USA > New York > Bronx County > History of Bronx borough, city of New York : compiled for the North side news > Part 44
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HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
ration in the United States of America." One of the instru- ments was placed in the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, New York City, in which historic hostelry its architectural completeness created favorable expressions of admiration from countless guests and visitors, among whom were noted connoisseurs. Another of these art pianos was exhibited in the Wisconsin State Building, at the World's Fair, St. Louis, where it created a sensation among aesthetic minds, well competent to pass judg- ment on the higher phases of piano building. At the termina- tion of the St. Louis World's Fair, the following letter, from Vice-President A. J. Lindeman, of the board of directors of the Wisconsin State Building, was received by Messrs. Strich & Zeidler relative to this masterpiece :
STATE OF WISCONSIN BOARD OF MANAGERS.
W. D. Hoard, Fort Atkinson, Pres.
A. J. Lindemann, Milwaukee, Vice-Pres. THE FAIR OPENS S. A. Cook, Neenah, Treas. IN APRIL, 1904.
W. H. Flett, Merrill.
W'm. A. Scott, Madison.
R. D. Rood, Stevens Point, Scc'y.
of the `St. Louis World's Fair.
Messrs. Strich & Zeidler, Milwaukee, Dec. 5th, 1904. New York, N. Y.
Gentlemen-It is the expressed desire of the Board of Di- rectors of the Wisconsin State Building, to record their appre- ciation of the courtesy shown by your house, in placing on ex- hibition in your building at the St. Louis World's Fair, the magnificent Strich & Zeidler piano, which you were kind enough to loan us. Permit me to assure you of my personal gratitude in this matter. The instrument is truly a superb specimen of artistic piano making, that by reason of its archi- tectural grace and musical superiority has evoked warm ex- pressions of approval from countless visitors at the St. Louis Exposition. It must indeed be both a pleasure and a privilege to be engaged in so worthy an occupation, as is exemplified in the beautiful instruments, bearing the honored and renowned name of Strich & Zeidler, and I avail myself of this oppor- tunity of wishing you the highest form of success in the opera- tion of your valued labors, in the field of artistic piano man- ufacture.
Yours truly, [ Dictated. ]
STATE OF WISCONSIN BOARD OF MANAGERS. By A. J. Lindemann, Vice-President.
As producers of grand pianos Strich & Zeidler have achieved a reputation of national significance. Their "Diminu- tive Grand" is considered by many good judges to be the best grand piano on the market, dimensions taken into considera- tion. It may also be mentioned that among other honors con- ferred, the Strich & Zeidler instruments were awarded a di- ploma and medal at the Cotton States and Industrial Exposi- tion held in Atlanta, Ga., 1895. During the spring of the pres- ent year, Strich & Zeidler in order to more adequately take care of their rapidly growing trade, moved their extensive plant into a splendidly equipped new factory, situated at Alex- ander Avenue and 1320 Street, New York, having a capacity of over 2,000 instruments per year. A word of reference and commendation is certainly due to these scientific artisans, who by dint of earnest work and prolonged endeavor have so .worthily maintained the highest traditions of the art industry they so worthily represent. William R. Strich, whose portrait
appears on page 308, was born in New York City in 1863. He was educated at the Columbia Grammar School, New York, and shine. quently adopted piano making as a profession, gaining his initial experience in an institution that is undoubtedly the finest school of piano making in the world. Apart from his skill as a piano maker, which has been so completely demonstrated in the Strich & Zeidler product, Mr. Strich has demonstrated finan- cial and executive abilities of a high order, he having presided over the fiscal department of this enterprise since its inception. Mr. Strich is a prominent Mason, and a member of the German Liederkranz Society of New York. He was married to Mi- Bertha V. Zeller, member of a prominent New York family April 29, 1897. Mr. Strich is an unostentatious gentleman of simple tastes. He enjoys the friendship of scores of men prominent in the commercial world, who esteem him for his robust integrity and other sterling qualities. Paul M. Zeidler. of the firm of Strich & Zeidler, whose portrait is shown on page 308, was born in Germany. November 7, 1862, and came :. this country at an early age. Mr. Zeidler was educated in the public schools of New York, supplementing his scholastic career by pursuing additional studies at the Cooper Institute. He is a prominent Episcopalian, and a member of the Masonic fraternity. On June 7, 1894, Mr. Zeidler married Miss Mar- garet Merlihan, of Guelph, Ontario, Canada, two children. Pau! Frederick and Florence Margaret having blessed the union. A. :.:. expert scale draughtsman and an all-round piano mechanic. Mr Zeidler has made his impress upon the piano making industry of America. The superb Strich & Zeidler upright and grand scale- that for evenness and accuracy are scarcely surpassed, are :hy direct result of Mr. Zeidler's scientific knowledge and intelligentty directed experimentation. They stand as a living monument to his genius. Regarding the future growth and achievements of the house of Strich & Zeidler, it requires no prophet to read the horoscope, and it is but reasonable to conclude. that bril- liant as have been the attainments of Strich & Zeidler, their most important triumphs are yet to come. The history of the Strich & Zeidler house, to date alone, sheds lustre on the en- tire American piano industry.
JACOB. DOLL, the eminent piano manufacturer and founder of the firm of Jacob Doll & Sons, whose extensive piano manufactory is situated on the Southern Boulevard and Cy- press Avenue, was born in Germany in 1849. Forty years ago he came to the United States and made a heroic and succe --- ful struggle as a maker of pianofortes. His methods and sy- tem employed in the construction of his instruments are and always were original with himself, and have made his natte famous throughout the civilized world. Ilis instruments are considered in all countries marvels of mechanism, wonder ?::: in the purity of their tone, and perfect in finish and construc- tion. His piano player, which is one of the special feature, 01 Jacob Doll & Sons, is so completely connected with the path proper on the inside, that it is hidden entirely from view, and does not detract from the beauty of the instrument. This piano player is the creation of Mr. Doll and has attained such popularity throughout the musical centers of this and other countries, that the firm are manufacturing about one hundred and seventy-five pianos per week, and they expect at an early day to. double this capacity. The name of Jacob Doll & Soa- i- synonymous in the United States and all foreign cours as their instruments have the confidence of all musical dos's". and musicians for their substantial and perfect constrac !! Mr. Doll has four sons associated with him in business. 1 !-
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J. GEORGE LAFFARQUE
Hat
ALBERT STAIB
بأمالعين
HUGO F. RICCA
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LOUIS RICCA
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HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
firm was incorporated in 1904 as the Jacob Doll & Sons Piano Company. The factory is a substantial seven-story structure with a frontage of 250 feet on the Southern Boulevard and 150 feet on Cypress Avenue in the Borough of the Bronx, with branches at No. 92 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan, Otto Doll. man- ager, and at No. 197 Market Street, Newark. N. J .. where Frederick Doll is in charge. The officers of the company are : Jacob Doll, president; Otto Doll, vice-president ; Frederick Doll, secretary: George Doll, treasurer : Jacob Doll. Jr., assist ant treasurer. Jacob Doll, Sr., is a gentleman of very strik- ing personality ; he is affable and decidedly pleasant in man- ner, and is considered an accomplished man of affairs. He is perhaps one of the most skillful musical mechanics known to the piano trade, as is evidenced by the great reputation he has established for his instruments.
FRANZ FREDERICK LAWRENCE KIRCHOFF. the manufacturer of the popular and superior Kirchoff piano, was
and is practically learning under his tutelage all branches of the piano trade.
J. GEORGE LAFFARGUE, a native of France, where he was brought up and went to school, is one of those extensive Bronx piano manufacturers whose numerous works line South- ern Boulevard from the Third Avenue Bridge almost to Port. Morris. His place of business is at 140th Street and the Boule- vard. It is operated under the name of The Laffargue Co., Inc .. with Mr. Laffargue as president, and Mr. J. Oktave vice-presi- dent. It is an iniposing institution, employing many hands, and a factor of note in the industrial life of the borough. Mr. Laffargue has made this city his home for seventeen years. He is not much of a politician or society man, but belongs to one substantial and influential order, namely, the Masonic.
LOUIS RICCA, the well known Piano Manufacturer of the Borough of the Bronx, was born at Naples, Italy, in 1853, and was educated at the Victor Emanuel Lyceum in his native coun-
Jacob Doll's Piano Factory
born at Aachen, Rhine province. Germany, fifty-one years ago There he went to school and passed his boyhood. and mastered his trade, that of a cabinet maker, and learned the piano trade thoroughly. Coming here to this city he engaged in piano manu- facture, was employed by Decker Bros. and spent fourteen years at it with Steinway & Sons. He was foreman for five years with the latter concern. He made it his purpose at this time to perfect himself in every branch of the trade. Beginning on his own account four years ago, he started the manufacturing of pianos, and from the beginning he made his own cases, as few piano manufacturers do. He does a wholesale and retail busi- ness both, and sells all over the United States. When he began he made but three or four instruments a week; now he pro- duces ten in that same time. Mr. Kirchoff was married first in Germany in 1879, to Miss Hobertina Scheeren. He has three children of that marriage living, two daughters and a son. hu 1899 he married his second wife, Josephine Lennatz. Her son. Oscar, who is a music engraver, is in business with Mr. Kirchoff
try. He has been a resident of the Bronx for the past twenty- three years, and is highly esteemed for his business activity, and the great interest he manifests in the rapid growth and develop- ment of the Borough. As a manufacturer of pianos, he has gained unenviable notoriety for the excellent character of the instruments he turns out, which are so well known that he sends them to all parts of both continents, where they are known by musical critics and dealers as perfection in finish, and unsurpassable in tone by any other similar instrument manu- factured here or elsewhere. Mr. Ricca's manufactory is one of the best equipped in all of its appointments of any of the numerous factories in the Greater New York. His building is large and imposing, his employees are practical and skillful musical mechanics, and every department is mler the vigilant eye of Mr. Ricca, while every one of the numerous pat's that enter into the construction of the instrument undergoes the most thorough inspection before it is placed in its proper position.
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HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
Such methods coupled with his superior knowledge of the busi- "es, accounts for the great favor in which his instruments are held wherever introduced or purchased. Mr. Ricca in 1877 married Miss Amelia Cannavale and has three children, Hugo, Stephanie and Marguerette.
HUGO F. RICCA, son of Lonis Ricca, the prominent piano munfacturer and associated with him in business was born at Naples, Italy. June 21st, 1878. He came to the United States Whattt 1880, and was sent to the public schools, and afterwards 10 the Chase Preparatory School, and from thence to the Poly- technic Institute of Brooklyn, taking the Civil Engineer Course, where he graduated. He then became associated with his father's Business, and has applied himself assiduously to aiding in develop- ing the industry from its small beginning up to the vast pro- portions that it occupies at the present time. There is not a detail connected with the manufacture of pianos that has not been mastered by young Mr. Ricca, whose aptitude and remark- able intelligence fitted him for the responsible position he as- sumed as his father's associate in the conduct of the business. Mr. Ricca is a member of All Saints Church, the Harlem Dem- ocratie Club. the Pleiades Club, and the Ronkonkoma Driving Cinb. Ile is not married. and applies all of his excellent talents and time during business hours to the further progress of his large and successful business.
JOHN H. LUDWIG, the famous piano manufacturer, a native of the Borough of the Bronx, was educated at the Melrose public school. He chose the trade of piano making,
JOHN H. LUDWIG
and after a few years' service, became one of the most expert mechanics in the business in bench work and piano tuning. Conceiving an idea to manufacture pianos, Mr. Ludwig started
in business for himself in 1800, when the first Ludwig Piano was brought into existence, forming the foundation of this now famous house, which employs at present over 250 workmen, and an output of more than 3.500 pianos annually has been reached. Artistic development at the least possible cost, and the ad- vantages of almost faultless manufacturing, has created for the Ludwig piano, among all the principal dealers throughout the United States, the only strictly high grade piano, sold at a reasonable margin above the cost of manufacture. It is an instrument whose sale is exceeded by very few in the great American piano industry. Experts have agreed that it has some very exclusive features which are improvements of great value. It has won distinction in several competitive exhibits, and re- ceived a high award at the Paris Exhibition of 1900, and received the highest award given to pianos at the Pan-American Exposi- tion at Buffalo in 1901. Hundreds of eminent artists and musi- sians have endorsed the Ludwig piano in terms of the highest praise. In 1897, Ludwig & Co. opened up a number of retail branches, forming a special company for this purpose which are under the direction of competent men, who have an interest in the company. These ventures have been eminently success- ful, and to show their appreciation of their employees' zeal, has stimulated a further consistent extension by the incorpora- tion of the old partnership firm into a stock company for the object of amalgamating the employees' inteligence with their capital. This was effected by giving the foreman one-tenth part interest in the business, to exemplify that in co-operation there is strength. The house is also a general factor for the sale of the piano player, known as "Claviola," which was awarded the gold medal at the Pan-American Exposition at Buffalo. Mr. Ludwig is a Democrat in politics, and is a member of the New York Athletic Club, and the Piano Manufacturers' Association.
ALBERT STAIB, manufacturer, inventor.and president of the Staib-Abendschein Co., manufacturers of piano actions. was born in New York City, May 1, 1863, and was educated in the public schools. The son of John Staib, a veteran and emi- nent manufacturer of piano actions in New York, he was taken by the latter into Decker's Piano Manufacturing Co. and was liberally and practically trained in piano action building, in which his father was one of the most skilful in this or any other country. In 1890 Mr. John Staib organized the pres- ent Staib-Abendschein Co., as its president. with Mr. George Abend-chein as treasurer, with Mr. G. F. Abendschein the former's son, as secretary, the factory being located at Nos. 447 to 453 West Twenty-sixth Street. New York City. On January 26, 1892, Mr. John Staib, the founder of this success- ful house, died, and in the reorganization of the company, Mr. Albert Staib, his son, was elected as its president to succeed his father. The mechanical genius of the father was in this instance transmitted to son and it was for this remarkab !. ability he was chosen as the head of the large and progressive concern. Finding, during the years 1893 and 1894, that the capacity of their factory on Twenty-sixth Street was inadequate to meet the demands of their rapidly growing business, they built a new six-story brick manufactory at the corner of 134th Street and Brook avenue, New York, which was fitted up with all the latest piano action machinery for uprights and grands, with Mr. Albert Staib's inventions, many of these machines costing thousands of dollars, and of the most intricate char- aster, performing remarkable and accurate work in the con- struction of their wonderful piano actions, there being nothing
HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
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in this country to excel or compete with them. The question of their advance and popularity in the trade is shown from the fact that when first organized. in 1800, they made up to the time of their removal into their present extensive buildings, in 1895, 5,000 instruments per annum. To-day their entire output is up to 20,000 instruments per annum, or over 375 sets per week, which, through the marvellous facilities they employ in machinery and skilled mechanics, they can increase at their own option. The material used in the construction of their action making. is of the best that can be procured, and one of the most important factors that enters into it is thoroughly sea- soned lumber, the best and most carefully selected of which they carry constantly in stock, 240,000 feet of maple at their factory, and a similar number of feet at the famous mills in the Adirondack Mountains, receiving the necessary air cure. Manufacturing both grand and upright actions, their work is guaranteed to be of the highest grade, combining all of the most modern ideas of a practical nature. The mechanical de-
Bronx, he is known as one of its first citizens, who takes an active interest in every public improvement that has a tendency to develop its growth and influence in the constellation of the boroughs that go to make up our Greater New York. In it he has been an independent factor in developing one of its great industries, and now at the prime of his life he gives promise to maintain, not only his present wonderful status, but to ac- complish greater and grander results in the future.
GEORGE C. DRESSEL .- The Dressel Railway Lamp Works, 3866 to 3878 Park Avenue, was organized by George C. Dressel in the year 1881, under the firm name of George C. Dressel & Co. The founder of the business, whose picture ap- pears elsewhere, was born in Frankfort, Germany, in the year 1828, and came to this country in 1849 in a slow sailing vessel ; the fast and elegant passenger steamers of to-day being a thing then unheard of. Crossing the ocean at that time was often a journey of weeks. After spending 18 years in the employ of the
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Dressel Railway Lamp Works
partment of the concern is under the direct supervision of Mr. Albert Staib, the president, who is so well qualified for the work, and which he supervises in every detail. The finances are attended to by Mr. George Abendschein and the general managenient of the extensive business is conducted by Mr. G. F. Abendschein. By the conscientious efforts of this notable in- dustry in the Borough of the Bronx, a grateful patronage from all parts of the United States has been their reward, for which they feel grateful and will endeavor by the same spirit of enter- prise and practical ability to retain and gain new clients in the future. Mr. Albert Staib has been a resident of the Bronx for the past ten years; in politics he is independent, and is a promi- nent member of the North Side Board of Trade, the Schnorer . and Longwood Clubs. On January 23. 1886, he was married to Miss Ernestine Wagner, an estimable and cultivated young lady, the result of this happy union being three daughters, Edith P., Louisa B., and Minnie C. Staib, and resides at 754 Prospect . Avenue. As president of one of the most extensive piano ac- tion manufacturing concerns in the great Borough of the
New York Central & Hudson River Railroad Company as an expert mechanic, he resigned, and in 1881 entered into partner- ship with his youngest son. Frederick W. Dressel. the firm being known as George C. Dressel & Co. A small factory was erected on the north side of 173d Street, between Washington and Park . ... en salle stands a one of the landmarks of the neigh- borhood, and in comparison with the present factory it can hardly be believed that such was the beginning of the extensive business now carried on. The first product of manufacture was a practical lunch satchel suitable for railroad men and mechame -. By thrift and good management the firm soon increased their member of employees and started the manufacture of signal lamps. This proved successful and the business grew so rapidis that the manufacture of lunch boxes was discontinued and the entire time devoted to the mamifacture and improvement of al. lumps devoted to railway lighting. The eldest son, Charles 11. Dressel, in 1802, became a member of the firm, which soon c.R. grew their original quarters and in the year 1893 additional prop city was acquired on Park, then Vanderbilt, Avenue, and in
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GEORGE C. DRESSEL
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HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
following year the present factory was erected. New machinery of improved design was purchased and by the mechanical ability of all the members of the firm. many new inventions as well as numerous improvements were made, and the firm soon gained the reputation of making superior lamps both as to quality, dura- bility and effectiveness. In addition to making lamps of num- crous designs, the firm next commenced the manufacture and sale of locomotive headlights of improved patterns, also many styles of burners patented by themselves, and many of the vari-
ous articles manufactured have been adopted as standard by the largest railroads of the United States. The firm was incorpo- rated under the laws of the State of New York on January 15, 1805, adopting the new name of The Dressel Railway Lamp Works, with George C. Dressel president, Frederick W. Dressel vice-president, and Charles H. Dressel secretary, there being no change of officers until the death of George C. Dressel, president, July 3. 1899, after an illness extending over a period of years. After the death of his father, Frederick W. Dressel was elected president of the corporation and Charles H. Dressel vice-presi- dent, these positions now being held by them. Owing to the rapid increase in business the firm found it necessary to increase . the directorship and in 1900 they secured the services of Robert Black, an experienced railroad man and for many years road- master of the Manhattan Railway Company of this city, he having aided in the construction and operation of the entire elevated railway system, resigning his position with said company after a continued service of thirty-five years. Mr. Black not only scrves the firm as a director but is also secretary and manager. The products of the firm are used principally in this country. but in recent years their lamps have been put in use on several railroads in Mexico, Cuba and South America; locomotives for use in China and Japan have also been equipped with their headlights. In recent years the firm has extensively experi- mented with both electricity and acetylene gas for railway light- ing and are frequently called upon to fill orders where these systems of lighting are specified. The permanent growth of the business during the past ten years has made the present quarters of the firm inadequate, and plans have been carried out to eularge the plant to more than double its present capacity which, when completed, will greatly increase the present industries by the manufacture of electrical goods, navy lanterns, automobile lamps, etc. The present plant consists of three floors and base- ment. The basement is used for the storage of material for manufacturing purposes; also the plating and burnishing depart- ments are here located. The first floor is utilized as machine shop, press room, packing and shipping department and offices. The lighter grades of work are done on the second floor, such as spinning, assembling and japanning departments. Except for the buffing and polishing departments the entire third Hoor is used exclusively for the manufacture of locomotive headlights. All work is so systematizel that each department is conducted practically as a separate business ; all foremen are held responsi- ble for the work conducted in their particular department : cach one acting entirely independent of any other. In accounting, each department is charged with the labor and material used therein and . all sales are credited to the department to which it belongs. For several years the firm has operated its own foun- . dry, also tinning plant, taking it possible to construct any and every part of their product except steel, glass and sheet metals. In reality there are several hundred styles of lamps in use on railroads, each road having some system of lighting that would .not be applicable to all. This necessarily calls for many styles and colors of lenses and adds gready to the details of manu-
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