The Washington times., 1908-02-29
Head of Music Estab-
liShment in Business
Half Century.

There was a universal expression OF
sorrow throughout the city today. lie
cause of the sudden death OF Edward
Frederick Droop, at his home. 1850 Har-
ward street. Mr.. Droop became known
as one Of the most Ioyable men in the
District Of Columbia, and his friends
in every section of the city were both
numerous and loyal.
Although MT DroOD has been In poor
health for several weeks his condition
did not appear to be critical When
death came 10 him Yesterday afternoon,
he was converslng with his daughter
The funeral services viii be held az
Mr.. Drops residence Monday after
noon at 2 O'Clock. and ipterment which
will be private. will be at the Oak Hil
Cemetery.
Pioneer Business Man.
The death Of Edward +. Droop marks
the passing of one Of the few remain
ing pioneers in Washington commercial
life. On November Il. 1907, Mr.. Droop
celebrated the fftieth anniversary OF
his entering business in this city. The
story of how he came to Washington
as a young German, just having at
tanned his majority, entered business on
a small scale, and finally built up the
Droop house Of today, Is in itself best
indicative Of the worth of the man.
Reaching Washington over a half
century ago he went into the music
store OF the late w. G. Metzerott, To-
Gated where the Postonice now stands.
and asked for a Job" lie expressed
a willingness to do and a belief that lie
could do almost anything that the posi-
ton required. HIS frank manner and
honest appearance won the position and
from the first ne was one Of Mr.. Net
zerotts most trusted employees. II a
short while his attention TO business
gained him the place of partner with
an equal share in the business.
Having been saving and thrifty, and
approaching his own knowledge Of the
music business, Mr.. DrOOp decided,
upon the death Of Mr. Metzerott in 1854,
TO Open an entirely new establishment.
He went into the undertaking with full
knowledge OF the uphill struggle he
would have because OF disrupted bust
ness conditions.
Put Up Own Building.
Although the fight for success was
not as hard after the civil war as It
had been before. it did not cause Mr..
Droop to rest on his arms. on the other
hand. ne worked harder than ever.
When he first made known to his
friends that he intended erecting new
building of his own design at 925 Penn
sylvania aN enue, there were many who
advised him against such a step, say
ing that the city was then not large
enough to support a business Of that
class on so large a scale.
notwithstanding Mr.. DrOOp followed
his own counsel That he did right
can be proven in no better way than
for those who doubted, to visit the
spacious quarters now occupied by the
T.. F. DroOp * Sons Company.
At first only the building at 925 was
occupied by the firm, but the rapid
growth of the business compelled the
use of the upper floors Of the building
next door. until now both buildings
are occupied. u has been only a short
time since the entire building a g23 was
taken over, the enormous growth Of
the talking machine busin SIS demand
ing that several entire floors be given
over TO tins line Of trade.
Opened Baltimore Branch.
Another evidence OF the growth Of
/ the establishment was the necessity Of
opening q branch store in Baltimore
| several years ago. This branch has,
I like the parent concern. showed marvel