USA > New York > Bronx County > History of Bronx borough, city of New York : compiled for the North side news > Part 24
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W. C. Stephens, Police, Eighty-fifth Street and Sixth Avenue. Williamsbridge ; 1294 Hoe Street.
Thomas Heatley, Jr., 1421 Bryant Street.
C. C. Jorgensen, Builder, 1283 Hoe Street.
FAIRMOUNT ASSOCIATION.
C V. Hally, Manager, 1014 East 175th Street; East 175th Street, Fairmount.
Douglas Mathewson, Lawyer, 2085 Washington Avenue; Wash- ington Avenue and ISoth Street.
MAPES ESTATE ASSOCIATION.
F. A. Harnett, Commonwealth Avenne.
Chas. Donahne, Commonwealth Avenue.
W. H. Parker, Clerk. 145 Rosedale Avenue.
T. M. Harnett. Commonwealth Avenne.
M. M. Briody, Foreman, 172 Commonwealth Avenue.
S. Rydell, Carpenter, West Farms Road.
EAST TREMONT TAXPAYERS' ASSOCIA HON
Chas. Forbach, 1919 Prospect Avenue. C. McCrae, 1034 Fast ISoth Street.
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HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
J. W. Campbell, Real Estate, 2003 Boston Road; West Farms Square.
Geo. Dennerlein, Agent, 179th Street, near Honeywell Avenue; 2036 Honeywell Avenue.
Thos. Jones, Builder, 2130 Mapes Avenue.
Jno. Vogel, 1197 East 178th Street.
C. A. McCrea, 1034 East 180th Street.
H. Mahnkin, Electrician, 18Ist Street and Mohegan Avenue.
HUGHES AVENUE ASSOCIATION.
E. C. O'Gorman, Artist, 2167 Hughes Avenue. E. J. Taroff.
Mr. Klees, Patent Medicines, 2162 Hughes Avenue.
Mr. Habermann, Express, 1579 Bathgate Avenue; Tremont P. H. Heany, Real Estate, 770 Tremont Avenue.
J. J. Sheridan, Clerk, 983 East 170th Street.
Mr. Rhing.
O'NEILL ESTATE ASSOCIATION.
Albert Belling, Clerk, 177th Street, near Westchester Avenue.
F. Frankenberg, Carpenter, 178th Street, near Watson Street; 178th Street and Bronx Park.
Theo. Berge, 178th Street and Bronx Park Avenue.
EAST MORRISANIA PROPERTY OWNERS' ASSOCIA- TION.
William G. Watter, 518 Wales Avenue.
Hermann Justa, Piano Maker, 452 Wales Avenue. Peter Freiss, 536 Union Avenue.
Anthony McOwen, Builder, 515 Wales Avenue.
KINGSBRIDGE ASSOCIATION.
H. H. Browne, Clerk, Custom House, Sedgwick and Boston Avenues.
Jamies H. Kiernan, Clerk, 1005 Crotona Avenue, Kingsbridge. A. S. Hutchins, Lawyer, 253 West IoIst Street.
C. R. Meyer, Surveyor, Woodlawn Road and Decatur Avenue. Richard Alexander. Real Estate, Marble Hill, Kingsbridge; mem- ber of Real Estate Spr., City of New York.
Thos. D. Tighe, 15 Gouverneur Place.
THROGG'S NECK ASSOCIATION.
James B. Kelly, Carpenter, Elliott Avenue, near Eastern Boule- vard, Throgg's Neck.
William Henderson, Jr., Builder, Eastern Boulevard.
F. W. Jackson, Throgg's Neck.
S. Duncan Marshall. Country Club, Throgg's Neck. William Cokely, Throgg's Neck.
FOX ESTATE AND VICINITY.
John Stevens, Piano Maker, 373 College Avenue; 1372 Stebbins Avenue.
Thos. Riley, Carpenter, 2372 Wilkins Place.
Otto Vogel, 1310 Stebbins Avenue. Geo. Walter, 1385 Bristow Street.
Nic. W. Ryan, Contractor, 1444 Boston Avenue.
Jos. Parley, Real Estate, 1396 Boston Avenue. Jas. Tailer, 1068 Jennings Street ..
T. E. Grace and Wm. Butler, ex-officio members. James Moore, 1166 Simpson Street.
J. J. Sailer, Cambreling Avenue and East 180th Street.
J. Morrow, 1325 Bristow Street.
PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION, MAPES ESTATE.
P. H. McDonough, St. Lawrence Avenue. C. A. Rochell, 61 St. Lawrence Avenue. Jchn Riesenmacher, St. Lawrence Avenue. John Slater, Commonwealth Avenue and West Farms Road. J. W. Unever, St. Lawrence Avenue.
E. Mayer, Commonwealth Avenue. Michael Carey, St. Lawrence Avenue.
The Twenty-third Ward Property Owners' Association is another one of the progressive civic bodies of the Bronx. Com- posed of the foremost citizens of the lower sections of the bor- ough, it watched with a scrutinizing eye every move that has tended to enhance the growth of the Bronx. While it has striven earnestly for every measure that would tend to benefit the masses, it has shown a bitter opposition to that which would benefit a few at the expense of the masses.
The Improvement League of the Forty-fourth Aldermanic District is another of the prominent property owners' associa - tions that has proven of great benefit to the territory in which it is located. Being within the zone where the greatest public improvements are destined to take place, it has proven a bulwark against the rapaciousness of those who would gloat in the prac- tical extinction of the humble citizen for the benefit of the more affluent. The gallant fight it made on the map question, saving thousands of property owners from practical confiscation of their holdings, its long and unwearied fight on the White Plains avenue widening; its advocacy of the laying out of several wide streets from Webster avenue east to the Sound as the preliminary to systematic sewer construction proves conclusively that it ha- the interests of the people in that section at stake.
It is indeed a cheering sight when property owners are seen to combine as one man in the urging of needed improve- ments or the opposing of schemes for the enrichment of a few at the expense of the many. "In union there is strength" ha- had a striking illustration in the gathering together of the peo- ple in the various sections in order to have a voice in public matters, and is sufficient guarantee that the citizenship of the Bronx is fully alive to its duties, and that the future of the borough is no uncertain quantity in political economics.
CHAPTER XXXIX
THE ASSOCIATION OF THE BAR, IN THE BOROUGH OF THE BRONX, IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK
By H. Gerald Chapin, Professor of Law, Fordham University, Editor "The American Lawyer," Law Editor "The American Banker" and "The Business Man's Magazine," Etc.
"Let our alliance be combined, Our best friends made, and our best means stretch'd out ; And let us presently go sit in council, How covert matters may be best disclosed And open perils surest answered." -- Shakespeare.
To the situation of this borough which, anomalous among the five units comprising New York City, is deprived of advantages flowing from a separate county government, must largely be ascribed the late development of the esprit de corps, which manifests itself in the formation of bar associations. Where the courts are, there will the lawyers be found, and possessing none but an interior tribunal to which resort might be ha 1, many members of our bar found it preterable to establish their offices within the proverbial "stones throw" of the American "Salle des pas perdus" in City Hall Park. It is therefore in no wise surprising that the "Association of the Bar of the Borough of the Bronx in the City of New York," to give its official title, should date its existence only from the year 1902.
In the spring of that year a meeting was held in the office of Seward Baker, at which the organization of the new body
was perfected. From the first the movement was successful. Fifty-one charter members* signed the roll, the association was incorporated, well appointed rooms were secured, and equipped with an excellent working library.
Article II of the Constitution shows us the objects which the organizers had in view. They are, it is declared, "to bring into closer union the members of the bar residing in the Borough of the Bronx, to increase their power of maintaining the honor and dignity of the profession, and their efficiency in the ad- ministration of justice, and to cultivate social intercourse among its members, particularly with a view of securing for the Bor- cugh of the Bronx its due recognition and representation in legal matters pertaining to this borough, and in which, as a borough, we are especially and particularly interested, and to secure and maintain a library for the use of its members."
Respecting qualifications for membership, a fraternal policy was adopted. 1Athough the association was formed by Bronx lawyers and in a sense is local, it is nevertheless declared by Article III that "any person in good standing who is a member of the bar residing or practicing in the City of New York, may
*The following comprise the charter members:
Hottenroth, Frederick W., 981 Prospect Avenue.
Knoepple, Harold C., 543 East 130th Street.
Knox, Arthur, 478 Mott Avenue. Mathewson, Douglas, 765 Tremont Avenue
Matthies, William T., 2001 Anthony Avenue.
Millard, Charles W., 25 Broad Street.
Millard, William J., 1585 Washington Avenue.
Miller, Cyrus C., Aqueduct Avenue, University Heights.
Miner, E. Daniel, 1150 Forest Avenue.
Mitchell, Richard H., 1216 Washington Avenue.
Clarke, George W. M., 165th Street and Clay Avenue.
Clocke, T. Emory, 1199 Boston Road.
Cohalan, John P., 982 Macy Place. Cooley, Alford Warriner, Westchester, N. Y.
O'Ryan, John F., 1043 Boston Road. Overington, Harry, 2706 Third Avenue.
Davis Henry K., 164th Street and College Avenue
Davis, John, 539 Fast 143d Street.
Dunn, John P., to2d Street and Creston Avenue.
Eustis, John E., Morris Heights.
Friedmann, Hermann G., 31 Nassau Street.
Furthman, Charle, A., 285 Alexander . ivenue, Gumbleton, Henry A .. 1280 Woodruff Street. Hall, Ernest, 1030 Boston Road.
Hallock, Charles P., 2087 Boston Road.
Hildredth, J. Homer, 606 East 136th Street.
Hottenroth, Adolph C., Mosholu Parkway and Decatur Avenue.
Pierce, Wm. H., 1865 Monroe Avenue. Power, Timothy, Silver Street, Westchester
Purroy, Henry D. (Deceased).
Salter, A. Oldrin, Creston Avenue and Igad Strect.
Sherman, Henry 11., 1006 Trinity Avenue.
Smith, W. Stebbins, Brook Avenue, near 163d Street.
Steinmuller, Geo. A., 178th Street and Concourse Talmage, John B., 294 Willis Avenue. Van Doren; Louis O., 295 Alexander Avenue.
Wahle, Charles G. F., 1239 Franklin Avenue. Warner, Wilfred H., 183d Street and Loring Place.
Weiffenbach, George W., 31 East 130th Street. Wray, Stephen, 1883 Vyse Street.
Allen, Augustus H., Southern Boulevard, Bedford Park. Andrews, W. Edson, 729 Tremont Avenue.
Baker, Seward, Westchester, New York City.
Bergman, Robert H., 571 East 155th Street. Berry, Joseph I., 2543 Valentine Avenue. Brady, John J., 2395 Valentine Avenue. Breen, Matthew P., 308 Alexander Avenue. Brown, Chas. Hilton, 167th Street and Lind Avenue. Butts, Arthur C., 1004 Trinity Avenue. Chapin, H. Gerald. East 149th Street and Bergen Avenue.
Miles, W'm. W., Woodlawn Road, Bedford Park.
£
175
HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
become a member by vote of the association on recommendation of the Committee on Membership, as herein provided, on sub- scribing to this constitution and paying the admission fee and dues herein provided. Members of the Bar of the State of New York, in good standing, may also become members of this asso- ciation, though not residing or practicing in the City of New York, and have all the privileges of the same, except that of voting.'
Monthly meetings are held (except during the summer), which rarely adjourn without the discussion and adoption of some plan for the advancement of the borough's interest. Two matters deserve special mention. The association has per- sistently urged the immediate erection of a court house in the Bronx. In this respect its efforts have been crowned with success, since the work of construction is now going forward upon the new building at 161st Street and Third Avenue.
The second project undertaken is as yet uncompleted. At three sessions of the Legislature a bill prepared by a committee of the association has been introduced, which if passed, will cperate to erect the Borough of the Bronx into a separate county, equipping it with all the machinery of justice which such an entity enjoys. Having committed itself to the measure with a full realization of its importance, a campaign of education will continue to be waged until autonomy is secured.
Nor must it be forgotten that it was the Bar Association which secured proper local representation among the city magis- trates. Three such judicial officers living in this borough, qualified to accept bail (Hon. Matthew P. Breen, Hon. Seward Baker, Hon. Charles G. F. Wahle), have been appointed. Thus the manifest hardship of requiring all persons arrested in a community of over three hundred thousand, to avail themselves of rights constitutionally secured only at needless expense of time and travel, has been removed.
While the Legislature is in session, a careful examination is made of proposed legislation and such bills as involve matters of interest to the profession, or affect the welfare of the borough, are reported by the Committee on Amendment of the Law, to the association for action.
W. Stebbins Smith, the first president, having been elected unanimously for three successive years, retired in 1905, and the office was filled by J. Homer Hildreth at the annual meeting in January of that year. In 1906 Mr. Hildreth succeeded himself, having again been the choice of all the members.
The first secretary, Charles P. Hallock (now one of the vice-presidents, the other being Arthur C. Butts, after likewise serving three successive terms, retired and the position is now held by Henry K. Davis. Augustus H. Allen, the first treasurer, was succeeded by Wilfred H. Warner.
There are. four permanent committees, which at the present time are composed of the following members:
Executive-Louis O. Van Doren, Ernest Hall, John J. Brady. Adolph C. Hottenroth.
On Membership-Douglas Mathewson, W. Stebbins Smith, Stephen Wray, Peter .A. Hatting.
On Amendment of Law-William E. Morris, H. Gerald Chapin, John P. Cohalan, Michael J. Sullivan.
Grievance-William T. Matthies, George A. Steinmuller, Weeks W. Culver, Charles A. Furthman.
The association now carries upon its rolls the names of eighty- one members of the bar, nearly all of whom reside within the limits of this borough. Though comparatively young in years, it has been productive of much good and to it the citizens of the Bronx are measurably indebted. If sincerity of purpose and earnestness of effort count for aught, it is destined to a career of usefulness and honor .*
*Since the charter roll was signed, the following have been admitted :
Amend, Alfred J., 1230 Tinton Avenue.
barnard, E. L., 15 William Street. Bell, Hal, Morris Heights.
Ketchum, E. Van Rensselaer, Woodycrest Ave. and 165th St. Langbein, J. C. Julius, 302 Broadway.
Culver, Weeks W., 614 East 138th Street.
Farley, Cornelius J., 680 East 136th Street.
Eckley, Earnest R., 377 East 176th Street. Frey, Gustave, 3391 Third Avenue.
Friess, Louis G., Woodycrest Avenue and 163d Street.
Morrison, Archie B., 684 East 143d Street.
Gaynor, James Edward, Bailey Avenue, Kingsbridge. Goodhue, Isaac W., 16oth Street, near Park Avenue. Griffin, Anthony J., 803 Cauldwell Avenue. Hatting, Peter A., 592 East 141st Street.
Hennessy, Joseph P., 1265 Boston Road.
Henning, Arthur A., Clinton Avenue, near 179th Street.
Hynes, John J., 181 Broadway.
Josephson, Max D., 2031 Valentine Avenue.
Kelly, Francis X., 265 Broadway.
Levin, Louis H., 967 Cauldwell Avenue.
Love, George A., 630 East 149th Street. McLaughlin, J. Fairfax, Jr., Pelham Ave., near Lorillard Plac- Morris, William E., 2780 Pond Place.
Scanlan, Michael J., 49 Chambers Street. Schulz, George M. S., 38 Park Row. Schaeffler, Frank, Grote Street and Cambreling Avenue.
Scoville, Addison B., 765 Tremont Avenue.
Sullivan, Michael J., 148th Street and Third Avenue.
Báshà
HON. CHARLES G. F. WAHLE
CHAPTER XL
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE BAR
Some of the Prominent Members of the Legal Fraternity of the Bronx
IION. CHARLES G. F. WAHLE was born in New York City on March 24. 1866. llis father was Carl G. F. Wahle, a veteran of the Civil War, well known in German veteran circles in New York City. He attended the public schools, the College of the City of New York and the University Law School. He read law in the office of Frederick H. Betts, at one time a partner of former Secretary of the Navy, William C. Whitney, and was later admitted to the bar. In 1890 Mayor Grant appointed him School Inspector for the Fifth Inspection District of the City of New York. He led the first fight for the introduction of electric lighting in schools in his district in the City of New York, succeeding in calling to his assistance such men as Charles F. Chandler, the late Professor Morton, of the Stevens Institute of Technology, Prof. Cross, of the Massachu- setts Institute of Technology of Boston, Prof. Freeman, of Wash- ington, and others. In 189t he was appointed one of the Com- missioners of Accounts of the City of New York by Mayor Grant, the salary of the office being $5,000; he was at the time just 25 years of age, and so far as the records of the City of New York show, was the youngest man who was ever the executive head of one of the municipal departments of the City of New York. llc was te-appointed to the office by Mayor Gilroy. During his in- cumbency of the office of Commissioner of Accounts, he con- ducted a public investigation into the accounts and methods of the Park Department, and succeeded in exposing a corrupt sy -. tem of management in various branches of the park system, which resulted in the enforced resignation of many of the super- intendents, and the flight from the city of the chief gardener. The reforms which have since been instituted in the Park De- partment, are the result of that administration. lle was the secretary of the committee having in charge the Columbian cele- bration in the City of New York, and was appointed by Mayor Gilroy a member of the committee to represent the city at the Manhattan Day celebration at the Chicago celebration. . He is a member of the Bar Association of the City of New York, the" Society of Medical Jurisprudence, Tammany Society and Ana wanda Club. lle is the chairman of the Executive Committee of the German Democracy of the City of New York, and had charge of the recent Democratic political campaign among Ger- mans in the City of New York. He is also a member of the Liederkranz, of which organization he has been one of the board of directors and trustee, of the German Press Club, of which organization he was for many years the chairman of the finance committee, the German Scientific Society of New York, and Alier. German social and charitable organizations. He was one vi the counsel who successfully appeared for the executive com- mittee of Tammany Hall in its fight to exclude William S. Devery from that body, is vice-chairman of the executive com- mittce of Tammany Hall, one of the vice presidents of the Gen
eral Committee of Tammany Hall for the Thirty-fifth Assembly District, and one of the vice-presidents of the Jefferson Tammany Club of the Thirty-fifth Assembly District. In addition to this, in matters local to the Bronx, he is a member of the Schnorer Club, North Side Board of Trade, Bar Association of the Bronx, a vestryman of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the Holy Faith, president of the General Church Club of the P. E. Church in the Bronx, and is a member of other organizations. Mr. Wahle was married to Miss Florence Katherine Budd. of Sag Harbor, who, with their four children occupy a handsome home at 1239 Franklin Avenue. On the Ist of May, 1905, inc was appointed a City Magistrate of the City of New York, for the First Division.
HON. SEWARD BAKER .- Judge Baker's story is one which the poor, aspiring youth, dependent on his own rewarded efforts, may take to heart. He is a shining example of what may be accomplished by industry and persistency. He is
JUDGE SEWARD BAKER
country born and raised. He hails from Clove, Dutchess County there he first saw the light. December 30, 1853. His early op portunities were limited. His education was received in the public schools of Poughkeepsie and his first employment was is clerk in a law office. From that he carved his way to a high place in the profession, not without difficulty and sacrifice however. He studied law while engaged in the offices of Milton A. Fowler and later Join Haskets, and was admitted to practice
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خ.م.
10 9474
طاسةسنة.
JUDGE MATTHEW P. BREEN
179
HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
in Brooklyn in the 70's. Even then he was obliged to stick to his cierical employment in the daytime, while he attended to his clients as he could, at niglit. He spent over nine years in Poughkeepsie and other places, thus slowly making his way. Then he removed to the Bronx in 1885, and between a daylight practice in New York and an evening practice in Westchester Village, managed to forge ahead. His strenuous efforts at last began to bear fruit; gradually he attained recognition and stand- ing, so that the old sacrifices were no longer necessary. Eventu- ally he came to be one of the most distinguished practitioners hereabouts. He has been attorney for the Dock Board and was appointed judge in 1903. He is a Republican in politics and a member of the Republican Club of the City of New York and of the Bronx, and the Bar Association of the City of New York. He belongs also to the Bronx Board of Trade, the Dutchess County Club of New York and other organizations. He is chiefly devoted, however, to his official duties and to his home. Hle married, October 25, 1876, Miss Helena C. Anthes, of Pough- keepsie. They have one child, Mrs. James Elgar of the Bronx.
MATTHEW P. BREEN, one of our city magistrates, is an old resident of the Bronx. He has been identified for a number of years past with the progess of this section of the city, in several capacities, public and private. One of his best achievements was laying the foundation of our magnificent park system. That he is the author of this splendid system is not open to question. The legislative records establish that fact.
The history of the public parks of the Bronx is sufficiently interesting to warrant a brief synopsis from authentic sources.
Mr. 'Breen was elected to the State Assembly of 1882, repre- senting substantially what is now the Bronx, but then popu- larly known as the Annexed District, constituting the Twenty- fourth .Assembly District, and embracing the Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth Wards of the city. It had, at that time, a popu- lation of about fifty thousand.
In introducing the following resolution in the Assembly, for the creation of our parks, and which was successfully car- ried through by Mr. Breen, it will be observed that the author of the resolution then made a prediction which has since been amply fulfilled.
In the Assembly Journal of 1882, pages 135-141 (Legislative Session of February 14, 1882), will be found this important record :
"Mr. Breen offered for the consideration of the House a resolution in the words following :
"Whereas, that portion of the City of New York known as the Annexed District, comprising the Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth Wards, affords unusual facilities for the con- struction of public parks and it is desirable in anticipation of the growth and wants of a great city, that a suitable location be selected for the same, while yet land is unimproved and can be purchased for a comparatively small sum of money; and
"Whereas, the history of public parks demonstrates that they are not only the great preservers of the health and vigor of communities, but largely enhance the value of real estate in their vicinity, thus at once benefitting the owners and bringing an increased income to the public treasury; and
.
"Whereas, while there exists a general desire for the con- struction of public parks in said district, a large difference of opinion has arisen as to the most desirable location for the same;
"Therefore, in order that this Assembly may be fully ad- vised as to the necessity, proper location and extent of the same, in the light of information derived from those most intimately
acquainted with the topography and characteristics of said dis- trict, be it
"Resolved, that the Mayor, the Commissioner of Public Works, the President of the Board of Aldermen and the Presi- dent of the Department of Taxes and Assessments of the City of New York be and they are hereby appointed and named as a special commission to inquire into the subject of the advisa- bility of public parks for said district and that portion of West- chester County adjacent to said district, and they are hereby empowered to send for such persons and papers, without ex- pense to the State, as they or a majority of them may deem proper for the purpose of inquiry and investigation in relation to the foregoing matters, and that they report in writing to this Assembly, within thirty days after the passage of this reso- lution, their conclusions :
"First. As to the necessity and advisability of the proposed parks.
"Second. In relation to the best location, extent and prob- able cost of the same.
"Third. Regarding any other facts or recommendations in connection with the subject, to aid this Assembly to frame such legislation as will best serve the welfare and interests of the people of the City of New York and adjacent districts."
The above resolution was carried by a vote of the House, and a certified copy thereof was transmitted to the Mayor of the City of New York and his associates on said commission.
The commission reported its conclusions to the Assembly on April 4, 1882, to be found in Assembly Document No. 67, (Session of April 5, 1882) :
"Report of the commission appointed in relation to public parks in the Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth Wards of the City of New York, and portions of Westchester County.
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