USA > New York > Bronx County > History of Bronx borough, city of New York : compiled for the North side news > Part 30
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60
SAMUEL CLARENCE THOMPSON, civil engineer by profession, at present Engineer of Highways in the Bronx, was born at Roxbury, Mass., April 4, 1851. He attended various schools in the old Bay State, among them the District School and Peters High School at Southboro; and the Massachusetts Agricultural College at Amherst, and also got there his profes- sional experience and training. In 1883 he came here, and has since held a number of important places on the engineer staff of the metropolis. Mr. Thompson is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, of the Municipal Engineers, City of New York, of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity, the Knights of Honor, Royal Arcanum, Loyal Legion, and F. and A. M. He married, May 5, 1875, Alice Louisa Fairchild. They have two children, Louis Clarence an 1 Elsie Viola.
JOSIAH H. FITCH, the Assistant Principal Engineer of the Bronx, was born June 16th, 1863, in New York City, in the old Ninth Ward. After his primary education at public school No. 35, he took a three years' classical course at the College of the City of New York, leaving to enter the school of Mines of Columbia College, from which he graduated in 188.1. After leaving Columbia College, he was appointed as an axeman on the new Croton Aqueduct, and remained for six years at this important work, having been advanced to assistant engineer be- fore he resigned in 1890 to accept an important position offered to hini as engineer by the Standard Oil Company. He was as- signed to look after the pump stations, pipe lines, storage tanks. and surveying throughout the entire oil belt, which comprised West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio and Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1892, resigned, and accepted a position with the Rapid Transit Comunission as Engineer, and after serving two years, was appointed by the Commissioner of Street Improve- ments as Computer, from which position he was promoted eventually to Assistant Engineer. In August, 1900, Mr. Fitch was appointed engineer in charge of sewers of the Bronx, but in 1902 he resumed the old title of Principal Assistant Engineer, which the gentleman holds to-day. In 1901, the temporary system of sewerage at Van Nest was practically in his charge, and to his practical ability in his profession, that model sewerage system of the prosperous community is recorded. Mr. Fitch is a Democrat in politics, a member of the Columbia Col- lege Alumni, Royal Arcanum, Jefferson Club, Schinorer Club, and attend- the Presbyterian Church. On December 31, 1x. he married Annie F. Walker of this city; the gentleman is held in high esteem by his superior officers in the Municipal Depart- ment, and is considered to be one of the able engineers of the Borough.
.
SAMUEL CLARENCE THOMPSON
-
JOSIAH H. FITCH
4ª,
MICHAEL HECHT
THOMAS J. BYRNE
.
215
HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
MICHAEL HECHT, Assistant Superintendent of the Build- ing Department, Borough of the Bronx, was born in Melrose, November 22, 1868, and is a graduate of the Immaculate Con- ception school, 151st Street and Melrose Avenue. He learned the plumbing trade and advanced rapidly, until in 1889 he en- tered business for himself, and became a master plumber and contractor, doing an extensive business and was virtually one of the leading experts in his business. He has accomplished a great deal of the finest sanitary plumbing ever performed in the Bronx, and a large number of the best residences and build- ings bear testimony to his excellent work. On January 1, 1902, he was appointed Assistant Superintendent of Buildings, which position he has filled with credit to the department, exhibiting rare judgment and executing his multifarious duties with prompt- ness, and in every instance according to the rules and laws governing the Building Department. He is very popular with all the inspectors and employees of his department, and the builders of the Bronx, all of whom esteem him highly for his gentlemanly deportment, his strict attention to his duties, and his constant desire to conduct his business in a manner that reflects credit on his department. In February, 1893, Mr. Hecht married Miss Matilda Grube, an estimable and accomplished lady, and has two children, viz. : Michael J., and Jean B. D. Hecht. He has been a Tammany Hall Democrat since his majority, and is a member of the Royal Arcanum, K. of C., B. P. O. Elks, the Schnorer and Tallapoosa Clubs, besides a large number of social clubs and organizations.
THOMAS J. BYRNE is well known throughout the Bronx as Superintendent of the Bureau of Public Buildings and offices for the borough, and as formerly, for four years, Deputy Com- missioner of Sewers, in which capacities he has amply demon- strated his efficiency as a public official. Mr. Byrne is 49 years old and is a native of this borough. He was born at 137th Street and Mott Avenue, and was brought up and educated in the borough. He is a public school man, in fact, a product of the free educational institutions of New York. He is a Democrat and a member of numerous organizations, political and fraternal; the C. B. L., Knights of Columbus, Eagles, Schnorers, "Merry Five," Democratic Club, Allegheny and Chippewa Clubs among them .. He married in 1880, and is the father of a family of nine.
FREDERICK GREIFFENBERG, the well known topo- graphical engineer of the municipal department of the Bronx, was born at Eppinger, the Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany, December 9, 1847. He was educated at the Polytechnic University at Carlsruhe, Germany. Since May 6, 1871, he has served continuously in connection with the surveys and improve- ments of the Borough of the Bronx and served as principal as- sistant topographical engineer from 1898 to 1902 under the Board of Public Improvements in direct connection with topographical work for Greater New York. A member of the Society of the former students of the German Universities and a member of that society of the Municipal Engineers of the City of New York, he is one of whom the entire civil engineer staff of the Borough of the Bronx entertains the highest respect for his ability in his profession and his general courtesy to them, his fellow members of the honorable and distinguished profession. The gentleman is a bachelor, wedded only to the good work that he is performing for the Borough of the Bronx.
CHARLES HALLETT GRAHAM, the engineer in charge of sewers for the Borough of the Bronx, was born in Harlem,
April 10. 1863. After graduating from Grammar School No. 68, lie took a two years' course at the College of the City of New York, and in 1879 he entered the service of the Park De- partment as a volunteer assistant, and in a short time was regularly appointed as an assistant in the Engineer Corps of said Department and engaged in topographical and construction work until 1891, when, as an assistant engineer, he was assigned to duty under Mr. Louis F. Haffen in the new parks of the Bronx. In 1892 he was transferred to work under Mr. A. Kellogg, the .Engineer of Construction, and placed in charge of the Riverside Drive improvements. In 1893 he was placed in charge of the preparation of plans, contracts and specifications for the con- struction of the Harlem River Speedway, and in 1894 was given independent and exclusive charge of this important work. In 1895 he was appointed by Mr. Haffen to the position of assistant engineer in the Department of Street Improvements of the Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth Wards, and was assigned as acting superintendent of maintenance, and in addition to the duties of superintendent he performed valuable services in the investigation of contracts for the construction of sewers at Wil- liamsbridge entered into by the village connmissioners, and dis entangled the difficulties by preparing new plans, contracts and specifications to meet the suggestions embodied in the opinions of the Corporation Counsel, and remained in charge of the new contract work during the year 1896. Early in 1897 he was ap- pointed General Superintendent of Maintenance and was con- tinued as such in the Department of Highways under the new charter from 1898 to 1902. In 1902, President Haffen advanced him to the position of engineer in charge of sewers for the Borough. In 1886, Mr. Grahami was married and has one daughter. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Fordham Council, Royal Arcanum, the Jefferson Club, and a member of the General Committee of the Thirty-fifth Assembly District.
PHILIPP AUGUSTUS RYAN, Assistant Superintendent of the Park Department, Borough of the Bronx, was born at Williamsbridge, New York, November 13, 1866, and attended the public schools of Williamsbridge until graduation. Push and energy with unimpeachable integrity was the sole capital of Mr. Ryan, which he started out to meet the world and reach the ladder of success. His first employment was picking pickles at $3 per week. Being of a placid nature, after a long struggle at the pickle business, he sought employment with the authorities of Woodlawn Cemetery and served there for five years as a florist. Leaving the Woodlawn Cemetery, he was employed as a coach- man by Mrs. W. W. Niles, an estimable and wealthy lady, with whom he remained for four years. Being frugal in his habits, he had saved sufficient means to enable him to go into the hotel business at Williamsbridge, in which he has been very success- ful, and is highly esteemed by the citizens of his native place. In June last he was appointed Assistant Superintendent of Parks for the Borough of the Bronx, and is one of the most active and industrious officers of this department. Mr. Ryan has the con- fidence of his superior officers in the department, and also of the large number of employees of whom he has charge. His activity and close application to his duties and his fitness for the position he occupies gives promise to advance him higher up in the near future. He is the son of Patrick Francis and Catherine Ryan, who were both born at Holy Cross, Tipperary, Ireland. In politics Mr. Ryan is a thorough Democrat; belongs to the Roman Catholic Church and is a member of the well known Chippewa Club.
NATHANIEL LORD BRITTON
CHARLES HALLETT GRAHAM
PHILIPP AUGUSTUS RYAN
FREDERICK GREIFFENBERG
.
217
HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
NATHANIEL LORD BRITTON was born at New Dorp, Staten Island, January 15th, 1859, the eldest son of Alexander llamilton Britton and Harriet Lord Britton, and a member of one of the oldest families of Staten Island. He was educated in public and private schools, at the Staten Island Academy and at the School of Mines of Columbia College, where he was a classmate of the Hon. Louis F. Haffen, graduating in 1879 with the degree of Engineer of Mines; his friends attribute his administrative ability to the engineering training there received. Le accepted the same year the position of assistant in the De- partment of Geology and Natural History in Columbia, under the distinguished Professor John S. Newberry, and served in this capacity until 1887, when he was made Instructor im Botany, being promoted to Adjunct Professor in 1890, and Pro- lessor of Botany in 1891; he discharged the duties of this chair until 1896, when he was called to liis present work as Director- mf-Chief of the New York Botanical Garden in Bronx Park, which has been wholly developed under his charge, aided by the wisdom and liberality of its distinguished board of managers and by the cordial cooperation of the Park Department, so that it has already become the largest and most noteworthy institu- uon of its kind in America and one of the most important in the world. Professor Britton was awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy by his alma mater. in 1881, and during his con- nection with Columbia served as an aid on the United States Geological Survey and as an assistant on the geological survey of the State of New Jersey; he wrote a voluminous report on the plants of New Jersey in 1881 and another in 1891, both of which were published by the survey, and he is the author of over one hundred scientific papers, published in various journals and in the proceedings of learned societies; his magnum opus, the "Illustrated Flora of the Northern States and Canada," pre- pared jointly with Judge Addison Brown, was published in three royal octavo volumes containing over four thousand illustra- tions of plants, from 1896 to 1898, and is the standard reference work on its subject; his "Manual of the Flora of the Northern States and Canada," for the use of schools, containing over 1,000 closely printed pages, published in 1901, is now passing to a second edition. During Dr. Seth Low's presidency of Co- lumbia, Dr. Britton served on many important committees and was secretary of the Faculty of Pure Science from its founda- tion in 1892 until he resigned the chair of Botany to take up his work in the Bronx; at this time the Trustees of Columbia University elected him to the honorary title of Emeritus Pro- fessor, and at the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the foundation of King's College, at Columbia, October 31, 1904. le was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Science, the highest distinction that a university can bestow upon one of its alumni devoted to any branch of science. He is a member of many scientific societies, of the Century Association and a trustee of the Bronx Free Library. Dr. Britton has travelled widely in Europe and America, visiting all the more important botanical gardens, parks and museums, and studying the plants both wild and cultivated. Since the great public greenhouses were built in Bronx Park he has made several trips to the West * Indies, and secured many specimens to aid in building up the large collections for public education. He was married in 1886 to Elizabeth Gertrude Knight, who has since been his companion and aid in all his scientific work, and who is well known as an 'accomplished botanist.
CLARENCE TISDALE STEELE has been for the past sixteen years associated with the musical interests of the Bronx. He was born in Brooklyn and received his early education at the Adelphi Academy and graduated from the High School in Jersey City. His musical studies were pursued in this city and in Boston. Mr. Steele is best known as a teacher of sight sing- ing in connection with his public school work in the Bronx, where for sixteen years he has directed the music in the schools of the Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth Wards and, having been a student of pedagogy as well as music, has attained a high meas- ure of success in his work. One feature of his school work which has won the good will and confidence of the teachers in this district, has been his constant adherence to the practice of giving model lessons in the class-rooms, even while claiming the title of supervisor. Mr. Stecle is a fluent writer and composer, and has written the words and music of many of our school songs and a valuable collection ot rote songs for primary grades as well as much music of other descriptions, several of his part-songs being widely sung throughout the country. As a teacher of the art of sight singing Mr. Steele stands in the foremost ranks; many of the singers in New York and Brooklyn church choirs owe their training in that line to his efforts. As a choral di- rector Mr. Steele s work is authoritative and convincing, and as a lecturer his knowledge of human nature and natural adapta- bility enables him to present to a general audience musical sub- jects in such a manner as to hold the interest of his hearers throughout. His lectures on the "Art of Sight Singing," "The History of the Oratorio," "The Development of the Part-Song," and "The Old Songs and the New," the last two of which have been delivered on numerous occasions in this city, are very in- teresting. They are always illustrated by excellent talent, in- cluding a well chosen quartette of soloists, and Mr. Steele, who is the possessor of a fine tenor voice, also adds to the effective- ness by his singing.
JAMES R. L. DALY, M.D., is a life long resident of the Bronx and is one of its most successful practitioners. He was born here in New York thirty years ago-to be exact, on May 24, 1875. Dr. Daly is a graduate of Manhattan College and of the University and Bellevue Hospital Medical College, and as a resident physician on the staff of Seton Hospital for Consump- tive's, and the Mothers' and Babies' Hospital, has had special opportunities and advantages. He is regarded as a man of splendid qualifications, one thoroughly equipped in the matter of experience and natural ability for the profession he is in. His knowledge of practical surgery was obtained during the four-year period in which he was engaged in the outdoor depart- ment of Lebanon Hospital. He makes a specialty of the discases of women and obstetrics, a line in which he has been particularly successful, to which he has devoted special study and practice, and from which he has derived no small reputation, Dr. Daly, we may add, is a member of the Brownson Catholic Club and a fourthi degree Knight of Columbus.
JOIIN J. HICKEY, the standard bearer of the John J. Hickey Association of the Borough of the Bronx, one of the largest Democratic organizations in the Thirty-fifth Assembly District, was boro in Ireland March 15, 1860. He came to the United States when very young and was educated at the Chris- tian Brothers School in New York City. For twenty years he has been a resalent of the Broux, engaged in the hotel business, and has been extraordinarily successful, so much so, that he has
/
:
CLARENCE TISDALE STEELE
JAMES R. L. DALY, M.D.
-
JOHN J. HICKEY
CHARLES DOLL
219
HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
accumulated a large amount of valuable real estate and is there- fore a heavy taxpayer to the municipality. His success may be attributed to the close application he has always given to his business affairs, his unquestionable executive ability, his genial and courteous manners and his faculty of knowing how to pro- vide properly for the large patronage he has always enjoyed. Outside of managing his large and lucrative business, Mr. llickey has for years been an important factor in the politics of the Bronx. As president of the organization that bears his name, with a membership of over 800 substantial citizens, he wields a very potent influence in the interests of the Democratic party at our municipal, state and national elections; and while he has not yet ever held any public office, his loyalty to the party and the organization will certainly be recognized in the near future to one so deserving of all the honors they may bestow upon him. He is a member of the Democratic Club (Fifth Avenue), the Jefferson Club and Tammany Hall General Committee of the Thirty-fifth Assembly District, the Ancient Order of llibernians, the Bunker Hill Club, the Elks, the William R. Hearst Na- tional Democratic Club, the Kildare Men's Association, and the Wine, Beer and Liquor Dealers' Association of the Thirty-sixth District, Bronx. Mr. Hickey was married April 21, 1882.
AUGUST KUPKA was born in what is now Manhattan Bor- ough, New York City, October 20, 1873. His father was a cabinet maker, a native of Silesia, Germany,' and his mother, also German, was born in Hanover. August was the oldest of five children. He received a public school education which was practically completed before he was 14, at which time he began work in a piano factory. Thus early thrown upon his own re- sources, he supported his widowed mother and younger sisters.
AUGUST KUPKA
But having a decided commercial bent, he managed to save enough from his meager stipend to pay for his tuition in a course of double entry bookkeeping, which he took in the eve- nings, and shortly after secured a position with a wall paper honse at a modest salary. After a short time he left this place and filled various positions of trust, finally accepting one in the stone cutting trade, which, however, he resigned soon to accept a better in the same line. Here, with one of the largest con- .
cerns of the trade, his income grew accordingly. Having selected a calling to his liking, he made every effort to become as proficient as possible in his chosen field. He took advantage of the many opportunities afforded by the Harlem Evening High School, the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, and the Young Men's Christian Association, becoming effi- cient in various branches, such as stenography, for which he received a medal; and his drawings were displayed among the honor work in the classes of Cooper Union and the Y. M. C. A. In 1899 on the dissolution of the firm he was with, he entered into a co-partnership with two of his associates as Oethinger, Dannemann & Kupka. This firm established extensive works at Port Morris in the Bronx, and has since filled many extensive contracts for cut stone work upon churches, power houses, office buildings, apartments, clubs, public schools, theatres, hospitals, railroad stations, fine residences, etc. Mr. Kupka, we may add, is an ardent advocate of the principles of the Republican party. and has always affiliated with that body.
CHARLES DOLL, at present chief bookkeeper of the India Wharf Brewing Company, of Brooklyn, N. Y., was born in the old Tenth Ward, March 15, 1865, and graduated from Public School No. 7. He began at the age of 13 with the Schwarzschild & Sulzberger Company at a compensation of tliree dollars a week and remained in their employ for eighteen years. His ability and close attention to business was so mark- ed that his salary was gradually increased until it reached $2,600 per annum. He was then only 22 years of age. His services with the Schwarzschild & Sulzberger Company pany involved a period of hard and continuous work and it was only by slow degrees that he managed to force himself to the front and become one of the firm's most trusted employees, handling over five million dollars yearly without giving a bond. He left the employ of the Schwarzschild & Sulzberger Company in 1894 to become the chief bookkeeper in the India Wharf Brew- ing Company, which position he holds to-day. Mr. Doll has foreseen the growth in the Bronx; he moved up from Yorkville in the above year and through his keen foresight has been very successful in investing in Bronx property, which he believes is still in its infancy. Hle and his family are Lutherans, and in politics is a staunch Democrat. On May 2, 1886, he married Miss Elizabeth Schneider, daughter of Peter Schneider, one of the old settlers of the Bronx.
JOHN DAVIDSON, architect and the last president of the Village of Williamsbridge, previous to its annexation to New York City, was born in Scotland. February 22, 1855, and was educated in the common schools of his native country. He came te New York City in 1881 and for twenty years has been a resident. As an architect and general superintendent of build- ings, Mr. Davidson has acquired a large and successful business to which he devotes his personal attention; besides being a pub- lie spirited citizen, he has always manifested deep interest in the development and growth of the Borough of the Bronx. In worthy public improvements he has always been one of the ad- vanced guard to aid and assist in its consummation by giving his time and means in its advocacy. His efforts in this latter di- rection proving so successful on numerous occasions that his fellow citizens of the old Village of Williamsbridge recognised his abilities and his sterling worth and elected him a trustee, als a member of the Board of Health, a member of the Local School Board for two terms, and finally elected him president of the
.
-- 4
-
JOHN DAVIDSON
-
.. €
ROBERT INGRAHAM BROWN
JOHN A. STEINMETZ
SAMUEL BRENER
£
221
HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
village. On October 9, 1883, he married Miss Anna Campbell Cameron and had nine children, seven of whom are living, viz. : John B., Enwert G. B., Colina M., Mary C., Bessie E. F., Anna D., Willie S. P., Flora and a baby boy, both of the latter being deceased. Mr. Davidson is a Democrat in politics and has held the different public offices heretofore mentioned through the voice of his party. He is one of the founders of the Presby- terian Church at Williamsbridge, belongs to Hebron Lodge, F. and A. M., a member of the Royal Arcanum, and President of the Improvement League of the Forty-fourth District.
J. CLARENCE DAVIES, real estate agent, of 149th Street and Third Avenue, and 156 Broadway, has done as much as any man toward the upbuilding and development of the Bronx, in which district his transactions have been unusually extensive and we may add, highly profitable for his clients. He has been one of the most active men in his line, and, as such has achieved
جد كر
J. CLARENCE DAVIES
a high business reputation. He is 38 years old and has followed this occupation since he was 20. He was born in New York City in 1867, and is a son of David Davies, a New York mer- chant, is of the fifth generation of his family born in New York. and is a nephew of the late L. J. Phillips, a prominent real estate man. He attended Public School No. 69 and later the College of the City of New York, leaving the latter to take a place in manufacturing business. Then he travelled a few years and in 1889 embarked in real estate with results as hereinbefore , mentioned. Mr. Davies, we have saidl, is a man of uncommon energy. He belongs to more than a dozen organizations and still find- time from his regular business to participate actively in their management. How he finds time for it all is a question. lle is . President of the Association of Bronx Real Estate Brokers, and also one of the Governors and Treasurer of the Real Estate
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.