USA > New York > Bronx County > History of Bronx borough, city of New York : compiled for the North side news > Part 54
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ardent Democrat, strictly a party and organization man, and one of its most loyal and active members. He is a member of St. Jerome's Catholic Church and the Brownson Catholic Club, of which latter he was president for two terms, 1900 and 1901. secretary for two terms, 1898 and 1899, and chairman of the building committee, during the erection of the present structure, now occupied by the club, and has also been chairman of the committee on entertainment for several years; he is a charter member of the Royal Arcanum Suburban Council; also a charter member of Bronx Council, Knights of Columbus, having served as its first financial secretary, and was Deputy Grand Knight for two terms. He is a member of the Xavier Alumni Sodality and Friends of Erin. He is also a member of the Wampanoag Club. the official Democratic organization of the Thirty-fourth Assembly. District, and was secretary of the Tammany Hall General Committee of his district for a long term. A native of the Bronx, Mr. Bergen was married on June II, 1895. to Miss Agnes M. Kearns, a highly cultivated lady and a native also of the Bronx. He has two children, John Justin, aged nine years, and Helen Marguerite, aged five. Mr. Bergen is quite an athlete and is fond of driving, bowling, fishing, skating and all outdoor healthful exercise. He has a beautiful home of his own at No. 688 East 146th Street, where he has resided for the past twenty-five years, and where his domestic life has been one of unalloyed happiness. Here, in his comfortable library. he enjoys himself in reading principally history, which is his favorite study, in the meantime not for- getting Catholic works from eminent authors, for he is a very strict Catholic, and never fails to live up to the doctrines and teachings of his church. In all public matters affecting the in- terest of the borough, Mr. Bergen has taken a leading part. He has served on several important committees, and has an abiding faith in its future.
CLASON POINT INN .- The prominence this resort has obtained as one of the show places of the Bronx is justly to be credited to the pluck and perseverance of Clinton Stevens, who, by his foresight, has brought it in the front rank of the great Metropolis' breathing places. His keen perception of the oppor- tunity for developing this ideal spot on Long Island Sound's shore soon took practical shape, and nowhere between Harlem and Byram Rivers is its equal as a summer resort to be found. This result was obtained only after a lavish expenditure of money, but that this was well devised is apparent by the myriad attractions that greet the pleasure seeker within the domain where he holds sway. The magnitude of his enterprise may best be described by noting that the Casino has accommodations for 5,000 people, while the bathing pavilions, lining a splendid beach, free from sewage contamination, has provision for about 4.000 bathers. The Inn itself can furnish meals for 500 people at one sitting. Everything that would tend to make a pleasant visit to this seaside resort has been added to the attractions, includ- ing a $26,000 merry-go-round, new buildings and other improve- ments entailing an expenditure of $34.000. Mr. Stevens acquired this property, consisting of twenty-five acres, some thirty years ago. and while he himself devotes the most of his time to superin- tending the running of boats from Harlem River to the Point. as well as five automobiles from the trolley cars to the Inn, which is under the immediate supervision of Joseph Cowen, his son-in-law, he always has his eye open toward rendering this ideal resort even still more attractive to the man of affairs who sceks relaxation from the cares of a strenuous business life which is now in the order of things to-day.
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381
HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
CHARLES A. D. MEYERHOFF .- Born in old New York City on August 5, 1833, in what was those days considered the upper section, viz., No. 125 Stanton Street, he was, like his brothers, initiated by his father in the mystery of compounding the ingredients which entered into supplying the staff of life- for his father had for thirty-eight years conducted the largest bakery in the city at the time. However, like his brothers, his mind followed in the same trend, and he apprenticed himself for seven years to the American Tract Society at the corner of Nassau and Spruce Streets, to become acquainted with "the art preservative of all arts." During the latter years of his appren- ticeship he received that instruction in Hebrew, Syriac and Chaldaic, which gave him the courage to undertake the setting of the type for the translation of the Bible into the Chinook for the Indians of Oregon, which was being published by the Smithsonian Institute, at Washington, D. C. When this task was completed he drifted into journalism under Col. Anson P. Herrick of the "New York Atlas," and later with the late Thomas Towndrow, of the "New York Tribune," formed the idea of gathering the suburban news of New York City, which later developed into a special feature. The means of communication in those days were not so plentiful as in later years, and neces- sitated much trudging from one portion of the field to the other by these veteran quill drivers in order to have something to show for their time and labor. Naturally, he started in the publishing business himself, and the aggressiveness of his ven- ture, the "Westchester County Democrat," attracted the attention of the then ruling powers of New York City, and he came in for political preferment unsolicited. His first movement in the political line was to urge the extension of the city limits north of the Harlem River to the Putnam County border, owing to the need he foresaw of the upper scction of Westchester County for the rapidly growing city's water supply. But this scheme conflicted with the plans of William M. Tweed who was inter- ested in some large tracts of land in the lower portion of Yonkers which he wished to keep sub rosa. Always foremost in projecting improvements he urged the construction of boule- vards and macadamized roads, which brought down on his head the anatheinas of the old timers who were content with the conditions that prevailed in their forefathers' days, and he was accused of ulterior motives in urging the improvement. To-day he is still ranked among the progressive men who are to be found advocating the development of the Bronx, which he still considers in its infancy. His early training as a newspaper man developed his then rather weak constitution, and to it he attributes liis sprightliness of temperament. He is the proud father of a large family, the malc members following his political proclivities and being found with the Democratic cohorts. At the time of this writing he holds an important position on the staff of the "North Side News," and enters into its progress- iveness with whole-heartedness. His thorough intimacy with the early history of the territory of which he has been a resident for so many decades has proved of much advantage in the com- pilation of this history. Incidentally, it might be said that he i; one of the very few surviving members of the editorial fraternity when old Westchester County was one of the Democratic strong- holds of the Empire State. He married Miss Cecelia A. Davis, of New York City, and quite a numerous progeny has resulted from the union, of whom the living ones are Charles A. D., Jr., . Henry M., Francis O., Robert V., Clarence E., Cecilia A., and Josephine Marguerite. Mr. Meyerhoff is descended from a long- lived family, and hopes to see the fruition of his hopes in the annexation of all of Westchester County to the Greater New York, realizing that in the history of the old city the natural tendency for its growth has been to the northward, and the large
and varied interests of the city in the matter of its water supply and protection of the watershed demanding that the city should assume absolute control thereof. Naturally he is a member of many improvement associations, and has been for some time the Secretary of the Improvement League of the Forty-fourth Aldermanic District.
PROF. GEORGE FRIEDGEN .- Mr. Friedgen is a repre- sentative of the musical element in the Bronx, one of its most dis- tinguished representatives indeed, and as such with a reputation extending far beyond its bounds. He organized the Conservatory of Music at 1188 Franklin Avenue in the Bronx, in 1800. He was organist for ten years of the German Reformed Church, El- ton Avenue and 156th Street. He has had engagements with Gil- more, Cappa, Schmelz, and other leading bands of the country, and organized the band known by his name. He has been the suc cessful director of a number of musical organizations, among them the Harmonie Singing Society, Morrisania Mannerchor, Ar- beiter Liedertafel, Woodstock Liederkranz, New Rochelle Maen nerchor, Williamsbridge Liederkranz, the Quartette Club of Mt. Vernon, the Arion of White Plains, the Bronx Quartette Club, and many more. He has also conducted many operatic perform- ances, such as "A Night in Granada," the "Czar and the Car- penter," "Faust," "Galathea," the "Doctor of Alcantara." etc .. in short is an accomplished, high-class, all-around artist in music. Prof. Friedgen was born in Bebra, Germany, April 11, 1866, but caine to this country a boy of five. As a youth he attended here old public school No. 61. In 1876, at ten years of age, he went back to the old country, and there studied at the College of Music, Weimar, under Professor Muller-Hartung. Dr. Lassen and Bern- hard Sulze. He graduated from that institution, and at 19, in May, 1885, came back here, and from that time, as we have scen in the account already given of his affiliations and connections, has been busily engaged hereabouts in the pursuit of his chosen vo- cation. Politically he is a Democrat. He is a member of the Tammany Hall General Committee of the Thirty-fifth Assembly District, belongs to the Schnorer Club, the Bronx Club, and to Morrisania Lodge, No. 89, A. O. U. W. He married May 23. 1889, Marguerite Valois. They have six children, Arthur. John. and Harry, Emma, Wilma and Anita. On October 22, 1905. he celebrated at Zeltner's Casino, the twentieth anniversary of his establishment in the borough as musical director, with a concert programme, embracing a grand orchestra, extensive chorus and eminent soloists. It was attended by the elite of this part of the city, and was a pronounced success.
THOMAS A. LYNCH, undertaker and embalmer of the Bronx, was born June 26, 1856, in New Hampshire. He assisted his father on the family farm until his majority and then was apprenticed to the carpenter trade, in which he became very proficient, having carried out some very important contracts in building. The business of undertaking and embalming attracted his attention, and after close application to all its details for a few years, he finally embarked in the business and is to-day one of the prominent factors in the business at the present time. Mr. Lynch is a Democrat in politics and at one time was appointed inspector of the Board of Health of the Bronx, which he hon- orably served for two termis. He is a member of the Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association, president of St. Roch's Lyceum Young Men's Club. secretary of the Foxy Bowling Club and a member of the Tam- many Hall General Committee. On September 21. 1884. he me- ried Miss Katy MeIntyre, of New York City, the result of this pleasant union being six children, three of whom are living, viz .: Dennis, Raymond and Leonore, and Rose, Adele, Harold and Thomas, deceased.
382
HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
WILLIAM S. GERMAIN. a self made man, was born in Harlem. New York City. September 13. 1868. He attended public school No. 57 for several years, but did not continue long enough to graduate. When he was four years of age, his father died, and family circumstances compelled him to seek employment at an early age. Being in possession of high ambitions to succeed in life, he availed himself of every opportunity that presented it- self to further his education, which was accomplished by keen observation and the study of men and things. In his early youth he served as a chore boy in both a butcher shop and a tailor establishment, afterward practiced telegraphy, and at the age of eighteen was employed as a telegraph operator by the West- ern Union Telegraph Company at its main office, New York City. For the past ten years he has held a responsible position in the telegraph service on the floor of the New York Consolidated Exchange. During the latter period he has also engaged in the real estate and building business in the Williamsbridge section of the Bronx, where he has resided since 1890. In politics Mr. Germain has, since reaching his majority, been an active member of the Republican party. During the village days of Williams- bridge, he was identified focally with the improvement faction of that section. He lias been a member of the Republican County Committee since 1899, and for two years served his party well as leader, or executive member of New York Republican County Committee, representing the Annexed District. 'He was a strong factionist in five different primary fights in his district, but suc- ceeded to the leadership without a contest. He has never held any public office except to receive the appointment on two oe- casions as a Street Opening Commissioner, in the proceedings of Morris Street, Williamsbridge, and Neried Avenue, in Wake- field, respectively. Beyond this, Mr. Germain has never had any desire, nor has he sought any public office, preferring to lead a commercial life than a political one. He is a member of the Annexed District Republican Club, the Williamsbridge branch of the Y. M. C. A., and the Williamsbridge Improvement League, being one of the organizers of the latter. He is also a charter member of Guiding Star Council, Knights of Columbus; a charter member of Williamsbridge Council, Ancient Order of Workmen, and a member of the Telegraphers' Aid Society of New York City. He attends St. Mary's Parish of the Roman Catholic Church, Williamsbridge. On November 25, 1903, Mr. Germain was joined in wedlock to Miss Ida Schneider of Will- tamsbridge. His mother, Margaret Germain, is the only surviv- mg member of his family.
T. GERALD STEARNS may truly be called a product of the Bronx. He was born in the borough September 1, 1877, was brought up and went to school in the district, and has passed the greater part of his life hereabouts. His business ex- perience began early, at 12 years of age in fact, when he started in the superintendent's office of the Western Union Telegraph Company, there remaining four years. Then for three years he was with his father in the hotel business at Lake Pleasant in the Adirondacks; Then for a year or so with Onderdonk & McDonald on the Jerome Park Reservoir construction. Now came on the Spanish War and Mr. Stearns, just then of age, fired with patriotic . ardor, enlisted in the Seventy-first New York Volunteers. That was in the spring of 98. In April of that year, he went into camp at Hempstead. L. I., and on May 14 left for Lakeland, Fla., going thence with his command to latapa. From Tampa the regiment embarked on the transport "Vigilancia," for Siboney, arriving there June 23, and after vari- CES movements reached Santiago, "where the battle was
fought," in which engagement he took active part. Never to be forgotten by the soldier boys was the welcome this regi- ment received on its return from that brief, but decisive con- test, in addition to which there was a pleasant personal sur- prise awaiting our subject, who found on reaching the Bronx, the children of his neighborhood gathered in numbers with a gaily decorated equipage to bear him in triumph home. After this war-time episode in his career, Mr. Stearns took up civil life again, the excise bonding business, as a representative of the National Surety Company. Thence he went to the Fidelity & Casualty Company, and from that company to liis present position in which he has charge of all matters pertaining to excise for the John Eichler, J. & M. Haffen, Ebling. North Side, David Mayer and Zeltner Brewing Companies, a highly respon- sible post., Aside from this he carries on an extensive bonding and general surety business, with no limit to territory. Mr. Stearns is a Democrat in politics and a member of the Jeffer- son Club. He belongs also to the Bronx Club, the Elks, the Odd Fellows, Roosevelt Command No. Io, Spanish War Vet- erans, the Mckinley Square Bowling Club, the Suburban Base Ball Club (of which he is also part owner ), and the Dachshunde Club of America, American Kennel Club. Incidental to his business, he holds an appointment as notary publie. He married, June 12, 1901. Miss Jessie Harper. They have one child, a boy, T. Gerald, Jr., three years old.
HARRY R. HASKIN, one of the proprietors of the St. James Stables, situated opposite St. James Park on Jerome Ave., is a son of Benj. F. Haskin and Eliza J. Bowley, of Fordham, and nephew of John B. Haskin ("Old Tuscarora"). He was born in Fordham thirty-five years ago, and in his youth attended Gram- mar School No. 64 there. He has had a varied experience. For ten years, until lately, he travelled with theatrical companies- among them the Mrs. Fiske and Ben Hur companies-as stage manager and assistant stage manager, covering all this country and Canada. During the Spanish-American War he served with Light Battery M, 7th Artillery, U. S. A., in Cuba and Porto Rico, as a non-commissioned officer, and was honorably dis- charged at the close of his service. He is Veterinary Sergeant now of the Second Battery, N. G. N. Y. At the stables, Jerome Avenue, near 192d Street, Mr. Haskin conducts a prosperous general livery, sale and exchange business, and does also an ex- tensive general trucking business.
HERRMAN J. LEVY, chief inspector of the Tenement House Department of Greater New York, was for six months acting superintendent of the same department in the Borough of the Bronx, was born in New York City October 1, 1877, and was graduated from the public schools of Manhattan. Leaving school he entered the real estate business, which he conducted successfully until 1904, when he transferred same to his brother, now Levy Bros, with offices at 116 West 135th Street, when he was appointed to the Tenement House Commission. His duties in the department required not only diplomacy and strong executive ability, but untiring industry, for which Mr. Levy was especially selected and is thoroughly qualified. He was married in 1897 and has two children, Muriel and Isabel, both living. A Demo- crat in politics, he is a member of the Harlem Democratic and Young Men's Democratic Clubs. Ile is also a member of the North Side Board of Trade. Mt. Sinai and Lebanon Hospitals. the Royal Aream. Knights of Pythias, Eagles, No. 40, and several other prominent clubs and organizations. Mr. Levy gives promise of a brilliant future and is held in high esteem by his chief and members of the Tenement House Commission.
383
HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
GUSTAVUS ROBITZEK, engaged in business with his brother at Rider Avenue and 137th Street, has been a resident here for forty years. Ile is an Austrian by birth, but was brought up and went to school here. For many years he has been in the coal and poultry business, and has made an unquali-
GUSTAVUS ROBITZEK
fied success of it. He is a resident of the East Side of the Bronx (671 East 136th Street), is interested in politics and bowling. and belongs to a number of organizations, among others the following: The North Side Board of Trade, Wieland Lodge, F. and A. M., the Schnorer Club, German-American Bowling Club and K. of T. Bowling Club.
JULIUS C. WACHENHEIMER, son of Abraham and Fannie Wachenheimer (both natives of Europe), was born Janu- ary 29, 1860, at Peoria, Illinois, where he received a liberal edu- cation in the public schools. After leaving school he engaged in mercantile pursuits, a vocation he has followed ever since. Mr. Wachenheimer served as a private under Capt. Kline, with the Volunteer Southerners of Mississippi for three years, a com- pany which bore the reputation of being the best drilled of any in the South. He won the distinction of being the best drilled member of that organization, and in honor thereof he received the medal of the Black Plume, a prize which is highly coveted. About twenty years ago Mr. Wachenheimer located in New York City, and two years ago he removed to the Bronx and engaged in the wholesale liquor business at No. 2785 Third Avenue, where he is now located, having the largest liquor store in the Bronx. In politics he is a Democrat ; he has never sought or desired to hold any public office. On September 25, 1894, Mr. Wachen- heimer was united in wedlock with Miss Matilda Seckels; two interesting children, Arthur and Ruth, have been born to them. Mr. Wachenheimer is possessed of a genial nature, is a liberal, public-spirited citizen and is highly esteemed by all classes, both in the social and commercial walks of life. He is liberal to a fault and his purse has always been open for the benefit of any worthy cause whereby the Borough of the Bronx will be bene- , fitted.
WILLIAM JACKSON PRIME manages the old Dickinson estate at Kingsbridge, at Jerome Avenue and Gun Hill Road, which is devoted to amusement purposes, and used chiefly as a 'picnic ground. He was born April 21, 1827, on Shelter Island, and has been living in the borough since 1849, a fact numbering
him, with fifty-six years' residence to his credit, among the "oldest inhabitants." He is a man of family, having, as issue of his marriage with Miss Frances Payne, April 21, 1880, two children living, Wm. J., Jr., and Evelyn Francis, and five dead. His father was Win. Jackson Prime; his mother Teresat Ward. Mr. Prime is a member of the Sons of New York and of the Method- ist Episcopal Church. He has never been active politically or aspired to office, but has given his time closely to his family and business.
JAMES M. KING was the first to establish a regular florists' business in the Bronx, and well has he been rewarded for his enterprise, though he had but little when he started. He came up here from Manhattan-where, by the way, he was born, and went to public school-about fifteen years ago with-
out a cent, and started on his own account in a little store at 720 Tremont Avenue. Judge Tierney gave him then one of his first orders. That was in ISgo; but it was by no means his first experience in the business. He is now 39. and has been in this line since he was 10. Besides the store, now at 748 Tremont Avenue, he has nurseries on the Fort Schuyler Road. Throgg's Neck. He has a fine equipment and trade, and repu- tation as a popular, progressive and public spirited man. He is a strong Democrat, a member of the Tallapoosa Chib, the Arthur H. Murphy Association, the Jefferson Club and Bedford Park Democratic Club. He also belongs to the Tremont Social Club, the Fordham Club and the North Side Board of Trade. to the Buskins, the Royal Arcanum, the Elks, A. O. U. W .. Junior Order of United American Mechanics, the Knights of Columbus, Brownson Catholic Club and the Woodmen of Ameri- ca; also honorary member of Chippewa Club and Bedford Park Taxpayers' Alliance. He is the president of the Tremont Social Club, which at his suggestion and initiative gave a May walk to 3.000 children of the Bronx two years ago that was reviewed by President Haffen. Mr. King married, February 17, 1892, Miss Eleanor R. O'Neill. They have three children, all girls.
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EDMUND T. GOEB
hrablanco de materia di musicali code
JOHN JOSEPH MEAGHER
JOSEPH J. WHITE
HISTORY OF BRONX BOROUGH
385
H. W. BOETTGER, of the Henry W. Boettger Silk Finishing Company of the Bronx and New Jersey, is, from an industrial standpoint, one of the most important individuals of the borough. Though immersed in business and little heard of in public affairs, he cuts a more useful and honorable figure in the world than many another oftener mentioned. As the father of a new industry, one as seldom happens, sharing in its success besides, his story merits attention. It is thirty-eight years now since he came here, a stranger from a foreign land with but $50 in his possesion. While looking for work he started out, stomaching pride and all that, peddling neckties from door to door. In this pilgrimage there came to him a discovery, and that was that the art of silk finishing and piece dyeing, as it is called in the trade, was unknown in this country. To learn that with him was to act. When he had saved $80, he joined forces with his present partner, Mr. Hinze, who had a like amount, and together they made the ventitre. In that
a public-spirited citizen, giving liberally to charity. He is in- terested in the Bronx and believes and desires it to be the coming manufacturing center of the metropolis. It has been said that he who makes one new blade of grass to grow, is a bene- factor of the public; if so what of the man who establishes an industry that gives work and comfort to thousands?
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