The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-08-26
EDWARD W. ENSIGN,
 PIONEER DRUGGIST
 OF WEST END, DEAD
More Than Score of Years Was Leading Spirit of
 West End Business Life

In the west End, d1ed early today at his home, 36 Fox street. He had been i'll for several years. For more than 20 years MT. Ensign had conducted a pharmacy in the Lesbia block at State street and Howard avenue. When the late Mayor Bostwick built the build ing, MT. Ensign was the first to take store there and from the time he engaged in business until the death of the late mayor, a close personal friend ship existed between them.
 For many years the store conducted by MT Ensign was sort of social center in the West End and residents of the vicinity brought their troubles to the man who had a smile and a kind word for all. In campaign times Mr. Ensign's store was a gathering place for politicians of both parties in the Fourth district. MT Ensign, how ever, never sought political office nor did he take an active part in politics His advice on matters in the di-trict was often sought by those engaged with either party and generally was followed.
 MT. Ensign's business activities in the West End kept time with the growth of that section and due to his progressiveneSs many Improvements in the way of street paving, lights, etc., were obtained. Having estab- lished the first drug store in the West End he was one of the first druggists in Bridgeport to have a modern soda water fountain He obtained the war rant for sub-station of the post office in that section and before the station was removed and the present West End branch of the post office estab- ilshed, the business in the sub-station he conducted, exceeded any other sub- station in Connecticut.
 several years ago Mir Ensfgn sold the business and later opened a store at Stratford avenue and Bunnell street He was in business in that secoon for two years and then bought back the business in the West End.
 About three years ago illness com- pelled him to retire and he sold his
 business to Charles A. Cannon. AL though he retired from the drug busi- ness MT. Ensign did not quit business life and for more than a year he car ried on a. mail order business from the West End postofice building where he then resided. About a year ago he bought the nome in Fox street.
 MT. Ensign was born at Morris Conn.,. the son of William and Laura Allen Ensign. He attended school at Morris and Watertown and after hay
 ing passed state examinations as a pharmacist he was married to his boyhood sweetheart Sarah E. Benton who survives him. Soon after his marriage MT. Ensign engaged in the drug business in Watertown. He car.
 Tied on the business only a short time however. and then sold out. He then came to Bridgeport as a druggist fol L. B. Vail. who then conducted the postodice. drug store and general l store in West stratford at what is
 now Barnun and lSeavisw avenues Mir. Ensign remained there but a 1 short time, going soon to the ther new section, the West End, where
 most of his active life was passed. He was a member of St, Johns lodge, No, 3, P. and A. M; Arcanun lodge. Nc. Al. I, 0, O. F., and Konck. apotanuh lodge, No. 30, Improved Order of Red Men, He was also g ! member of the 56 Club, He is sur. vived by his widow, a sister, Mrs Louis FftzsiHmens of Waterbury and
 one neiee, Miss Inez Ensign of Sar Diego, Cal.
 The funeral services will bs held I from his home in Fex street on Mon. day evening and the body will be taken to Norris on Tuesday morning } fer burial in the family plot there. 7 During his life MT, Ensign found
 much pleasure in performing many
 unostentatieus acts of charity, Hit
 business integrity and wealth of hH.
 man kindness won him a host ed
 friends and the passing of 'tUncle
 Ed" as he was known, will be mark.
 ed with grief by all who knew him,