Leading Business Men of Fairfield County

The business was started in 1829, by Wm. H. Holly, succeeded in 1883 by the present manage- ment, Gillespie Brothers. The machinery is of the most improved kinds known, and is run by steam power. It requires ten skilled hands to keep pace with the demands made upon the establishment. They do all kinds of Bank, Job and Commercial Printing, and have a very large variety of plain, fancy and ornamental type, embracing all the latest and most approved s'yles; and every kind and variety of work can be done here. They are also manufacturing stationers and wholesale and retail dealers in stationery, etc. Their Printing establishment is located in Advocate place, where they occupy two floors 90x40 feet in dimensions. They have also in connection with this a Book-Binding Department, where work is done promptly and in a satisfac- tory manner. The individual members of the firm are Messrs. R. H. and E. T. W. Gillespie, both of whom have been connected with the concern for many years. They are thoroughly experienced gentle- men in all the details of their business They are also the proprietors of the Stanford Adv cate, Stamford's oldest newspaper, having been estab- lished in 1829. In prices this firm a e able to duplicate any that can be given elsewhere. We can safely assure our readers that in corres- ponding and doing business with this firm they will meet with a prompt response and find deal- ing with them both pleasant and profitable. 166 LEADING BUSINESS MEN OF STAMFORD. Temple of Music, J. H. Christie, Manager. — Connecticut possesses many establishments en- gaged in this line of trade, but none are more deserving of recognition and prominent consider- ation in the present volume than that of Mr. J. H. Christie, whose extensive establishment, bet- ter known as the "Temple of Music, "is centrally located at No. 1 Bedford street. This house was founded four years ago by the present manager, and has, owing to his honorable business policy, pursued an uninterrupted career of prosperity, and now ranks among the leading houses in the State, engaged in this line of com- merce. The premises occupied by him are com- modious and elegant, consisting of three floors 60x30 feet in dimensions. He carries a full line of Pianos, Organs, Musical Instruments of every description, and Musical merchandise. This is the depot for Eastern trade of the celebrated and renowned Baus & Co.'s Pianos, and Mr. Christie ships these instruments to all parts of New En gland. He is also agent for Wilcox & White Organs. The demand for the above named in- struments has been such as to give him an exten- sive trade. No personal comments as regards Mr. Christie are necessary, as he is one of Stamford's esteemed citizens. Smart, Patterson & Rice, Successors to T. B. Smart, Manufacturers of Straw Goods, 613 Broadway, New York. Factory at Stamford, Ct. — Prominent among the manufacturing indus- tries of which Stamford abounds we would call the attention of our readers to the mammoth es- tablishment of Smart, Patterson & Rice whose warerooms are located at No. 613 Broadway, New York, and whose factory is at the corner of Pacific and Walnut streets, Stamford. This business was established in 1881 by Mr. H. K. White, and after several changes came under the control of the present management in 1886. The premises occupied for manufacturing purposes consist of a three-story building 240x60 feet in dimensions, fitted up with the most modern machinery used in the manufac- ture of their goods, propelled by a 25 horse- power steam engine. They employ 250 skilled hands, and an immense business is done. They manufacture all kinds of ladies', misses' and children's Straw Hats and Bonnets, and their prices are as reasonable as any in the market. The individual members of the firm are Messrs. T. B. Smart, J. H. Patterson and W. B. Rice. Mr. Smart is a native of Rhode Is- land, Mr. Patterson of Canada and Mr. Rice of Westboro, Mass. All these gentlemen are highly experienced, having all from boyhood worked in the same business, and well merit the success they have achieved throughout the country, shipping goods direct all over the country from the Atlan- tic to the Pacific Oceans. We take pleasure in commending a house of this standing to our many readers at home and abroad. Stamford Hosiery and Suspender Co. — One of the many large and celebrated manufac- tures of Connecticut is the Stamford Hosiery and Suspender Co., located at Stauiford. This is a very old concern ; it started in 1860 as the Charlestown "Web and Suspender Co., Boston, Mass., after ten years business they were suc- ceeded by the Waverly Suspender Co., who were in turn succeeded by the Mt. Vernon Suspender Co., the latter organized in 1877, with Mr. Mar- tin Lippmann, of New York, as President, and owner. In 1883 they purchased the great pottery building, on the waterside of Stamford, and entirely remodeled it, making it the best adapted building in the State for the manufacture of sus- penders; the best of light and very high ceilings are necessary for the looms. From 1884 to 1886 they closed down on account of illness of Mr. Lippmann, which necessitated his complete rest and change. For nearly two years Mr. Lippmann travelled over Europe, and from observation found that our manufactures were far ahead of those abroad. On his return in 1886 the firm was again changed to its present title. New and improved machinery was added, they having decided to make a specialty of low-priced suspenders. How successful they have been will be shown, when they sell thousands of dozens of their Suspenders to other manufacturing concerns in New York and elsewhere. In their Suspender department they employ about one hundred hands, each suspender passing through about twenty-five hands. Their manufacture of gentlemen's Seamless Hosiery is the largest part of their business, and one of the most interesting. They make their Hosiery on the widely cele- brated Lamb Knitting Machines, which are en- tirely operated by boys and girls, whose ages average fourteen to twenty, the work requiring nimble fingers. A smart knitter can make five to six dozen per day. From the knitting machine the Stockings are sent to the finishing room, where they are care- fully examined for imperfections, pressed, LEADING BUSINESS MEN OF STAMFORD. 161 stamped and labelled and boxed. Anyone who has ever worn the Stamford Sock will not wear any other. They are perfect fitting; no seams, and fa9t colors. They manufacture and ship to their selling agents in New York on an average of 500 dozen per day; furnishing employment to over 100 in Stamford, and over 400 at their Westchester fac- tory. A visit will repay anyone the time. Stamford National Bank, Main Street near Atlantic, Stamford. — With but one exception this is the oldest financial institution in Stamford, and for half a century the bank has exerted a most potent influence for the general good of the business men of this section. The bank was or- ganized under State laws in 1834, and was reor- ganized as a National Bank in 1865. It has a capital stock of $202,020, and a large surplus, and the volume of its business, home and foreign has attained large proportions. The manage- ment of the affairs of the bank has always been confided to the hands of financiers, ably qualified for the discharge of their trust, and the status of the institution warrants the fullest confidence. The liberal policy and prudence of the officers have made this bank one of the most solid and popular concerns in the State, audits future gives promise of still greater prosperity and increased usefulness. The officers of the bank are as follows: Presi- dent, Chas A. Hawley; Vice President, Geo. H. Hoyt; Cashier, John B. Reed, Jr. ; Walter D. Das- kam, and Messrs. Wm. T. Minor, Hon. John Clason, Walton Ferguson, Chas. M. Holly, Wm. M. Skiddy, Samuel Fessenden and Chas. W. Minor, with the officers above named constitute the Board of Divectors. This list includes the names of some of Stam- ford's principal manufacturers and representative merchants and financiers. The President is di- rector of the Stamford Savings Bank and one of the burgesses of the borough, and Mr. Skiddy is also a director of the savings bank named. Waterbury & Macdonald, Clothiers and Gents' Furnishers, 41 Atlantic Street. — In buying cloth- ing, or in fact many of the other necessities of life, much has to be taken on trust even by the most skilled and cautious purchaser, for it is manifestly practically impossible to rip a coat to pieces in order to examine into the details of its construction and finish, and in no other way can a really adequate idea of the worth of the gar- ment be obtained. So it is that it is the truest economy to deal only with established and well known houses, and one of the highest regarded in "the clothing line in this city is that of Waterbury & Macdonald, whose place of business is at No. 41 Atlantic street. This enterprise was started in 1876 by J. W. Hurlburt & Co. A firm of which the senior partner of the present house was a member. Waterbury & Macdonald came into possession •six years ago, and have met with great success in extending and enlarging the trade of the estab- lishment. The store occupied measures 24x90 feet and is s'ocked with a very large and well selected assort- ment of Clothing, Gentlemen's Furnishing Goods, •etc. The goods offered are all that could be de sired as regards fit, cut, style, etc., and the prices are very reasonable and satisfactory. Messrs. W. F. Waterbury and Wm. H. Macdonald, who constitute the firm, are natives of Stamford, and are very widely known here as enterprising business men aud representative citizens. Phoenix Company, Carriage Manufacturers. All kinds of Carriages Made to Order. A Large Assortment always on Hand, John B. Reed, Agent. — The house whose name heads this arti- cle has become too well and favorably known during the years of its existence, to need any in- troduction, but a work such as this, aiming to give a fair representation of all the industries of the city, would not fully accomplish its mission without giving to this establishment more than a passing notice.