Xavier Pfaff, who is the proprietor of an up-to-date and well patronized grocery and meat market in West Haven, was born in Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, Germany, December 3, 1866, the son of Euseb and Rosalie Pfaff. the former a baker by trade. He took quite an active part in public affairs in his home town in Germany, and served for a time as tax collector. In 1891 lie came to the United States and followed his trade in New Haven until he retired from active life. He now makes his home with his son, Xavier.

The latter received a public school education in Germany and learned the baker's trade under the direction of his father. When only sixteen years of age, or in 1882, he decided to try his fortune in the new world and camp to the United States. He first located in New Haven but for a number of years has been a resident of West Haven. Until 1897 he worked at the baker's trade and then became connected with the grocery business in the capacity of clerk. In 1901 he opened a grocery and meat market of his own at No. 106 Center street, and in the intervening sixteen years has built up one of the best businesses in those lines in the borough. He has shown unusual good judgment in the selection of his stock, and has followed a liberal policy in his dealings with his customers that has commended him to their continued patronage. He is a director of the Orange Bank & Trust Company and in the West Haven Publishing Company. He also belongs to the Merchants' Provision Company, an organization of merchants.

Mr. Pfaff was married on September 15, 1890, in New Haven to Miss Josephine Durr, a daughter of Nicholas Durr, a farmer of New Haven county. Eight children have been born to this union, namely: Florence, the wife of W. F. Wolff, a baker of West Haven; Alfred, who is with his father in business; Alice; Josephine; William; Arthur; Paul; and Eleanor.

Mr. Pfaff belongs to the Cecilus Society and to St. Lawrence Roman Catholic church. In politics he is a stanch republican but has never been an office seeker. As a private citizen, however, he has accomplished a great deal toward the advancement of the best interests of his community and has always been among the first to advocate civic and social improvements. He has given a great deal of his time and work to the promotion of good roads and is a member of the Good Roads Association and the Good Roads Committee and the New Haven Automobile Club. He is identified with both the New Haven and the West Haven Chambers of Commerce and is a working member of both organizations. He possesses far more than the usual energy and initiative and has turned those characteristics to account for the benefit of the community as well as in the upbuilding of his own business.