Meanings of soliciting patronage in English

At length an expressman approached Carley, soliciting patronage.

Does anyone believe that physicians and midwives who perform abortions go from door to door soliciting patronage?

And from the peaceableness of the reply he gathered that this time the lady was not soliciting patronage but conferring it.

He at length reached the door, beyond which, and as near as the regulations would permit, stood a number of hackmen, vociferously soliciting patronage.

Before another booth stood a pair of brawny fighting-men, displaying their muscle, and soliciting patronage for an exhibition of the noble British art of pugilism.