USA > New York > Bronx County > The Bronx and its people; a history, 1609-1927, Volume III > Part 18
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Charles Rieger, second of the four children of Christian Rieger, Sr., was born in New York City, on September 1, 1865, and received his education in the public schools of The Bronx. With his two brothers, Christian, Jr., and Edward, he was in-
Archibald T. Mackenzie
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strumental in building up his father's almost defunct furniture business to one of the greatest bar fixture manufactories in the State of New York. Mr. Rieger is a member of the Taxpayers' Association of The Bronx. He was married in The Bronx in the year 1888 to Emily Wheeler, and they are the parents of the following children: 1. Dr. Charles Rieger, of Port Richmond, Staten Island, born in 1889. 2. Herbert Rieger, born in 1893. 3. Arthur Rieger, born in 1896. 4. Emily Rieger, born in 1904.
Edward Rieger, third of the four children of Christian Rieger, Sr., was born in New York City, on April 5, 1867, and at the age of one year was brought by his parents to The Bronx. He was associated with his brothers in the building up of his father's furniture business to one of the most successful of its kind in New York City and The Bronx. He received his education in the public schools of The Bronx, and in the old brick school- house on Courtlandt Avenue. Politically, Mr. Rieger is a staunch Democrat. Fraternally, he holds active membership in the ancient Masonic fraternity, being affiliated with Montgomery Lodge, No. 68, Free and Accepted Masons, of which body he has been a member in good standing for more than twenty- seven years. He resides in Pelhamwood, and there belongs to the Pelhamwood Association, and the White Plains Grand Jury. He was married at Stein- way, Astoria, Long Island, on January 29, 1901, to Elizabeth Stein, a daughter of Theodore and Elizabeth (Derr) Stein, respected residents of that community. Mr. and Mrs. Edward Rieger have no children.
Mrs. Annie (Rieger) Loeffler, youngest of the four children of Christian Rieger, Sr., and the only daugh- ter, was born in The Bronx, on December 23, 1869, and received her education in the public schools of her birthplace. She was married in 1890, to John Loeffler, a prominent hotel proprietor, whose death occurred in 1924. Mrs. Annie (Rieger) Loeffler survives her husband and resides at No. 367 East One Hundred and Forty-fifth Street.
LOUIS JAMES SOKOL, M. D .- Beginning his professional work as a physician in The Bronx in 1916, the entrance of the United States into the World War interrupted Dr. Sokol's private practice for more than two years which were dedicated to the service of his country as a member of the Medical Corps of the United States Army with its Ex- peditionary Forces in France and Germany. Peace eventually brought discharge from the service in August, 1919, and since then Dr. Sokol has devoted himself again to his extensive and continuously grow- ing practice. He was born in New York City, January 1, 1894, a son of Joseph and Rebecca (Rosen- baum) Sokol, the former a successful druggist to the time of his death, the latter still a resident of New York City.
Louis James Sokol was educated in the public and high schools of New York City, and then became a student at Fordham University, The Bronx, from the Medical College of which institution he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1914. After some time as an interne at Fordhanı
Hospital, The Bronx, he engaged in the private practice of his profession in The Bronx, in which ' he has continued since then, with the exception of some two years in the army during the World War, his offices in recent years being at No. 2463 Grand Avenue, The Bronx. He is also associated with The Bronx Hospital. In April, 1917, he entered the Medical Service of the United States Army as a first lieutenant, being later promoted to the rank of captain, and serving during the entire duration of the war and later with the American Forces par- ticipating in the occupation of Germany. Since his discharge from active service he has been made a major in the Medical Reserve Corps. He is a member of the New York State Medical and The Bronx County Medical societies, the Fordham Hos- pital Medical Association, the American Legion, and the North Side Democratic Club.
Dr. Sokol married, in New York City, in October, 1925, Celia Levy, a daughter of David and Dora Levy, both residents of New York City. Dr. and Mrs. Sokol make their home. at No. 2463 Grand Avenue, The Bronx.
ARCHIBALD THOMAS MACKENZIE - En- gaged in the manufacture of sash doors, interior trim and similar wooden products for some forty-five years, Mr. Mackenzie is one of the most widely known members of this industry and has been en- gaged in this business in The Bronx for more years than any other manufacturer in this field. His large mill is located at the corner of Eastchester Road and Williamsbridge Road, in the Westchester sec- tion of East Bronx and is conducted under the name of A. T. Mackenzie, Incorporated, with Mr. Macken- zie as president and treasurer. He also has large realty interests and conducts extensive building oper- ations, and for the more advantageous management of these undertakings he has formed several other corporations of which he is the controlling stock- holder, president and treasurer. Naturally he is considered one of the leading and most substantial business men of The Bronx, in the development and progress of which he has always taken a deep in- terest.
Archibald Thomas Mackenzie was born, January 14, 1866, on East Forty-seventh Street, Manhattan, New York City, a son of John and Margaret (Ken- dall) Mackenzie, the former a native of Nova Scotia, the latter of Newfoundland. His father came to the United States as a young man and settled in New York City, where he established a mill for the manufacture of sash doors, blinds and interior trim on East Forty-second Street near the Grand Central Station, which he conducted for many years with much success, until it was destroyed by fire. The younger Mr. Mackenzie was educated in the public schools of New York City, being a pupil of the school on One Hundred and Fifteenth Street near Third Avenue. At the age of sixteen years, in 1882, he went to work in his father's mill, where he served his apprenticeship and where he acquired a most thorough knowledge of all branches of the business. He continued to work for his father, until the latter's mill burned down, causing its owner, who was at that time one of the leading manufacturers
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in his particular field, great loss. Mr. Mackenzie then moved to The Bronx and there organized the Van Nest Woodworking Company in the Van Nest section of The Bronx. He built a large and modernly equipped mill for the manufacture of sash doors, blinds and interior trim, which was opened in 1893 and which enjoyed steady growth and prosperity, until it, too, was burned down. He then organized a new company and built a new plant on Sterling Avenue, adjoining the Catholic Protectory, which was known as the Westchester Woodworking Com- pany and which was organized under the laws of the State of New York. After a few years he decided to sell his interest in this enterprise, as he found himself out of sympathy with the business policies of its board of directors, who knew little or nothing of the practical side of the business. He then es- tablished a mill on Eastchester Road, near the corner of Williamsbridge Road, in the Westchester section of East Bronx, which he has continued to operate since and of which he is the sole owner. In later years this business was incorporated under the laws of the State of New York and with the name of A. T. Mackenzie, Incorporated, with Mr. Mackenzie himself as president and treasurer and A. K. Macken- zie as secretary. Since its incorporation complete control of the stock has been in the hands of the founder and owner of the business. Mr. Mackenzie for many years has been also extensively interested in real estate, his realty operations being of im- portance and running into large figures. For their conduct he organized and incorporated the Archanna Realty & Construction Company, of which he is pres- ident and treasurer. So considerable have his various interests in The Bronx become in recent years that he eventually incorporated the Archmack Holding Cor- poration, which is a holding company for his invest- ments and of which he is president and treasurer.
Mr. Mackenzie is a member of The Bronx Board of Trade; the Schnorer Club of The Bronx; the Harlem Yacht Club; the Woodmen of the World; Wyoming Lodge, No. 492, Free and Accepted Ma- sons, and The Bronx Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Mackenzie married, October 11, 1893, in New York City, Annie Forschner, a daughter of August and Margaret Forschner. Mr. and Mrs. Mackenzie are the parents of two children: 1. Janet, born November 24, 1895. 2. Archibald Kendall, born July 11, 1897. The family home is located on Bronx River Parkway, in Scarsdale, Westchester County, New York, where Mr. Mackenzie, several years ago, built a beautiful residence, situated on one of the choicest promontories in this attractive suburb of New York City.
WILLIAM PATRICK JOSEPH BIBLE- A native of that part of The Bronx formerly known as the town of Westchester and since his father's death, in 1920, at the head of one of the oldest and most extensive undertaking establishments of The Bronx, Mr. Bible, though still a young man, is today considered one of the leading and substantial business men of his community, where through his entire life all his personal, as well as his business, interests have been centered. He was born in the
town of Westchester, then part of Westchester Coun- ty, February 12, 1884, a son of Joseph James and Ellen Amelia (Bible) Bible. His father and his mother, though bearing the same family name, were not related to each other previous to their marriage; his mother born November 24, 1851, in the Throggs Neck section of The Bronx, being a daughter of Thomas Bible, of Fermoy, County Cork, Ireland, and Hannah (Horrigan) Bible, of Coachford, in the city of Cork, Ireland, while his father, born August 7, 1850, at Fort Schuyler, Throggs Neck, was a son of Michael Bible, of Queenstown, County Cork, Ireland, and Elizabeth (Bible) Bible, the latter two likewise not related before marriage, though having the same family name. In 1898 the father established himself in business as an undertaker in the town of West- chester, and in 1904 built a home at No. 1524 Ap- pleton Avenue, in the Throggs Neck section of The Bronx, where he also maintained an office. The main offices of the business, however, are located at No. 2316 Westchester Avenue, The Bronx, where the older Mr. Bible continued to direct the business until his death, October 27, 1920.
William P. J. Bible was educated in the public schools, attending the old No. 1 School, since then renumbered No. 97 and No. 12 successively. While still going to school he also attended the Renouard Training School for Embalmers in Manhattan, from which he graduated in 1901 at the age of seventeen. He then entered his father's undertaking business, which later was carried on under the style of Bible & Son. Upon the father's death in 1920, Mr. Bible assumed full direction of the business and has con- tinued in it since. His special training, both at his father's hands and in school, have made him one of the most efficient undertakers in The Bronx, while his ability and progressiveness as a business man have materially contributed to the continued success and expansion of the establishment, founded by his father. The two former offices are still main- tained, and in 1926 a new branch office was being established in a building owned by the firm at Greene Place and East Tremont Avenue, The Bronx, where he is making his headquarters and enlarging his business to provide an up-to-date mortuary for burial.
Mr. Bible is a member of St. Raymond Council, No. 811, Knights of Columbus, which he helped to organize; Woodmen of America; Woodmen of the World; Foresters of America; Ancient Order of Hibernians; and the Chippewa Democratic Club of The Bronx. In politics, he is a supporter of the Democratic party, while his religious affiliations are with the Roman Catholic church.
Mr. Bible married, November 6, 1912, in St. Ray- mond's Roman Catholic Church, East Tremont and Castle Hill avenues, The Bronx, Kathryn Madden, of The Bronx, a daughter of Richard and Mary (Tallon) Madden, both natives of The Bronx. Mr. and Mrs. Bible are the parents of two children: 1. Kathleen Mary, born in The Bronx, August 25, 1913. 2. Joseph William, born in The Bronx, Novem- ber 18, 1914. The family residence is at No. 1524 Appleton Avenue.
Joseph James and Ellen Amelia (Bible) Bible were the parents of fourteen children, six of whom died in infancy. All of the other children are still living.
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with the exception of Hannah J. Bible, who died in her forty-fifth year. The children are: Hannah J .; William P. J., of this review; Margaret M .; Francis Joseph; James Joseph; Louise, who married Nicholas J. Tonner; and Josephine.
FRED CHARLES NOBLE-A variegated career was that of Fred Charles Noble, secretary-treasurer of the Noble-Davies Motors, Inc., of The Bronx, rated as the largest Chandler automobile agency in the metropolitan area, before he found himself in his present important position in the commercial life of the greater city. Left fatherless at a com- paratively early age, he started life in the humble but active occupation of newsboy, making good in that line, which he followed with many and dis- similar tasks until the United States entered the World War, when he joined the 58th Coast Artil- lery, and saw service in France until his discharge in 1919. Since then he has been identified with the automobile business, with particular reference to the sales division, in which he has achieved unqualified success.
Fred C. Noble was born in The Bronx, August 26, 1894, the son of Fred C. and Louise (Chittenden) Noble. His father, having come from England at the age of twenty-one, was engaged in the business of selling antiques in New York City for many years, and died in 1911.
Fred C. Noble attended Public School No. 9, and next took the salesmanship courses of the Young Men's Christian Association and the Alexander Hamilton Institute. He was seventeen when his father died, and thereafter he supported himself. From the age of fourteen, until he joined the army, he was employed by the Central Union Gas Company. During his army service he was with his command in various sectors in the France battle area, his length of service being thirteen months in France and six months in the United States. He received his honorable discharge in May, 1919, and in that same month and year he became connected with the automobile industry, first in the capacity of sales- man for the Elsey Motor Company, subsequently attaining the position of vice-president. This com- pany was the original Chandler agency for Bronx County and employed five salesmen. That arrange- ment with the Chandler interests was terminated in September, 1922, and Mr. Noble forthwith, in the following October, organized and incorporated the Noble-Davies Motors, Inc., agents for the Chandler and Cleveland automobiles. The firm had its first location at No. 2440 Grand Concourse, and the bus-
iness has since expanded to such proportions that additional space adjoining was taken. It now has the largest and finest automobile showrooms in Bronx County, and is reputed to have sold more Chandler cars than any other dealer in the metropolitan area.
Mr. Noble is a staunch ally of the Democratic party, but confines his political activity to the con- sistent exercise of his suffrage, since his business affairs demand most of his time and energy. He is affiliated with Lilly Lodge, No. 342, Free and Accepted Masons; a member of the Fordham Mer- chants' Association, The Bronx Board of Trade, the
Lions Club, Schnorer Club and Young Men's Christian Association. He and his family worship at St. Mary's Protestant Episcopal Church, One Hun- dred and Forty-third Street and Alexander Avenue. Into this large place in the community life of The Bronx Mr. Noble has fitted with the ease that comes to one who has had to depend upon his own resources for getting on in the world. He has obtained a true perspective of men and affairs in the borough, and has adjusted himself to the upward trend of matters gen- erally with a spirit of cooperation that commends itself to the people as a body, and which constitutes a lively asset of his personal business relations.
Fred Charles Noble married, February 21, 1918, in The Bronx, Julia L. Magee, daughter of Dr. William J. Magee (D. V. S.) and his wife Caroline, the latter now deceased. They are the parents of two children: 1. Eugene, born March 24, 1921. 2. William, born January 4, 1923.
JOSIAH ARTHUR GIBSON-Abundant proof of his abilities as a successful purchaser and salesman of real estate has been demonstrated in Josiah Arthur Gibson's progressive enterprise and the popularity that he maintains in that line in his increasing Bronx business. Mr. Gibson is a veteran of the World War, an accomplished engineer, and a valued citizen in all matters pertaining to community welfare. He is a son of George Allen Gibson, who was born in Blue Mountain, Mississippi, and who is now in his sixty-third year (1926), and Effie (Reynolds) Gibson, who was born in 1867, in Corinth, Mississippi. George Allen Gibson has been engaged in building con- tracting in Birmingham, Alabama, since 1891, and he also conducts a real estate business.
Josiah Arthur (Joe A.) Gibson was born March 17, 1897, in Birmingham, Alabama, where he at- tended the grammar schools, and was graduated at the high school with the class of 1915; he then took the course in electrical engineering at the State University of Alabama. After his service in the United States Navy, Mr. Gibson, at twenty-three years of age, entered upon a period of activity in electrical engineering, and was first regularly em- ployed therein with the Western Electric Company, so continuing for three years. He then established himself in his present real estate business in The Bronx, with offices at No. 2154 Westchester Avenue. In 1917, Mr. Gibson joined the United States Navy as an ordinary seaman, and during the World War he was advanced to quartermaster, receiving his discharge November 22, 1919. Fraternally, Mr. Gib- son is affiliated with Concord Lodge, No. 50, Free and Accepted Masons; and he is a member of the Unionport Democratic Club. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church.
ISAAC WARTELL-His specialty as an expert in the jewelry business and particularly as a diamond connoisseur, has been attained by Isaac Wartell after many years of investigation and study, and with an experience that has included a personal interest in all branches of his business, both in this country and in the Old World. Besides being one of the foremost of the jewelers in The Bronx, Mr. Wartell is considered one of the diamond experts of the
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world, his opinion regarding the value of gems being frequently sought in Antwerp, his leading financial activities abroad being through the Banque Générale Belge, in Antwerp. He is a son of Harry and Esther (Edelkind) Wartell: the father was a jeweler in Sweden, and spent his retired years with his son. Both parents are now deceased.
· Isaac Wartell was born February 8, 1870, in Malmö, Sweden, where he attended the public schools, and he came to the United States in 1890. For six years he engaged in the jewelry business in Hastings, Pennsylvania; believing he might win greater success in a larger city, he came to New York, and in 1896 started in business in The Bronx, at Tremont Avenue, on the northeast corner of Bathgate Avenue. There his headquarters was a small store in the cigar store of Sam Pollock, where he paid a monthly rental of eighteen dollars. He came to his present loca- tion at No. 489 Tremont Avenue in 1909, and is known as one of the leading jewelers. Mr. Wartell has held the office of treasurer during all of John McGeehan campaigns for Bronx District Attorney. He is a former president of the Tremont Hebrew Free School; and he is a member of the American Chamber of Commerce in Berlin, Germany. During the World War, he served as deputy fuel commis- sioner for The Bronx. Fraternally, Mr. Wartell is affiliated with Bronx Lodge, No. 871, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and with Bronx Lodge, No. 760, Free and Accepted Masons; and he is a member of the Fordham Club; and of the Diamond Club, of Antwerp, Belgium, where he visits every year as an importer.
Isaac Wartell married, February 18, 1900, Fannie Gluckman, daughter of Henry and Roseline Gluck- man. To Mr. and Mrs. Wartell were born the follow- ing children: I. Madeline, born November 25, 1900, married Gerard Lockwood. 2. Harry, who was born March 20, 1904, and is associated with his father in the jewelry business. 3. Irving, who was born October 10, 1906, and is a law student in the Law School of New York University.
TULLY ORTON BUCKNER-In clerical and agency activities for the New York Life Insurance Company, Tully Orton Buckner has represented that leading and long-established insurance house with distinction, the well-bestowed recognition of his serv- ice in his appointment to the management of the new Bronx Branch being a result of continuous proofs of his adaptability to new conditions and more responsible tasks and situations. One of the most progressive of the younger group of men in the employ of this company, Mr. Buckner is a son of Walker Buckner, of No. 483 West End Avenue, New York City, first vice-president of the New York Life Insurance Company.
Tully Orton Buckner was born August 17, 1895, in St. Louis, Missouri, and he attended Taft Prepara- tory School at Watertown, Massachusetts, for a year, and then, taking the liberal arts course at Wil- liams College, Williamstown, Massachusetts, he was graduated there in 1918, with his Bachelor of Arts degree. He began his career in the life insurance- field that year as a clerk in the St. Louis, Missouri,
clearing house of the New York Life Insurance Com- pany. On June 1, 1920, he received promotion to agency instructor, and on May 1, 1921, he was transferred in the same capacity to the Yorkville Branch of the company, No. 1511 Third Avenue. On January 1, 1922, he was made the agency direc- tor of the Yorkville Branch; and on January 1, 1925, he succeeded Robert E. Christie, who had served as the first agency director at The Bronx Branch that had been established in 1912 at No. 391 East One Hundred and Forty-ninth Street.
Mr. Buckner was active in all home movements in behalf of the interests of the World War; but he was exempted from service in Army or Navy by the examining board. He is a member of the Psi Upsilon College Fraternity, Psi Upsilon Club, the Gedney Farm Golf Club, and University Club of White Plains. His religious fellowship is with Broadway Tabernacle, Broadway and Fifty-seventh Street.
Tully Orton Buckner married, May 24, 1919, in Broadway Tabernacle, May E. Woodward, daughter of Willard and Grace Woodward; and their children are: Katherine E., born April 24, 1920; Elizabeth L., born January 2, 1922; and Orton W., born November 5, 1923. Their residence address is No. 24 Sherman Avenue, Gedney Farms, White Plains, New York.
FRANK A. GALLAGHER, since June, 1921, has been president of the Cosmopolitan Bank. "A Bronx Bank for Bronx People," and under his able manage- ment the business of the bank has grown with phenomenal rapidity. Mr. Gallagher is a self-made man whose success is due to his own initiative and sound business ability. His career is a record of successes, from the day when he first entered the banking business in the capacity of messenger boy. He is a son of Michael and Mary Gallagher. The father, who came from Ireland to the United States as a boy, was engaged in the roofing business; he died January 14, 1916, and the mother July 13, 1894.
Frank A. Gallagher was born July 27, 1882, in New York City, and attended St. James Parochial School, graduating there in 1898. After leaving school, he had a position for a time with the Butterick Pub- lishing Company at $3.00 a week, and afterward managed his father's roofing business in Brooklyn, meantime attending sessions of LaSalle Academy until the pressure of business forced him to give it his full time. On June 15, 1899, when Mr. Gal- lagher was not quite seventeen, he answered an advertisement and secured a place as bank mes- senger with the State Bank at $4.00 a week, and in seven years he had worked up through one promotion after another to the post of assistant man- ager of the bank. He was connected with this bank until November 15, 1913, when he resigned because the bank objected to the fact that he had worked up an independent accounting business for himself in his hours away from regular business, and this accounting enterprise was by this time netting him about $5,000 a year, while his bank salary was about $1,650. He continued to work independently as an accountant until May, 1914, and then became receiving teller for the Manufacturers Trust Com- pany and later auditor for the Produce Exchange.
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