The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-08-13
Custom and Retail Clothing Manufs


on the wholesale clothing manufacturing of
this city, combining our statement to the bust
ness OF the few firms that came strictly with
In the limits of that department. Since that
time we have had an opportunity of making
some inquiries respecting the retail and Gus
tom manufacturing, and find it much more ex-
tensive than we supposed it was. There are
several firms doing custom work to the amount
Of from 1000 to $4,000 year, and Others
are doing quite brisk business.
In looking over our advertising columns for
afew months past, we find the names of those
who are supposed to be the most extensively
engaged in manufacturing clothing in this
city for the retail trade and to measure. We
do not consider it an invariable rule that a
man who advertises the most extensively does
the most business, but our observation leads
us to believe that, as a general rule, man
who never adyertises must wait long time
for business to come to him.
Messrs. J. E. Fernald & Son, having had
their store thoroughly renovated and repaired
are at their old quarters again, No. 81 Middle
Street. The senior member of the firm com
menced business In the chambers opposite
their present place of business about twenty
five years ago. By systematic and prudent
course of procedure, he has built up a large
custom trade, probably the largest in the
State. This Arm employ, during portion of
the year, from thirty to forty hands in manu-
featuring first class custom work. Since the
war broke out they have been extensively en-
gagged in manufacturing army and navy uni
forms, for which they have superior advan-
tages. The salesroom they now occupy,
where Is found a large assortment of cloths
and furnishing goods, is about 100 feet deep,and
the manufacturing department 80 feet by %.
Mr.. George w. Beach, formerly of Boston, is
foreman of the cutting department. Mr. f.
has not only succeeded in securing an extern
sive Patronage, extending into the surround
ing towns, but in accommodating competency
for ordinary emergencies.
Mr.. p. b. Frost is found at No. "a Exchange
street, where he has. in the short time he has
been located there, secured large custom
trade. Mr.. F. was for some eight or ten years
connected with the establishment of Messrs
j. Z. Fernald & Son, where his business tact
and thorough acquaintance with every de-
partment was well known and appreciated
Mr.. Frost has large share of first class Gus
tom, giving employment to thirty hands dur
ing the busy season OF the year. He keeps on
hand large stock of fine cloths and furnish
ing goods, and is well prepared to manufac-
ture full suits of the fret quality, as well as
army and navy uniforms, in which he has
been extensively engaged. Mr.. Frost has Sc
cured the services of Mr.. j. O. Madison in
the cutting department, son of Mr.. o. Madi-
son, of Boston, who is the author of the best
system of custing now in use. The son takes
TO cutting garments to suit any form, as nat
urally as duck to water. Mr.. f. now ranks
among the largest custom clothing manulac-
turers in the State.
Messrs. Rollins d Bond, at No. 95 Middle
street, are doing a large retail and custom
business. They have been in their present
location nearly three years, during which time
their business has been constantly increasing.
They keep on hand general variety of gar
ments adapted to the retail trade, and keep
employed in manufacturing TO measure twenty
hands during the busy season. The cutting
department is mainly under the direction of
Mr.. Bond while Mr.. Rollins attends more
particularly to the general business. There
are probably but few, If any, firms in this city
who are doing larger retail clothing bust
pess than this, while they have a large num-
Der Of first class customers who generally
bair st.o
adding to their wardrobe. They also keep
cloths aud furnishing goods of the best quail
~, and are prepared to furnish army and navy
work in the best manner.
Mr.. Augustus F. York commenced business
some four or five years ago ON Fore street,
where be obtained large amount of business,
embracing among his customers many of the
leading business men Of the city. few
months ago he moved into the store on the
corner Of Middle aud Plum streets, where he
keeps choice selection of cloths and furnish.
ing goods, and gives employment to from
twenty to twenty-five hands in his manufac-
turing department. He is confined mainly to
first class custom work, manufacturing only
TO measure, In which department he has sue
ceeded 10 the satisfaction of his numerous
customers. Mr.. T., during a portion of the
year, does the cutting of the establishment,
but during the more busy months he has an
assistant. We judge that while he has served
his patrons faithfully, he has been enabled to
secure for himself as the fruits OF industry
and economy liberal competency.
Messrs. Lewis & Smith commenced bust.
ness in this city about five years ago. on Fore
street, at the foot OF Exchange street. They
soon after leased the store they now occupy,
No. III Fore street, where, by constant appli-
cation to business and a wise policy, they have
secured large trade. During the busy sea-
sons they give employment to twenty five per-
sons, male and female. A large proportion of
the clothing found in their store is of their
own manufacturing. The custom department
is under the direction of Mr.. Geo. w. Beal,
who has had long experience in the br sincss,
and gives customers excellent fits. This firm
commenced with but little capital, relying
mainly on industy, economy and application
TO business for success. They now rank
among our most prompt and reliable business
men.
our-space will not permit us to go through
the entire list to-day, and we shall, therefore,
be compelled to reserve for another article
notices of some whom we intended to include
in this.
PRoMoTIoN-Col. James d. Fesseuden.
Oldest son Of the Secretary Of the Treasury.
who for two years past has been on the stan
of Major Gen. Hooker, has received com-
mission of Brigadier General. The promo
ton was made, at the request of Major Gen
Hooker, for gallant service. Gen. Fessender
is spending short time at home in this city
Midshipman Edward L. Preble, who was il