USA > New York > Bronx County > History of Bronx borough, city of New York : compiled for the North side news > Part 49
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RUDOLPH E. STOECKEL, dealing in drugs, chemical, and dye stuffs at 2449 Third Avenue, in the Bronx, is a native of New York-the old city-but has lived in the Bronx from boyhood. lle is the son of Andrew Stoeckel, who came to. this country from Germany in 1835. His father was the in- ventor of the veneer shaving machine and of other wood-working devices ; he established the Central Saw Mill, which is still exist- ant, on Elizabeth Street, about the year 1845. and retired from business and settled in the Bronx on Macomb, now Mott. Avenue. in 1867. He died in 1802 at the age of eighty-two, leaving a wife. mother of our subject, who survived likewise to the advanced age of eighty. Mr. Stoeckel himself, as we have said, has been iden- tified with the Bronx for a lifetime. He attended as a boy the old Mott Haven public school, and took a course also at Lynker's Commercial College. Ile was married, too, in this district -- in I885-to Miss Jennie Cooper Rowland, of West Farts. They have five cluldren, of whom three are living. He has been a mem- ber of the New York Athletic Club twenty-five years. He
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ARTHUR ARCTANDER
MICHAEL WOHN
FREDERICK WILLIAM MCCULLOUGH
JOSEPH CHARLES LEE
3-17
HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
belongs to the Milford ( Conn. ) Yacht Club, the North Side Board of Trade, and to St. Mary's P. E. Church of Mott Haven.
FREDERICK KNECHT, the popular wholesale wine mer- chant of the Bronx, was born at Wurtemberg, Germany, No- vember 24, 1865, and was educated at the public schools of his native place. His father having a large fruit-tree nursery, he assisted him in its conduct until 1881, when he came to the United States, settled in New York City, where he was con- nected with the wine business. In 1893 Mr. Knecht engaged in that business on his own account. In 1898 he became an im- porter of the very best brands of Rhine wines, and sells wholesale throughout Greater New York, all suburban towns, and outside of the State. His business is very extensive, and his brands of wines are in great demand, as their reputation for purity has for a long time past been firmly established. Mr. Knecht adds monthly to his already large importations, opening a store on Fourth Street, between Second and Third Avenues where he re- mained until the fall of 1894, when he removed to the Bronx, lo- cating at Third Avenue and 149th Street. In February, 1904, he removed to his present place, No. 540 Bergen Avenue, ni order to meet the increasing demands of his extensive trade. He was mar- ried Feb. 2, 1892, to Miss Augustus Dunker, a lady of refinement and culture, and has four children, Johanna, Marie, Fred and Alice. Mr. Knecht is a member of Wieland Lodge, 714, F. and A. M., of which he is past master; Melrose Turn Verein; Schnorer Club; Arion Licdertafel and many others.
JOHN J. FOX, a self-made man of Bronx Borough, was born in New York City May 24, 1867. His education was ob- tained in the public schools. After concluding his school life, he engaged as an apprentice in the blacksmith trade, a vocation he followed for a period of six years; during that period he took up the study of veterinary work, a profession in which he attained considerable success. In 1895 Mr. Fox embarked in the livery stable business, and in 1897 added an undertaking depart- ment thereto. His first stable was located at No. 1888 Washington Avenue. After occupying those quarters for a time his rapidly increasing business compelled him to seek a more extensive plant, which was obtained at No. 1908 and 1910 Bathgate Ave- nuc. He occupies the entire building, four stories in height, with a frontage of 45 feet and a depth of 80 feet. It is one of the most important businesses of its kind in the Bronx. Politi- cally, Mr. Fox is a Democrat, although he has never aspired to hold office. Socially, he is prominent, being a member of a number of social and benevolent organizations, among which are the Royal Arcanum, Loyal Addition of Royal Arcanum, Im- proved Order of Red Men, Fordham Club, North Side Board of Trade, Knights of Honor, Brownson Catholic Club, Benev. olent Protective Order of Elks, Knights of Columbus, Catholic Benevolent Legion, Ancient Order of Hibernians, Ancient Order United Workmen, member Tammany Hall General Committee, Bunker Hill Club, American Irish Historical Society, St. Joseph's Church (of which he is also the sexton), and the Taxpayers' Alliance. On May 24, 1894, Mr. Fox married Elizabeth, daugh- ter of former tax assessor Henry Bracken, Esq. Their union has been blessed with five children, viz .: John J., Jr., Joseph, Henry and Thomas (now deceased), and Mary. Mr. Fox is a public-spirited citizen and has always advocated every measure whereby the borough would be benefitted. He has always con- tributed liberally to any cause worthy of recognition, especially where the public welfare entered into the question. Ile is esteemed by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance.
JOIIN CHARLICK HUME, Civil Engineer acting as .A . sistant Engineer in charge of street openings in the Bronx, Was born at Mamaroneck, Westchester County, October 16, 1839 He was educated in the public schools, at the College of the City of New York, and also by private study. He has been a resident of the borough eight years. lle i, a working Demo- crat and member of the Jefferson Democratic Club. He has never held an elective office. but has been engaged on con -! and harbor sarvey- at New York since 1883. and continual'y
JOHN CHARLICK HUME
on matters pertaining to improvements in the Bronx under the Public Parks Department, under Commissioner of Street I. provements in the Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth Wards. under the Board of Public Improvements and under President Haffen. He is, in fact, the acknowledged authority as to matters of street openings in the borough. Mr. Hume was married. July 31, 1894, to Helen, daughter of Magnus Gross, Democratic leader and one time editor of the New York "Staats Zeitung." They have two children living, both girls, and one, a girl. de! !
ALBERT L. WYMAN was born May 26, 1877. in the City of New York. His boyhood was spent in New York State, the first four years in the Borongh of Manhattan and the next four in Dundee, Yates County. When eight years old he moved to Hartford, Conn., where he lived until he was sixteen. A: 10 .: age his ambitions led him to enter the Connecticut Literary In- stitution at Suffield, now known as Suffield Academy. There he studied hard and obtained excellent standing. He won prizes in all open competitions except declamations. lle won first prize in extempore speaking, and also in prize debate, and second prize in English composition, his subject being. "The City of the Beautiful." He graduated in 1897, ranking at the head of his class. At this time he received the Charles Austin Lati: prize, awarded to graduates having the highest rating in Latin during his junior and senior years. lle was also president vi his class. From Suffield he went to Colgate University at lamit- ton, N. Y. where he joined the College Glee Club in his ire man year and was elected a member of the Beta Theta Pi l'ri ternity. He spent his sophomore and junior years at 11 ; College, Hartford, where he not only attained high standing. 1: also acted as pastor of the Suffield Baptist Chapel as a ma-
HENRY HAFFEN
JULIUS C. WACHENHEIMER
3
ALBERT F. VOLGENAU
WILLIAM DAUB
349
HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
i .cli support while at college. He did not complete his college . mise, interests of greater importance having engaged his at- mention, and he returned to the city of his birth, New York City. He entered into business with zeal and intelligence, and acting .a the principle that in order to learn modern business methods it is necessary to work for various business concerns, he made several changes in business connections during the first few years. His first year in business was spent in the employ of the B. F. Goodrich Co., of Akron, Ohio, one of the largest manufacturers of rubber goods in the United States, where he gained a thorough insight in up-to-date business meth- ouls. He also connected himself with the Yawman & Erbe Manu- facturing Co. of Rochester, N. Y., makers of filing systems. In December, 1904, he entered the employ of the "North Side News" as office manager and by strict attention to business has ad- vanced himself to the position of associate editor of the "American Banker." Mr. Wyman comes from Revolutionary stock. the Wymans having sailed from Green Hall, Sussex Coun- ty. England, in 1644, and settled in Woburn, Massachusetts. There were two brothers, Francis and Jonathan, the subject of this sketch being descended from the latter. It is said that Mr. Wy- man's great-great-grandfather was "one of those present" at the historic Tea Party in Boston Harbor, and certain it is another of his forbears gave his life in the cause of liberty on the field of Lexington at the beginning of the Revolution. Prior to this, Seth Wyman had taken an. active part in the Indian wars and was killed during a brush with the savages, who gave so much trouble to carly Massachusetts settlers. Captain John Wyman was an- other conspicuous figure in Colonial days, and Admiral George Dewey, whose brilliant exploit in Manila Harbor in 1898 is of historic moment, is a first cousin. Mr. Wyman seldom talks of family affairs, however, as he believes every man must rest on his own record, and make or mar his own fortune.
WILLIAM DAUB, born September 26, 1846, at Nidda, Oberhessen, Germany, and educated at the public school of the same place, at the age of 14 years entered a mercantile house in the city of Ashaffenburg, Bavaria, and was with the house until 18 years of age. The following three years, from 18 to 21, he traveled for a mercantile house in Frankfurt on the Main, Ger- many. In the fall of the year 1866, at the age of 21, he came to America, where he entered a retail dry goods store on Avenue A, corner of Seventh Street, as clerk, where he remained one year. In 1868 he went with the firm of Rothschild Brothers, later V. 11. Rothschild & Co., one of the largest manufacturing concerns in America, manufacturing gents' shirts and ladies' waists, where he held the position of superintendent and manufacturer for over thirty years. until the year 1899, when the firm went out of business. October 31, ISto. he was married to Marian Lederer, of Putzlitz, Austria, and five children were born to them, three boys and two girls: Milton, Gabriella, Maurice, Hyacinth, and Jerome. In the summer of 1882, they came to the Bronx and lived in their own home at No. 700 East 145th Street, up to the time Mr. William Daub accepted the position of superintendent at Lebanon Hospital. While very active dur- ing the day in business, he could not spare very much time for social life, but found time enough to become a member of the Melrose Turnverein, and from 1883 he was a very active mem- ber and is up to the present day. All his children went to the Turnverein, and took up the different branches of studies con- nected with same, namely, drawing and German instruction. Ilis children were all educated in the public school in the Bronx under principals J. J. Hyatt, and E. J. Clark. Very few Jewish families were then living in the Bronx, and nothing was done
for religious training for Jewish children, and we find Mr. Daub in the years 1883 looking for Jewish children every Sunday, and within a few months he gathered together twenty-five to thirty children and began their religious training every Sunday morning from 9 to 12. The first Sunday school room used was Kirchhoff's Hall, later Turner Hall, then North Side Republican Hall, and from there to their own Temple in 145th Street, be- tween Willis and Brook Avenues, which has become a pillar of light to the Bronx and a credit to its organizers, and now is the place of worship of the Temple Hand-in-Hand, the first Jewish Synagogue in the Bronx, of which Mr. William Daub is the organizer and has been president for many years. In 1895 Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Daub celebrated their silver wedding at Locffler's Hall. 148th Street and Willis Avenue. On this occasion we could see the many friends Mr. and Mrs. Daub had gained, and by the beautiful gifts the esteem in which they were held. Mr. William Daub is a member of Bethoven Lodge, No. 662, F. and A. M., of Palestine Lodge, No. 36. I. O. O. F. I .. of Temple Hand-in-Hand, Grand Lodge, I. O. F. S. of I., North Side Board of Trade and Melrose Turn Verein, and has been connected with the Democratic party since in the Bronx, but never looked for office. April 1, 1901, Mr. William Daub was called by the directors of Lebanon Hospital to his present posi- tion as superintendent of the hospital, which he has filled with honor to himself and satisfaction of the board of trustees. The people of the Bronx can be proud that one out of their midst stands at the head of the institution who knows the wants and has the heart to give it. His administration during the last four years shows how much wider and broader the field of activity of the institution has become, and what the right man in the right place can do. The ambulance service and the numerous other modern improvements indicate fully their use- fulness during Mr. Daub's administration. We hope that for the future welfare of the Lebanon Hospital that Mr. William Daub will be the superintendent for many years to come.
HENRY HAFFEN, hailing from a distinguished family of the Bronx, was born at Courtlandt Avenue and Elton Street, August 22d, 1852. He received his first intimation of the alphabet from that famous old school of whom Mrs. Widows was the "Alpha and Omega," which was located on the corner of Cottage Avenue and Mott Street, where many of the older residents of the Bronx attended. In 1868 he entered St. John's College at Fordham, and took a post-graduate course. Completing his edu- cation, he entered into commercial pursuits, and having been "rocked in the cradle of democracy," he followed the footsteps of Jeffersonian principles, taking an active part in the advance- ment of his party's interests, and in ISSo, was rewarded for his loyalty to the organization by a triumphant election to the Board of Aldermen, under the administration of Mayor Cooper. As Alderman, he was chairman of the Committee on Lights, and signalized his position by introducing and passing the first ordinance establishing the Edison electric light system for municipal purposes. Mr. Haffen married June 1, ESSt, Mis. Matilda Henrietta Stoller, a young lady of estimable family, who was born in New York City. He is at present connected with the municipal department of the Bronx, and occupies the position of Chief Inspector of Highways. Ilc is a member of the Jeffer- son Club, and is very popular among his colleagues in the de- partment : energetic, prompt, active and attentive to the dis- charge of his important duties, he is held in high esteem by the large army of employees engaged in the construction and re- pairing of the highways of the Bronx.
WILLIAM DODLE PULLIS
HENRY BRUCKNER
ROBERT F. ZABRISKIE
JACOB WAEGELE
351
HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
JACOB WAEGELE, a prominent citizen of the Bronx, a. I largely identified with its progress, was born in Brooklyn, New York, June 29, 1871, and was educated in the public schools of that latter city. After his graduation he learned . y painter', trade and has been employed in the municipal de partment of the borough on public buildings for a long period. The son of Jacob and Marie Wagele, he was carefully edu. cated and trained to be self-reliant and progressive. His father was a hotel keeper, and after his death Mr. Waegele succeeded Imm in the business, which he still successfully conducts at No. 3083 Third Avenue, known as Union Hall. Besides being identified with the public buildings of the Bronx, he has served three years, in the painting department of the street cleaning bureau of the city. On February 20, 1890, Mr. Waegele married Miss Anna Baur, daughter of George and Elizabeth Baur, of New York City. In March. 1905, the Jacob Waegele Association, a social organization, was organized in honor of Mr. Waegele, who was elected its standard bearer, and held its first outing in June. last. The organization of which he is the leader, has a large membership, and numbers among its members many gentlemen of prominence in the af- fairs of the Bronx. Mr. Waegele is a Democrat in politics, and is a member of the Jefferson Club, the Foresters of Ameri- ca and the U. S. Indemnity Society. He is well and familiarly known to all the public men of the borough, and takes an active interest in all matters pertaining to its progress and advancement.
BERNARD BLUMENHACER .- The son of William and Martha Elizabeth Blumenhauer. the former one of the most re- spected citizens in the Bronx, and also one of its leading con- tractors, was born in Germany, February 8, 1873, and when but seven months of age, was brought here by his family, from his native home in Germany. He attended and graduated from old Public School No. 62, at Melrose, and after his graduation, like all the scions of German families, he was apprenticed to a trade, in order that he might properly fit himself to meet and face the exigencies of the world, and prepare a future for him- scelf. His respected parents had him apprenticed to the iron structural work, and, after serving his full time, by his close application, his steady habits and his natural ability, he was grad- uated in his trade, which to-day is in such demand, and, perhaps, commands from those skilled mechanics employed in it, the highest wages paid in this or any other country for competent men. However, Mr. Blumenhauer, while he devoted a few years to his accomplished profession as a structural iron worker. thought of another business, which attracted his attention, and after careful consideration, entered into it on his own account. This was in 1903, when he started his present business of a storage warehouse and vans for the removal of families, either from the city or country or for the storage of their furniture in a secure and proper manner. Hailing from an old and highly re- spected family, who are among the best citizens of the borough. Mr. Blumenhauer has, by his energy and his practical methods of conducting his business, gained a large and a growing patronage. as one of the leading men in the removal of furniture and the storage warehouse business of the Bronx. His business is based and applied upon business principles, and herein is the result "of his success. His integrity is unquestioned, and it is of such a high character that his whole popularity is based upon it. Young. ambitions, a resident of the Bronx for thirty-one years, he has built for himself a foundation for his prosperous business calling, that might be envied by the numerous moving men of the Bronx, who are his competitors. Mr. Blumenhauer was
married on June 9, 1800, to Miss Christina Ruppert, an estima- ble young lady of the Bronx, who resides now in the same house where she was born, and the result of this happy union was one child, William, a very promising boy. Mr. Blumen- hauer and his family are members of the Dutch Reformed Church, and, personally, he is a member of the following clubs and societies : The Housesmiths and Bridgemen's Union, the Jefferson Club, the Elton, Jr., Pleasure Club and the "Waube Tribe," Order of Red Men. One of the first citizens of the Bronx, he lend's his influence on all occasions to advance the progress and prosperity of the great borough.
JOHN LERCH, retired jeweler, and one of the best known, as well as one of the most highly esteemed citizens of the Borough of the Bronx, was born in New York City, on Madi- son Street. near Jackson. He received a common school edu- cation, having attended the public school in old Mott Haven. now Morrisania. His father purchased property in the Bronx in 1850, where he operated stone quarries. The subject of this sketch has resided here since 1851. When a young man he learned the trade of a jeweler. For many years he was en- gaged in that business on his own account at 4 Maiden Lane. later removing to 3013 Third Avenue, which he conducted until 1898, when he retired from active business, carrying with him a reputation of which he may well feel proud of. Mr. Lerch is a Democrat. He has never been an office seeker, preferring to give attention to his business enterprises. He is a member of the German Reformed Church, 156th Street and Elton Avenue. and has always taken a deep interest in the welfare of that con- gregation, by whom he is universally respected. He was joined in holy wedlock with Miss Sophia Freutel; one child was born to this union, Anna C., now the wife of Mr. George F. A. Olt. general manager of the Bronx branch of the Ger- mania Bank. Mr. Lerch is a gentleman of the old school type and is universally beloved and esteemed by all who have the honor of his acquaintance.
ROBERT F. ZABRISKIE, of 456 East 146th Street, Bronx, has conducted a prosperous trucking business for the last thirty years, with offices at 61 Cliff Street, down town, and 135th Street and the Mott llaven Canal in the Bronx. Mr. Zabriskie is a native of New York, 49 years old. His education was ob- tained in the public schools of the city. He has lived in the Bronx since 1875, and is well and widely known, not only through his business, but from his connection with many or- ganizations, among them the Schnorer and Allegheny Clubs, the "Merry Five" Association, the Loyal Association and Subur- ban Council. No. 1354. Royal Arcanum. He is an attendant of St. Ann's Church and a thorough Democrat. He was married September 7, 1880, to Miss Emily Hildebrandt, by whom he has three children. all living, Robert F., Jr., the eldest. Lillian H and Gladys N.
JAMES B. COSTELLO, as manager of the Morris Height> Hotel, is well and favorably known throughout all that part of the city. He is a Scotchinan, born in Dumbarton, and educated in the board school there, but has been resident in New Yorl. now going on ten years. Politically he is a Republican, but has never aspired to office, though he has been a member of the Morris Heights Republican Club for five or six years. He is a trustee of the T. W. Social Club and is patron of the J. B. Cos tello Association, which is named for him, and has flourished about two years. Mr. Costello is the father of five children, but one, however, is living, David, a little one three and a half years old. the idol of his heart and apple of his eye.
352
HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
ERNEST T. SULZER, son of the founder of Sulzer's Harlem River Park and Casino, was born at the latter place July 9. 1876. At this period Harlem was little more than a village. It was only two years later when the first train of the elevated railroad was run to 125th Street and Third Avenue. Then commenced the building boom that in a few years after- wards made Harlem a populous district, and with this boom commenced the career of what is known far and wide as Sul- zer's Harlem River Park and Casino, at this period but a small and unpretentious hostelry, whose surroundings were nothing more or less than a few one-story shanties, goats and pigs ga- lore, but is to-day one of New York's most famous resorts for amusements, picnics and holiday celebrations. Nearly all of the leading societies of the city commemorate their anniversaries on its now historie grounds, which are equipped with every facility known to modern amusement architecture. Mr. Sulzer attended the public schools of Harlem and was finally gradu- ated at the University of Pennsylvania. Ile joined his father in the management of the park and casino and through his practical business methods has brought the famous concern into the great repute and distinction it now enjoys among the people of Greater New York. As one of the oldest parks in the city, occupying fully four city blocks, owned by and under the supervision of the Sulzer family, with one of the largest and finest decorated ball rooms in the world, it stands preeminent as the great amusement center of the metropolis. In politics Mr. Sulzer is a Democrat, a member of the Democratic Club, the Young Men's Democratic Club, the Mohawk Club, Tammany Central Club, Down Town Tammany Club, Miami Club, Metro- politan Yacht Club, Harlem Club, New Polo Athletic Club, Franz Shubert Mannerchor, Liederkranz, New York City Schutzen, United German Societies, New York No. 40, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Lincoln Lodge, F. and A. M., and I. O. Odd Fellows.
E. F. PHELPS, son of Hiram and Mary A. Phelps, was born at Saybrook, Conn., October 23, 1853. His father being a sturdy and influential farmer, had young Phelps educated at the public school of Hadline, a nearby town of East Haddan;, Conn., where he applied himself studiously until his graduation, after which he assisted his father in the general management of their extensive farm, until his father's demise. He then en- tered mercantile life, opening a large market for supplying the seashore trade, which he developed into a large and profitable undertaking. Disposing of his business for a satisfactory remuneration, he accepted a position from a large china and glass. ware house of Hartford, Conn., as its general manager and New York buyer, which he managed successfully for some time. His aptitude and business qualifications for the latter trade attracted the attention of a prominent and old established wholesale chin.a, glass and crockery importing firm of New York City, who se- cured his services, and for a few years, he travelled through the states as their representative and established for them a large and profitable business. Retiring from this industry with the regrets of his employes, he entered into the service of the Man- battan Railway Company of this city, receiving a responsible position in the mechanical department, which he conducted sue- cessfully for over four years, but owing to painful injuries re- ceived through an accident, was compelled to abandon his duties and resigned. After recovering from his injuries, he reentered commercial life, accepting a prominent position with the well known piano manufacturers, Wheelock & Co., in whose service he remained for over four years as one of its most active and respected employees. The Central Gas Company of the Bronx lidl eagerly anticipated an opportunity to secure the services of such an active progressive man as Mr. Phelps, and when ap-
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