i l i i 'J‘HE EMBALMERS’ SUPPLY CO., WESTPO’RT, CONN. At the time of their greatest prosper- ity the Egyptians were the most en— lightened and screntifically, as well as in many other respects, the most ad— vanced nation. '1 hey have been taken as models in some degree by the people of the United States, and there is little doubt that the inhabitants of this great country are to—day on the way to take the same plaCe among the nations of the earth that the famous people of Egypt occupied in their palmy days. The Egyptians excelled to a remarka- ble exrent in the art of embalming the bodies of their dead. and with them the operation partook somewhat of the character of a religious rite. ’lheir methods were certainly crude. and‘to our modern ideas had something of a barbarous character, but nevertheless they attained the end in view to a won— derful degree, this being the preserva- tion of the mortal remains of their departed for an unlimited length. of time. it is a curious, but to the ini- tiated well known fact, that .in these days this is the only country in which embalming is practiced extensrvely and where the art has made enormous strides compared to what was accom- plished by the clumsy and cruel meth- ods of the Egyptians of old. The prac— tice of the embalmers’ art in its Amer— ican degree of perfection has traveled to Canada, also to a certain extent to Australia, and now even the older na— tions of Europe are beginning to ap- preciate what has been accomplished in the United States and are anx1ous to learn our art and method. If well versed in his profession the American embalmer is able to preserve a body for a practically unlimited length of time and that with far better appear- ance and in superior condition than the Egyptians were ever able to do, pro— vided, of course, that the circumstances of death and the surroundings are not too unfavorable for the keeping of the body. It should not be forgotten that our American embalmers have to over- come more and greater difficulties than the Egyptians ever dreamed of, also that the bodies themselves are less easy to preserve intact than those of warmer climates, partly owing to the fact that our American mode of living renders the body more liable to rapid decay after death. Moisture in the air is another factor difficult to overcome, as animal matter will keep com-para- tively easily in a dry atmosphere, but decays soon in an atmosphere which is moist and at times very active elec- trically, as well as favorable to speedy bacterial development. These serious difficulties have been overcome by the embalmer of this country and that chiefly by means of his advanced knowledge of anatomy, also by the use of appropriate and patent preparations placed in his hands by the Embalmers’ Supply Co., of Westport, Conn. It EMBALMERS SUPPLY CO.’S WORKS. hard work are required to master the art of embalming, which has wrought such great changes in the undertaking profession and has helped to crowd out a number of low and uneducated people from what formerly was a trade pure and simple. Since the advent of sub- stantial progress in the art of embalm- ing the trade has been raised to the dignity of a profession, ranking as highly as that of the minister, doctor or lawyer, and including as good and well educated men as in any of the above-named professions. The Em- balmers’ Supply CO., of Westport, Conn, a cut of whose factory is shown on this page, is the largest producer of embalming fluids in the world and by means of continued investigations of the wants and wishes of embalmers they have been able to improve mate— rially on known methods and advance greatly the manufacture of materials for this purpose. The above—named -a‘uu . .. and responsible business connections. Mr. Dolge, in 1866, started the line of business in which he has been so con- spicuously fortunate and his career has been one of continuous and unbroken success. Long application of a brilliant mind to the deep study of chemistry, mechanics and anatomy has enabled Mr. Dodge to devise many improve- ments which have been of the utmost value to the profession and consequent- ly to humanity. Amongst many others we have only room to name the appli- cation of the wonderful new chemical Formaldelyde to the preservation of the dead body, also a considerable number of new fluids, instruments and appliances previously unknown to the embalmer, and which have'made his work more easy and the results thereof more perfect. A liberal education to- gether with profound scientific knowl- edge, has well qualified Mr. Dolge for the work he has cut out for hemself, THE NATIONAL BANK OF NORWALK. concern is in fact the only one which has continually progressed ever since they started in business. Their sales- men and agents cover the whole of the United States and Canada from West- port, New York, St. Louis and Chicago. The Embalmers’ Supply Co. is ac— knowledged by advanced undertakers to be the leading firm in this line and also the most capable one. Their ex- tensive scientific and experimental 1a- boratory is replete with the latest and best apparatus and their two chemists, Mr. H. A. Rademacher and Mr. Henry Ochs, are mainly occupied in chemical work connected with the progress of the materials used through the pro- cess of manufacture, by which means a uniformity and reliability is obtained which was unknown heretofore. The oflice work is ably looked after by Treasurer William 'Gray Staples and Secretary H. Nischwitz. This compa- ny also manufactures the various in- struments and other mechanical and surgical appliances used by the em- CARL BRUNO DOLGE. would lead us too far to attempt to de- scribe modern methods of embalming, but it is enough to mention that the cutting and mutilation of the body by removal of certain organs, as practiced by the ancient Egyptians, is entirely done away with nowadays. The arte- rial system is used by the modern em- balmer to convey preservative fluids to all parts of the body, and for this purpose only a small incision is need- ful. No indecent exposure of the body nor the removal of even the smallesr portion of the same is necessary under ordinary conditions. The modern un- dertaker is a gentleman and no parent, husband or relatives need hesitate to intrust the remains of their loved ones to his care. Years of close study and balmer. A sketch of the Embalmers’ Supply Co. would be lamentably incom- plete without a few words about the head, life and soul of the whole busi- ness, President C. B. Dolge, whose name is a household word among un— dertakers and scientific men all over this broad land. Mr. Dolge’s natural modesty had to be overcome by fair means or foul and we have pleasure in reproducing a photograph of the man who has unquestionably been fore-most among the many able, scientific and practical workers advancing the art of the embalmer and the undertaker’ pro- fession. Carl 'Bruno'" Dol'ge was born in Germany in 1847 and came to this country when about 19 years old. After a number of years of extensive and being a tireless worker he has found time to travel a great deal and write on topics of interest to the pro- fession at large, all of which benefits are cheerfully admitted even by his competitors in business. As long as Mr. Dolge and his able staff continue to give their attention to. the affairs of the company in the usual way West- port will have good reason to congrat- ulate itself on having in its midst such a prominent representative of a line of business closely identified with much that is noblest and worthy of emulation. The modern care of the dead and advanced sanitary ideals go hand in hand and the bright town of Westport cannot but benefit by this location of a modern, scientific, and wonderful, though at first sight, some- what gruesome, industry. THE NATIONAL BANK OF NOR- WALK. 51 Wall street, E'benezer Hill, presi- dent, E. J. Hill, vice-president, H. P. Price, cashier and J. P. Treadwell, as- sistant cashier. That the National Bank of Norwalk has exerted a wide influence on the industrial and com- mercial development of this section of the state is well known to every busi- ness man in Fairfield County. This institution was incorporated as a state bank in 1857, and was carried over successfully under that form of charter for eight years, being re-organized un— der the National banking laws in 1865. Many of our readers must be familiar with the bank’s record since that date and We need not refer to it in detail, or indeed to mention it, further than to say that it reflects the highest credit on the officers, past and present, and will comp-are favorably with that of any institution with which we are ac- quainted occupying a similar field of usefulness. The National Bank of Nor- walk has a capital stock of almost a quarter of a million and is most excel- lently equipped to do a general bank— ing business, including the reception of deposits, the collection of drafts and the discounting of approved commer— cial paper. The present board of direc- tors is made up of business men so prominent as to require no introduc- tion to Connecticut readers, while a perusal of the following list will show how closely they are identified with the interests of Norwalk: Ebenezer Hill, E. K. Lockwood, E. Beard, E. J. Hill, J. A. Osborn, D. W. Fitch, Joseph C. Randall, O. E. Wilson and W. F. Bishop. The bank’s capital stock is $240,000. Its surplus and undivided profits amount to $65,000. Its state— ment of December first, last, showed individual deposits subject to check amounting to $296,617.99, and total as— sets of $855,418.49. The institution or- cupies a commodious brown stone building of colonial design, built es- pecially for the business, having the best of vaults and safes, with all the modern securities for the safe keeping of funds. The burglar and fire-proof safe deposit vault was constructed by Messrs. Herring & 00., by special or— der.. It contains safes of various sizes and an apartment for the storage of sil- verware, etc. This department is a feature that is appreciated during the summer months or vacation period; a house is insecure at any time, but doubly so when wholly or partially va' cant. Packages or parcels are stored for any period at reasonable rates. The safes or boxes are of various sizes and rented at about onedhalf New York City Prices. The $5.00 a year size is very popular, being two by five by twenty-two inches. Coupon rooms and all mOdern conveniences are provided. The many losses occurring daily of val- uable by fire and burglaries make a safe in a safe deposit vault quite as much a necessity as the placing of locks on doors and windows of our dwellings. This is the only bank in Norwalk that is open for business from nine until three,tofg btmah stceh sth 9 until 3 each day. The principal offi- cers of the bank are some of the mom prominent citizens of Norwalk. Pres- CONGRESSMAN E. J. HILL. ident Hill is manager of the Norwalk Iron Works, is president of the street railway company and is considered one of the brightest business men of Fair- field County. Vice-president E. J. Hill is the present congressman from this district, having recently been elected for his third term. He is pres- ident of the gas company. Cashier Price is the city treasurer and has been treasurer of the water fund for a num- ber of years. He is the present presi— dent of the Norwalk club. His con— nection with the bank covers an honor- able period of fifteen years, during which he has made a record creditable to both himself and the bank. C. S. TRO‘WB-RIDGE & SON. Manufacturers of Paper Boxes and Wood Cases, 129 Washington street, South Norwalk. C. S. Trowbridge and G. S. Trowbridge. No better evidence of the energy of this enterprising firm is needed than that produced by the fire which burned out the upper portion of their factory recently. The fire oc— curred at three o’clock in the afternoon and at half-past seven o’clock the same evening the firm had their employes making boxes at another location. This promptness and dispatch is character— istic of the firm's business methods and has had much to do with the success that has followed the business. The establishment is one of the oldest of its kind in this section of the country. The house does plumbing in all its branches, gas fitting, steam fitting, heating, lighting and ventilating. They furnish and set up stoves, fur— naces, steam and hot air heating ap- paratus, and fit up bath rooms. They also do tin and slate roofing. They employ nine hands and promptness and accuracy are the rules that govern the work of the men. Mr. Oscar I. Jones, now deceased, was the original proprie- tor oi.’ the business. Since his death Frank 1. Jones, who has been manager since the business Started, has had full control of the business. He is a well known resident of Norwalk, having been born here, and is highly respect— ed. His business ability and integrity insure for him a prominent and pros— perous place in the business commun- ity. BRYANT, BESISE & CO. The Besse Syndicate Clothiers and Outfitters, 29 Main Street, Norwalk. The Besse Syndicate is known throughout New England. They have establishments in nearly all of the larger cities and do the lead-ing busi— ness of the towns in which their stores occupies one of the largest business blocks in South Norwalk. They have in their store room a frontage of twen- ty-five feet and they occupy all four floors of the building. Their large stock comprises everything in the hardware line, wooden ware, tin and enamel ware, steamer and contractors" supplies and ship Chandlery. For 1899 they make a new departure by putting in high grade bicycles at low prices and warranted for the year. They do both a wholesale and retail business, and their trade extends throughout this section of the state. Messrs. Com- stock, Watkins and Dow are gentlemen known throughout the county for busi- ness men of enterprise, ability and in- tegrity and as citizens and men of af- fairs in South Norwalk they are looked up to as leaders in all that tends to the city‘s welfare. Mr. Comstock was born in South Norwalk and his part— ners, Messrs. Watkins and Dow, are both natives of Norwalk, so they have each had a life-time interest in the pro- gress of Fairfield Cornty. WILLIAM S. KNAP_P, Architect and Civil Engineer, Room 5 Bank Building, South Norwalk. One “'. H. are located. Their store in Norwalk is one of the foremost mercantile in— stitutions of the city. They carry one of the largest stocks of goods and en- joy one of the most extensive trades. Their large store on Main Street, with a frontage of twenty feet and a depth of one hundred feet, is one of the most conspicuous business places on the street, and with their attractive dis- play in their large show windows and their well stocked shelves, tables and counters, make their place one of the first to be sought by the buyer from 'city, town or country. They carry a complete stock of clothing, gents' fur- nishing goods, hats and caps, (bicycle suits, golf hose, sweaters, mackiu— toshes, umbrellas, jewelry, trunks, bags and horse clothing). Their business dealings with one and all have earned for them a reputation for honesty and square dealing which has made their houses popular throughout New Eng— land. The firm is composed of G. C. Bryant, L. W. Besse and W. H. Parma— lee. Mr. Parmalee is the resident part- ner and manager here. C. S. TROWBRIDGE & SON'S BOX FACTORY. Mr. R. H. Rowan was the originator of the business, be selling out to Mr. C. S. Trowbridge in 1881. About five years ago Mr. Trowbridge took his son, George S. Trowbridge, into the busi- ness. They have an extensive plant with all the improved machinery for the manufacture of boxes. The main building is about forty feet wide by two hundred feet long and has a num- ber of small auxilliary buildings con- nected equipped with improved paper box machinery and everything for prompt and good work. Their products consist of paper boxes of all sizes and styles and wooden cases. They make hat boxes 3. specialty. Their trade is not confined to the local district but extends to manufacturers using boxes throughout the surrounding country and their reputation for first-class work and fair dealing has given them an enviable position in the box trade. Both members of the firm are well and most favorably known throughout the Norwalks. Mr. C. S. Trowbridge came here in 1881 from Bridgewater. He was for three terms fire marshal of the city and is now serving his fourth term as water commissioner. George S. Trow- bridge came here from Brooklyn, N. Y.. in 1883. He has served three terms as a member of the city council. ’ THE JONES PLUMBING STORE. . Plumbing, Heating, Ventilating, and Roofing, Frank I. Jones, manager, corner Wall and Knight streets, Nor-, walk. The business of plumbing has made a great stride in the past few years. The improved methods in every line of the work, the new conveniences and the advancement in the knowledge of necessities and safe—guards in every kind of plumbing, and the best way of meeting them has kept the plumber alert if he has kept up with the times. In this line of work the people demand the best, in fact in many cities the laws are very stringent as to the perform- ance of the work. The Jones Plumb- ing Store is abreast of the times. It is up to all the improvements and conven- iences of plum-bingand their patrons can be assured that their work will always be up-to-date and satisfactory in every respect. The business was established about a year ago, but in that time the work done has stamped the house as reliable and trustworthy. COMSTO-CK, WATKINS & DOW. Hardware, Ship Chandlery and Woodenware, Wholesale and Retail, 112 Washington street, South Norwalk. When in 1886 the firm of Comstock & Watkins was established by W. W. Comstock and S. J. Watkins the foun- dation was laid for what has since become one of the leading commercial PARMALEE. of the most prominent business men in South Norwalk and one who has been identified very closely with the growth and progress of the city is Mr. William S. Knapp, the architect. For over half a century, in truth about sixty years, Mr. Knapp has been profession— ally connected with the upbuilding of the city, either as architect, builder or engineer, and one might say that on almost every hand can be seen evi- dences of Mr. Knapp’s work, all of which speaks in praise of his work as an architect and a. builder. As some of his more recent work may be men- tioned the R. & G. corset factory, the J. J. Ash factory, the Lockwood Manu- facturing company’s plant, Union- Bank building, Swartz & Corbett building, and all of the modern brick buildings except three on East Washington street, South Norwalk. Mr. Knapp is a native of South Norwalk and having lived here all his life is personally and intimately acquained with the people. No less are the people acquainted with him and his reputation as a citizen and a man of business is of the highest. Up to sixteen years ago Mr. Knapp de- voted his attention particularly to building and construction. In 1882 he gave up this branch of the business and since then has given his whole time to architectural work and superintend- ing construction. Having had prac- tical experience in every branch of this work both in planning and construct- ing, he is thoroughly conversant with every detail and as a result the build- COMSTOCK, WATKINS & DOW. institutions of South Norwalk. Four years later Mr. Comstock retired from the business and the new firm became Watkins & Dow, Mr. Charles E. Dow buying an interest in the business. Two years ago Mr. Comstock came back in- to the business and the firm name be- came what it is to-day, Comstock, Wat- kins & Dow. Through these years and changes the business has gone on, ever successfully, being pushed with energy and managed with that ability and honesty which has won for it a good nerne tbrousbout thissection. The firm ings that have been erected under his supervision stand whatever critical test they may be put to and are monuments to his skill, care and honesty. en the war of the rebellion, broke o r. Knapp’s patriotism and loyalt was aroused and he joined the army of pa- triots in the defense of the Union. This honorable service as a soldier is the only break in a ,business record of nearly sixty years. Mr. Knapp is well known among the fraternities. being a. member of the G. A. R... the Malone and other organisations.
Norwalk Chronicler