The Washington herald., 1908-02-29

one years. died at his home. 1855 Harvard
street northwest, yesterday afternoon
about $50 O'Clock
About his bedside when he passed away
were his wife. his sons. and other MEM
bers of his family living here.
Mr.. Droop had suffered from rheuma-
tism for some years, but persisted in at
tending to his business. and looking after
other matters. His trouble grew worse.
however and on December Il he was
forced 70 so to bed. He grew better in
few days, and the family thought ha had
nearly recovered from his illness. on
January 2 he was at his store in Penn
sylvania avenue and in the afternoon
went TO his home. ,saying 10 those who
inquired about his health that ne was
Just feeling fine"
Taken Violently III.
on reaching home he was taken violent
Iy H. He sank slowly until the end came.
and was conscious until a few minutes
before death. He was attended by DR..
g. \. Acker and Dr. E. a. semhausen.
Mr.. Droop is survived By his wife and
five children, Edward H. Carl A. and
Miss Agnes and Miss Anna Droop. and
Mrs. Arthur Leverken. OF Cologne. GER
many. Two sisters Miss Marie Droop
and Mrs. NJ. Goedeking. OF Osnabrueck,
Germany. are also living
Arrangements for the funeral have not
been completed. Iut il is known that
burial viii be in Cak Hin Cemetery. The
services VIII probably be under tie iirec-
tion Of Arminius Lodge. No. =. F. 4. A.
NJ. OF which Mr. Droop was a member.
II is probable the Oldest inhabitants. AS
sociation, OF which be was an esteemed
member, viii participate IN the funeral
ceremonies
Founded Music House.
Edward F. Drop, founder OF tile busi-
ness which bears his name. was born al
Osnabrueck. Hanover. in December. 1S3s.
He spent the early years Of his life in
that town, receiving a good education in
the local schools and being given some
instruction in music OF which through
life he was passionately fond.
When about twenty years of aga he
joined the tide of emigration from the
Fatherland to'America, finally coming 10
Washington, after spending some time
looking about other cities. Arriving al
the Capital he went in search Of employ
ment which he found with G w. Met
zerott, who was then in business at the
corner Of Eleventh street and Pennsyl-
vania avenue. where the post-office build
ing now stands.
Mr. MetZerott was engaged. in the u,usic
business. and when young Droop was en-
gagged he informed his employer he
thought he could do anything there was
70 be done in such an establishment. The
young and good-natured foreigner took
great interest in the business from the
start. and soon had won the entire con-
hdence Of his employer. He was advanced
IN responsibility and pay, until he stood
next TO the head of the house.
Later Mr.. Droop acquired an interest
IN the business which in a few years he
sold out and started for himself.
1t was November Il. 1851, that the young
German immigrant did his first DAYS
work at the Metzerott store. and last year
Mr. Droop, with his sons Edward II. and
Carl A, celebrated the hftieth anniyer
sary Of the event by opening a new store
and greatly eElarging the business. which
had been conducted with great success
for many years
First Place of Business.
Mr.. DrOOps first store, which he occu-
pied only few years. was on the south
side of Pennsylvania avenue. In 1862
during the exciting period Of the civil
war, he rented the store at 925 Pennsvl-
vania avenue, and moved there. into 4
larger place, with better, facilities. not
knowing at the time whether the venture
would come out right or not.
In this store Mr.. Droop carried on his
business. which steadily grew year by
year as he gained the confidence of the
people Of Washington. and won the repu-
tation Of selling reliable goods at fair
prices. SO he went on quietly while his
sons were growing to manhood. finishing
their musical educations and getting
ready to enter the business.
This event occurred in 1897. The two
sons were admitted to the company. then
chartered anew, as L. F. Droop & Sons
Both Of the sons were born in Washing
ton, educated for the most part here. and
identified with the city and its interests
Both are accomplished musicians and
well versed in the trade in musical in
strumerts and supplies
Mr.. Droop made frequent journeys to
Germany and other points in Europe. On
his first visit to the Fatherland. more
than forty years ago. he was struck with
the lack of reliable information available
for a trip TO the Old World The result
of his experiences led him TO make special
arrangements with steamship companies.
and from that time on he kept at his
store for reference the latest information
about the sailing of ships from the At
lantic ports and other information Of use
to the traveller in Europe. About twenty
years ago he became associated with the
Hamburg Line of steamships, sailing be-
tween Hamburg and Baltimore and since
that time had been financially interested
in the company.
In Musical Societies.
Mr. Droop for many years was afiliated
with the Washington Saengerbund, and
had always been one of the most active
factors in the cultivation of music in
Washington and this country. He had
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