Esidor Derecktor, a leading citizen of Meriden who is devoting his time to operations in real estate and to the live stock business, was born in Russia, April 1, 1865. The father, Nathan Derecktor, died in that country in 1872, and the mother, who bore the maiden name of Tillie Sholnike, passed away there in 1886.

     Esidor Derecktor attended school in his native land and worked for others there until he was twenty-one years old. Following his mother’s death he came to the United States in 1886 and spent about a month in New York city, during which time he earned his living by peddling. He then went to Bridgeport, where he was similarly employed for a time, after which he established his headquarters in Ansonia and continued peddling on a larger scale, covering a considerable territory. During this period he often came to Meriden and was favorably impressed with the place. At length he turned his attention to other pursuits securing employment in a clock factory in Waterbury, and in 1888 he went to work for the Parker Clock Company of Meriden. In 1893 he established a grocery store, which he conducted for a few years and then became a dealer in live stock and in dairying products. His business has shown a rapid growth. He sometimes feeds as many as twelve hundred head of cattle in a year and as he is an excellent judge of stock and studies the market carefully his operations in that line yield him a handsome profit. He is also active in the real estate field and in that connection, too, has prospered beyond his expectations. He is the largest holder of business frontage on Main street and also owns a large number of residence properties. The Derecktor block, completed in 1917 and advantageously located on Main street, is one of the largest and best built in the city and is an important addition to the downtown section.

     On the 7th of July, 1891, Mr. Derecktor was married to Miss Esther Mag of Meriden. They have three children as follows: Tillie, who received a high school and normal education, is now married to S. Schwartz, an attorney of Newark, New Jersey; Nathan E., who is twenty-four years old, entered the Yale Law School after graduating from the Meriden high school and completed his academic course with the class of 1916. He held one of the first numbers drawn in the draft drawing in July, 1917, and will in all probability be sent to France. Samuel, who is twenty-one years old, is a graduate of the Meriden high school and will graduate from an academic course in Yale in 1918.

     Mr. Derecktor is a stanch republican and supports its candidates at the polls. He belongs to the B’nai Abraham synagogue and is a generous contributor to all the Jewish charities. He holds membership in the Silver City Lodge and the New England Order of Protection. He has a wide acquaintance among the leading businessmen of Meriden and is recognized as an important factor in the development of the material interests of the city. His success is evidence of his unusual business ability and his untiring energy, for he has made every cent that he has. He is not only respected for his ability but is also honored for his unusual integrity.