3 f i ' i . l . i J i 3 HU'I‘CHINSON, PIERCE & CO. Manufacturers of Star Shirts, Shirt Waists and Underwear, Merwin street, Norwalk. Henry B. Pierce, president and treasurer; Ira Cole, vice president; Charles D. Hoyt, secretary; George S. Brown, general manager. One of the oldest manufacturing concerns in this state, as well as one of the largest, most important and far reaching manufactories in Fairiield county is the Hutchinson & Pierce Company. This concern has been manufacturing shirts for over half a century, having been established in 1840. Formerly the business was carried on under two firm names, Hutchinson, Pierce & Co., of New York, and Hutchinson, Cole & 00., of Norwalk. In 1895 the business, in which partners of each were inter- ested in the other, was incorporated under the corporate name of Hutchin— son, Pierce & Co., and the officers of the corporation. to-day are as above mentioned, embracing the active busi- ness men who were in the business forty-eight years ago. Such a long and successful career of manufactur- ing, continuous in one line of trade for nearly sixty years, would be a credit to any body of men and to any community, and Norwalk has reason for taking a pride in the institution and the men who own and operate it. The company has a capital stock of $600,000, and in addition to its extensive buildings on Merwin street it has a large factory in Bridgeport. The fac- tory in Norwalk, embracing the large four story structure for the factory proper and laundry and storage build- ings, employs three hundred hands. The goods manufactured are the well known star shirts, shirt waists and un- derwear. The product is sold direct to dealers throughout the United States and exported to Australia, Mexico and Canada. The company has offices and salesrooms at 836 and 838 Broadway, New York city. Mr. Henry B. Pierce, the president and treasurer, resides in New York city, as does Mr. George S. Brown, the general manager of the company. Mr. Charles D. Hoyt, the secretary, resides in Bridgeport, where HUTCHINSON, PIERCE .\' C0..S FACTORY having an ell 50 feet by 70 feet in di~ mensions. In convenient proximity are the store houses, cleaning sheds and engine room. Their product and work embraces almost everything in the line of iron foundry work, and the manufacture of light and heavy iron castings. They make a specialty of steam and hot air heaters, while fine jobbing is always given special atten- tion. They carry in stock a number of hardware specialties, including pat— ent barn door hangers (“Best,” “Boss,” A. J. DOANE. “Duplex,” &c.), door rollers and truck casters. They also make the Janes & Kirtland stoves and ranges. They make a specialty of steam cooking utensils for vessels and all uses where a large quantity is desired. Mr. Doane, who is a native of Duchess county, N. Y., came to Norwalk in 1883, and for fifteen years he has devoted himself untiringly to the foundry busi- ness so that much of the success of the Arnold & Co. establishment may 'be said to be due to his individual efforts. ll-TA COLE’s RESIDENCE. one of the factories is located. Mr. Ira Cole, one of the original part— ners and the vice president of the company, is a resident of Norwalk, having lived here since 1852. It is scarcely necessary to say in a Norwalk paper that Mr. Cole is one of the prom- inent, influential citizens of the town. He is a director in the Fairfield County National Bank and a director in the Norwalk Savings Society, and also a member of the board of directors of the Norwalk Hospital Association. Mr. Cole is much esteemed by his business associates as a man of fine business ability and strict integrity. ARNOLD & CO. Iron Founders, foot of Hoyt street, Norwalk. This, one of the leading foundries of this section of the state, was established in 1870, since which time the business and trade has been constantly increasing and growing un- til now it extends throughout the west— ern part of Connecticut and into New York State and New York city itself. Mr. A. J. Doane and the estate of T. E. Smith are the proprietors of the concern, the management of the com- pany falling upon Mr. Doane, the ac- tive partner in the concern. It was under 'his management that most of the buildings were erected. The foun- dry employs from forty to sixty hands, and the plant embraces one large main building and several smaller ones. The main structure is of stone and brick and is 132 feet long and 62 feet wide, He is not only a most agreeable man to do business with, but his contracts are carried out so thoroughly and the work of his foundry is so satisfactory in every particular that Arnold & Co. have long enjoyed a most excellent reputation. Aside from business Mr. Doane is a popular gentleman socially, and is looked upon in Norwalk as one of her leading and substantial citizens. He takes an interest in all that con- cerns the public welfare, and as a Ma— son he is highly esteemed by his broth— ers in that fraternity. FRANCIS & CO. Clothiers, Hatters and Furnishers, 98 Washington street, South Norwalk. J. P. Francis, a Boston gentleman who came here nine years ago, and George A. Caldwell, of New Britain, Conn., formed a partnership and entered into business in South Norwalk in 1890. In the eight years that have followed they have built up a large and lucrative business, occupying the large store— room and basement, 25x90 feet, at 98 Washington street. Here they carry a. very complete line of clothing, gents‘ furnishings, hats, caps, trunks and all the accessories. They are close and heavy buyers and by their close atten- tion to the markets of all the goods they handle they are enabled to offer their patrons the very bestthe market affords at the lowest retail prices. They are thorough business gentlemen, and Mr. Francis, the resident partner, and his two assistants, have by their J. P. FRANCIS. courtesy and affability won a line of trade for their house which places it in the fore among the retail establish~ ments of South Norwalk. It is such an establishment as any town is glad to number among its commercial institu- tions and Messrs. Francis and Cald- well are to be congratulated upon the success they have attained. Mr. Fran- cis, the manager of the house, was born in Boston and came to South Norwalk nine years ago. He has made himself a popular, as well as a reliable and esteemed citizen. He is well known among the Masons and the Red Men, of which societies he is a member. His partner, Mr. Caldwell, is a. native and resident of New Britain. THE HOLMES, KEELER & SEL— LECK CO. G. M. Holmes, president, Floyd T. Ruscoe, secretary and treasurer. Wholesale Grocers and Dealers in Flour, Grain, Feed, Hay and Straw, 9 and 11 Wall street, Norwalk. One of the best known, as well as one of the largest business concerns in this sec— tion is that of the Holmes, Keeler & Selleck Co. '1 he company occupy two connected stores, 56x80 feet in dimen— sions, at 9 and 11 Wall street and have several storehouses for the accommo— dation of their large reserve stock. The business was established in 1852 under the firm name of G. Holmes & Co.,, Mr. G. M. Holmes being the company. From a small beginning at that time, quite local in its scope and patronage, with few assistants and limited re— sources, the business under careful and judicious management has steadily in- creased until now its patronage is drawn not only from the Norwalks but from a wide and extended circle of sur— rounding towns and country, employ- ing fifteen assistants and with re- sources to meet all demands. Their stock embraces everything in the line of plain and fancy groceries, provis- ions, canned goods, teas, coffees and spices. To give some idea of the mag— nitude of their business in one direc— tion, during the last year this concern ARNOLD & Go's FOUNDRY. shipped upwards of twenty-five thou— sand bushels of potatoes. Besides their regular grocery trade they do a very large business in flour, grain, feed, hay and straw. Of grain alone, during the last year they handled from thirty to forty car loads per month. The build- ing which is now occupied was taken possession of in 1870 by the firm of Keeler, Holmes & 00., successors to G. Holmes & Co., and in 1874 Mr. George 0. Keeler, of this firm, sold his interest to Mr. Edwin O. Keeler, his brother, and the btsiness was continued as Holmes & Keeler up to 1891. At this time an important change was made. The firm of Selleck Bros, an old estab- lished grocery house, 'merged their business with that of Holmes & Keeler and the stock company was formed as present existing. Mr. Holmes, the ac— tive manager of the business, is not only presidenteof-this company, but he is also president of the Central Nation— al Bank and the Norwalk Savings So— ciety, besides having other commercial interests in Norwalk. He is a native of VVilt-on. Conn., and after coming to Norwalk was engaged for three years as principal of a school here. In 1852 he first embarked in the grocery trade, in which he has continued ever since. He is also a member of the New York Produce Exchange. Mr. Keeler gives his particular attention to the grain department of the house and, aside from his commercial rela- tions, is well known politically throughout the state. He has served in the legislature, and is now filling his second term as Senator from this dis— trict. He is president of the Fairfield County National Bank. Mr. George W. Selleck is still active in the business and is known for his philanthropy and benevolence, having been conected with many charitable undertakings. His brother, Henry S. Selleck, is also ac— tively engaged in the concern. Mr. Floyd T. Ruscoe, the secretary and treasurer, is a native of Vista, N. Y., and prominently identified with the G. A. R. It will thus be seen that the company is composed of solid, sub- stantial business men, identified in many ways with the commercial pros- perity of Norwalk, and are consequent- ly interested in all that pertains to its welfare. NO-RWALK AND FAIRFIELD WORSTED MILLS. Manufacturers of Worsted and Wool— ens, Belden Avenue and Cross Street. For many years the factory down on Belden Avenue has been used ex- clusively for the manufacture of felt and has been known as the old felt factory. The past year has seen a de- cided change in the property or rather in the use of the property. \Vhen the Norwalk and Fairfield Worsted Mills was incorporated the old felt factory was taken for their operations. The new company starts in at once with a large mill property and extensive buildings. The main mill is 54 by 120 feet and four stories high and mill No. 2 is 240 by 120 feet on the ground with four floors. To these main structures may be added a dye house and several other minor buildings. They have both water power and steam; there be— ing a 350-horse power water wheel and walk mill and business men and as they have ample experience in the manufacturing business and have the reputation of being careful and con- servative business men they will no doubt make a success of their new venture. They have already made a most favorable impression in Norwalk and we trust and believe the new mill will be prosperous and profitable. EDWARD P. WEED Prescription Druggist, 38 Wall Street, Norwalk. A large, handsome and at- tractive store where neatness and or- der are evident and where all the in- ‘(L/Wz/c, . _ . Vac-ail. w‘f’ttrua; numerable articles which comprise a complete drug stock may be procured, is that conducted by Mr. Weed. The stand dates back to what might be called the old-time apothecary shops. It is very nearly sixty years ago that the business was established by Weed ly afterward commenced business. The- business to-day is one of the fixtures of the city. 'I wo clerks are employed. under the personal supervision of Mr- Weed. A handsome soda fountain is one of the features of the store fro-m which is served hot and cold drinks and all the popular beverages. Mir. Weed is one of Norwalk’s solid, sub- stantial business men and is universal- ly liked. C. F. TOLLES, Wooden Box manufacturer, 62 Water street, South Norwalk. The old ware house at the foot of Haviland street, on Water street, is one of the land- marks, so to speak, of South Norwalk.. For over half a century these premises have been used for lumber business and box manufacturing. Mr. Tolles himself has been in this location for over forty years. He deals in lum- ber, timber and shingles and manufac— tures wooden cases. His trade is all local. Mr. Tolles is very well known C. F. TOLLES. among the factories and the business men of South Norwalk. He is a na- tive of Litchfield county and came to South Norwalk about forty—six years ago. A genial, courteous gentleman, ever attentive to business, and prompt, accurate and upright in his business dealings, he has made a host of friends- He is a prominent figure on Water street and one of those citizens whom it is a pleasure to meet. Mr. Tolles. did more probably to establish the A. H. BYING'I‘ON. and Butler, the former being the grandfather of the present proprietor. Mr. Edward P. Weed, father of the present proprietor, came into posses- sion and managed it, until his death, for over half a century. The store is about 25x90 feet in dimensions and is filled with a complete stock of drugs, chemicals, toilet and proprietary arti- cles. Mr. Weed gives particular at- tention to the filling of physicians‘ NORW'ALK & FAIRFIELD VVOLLEN CO..S MILLS. four boilers. The company has forty- .five looms and employs 125 hands. The product of the mill is fine worsteds and woolens for gentlemen‘s-wear and are for the American market. The com— pany is officered by J. B. Lorge, pres:- dent and treasurer and L. Hollings- worth, vice president and general man- ager. Mr. Lorge is a resident of New York city and Mr. Hollingsworth, who came here in April last, formerly lived in Providence. A cordial welcome was extended to these gentlemen by Nor- prescriptions for which he uses only the best and purest compounds. Proba— bly no man in this section of the c0un- try posessses more experience or is bet- ter equipped to meet the wants of the piiblic in his line than Mr. Weed, hav- ing served his apprenticeship under Mr. Giles A. Gregory, who is still con- nected with the store, and one of the most competent and practical men in his profession. Mr. Weed graduated from The New York College of Phar- macy in the class of ’95 and immediate- Fiist National bank of South Norwalk than any other man. He was very ac— tive in the disposal of stock and it was. mainly through his work and influence that the organization was effected. He- was also one of the original incorpo- rators of the South Norwalk Savings bank, the oldest institution of its kind in this city. Mr. Tolles has ever taken an active interest in public affairs, hav- ing been selectman of the town for three years and state representative for two years. He is a member of one. Well Lodge, Free and Accepted Ma- sons. Three years ago Mr. and Mrs. Tolles celebrated the golden, or fiftieth, anniversary of their marriage. THE DUNCAN IRON RAILING VVO'RK'S. Manufacturers of Iron Railings, Steamboat Place, South Norwalk. Alf-- ter the death of William H. Duncan in 1883, William H. Hoyt succeeded to a business that was established over- thirty years ago. Mr. Duncan had built up a good business and his work had the reputation of being first class. in every respect. His material and workmanship was always of the best- Mr. Hoyt has maintained this reputa- tion and during the past fifteen years. his work has been accorded the high- est approval wherever it has been put up. While iron railings are a specialty with him, machine work and iron work for buildings are a part of the products. of the shop. His main building, thirtyEA five feet by fifty-five feet on the groun floor, is located at Steamboat Place,. and here about ten hands are employed in the busy season. Hr. Hoyt is a Well known resident of South Norwalk, havr ing live-d there for twenty-eight years. He is much esteemed by his business— associates and is one of that always re- liable class of citizens of whom South. Norwalk has its full share. n
Norwalk Chronicler