USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > A History of the city of Newark, New Jersey : embracing practically two and a half centuries, 1666-1913 Volume III > Part 27
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Mr. Schaaf married, May 15, 1887, Susan Doud, of Newark, and they have children: A daughter, Eugenie, who married Alfred Intermann, a member of the firm of Root, Clark & Bird; EHl L., a son, associated with his father in business; a son, Royal A., who was graduated from Bellevue Medical College, New York City, and is now a physician; and two sons, students at the high school. Mr. Schaaf is strongly interested in the political
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questions of the day, and gives his strong support to the principles of the Republican party. He was nominated for the office of alderman, but was defeated by the small number of eighty votes in his own ward. In 1912 he was chosen at the primaries for the office of City Home trustee, a fact which was equivalent to election. His fraternal and social affiliations are with: Salaam Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; Junior Order of American Mechanics; Independent Order of Odd Fellows; the West End Club; Road Horse Association; and a number of political clubs.
LOUIS PLAUT
In the mercantile world of Newark no establishment is more widely known or of more honorable reputation than the "Bee Hive" department store, of which Louis Plaut is one of the proprietors.
Louis Plaut was born December 29, 1861, in Hartford, Connecticut, of German descent. His parents were residents of Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, before their immigration to this country, which occurred when their family consisted of L. Simon Plaut and Solomon Plaut, then aged four and seven years, respectively. They settled at Hartford, where Louis was born, and from whence he removed at the age of sixteen to engage in business with his brother, L. Simon Plaut, at Newark. The latter, in 1870, when only twenty years of age, had branched out in life for himself and formed the beginning of the now prosperous and successful business, in company with Leopold Fox, under the firm name of Fox & Plaut. Leopold Fox was a son of Gerson Fox, with whom L. Simon Plaut had been associated as a buyer.
After the death of L. Simon Plaut, in 1886, he by his will having devised the business to his widow and his brothers, Louis, Moses and Oscar Michael, the management devolved upon the three young men. With what wisdom and energy they met and discharged their obligations, time has demonstrated. At the start in 1870 the store gave employment to but one salesman, while now a force numbering 900 persons is required to attend to the demands of their trade. In 1890 it was found necessary to materially enlarge the store capacity, which was accordingly done.
The firm name is L. S. Plaut & Company, and under the sound and progressive business principles of its founders the name has come to be one of the best known in New Jersey. In 1912 Louis and Moses Plaut purchased the interests of their partners and are now sole owners of the business. Louis Plaut has contributed in no small degree to this success, and is regarded as an able and sagacious business man. Genial, affable and cour- teous during his entire career, he has gained and held the respect and good will of all who came in contact with him, both in business and social circles.
He was a director of the German National Bank of Newark, resigning at the end of five years' service, and is now a director of the Federal Trust Company, of the Hebrew Orphan Asylum, of the Hebrew Free School, and of the Home for Crippled Children; also a trustee of Temple Bnai Jeshurum. In these positions as well as others he has displayed his public spirit, thor- ough judgment and kindliness of character.
Mr. Plaut married, in 1885, Miss Carrie Katz, and they are the parents of two children, a son, L. Simon, born May 11, 1886, and a daughter, Sylvia Lucille, born June 1, 1889.
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LEON FEIST
Leon Feist, whose later interests have been in the real estate field and who has made for himself a respectable position amongst his business confreres, is a native of Newark, having been born there May 21, 1876, son of Moses and Fannie (Meyer) Feist. His father came to Newark in 1858 and died in 1911. He had the opportunity during that half century of seeing a sleepy provincial town blossom out into one of the most progressive and enterprising of modern cities, and one whose manufactures carry the coveted title "American Made" into the most remote regions of the old world. In this development he could claim a creditable share, as he was one of the most staunch and substantial and public-spirited citizens at a time when the type was much more rare than now. Engaged in the butcher business, the establishment of the first slaughter house in the town was due to his modern and enlightened methods, and his success put him in the front rank of the best merchants of Newark.
Leon Feist, the son of this gentleman, was given the advantages of a thorough education. He was a conscientious and painstaking student at the graded and high school, graduating from the latter in 1892. Going at once into business, the first opening that appeared was that of bookkeeper in a hat factory, and here he worked for a short period. The hat trade being, how- ever, thus brought directly under his attention, he apprenticed himself to learn the trade, learning it thoroughly in every detail. He then went West where he was offered the management of a large hat manufacturing business at Wabash, Indiana, and this position he filled for two years, subsequently taking the western territory including Mexico, the Pacific coast and Alaska, and representing his firm as its western representative. In 1903 he engaged in real estate business, the enormous possibilities that Newark offered in that field attracting his keen intelligence. In this he has made a specialty of the study of factories and sites and he has done much to attract to Newark, manufacturers seeking suitable locations for their industries. lle is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Hannah Lodge, No. 61, Wabash, Indiana; Scottish Rite, Northern Masonic Juridiction, United States, America; Valley of Jersey City; Salaam Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; of the Tall Cedars of Lebanon; of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a member of the Newark Board of Trade and of the Progress Club. Mr. Feist married Jean- nette, daughter of Abraham Straus, of Wabash, Indiana.
ARNAUD G. HELLER
Arnaud G. Heller, member of the manufacturing company which is known in every country of the civilized world, is one of the most prominent business men of the city of Newark, New Jersey, and has inherited many of the traits which have rendered the name of Heller famous.
Elias Heller, grandfather of the man whose name heads this sketch, was a native of Germany, and came to this country in his carly youth. In 1836 he organized a company for the manufacture of files and rasps, locating his plant in Hamilton street, Newark. From this has grown the enormous concern of the present day (1913). Mr. Heller was actively engaged in this industry until his death.
Elias G., son of Elias Heller, was born in the city of Newark in 1839, and succeeded to the business upon the death of his father in 1864. He removed the scene of operations to Mount Prospect avenue, and also con-
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tinued in this industry until his death, at which time he was the oldest file maker in the United States, and his factory one of the largest in America.
In 1880 he enlarged his plant, adding the manufacture of other tools and steel forging. He was very charitably inclined and actively interested in every movement for the public benefit. The land on which the Forest Hill Presbyterian Church is erected was donated by him, and he also gave eighteen acres of land on Branch Brook to be used as a public park by the city. (See sketch of Paul E. Heller, elsewhere in this work).
Arnaud G., son of Elias G. Heller, was born in Newark, August 2, 1871. In the public schools of Newark he acquired his elementary education, and he was graduated from the Washington Street High School in the class of 1890. Upon the completion of his education he entered the business of his father, and became practically acquainted with every detail of the extensive concern. Upon the death of his father in 1912, Mr. Heller became vice- president and secretary of this corporation, and in this dual role his execu- tive ability has had full play, greatly to the benefit of the business interests of the company. He has a number of other financial interests, and holds official position in some of them. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum, Modern Woodmen of America, Forest Hill Social Club, Forest Hill Golf Club, Automobile Association of New Jersey, and is secretary of the Forest Hill Association and Forest Hill Land Company.
Mr. Heller married, February 8, 1897, Harriet J., a daughter of Luther and Isabelle (Voorhis) Jackson, and they have one child, Elaine J., born November 24, 1901.
FRANKLIN S. BOLLES
A man of serious aims, broad views on all questions, generous ideals and shrewd business opinions, is to be found in the person of Franklin S. Bolles, funeral director in the city of Newark, New Jersey. He is genial and courteous on all occasions, and his accurate estimate of men has enabled him to fill the many responsible branches of his business with assistants who thoroughly understand the work they are called upon to perform, and conduct in the most masterly manner the numerous details connected with it. In one line of his family Mr. Bolles traces his descent to a Revolutionary hero, as will be mentioned in detail hereinafter.
Ezra Baldwin Bolles, the father of Mr. F. S. Bolles, was born August 16, 1821. He died July 11, 1898. When a young man he turned his atten- tion to the business of taking charge of funerals. In this field he was a pioneer in many directions. He was the first man in Newark to use a hearse with glass sides, a cloth-covered coffin and coffin handles. The first draped hearse ever constructed by Turnbull is owned by this establishment at the present day. Ezra Bolles married Adaline Hunt, a daughter of George W. and Hannah (Terrill) Summers, and granddaughter of Amos and Phebe (Riggs) Terrill, the latter a daughter of Daniel Riggs. Amos Terrill was born February 8, 1756, died October 3, 1816, and was a member of the militia during the Revolutionary War. He held the rank of cornetist of a troop of horse.
Franklin S. Bolles was born in Newark, New Jersey, August 21, 1855. His education was obtained in the public schools and he was graduated from the grammar school. At an early age he showed unusual business ability and very methodical and systematic ways. These he put into practical effect while in office as assistant postmaster at Boonton, New Jersey, for a period of
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two years. The next two and a half years were spent in the employ of H. W. Duryea & Company, hatters, in the city of New York, who were the successors of Rankin, Duryea & Company, and Duryea, Jacques & Company. In 1875 Mr. Bolles established himself in the funeral directing business in the city of Newark, where he has since conducted his establishment. His funeral parlors and offices at No. 516 Broad street are models of their kind, every appliance which modern progress and inventiveness in this line have brought forth being found there. Funerals are conducted .in a manner which will least harrow up the feelings of the bereaved, and the innate gen- tleness and warm sympathy of Mr. Bolles have done much to alleviate the suffering peculiar to these sad occasions. The religious affiliations of Mr. Bolles are with the North Reformed Dutch Church, and he is a member of numerous organizations, among which may be mentioned Kane Lodge, No. 55, Free and Accepted Masons; Union Chapter, No. 7, Royal Arch Masons; Damascus Commandery, No. 5, Knights Templar; Scottish Rite, Valley Jersey City, Thirty-second degree; Salaam Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of Newark; president of the Essex and Union Counties Funeral Directors' Association in 1904; was re-elected to this office in 1912; president of the New Jersey State Funeral Directors' Association in 1911-12, and served several years as chairman of the executive and legisla- tive committees, and has always been an active worker in the cause of improving his chosen profession in every respect.
Mr. Bolles married in Newark, April 28, 1881, Laura, a daughter of D. Watts and Susan Caroline (Dean) Reeve, of Springfield, New Jersey. They have had children: Laurence Raymond, born February 7, 1883; Ada- line, October 6, 1884; M. Emma, March 26, 1886; Alan Summers, November 6, 1898, and Elizabeth, April 21, 1900. Mr. Bolles gives his whole soul to whatever he undertakes, and allows none of the many interests entrusted to his care to suffer for want of close and able attention. As a citizen, he is universally esteemed, and in every relation of life has shown himself to be a man of high principles.
REV. JAMES J. MCKEEVER
Among those who have done much for the religious life in Roseville is the Rev. James J. Mckeever, who is largely responsible for the founding and growth of the Roseville Roman Catholic parish, a church remarkable for its success and efficiency.
He was born in Newark, November 19, 1854, on Hoyt street, near Warren, and received his early school training in that city. He was first sent to the schools of the Sisters of Charity and the Christian Brothers of St. Patrick's parish, leaving which he for two years had some experience in business. He then began the study of medicine, putting himself under the tutelage of Dr. William O'Gorman, and continued at work on this sub- ject for a year. He then decided to study for the priesthood, and to that end spent two years at St. Benedict's College, Newark, going from there to St. Charles College, Ellicott City, Maryland. This was followed by six years of hard study at Seton Hall College, and in June, 1881, he was ordained. Upon leaving college he was made assistant to Rev. Father Cody, at St. James' parish, in the "Iron Bound" district, doing excellent work in that capacity that attracted the attention of the Bishop. In course of time, when Bishop Wigger saw that the time had come for the establishment of a new parish in Roseville, he decided to put it into the hands of Father
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Cody's able and efficient assistant. The success that has attended the parish from its first beginnings (founded December 6, 1888) fully attests the good judgment of the Bishop and the earnestness and executive ability of the man he put in charge. In the twenty-four years in which he has been there, the work has prospered so well that the congregation has provided itself with the church building, and all the activities of a parish are well under way. There is a Holy Name Society, a League of the Sacred Heart, and a Rosary Society. For a school for Catholic children, the Methodist Chapel, at the corner of Gray and Warren streets, was purchased and opened Septem- ber 12, 1892, and in December, 1908, the new school, which had been erected at a cost of $125,000, was opened. This has become one of the signal successes of the parish. These activities, with the growth of the member- ship from about seventy scholars in 1892 to over eight hundred in 1912, are some of the visible and tangible results of Father Mckeever's work during this time, but below the surface of an active and inspiring parish organization is the fostering and tending of the religious life which for the true priest is the most important phase of his care of his people, and it is in this that Father Mckeever has been, especially faithful and especially successful. He has among his congregation those who have made the trip . from New York to hear his forceful and inspiring sermons.
In 1887, he went abroad and spent several months traveling in Ireland and France, and going also to Rome, where he had the honor shown him of being granted a personal interview with Pope Leo. Although he is a man of great dignity, his manner is genial and he counts as his friends many outside of his own church. In common with many well known men, he is very fond of angling, and spends many of his vacations at this sport, which also serves him as a relaxation. After the first seven years of his connection with the Roseville Church had passed, his congregation was determined that he should have a much needed rest. He had worked very hard in that time and had practically done most of the hardest part of the paying off of the debt of $35,000, and the raising of $50,000 for the new structure to replace the old one that had served the congregation so long. To testify their appreciation of his faithfulness and devotion, his people, in a farewell reception tendered on the eve of the trip abroad upon which they were sending him, presented him with a purse of $600 for his personal use. The affection and esteem of his people were evidenced in the feeling and compli- mentary terms of those who made the addresses on the occasion, among whom were Father Cody, for whom Father Mckeever had formerly been curate, and John Conroy, the prominent leather manufacturer. On the trip Father Mckeever was accompanied by his aged mother.
JOHN F. COSGROVE
Captain John Francis Cosgrove, now retired, has a record on the police force which is rarely equalled. After thirty-seven years of continuous service, he has retired without a single charge of neglect of duty ever being pre- ferred against him. Such a record is well worthy of emulation, and is one of which any man may with reason feel proud. His father, Patrick Cosgrove, was born in Ireland and came to New York when a young man, engaging in the contracting business with Terrance Farley. He married Bridget, daugh- ter of Cornelius and Bridget Farley, and had fourteen children: John F., Cornelius, Adelaide and Charles, being the survivors to grow to manhood.
John Francis Cosgrove was born in the city of New York, July 8, 1854, and was five years of age when his parents took up their residence in Newark.
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He received his education in the public schools of that city and in the New Jersey Business College, from which he was graduated in the class of 1869. For a time he was employed as a clerk in a grocery store, but this occupation did not appeal to him, and he resigned it and learned the art of dressing morocco leather. He was engaged in this occupation until 1873, when he entered the employ of the Board of Public Works, remaining there until January 16, 1876. On that day he was appointed a member of the police force of the city of Newark, with which he was connected until his retire- ment, January 16, 1913. During this period he held in turn all positions on the force up to that of acting chief. He has been in close connection with the leaders of the detective work of the police force, his service covering a period of twenty-one years as a detective, ten years of which he held the office of captain. He has trained many young men in the work necessary for capable detective service, and they freely acknowledge their indebted- ness to him. While Captain Cosgrove has retired from the police force, he by no means leads a life of idleness, but is associated with his son, Charles J., in the detective agency which has been established by the latter. Under their able co-operation the Cosgrove's Detective Agency is well known. While he was on the police force, Captain Cosgrove was chiefly engaged in detective work, and his services were often given to the secret service work of the Federal Government. In his political views he is a Republican, and he has fraternal affiliation with: Newark Lodge, No. 21, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Republican Indian League; Lincoln Republican Club; the Royal Arcanum, and the Improved Order of Heptasophs.
Captain Cosgrove married, December 31, 1872, Adelaide, daughter of Philip and Catherine Farrell, of Newark. Children: Ida, Charles J., who was graduated from the Newark Business College. He was associated with the firm of Wilkinson & Gaddis, butter, cheese and egg dealers, for a period of fourteen years, representing the firm at the New York Mercantile Exchange. He severed his connection with this firm in 1904 and estab- lished the Cosgrove Detective Agency, which operates in every part of the known world. Mr. Cosgrove married, June 17, 1903, Kathryn A., daughter of P. J. and Mary McGovern McHale, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, and has children: John F. and Ida M.
The career of Captain Cosgrove is an admirable one from every point of view. . Energy, determination and an unquenchable enthusiasm havo always boon strong characteristics of the man, and these qualities have been combined with a nativo intelligence and an executive ability of unusual excellence.
ALBERT VENINO
Albert Venino, head of the firm of Venino Brothers & Co., dealers in all kinds of electrical supplies, is considered by those best able to judge of such matters as one of the most enterprising as well as progressive and successful business men of the city of Newark, New Jersey. His father, Francis Venino, was a merchant in Kaiserslaudern, Germany, and a prom- inent and influential citizen of that town. His family was one of the oldest as well as one of the most honorable in that section of the country. Mr. Venino was superintendent of road construction and a member of the board of councillors of the city. He married Barbara Meyer, and of their eight children those now living are: Albert, the subject of this sketch, and Julia, who married Jacob Helfenstein, of Union Ilill, New Jersey.
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Albert Venino was born in one of the Rhine provinces, Germany, Octo- ber 28, 1838. The public schools of his native town furnished his scholastic education in that country, and upon his arrival in America in 1853 he spent one year in the acquisition of the English language in a school in New Durham, New Jersey. He next went to New York City, where he learned the trade of carving, entering the employ of Ino Higgins & Company, at No. 35 Vesey street, remaining there for a period of eighteen months. The firm of Brady & Company then engaged his services as a portrait painter, and his work soon ranked with that of the best professionals. Indeed, so excellent were the results he achieved, that he was sent by this firm to per- form the same class of work in their atelier in Washington, District of Columbia, where the representative men of America were the subjects of the portraits. Wealthy relatives of the Venino family in Germany having died, Mr. Venino was obliged to resign this employment and travel to Ger- many in order to settle up the large estate. Upon his return to America he began the manufacture of wax and the materials in use in the manu- facture of wax flowers. This wax was prepared after a secret formula whose composition was known only to Mr. Venino, and as it was far superior to all others manufactured for this purpose, the business increased with abnormal rapidity. It is still manufactured in the same manner and after the same formula, and there is a steady demand for it in almost every state in the Union.
In 1873 Mr. Venino went to California and organized the Pioneer Varnish Company, their place of business being at Twenty-fourth street and Portrero, San Francisco, and this plant is still in operation. Upon his return to New York, he entered the employ of C. T. Reynolds & Company, of Fulton street, New York City, who were dealers in all kinds of artists' materials. He soon resigned from this position, however, in order to organize a corporation in connection with General Brownell and Mr. Phillips, for the sale of artists' materials, a'store being opened at No. 35 Barclay street. Mr. Venino disposed of his interest in this concern and commenced a hat factory in Orange, in 1884, under the firm name of Venino, Sparrow, Morrow & Wallace Company. After some time Mr. Venino also sold his interest in this business, commencing the manufacture of wax for artificial flowers, and, in connection with this, in 1896, organized the company known as Venino Brothers & Co., dealers in all kinds of electrical supplies, their specialty being electric motors and fixtures. The first place of business of this new venture was at No. 247 Market street, Newark, then they changed in succession to 261 Market street, 313 Market street, and, finally, to the present (1913) location, No. 13 Ward street. The spacious building in which the firm now transacts its business was erected by Mr. Venino, and, finding that he needed additional space a few years ago for storage purposes, he had the large building at No. 65 Hamilton street erected, and this has in recent times been also enlarged and extended to Lafayette street. Large as it is, it is used entirely as a warehouse., The gross yearly output of the firm has steadily increased until at the present time it averages one hundred thousand dollars annually. In political matters Mr. Venino is an ardent Democrat and has served with ability as commissioner of appeals for Orange.
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