Leading Business Men of Fairfield County

Mr MeEwen was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and by his enterprise, foresight and good man- agement has fairly won success. 150 LEADING BUSINESS MEN OF SOUTH NOR WALK. Walter L. Wilcox, Successor to Hon. W. S. Hanford, Insurance Agency; Office, Corner Washington and Main Streets. — Insurance, both Fire and Life, is one of the great interests of the age. In money, power and influence, it ranks with banking, railroading, mining and mercantile pursuits. The penniless and dependent are pro- tected through its blessed influence. All over the globe the protecting power of this science is felt. The only question to be considered is: Winch are the best conducted and safest companies in which to insure V Mr. Walter L.Wilcox, at the corner of Washing- ton and Main streets, is regarded as a reliable gentleman, and represents the following well- known companies: American, of Philadelphia; In- surance Company of North America, Meriden, of Meriden; Niagara, of New York; Ger- man American, of New York; Fireman's Friend, of California; Fire Insurance Association, of England; British Amer- ica, of Ontario; Commercial Union, of England; Hanover, of Springfield, and the Anglo-Nevada, of California. Mr. Wilcox has been in the insurance business for the past ten years, having succeeded the Hon. W. S. Hanford three years ago. He occupies two neat offices at the above location on the second floor, and has a large and extensive patronage. He is a native of Connecticut, and is a young man of energy and ability, and conducts his business on a high plane of business honor, hence has the confidence of the general public throughout the city. All wishing to place insurance in reliable companies should call upon Mr. Wilcox, and we feel assured that their confidence will not be misplaced. Giles Haulenbeck, Manufacturer of Cigar Boxes, Foot of Marshal Street. — The industries of Norwalk are varied, and in our researches we find specialties that deserve proper mention. Among these we note the house of Giles Haulen- beck, Manufacturer of Cigar Boxes of all kinds and sizes. The factory is located at the foot of Marshal street, South Norwalk, and comprises two floors 24x38 feet in dimen- sions. This is fitted up with all the most modern machines used in the manufacture of their goods, which are propelled by a gas engine of several horsepower. Four skilled hands are employed in the different departments, and they turn out 2,500 boxes per week. The trade is mostly local and is very extensive, being entirely wholesale. Mr. Haulenbeck established the busi- ness eleven years ago, and has conducted it on strictly business principles. Mr. Giles Haulenbeck is a native of %7mww^MWWim New Jersey- ar"1 is a thoroughly experi- enced man in the business he has under- taken. He also enjoys as many facilities and as large resources for supplying the trade in this line of goods as any house in Norwalk. Mr. Haulenbeck is noted for fairness in all business dealings, and will continue in the future as he has in the past to place his goods at the lowest market prices. E. P. Knapp, Manufacturer of Hat and Hardware Cases. — Among the most enterprising and successful manufacturers of Norwalk, may be found Mr. E. F. Knapp, who carries on the manufacture of Hat and Hardware Cases. Business was inaugurated in 1881, under the firm name of Fitch & Knapp, and was continued under that style up to April 2!t, 1SS6, at which time it became as it is at present. The factory comprises two floors, each of the dimensions (10x52 feet, and both a wholesale and retail business is done, employment being given LEADING BUSINESS MEN OF SOUTH NORWALK 151 to ten men. The capacity of the works is fiom 350 to 400 cases per day, and as the products ot this house have met with great favor among those interested, the maximum output named is frequently reached. All orders will receive prompt and painstaking attention and the goods are fully warranted to give the best of satisfac tl0Mr. Knapp is a native of South Norwalk, and is well known and highly esteemed here for his many excellent qualities. J. R. Raymond, Contractor and Builder.— As one of the oldest and most successful Contractors and Builders in South Norwalk, Mr J. K. Kay- mond has taken prominent part in the extensive building operations in this city during the past nuarterof a century. He established himself in business here over twenty five years ago, and in most of the work in his line his services have been called into requisi- te occupies commodious workshops on Water street, and his establishment is supplied with wood-working machinery of improved patterns driven by steam, and a force of twenty-five skill- ed workmen are employed by him during the busy season. , .„ Mr. Raymond furnishes plans and specifica- tions and gives estimates for all kinds of building work, and contracts are performed in the most satisfactory manner; orders for jobbing are rilled with despatch . Mr. Raymond has a great variety of plans for buildings on hand, and furnishes Frames, Doors, Sash, etc., for builders uses, and his worth and ability justify the fullest confi- ?He is a native of Connecticut, and in a wide circle of acquaintance he is held in highest esteem for his personal and business integrity. South Norwalk Hat Company, Co-operative Manufacturers of Fine Wine and Water btitt , and Flexible Hats, of all Descriptions; Factory, South Norwalk; New York Office, 124 Greene Street —This successful company, largely com- posed of practical hatters, was organized and incorporated about three years ago, and on a scale of most important proportions the busi- ness has since been conducted with marked suc- C6The works of the company are eligibly located and comprise a two-story building 30x90 feet in dimensions, and the factory is admirably equipped Over 100 workmen find constant employment in the service of this reliable com- PaThe output comprises fine Wine and Water Stiff and Flexible Hats of all descriptions, in latest styles and finest finish, and the facilities ot the corporation for filling orders with dispatch at lowest possible margin above cost ot produc- tion are unsurpassed, if equaled, by any other house in their field of industrial enterprise. Mr E H. Bush is the President, and Mr. J no. J Murphy is the efficient Secretary of this com- pany, and under their able management and direction the interests of the corporation their customers and correspondents are in every way advanced. The Old Well Cigar Co., Manufacturers of Celebrated Brands of Cigars, Main Street.— Among the large contributors to the greatag gregate of South Norwalk's trade, The Old Well Cigar Company, established in 1868 and incor- porated in 1880, has held a foremost place, and in the esteem of the trade it is one of the most reliable sources of supply in New England. 1 he Company occupy a large three-story building on Main street, fully equipped for their purposes. Their yearly sales average three million cigars being the largest cigar factory in the State, it not in New England. The company are the manufacturers ot the following popular brands, famous throughout the State for their general excellence and flavor : Old Well Club, R. H. 10, Gander Club, La Cuba, C S 10 Old Well Bouquets, Stubs, Lmted Ser- vice Club, Snow Drop, Maud S La Empress, Patriots, Growler, R. H. 5, Monarch, Snow Flake Old Well Five, Real Comfort, Druggist s Pride 'and Old Well Club Ponies, all of which are celebrated as the best cigars, at prices asked, manufactured in this section. The facilities of the company for supplying seasoned goods of sterling Quality at low prices, makes this a popular con- cern with which to place orders, and the care ex- ercised to maintain the reputation of these cigars by careful selection of stock and personal super- vision of every detail of the work, has firmly es- tablished the company in the confidence ot job- bers and dealers in all parts of the country. The officers of the company are: President, Reed Haviland; Secretary and Treasurer Chris- tian Swartz; Superintendent, Mathew Corbett, all of whom are energetic, sagacious and respon- siable business man, whose skill and ability have brought to the company its present success. Martin Bates, Jr., & Co., Importers and Cutters of Hatters' Fur, South Norwalk.— The great importance and extent of the hat business in this country is probably appreciated more by the residents of Norwalk than it is by the inhab- itants of many other sections of the United States, for there are located here a number of very 1 >rge factories, more or less directly connected with the manufacture of hats. Prominent among" them is that conducted by Martin Bates, Jr. & Co this being a branch of a metropolitan house I whose main office is located at Nos. 80 and 83 I Greene street, New York, The branch of which we are writing was founded in January, 1880, and occupies one large building containing three floors, each 170X 32 feet in dimensions, as well as several smaller structures. . ... .„„„ The works are supplied with a fifty horse- power boiler and engine, and employment is S-iven to some eighty hands. The firm are Im- porters and Cutters of Hatters' Fur, and do an enormous business, standing, in fact, in the very front rank of those engaged in a similar line ot r Such of our readers as are familiar with the " Hatter and Furrier," will doubtless remember I the very full history of Martin Bates and his business given in the issue of that paper for ! January, 1883, and we only regret that space i does not permit us to copy even a few ot its 1 most salient points into our present article. HISTORICAL SKETCH OF STAMFORD. Rippo warns was the picturesque designation by which Stamford was known to the Indians. They were members of the tribe of Paugausetts, who were the natural owners of the soil of all this part of the State. Of their customs and life it is sufficient to say that they were " Indians " of the laziest and most inoffensive class.