USA > New York > Bronx County > History of Bronx borough, city of New York : compiled for the North side news > Part 48
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CHARLES KUNTZE, who was elected Alderman on the M. O. L. ticket at the election of 1905, by a plurality of 900 over Alderman Dougherty, and 3.300 over John H. Watt, was one of the organizers of the M. O. L. in tite 34th District. North Side. and one of the most active and influential workers in that move- ment. He lives at 732 East 146th Street, and is engaged in the , painting and decorating business at 1733 Park Avenue. Iu busi- ness, as in politics, he is a hustling, energetic and self-made man. Mr. Kuntze was born in Germany October 24, 1870, but came to this country at an early age-at to in point of fact. His first employment was in the line he follows at present, with Z. Parish, Wheeler & Co., Union Sqaure. Ile remained with that house
about ten years and then for four years was Superintendent for the J. C. Lyons Building Co., and then embarked in business on his own account. He has been a resident of the Bronx since 1895. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, the Schweitzer Mannerchor and the Rheinischer Saenger Bund and was one of the organizers of the M. O. L. in this the 34th District. Ile married in 1895, Miss Lena Handler. They have two children living, Elsa and Charles, both of whom are attending public school No. 27.
JAMES CARRIGAN is general superintendent of the Union Railroad Company. He has been forty years identified with that concern, beginning in youth as driver on the old Har- lem Bridge, Morrisania and Fordham Railway line, and rising by hard work and honest service through the various grades he- tween ... He was born in Fordham June 24, 1845. He received his education in the public schools of that burg, then a separate settlement. He has had a residence in the borough during an unbroken period. Politically a Democrat, he has never held office, but has taken active part as a railroad man in the ad- vancement of the borough. As a resident himself of Southern Boulevard (No. 2335), he has been largely instrumental in the development of the transit system in that part of the borough !Te married, February 12, 1867, Miss Jane Walker. They have had seven children, of whom four, Thomas W .. William. Harry and Seraphim, are living ; the others, Effie, Alexander and James. deceased. Mr. Carrigan belongs to but one organization, the fraternal order of the A. O. U. W.
HARRY HEILMANN, wholesale butcher, was the first to open an independent establishment-that is, to enter into comp.e- tition with the combine-in the Bronx. This he did at 2863 Third Avenue in 1893. He was successful in this venture and now has trade all over the borough. Mr. Heilmann is a native. He was born here in New York in 1871. His father was in this same line before him-for some forty years or more-and built, long ago, the first uptown slaughterhouse. His father-in-law built the first brick house in the Bronx. Mr. Heilmann is an independent in politics, a member of the I. O. O. F. and the Mohican Club, and, as we have hinted. a man of family. He married. March 23. 1897, Miss Amelia Fritz. They have had two children, one of whom, George, is living: the other, Edna. deceased.
JACOB SEABOLD, who was clerk in the Surrogate's office, and in the Building Department, Deputy Commissioner of Street Cleaning, under Commissioner Coleman, and Deputy Commissioner of Street Improvements, under Commissioner Haffen, is a native of Yorkville, but was a resident of the Bronx for years. He was born in 1843 and attended the public schools in his youth, and the Hudson River Institute. Hle was a member of the Amsterdam Club, the Central Deno- cratic Club, the Harlem Democratic and Osceola Clubs ant the Wawayanda Fishing Club and Knights of St. Patrick. Ile married September 1, ISto, Miss Catherine Schaaf and has two children living, Rosa B., and Henry W.
FREDERICK LOHBAUER, the famous caterer and origi- nal proprietor of Lohbauer's Park, Westchester, who died Febru- ary 3. 1904. was born August 9. 1853, at Mindershiem, near Ludwigshafen. Germany, and was educated there. He learned the brewer's trade and after he emigrated to New York City he secured the position of brewmaster with John F. Betz, whom he served so faithfully and with such success that he was tendered a large increase of salary by the well known brewer Peter
CHARLES KUNTZE
JAMES CARRIGAN
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JACOB SEABOLD
HARRY HEILMANN
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HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
Buckel, to take full charge of his establishment as brewmaster, which he accepted and for a long term served in this capacity, increasing largely the quality and the strength of the beer, which gave the name of Buckel's beer such an impetus that Mr. Buck- el's trade was largely and most profitably developed. In 1890 he came to Westchester and opened a hotel at Throgg's Neck, and in 1896 opened the well known resort called to-day Loh- bauer's Park, in its desires for open air amusements, picnics, shore dinners and all manner of summer outings, in which he
FREDERICK LOHBAUER
recognized that the people of the great city were so familiar with and so generally interested in. It was at this time that he exhibited his superior ability, keen judgment and practical ideas in the selection of a grand location that would be free from all obstructions as to the interruption of his guests and in the mean- time provide them with all the comforts and conveniences of the salt water air and boundless room for their sports and games, with all other privileges so much desired for the pleas- ures of a grand outing. He therefore leased what has now become famous throughout Greater New York and widely known as Lohbauer's Park, Westchester. After leasing the park the Country Club commenced proceedings against the estate to which the park belonged to oust Mr. Lohbauer; this litigation continued until three months after the death of the latter, and was decided in favor of the estate, which left Mr. Lohbauer's widow in full control of the park, which she continues to con- duet on the same lines as her husband previously did. He was a gentleman of very striking personality, endowed with wonder- ful executive ability and generosity ; he was a keen student of human nature and was known to all the thousands of people with whom it was his business to come in contact as a reliable, upright and matter-of-fact business man. . In his personal friend- ships his assistance and generosity was never refused as hun- dreds of his prominent friends now living bear testimony. He was a member of the Lutheran Church, of the City Lodge, No. 408, F. and A. M., Heimath Lodge, 1. O. O. F., the Eichenkranz, Mainzer Carneval. Westchester Maennerchor, Tallapoosa Club, a member of the General Committee of Tammany Hall and the Chippewa Club, besides a member of the North Side Board of Trade. Mr. Lohbauer married Miss Madeline Herman, of Ludwigshafen, Germany, an estimable lady, and had six chil-
dren, viz .: John, Elizabeth, Clara, Christopher, Barbara and Leonora, four of whom are deceased and two living. His mem- ory will always live in the hearts of thousands of the people of the Bronx and Greater New York as one who lived as an honest and upright citizen and to whom they owe a great deal for his public spirited enterprise.
MORRIS YUKELSON, of 416 Willis avenue, who fur- nished many of the views in this work, was born in Lutzk, Russia, July 29, 1878, and during his early youth attended the public schools of his native town. At fourteen years of age he moved to Zietmer, Russia, and completed his education there in the high school and went as high as the sixth class. Two classes more would have fitted him for any university in that country, but his patriotism was too strong for him to continue his studies, so he enlisted in the army, was made corporal and served for two years and eight months. During that time he won distinction as a sharpshooter and was awarded a medal for his excellent marksmanship. On September 1, 1899, he was honorably discharged from service and immediately ac- cepted an office in the Police Department in Lutzk as clerk. This position he held until April, 1900, when he decided to come to America. On the Ist day of April he arrived here, and was given employment by a photographer in Canal Street, Manhattan. This business he understood thoroughly, for he made a study of it while in Europe, and it was not long before he became very successful, and a half a year later he bought his present studio. Mr. Yukelson has only been in the Bronx for three years, but his success is due to the fact that his
MORRIS YUKELSON
methods are clean and his work first-class. His patronage ex- tends over quite a territory. Aside from his inside work, he is kept busy by newspapers, magazines, lawyers, real estate men, builders, etc., and all recognize his ability as a plus- tographer of outside views. On June o. 1904. he married M Rosa Ocheroff, of Saratoff, Russia, who was then living in New York City. One son has been born to them, Les, who is an infant six months old.
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WILLIAM HENRY ROWAN
ROBERT VOLBRACHT
Fors'
FREDERICK KNECHT
JOHN J. FOX
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3.13
HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
FREDERICK OSTERMAN, prominently identified with many of the progressive features of Harlem and the Bronx, was born December 21, 1872, in Germany, and graduated from the public schools of his birthplace. At the age of ten years, he de- veloped musical talent, and in order to earn sufficient means that he might apply himself to the taking of violin lessons, in which his mind and tastes were practically devoted, he assumed the role of a drummer boy, and playing with a band in this capacity for a long term, earned the requisite amount, then applied his studies to the violin and finally became an accomplished artist as a vio- linist. In August, 1886, he came to the United States, and
worked as a groeer's clerk for three years, and the following five years tended bar at 116th Street and Second Avenue. Having a taste for commercial work, the well known wholesale stationery firm of Charles Magnus & Sons, of 5 and 7 Chambers Street, recognized his abilities, and employed him for a long term as their traveling salesman. At the age of 20, Mr. Osterman opened a cafe and restaurant, under the firm name of Osterman & Pfeifer at 534 Pearl Street, New York City, and in conjunc-
FREDERICK OSTERMAN
tion with his partner continued the business for one year un- successfully. Failing in this his first enterprise he was obliged to seck employment with the Brooklyn City Railroad Company, and served one year as a conductor on that road. He returned to New York City and again became a bartender, serving seven more years in this capacity, when he made hosts of friends and became widely known. Having recuperated his fortunes, he paid off all of his ereditors of the restaurant failure 100 eents on the dollar, which included his partner's debts. On March 1, 1901, Mr. Osterman leased the premises on the southeast corner of 141st Street and Eightli Avenue, on his own account, and has sinee condueted his hotel with signal success. His place of business is one of the most popularly patronized hotels at the north end, and is frequented by a large number of prominent citizens of the Bronx, who are on intimate terms of friendship with him. He is also the sole owner and proprietor of the northeast corner of Seventh Avenue and 143d Street, one of the handsomest and most gorgeously fitted up cafes to be found along
the line of six and seven-story apartment houses. In isys att Usterman's popularity had become so general that the Fire Osterinan Association was formed, nominating Mir. O .: as its standard bearer. Three hundred members aties! ! popularity of this well known orgamzation, which has heat a ... nual outings every year since it was organized. and watch :, attended by hundreds of the best citizens of the north end of Harlem, and numbers from the Bronx. The organization is so- eial in its easte and character, but in political affairs they : ce for the best interest of the city, State and nation, and theret :p wields a painful influence in municipal, State and national ch .. tions. On March 5, 1892, Mr. Osterman married .. les ap ... Kraus, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Kraus, of New 1 4 .. City, and an estimable lady of culture and refinement, the re. .... of this happy umon being one daughter, Lillian, now it's. aged 10 years. The son of August and Meta Osterman, he i .... . a very strong personality. Young, vigorous and essentially a practical business man, generous in his nature and impulses. He has the proud distinction of having overcome the varied vie. .. tudes of business misfortunes and is recognized at the Nosti End, and among his hosts of friends in the Bronx, as one di Sts leading examples of what a man can do, and become-a post.ve success-who employs his energies, his intellect and his vigorots personality in the development of his business enterprises. Air Osterman is an honorary member of nearly every social ofa # 1- zation of the North End. He is a member of Hermin Le ... 1 No. 268, F. and A. M., Columbus Lodge, I. O. O. F., Mekity Lodge of Foresters, the Bronx Acrie of Eagles, President of t :: Henry Racquet Club of the Twenty-third Assembly District, men- ber of the General Committee of Tammany Hall, Win. M. More" Association, Twenty-third Assembly District, the Fritz Reuter Company No. 15, the New York Schutzenbund. West liar! !:. Quartette Club, active member of the Liquor Dealers' Associa- tion of the State of New York, Shewang Tribe. I. O. Red Men. formed the first Municipal Ownership Club of New York City. and was second vice-president of the United Democratie Club. and member of the Jolin Mooney Association. One of the first citizens of his locality, popular with the people, and with a large. extensive and influential acquaintance throughout Harlem ani the Borough of the Bronx, Mr. Osterman gives every promise t. play an important part in the future of our municipal affairs.
WILLIAM HENRY ROWAN .- Some sixty-four years age in a two-story frame building, No. 48 West Twenty-fourt Street, W'nı. H. Rowan was born and here spent his early duy . In his tenth year his father purchased property on Fin !... Street, Melrose, and built the house No. 683 East 160th Str. At the Morrisania village school he was an excellent stut ... and left it in the year 1856 to enter the office of the We chester County "Journal," owned and edited by James Sono His next move was to the office of Fulger & Turner, ILS ! Street, printers and engravers. Always taking an active ! terest in polities, he started to tour the South early in is i When in Tennessee, Fort Sumpter was fired on, and the >: S was ablaze for war. A Confederate recruiting officer tried : . enlist him in the Confederate service. He declined, but ti had obtained his name and personal description, and i'd. them on a list that he never saw. He left the South and 1 turned to Cincinnati where he, with others, went to ( .... Clay and volunteered. Rowan was rejected, failing to pass ?. physical requirement. He then obtained emph; ment in the . tice of the "Cincinnati Commercial." After a the ke :" the capital of Indiana, and here went into the phe: business. After the battle of Fort Donelson and 1 ...... ..
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HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
10, he obtained permission and went into Camp Morton (the old fair grounds ), containing over thirty acres of ground, where 4.500 Confederate prisoners were encamped. Here he mingled with them and had a novel experience in this camp and made many friends among the prisoners, many of whom took the oath of allegiance and became loyal citizens. Many of the pictures seen in the public prints of those days were made by the young pho- tographer; some of these have been offered in evidence to prove or disprove the statement that the prisoners were well treated. During the Morgan Raid, when Gen. John Morgan with his 2,- 000 mounted nien raided the North, Rowan joined Mason's con- pany of minute men, a company of artillery, which was disbanded as soon as Morgan was captured. Rowan was boarding on New York Street and had entered his name in Mason's company on the original roll in front of the Bates House. 1 hat same night after the public meeting was over, Rowan and some friends went over to the Palmer House. While there he observed a tall, dark whiskered man, who kept watching him. He paid little attention at first, but when about to leave for home, he crossed Washington Street, and the of- ficer followed him. Instead of going north he turned to the east, about 200 feet, stepping into a doorway to await the officer, who approached and saluted. As soon as the salite was re- turned, the officer, who was in the uniform of a major in the U. S. Army gave a whistle as a signal and a crowd rushed front the Palmer House, shouting: "Hang him, hang the rebel spy, string him up to the first lamp post !" Before the major could touch his pocket Rowan had his six-shooter pointed at the major demanding an explanation. Perilous as the situation was, the crowd was held at bay, until a friend in the crowd appeared who knew the young photographer. The next day a description of the major was furnished the district attorney, who had the major arrested and placed on trial as a Confederate spy. He was sent to Alton, Ill., a military prison. His story proved to be a fabri- cation. He excited the crowd in the Palmer House by telling them that Rowan was a member of an infantry company in Text- nessee in 1861, and this is accounted for by the fact that he was the Confederate recruiting officer who tried to induce Rowan to enter the Confederate service at that time. He had remembered the young man from New York, who had not been able to recog nize the Confederate. After the Morgan raid he followed the flag as a photographer, taking topographical maps, pictures and en- largements for army nse. Ile traveled extensively through the southwest and his pictures of camp and army life were from nega- tives taken on the spot. In the closing days of the war he was in the Southwest, where he recalls Sherman's raid into Mississippi. and Banl.s' unfortunate Red River expedition. His actual service was less than go days and yet he was for over three years in the war zone. Rowan returned to New York in 1865, broken in health from the effects of dysentery and typhoid fever, in- curred in "Following the Flag," but glad to get back to dear old New York, where he has since resided. He now owns and oc- cupies the house No. 687 East 16oth Street, inheriting the prop- erty from his father. Once a printer always a printer, and after an experience in early life as photographer, school teacher, com- positor and reporter, he goes back to his first trade, printer and press contributor. While in Indianapolis he became personally acquainted with Benjamin Harrison and members of his fam- ily. When introduced to Col. llarrison at the Camp of Instruc- tion at Indianapolis, Rowan said: "Colonel, it gives me much pleasure to meet you. My father was a Whig, and he voted for your grandfather for president. I hope to have the pleasure oi voting for you for the same office." The graceful compliment was acknowledged, and William Henry Rowan voted and
worked hard for the election of Benjamin Harrison for president. Mr. Rowan is well known as a contributor to the public press; also as a writer of poetry and his sketches "Taken from Life" have been widely read. He is the author of "Folk Lore and Literature," and prides on calling himself a printer, but we take pride in calling him the "Printer Poet of the Bronx."
ROBERT VOLBRACUIT is the well known manufacturer of hand-made shoes at 238 Canal Street, Manhattan. Mr. Vol. bracht was born at Elberfeld, Prussia, Aug. 1, 1848. There also he received his schooling and acquired an education. He has been resident in the Bronx since 1866, and having been more or less active in the Democratic ranks, has a wide circle of acquaint- ances. He has been a member of the Schnorer Club for more than twenty years, and is affiliated with other organizations of a social and fraternal nature. He married and has raised a family in the Borough also. April 27, 1869, he was united to Miss Alina Pfeiffer. Five children are the fruits of that union- Gustav, Harry, Robert, Jr., Charles, and Maud, the last-named married to Max Sieghart in 1904.
HENRY AHR, well known not only to the building fra- ternity of the Bronx, but to all the builders of Greater New York for many years past, was born September 19, 1847, at Baden, Germany, and was educated in the public school of the latter place. On June 10, 1866, after the closing of the civil war, Mr. Ahr arrived in the City of New York and entered into the iron railing business on Avenue C, between Fifth and Sixth Streets. For five years he struggled faithfully to secure a foothold in this important branch of business, at that time the
HENRY AHR
East Side of the city. While successful, he felt that his interests required greater development and in 1871 he transferred his whole interests from Avenue C to the Bronx and located his shop at 154th Street and Third Avenue. After being located at the aforesaid premises Mr. Ahr discovered that he was con- fronted with a very serious problem. It was not a theory, but it was an actual condition that he was obliged to meet. In 18;1 the Bronx was but little more or less than an open country. which gave but little encouragement to merchants or manu- facturers to locate there, and having located himself he con-
WILLIAM JACKSON PRIME
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345
HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
cluded to remain and fight the battle of his life, which his success for the past thirty-three years has demonstrated what can be accomplished by a man of iron nerve. When he opened the small place at 154th Street and Third Avenue there were only a few orders that came to him on various occasions and owing to his absolute poverty he was obliged to deliver the orders on an improvised hand cart, often going beyond Tremont Ave- nue, and even to Fordham. In the "lexicon of his youthi" he never knew the word "Fail." He grew up with the Bronx and to such an extent that he enjoys the confidence of his fellow citi- zens and commands the largest trade in the iron railing business of this great borough. He married Barbara Bomshire in 1870, and this pleasant union resulted in seven children, three of whom are deceased, viz .: John, Caroline and Charles. Those living are Kate, Henry, Adolph and Barbara. His estimable wife died October 7, 1899, in the 55th year of her age. On May 1, 1902, he married Emma Uhl, of New York City. A Democrat in politics, but not a partisan, he is a member of a number of social clubs such as the K. O. S. Bowling Club, the Melrose Turn Verein, the Aurora Liederkranz, and the famous Schnorer of the Bronx. Mr. Ahr's manufacturing establishment, the largest in the Bronx, extends from 696 to 700 East 148th Street.
PROFESSOR THOMAS J. LONG, the most noted danc- ing master of the Bronx, and one of the most capable in the metropolis, is proprietor of the dancing academy at the Crotona Casino, at 975 East 169th Street. He was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., and graduated from St. Joseph's Parish School there. He has been established in this part of the city about five years, and has made his establishment, as regards popularity and fashion, the Sherry's of the borough. He was at the Metro-
PROFESSOR THOMAS J. LONG
polis Theatre formerly, and there in his school instructed up- wards of 5,000 pupils in the terpsichorean art. He teaches all the latest styles of "tripping the light fantastic," including stage, ballet and ball room dancing of all kinds. He has been in the business all his life and can be relied on as thoroughly com- petent. Mr. Long was married September 27, 1898, to Miss Hattie Burritt, of Redfield, New York. They have one child, Janet by name, living.
JOHN C. CALVERT, superintendent of Building Construc- tion for the Isaac A. Hopper Company, of New York City, is no: only one of the best known men in that line in the Bronx, but socially and politically as well. He is one of the most active workers in the Democratic cause in the borough, though he has never held office, and as such has a host of friends and a follow- ing whose name literally is legion. Mr. Calvert was born in
JOHN C. CALVERT
Binghamton, New York, about forty years ago. He is, in short. in the golden prime of middle life. As a youth he went to school here in old Grammar No. 56. Ile has lived in the Bronx about thirteen years. He is the standard-bearer of the John C. Calvert Association of about two hundred members ; a member of the Jefferson Tammany organization and of the John C. Cal- vert Association, which is named for him. He also belongs to Bricklayers' Union No. 37; to the Royal Arcanum, and the Episcopal Church. Mr. Calvert married, in 1887, Miss Amelia J York. They have had cight children, of whom six are living. two boys and four girls. The names of the children are: Thoma- Calvert and Hazel Calvert, deceased; Jas. A., Wm. W., Pansy A., Caroline, Jennie D., Helen, living.
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