USA > New York > Bronx County > History of Bronx borough, city of New York : compiled for the North side news > Part 32
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THOMAS T. UREN .- A prominent builder and real estate dealer, was born at the Village of Carnhill Green, near Cam- borne, Cornwall, England, May 14, 1862. His father, John Uren, was a tunnel inspector on the Great Western Railway under that famous chief engineer, Sir Robert Brunel. Mr. Uren attended school until he was 15 years of age, when he was en- gaged as an office boy by a well known solicitor of Newport. Monmouthshire, whom he served for a short period and then entered into the produce business and from the age of 17 to 20 years was a traveling salesman in South Wales in that line. On May 16, 1882, he sailed from Newport to visit his sister, Mrs. llenry S. Harry, then living in Melrose, the Bronx. After a voyage of nine days a collision with an iceberg occurred which obliged the mariners to put into St. Johns, Newfoundland, where he arrived on May 28 and left there June 18, arriving here June 24. In 1885 Mr. Uren was employed by a firm of prominent builders to superintend their construction work and entered zealously into this industry. At this period he contracted on his own account with John Brown, of Hoboken, N. J., to build the Calvary M. E. Church at East Orange, N. J., which he com- pleted, and the following year built the mason work of Calvary M. E. Church at 129th Street and Seventh Avenue, New York City. In 1887 he constructed eight houses on Ninety-seventh Street, and in 1891 built the Bedford Park Congregational Church. In the past fifteen years Mr. Uren has been one of the most active builders of the great city. He has built properties of large value in various localities of Manhattan and the Bronx and has aided largely in developing the rapid improvements of the borough. His active pursuit at present is involved princi- paly in real estate matters, the buying and selling of properties, in which he is considered one of the leading experts in the Greater City. Mr. Uren married May 17, 1888, Miss Lydia Weber, daughter of Jacob and Regina Weber, of Liberty, Sulli- van Co., N. Y., and had one son, William Walter, who died April 16, 1882. In politics he is democratic in local affairs. Imit independent in national, and is a member of the Jefferson Tannnany Hall Club of the 35th District. Mr. Uren is associ- ·ated in business with Mr. Kurz at No. 3025 Third Avenue, under the firm name of Kurz & Uren, who are known to have the Largest and most influential clientage in the Bronx. Mr. Uren was a first consin of the late Jolin R. Thomas, one of America's reading architects, who died suddenly at the Thousand Islands in August, 1901, and who designed the Hall of Records, con-
sidered to be one of the city's most beautiful buildings. This building was only one of the beautiful edifices designed.
WILLIAM F. A. KURZ .- One of the youngest, most suc- cessful and influential real estate brokers in the Bronx, is a native of the borough; born July 20, 1873, and was educated at Grammar School No. 62. Ilis father was the senior contractor for Brewster & Co., the famous manufacturers of carriages, where young Kurz joined and assisted him in the conduct of his large responsibilities until his father's death. Ambitious and imbibed with the spirit of enterprise, he went to North Caro- lina and with sufficient means became a builder, erected several houses in the Southern Pines, in which he still retains large in- terests. After meeting with elated success in the former, his first enterprise, he returned to his native home, the Bronx, and entered actively into the real estate business. llis success from the start, some seven years ago, has been marked as invincible. He perhaps has on his books the largest German clientage of any other operator north of the Harlem River. He has de- veloped large property interests in the center, as well as in all the various sections of the Bronx for his large and influential clientage. Owners of large estates and investors in Bronx realty are in constant consultation with Mr. Kurz, to whom they rely to intrust the care, management and development of their large holdings. Mr. Kurz married in October, 1893, Miss Minnie A. Junge, a refined and accomplished young lady from Couders- port, Cotter County, Pennsylvania, and has an interesting family of two children, namely, Charles, deceased, and Marguretta. living. He and his family are members of the Lutheran Church ; he belongs to Aberdeen Lodge, No. 484, F. and A. M., of South- ern Pines, N. C., Royal Arcanum, Suburban Council, Alpha Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 182, North Carolina, the Schnorer Club and is a member of the Executive Committee of the Twenty-third Ward Property Owners' Association. His offices at 3025 Third Avenue are admirably situated in the business centre of the Bronx and are fitted up with every convenience necessary for the transaction of his important affairs; also a member of Asso- ciation of Bronx Real Estate Brokers and Commissioner vi Ways and Mean -. On January I he formed a partnership witit Thos. T. Uren.
JAMES EDWARD CALLAN, a noted real estate dealer at No. 807 Tremont Avenue and a resident of the Borough of the Bronx for the past thirty-eight years, was born in New York City May 25, 1857. He graduated from Public School No. 55. and is an undergraduate of the College of the City of New York. In 186; he came to the Broux with his parents, who took up their home in Tremont, where he still resides and tran- sacts his business. After entering into the real estate business he formed an extensive acquaintance and by his striking per- sonality, his remarkable business ability and successful effort- in behalf of his numerous clients he gradually approached the position he occupies at present as one of the active and most Hourishing real estate brokerage and insurance agents in the Bronx Borough. Mr. Callan is a practical and thorough real estate broker; he is conversant with values in all parts of the Bronx and Manhattan; is an expert appraiser of improved or umimproved properties, and through this important knowledge he nanies among his clients a large number of our best and wealthy citizens. While his political tendencies are democratic, he has never been very active in politics, having strictly confined hin . self to the building up of his large and successful real estate business.
WILLIAM F. A. KURZ
JAMES EDWARD CALLAN
GEORGE FOX TIFFANY
JACOB LEITNER
231
HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
JACOB LEITNER, one of the prominent factors in real tention of her parents as to her educational affairs, which covered the entire curriculum of classical and business knowledge. So thoroughly was the latter accomplished, that in 1903, Miss llenning, ambitious to test her abilities, chose the real estate business as her profession, and with confidence in herself to succeed, she announced to the community that she was ready estate matters of the Bronx, was born in Austria, November 6. 1860. After receiving a thorough public school education in Europe, he emigrated to the United States in 1886 and set- tled in New York City, where he at once familiarized himself with the real estate business, and also made himself perfectly familiar with all matters of public interest pertaining to muni- . and open for business. In a very short time she made herself cipal and national affairs. His close application to such im- manifest among the property owners, managers of estates and investors; with more than unusual ability she soon had a roster of choice properties in the best locations that she could offer to her clients at prices that invited immediate and profit- able investment. At the end of the three years, she was de- lighted to discover that her labors had not been in Vain, that she had built up a solid and substantial foundation for her business in the future, and that her greatest hopes had been realized : she was a success, and had become known throughos: portant matters brought him into public notice in the year 1902, when as an active member of the Republican party, he received the nomination of his district as alderman, and was elected by a large majority over his Democratic opponent. Mr. Leitner served his term as Alderman and then" retired from active participation in political affairs, devoting his whole time to real estate, in which he has been so successful that he is ranked as one of the most prominent operators of the profes- sion in that long category of eminent real estate men of the Bronx. The gentleman is a member of Centennial Lodge, No. 453. F. and A. M., and has no other society or club connections. He is a bachelor, conservative in his business affairs, but in the meantime a man of the hour and amazingly successful in all matters entrusted to him by his clients.
GEORGE FOX TIFFANY is tenth in lineal descent from one of the original patentces of West Farms. In 1661 John Richardson, with Edward Jessup, purchased this tract from the Indians and subsequently the patent was confirmed to them by the English Crown. John Richardson's daughter, Elizabeth Richardson, married Gabriel Leggett and inherited much of the land now included within the limits of Springhurst and on both sides of the road leading from Hunt's Point to the village at West Farms. From her Mr. Tiffany is descended. He is the son of Henry D. Tiffany and was born on June 10, 1867, at the Fox Homestead, so long the country home of his grandparents, William W. Fox and his wife, Charlotte Leggett. This house is situated at the junction of West Farms Road and what is now called Westchester Avenue, but which was formerly known as the "Old Westchester Turnpike." The subject of this sketch therefore belongs to the Bronx by both tradition and interests. lle was educated mainly at the Harrington School, Westchester. New York City, and St. Paul's School, Concord, New Hamp- shire. Ilis business is that of a real estate broker and appraiser, and his extended experience while watching the development of the Bronx Borough, especially in the laying out and building up of the locality surrounding the Fox Estate has given him ad- vantages in foresight and appraisals not easily acquired by new- comers in the business. He is a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church. He is non-partisan in politics, believing in the right man for the right place. He has identified himself with the North Side Board of Trade and the Bronx Board of Real Estate Brokers. He is a golfer, having been the originator of the Westchester Golf Club and is a member of the Transit Rod and Gun Club, all of these being Bronx organizations.
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MISS MARY M. HENNING, the only lady that is a representative and active real estate, fire and plate glass insurance broker in the Borough of the Bronx, with office and residence on Avenue C, between Thirteenth and Fourteenth Streets, Unionport, was born in New York City, February 15, 1861, attended the sisters schools, and is an undergraduate of the Ursuline Academy. The daughter of Henry and Mary Mag- . dalena Henning, old and highly respected residents of the Bronx, she was carefully raised and received the constant at-
MISS MARY MAGDALENA HENNING
the Bronx Borough and Manhattan, as one of the most active. industrious and successful brokers north of the Harlem River. Her clientage increased rapidly until at the present time her office is a hive of industry and her sales far exceed many of the older firms in the borough, who have from four to five as- sistants engaged with them to carry on the business. Single- handed and alone, Miss llenning manage- and directs her own affairs, except when obliged to be absent from her office to look after important details. her mother, a lady of culture and refinement, assumes charge of her office affairs and with the same business methods employed by her daughter. In property values, Miss Henning has become an expert, and has th ..: won- derful faculty of locating and securing houses and plots. 2:1: appeal to the investor or purchaser as such that will rapidly ad- vance in value, either for improvement or investment. Re-
FREDERICK SCHMIDT
JAMES F. MEEHAN
WILLIAM H. STONEBRIDGE
CHARLES A. BAXTER
233
HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
munerative properties is what Miss Henning carries upon her books, and for this reason her clients are so numerous, and they have absolute confidence in her judgment. Owners of estates and individual property owners are in constant con. sultation with her, and are only too willing to intrust the sale of their holdings to her excellent care. Miss Henning has been a resident of Unionport for the past 13 years and is highly respected and honored by the whole community for her culture and refinement, her great business qualifications, and her strict integrity in all of her busines transactions. Besides her large real estate business, she is actively engaged in the fire and plate glass insurance, representing the very best and leading com- panies in the country, is a notary public, attends to the execution of legal and pension papers. The lady is a member of the Church of the Holy Family, Companion of the Foresters of America, the Legion of the Sacred Heart, and was treasurer for three years of the St. Rose of Lima Sodality of St. Joseph's Church on Eighty-seventh Street, Manhattan. Her father, Henry Henning, is a native of New York City, and her mother, Mary Magdelena Henning, was born in Bavaria, Germany. Miss Henning is also a member of the Catholic Women's Benevolent Legion.
CHARLES A. BAXTER, architect and builder, of the Bronx, and a prominent man of that region for years, can boast of a life of many vicissitudes. A romance in itself, which it is unnecessary to color or embellish, this life story of his; a tale of many lands, of tropical and war time adventure, even the bare skeleton of which is interesting indeed. Mr. Baxter is 70 years old. He was born in Baton Rouge, La., in 1835, and was educated partly in the Louisiana High School there, and partly in Calcutta College, East Indies. In early life he took service with the East India Company as an officer of engineers. He was actively engaged in the Crimean war under British colors, and was in the Sepoy war of 1855 and '56. In 1857 he took part in the second Chinese war, but having sworn allegiance. to the Queen and declined to fight under her banner, he was sen- tenced to fifteen years penal servitude at Palupina. He served, however, only six weeks of that sentence. Then he was released and ordered to garrison at Fort William. Thereafter he was actively engaged in that rebellion as a commissioned lieutenant of engineers. He also served in the second Chinese rebellion. which, however, lasted only three months. His next commission was in command of a coast survey schooner; then he was sent to Madagascar to punish raiding savages; then he contracted with the Portuguese government to build a coolie barracoon a thousand feet square, and this singularly enough. was his very first real architectural employment. Next we find him in Havana duplicating this structure; next in Montevideo in the Argentine engaged in a rebellion. Next again in 1859, in Mexico, surveying for the government in the engineer corps, and in that capacity first reaching the Bronx as a purchasing agent and buying reflectors from a company still in existence. At this time he bought also for himself a double house and six- teen lots at Twelfth Street and Fourth Avenue from Rev. Dr. Jones. Returning now to Mexico he found the Juarez revolu- tion under way. He built a soldier's barracks in Vera Cruz for the Mexican government about this time, but being driven out by the revolutionists, was engaged by Admiral Ammen of the United States Navy as civil engineer. January, 1861, found him in Havana again, engineering and building for the Chinese Pinto Co. The civil war of the North ind South now coming on, Adiniral Schofield, United States Consul General there, after making him take the oath of allegiance because of his Southern
birth, gave him transportation to New York. From there he went to Washington and was detailed to Cairo, Ill., there to assist in the construction of floating batteries. In July, '62, he was appointed to temporary service with Farragut's fleet and was in all its actions on to Mobile Bay, for a few months in command of the "Genesee" sloop of war. Here he was dis- charged for disabilities and sent North to die. This, however. he declined to do, and six weeks after was drilling recruits in the Navy Yard. Soon after that he was assigned as executive officer of the steamer "Einma Henry," the fastest in the service. and was sent to join Gordon's fleet at Havana, there to demand of the Spanish authorities the Confederate rani "Stonewall Jack- son." They gave it up and it was taken to Key West. He re- signed from the naval service in 1866 and returned to civil life as an architect and engineer at Wall and William Streets; at the same time taking up a residence on Washington Avenue in the Bronx. He was the first to start then the building up of Norti: New York with forty-two buildings under way at one time. He has led a very active life and taken much part in public con- cerns along lines particularly of public improvement. He is chairman of the Executive Committee of the Twenty-third Ward Property Owners, and holds the same office in the South Bronx Association. He is president also of the Building Trades' Em- ployers' Association of the Bronx and chairman of the East Side Rapid Transit League. He is vice national commander of the Army and Navy Union of the United States, first na- tional president of the Veterans' Protective Association. a memi- ber of the G. A. R., and the Association of Veterans of Farra- gut's fleet, belongs to the Loyal Legion and the Doric Lodge. F. and A. M. His son, Chas. H., Jr., is also a well known Bronxite. He is a graduate of the public schools, of a business college, of the Technical Department New York University, and has studied law and been admitted to the bar, and is now a prominent architect and contractor.
FREDERICK SCHMIDT, deceased, who during his life- time was one of the foremost contractors in the Borough of the Bronx, was born in Bavaria. Germany, September 21, 1840, ami died on November 4. 1902. At the age of six years Mr. Schmidt emigrated to America with his parents, and at the time of his death was one of the citizens of this borough who had reside .: longest within its confines, about fifty-one years. He built up 3 large and successful business as a general contractor, and did more than any one man to improve and build up this section of New York City. The affairs of his estate are still successfully conducted by his widow, ably assisted by her son, WiMiar .: Schmidt. at No. 824 Westchester Avenue. Mrs. Schmid: is re- garded as a clever business woman and has been unusually ste- cessful in the securing of many large city contracts. During his lifetime, Mr. Schmidt was a staunch Democrat, although I never sought or desired to hold any public office. He was a prominent member of many organizations, among which were the Foresters of America, Knights of Pythias, F. & A. M. Exempt Firemen, was the oldest member of the Hornet Social Club, and a member of the Lutheran Church. On November 26. 1867. he married Miss Wilhelmina Seitz. Nine children! were born to the union, six of whom are living, viz. : William. Minnie, Andrew. George, Auna J., and Catherine. The deceased are Charles. Friedie, Frederick A. Mr. Schmidt was one of the most highly respected citizens residing in the Bronx. He was a self-made man, possessed of those sterling qualities which a ways leave their mark. Ile was honorable to a fault, and it was due to these high traits, which he so closely adhered to, that was largely responsible for his success in life.
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13 SEREE EEEE B RIU
MANHANSET APARTMENT HOUSE, ERECTED BY JAMES F. MEEHAN
235
HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
JAMES F. MEEHAN, architect and builder, was born in New York City November 18, 1873. where he received his edu- cation at the Christian Brothers School, graduating therefrom in 1885. After completing his academic course he decided to take up the profession of an architect, and entered upon a course of study in the public schools, attending the night sessions during the years of 1890 to 1894. By close application and diligence he mastered every detail of that profession, and rose by degrees from a subordinate post to that of a successful architect and builder. Ten years ago Mr. Mechan became a resident of the Borough of the Bronx. Being a keen observer of real estate values, and quickly grasping what the future of the borough might be he began making investments, entering the field of building operations. Foresight, together with well-directed energy, has proven the wisdom of his judgment. During the past ten years Mr. Meehan has constructed more than fifty mod- ern apartment houses in the Bronx. At present he is building on the old Macy homestead site one of the finest, high-class apart- ment structures ever erected in the borough, and the first one in which elevator service has been installed, the cost of which will be about $150,000. Mr. Meehan occupies a position differ- ent from the average builder, being a practical architect and de- signer, and during the construction of his work every part is under his supervision, which in itself is a positive guarantee of substantial workmanship and quality of material. Politically, Mr. Meehan is a staunch Democrat, but not an office-seeker, pre- ferring to be a worker in the ranks. He is a prominent member of the Knights of Columbus and of the Catholic Church. He is president of the James F. Meehan Building and Construction Company, and vice-president of the Bronx Borough Realty and Construction Company. In November, 1895, Mr. Meehan married Catherine Keating, of New York City. Four children, James F., Jr., Lillian and Francis (deceased), and Helen (living), have been born to the union. The family reside in a comfortable home at No. 1123 Hewitt place, the interior of which at once suggests culture and refinement. Mr. Meehan is a type of the self-made man which always leaves its impress for good in the community. He is a typical American, patriotically devoted to itis country and the best interests of its citizens, and always ready to lend his aid to the advancement of any good cause.
EDWARD J. CAHILL, a prominent builder of the Bronx, was born in New York City on July 14, 1857, and educated in the public schools of the city. He has resided in the borough for the past nine years, and is one of its most active builders, and during this period has accomplished much towards the ad- vancement and progress of the borough. In 1877 Mr. Cahill married Miss Sarah F. Tew, the happy union, resulting in seven children, viz .: Loretta Becker, Viola, Edward J., Jr., Arthur, Lucy and Alva Cahill, who are all living, and Charles F. Caliill deceased. Mr. Cahill is a Democrat in politics and is prominently identified with the Tammany Hall Democratic Club of Van Nest. The gentleman is well known throughout the Bronx as one of its most enterprising citizens, and enjoys the distinction of being exceedingly active in promoting the growth and advancement of all public improvements.
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WILLIAM H. STONEBRIDGE, an active and successful real estate operator, is a native of the Bronx, where he was born in East 139th Street, on March 15, 1872. He was edu- cated at Public Schools Nos. 61 and 64, Morrisania, Fordham, and choose real estate dealing as his profession, in which he has remained to the present time, enjoying the confidence of a
large number of property owners and trustees of estates both in the Bronx and Manhattan. He was the first recruit front the Bronx who became a member of that crack artillery company known as the Second Battery, N. G., S. N. Y. Always a staunch Republican, though never holding or aspiring to public office, he has connected himself prominently with a few of the leading organizations of the Bronx for advancing its prog- ress and general stability. He is active in the councils of the Taxpayers' Alliance, the Taxpayers' Association, the Highway Alliance, the Union Republican Club, and the Belmont Repub- lican Club. He is a highly respected member of the Anderson Memorial Reformed Church, being one of its first members and officers. He is also one of the charter members and organizers of the Bronx Association of Real Estate Brokers and Auctioneers. He has been closely identified with all public improvements in the Borough of the Bronx, and his presence at all the hearings before the Local Boards has become proverbial. On November
S. H. GAINSBORG
19, 1902, he married Miss Harriett A. Levers, of Huntingdon. Canada. Mr. Stonebridge devotes hi- leisure hours to his home. enjoying the domestic peace and comforts of his family, which includes William L., his only child.
S. H. GAINSBORG came to New York from Lima, Peru. S. A., in 1891, with his wife and seven children, where he was en- gaged in the import and export business. Immediately he started to operate in real estate in this city and Westchester County and made the same success of it as he had done in South America. He bought a large tract of land, over two hundred and fifty acres. " White Plains, N. Y., and laid it out in villa plots under the pame of "Silver Lake Park." He constructed a complete Water system, established a' fire department, etc., built houses, in fact.
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