USA > New York > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and family history of New York, Volume IV > Part 10
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George L. Gilham, eldest child and only surviving son of Samnel W. and Sarah Maria (Dodd) Gilham, was born in Mac- dongal street, New York City, November 28, 1855. He attended the Downing street public school, and also public school No. 35, of this city, and upon the completion of his education entered the employ of his father in the undertaking establishment of the latter. Under the able tuition of his father he soon mas- tered all the details of this line of business thoroughly, and his enterprise and progress gave matters a new impetns. He he- came associated as a partner with his father in 1880, and ten years later established a business for himself. In this he has been eminently snecessful, as he keeps well abreast of the times in every direction, and is always ready to adopt new methods as soon as he has convinced himself of their worth and prac-
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ticability. His tact and sympathy have won him many friends in this most trying and difficult line of business. He has also been the sexton of Christ Protestant Episcopal Church for twenty-seven years. He is connected with the following organ- izations : Secretary of the New York State Undertakers' Asso- ciation since 1900; secretary of the New York City and County Undertakers' Association; member of Empire City Council, No. 557, Royal Arcanum; and member of Ericson Council, No. 26, Loyal Association.
He was married in Christ Protestant Episcopal Church, New York, August 3, 1881, to Gertrude Hutchinson Combes, daughter of Edward R. and Elizabeth Ann (Snedeker) Combes, and they have had children: Gertrude, who died in childhood; Florence Louise, married Harry Barrington Coolidge; Edith May; and John Russell.
GEORGE CRETER.
George Creter, a leading manufacturer of New York city, is a native of Germany, born in the village of Bessingen, prov- ince of Hesse-Darmstadt, May 12, 1848. His parents were Philip and Christina Elenora (Geyer) Creter, both natives of the same place. The father was born October 22, 1816, and became an accomplished machinist. In September, 1844, with his wife and four children, he came to the United States, locating in New York city. He worked at his trade until 1872, and in that year removed to Elizabeth, New Jersey, where he entered the employ of the Singer Sewing Machine Company, which he served with fidelity and ability for the long period of forty years. His closing days were passed in a pleasant well earned retirement. Mr. and Mrs. Creter were the parents of nine children, of whom the first-born died in childhood. The other children were: George, to be further referred to; Elizabeth,
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wife of George Kling, resides in Elizabethport, New Jersey; Lonis, married Hannah Pront, and resides in Elizabethport; Christiana, died at the age of nineteen years; Christina, wife of Henry Ahrens, and resides in Elizabethport; Rosina Henri- etta, wife of William Hoff, and resides in Elizabethport; Will- iam, married Louisa Prout, and resides in Elizabethport; Henry, died in youth.
George Creter, second child of Philip and Christina (Geyer) Creter, was a lad of six years when the family came to the United States. He had begun his education in Germany, and here he attended the public schools and the Cooper Union night school, acquiring a thorough knowledge of the English language, as well as of other branches necessary for a business career. He learned the trade of machinist with Christian Wu- terich, and after completing his apprenticeship worked as a journeyman and foreman for a period of nine years. In 1881 he became associated with Charles Mund, as a member of the firm of Mund & Creter, machinists, and continued until June, 1889, when the partnership was dissolved. Mr. Creter continuing the business alone until January 5, 1899, when his son Philip be- came partner with him in the firm of George Creter & Son, in which form it was successfully continued until July 21, 1902, when it was dissolved. A thoroughly equipped practical ma- chinist, George Creter had, in 1885, while a member of the firm of Mund & Creter, become interested in the manufacture of dress trimming machinery, and in that year he organized the Union Quilting Company, from which he retired two years later. For twenty years past the firm of George Creter has continued business at the present location, SS-90 Walker street, Manhattan.
Mr. Creter is prominent in varions social and fraternal organizations: Columbia Lodge, No. 484, Free and Accepted Masons; Hancock Lodge, No. 49, Independent Order of Odd
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Fellows, in which he is past noble grand, and Humboldt En- campment, No. 74. of the same order, in which he is past chief patriarch; the Machinists' Association; and Franz Schubert Mannerchor, of which he was the first president, holding that office for four years, and now honorary president.
He married, May 16. 1869. Caroline Ensmenger, danghter of Jacob Ensmenger, and they became the parents of the fol- lowing named children: 1. Philip, born August 5, 1871; for fifteen years he was associated with his father in business; he is now a member of the Manhattan Perforated Metal Company ; he married, February 1, 1905, Katie Ratz, has one child, Alice. 2. Jennie, born February 12, 1873, wife of William O. Schmitt. 3. George. Jr., born July 5, 1875, who is in his father's employ ; married Margaret Laffin; one living child, William, born De- cember 23, 1904, two died in childhood. 4. Frank, born July 1, 1877. married Martha Schmidt; one child, Frank, born May 8, 1906. 5. Jacob, died in childhood. 6. Ernst. 7. Martha, born Angust 11, 1881, wife of Henry Ward Stewart. 8. Wil- helmina. born December 2, 1883, wife of George V. Rasmussen, one child, Jennie, born May 15, 1905. The family attends the Lutheran Church.
R. KINDERMAN & SON.
The Kinderman family originated in the province of Sax- ony, Germany, where, in the town of Zeitz, was born, April 29, 1829, Robert Kinderman, Senior, a son of Joseph and Johanna Kinderman, who were natives of the same village with himself. He learned his trade as a cutler in that place, after the thor- ough fashion characteristic of his nationality and of that early day, and was known as a most accomplished mechanic. Desir- ing a broader field for his activities, in 1859, when thirty years of age, he came to the United States, and for about six years
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worked as a journeyman in various of the leading cutlery estab- lishments of the city, and then entered upon business for him- self, in which he continued during the remainder of his life. His first venture was at 164 (now 509) East Eleventh street, where he continued in business until his death. He married in his native town, Theresa Oehler.
Robert Kinderman, Junior, son of Robert and Theresa (Oehler) Kinderman, was born May 17, 1858, in the same vi !- lage as were his parents, and was one of nine children. of whom only himself and his brother William, residing in Switzerland. are now living. Robert was two years old when his parents emigrated to the United States. He was educated in the pub- lic school in Twelfth street, and in the grammar school in Four- teenth street, receiving an ample training for his business life. He learned his trade under the masterly direction of his father, and became equally thorough and expert in all departments. In 1886 he engaged in business for himself at 143 Center street, subsequently removing to 170, same street, and then to 159 Ludlow street. In 1892 he became a partner with Emil Jacob. son, succeeding to the entire business after the death of that gentleman, whose interest he purchased from the estate. In 1902 he sold out this business, and for one year was with the firm of W. H. Sample & Sons, Albany, New York. In 1903 he purchased his present business at 67 Marion street. His estab- lishment is complete in all its branches, and includes a full line of all sorts of tailors' shears, cloth workers' knives, house- hold and pocket cutlery, etc.
Mr. Kinderman is active in various social and fraternal organizations: The Mozart Verein of New York, the Mozart Beneficial Society, and Pyramus Lodge, No. 200, Knights of Pythias. In 1878 he revisited his native land, and in the village were he was born married Selma Wetzel, who was also born
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there, the ceremony being performed on Christmas Day of that year. The children born of this marriage were as follows: Martha, wife of George Frondel; Ernest, junior member of the firm of R. Kinderman & Son; Elsie; Anna; and two who died in childhood. The family attend the Evangelical Lutheran church.
WILLIAM SCHMACHTENBERG.
William Schmachtenberg, senior member of the firm of Schmachtenberg Brothers, manufacturers of fine pocket cutlery, scissors and razors, offices Nos. 66-68 Reade street, New York, with factories at Solingen, Germany, is a native of Germany.
This business was established in Germany by Frederick Schmachtenberg, father of William Schmachtenberg, near Sol- ingen, 1851, and is still in existence and conducted by William and Ewald Selnachtenberg, the former giving his attention to the New York branch, and the latter, a resident of Solingen, taking entire charge of the factory. Their goods are of the very finest quality, and the business is entirely wholesale, goods be- ing sold to the trade in all parts of the world. The present New York branch was established in 1886 by William Schmach- tenberg at No. 143 Chambers street, later removed to No. 8 Warren street. then to No. 98 Chambers street, where business was conducted for ten years, and in 1903 to the present place, Nos. 66-68 Reade street. Frederick Schmachtenberg, the founder, was born near Solingen, Rhine Province, Germany, August 12, 1822. He spent his entire life in his native province, was one of the leading manufacturers of cutlery, and a well known and prominent citizen, held in high esteem. His mar- riage to Margaret Hugenpot, a native of Rhine province, Ger- many, now deceased, occurred in the vicinity of Solingen, Ger- many. Mr. Schmachtenberg died July 26, 1897. The only
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surviving members of the family are William and Ewald, who comprise the firm of Schmachtenberg Brothers.
William Schmachtenberg was educated in his native land, learned the trade of cutlery manufacturing with his father, be- coming thoroughly proficient in all its branches, and in 1878 he and his brother, above mentioned, succeeded to his father's bu si- ness. In 1886 William left his native land for a home in the new world, and since that year has been a continuous resident of New York, making his home in the borough of Brooklyn. He was married in Solingen, Germany, May, 1877. to Ida Hele.1 Kullen, a native of Solingen, and their children are: Adele, born April 8, 1878; Matilda; Frederick William; Eugene, and Max Henry. The family attend the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
OTTO KUESTER.
Otto Kuester, a progressive and enterprising business man of New York city, is the proprietor of an old established ent- lery house at No. 48 Center street, in this city. He is not a native of this country, but seems to have adopted for his own the practical business methods of this country.
Otto Kuester, father of Otto Kuester, was born in Solingen, Prussia, in 1843. Solingen is famous for the manufacture of its fine cutlery, and it was in his native town that Mr. Kuester learned his trade of manufacturing cutlery. He followed this occupation in Germany until the year 1875, when he came to the United States and located in the city of New York. Here he worked at his trade mtil 1880, when he established himself in business at No. 46 Center street, and continued actively en- gaged in this until the time of his death, which occurred March 5, 1897. He was a member of the Legion of Honor and of the Order of Germania. He married, in Germany, Augusta and they had five children: Otto, of whom a sketch fol- Vol. IV -- 9
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lows; Paul, resides in Hoboken, New Jersey; Frederick; Louisa Augusta; and Herman.
Otto Kuester, eldest child of Otto and Augusta Kuester, was born in Solingen, Prussia, Germany, March 6, 1869. He came to the United States with his parents when but seven years of age, and was educated in the public schools of New York city. Here, also, he learned the trade of manufacturing fine cutlery under the personal supervision and in the business of his father. The knowledge thus gained was thorough and prac- tical, and at the death of his father he was able to take full charge of the business, and continued to conduct it on its pre- vious successful lines. Later his brothers, Paul, who died Octo- ber 8. 1905, and Herman, entered the business with him. While Mr. Kuester has developed the business in all directions, he makes a specialty of the polishing and grinding of all kinds of entlery-bookbinders' and lithographers' tools, machinery. knives, etc. His firm is also the agent for a number of business houses, among which may be mentioned the following: L. & I. J. White Company, machine knives, of Buffalo, New York; J. Jacques Sons, card and paper shears, Worcester, Massachu- setts; Robinson & Company, scoring machines, of Hyde Park, Massachusetts. Mr. Kuester is an up-to-date business man, quick to see an opportunity and ready to grasp it. He is a man of great energy and keeps well abreast of the times.
Mr. Kuester married, in Hoboken, New Jersey, March 9, 1896, Elizabeth Spangenberg, born in Hoboken, daughter of Louis and Katherine Spangenberg, and they have had five chil- dren: Augusta, Elizabeth, Lina, Otto, Jr., and Louis Walter. Mr. Kuester and his family are members of and regular at- tendants at the German Evangelical Church of Hoboken, in which Mr. Kuester is a deacon and trustee.
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CHRISTIAN FREDERICK GRUNEWALD.
Christian Frederick Grunewald, for many years in business as sexton and undertaker, with offices at No. 351 Broome street and No. 2134 Eighth avenne, is descended from a respected fam- ily of Germany. Frederick Grunewald, father of Christian Fred- erick Grunewald, was born in Schweinfurth, Bavaria, Germany, died August 21, 1869. He was a son of Frederick N. and Sophia Grunewald. He acquired his education and studied surgery and dentistry in his native land. He practiced his profession there for some time, and then emigrated to America, and landed in New York city. He opened an office on Canal street, and later another on Eighth avenue. He continued the active practice of his profession until a few years previous to his death. He married Eleanora Kurtz, born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, died December 31, 1899. Their children were: Sophia; Elea- nora, died in infancy ; Frederica, died in girlhood; Frederick N., died September, 1895; he was connected with the banking house of Van Emberg & Atterbury for twenty-seven years; Christian Frederick, see forward.
Christian Frederick Grunewald, only surviving son of Fred- erick and Eleanora (Kurtz) Grunewald, was born in Canal street, New York city, June 8, 1856. He was educated in the parochial and public schools, and then learned the trade of manu- facturing perfumery and novelties. While he was learning this he was also engaged in the study of anatomy. He purchased the New York Burial Company in 1890, and engaged in the under- taking business on Broome street, and nine years later opened his offices and rooms on Eighth avenue. He has been the sexton of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, and served as deacon of that institution for fifteen years. He is also the sexton and under- taker of the Church of the Redeemer, Bethlehem Church of Christian Science, No. 228 West Forty-fifth street, Protestant
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Episcopal Church of the Archangel, now All Souls, Lithuanian Society of New York, and the Lithuanian Congregation of New York, and the Norwegian Church, East One Hundred and Twen- ty-third street. He is a member of the United States Embalming Association, the New York Embalming Association, the United German Society of New York, of which he was a member of the board for three years, and various important social, fraternal and benevolent organizations. For ten years he was connected with the German branch of the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion, and held the office of secretary. He was also, by appoint- ment, sexton of the Chapin Home for the Aged and Infirm, on Sixty-sixth street, near Lexington avenue. He is a licensed em- balmer. Personally it may be said of Mr. Grunewald that he is a public-spirited citizen and has lent his efforts to many meri- torions objects. He is always ready to give any assistance in his power to the furtherance of all laudable undertakings which have as their object the advancement of the general good. He mar- ried, November 22, 1880, Eliza Anna Christ, a native of New York, of German descent.
CHARLES HENRY GRAVES.
Charles Henry Graves, well known as an undertaker and embalmer, and connected for a number of years with the Mount Olivet Baptist Church, was born in Savannah, Georgia, Novem- ber 24, 1858. He is a son of Edmund and Lucy (Buckley) Graves, both natives of Georgia, where their lives were spent and where they died. Charles Henry received his education in the public schools of Savannah, and later worked for three years as a machinist. In 1871 he came to New York, and was engaged as a waiter at St. Mark's Hotel, Staten Island, for three seasons, spending the winter in the south,"and in 1877 he removed to Utica, where he remained for one year, then to Chicago, Illinois,
Patrick Hart
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for three years, and finally returned to New York. He was em- ployed with the Pullman Tourist Car Company for many years, eight years of this time in special service. Was with the New York Central railroad in 1895-96, and was then engaged in real estate business for nine years. At the end of this period he established himself in the undertaking and embalming business, in which he is engaged very profitably at the present time. He is a gradnate of the Training School for Embalmers, and is con- nected with the following organizations: Manhattan Lodge, No. 5477, Grand United Order of Odd Fellows; Adelphi Union Lodge, No. 14, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is chap- lain; supreme chief ranger of the Ancient. Order of Foresters of the United States; past officer of Lees Lodge, No. 108, Good Samaritans; past worthy chief of Henry J. Yonng Tabernacle, No. 97, Society of Moses.
PATRICK HART.
Patrick Hart, deceased, was born in connty Kilkenny, Ire- land, February 22, 1829. In 1849, just before attaining his ma- jority, he came to the United States, locating in New Brunswick, New Jersey, where he completed his apprenticeship and soon afterwards engaged in the blacksmithing business. In 1859 he removed to New York, and engaged in his trade as a journeyman, and in 1873 opened a shop of his own at 589 Washington street, in the old Greenwich village, which he conducted with marked snecess until his death, and which is now owned and operated by his son, William P. Mr. Hart was an active, energetic man of affairs, in full sympathy with the progress of the city and its people, a substantial supporter of all legitimate business enter- prises, as well as of churches and schools, also of varions char- itable institutions, which he made the objects of his liberal aid, while many personal benefactions to the sick and poor went un-
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heralded save by their recipients. It was said of him that no worthy object of charity was ever overlooked by him, and that no appeal for assistance was ever made to him in vain. He was a devont Catholic, first a member of St. Joseph's Church and a communicant of St. Veronica's Church. He was a charter mem- ber of St. Vincent de Paul Society, in which he was deeply in- terested, and he was an active and influential member of the Father Matthew Total Abstinence Society.
He married, in New Brunswick, New Jersey, Margaret Fitz- gerald, a native of Waterford, Ireland, and to them were born ten children, of whom six are living: Margaret, wife of Dr. John Burnett, of Scranton, Pennsylvania; William P., to be further referred to; Mary E., wife of James Carroll; Elizabeth T .; Cath- erine E., wife of Lewis F. O'Connor; and Edward. By a second union of Patrick Hart with Mary Walsh, widow of Patrick Walsh, there was born one daughter, Mary Veronica Hart. Mr. Hart died Jannary 1, 1901.
The Saint Vincent de Paul Quarterly, of February, 1902, speaks of Mr. Hart in the following terms: "Mr. Hart was of that type of stanch Catholicity of which every generation pro- duces a few examples. After long years of service in old St. Joseph's Conference, he was one of the first to lend a helping hand to the late Father Fitzharris in forming the new parish of St. Veronica, and, by his wise counsel and pious example, was in a great measure instrumental in making it the successful parish
that it is today. Ever ready and alert, he never spared time or means in looking after the poor, and being a true Vincentian, a Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul was soon or- ganized in the new parish with Mr. Hart as first president, which office he held until his death. The members of his Conference, young and old, can never forget the kind heart and charitable spirit of this true apostle of Ozanam, and they will often remem-
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ber the beautiful verses he used to recite for their edification and his strict conformity to the rules of the society when con- ducting the business of the meeting. Mr. Hart was a sufferer from paralysis for many years, and he felt that his time would not be long; but, like a good soldier, he never shirked a duty nor absented himself from a meeting when he was able to attend. There were times when, hardly able to walk, he would drag him- self to the meeting room of the Conference and show by his zeal and charity that God had given him the grace of final perse- verance, an end for which he prayed most fervently. His ex- emplary life and sterling qualities won for him the esteem and respect of all who knew him, especially the poor, for many a home was made cheerful and many a family was relieved of the burden of a funeral bill by his charity, the greater part of which the world will never know. Mr. Hart approached the Holy Table frequently, and had the consolations of religion at the hour of his death. May he rest in peace."
William P. Hart, son of Patrick and Margaret (Fitzgerald) Hart, was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, November 7, 1855. He received a practical education in the public and paro- chial schools. He learned his trade under the masterly direction of his father, with whom he constantly labored until the death of the parent, when he entered upon the conduct of the business in his own interest, and in which he is yet successfully engaged. He has also proven a worthy successor to his estimable father, fully identified with all the best interests of the community, en- tirely upright in all his business dealings with his fellows, and emulating the example of the parents in his devotion to religion and charity. He and his family are actively identified with St. Veronica's Church, in which he himself was reared.
Mr. Hart was married, in New York, January 29, 1901, to
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Mary E. Lamey, daughter of James and Sarah Lamey, and to them have been born two children: Catherine Mary and Mar- garet M.
CHARLES C. ASMUSSEN.
Charles C. Asmussen, well and widely known as an under- taker and embalmer, with a place of business located at No. 355 Bleecker street, New York city, is the proprietor of a business which has descended from father to son. He is a native of this country, but traces his ancestry to Germany, and has inherited their excellent habits of thrift and industry.
John Frederick Asmussen, father of Charles C. Asmussen, was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, June 12, 1838, died in Jersey City, New Jersey. December 14, 1905. He was bnt four- teen years of age, when he emigrated to the United States and settled in Jefferson, Sullivan county, New York, where he worked for some time in a tannery. Later he removed to New York city, where he found employment as a clerk in a grocery store, and subsequently engaged in the undertaking business with Peter Asmussen, and upon the retirement of the latter from active duties, purchased the business and condneted it until 1902, when his son. Charles C., took it in charge. John Frederick also suc- ceeded Peter Asmussen as sexton of St. John's Evangelical Church, and faithfully and efficiently performed the duties con- nected with that office for twenty years. He was a member of Herman Lodge, No. 268, Free and Accepted Masons, and the State Undertakers' Association. He married, in New York city, Mary Meyn, and had children: Annie, deceased; John F., Jr., deceased ; Jacob H .; Albertina; Elizabeth; William F., deceased; Charles C., see forward ; and Edward, deceased.
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