In a wide field of useful- ness the Pierce Manufacturing Company have for ten years successfully conducted one of Bridgeport's leading industries, and in then- special line they are practically without compe- tition. The company are large contractors for building- sewers, drains, wells, cisterns, etc., and have unsurpassed facilities for conducting operations on a most extensive scale, and in the most per- fect manner. To meet the requirements of their trade, the concern established extensive works for the manufacture of cement well pipe, chim- ney tops, garden vases, the plant being eligibly located for their purposes, at the junction of Housatonic and N. Washington Avenues. The pipe, etc., is made of Rosendale and Portland cement and gravel, hardened by carbonic acid gas, and the product is as durable as granite. A specialty is made of 30 inch well pipe, and for this purpose the product of these works is unequaled, either as to cheapness or durability. The house makes contracts for all kinds of sew- erage, drain, well and cistern work, and guaran- tees the nearest possible approach to perfection of workmanship anel fullest satisfaction as to prices. Steam pumping and hoisting of all kinds, rock drilling and excavating is done with dis- patch, and the push and promptitude of the com- pany has established them in general confidence. Mr. E. W. Dewhurst is the president, and Mr. C. E. Williams is the secretary and treasurer of the company. They are both Connecticut men by birth and are always named among the suc- cessful business men and influential citizens of the place. The company employs from forty to fifty workmen, and their ability to finish their work promptly and accurately, and their reliability in all they undertake, constitute the secret of their decided success. C. Russell & Co., Wholesale and Retail Gro- cers and Bakers, 335 Main Street. — One of the best known business enterprises in the city is that carried on under the firm name of C. Rus- sell <fc Co., grocers and bakers, at No. 335 Main street, corner of Bank. This time honored establishment was founded forty years ago, by Mr. Chester Russell, and was carried on as the "City Bakery and Gro- cery," up to a few years ago, by that gentleman alone, when Messrs. Arthur J. Cable and W. C. Russell were taken into partnership and business has since been conducted under the present style. A large, double store is occupied of the dimen- sions of 40x100 feet, and a very large wholesale and retail business is done, ten assistants being required to handle the many orders received. The several members of the firm are all natives of this State, and more enterprising and pro- gressive men of business are not to be founcl in this city. The establishment is the largest of the kind in Bridgeport, and a very complete stock of staple and fancy groceries is constantly on hand. Bread, cake and pastry are also sold in large quantities, and a most excellent lunch room is connected which is very largely patronized. All goods are sold at the lowest market rates, as the magnitude of the firm's operations enables it to successfully meet all competition. / 126 LEADING BUSINESS MEN OF BRIDGEPORT. John Kearns, Practical Plumbing and Gas- Fitting, No. 97 Middle Street. — Among the many perplexiag questions which the average house- holder has to bother his head over, one of the most important and puzzling is: " Who shall I have to do my repairing? " We refer more espe- cially to such repairs as may be required on the water, drain and gas-pipes. The question is puzzling, we say, not because it is bard to find one who will undertake the job, but on account of the unski'llfulness or unfaith- fulness of many of those who advertise to do such work. In this connection we take great pleasure in bringing to the attention of our readers the establishment of Mr. John Kearns, located at No. 97 Middle street, for after his fifteen years of experience in such work, we feel that he is able, and we know that he is willing, to do repairing of this nature promptly, thor- oughly and cheaply. He started his present business September 1, 1886, and has already suc- ceeded in building up a large trade. Practical tinning, plumbing and gas-fitting is done, and. tin roofing and sheet-iron, zinc and copper work of all descriptions is also made. Jobbing is promptly attended to, and a specialty is made of hot-air furnace work. It is guaranteed that all orders in any of these lines will be filled in a perfectly satisfactory manner, and the prices are reasonable and just. Elm Street Livery Stable, S. L. Wakelee, Proprietor, Nos. 73 and 75 Elm Street. — One of the important livery establishments of the city is the "Elm Street Livery Stable," the prop- rietor being Mr. S. L. Wakelee, and located at Nos. 73 and 75 Elm street. The business estab- lished by this enterprising gentleman, 17 years ago, has rapidly grown in public favor. The needs of the business demand the services of several experienced employes. The stable occu- pied is a fine brick structure, with ample accom- modations for the care of a large number of horses and vehicles, and an air of neatness per- vades the establishment. Mr. Wakelee has on hand a large number of fine teams at all times for livery purposes, including single carriages, rockaways, hacks, etc., these will be furnished for all occasions on short notice and at most rea- sonable prices. Mr. Wakelee spares no pains in his industrious efforts to please the public. The stables have a good location, and the genial and obliging proprietor deserves the continued success which is assured to him. Coaches and coupes are a specialty, which are furnished by the hour at very reasonable rates. F. Drueke, Wig, Toupee and Hair Goods Manufacturer, corner Main and State Streets, Savings Bank Building. — The manufacture of hair goods should be regarded as an art, founded on a more literal and accurate reproduction of nature than the world has yet seen. Among the leading and most noted establishments devoted to this line of business in Bridgeport is that of Mr. F. Drueke, whose house was established in 1866, and from the first has steadily increased in popularity. The premises utilized for the busi- ness are located at the corner of Main and State streets, and cover an area of 15 by 60 feet in dimensions, comprising a finely appointed store with artistically arranged show cases and win- dows, with a work-room in the rear, where six thoroughly competent persons are constantly employed in making all kinds of hair goods.