The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-11-17

Edward F. Droop. Nestor Of the Cap
itaTs business men and one OF the widest
known, genial. and best esteemed citizens
Of the District OF Columbia. viii celebrate
tomorrow the semlcentenniaI of his
start in business in this city. The occa-
sion will be observed chiefly by the open
ing Of the additional storeroom AT 9Z3
Pennsylvania, next door TO the establish
ment which has been known as Drops
for more than forty years.
Mr.. DrOOp began business where his
store is now located, at s25 Pennsylvania
avenue. in 1862. He then occupied one
floor with a line Of Steinway pianos. BY
degrees. as the years rolled by. ne occu-
pied more and more Of the building, IN
til 1t became too small for his growing
business. Back in the sos the build
ing was rebuilt, with two stores on the
ground floor. Mr.. Droop occupying one Of
them and the upper floors over both. Now
both stores have been opened into one.
and Drops" hencefcrth viii be a double
store, with larger and better facilities
than ever for business.
VIII Open New store.
signalized tomorrow by the opening OF
the new storeroom and the Offering 20
the public OF a large and new line OF
musical goods. among which viii be a
complete line Of the Edison monographs
and Victor talking. machines. The new
store also has a room specially fitted Up
for trying out the mechanical musical
boxes away from the noise and disturb
ances OF the street.
Mr. DrOop and his sons will observe
the day In their place Of business. in a
very democratic way. They VIII receive
their friends and well wishers without
Formally or distinction OF persons. II
VIII be a cordial and friendly greeting
AFFAIR. attended. as the elder Dro0p ex-
pressed IL yesterday, with no fuss and
feathers.
Founder Born in Germany.
Edward F. Droop. founder Of the com
pdny. was born in Osnabreuck. Hanover.
in December. 1856 lie came 10 Washing
ton when about twenty years of age, and.
after looking about Tor a place TO work.
took position in the music store Of
c. " Metzerott then al the corner of
Eleventh street and Pennsylvania avenue.
where the Post-office building now STANDS.
Mr.. Dro0p is one Of those men who have
music in their souls lie took great in
-erest In the business. and IN a year OF
two had won the confidence Of his en-
ployer. and was next 10 the head of the
nrm. Later he acquired an interest Ia
the business. which he afterward sold
out, and started for himself II was
November Il. 1851. that the young German
did his FIRST days work in the Metzerott
store. and began in a humble position
that business life which now is one Of the
most successful and most worthy Of ina
imitation of any al the Capital
Mr.. Drops first store. which ne oc-
cupled only FOR a few years. was on the
south side Of the avenue. In 1872. in the
excitement Of the Civil War period, he
rented the store az e25. and moved there
into a larger place not knowing al the
time whether the venture would come
out right OF not
sons Join the Business.
In 1887 M Droop associated with him
his two sons. Edward II. and Carl A..
in the business Both were born in
Washington. educated here. and had
their business training in their fathers
store. Both are accomplished musicians.
as we'll as excellent business men. and
the business has ftourishcd and increased
In volume each year under their active
service. the father stiH being the leader
and wise advisor Of the younger men.
The Droop store has been always not
only a place for the sale Of musical
goods, but a rendezvous Cor musicians
and music lovers Of Washington and
other cities. Possibly no one else counts
so many OF this class among his friends
as Mr.. Droop.
Mr. Drop is AFFILIATED with the Wash
ington Saengeraund. and has been the
most active factor in the cultivation OF
musical taste and IN the enCOUrageme
OF musical societies IN Washington Mr.
DrOop has not only a wide acquaintance.
hut his genial sociabillty has carried him
into nearly all the associations Of men
He is an active Mason. being a member
OF Armenius Lodge, No. - He is an
member Of the Oldest Inhab-
itants' Association. and is nearly always
present al its meetings He is a director
in the Traders Bank. and holds a similar
position in the Corcoran and Metropolitan
fire insurance companies. and the Wash
iaSton Safe Deposit Company. He is also
vice president q the American Sanitary
Company
Joins Steamship Company.
Several years ago Mr. Droop became /
associated with the Hamburg line of
steamships sailing between Hamburg and
Baltimore, and Is financially interested in
the company. The Droops have also a
branch store at "a North Howard street,
Baltimore,
The coming anniversary of Mr. DTOOp'S |
start in business had been nolsed around
among his friends yesterday, and in the
mornings mail the letters Of congratula- /
ton began 70 pour In from every source. }
Later in the day he received a telegram |
of congratulation from Thomas Edison, !
between whom and Mr.. DrOOp a warm F.
friendship has existed for several years /
G. w. Spier presented Mr.. DrOop with a /
golden loving cup suitably inscribed in !
token of tie anniversary. With IL was I
pretty German poem. expressing in fine |
sentiment the friendship which has ex-
listed between the two men for half a 1
century. The employees of the store pre- |
sented Mr.. Droop last evening with !
handsome set Of Office chairs.
Col. Joyce Writes Poem,
Following is a poem contributed by the I
poet. Col John a Joyce. to I
the anniversary:
GOLDEN JUBILEE OF LABOR.
EDWARD F. DROOP.
November L. lS57. November L. 1907.
Washington. d. C.
Fifty years Of business glory
(rnyvDs Vns1r nSafr1l life To-1av