JOHN BRESSMER, dry goods merchant, in Central Block, southeast corner of Adams and Sixth streets, has been identified with the dry goods trade of Springfield thirty-three years, thirty years of the time in one store, opposite the elegant new building he now occupies, and into which his stock was moved from the old store across Sixth street in September, 1881. Three floors and basement of this beautiful building are used for Mr. Bressmer's extensive retail business. The first story, 110x25 feet, is devoted to dry goods, notions and yarns; the second floor, comprising the entire block, 110x45 feet, is used for carpets, upholster goods and curtains; the third floor for work room and storage purposes; the basement to oil cloths and mattings. The Central Block was erected and arranged with a special view to the purposes for which it is used, and is a model of its class. The stock of goods in every department of this house is large and varied, to suit the taste and purse of purchasers in every station of life. The carpet room is one of the finest and most ample in the West, and the stock of carpets, curtains and fancy trimmings it contains is rarely equaled anywhere. In this feature, Mr. B. has the heaviest trade in this part of the State. John Bressmer is a native of Germany, born in 1833. He crossed the Atlantic in 1848, and came via New Orleans to Illinois. Landing at Pekin, Tazewell county, he walked across the country to Springfield, and being a stranger in the land, without money, he worked as a common laborer at whatever offered, for three years. He began his mercantile career as a clerk in the store of Hurst & Taylor. About 1858, he became a member of the firm of Matheny & Co., and ten years later became sole proprietor, and has since conducted the business alone. By upright dealing and judicious management he has steadily increased the volume of trade until it is one of the largest in Central Illinois. The house requires a force of seventeen people to discharge its business. the patronage of the county, and are supplying the neighboring towns with flour not to be excelled by any other mills. He is also a member of the Good Templars at Rochester, and in politics a Republican.