Leading Business Men of Fairfield County

Mr. Chas. H. White, the senior member of the firm, is a native of Brooklyn, X. Y., and is thor- oughly conversant with his business, having begun his career when but 21 years old and came here in 1876, was superintendent for St. John, Hoyt & Co. six years, starting this concern, as above stated, in 1882. Mr. Wm. W. Gillespie has re- sided in this city for many years. He was formerly proprietor and editor of the Stamford Advocate. In 1882 he entered into this firm as partner with Mr. White, from the day it was started. He was a member of the State Legisla- ture and has shown considerable interest in the principal business enterprises of Stamford. Mr. Asa M. Thayer, the junior member of the firm, is by trade a practical mill and lumberman. He became partner of the concern in 1883, and has ever since had charge of the mechanical de- partment. Since the establishment of this enterprise their success has been unprecedented. The induce- ments that are offered are the most liberal in every respect compared to other lines, and their connections reach all over the State of Connecti- cut, and goods are shipped directly from their wharf. As a firm they are recognized as a leading one among the many in the State of Connecticut, en- joying a high commercial and financial standing, and through a long experience with every detail of their business and a high reputation for in- tegrity and fair dealing, are justly entitled to the confidence and consideration of the public. The Little Paper Store 'Round the Corner. O. R. Toms, House and Sign Painter, Paper Hanger, etc., AVall Paper in great variety. Store and shop 6 Gay Street, Stamford. — Not by any means the least important branch of industry in this city and one deserving special recognition is that of Wall Papers and House and Sign Paint- ing. Probably one of the oldest established and most extensive house in this branch of com- merce in Stamford is that presided over by Mr. C. R. Toms. This business was established by the present proprietor in 1871. The premises occupied for the transaction of business are lo- cated at 6 Gay street, and consists of a store lox 60 feet in dimensions with a shop in the rear. A very fine display is made in all the choice and new designs in Wall Paper of both foreign im- portation and domestic manufacture. And in addition to the sale of Wall Paper, Mr. Toms does an extensive business in House and Sign Painting and Paper Hanging. The extent of this business requires the em- ployment of twenty very skillful workmen, whose ability and artistic tastes are displayed in the many productions of this house. Mr. Toms is a native and highly esteemed citi- zen of Stamford. To our readers and especially the residents of this city we can therefore com- mend this house as one which is in the enjoy- ment of every facility to attract the current of legitimate trade. Buying direct from manufac- turers, he is in a position to offer the most sub- stantial advantages to bis patrons as to prices, quality of gcods and completeness of work. 162 LEADING BUSINESS MEN OF STAMFORD. The Stamford Safe Deposit Co. — The princi- ple of security rests at tbe very foundation of all successful business enterprise. Recent years have proven that nothing is rnore important, as the multiplicity of means toward securing this end will testify. With the extension and develop- ment of business activity, the approximation to- ward absolute security has been going on, until in our day the culmination seems to have been nearly arrived at. The establishment of such an institution as the Stamford Safe Deposit Co., which was organized in April, 1887, marks an important era in the mercantile affairs of a city. All the results and benefits of modern science in this direction are brought into close connection with the business of the city, and it would be hard to estimate the various and important advantages accruing there from. No manufacturer or merchant can afford to neglect the privileges which are assured to one who possesses a secure depository in such conven- ient proximity to his office. That the value of this institution is highly appreciated by the busi- ness men of Stamford is demonstrated by the fact that two hundred and fifty-four safe deposit boxes have been erected. The vaults of the company are situated in the new building of the Stamford Savings Bank, and the boxes are rented at a yearly rate of from five to forty dollars. The lock doors were made by the Yale Lock Co., and are a marvellous piece of art, working on the clock system. Probably no mechanism ever invented was better adapted to obtain perfect security. Every detail of the management is admirably fitted to the purpose in view. The names of the following officers are in themselves the best guarantee of fidelity: Presi- dent, W. W. Skiddy; treasurer, John B. Reed, Jr.; secretary, Satterlee Swartwout; directors, Wm. W. Skiddy, Chas. A. Hawley, Geo. H. Hoyt, John B. Reed, Jr., Walton Ferguson, Samuel Fessenden, W. H. Judd, S. Swartwout. Such a representative institution as the Stam- ford Safe Deposit Co. deserves the hearty and unanimous support of the progressive business men in this part of the State. Charles Fox, Manufacturer of Small Station- ary and Yacht Engines. — By reason of the races for the "Queen's Cup" and the wonderful per- formances of the Puritan and the Mayflower, yachting has come into great prominence of late years, so much so, in fact, as almost to divide the honors with base ball. But the careful observer will notice that in spite of the poetry of "a wet sheet and a flowing sea," etc , steam yachts are coming more and more into use as their many good points are more generally appreciated. We do not refer to the palatial craft costing hun- dreds of thousands of dollar*, but to the swift little launches from 20 to 40 feet in length, which do not require the income of a whole railway system for their support. Of course the princi- pal and most important thing about a steam launch is its engine, and this to be satisfactory must be light yet strong, smooth running and small, yet powerful, and simple in construction yet economical of steam, and we believe that in these respects and many others the Engines made by Mr. Charles Fox, of this city are all that could be wished. Mr. Fox began business nine years ago. His shop is 24x40 feet and four hands are employed in the manufacture of small Stationary and Yacht Engines to order. Mr. Fox will build an Engine to suit the pecu- liar service required of it, and his work will always be found strictly first class and his prices very reasonable. He is a native of this city and a most skillful mechanic, and he also does general machine work to order. S. C. Ingersoll, Proprietor of the Ingersoll Feed Mill, Ingersoll Building, Canal Street, Stamford. — In referring to various enterprises that are represented in this busy little city the "Ingersoll Feed Mill" is worthy of extended notice. This mill is located in the Ingersoll Building on Canal street, and is fully equipped with all the latest and most approved machinery, propelled by an eighteen horse-power steam engine. Being the only mill in Stamford they do an extensive business. It also manufactures Grain and Feed of all kinds and deals in Hay and Straw by the sheaf, bale or ton, also the very best and purest grades of Tea and Coffee. Mr. S. C. Ingersoll established this business in 1875 as the Ingersoll Mill, and has conducted it in a highly successful manner. Several are employed in these mills and the busi- ness is very extensive of both a wholesale and re- tail character. He has a large city trade as well as outside from those parties who deal in a su- perior grade of Flour, etc. Mr. Ingersoll is a native of Connecticut and is highly esteemed by a large circle of friends. Mr. Ingersoll is exclusive agent for Peat Moss Bedding — it is the cheapest. He is sole agent for Stamford and vicinity of Quinnipiac Fertilizer. John W. Alphonse, Dealer in Stationery, Toys, Base Ball Goods, Baby Carriages, Books, Maga- zines, Daily and YVeekly Newspapers, Etc., Holiday Goods, Christmas and Easter Cards. — This popular dealer commenced business eighteen or twenty years ago, and he is known to be the oldest news dealer in town. The store occupied is centrally located and covers an area of 20x70 feet in size, and contains a fine assortment of all kinds of goods in this line of trade, including Toys, Stationery, Harmonicas, Knives, Base Ball Goods of all descriptions, Fishing Tackle, Combs and Brushes, Toilet Soap, Lunch Baskets, Baby Carriages, Pocket Books, and Yankee Notions of every description, Books, Magazines, Daily and Weekly Newspapers, etc., also Holiday Goods, Christmas and Easter Cards in their season. The annual business transacted is quite large. Trade is principally located in the city and vicinity. Mr. Alphonse keeps a fine stock of the latest works on History, Travel, Biography and Fiction, supplemented with choice Magazine Literature. His list of Books is varied and complete and is continually being added to. His store receives a large patronage, which the enterprising proprie- tor justly merits. Mr. Alphonse is well qualified to push his business to still greater usefulness and import- ance. LEADING BUSINESS MEN OF STAMFORD. 163 The Yale & Towne Manufacturing Co. (known prior to 1883 as the Yale Lock Manu- facturing Co.), have conducted with eminent success, one of the principal lock and hardware manufactories in the country, including among their many products the well known Yale lock, with corrugated key, which is conceded to be the most secure lock made. The works at Stamford constitute one of the most extensive and complete of the industries of New England of whatever description. The immense factory buildings of the com- pany cover an area of nearly three acres, and are equipped in the most thorough manner with valuable, improved machinery. The buildings are of brick, and some of them are four and five stories in height, as shown in cut, with granite trimmings, and the works throughout are a pattern of completeness, con- venience and good management.