USA > New York > Bronx County > The Bronx and its people; a history, 1609-1927, Volume III > Part 2
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Dr. Alban Elliott Munson was married, in Maine, to Annie McCloud. Mrs. Munson is a member of the Ladies' Auxiliary of the Union Hospital, and has a host of friends in this section of the city. Dr. and Mrs. Munson are the parents of one son, Alban El- liott, Jr.
JOHN GERHARD BORGSTEDE - Among those financiers and business men of The Bronx who have had the privilege of sharing the history of the North Side Savings Bank, and very substantially aiding in its progress and prosperity, its president, John Gerhard Borgstede, from the beginning has been a staunch supporter of its every interest, has made for the bank many scores of friends, and has been instrumental in establishing its present and future prospects. Mr. Borgstede is everywhere known and appreciated as a man of rare business gifts; his training was that of the great school of general business; and he made as fine a repute in the real estate world as he has done in the financial. He is a son of John H. Borgstede, a farmer, who was born in Gehrde, Germany, in 1837, came to the United States in 1858, and died in 1907, and of Anna (Feldscher) Borgstede.
John Gerhard Borgstede was born September 1, 1867, in New York City, where he attended the public schools, and was graduated at Packard's Business College. Mr. Borgstede began his business career when he was seventeen years old in the employ of Louis Franke and Company, silk merchants, doing business at No. 110 Grand Street, New York City, with whom he remained eight years. He then decided to engage in the real estate business on his own account, and thereupon he opened an office at No. 207 East Fifty-fourth Street; and as he possessed a natural aptitude for this business, he made a success of it from the start. He worked hard and devotedly and followed his rule of sterling honesty, and es- tablished his excellent reputation.
Mr. Borgstede continued in the real estate business until 1911, when he was elected president of the North Side Savings Bank, of which he was one of the original founders, in association with the follow- ing-named organizers and trustees: John J. Barry, who was elected the first president; John Bambey, John W. Bolton, Theodore J. Chabot, T. Joseph Dunn, J. Clarence Davies, John J. Fox, Michael J. Garvin, George J. Grossman, John C. Heintz, Wil- liam H. Keating, Charles B. Lawson, George N. Reinhardt, Dr. John Riegelman, Christian Rieger, Anthony Stumpf, Walter Wilkins, Fred H. Wefer, Robert C. Wood. From the beginning, January 30, 1905, the bank began to prosper, and in the following March the amount of the deposits was $17,547.85, and they have steadily mounted to the grand total of $15,017,874.27 in 1925, a remarkable achievement.
Mr. Borgstede was elected president of the bank, November 28, 1910, Dr. John Riegelman, vice-pres- ident; Fred H. Wefer, vice-president; John M. Haf-
fen, treasurer; Arthur A. Ekirch, secretary; and since organization the present board of trustees: John G. Borgstede, John C. Heintz, Christian Rieger, Dr. John Riegelman, Fred H. Wefer. Fraternally, Mr. Borgstede is affiliated with Lilly Lodge, No. 342, Free and Accepted Masons; and he is a member of the Schnorer Club of Morrisania.
John G. Borgstede married, September 18, 1889, Josephine Klenke, daughter of Henry and Sophia (Bartels) Klenke. Their children: 1. Sophie A. Borgstede, who married Albert C. Mau, and they have three children: Helen, Josephine, Edna. 2. Anna J. Borgstede, married J. George Gross, and they have two children: Elizabeth and Dorothy. 3. Louise E. Borgstede, married Arthur A. Ekirch, and they have two children: Arthur and Kathryn. 4. Josephine Dorothy Borgstede. 5. Mildred E. Borgstede, mar- ried Edmund F. Wagner; they have a son, John William Wagner.
EDWARD J. BERTRAND-A resident of The Bronx for twenty years, Mr. Bertrand has been es- tablished there as a real estate broker since 1922, conducting his business under the name of Bertrand & Company, with headquarters at No. 51 East Tremont Avenue. As a result of his untiring energy and his great business ability the enterprise has grown rapidly and Mr. Bertrand is considered one of the leading and most successful real estate brokers in The Bronx. He has also been active in the affairs of The Bronx Real Estate Board, of which he was one of the organizers and, in 1925, a member of the board of governors. He is considered one of the most successful and substantial members of the younger generation of Bronx business men and en- joys the respect and regard of his fellow-citizens.
Edward J. Bertrand was born in New York City, January 26, 1884, a son of the late Charles A. and Elizabeth Bertrand. On his father's side he is of French descent, being a great-great-grandson of Count Henri Gratien Bertrand, one of the generals of Napoleon I and one of the Emperor's most loyal supporters. The first member of the family to come to this country was Mr. Bertrand's grandfather, who settled in the United States in 1858. His son, Mr. Bertrand's father, was for many years successfully engaged in the trucking business and also was over a very long period of years a power in local politics, having been a staunch supporter of the Democratic party and at one time a member of the New York State Senate. He died in 1916, having been prede- ceased by Mrs. Bertrand, who was one of the un- fortunate victims, June 15, 1904, of the disaster which befell the Steamship "General Slocum" in the East River.
Edward J. Bertrand was educated in the public schools of New York City, graduating from School No. 55 at the age of fourteen and a half years as valedictorian of his class, after which he attended Morris High School for one year. He then went to work with A. A. Vantine & Company, a prominent importing house of Oriental goods. In 1909 he became connected with the New York City Department of Water Supply, in which he served very efficiently and conscientiously for ten years as an inspector. Resigning in 1919, he accepted a position with the
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National City Bank, New York City, with which important financial institution he remained for three years. At the expiration of this period, in 1922, he established his present business, in which he met with marked success from the beginning and in which he has continued until the present time. In politics he is, like his father, a supporter of the Democratic party, and as such a member of the Chippewa Demo- cratic Club. He is also a member of Lodge No. 871, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of The Bronx Board of Trade, and of The Bronx Real Estate Board, of which latter organization he was one of the organizers and for one year was a governor.
Mr. Bertrand married, in The Bronx, February 1, 1909, Theresa Essenwanger, a daughter of Charles and Mary Essenwanger, both residents of The Bronx. Mr. and Mrs. Bertrand are the parents of three daughters: 1. Marie, born August 30, 1914. 2. Helen, born November 30, 1917. 3. Ethel, born August 4, 1923. The family home is located at No. 1318 Purdy Street, The Bronx.
CHARLES FRANCIS GRIFFIN-As one of the most prominent and influential Democrats in The Bronx, Charles Francis Griffin is considered a power- ful leader in political circles. Although for many years an expert printer by trade, and still an active member of the Printers' Union, of late years he has devoted all of his time and attention to political questions. He has been Democratic leader of the Seventh As- sembly District since 1917, and is well and widely known as a firm believer in and an ardent advocate of the principles and tenets of his chosen party.
Charles Francis Griffin was born in the family home at No. 25 Oak Street, Manhattan, New York City, on September 10, 1868, a son of Jeremiah and Ellen (Fitzgerald) Griffin, both of wliom are now deceased. The mother, Ellen (Fitzgerald) Griffin, was born in Milktown, County Kerry, Ireland, in 1834, and died in New York City, in 1916. The father, Jeremiah Griffin, was born in the city of Killarney, Ireland, in 1832, and came to the United States in the year 1849, settling in New York City, where he spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring there in 1914. His first work in America was as a butcher, following which he entered the general con- tracting business and was very successful, becoming a recognized leader in the building of important public improvements.
Charles Francis Griffin received his early education in old Public Schools Nos. 1 and 12, of New York City, following which he entered St. James' Parochial School, on James Street, whence he was graduated with the class of 1884. He then went to work, and at the same time learned the printer's trade, which, after he had mastered it, he continued in success- fully throughout his active business life. For the past thirty years, and up to and including the present time, he has been a foremost member of the Printers' Union, Local No. 6, widely known as the "Big Six." Several years ago, however, Mr. Griffin retired from the printing business to enter real estate and in- surance business, which is now conducted by his son, Charles J. Griffin, at No. 603 East Tremont Avenue, in order to be able to devote all of his
time and energy to local politics. He is today a recognized Democratic leader throughout The Bronx, liaving been secretary of the Arthur H. Murphy As- sociation for more than twenty years, and since Mr. Murphy's death in 1922, succeeding him as both Democratic leader of the Seventh Assembly District, and executive head of the Association. The Arthur H. Murphy Association is the leading Democratic organization of The Bronx, and numbers among its many members the leading Democrats throughout that section of the State. Fraternally, Mr. Griffin is an active and valued member of Bronx Lodge, No. 871, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Charles Francis Griffin was married, in St. James' Roman Catholic Church, New York City, on June 8, 1892, by the Rev. Father John J. Kean, to Mary Frances McBride, a daughter of John McBride, who was born in the north part of Ireland, and Celina (Marchand) McBride, a native of Point Levis, Quebec, Canada. Charles Francis and Mary Frances (McBride) Griffin are the parents of four children, as follows: 1. Charles J., of whom further mention. 2. Edward John, born April 23, 1895. 3. Celina A., born May 27, 1902. 4. Ellen Veronica, born on August 5, 1904.
The eldest son, Charles J. Griffin, born on March 22, 1893, served with distinction in the late World War. He enlisted as a member of the 107th Infantry, 27th Division, Major-General John O'Ryan com- manding, and spent nearly a year in intensive training at Camp Wadsworth, Spartanburg, South Carolina. Upon accompanying his unit to France he saw active service at Mt. Kemel, Dickebusch, and Dickebusch Lake Sectors, and also participated in the drive which broke the famous Hindenburg Line. During this historic drive, Mr. Griffin was severely wounded in the shoulder by enemy machine-gun fire, and was invalided to England for hospitalization. He re- covered, re-joined his regiment in France, and returned with the division to the United States in March, 1919, and was honorably discharged from Federal service in April, 1919. Today he is a mem- ber of the Association of the Veterans of the 7th Regiment, New York National Guard, and of the Arthur H. Murphy Association. His brother, Edward John Griffin, also gave able service to his country during the World War, enlisting as a member of the 107th Infantry, 27th Division, Major-General John O'Ryan commanding. His war record is identical with his brother, Charles J. Griffin; they fought in the same sectors in France, and were discharged at the same time, the only difference being Edward J. received but a slight wound from schrapnel. They both belong to the same regiment, and the Arthur H. Murphy Association.
WALTER F. COPELAND- One of the most widely known and most highly respected men in financial circles of the Second Federal Reserve Dis- trict, comprising New York, New Jersey, and part of Connecticut, through his association of seventeen years with the United States Sub-Treasury and later with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Mr. Copeland is vice-president and active in the manage- ment of the Melrose National Bank, No. 560 Melrose
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Eng by E G. Williams & Bro. N.Y.
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THE BRONX AND ITS PEOPLE
Avenue, The Bronx. His extensive knowledge of all branches of banking, his wide acquaintance amongst bankers gained as a result of his long con- nection with the financial institutions of the Federal Government in New York City, his untiring energy and his pleasing personality have made him not only an important figure in financial circles of The Bronx, but one of the most popular members of the banking business throughout Greater New York. He was born in that part of New York City known as Greenwich Village, July 6, 1876, a son of Theron S. and Rosetta (Campbell) Copeland. His father was for many years connected with the New York Police Department in which he rose to the rank of captain, and had also served during the Civil War with the rank of captain and engaged in drilling troops. He was a descendant of one of three brothers by the name of Copeland who had come to the United States during the Revolutionary War. He died in 1905, being survived by his widow and eight sons, one of whom, Walter F., of further mention, and three daughters.
Walter F. Copeland was educated in the public schools of New York City, being a pupil in Public School No. 3, and at the time of his graduation vale- dictorian of his class. Soon after having completed his schooling he became connected with the United States Sub-Treasury, New York City, in 1899. In 1905 he went for a short time to Mexico where he was interested in a plantation, but returned to this country eight months later and for the next year engaged in the real estate business in Westchester County. At the special request of Hamilton Fish, then assistant treasurer in charge of the New York Sub-Treasury, he returned to the latter in 1907 and remained until 1916. In February of that year he was loaned to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, where, however, his services were soon found so valuable that he became permanently connected with this institution. He organized the government check department and during the World War had charge of the Government deposit department, hand- ling some six billions in connection with the various government loans. He was at one time, for six months, acting assistant Federal Reserve Agent, under a bond of $100,000, and latterly as special representative. It was also one of his functions to pass on national bank charters in the district covered by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and he was also active in the publicity work, making more than one hundred speeches during a period of some three years before Rotary and Kiwanis clubs and similar organizations. Soon after the Melrose National Bank applied for a national bank charter, Mr. Copeland became inter- ested in the possibilities of banking in The Bronx and was made vice-president of that institution. He was at one time a member of the New York Athletic Club and was very active in athletics, having been, in 1903, middleweight wrestling champion of the New York Athletic Club, in which organization he also gained fourth position out of 1,100 members sub- mitting to certain strength tests.
Mr. Copeland married, in New York City, Decem- ber 22, 1910, Vaughn Sergeant, a daughter of Ed- mund and Emma Sergeant, the former now deceased,
the latter still a resident of New York City. Mr. and Mrs. Copeland are the parents of one child, Vaughn, born November 23, 1916. The family residence is located at No. 149 West Tremont Avenue, The Bronx.
ARTHUR HENRY MURPHY-The ancient and honorable name of Murphy, perhaps one of the most prolific of the patronymics in the world, was given additional lustre through the political, civic and bus- iness activities of the late Arthur Henry Murphy, long identified with the growth and prosperity of the Borough of The Bronx by reason of his remark- ably successful operations as a real estate promoter and expert of the highest order. His prominence in his chosen circles of various endeavor was not confined wholly to them, since he touched life at so many points that he was considered in a true and affectionate sense as a man of the whole body of the people, whose champion of many causes of worth and endurance he had been. This naturally- gifted, educationally-cultured, great-hearted and keen- minded business man and citizen was thoroughly in love with The Bronx and its people; it was he who had the vision of the necessity and future importance of The Bronx to the expansion of the Metropolis, if the city was to maintain its gigantic stride toward becoming one of the world's greatest-if not the greatest-cities of the world. He lived to see his vision become a reality, and the ridicule of his friends turned into praise and admiration. His span of life was all too brief-but a few years more than a half- century-yet into it he crowded much more of con- structive work of a versatile character than falls to the lot of most men to perform with a similar period. Though he has passed from the realm of the physical, his strong and free spirit still pulsates through the body politic of the beloved borough which he did so much to bring to its high state of importance.
Arthur Henry Murphy traced his ancestry direct to Jeremiah Murphy, famous in his day as a vigorous non-conformist, who lived in Cork, and was a bril- liant representative of the ancient clan of Murphy. He was a powerful organizer and an acknowledged leader of the great movements of his time. In succeeding generations, and in the earliest days of Irish history, the family of Murphy has never ceased to give of its members to be warriors of note, bril- liant statesmen, ecclesiastical leaders, writers and orators, and those who excelled in the professions and in leading occupations. It is with this splendid background that Arthur Henry Murphy was ushered into the world at No. 526 East Thirteenth Street, New York City, November 25, 1868, the son of Arthur H. and Bridget (Malone) Murphy, both parents natives of Ireland. His father, though not blessed with an abundance of this world's goods, gloried in the rich heritage that was his by birth- right, descent from the famous Murphy family of Cork. On the maternal side the son, Arthur H. Murphy, possessed alliance with another ancient Irish family which traces its descent from Milesius, King of Spain. The Malones, still a numerous and flour- ishing family, are from one of the best strains of pure Irish blood, which has told out through the
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centuries in prominent leaders of the clergy, scholars of marked ability and a piety which is a family trait.
The father of Arthur Henry Murphy, when the son was an infant had determined that he should have an education which should give him a thorough grounding in the principles and practices of life's foundation on which to erect the superstructure of the career he should elect. In accordance with this paternal scheme, the boy was entered as a pupil in the Immaculate Conception Parochial School, New York City, and after he finished his course there he became a student at St. John's University, Ottawa, Canada. Upon his graduation, he returned to New York City, and at once chose for his profession the buying and selling and the promotion of real estate properties and enterprises. He was possessed of the proper acumen to make of him a successful man in that line in which competition was, and is, of the closest type imaginable. But he was shrewd and far-seeing, and he beheld in the great Bronx area the possibilities for relieving to a great extent the congestion that was an affliction in the city proper. He began to devote his attention almost exclusively to the development of Bronx real estate, and in the pursuit of his profession he amassed a comfortable fortune for the sustenance of his family.
Business matters did not restrict the theater of operations in which Mr. Murphy moved. He took naturally to politics, and participated actively in State and civic affairs. He rose to be Democratic leader of The Bronx, and in his honor was named the Arthur H. Murphy Association. He never sought political honors for himself, but he was an indefatigable worker in behalf of approved friends for the public service. Political honors did come to him, but they were of the order with which he was content, an alderman of New York City, tax commissioner and State presidential elector; he was also a leading member of the County Demo- cratic Committee. He was a member of the Demo- cratic County Club and the North End Democratic Club. He was affiliated with Bronx Lodge, No. 871, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and the Improved Order of Red Men. He was a member of the Eyawey Golf Club, the Siwanoy Golf Club, and the Oak Ridge Gun Club.
Mr. Murphy passed away February 6, 1922. His funeral services were held in St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, of which he was a devoted mnem- ber, and it was there that his funeral services were held, the solemn high mass of requiem having been celebrated by the Rev. Edward J. Farrell, of Buffalo, New York, now deceased, a cousin of Mrs. Murphy. Among those present at the funeral services were the following distinguished men: John H. McCooey, Surrogate John P. Cohalan, Murray Hulbert, pres- ident of the Board of Aldermen; City Clerk Michael J. Cruise, Borough President Edward Riegelmann, of Brooklyn; John Sinnott, secretary to Mayor Hylan; Corporation Counsel John P. O'Brien; Judge Francis X. Mancuso, of General Sessions Court, County Clerk Robert L. Moran, members of the tax com- mission with whom Mr. Murphy has been officially associated, and members of all of The Bronx political
associations and many of those of Manhattan and Brooklyn. The honorary pallbearers were: Charles F. Murphy, William C. Bergen, Supreme Court Jus- tices Francis Martin, Richard H. Mitchell, John.M. Tierney and Leonard A. Geigerich; City Court Justice Joseph B. Callahan, County Judge Louis D. Gibbs, Surrogate George M. S. Schulz, Municipal Court Judge William E. Morris, District Attorney Edward J. Glennon, Borough President Henry Bruck- ner, and Registrar Edward Polak. The funeral of Mr. Murphy is notable as having been one of the largest and most elaborate ever witnessed in the county, before or since. Governor Alfred E. Smith, a number of the justices of the State Supreme Court, and many other widely known men in political, judicial or business life were present, and all city and county departments of The Bronx, not excluding the courts, suspended operations throughout the morning while the funeral ceremonies were being enacted. A multitude of people, numbering more than fifteen thousand souls, congregated along the line of the funeral procession, which included six hundred automobiles bearing the mourners. After the services at St. Joseph's Church, the body was interred at Saint Raymond's Cemetery. While the ceremony was being conducted in the sacred edifice, the services of seventy-five patrolmen under Inspector Dominick Henry were required to hold in order the throngs gathered before the church. Prob- ably never again will The Bronx be so stirred to the depths by the loss of a great man and citizen, as were they upon the occasion of the death of Arthur H. Murphy.
Arthur Henry Murphy married (first), in August, 1900, Adele Murphy, who died December 22, 1907. He married (second), on February 25, 1911, Mary E. Holland, daughter of John J. and Catherine (Col- lins) Holland, who survived him. Children of the first marriage: 1. Elizabeth, born August 18, 1901. 2. Arthur H., Jr., born October 7, 1902. 3. Mary Adele, born February 2, 1904. 4. John E., born November 1, 1905. Children of the second marriage: 5. Doris C., born July 15, 1912, died December 26, 1912. 6. Catherine V., born October 27, 1913. 7. Ur- sula, born December 21, 1914. 8. Charles Francis, born June 8, 1916. 9. Robert Holland, born June 9, 1917, died June 20, 1917.
ALFRED MOOREHEAD ROGERS-As head of one of the oldest mercantile establishments in The Bronx, whose standing is rated in the highest class of business houses in this section of New York, Alfred Moorehead Rogers occupies a foremost place in the commercial activities of the community. Pres- ident of Francis Rogers & Sons, Inc., which concern and its predecessor-in name only-have been estab- lished for more than threescore years, he has been associated with both for more than thirty-five years, during which period he has attained an enviable reputation for business sagacity and integrity while making the house a most desirable center of the retail mercantile trade for The Bronx area.
This branch of the Rogers family and the Rogers dry goods business were founded by Francis Rogers, who was born in Armagh, North Ireland, in 1835, and came to the United States in 1866. He died in
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