USA > New York > New York City > Leslie's history of the greater New York, Volume III, Pt. 2 > Part 32
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KEIL, FRANCIS, head of the firm of Francis Keil & Son, Borough of The Bronx, manufacturers in brass, bronze, and composition hard- ware, was born in Prague, Bohemia. in June. 1840, and received his education in the public schools of that city. From 1852 to 1867 ho perfected himself as a machinist, toolmaker, and engraver, while in the latter year he came to the United States. In 1876 the firm of Day & Keil was organized for the manufacture of keys and locksmiths' supplies, the business being established at the corner of Third Avenue and Fifty-third Street. Upon the death of Mr. Day, two years later,
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Mr. Keil acquired the entire business. He conducted it alone until 1894, when his son, Henry F. Keil, was received into partnership under the present style. In 1885 the property in the Twenty-third Ward, where the manufactory now stands, was acquired, and the foundry built. In 1890 the main building was added. Mr. Keil has resided in the Twenty-third Ward since the removal of his business there. He was married in 1865. His son, now his partner, had previously assisted his father for thirteen years, working in every branch of the business before entering the office. He also traveled extensively in Europe, as well as in all sections of the United States, including the Pacific Coast.
HAFFEN, LOUIS FRANCIS, was born in Melrose, now a part of the Borough of The Bronx, New York City, November 6, 1854, the son of Matthias Haffen, a native of Germany, and of Catherine Hayes, a native of Ireland. He attended the village school and the public schools, was graduated from St. John's College, Fordham, from which he subsequently received the degree of Master of Arts, and was gradu- ated as a civil engineer from the School of Mines, Columbia University, in 1879. After practicing his profession for two years in New York City, he devoted a year to the practical study of mines and metallurgy in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona. and California. Returning. he're- sumed practice as a surveyor and civil engineer. being engaged in the re-establishment of the lines of the. old surveys in the Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth wards, New York City. In 1883 he was appointed Civil Engineer in the Park Depart- ment of New York City, and in 1890 was appointed Superintendent and Engineer-in-Charge of the new parks of the Borough of The Bronx. In 1891. after the passage of the law authorizing the election of a Com- missioner of Street Improvements for the Twenty-third and Twenty- fourth wards, Mr. Haffon and Lonis LOUIS FRANCIS HAFFEN. J. Heintz were rival candidates for this position. the latter being elected by a small majority. Upon the death of Mr. Heintz, Mr. Haffon was appointed his Successor by Mayor Gilroy, May 1, 1893. He was subsequently elected to succeed himself by a majority of 5,650, and continued to hold the office until it was abolished by the operation of the charter of the consolidated City of New York. Under this charter he was elected the first President of the Borough of The Bronx, a po-
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sition which he still holds. . He is a member of the North Side Board of Trade, the Taxpayers' Alliance of the Borough of The Bronx, the St. John's College Alumni, and the School of Mines, Columbia University Alumni.
DE YOUNG, EDMUND FRANCIS, since 1896 Treasurer and Gen- eral Agent of the New Haven Steamboat Company, was born in Phila- delphia, Pa., September 17, 1857, the son of Theodore and Catherine Cecilia De Young. He was educated in the public schools of Jersey City, and, on account of the death of his father, left school at the age of twelve to become office boy with a railroad company. He served in a similar capacity with two foreign steamship companies. Ou February 20. 1873, when fifteen years of age, he entered the employ of the New Haven Steamboat Company, which operates the line between New York and New Haven, the oldest steamship line in existence, established in 1824. During the twelve years from 1889 he served as clerk on the different steamers of the line plying on Long Island Sound. In the latter part of 1891 he was made General Cashier, while on February 1. 1896, he was elected to his present positions as Treasurer and General Traffic Manager. He has placed in operation many special features for this line of steamers. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum. His brother, Theodore A. De Young, while hold- ing the position of Chief Engineer of the Fire Department of Wooster,. Ohio, lost his life in his successful effort to save the city from de- struction. This brother was a Union soldier during the Civil War, and was wounded during the battle of Antietam; while another brother, Benjamin, serving in the same regiment, was killed during that battle.
BYRNE, JOHN B., was born in New York City, December 17. 1850. the son of Edmund and Mary Byrne, and received his education in the public schools and at St. Francis College. From 1868 to 1870 he was chief clerk at the works of the Citizens' Gas Light Company, of Brook- lyn. while from 1870 to 1874 he was one of the firm. proprietors of the Union Chemical Works and owners of the Brooklyn Roofing Company. In 1874 he became sole owner of the Central Roofing Company. From 1875 to 1880 he was a Supervisor from the Sixth Ward of Brooklyn. while in 1880 he resigned from the Board of Supervisors to accept his appointment as Clerk of the Supreme Court. Part 1 .. and Clerk of the Court of Over and Terminer. On January 3. 1896. he was appointed Clerk of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, Second Judicial Department. embracing the counties of Kings, Queens, Suffolk, Rich- mond. Westchester. Rockland, Orange, Dutchess, Putnam, and Nassau. This appointment was made under the re-formation of the judiciary by the adoption of the new State Constitution. Mr. Byrne had previously studied law. and was admitted to the bar in 1882. His law studies had been carried on in the office of Catlin. Austin & Backus. He is a mom-
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ber of the Montauk, Country and Constitutional clubs of the Borough of Brooklyn, Troop C., the Volunteer Firemen's Association, the Long Island Council, Royal Arcanum; the American Council, National Provi- dent Union, and the Central Council. Catholic Benevolent Legion.
BRIGGS, JOSIAH ACKERMAN, having been educated as a. civil engineer, from 1869 to 1873 was engaged in the work of street improve- ment in Yonkers, Scarsdale, Eastchester, White Plains, and Green- burgh, Westchester County, N. Y. He was subsequently engaged in the constructing of the present waterworks of Yonkers, and other pub- lie works in that city. From 1877 to 1881 he was connected with the Park Department of New York City, and in the latter year was made Assistant Engineer in charge of street improvements and all work of construction in the Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth wards. This con- nection ceased in 1891. when these wards were erected into a special department. he then engaging in private practice. During the next few years he had charge of various engineering projects, and surveyed much of the northern section of New York City and the southern sec- tion of Westchester County. In June, 1895, he was appointed by Com- missioner Haffen Chief Engineer of Construction of the Department of Street Improvements for the Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth wards. He was born in West Farms. N. Y .. December 6, 1852. the son of John Valentine Briggs, and the grandson of Captain Josiah Briggs, a soldier in the War of 1812, and captain of militia. His great-grandfather. Walter Briggs, was an extensive landowner, a portion of his estate be- ing incorporated in the Jerome race-course, where now stands the new reservoir. On the paternal side he is also descended from the Valentine and Bussing families, who were also among the old aristocracy of Fordham. Through his mother. Sarah Jane, daughter of Garret Acker- man and Susanna Garrison, be descends from several old families long established in southern Westchester County, on the banks of the Hud- son. Mr. Briggs is a member of the American Society of Engineers, the Fordham and Schnorer dubs, and the North Side Board of Trade. In 1876 he married Julia. daughter of Charles Wheatly. of Kentucky, . who was Secretary of Jerome Park. Saratoga, Monmouth Park. Pimlico. and other race-courses. Mrs. Briggs is also a descendant of Charles Carroll, of Carrollton. They have living four children-Josiah A .. Ruib Edna, Julia Wheatly, and Gladys Regina Briggs.
RISSE, LOUIS ALOYS, civil engineer, was born in St. Avold. Lor- raine. France, March 28, 1850. the son of Nicholas Risse and Anna Hauck, daughter of Jean Hauck, who participated in the battles of the first Empire as an officer under Napoleon. He was educated by his uncle. Rev. J. Risse, vicar of L'Hopital, near St. Avokl, and studied law. drawing. and painting. Visiting the United States, he decided to lo- cate in New York City as a civil engineer. In 1868 he was employed
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by the New York and Harlem Railroad in making and mapping prelim- inary surveys, and in the constructing of the Grand Central Depot, New York. Besides railroad surveys, in 1869 he laid out Fleetwood Park. In 1870-71 he made the topographical map for a new street system for Morrisania, Westchester County, and subsequently prepared maps for the towns of West Farms and Kingsbridge. He performed a similar service for Long Island City. He made plans for an underground rail- road for New York City. From 1874 to 1886 he was connected with the Park Department of New York City, serving as draughtsman from 1874 to 1876, as City Surveyor and Assistant Engineer from 1876 to 1878, as Assistant Engineer of Construction from 1878 to 1880, and as Super- intendent of Streets for the Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth wards dur- ing the next six years. From 1886 to 1891 he was in private practice, doing work for the Suburban Elevated Railroad, the New York and Harlem. St. Joseph's Seminary, the German-American Real Estate Title Guarantee Company, and the Port Morris Land and Improvement Company, laying out Glen Island and Bryn Mawr Park, and doing sim- ilar work in connection with the Fox, Dater, Punnett, Travers. Ogden, Beck, J. L. Mott, and Augustus Kountze estates. In 1891 he was ap- pointed Chief Engineer of the Department of Street Improvements, Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth wards, under the late Commissioner Ileintz, and in 1895 was appointed Chief Topographical Engineer and Engineer of Concourse under Commissioner Haffen. Under the new charter he was, in 1896, made Chief Topographical Engineer of the Borough of The Bronx by the President of the Board of Public Improve- ments. In 1899 he was made Chief Topographical Engineer of the en- tire Greater New York. He is the originator and designer of the Grand Boulevard and Concourse, which will be unrivaled in the world when completed. He is a Democrat. and a member of the French Benevolent Society, the North Side Board of Trade, and the American Museum of Arts. From 1870 to 1876 he was lieutenant in the Gardes Lafayette, of New York. In 1894 he traveled in Europe with his family.
TEFFT. WILLIAM E., head of the well-known drygoods house of Tefft. Weller & Company, was born in Syracuse. N. Y., January 15. 1841, and is the son of the late Erastus T. Tefft, who came to New York City soon after his son's birth and established the drygoods firm of Tefft. Griswold & Company, of which he was head. William E. Tefft learned the business in his father's employ, and early being taken into partnership. soon evinced talent as an executive and financier. When his father retired from the business the firm was reorganized as Tefft. Weller & Company. the present style. Mr. Tefft is head of the house and its financial manager. He is a director of the Ninth National Bank. and a member of the Manhattan. Merchants', Players', Colonial. and other clubs, the Liederkranz, and the Dunlap Society.
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CLYDE, WILLIAM P., one of the owners of the Clyde Steamship Company, is also a director of the South Atlantic and Ohio Railroad.Com- pany, and of the Norfolk Street Railroad Company. He is President of William P. Clyde & Company, the corporation which owns the sey- eral well-known coasting steamship lines embraced in the Clyde sys- tem. Thomas Clyde, the founder of the house. was a co-laborer with John Ericsson in 1837 in the introduction of the screw propeller. He also built the first screw steamer in the United States designed for com- mercial purposes-the " John S. MeKim." He was one of the founders of the Ericsson Line, between Philadelphia and Baltimore, the first line employing propellers. In 1871 this company built the first compound engine set up in the United States. For another of their ships they built, in 1886, the first large triple-expansion engine in the United States. Their steamer. " Iroquois," built in 1888, was the first steel steamer for commercial purposes constructed in America. Their lines touch at all the more important ports between Boston and Jackson- ville. Fla., and also ply between New York and the West Indies. Mr. Clyde is a member of the Union League, Riding, St. Anthony, New York Yacht and American Yacht clubs, and the Down Town Associa- tion. He was graduated from Trinity College, and is a member of the Trinity Alumni Association.
BLACKFORD, EUGENE GILBERT, is well known for his public service in the interest of the production and preservation of fish in the State of New York. He has been a member of the State Fishery Com- mission since 1879, and has been its President for about fifteen years. He has been active in securing reforms in this connection, and has fre- quently written on subjects connected with the fishery interests. Ile established Blackford's, one of the largest fish markets in New York City, and since the incorporation of the business has been its President. Hle is also President of the Bedford Bank of Brooklyn (where he re- sides), is a director of the Schermerhorn Bank and of the People's Trust Company, of the same borough, and is a trustee of the City Savings Bank and a director of the Hide and Leather National Bank of Man- hattan Borough. He is a member of the Board of Review of the Con- solidated Savings Loan Investment Company. He is a member of the New York Society for the Protection of Fish and Game, the Manhattan and Fulton clubs of Manhattan. and the Hamilton, Montauk, Union League. Brooklyn, and other clubs and societies of Brooklyn, as he is of the Black Lake Fishing Club.
GARRETSON, GARRET JAMES, has been engaged in the practice of law in what are now Manhattan and Queens Boroughs, New York City, for about thirty years. From 1877 to 1882 he practiced under the firm style of Eastman Garretson, but since the latter date his sons have been partners, under the firm style of Garretson & Eastman. For
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many years he was President of the Board of Education of Newton, L. I. From 1878 to 1875 he was School Commissioner for Queens County. He was elected Surrogate of Queens County in 1880. Five years later he was elected County Judge of Queens County for the term of six years, while in 1891 he was re-elected for a second term of six years. In June, 1896, Governor Morton appointed him one of the Com- missioners to frame a charter for " Greater New York." In November, 1896, he was elected a Justice of the Supreme Court of the Second .Judi- cial District of the State of New York. He is a director of the Queens County Bank. In 1876 he married Eliza, daughter of the late Heury W. Eastman, his former law partner. He was born at Newtown, L. L. July 16. 1847. the son of Rev. Garret J. Garretson and Catherine Ra- palie, and descends from Gettir Gerritsen, who came from Wageningen, Gelderland. Holland, to Bergen Point. N. J., in 1660, and from Joris Janson de Rapalie, who, in 1623. came to the New Netherlands from Holland. whither he had fled from his native place, Rochelle. France. Judge Garretson was educated at the Flushing Institute, studied law with Marvin & Daniel. of New York City, and was admitted to the bar in December, 1869.
ITART. CORNELIUS A., was born in New Brighton, S. L .. in 1851. Hreeson of Patrick Hart. a successful contractor. of Staten Island. He attended the public schools and the New York Commercial College, and entering the employ of James Reid & Company, of New York City, rapidly won the highest position in their employ. He then engaged in real estate business on Staten Island, buying a large tract at New Brighton in 1884, and opening seven new avenues. He also laid out Hart Park. He has always been a Democrat. In 1876 he was elected a Trustee of the village of Brighton. In 1878 he was elected County Clerk of Richmond County by a remarkably large majority, and was re-elected in 1881, 1884, 1887, and 1890. He is a member of St. Peter's Church. New Brighton, and of various clubs. He married. June 23, 1875, Miss Hannah Bowman, of New Brighton. She died in 1882.
BOLTON, THOMAS. JR., was born in what is now the Borough of The Bronx, New York City, May 27. 1838, and is the son of the late Thomas Bolton and Ann Birchall, and the grandson of James Bolton. The last-mentioned was born at Bolton, near Manchester, England. and having learned the bleaching business in England, where he also mar- ried, he came to the United States, and in 1825 secured the incorpora- tion of the Bronx Bleaching and Manufacturing Company, with works in the town of Westchester. Westchester County, the site being now in- «luded in Brous Park. In 1826 he built the old Bolton stone house in Bronx Park, which is now the property of the City of New York. James Bolton was born in 1780, and died in 1869. His eldest son, Thomas Bolton, was born in Bolton. England, March 7, 1809. and mar-
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ried Ann. daughter of Henry Birchall, of Bolton. England. He ac- companied his father to this country, learned the business of bleaching in his father's employ, and in 1836 became a stockholder in the com- pany. With his father, he purchased the interest of the other stock- holders, so that in 1853 they were sole owners of the business; while in 1855. or thereabouts, Thomas Bolton purchased his father's interest. Thomas Bolton was a Justice of the Peace of the town of Westchester. and was a leading member of the Methodist Church of Bronxdale. He had several sons, most of whom were taken into the business with him. He himself retired in 1878, and died the following year. From 1878 to 1892 the business was conducted by his son. Thomas Bolton, Jr., and his nephew. William HI. Birchall. In 1892 the business was incorporated as the Bronx Company, of which Mr. Birchall is President and Mr. Thomas Bolton, Jr .. is Treasurer. The latter married. Sep- tember 14. 1865, Miss Fannie Johnson.
BIRCHALL. WILLIAM H., is a director and the President of the Bronx Borough Bank, and is a director and the President of the Bronx Company, which conducts the large bleaching and dyeing business es- tablished at Bronxdale in 1822 by James Bolton, great-uncle of Mr. Birchall, and subsequently carried on by Thomas Bolton, Mr. Birch- all's muele. His own parents having died early. Mr. Birchall was reared in the family of this unele, and when the latter retired from the business in 1878. Mr. Birchall assumed the management, having as his associate Mr. Thomas Bolton. Jr. In 1892 the present corpora- tion was organized, since which time Mr. Birchall has been its Presi- dent and Manager. He is a member of various clubs and societies.
JOHNSON, ISAAC GALE, was born in Troy. N. Y .. February 22. 1832. and died in Spurten Duyvil, N. Y., in June, 1899. He was the son of Elias J. Johnson and Laura Gale, his ancestors on both sides being of old New England stock. His grandfather. William JJohnson, of West- field. Mass .. was a Revolutionary soldier. His father, long at the head of the stove manufacturing firm of Johnson. Cox & Fuller, in 1853 re- moved this enterprise from Troy to Spuyten Dayvil, the style becoming Johnson. Cox & Cameron. In 1856 he sold out his interest. the firm be- coming Cox, Richardson & Boynton. The following year this firm failed, when Mr. Johnson resumed the management until its liquida- tion. Isaac G. Johnson was graduated from the Rensselaer Polytech- nic Institute as an Engineer and Bachelor of Sciences, studied chemical analysis in Philadelphia, also taking drawing lessons, and having made successful experiments contributing to the perfecting of the processes for the manufacture of malleable iron. in 1853 established at Spurten Duyvil a manufacturing enterprise under the style of Johnson & Hut- ton. "A year later Mr. Hution withdrew. the style becoming Isaac G. Johnson & Company, which it has since remained. Four of his sons
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became Mr. Johnson's associates-Elias M., Isaac B., Gilbert HI .. and James W. Johnson. This foundry did important work for the Govern- ment during the Civil War, being the first to successfully manufacture guns after the novel pattern designed by General Delafield. Shot and shell was also manufactured. In 1882 special attention was turned to the making of steel castings. More recently Mr. Johnson solved the problem of the manufacture of a projectile which pierces the toughest plate armor so far manufactured, his principle involving the capping of the shell with soft steel, which becomes fused by the impact. lubri- cating the point of the projectile as it enters the obstruction. The gov- ernments of the United States, England, and Germany have made suc- cessful tests with this projectile.
HUYLER, JOHN S., is President of Huyler's, one of the widest known and most extensive manufacturers of candies and bon-bons in the United States, and is also the President and a director of the Cole- man Patent Candy Mould Manufacturing Company, and the President and a director of the Manemsha Clay Company. He is of Holland de- scent. He is a member of the Up Town Association, the Blooming Grove Park Association, and other clubs and societies.
HEIDE, HENRY. is interested in the manufacture of candies and bon-bons, and is Treasurer and a director of the Coleman Patent Candy Mould Manufacturing Company. He is a member of the Catholic and Commercial clubs, and of other organizations.
PARSONS, SAMUEL B., was born at Flushing. L. L., in 1819, of English Quaker stock, the son of Samuel and Mary Parsons. Through his mother he descends from John Bowne, who built the Bowne house in Flushing in 1661. Both his father and his grandfather, James Par- sons, were successful merchants in New York City. Having been ed- ucated at Haverford College. Pa., in 1834 Mr. Parsons entered upon a business career in New York City, beginning as a clerk. In 1839, how- ever, he engaged in the nursery business at Flushing. In 1845 he visited Europe to study horticulture, and upon his return established a plan- tation in Florida. He visited Europe once more in 1859. having been commissioned by the United States Government to investigate the agri- culture and horticulture of Sicily and the Ionian Islands, and to intro- duce into this country the Italian bee. He has been active in further- ing grape culture in this country, and has introduced many rare trees and shrubs. He was the first importer and grower of JJapanese plants. Until 1871 be was engaged in business with his brother. Since that time he has been the proprietor of the well-known Kissena Nursery. At one time he supplied the needs of nearly the entire West. He in- troduced the Brazilian navel orange in Florida, and was the first to propagate rhododendrons in this comitry. He made an exhibit at the
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World's Fair in 1893. He was President of the Flushing Bank for ten years. For thirty-five years he was a trustee of the village of Flush- ing and of its public schools. He was a Whig abolitionist prior to the Civil War, and has since been a Republican. He married, first. Susan Howland, and second. C. E. Elizabeth Weyman, and has five children -- Samuel, George Howland. Susan Howland, John, and Herbert. Some of his sons are associated with him in business as officers of the corpora- tion of Parsons & Sons Company, Limited. His son, Samuel, is Super- intendent of all the parks of New York City. Another son, George HI .. is in charge of the lands in Colorado of the Colorado Improvement Com- pany.
MCLAUGHLIN. JOHN J., was born at Jamaica. L. I., September 16. 1860, the son of William A. MeLaughlin, and in 1879 was graduated with honors from the New York University. He began work as an en- gineer as assistant to City Surveyor Waters, of New York City, and held this position until 1887. when he resigned to accept his appointment as Surveyor of the City of Brooklyn. He resigned from the latter position in 1891. Since 1887 he has served as engineer in charge of the bridges of Kings and Queens counties, constructing the Grand Street and Meeker Avenue bridges. He made the preliminary surveys for the bicycle roads in Queens and Suffolk counties, and has bad charge of streets, sewers, and public works at Jamaica. In 1892 he was appointed Joint-Engineer of Country Roads in Queens County, and in 1893 was appointed Engineer-in-Charge. He is a member of the American So- ciety of Civil Engineers, the Royal Areanum, and the Catholic Benevo- lent Legion. Ile married in 1888 Adelaide M .. daughter of John D. Carroll.
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