USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > Hudson County to-day; its history, people, trades, commerce, institutions and industries > Part 16
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While thoroughly grounded in Democratic political affairs, he has never allowed polities to interfere with his business or his friendships. He has many admirers in both republican and democratic circles and the fact that he was chosen as standard bearer for his party in his town in the mayoralty campaign of 1913 shows just how highly he is regarded by the members of the political organization with which he is affiliated.
That he was defeated at the election is no discredit to him, either as a business man or politician. lle faced not only a strong factional fight within his own party, but a powerful republican organization built up by Mayor Charles A. Mohn. who at the time was a candidate for re-election. Mohn and Schlemm are personal friends and brother Masons, but in the exigencies of political warfare they were pitted against each other, neither losing the friendship or the respect of the other, although the campaign was as hot a one, politically. as has ever been fought in West Hoboken.
When Mohn was re-elected Schleim was the first to send his congratu- lations on his victory, which shows the big calibre of man he is, for, while fighting his political battles with all the vigor that is in him and the fighting Schlemm family. he would not let his political animosities take the form of personal hatred of his opponent. With a fight so hot as this one was, it would have been particularly easy to have crossed the border line of friendship, had Coroner Schlemm been a smaller man than he was and is.
As a coroner. Mr. Schlemm has time and again demonstrated his sterling abilities. The recent case of the murder of Anna Aumuller, whose body was discovered on the beach at Shadyside, and for which crime Hans Schmidt is at present awaiting trial in New York, brought Mr. Schlemm into the public eve. His capable manner of conducting the inquest that was held in Heller's hall, Jersey City, made him the subject of many flattering comments. No less a person than Detective Faurot, of the New York police detective bureau, paid Mr. Schlemm a compliment by saying that the inquest was conducted in the most thorough manner he had ever seen. In many other cases Mr. Schlemm has done remarkable work.
As a business man. Mr. Schlemm has made a record that any man could well be proud of. He is known to many of the poor of West Hoboken for his charitable deeds, and many who would otherwise have been buried in Potter's Field have been laid in a decent grave, thanks to the generosity of Mr. Schlemm.
151
Morris Larwy.
ROFESSOR Morris Loewy, who has been a resident of Hoboken for the past twenty-five years, was born in Vienna, Austria, on July 25. 1857. His Parents were Philip and Julia Loewy. He is a prestidigitator of international fame. Ile uses only playing cards in his perform- ances and exhibitions and never fails to astonish his audiences by the wonderful manner in which he is able to manipulate the bits of pasteboard.
Professor Loewy can be classed as a prodigy. Flis aptitude for card manipula- tion has extended almost from his infancy. He began his professional career when but eight years of age. ITis early education came through private tutors and travel. He has been a great traveler and his ability has made him a welcome favorite before both royalty and the common people. He has appeared before and astonished such royal personages as Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria, King Christian IX of Denmark. King Oscar HI of Sweden, King George of Greece. Czar Alexander of Russia, King Edward of England and others. In this country he has appear- ed before Theodore Roosevelt and the late Mayor Gaynor and hosts of other prominent people. His presence is greatly desired at gatherings where select entertainments are given.
He is not merely an entertainer, but a successful business man as well. He is president of the Spray Vibrator Corporation, the Loewy Company and the Osflo Company. He is a member of the Elks and Royal Arcanum, honorary member of the New York Stamp Society and honorary president of the Bero- lina, and National Alumni. His hobby is the collection of post cards, stamps and coins.
152
Rubert Birger
OBERT RIESER, secretary of the Hoboken Board of Trade, has been closely associated with civic work in Hoboken for the past six years. Mr. Rieser was born in Doylestown, Pa., but has spent practically all of his life in Hoboken. In politics he is known as a progressive Republican, though his activities have usually been strictly non-partisan in character. looking rather toward a reform of present conditions than the advancement of the interests of any particular political party.
He first served the Board of Trade as assistant secretary for a period of two and one-half years, subsequently becoming secretary and editor of the Board of Trade Bulletin, a monthly publication devoted to the commercial and civic development of the city. While he was assistant secretary he was given full charge of the Budget Exhibit held under the auspices of the Board of Trade and in conjunction with the Robert L. Stevens Fund in 1911. This exhibition was the first of its kind ever given in the city and its exposition of muncipal government in Hoboken was widely commented upon. He has since been identified with similar exhibits in other cities.
The commendable fight made to adopt commission government in Hoboken received Mr. Rieser's ardent support. He was secretary of the first Elective Commission Government League, the first organization to be formed for this purpose in any New Jersey city.
He was also one of the organizers of the safe and sane Fourth of July movement in Hoboken, and served as secretary to the committee during the celebrations in 1913 and 1914 both of which involved much time and labor.
Mr. Rieser has run for public office on several occasions but each time with reluctance. He was a candidate for the Assembly at the primaries in 1913, and during the primary campaign in September, 1914, was urged to become a candidate for Congress from the Eleventh New Jersey District. This he was forced to decline for reasons of business.
During the administration of Mayor Gonzales, he was appointed to the Board of Playground Commissioners, and although his selection to this office received substantial approval, the Common Council refused to confirm his appointment for political motives.
Mr. Rieser is also known for his work among boys. He first became interested in this form of social activity about twelve years ago in connection with the Madison Street Boys' Club, an organization conducted by volunteer workers and carried on largely through the generosity of Mr. Richard Stevens. He organized the first troop of Boy Scouts in Hoboken and is at present Scoutmaster of Troop One. This troop is affiliated with the First Presby- terian Church, of which Mr. Rieser has been a member and trustee for years. He is also associated with the Philomatic Society and is a member of the Sanitary Corps of the Seventh Regiment, National Guard of New York.
153
Patrick R. Griffin
ATRICK R. GRIFFIN, Democratic political leader of Hoboken, is one of the most unique characters in politics to be found in all Hudson County. From the time he was able to cast his first vote, Griffin was always mixed up in politics and always had the ambition to become the leader of his party. It was not until the three-cornered mayoralty fight of 1907 that he actually won his spurs. In that fight he assumed the management of the campaign of George H. Steil for mayor, and elected him by a decisive majority.
At that time Griffin was but 32 years of age, the youngest Democratic leader the city has ever had. Many times since then an effort has been made to wrest the leadership from him, but Griffin is full of resources and fight and he has always since his notable victory kept at the top.
During his political leadership he has built up a practically unbeatable political machine for the Hoboken Democracy, judging from past results. It is concededly the best piece of political working machinery in the county. Griffin is a close student of politics and understands human nature pretty thoroughly. This is evident from the fact that he has retained his leadership for seven consecutive years in the teeth of constant attacks from the political enemies within his own party camp.
In 1913 he went through triumphantly the most exciting and important political fight of his career. He had undertaken to re-elect Martin Cooke mayor of the city. Arrayed against him was no less a powerful force than Former Mayor Lawrence Fagan and his great and powerful newspaper. The Observer. It was Fagan's last stand, for if he won he would again be the leader of the Democracy in Hoboken. If he lost he knew he would be buried in his political coffin forever.
The Observer, backed by Fagan, conducted a fight for the nomination at the primaries for mayor of Philip Stuerwald, a young man of good repute. prominent in politics and with a host of friends. The fight was a bitter one and The Observer, in its zeal for the nomination of Stuerwald, resorted to personalities of a not altogether dignified nature.
When the primary ballots were counted Griffin's man, Mayor Cooke. was found to be an easy winner. The victory in part was due to Cooke's own personality, but a large share of the credit belonged to Griffin, who engineered the fight, backed by his well-nigh invincible organization.
Mayor Cooke was re-elected to his high office, and Griffin still holds the reins over Hoboken's Democratic organization, as he bids fair to do for many years to come.
154
William O'Neill
ILLIAM O'NEILL, proprietor of the O'Neill Auto Company of Ho- boken, is a young man whose success in life has come through his own efforts and enterprise. He has built up a business from a small news delivery of which any man may well feel proud and his friends, of whom he has no end throughout the county, have watched his rise with more than passing interest.
('Neill has the faculty of doing the right thing at the right time. lle has seized upon and made the most of the opportunities afforded him. He has anticipated the needs of busy business men and in this manner brought himself to the flood tide of prosperity.
Originally a newspaper vendor of the street urchin variety, he has worked himself up to a newspaper vendor of the wholesale kind. He estab- lished a newspaper delivery system in Hudson county and at one time and until a few years ago was the chief circulation man of The Observer. When the Observer took over its own circulation the "newsies," with whom O'Neill was on terms of friendship through years of fair dealing, instituted a strike, which, though short, was a bitter one, out of sympathy for him. He readily recovered from the effects of this blow to his business and made it bigger than ever.
When the need for an auto service company in Hoboken became appar- ent, O'Neill, with very little capital, but with a vigor that creates success, established such an institution. From time to time autos have been added to his establishment until it today is perhaps the largest and most complete service of its kind in the county. He keeps a close eye on his business, both newspaper delivery and auto service, and extends it whenever he finds it expedient to do so.
During all his success O'Neill has never forgotten the fact that he was a newspaper kiddie. He is rather proud of the fact. He often lends a help- ing hand to the "newsie" of today and is regarded by a large number of these bright little fellows as their best friend. He endeavors to uplift them, both financially and morally and has done a work in the latter respect which en- titles him to the thanks of the community.
"Billy" has a cherished desire of some day founding a "Newsboys' Home." When he realizes his ambition in this respect it is safe to say the institution will be one of the most complete of its kind in the country for ('Neill never does anything by halves.
155
William P. Berdon
ILLIAM P. Verdon, for many years Republican leader in the city of Hoboken, and today one of that city's most highly esteemed business men, was born September 12, 1869. in Dublin, Ireland. His parents were Frederick Verdon and Jane Adams Verdon. Verdon was but a young- ster when he came to this country, and he derived his entire education from New York Public School No. 70.
Since coming to Hoboken Mr. Verdon has taken an active interest in Republican politics. In a Democratic community he had a hard fight, but succeeded in becoming the leader of his party. On one or two occasions he has led the party to victory, which won for him the support of county and state organizations. Hle is at present chairman of the Hoboken Repub- lican City Committee and a member of the Hoboken Republican Association, the John Rotherham Association and the Hudson County Republican Committee.
Industrially he is president of the Eastern Creamery Company and of the Hudson Dairy. He lives at 1218 Bloomfield Street, Hoboken, and de- scribes his hobbies as "his eight children and his home."
Mr. Verdon's friends ascribe his success, politically and industrially. to his straightforward way of meeting situations which arise. It has been sai 1 of him by his admirers that he never turned down a friend who came seeking his aid in any laudable or charitable cause. He has attained a great hold on a large portion of the people of the city through these qualities of liber- ality, forbearance and personal integrity. In fighting his political battles he has always been fair, although sometimes his zeal for the party has over- ridden his natural qualities. With Mr. Verdon it was always his party first and himself afterward. In his business dealings it is his patrons first and himself afterward. In his family affairs it is his family first and hmseli afterward. In friendship it is his friends first and himself afterward.
Mr. Verdon is still in the early forties. in the very prime of life. He bids fair to be aggressively active in politics and business for many years to come, which his friends say creates a splendid outlook for his party in the city.
156
Juins D. Applegate.
J VINS D. APPLEGATE. undertaker at 225 Washington Street, Hoboken. was born in Hoboken May 14. 1853. His parents were Ivins D. Applegate and Susan Deas Whitney. When eighteen he went to sea and lead a sea-faring life for seven years. At 25 he entered the employ of William N. Parslow, by whom the busi- ness was founded. He remained with Mr. Parslow until June. 1891, when Hoboken organized a paid fire department and made him chief, in which capacity he served until 1906, when he honorably retired and took over the business of Mr. Parslow. whose sister, Evanglyn, he married in 1886. Throughout his entire professional career he has striven to maintain the dignity of his profession.
Fraternally Mr. Applegate is prominent and popular. He is a member of Euclid Lodge. No. 136, F. and A. M .; Zemzem Grotto. No. 16. M. O. V. P. E. R .: Pentalpha Chapter, No. 11, R. A. M. : Pil- grim Commandery. No. 16. Knights Templar: Warren Council, No. 5. R. and S. M. : Mecca Temple. A. A. O. N. M. S. ; and the A. A. S. R., Northern New Jersey Valley of Jersey City. He is also affiliated with. Hoboken Lodge, No. 74, B. P. O. E. : Iloboken Aerie, No. 603, F. O. E. : Loval Order of Buffaloes ; Hoboken Exempt Firemen's Association and Hudson County Undertakers' As- sociation. He is president of the Hudson County Undertakers' Association and of the Hudson County Coach Owners' Protective Association, trustee of the Hoboken Cemetery Association and honorary member of the Interna- tional Association of Fire Engineers.
157
Joseph J. Kennedy
3 OSEPH J. KENNEDY, postmaster of Hoboken, presents a fine example of the opportunities in America for foreign born citizens. He was born Febru- ary 10, 1864, in Myshall, County Carlow. Ireland, his parents being Thomas Ken- nedy and Julia Kennedy (nee Joyce. ) He was educated in the National School at Myshall and graduated in 1880 with highest honors.
In the same year he came to the United States. Then, as now, America was a land of promise and Kennedy came here to make his fortune, being one of a family of four boys and three girls. all born and brought un on a farm still owned by the family.
He worked as clerk in a grocery store, as bookkeeper, as insurance agent and real estate man. He kept an eye to the main chance and had a predeliction for politics. For a time he was clerk of the County Board of Elections and was was one of the commissioners of public instruction in 1896 and 1897. He was appointed assistant postmaster in 1902. and August 30. 1911, was named as postmaster for a term of four years.
Mr. Kennedy was saving. Ile owns the house he lives in and several others Hle took advantage of the real estate boom of a few years back to add to his property holdings by several shrewd transactions. He is general agent for sev- eral insurance companies. He was always active in Republican politics and a follower of Col. Samuel D. Dickinson.
He is a member of the Union League Club, the Elks, Knights of Columbus. Business Men's Bowling Club, Lincoln Republican Club and several other social organizations.
158
Frank Enmin Elwell
RANK EDWIN ELWELL. North Hudson's well known sculptor, with home and studio at 12 and 14 Hud- son Place. Weehawken, was born June 15. 1858, in Concord, Mass., his parents be- ing John Wesley Elwell and Clara Farrar- Elwell.
Mr. Elwell was educated in the public schools of Concord and at the College ot Fine Arts in Paris, France. He worked in the blacksmith shop of his grandfather, Elisha Jones Farrar, whose father assisted in the killing of six British soldiers at Concord Bridge and who was a distin- guished thinker.
Mr. Elwell is a teacher of art and writer on art matters. Hle has delivered many lectures at Harvard and other colleges and at Carnegie Institute at Pittsburgh, Pa. He is one of the directors of the School of Applied Design for Women, New York City, and was curator of Ancient and Modern Sculptor at the Metropolitan Museum of Art under Director General Count Lugi Palma di Cesnola. He is an honorary member of the Cincinnati Art Club and of the Dickens Fellowship in London. He is a member of the advisory committee for the celebration of one hundred years of peace between English speaking people in 1915. and of the national committee for the third conference at the Hague. He belongs to the Sons of the American Revolution and the New Jersey Historical Society. He is a veteran of the Concord Artillery of Massachusetts, being honorably discharged after two enlistments, and an honorary member of the Seventh Rhode Island Volunteers.
He is mentioned in the Encyclopedia Britanica. the Century dictionary, the International Encyclopedia, "Who's Who in America." "Who's Who in the World," "Who's Who in New York," "Who's Who in Art" and many other works. He believes in the advancement of American art, as we have the greatest artists in the world. He thinks the world is growing better and that no man is a good man without a good ideal.
159
Philip L. Amon.
HILIP' L. AMON. principal and founder of the New Jersey Institute of Music and Languages, which has been established for the past twenty-three years, was born in koettenbach, Bavaria. February 18. 1854. When but sixteen wecks of age he came to this country with his parents, who settled in New York. His early school life was spent in the parochial school of the Church of the Redeemer in Manhattan. When but twelve years of age he studied Latin and Greek under the Re- demptorist Fathers in New York City.
His natural bent was for music, how- ever, and his musical education was started in 1859. when he was a student under John Wegner. He was a graduate of De La Salle University and organist there in 1867. He studied under such famous instructors as Beversdorfer. Kirschner. Unruh and Steigler. Under Leininger he learned har- mony and thorough bass.
Ile taught and played in many Catholic schools and churches, as well as in other schools and at one time tried his hand at Blauveltville, N. Y. He was also musical director for several dramatic and musical companies. In 1884 he settled in Hoboken and in 1801 established the New Jersey Institute. He has had some 5,000 students and of these more than 500 are now earning their liv- ing through music alone. He is a composer of rare ability and an authority on music.
For many years he has been identified with union labor circles. He was at one time district master workman of the Knights of Labor for three terms when that organization was in its prime. He was most active in establishing the local musical union and for three terms was president of that organiza- tion. He declined a fourth term. He is an accomplished bandmaster and for one season was inspector of music in the Jersey City parks.
160
Walter Hayur
ALTER Payne, proprietor of the well known pawnshop at 250 Newark avenne, Jersey City, sometimes known as " The Old Curiosity Shop." conducts the oldest established business of the kind in New Jersey. He succeeded F. W. Payne in the business, which was established in 1804. and has successfully conducted it for the past several years in a high class manner which has made for him friends of many of those who have been compelled, through force of circumstances, to seek his aid in assisting them over rough financial places. The business is not incorporated, but is owned entirely by Mr. Payne. who, in addition to acting as pawnbroker, carries a full and regular line of watches, diamonds and jewelry. Mr. Payne has a second store at 408 Jackson avenue. Jersey City, and this is conducted along the same lines as the parent store on Newark avenue.
Walter Payne is one of the solid business men of Jersey City. He is among the most respected citizens. With his family he lives at 18 Duncan avenue, and here he finds his greatest enjoyment after a day of activity in his extensive business enterprises. He is a man of modest tastes and cares little for frivolity of any kind. His business and his family are his two greatest hobbies.
Being in business in Jersey City for so long a time he is naturally keen and alive in his interests for his home city. He has never dabbled extensively in politics, but he has always been a close observer of political events and taken as active an interest as a business man without desire of fee or reward takes in these matters. In business circles his interest has been as keen as in politics. He always had an abiding faith in the future of Jersey City, and he believes that the time is coming, and is not far distant, when the city will be of much greater importance, commercially and industrially, than at the present time. He is a staunch supporter of the commission form of government. and believes that with capable business men at the head of various departments progress will be made faster in the future than in the past.
Although devoting most of his time and energy to his business and his family, Mr. Payne finds time to mingle with his fellow business men and to lend his aid to any movement which he thinks is for the better interests of the city and county. He is a man of few words, of decided opinions and of prompt action. His counsel is greatly sought by business men because of his long experi- ence and his ability to advise rightly when matters of more than passing moment are being discussed and when problems of importance are under discussion.
When Mr. Payne starts out to do a thing he does it and does it well. This is a characteristic which has dominated his entire business, social and personal career. It is his indomitable energy that has made his business so great a success that a second store of the same kind in the same town was made possible. It is his personality that has advanced him socially. It is his dignity that has made his personality marked among his fellows.
Mr. Payne believes pawnbroking is as necessary to the unfortunate as the banker is to the business man. He has always acted toward his patrons as if they were doing a banking business with him. He has never taken advantage of the misfortunes of others to enrich himself. He has always been as liberal as good business would permit. He believes pledges left in his hands are trusts reposed in him. He has never sold a pledge as long as there was a possible chance of its redemption by the owner. He charges only the minimum rate of interest allowed by law. There are no extra charges for his services. He treats his patrons with every consideration. He finds it pays to do so. It is in this manner his pawnbroking trade has been built up. He has patrons in his regular jewelry business who have appealed to him for aid in his role of pawnbroker. and this speaks volumes for the treatment which has almost invariably made his patrons his friends.
CONTENTS
Title Page
1
Law
Introductory
Finance
Hudson County
Industrial Progress in Hudson County ..
Jersey City
11
Medicine
115
Hoboken
12
Real Estate in Hudson County 129
Bayonne
Men of Affairs
143
North Hudson
Abbott, Leon
52
Loewy, Morris
152
American Lead Pencil Co.
Lorillard Co., P.
97
American Novelty Printing & Embossing
Lugosch. Joseph
135
Works
89
Mel'affery. James
48
Ammon & Person
160
Mahnken, Alfred J.
142
Amon, Philip L.
157
Marnell, John J.
42
Atkinson Co., W. H
93
Maupai Dyeing Co., F. P.
S1
Bellman Brook Bleachery Co.
137
Milton, John
42
Bermes, Daniel
49
Moos' Central Hotel and Hofbrauhaus, Aug.
102
Besson, Samuel Austin
38
Mountain Ice co.
100
Blair, John Albert
53
Mueller Co., C. F.
106
Bradley. W. H.
55
Neilson, Charles H.
137
Brensinger. George Frederick
150
New York & New Jersey Crematory
90
Rroeser. Henry V.
124
126
Brunswick Laundry
138
L'' Neill, William
155
Burhorn, Carl Alfred
29
Paganelli, T. Richard
127
Carey, Robert
5x
Payne, Walter
161
Carsten. Adolph C.
5.9
Pendergast, Nathan H
37
Columbia Silk Dyeing Works
134
Randall. Charles W.
132
Pranwell & Son, George W.
14-1
Rath, Robert J.
141
Demarest. Abraham J.
113
Reitor. Joseph Manuel
121
Dibelka, Otto
114
Reiling & Schorn
72
Dirtz. (harlex
Reiner Importing Co., Robert
73
Eberhard, Frederick N.
107
Rieser, Robert
153
Elia, D. B.
159
Savage Baking Co.
109
Emery, Captain John MI.
113
Schlemm. William
15 1
Eppinger. Albert C.
103
Schwarzenbach. Huber Co.
Findlay & Co .. A. L.
105
Sheridan. John H.
Fleckenstein's Sons, Ed.
19
S mon Co., R. & H.
Garde, Henry A
54
Simpson. Charles E. S.
40
Gardner & Meeks Co.
41
Standard Oil Co.
147
Gilchrist. Charles Alexander
123
Stehn. H William
Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co.
154
Stellwagen. Frederick Byron
122
Griffin, Patrick R.
133
Stevens, Richard
47
Hansen & Hansen
114
Stewart Co .. Thomas J
148
Harmon. Thomas J
75
Stover. Edward
54
Hexamer Riding Academy
111
Sullivan. James A.
55
Highland Trust Co. of New Jersey
63
Thomson. James
135
Horwood & Co., E. H.
119
Tissot. C. A.
60
Hotwet, Henry Ameroy
65
Union Iron Works
92
Hunsicker, Alvin
79
Verdon. William P.
139
Janssen. F. W.
94
Vivarttas, Percie A.
136
Jersey City Poster Advertising Co.
125
Walscheid. J. Emil
43
Kamlah. William
56
Weber. Charles
83
Kennedy, Joseph J.
158
Wrehawken Dry Dock Co.
108
Kinkead. T. C.
135
West Hoboken
Novelty
& Embroidery
Kleinke, August
50
Works
74
Leake, Eugene Walter
51
White, William H.
131
Iwonard, Clement De R
$ 4
Wirtz. Louis J.
120
Lichtenstein, Julius
11 %
Umansky, Morris
Hudson & Manhattan Railroad Co.
145
Union Trust Co.
62
Independent Lamp & Wire Co.
Vroman. Julius
Justin. Arthur William
Walsh, John J.
60
Kavanagh, William A.
110
Weizmann. F.
150
Elwell, Frank Edwin
148
Schimper & Co .. William
Garde, Henry J.
Speer. William H.
Carven, Pierre P.
Steinhoff. Herman C.
Hagens, Fred.
140
Stillman. Thomas Bliss
45
Ciccarelli, A O. .
Max. Lewis
Itwell. David Roger
122
Mayer, David
96
Besson, John William Rufus
4 6
Brand, Isidor H.
Nichols. G. Louis
11G
104
Wlpp. Archibald Ernest
Pierson, John D.
$5
McEwan, George J.
Applegate, lvins D.
36
162
Hefti, M.
130
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
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