Coming alone from Russia to the new world when a youth of but seventeen years, unacquainted with the habits, the language and the customs of the new people among whom he was to live and make a living, Isadore Opper arrived in New Haven in 1887 with a cash capital of three and a half dollars. Many were the difficulties and obstacles to be overcome, yet he lost neither faith nor heart but resolutely undertook the task to win a competence, and make for himself an independent and substantial and honored place among these strangers with whom he was going to make his home and of whom he wanted to become one. That he has succeeded is indicated in the fact that he is today one of the most prominent and prosperous furniture dealers of New Haven. Moreover, he belongs to that class of business men who while promoting their individual interests contribute to public prosperity.

   Mr. Opper was born in Russia, July 8, 1870, and is a son of Samuel and Sarah Opper. Samuel Opper was an educator and a few years after the arrival of his son Isadore he and his wife also came to the new world. The father died in New Haven in 1905 and the mother is still living.

  Isadore Opper, the eldest in a family of five children, attended school in Russia and continued his education in New Haven by attending night school after working as a druggist’s clerk during the day. He had previous experience in the drug business when in his native country and he followed that pursuit in New Haven to some extent, but gave up a position in a drug store to become collector for a furniture house, being offered a better salary. He filled that place satisfactorily for five years and when twenty-five years of age established a furniture store on his own account. Originally he carried a small stock, as may be surmised, but he increased his lines from time to time as he could command greater financial resources and at present he is sole proprietor of one of the largest furniture houses in New Haven, carrying an extensive and well selected line of medium and high class furniture and doing everything in his power to satisfy and please his patrons in order to upbuild his business. His methods have ever been thoroughly reliable and from the beginning he has enjoyed a substantial and constantly growing trade.

  In 1889 Mr. Opper was united in marriage to Miss Edith Kelman, of New Haven, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Morris Kelman, and they have six children. Lillian, born in 1896, is a graduate of a normal school, was a teacher in the Shelton school and sang in the choir of St. John’s Roman Catholic church for some years; she married W. F. Cohen, an attorney of Ansonia, where they reside. William, born in New Haven in 1898, was graduated from the local public schools and is now with Company F of the Second Regiment of Connecticut Infantry. Florence, born in 1900, is attending high school. Samuel, 1905, is a graduate of the public schools. Abraham Lincoln, 1907, and Henry, 1909, are also in school.

  Mr. Opper is a member of Horeb Lodge, I. O. B. B., and of various other fraternal and social organizations. He is likewise a member of the Chamber of Commerce and is actively connected with a number of charitable and philanthropic interests, of which he has been a generous supporter. As he has prospered he has given more and more largely for the benefit and assistance of others and he is always ready to extend a helping hand to a fellow traveler on life’s journey. He today owns one of New Haven’s fine homes and his financial standing which is indeed enviable is in marked contrast to his condition at the time of his arrival. In one thing, however, he was as rich at that time as he is now, namely in the possession of those qualities which have constituted the foundation of his prosperity, which is attributable to persistent, earnest effort wisely and intelligently directed. He has found in the faithful performance of each day’s duties, strength and inspiration for the labors of the succeeding day, and this enthusiasm for work has carried him to success.