USA > New York > Bronx County > The Bronx and its people; a history, 1609-1927, Volume III > Part 36
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Gbarenca Dara
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State of New York and New York City, as well as for railroad corporations and private owners. He is himself a large owner of The Bronx and Man- hattan properties. He was an organizer and for many years. treasurer of the Real Estate Board of New York. He is in constant demand as an appraiser by banks, trust companies, institutions and attorneys for property in that section. He is a director of the Lawyers Westchester Title and Mortgage Com- pany and of several other real estate corporations. He was an organizer and for many years treasurer of the Real Estate Board of Brokers, and one of the organizers of The Bronx Board of Trade, of which he is a member.
Mr. Davies' civic interests are much broader than the limits of The Bronx, and he is affiliated with the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Horticultural Society, the Zoological Society, the Academy of Sciences and the New York Historical Society. He has an intense interest in rare books and prints, and has collected one of the rarest and most valuable collections of prints and engravings and books per- taining to New York City-there being some fifteen thousand items. There is a curator in charge of this collection, to which newspapermen and others bent on legitimate research have access.
Mr. Davies is affiliated with Craftsman Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and has attained the thirty-second degree of the order. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias. Since he holds as his favorite recreations golf, billiards, yachting and automobiling, his clubs reflect those interests. He is a member of the City, Reform, Lawyers', Manhattan, Atlantic Yacht, Harmonie, Century Coun- try, North Jersey Country, Amateur Billiard, Auto- mobile of America, Fordham, City Athletic, Na- tional Arts, Salamagundi, North Shore Country, Stock- bridge Golf, Arcola Golf, Newport Country, Rye Country, Westchester-Biltmore, Criterion, Quaker Ridge Golf and Fairview Country clubs.
J. Clarence Davies married, in October, 1901, in New York City, Rosalie Loewi, and they have chil- dren: Valentine Loewi, born in 1905, and J. Clarence, Jr., born in 1912.
ROBERT SAMUEL STEWART, now retired from the New York City Fire Department, after having completed exactly twenty-eight consecutive years' service in that branch of the municipal forces, was born on October 25, 1852, on Forrest Avenue between what was then Wall Street and Strong Avenue, now One Hundred and Sixty-third and One Hundred and Sixty-five streets, The Bronx. Mr. Stewart is a son of Michael and Ann (Heaney) Stewart, both of whom are now deceased. Michael Stewart, the father, was born in County Meath, Ire- land, and he came to this country in 1849, settling in The Bronx. Ann (Heaney) Stewart, the mother, was born in West Meath, Ireland, during the year 1822, and she came to this country in 1842. She died in 1879.
Robert Samuel Stewart received his education at the old Morrisania Public School, under Dr. Aiken, who was then the principal. He later attended the Melrose Public School, under Nathaniel D. Hyatt, then principal. Immediately after the completion of
these courses of study he at once went to work, obtaining his first real contact with the world in the employ of Alonzo Carr, grocer, flour and feed merchant, at One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Street and Washington Avenue, formerly old Second Street. He remained at this work for a period of time very slightly in excess of five consecutive years, after which he served as a driver of the old Third Avenue horse cars and, later, the equally old Huckleberry Line. After some three years at this type of en- deavor, he entered the employ of one R. R. Sher- wood, an oil merchant whose business was located at One Hundred and Sixty-ninth Street and Wash- ington Avenue. He remained four years with Mr. Sherwood. Then came the great panic of 1873, and for a while Mr. Stewart accepted any kind of work he could obtain. As the disastrous times continued on into the eighties, he decided that something drastic had to be done and he accordingly enlisted, in Sep- tember, 1881, in the Fire Department of New York City, being assigned to duty with Hook and Ladder Company. No. 13. He was later assigned to Engine Company No. 50, and, still later, to No. 32, in which company he finally rounded out just twenty-eight consecutive years' of service, being retired, February 1, 1909, on the regular pension roll-since which time he has remained in retirement, giving all of his at- tention to his property.
There is one very interesting feature about Mr. Stewart's life, and that occurred during the troublous times of 1862, the days of the American Civil War. In that year Mr. Stewart accompanied old James Lyons when he enlisted into the army, in 1862. Many years have passed by since then, and Mr. Stewart is now a member of the Old Timers' Association of The Bronx. He also holds membership in the Fire- men's Mutual Benefit Association, and the Twenty Year Veteran Firemen's Association.
Robert Samuel Stewart married, October 5, 1880, in the St. Augustine's Roman Catholic Church in The Bronx, the Rev. Father Michael Nolan officiat- ing, Jane Moran, who was born in County Kildare, Ireland, now deceased, having died December 13, 1905, a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Moran, of that same county. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart had become the parents of nine children: 1. Ann Marion, who was born July 11, 1881; she married Willard Dinan and by him became the mother of five chil- dren: i. Jane. ii. Marv. iii. Willard, Jr. iv. Stewart. v. John. 2. Elizabeth, born January 14, 1883; mar- ried John J. Weber. 3. Mary Verna, born August 27, 1884; married Henry Giersberg and by him be- came the mother of two children: i. Catherine. ii. Robert. 4. Margaret, born May 21, 1886; mar- ried Howard P. Wilson. 5. Jane, born February 12, 1888; married William Arctander, died January 14, 1927. 6. Catherine, born February 9, 1890, who died when she was but ten years of age, November 2, 1900. 7. Ruth, born December 31, 1892, now a teacher of physical training at the Wadleigh High School. 8. Frances, born July 27, 1894; married Arthur Linden and by him became the mother of two children: i. Robert Stewart. ii. Arthur, Jr. 9. Robert Samuel, Jr., born March 13, 1895; married Grace Dunn and by her became the father of two children: i. Grace. ii. Robert Samuel (3rd). Mr. Stewart, the parent and
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grandparent of the foregoing children, maintains his residence at No. 755 East One Hundred and Sixty- third Street, in The Bronx.
WALTER DAVID WEIL, M. D .- For the past seventeen years Dr. Walter David Weil has been successfully engaged in general practice in The Bronx, and along with his general practice he has also specialized in pediatrics. During the time he has been located here he has built up a large and important practice and has made for himself an as- sured place among his professional associates.
Dr. Walter David Weil was born in Demopolis, Alabama, December 31, 1879, son of Ernest Isaac, born in Nordleda, province of Hanover, Germany, and Isadora (Fischel) Weil, native of Elberfeld, Ger- many. Dr. Weil attended the Manual Training School at Hunter's College, in New York City, and later continued his studies in Public School No. 3, New York City, and completing his public school course in Public School No. 77, Eighty-sixth and First Avenue, and going from there for one and a half years to the College of the City of New York. He had early determined upon the medical profession as his future field of activity, but in order to secure his professional training it was necessary that he earn the money to finance his education, so he be- came a salesman in the cigar business for a time and later associated himself with a ribbon manufac- turing concern as salesman, remaining with the last- named enterprise until he had accumulated enough funds to enable him to begin study. On October 4, 1905, he began professional study in Bellevue Medical College, from which he was graduated on June 2, 1909. He then served his interneship in the J. Hood Wright Memorial Hospital, 1909- 1910, after the completion of which he engaged in general practice, but specializing in children's diseases. In 1910 he located in The Bronx, where during the past seventeen years he has been taking care of a very large practice. His offices are located at No. 2255 University Avenue, and he is known among his associates and among his many patients as a skilled and faithful physician. His skill in treating children and his success in winning their confidence and regard has won him much commenda- tion among the parents of his small patients, and his understanding of and liking for children is one of his well-known characteristics. He is interested in the general welfare of the community, and is al- ways ready to do what he can to advance its in- terests. During the period of the participation of the United States in the World War he served as a member of the local examining board, which was on duty in the University grounds, and of which Professor Haring was chairman and Dr. Hurd and B. H. Weisker, members. He is a member of The Bronx County Medical Society, and of the Bronx Pediatric Society, also of the New York State Medical Society, and the American Medical Association. Fraternally, he is identified with Level Lodge, No. 914, Free and Accepted Masons; and with Bronx Lodge, No. 871, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and he is also a member of The Bronx Rotary Club. His religious affiliation is with Tremont Temple, Congregation Gates of Mercy.
Dr. Walter David Weil was married, in New York City, February 11, 1912, to Edna Mork, daughter of Fice and Fannie (Rosenthal) Mork. Mr. and Mrs. Weil are the parents of one daughter, Doris Carolyn, who was born January 18, 1913.
BARNEY MOGILESKY-From the beginning of his career in the general practice of law in The Bronx, where he has always resided, Barney Mogiles- ky has made a pronounced success in the variety of legal business with which he has been associated. It is due to his comprehensive understanding of the general status of county law matters, as well as to his personal abilities, that he was made assistant in the district attorney's office. He is a son of Abraham Mogilesky, who was one of the pioneer real estate brokers of Williamsbridge, and of Sarah (Bellow) Mogilesky, who survives her husband.
Barney Mogilesky was born June 29, 1896, in The Bronx, where he attended the public and high schools. He prepared for his profession in the Law School of New York University, where he was graduated in 1918, with his degree of Bachelor of Laws. When he was admitted to the bar, in 1919, Mr. Mogilesky became associated with Judge Albert Vitale, and they conducted a general law practice until January, 1924, when Mr. Mogilesky was ap- pointed assistant district attorney. Fraternally, Mr. Mogilesky is a member of the State and County Bar associations, and of the Loyal Order of Moose; and he is a member of the Chippewa Democratic and the Lions clubs.
JOHN FRANCIS XAVIER McKEON-A well- known citizen of The Bronx is Jolin Francis Xavier McKeon, sexton and undertaker to St. Aquinas Roman Catholic Church, in the West Farms sec- tion of The Bronx. His careful training for his position, his long experience, and his personality, at once capable and sympathetic, especially qualify him for his important work.
John Francis Xavier Mckeon was born February 22, 1884, at No. 611 East Fifteenth Street, Man- hattan, son of Thomas and Catherine (McQuillan) McKeon. The father, Thomas Mckeon, born in Ireland, was an infant six weeks old when his parents brought him to America and settled in the lower east side of New York City, where he spent most of his life. He became widely known as the owner of a large truck business with headquarters on East Fifteenth Street, and he passed from this to the livery trade, purchasing a lucrative establish- ment at the corner of Washington Avenue and One Hundred and Sixty-ninth Street, which had been owned by McManus, undertaker and liveryman. Mr. Mckeon, a generous, open-hearted man, gave several of his fellow-men a fair start in life, helping them with money and advice. He died January 12, 1910, in his seventy-fourth year, some eleven months be- fore the death of his wife, December 21, 1910.
John Francis Xavier Mckeon was educated in St. Bridget's Academy on Tenth Street, and later at Public School No. 61, Third Avenue and One Hun- dred and Sixty-ninth Street. He began work with his father in his livery business and continued until he was twenty-two years old. Then Mr. Mckeon
John J. Mª Cahill
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took a course in embalming in the Barnes School of Sanitation and Embalming in order to fit himself as an undertaker. His first funeral parlors were located in the Hunts Point section of The Bronx, on Tiffany Street and Southern Boulevard, near the Roman Catholic Church of St. Athanasius, which Mr. Mckeon served as sexton, and undertaker. When the rector, Father William F. Dougherty, was transferred to St. Michael's on West Thirty-fourth Street, Mr. Mckeon also left the church he had served and moved to the West Farms section, where he took up his present work as sexton and under- taker to the St. Aquinas Roman Catholic Church. His special qualifications fit him very well for this dual position, and the congregation is fortunate in the high quality of service it receives. Mr. Mckeon is a member of St. Aquinas Council, No. 757, Knights of Columbus and the Order of Alhambra, Seville Caravan. He also belongs to the Arthur H. Murphy Democratic Association of The Bronx.
On July 8, 1906, in St. Rita's Roman Catholic Church, at One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Street and College Avenue, John Francis Xavier Mckeon was married, by Father O'Brien, to Laurene T. Nolan, who was born in Chicago, Illinois, daughter of Bernard and Elizabeth (McDermott) Nolan, both natives of New York City. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. McKeon: 1. Leon Aloysius, born August 13, 1907. 2. Elvira Elizabeth, born Decem- ber 2, 1913.
REV. JOHN JOSEPH McCAHILL-Success- fully engaged in the priesthood of the Roman Cath- olic church for more than two decades, ever since his graduation from theological seminary in 1905, Father McCahill, for some eighteen years, was as- sistant pastor of the Church of the Annunciation, One Hundred and Thirty-first Street and Convent Avenue, New York City. Since June, 1923, he has been pastor of the Church of Our Lady of the As- sumption, The Bronx, which he organized and which under his energetic and devoted guidance has rapidly grown and promises to become one of the largest and most active Roman Catholic parishes in The Bronx. Notable as has been his work as a parish priest, Father McCahill is known to wider circles for his remarkable success as an organizer and exec- utive. For many years he has had charge of a large share of the charitable and social work in the diocese of New York, and in this field he has been especially successful in his work with and in behalf of boys, girls, and young men and women.
Rev. John Joseph McCahill was born March 2, 1879, in Dimock, Susquehanna County, Pennsyl- vania, a son of Bernard R. and Ellen (Goggin) Mc- Cahill. His father, born in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, in 1848, in recent years has been a resident of Cho- conut Village, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, enjoying, in spite of advanced age, good health and full command of his faculties. His mother was born in Friendsville, Pennsylvania, in 1849, and died in January, 1926. When Father McCahill was only seven years old he came to New York City with his parents. He was educated in the public and parochial schools of the Metropolis attending first
the Highbridge Public School and later Holy Cross Parochial School, on West Forty-third Street. From there he went to St. Francis Xavier High School and St. Francis Xavier College, from which latter he graduated in 1900. Having decided to devote his life to the priesthood of his church, he entered St. Joseph's Seminary at Dunwoodie, Westchester County, New York, where he completed his theo- logical studies in 1905. In the same year he was assigned as assistant pastor to the Church of the Annunciation at One Hundred and Thirty-first Street and Convent Avenue, in the Manhattanville section of New York City. To the welfare of this large and important parish he devoted himself with unfailing faithfulness and with much success for the next eighteen years. Though he took an intense interest in his many parishioners, who benefited ex- tensively by his wise counsel and his inspiring spiri- tual guidance, he found it possible to accomplish a tremendous amount of other work in connection with the various spiritual and social activities of his church throughout the diocese of New York. He was president of the Confraternity of Christion Doc- trine of the New York diocese for five years; director of the Catholic Young Men's Clubs for seven years; organizer of the Catholic Young Men's Baseball League of Manhattan and The Bronx, which under his guidance made notable progress; director of the Division of Social Action, Catholic Charities of New York diocese, a work covering a wide range, in- cluding immigration problems and county activities; director of Catholic Young Men's Clubs, Boys' Clubs, and Girls' Clubs; organizer of the room register for working girls, which met with signal success and cares for some 3,400 girls each night; director of homes for working girls; director of homes for im- migrants; director of Newman Clubs in the colleges and universities of New York diocese; and organizer of Camp Hayes, named in honor of His Eminence, Cardinal Hayes. On June 17, 1923, he was appointed to organize a new church in The Bronx, which has since then been known as the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption. Starting in a tent with two hundred and forty communicants, this church under his guidance has made extraordinary progress. In the short time of its existence it has acquired prop- erty containing twenty-two city lots, on which a foundation has been built for the new church. There services are held temporarily, until the new church is completed. In the meantime a new and sub- stantial rectory has been purchased at No. 1634 Ma- han Avenue, The Bronx. The membership of the parish, in 1926, had grown to one thousand adults and three hundred and fifty children. In this new work, too, Father McCahill has used his remark- able abilities for organization and executive work. A large and active Holy Name Society, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts troops, clubs for young men and women, a splendid Dramatic Society, and many other organizations of various kinds have been formed by him and have become a valuable part of the church's work and of the community's life. Father McCahill is also a member of St. Raymond's Coun- cil, No. 871, Knights of Columbus. He makes his home at the rectory of his church at the above- mentioned address.
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ABRAHAM L. SMOLEN, M. D .- Among the prosperous and well-established general practitioners of The Bronx, New York, and one of the most prom- inent is Dr. Abraham L. Smolen, whose offices are at No. 482 East One Hundred and Fortieth Street. His thorough knowledge of his profession, his kindly sympathy and tactful manner, and his high ethical standards all contribute to further the rapid expan- sion of his clientele. Dr. Smolen was born in New York City, August 30, 1882, son of Jacob and Sofia Smolen. His father is a retired merchant, his mother deceased.
Abraham, L. Smolen attended the local public schools, graduating from the Boys' High School, and studied at City College. His medical training was taken at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, which bestowed on him the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1906. In order to supple- ment this broad theoretic learning with practical ex- perience, Dr. Smolen served as interne at Blackwell's Island and as resident physician for the Hudson Tun- nels. In 1907 he entered upon an independent gen- eral medical practice in The Bronx and has met with increasing success. He has remarkable diag- nostic skill, and his reliance on proven remedies gains the confidence of his patients. He is now asso- ciated with Mount Sinai Hospital. Dr. Smolen is professionally affiliated with the State and County Medical associations and with the American Medical Association. During the World War he served on the local draft board. He is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Patriotic Order Sons of America, the Lions, the Level and the Muskota Democratic clubs.
CHARLES STEIN-An exponent and ally in all matters pertaining to the civic and community im- provement and advancement of The Bronx, and one who has shared the responsibilities of office to the satisfaction of his constituency and of the general public, Charles Stein, one of the leading and long- established attorneys in this section of the State, has a general and extensive practice in a field of activity in which he has received honors for his skill as a counsel and in the courts. One of the best informed men in all branches of the law, Mr. Stein has also a thoroughgoing interest in all affairs of State and county.
Charles Stein, a son of Sigmund and Anna (Eisner) Stein, both natives of Austria, was born June 4, 1877, in Manhattan, his parents removing to The Bronx when he was eleven years old. He attended the Fifth Street Public School in New York City, and afterwards old No. 61 School in The Bronx, and was then graduated at the College of the City of New York on Twenty-third Street. Preparing for his profession at the New York Law School, Mr. Stein was graduated there with his degree of Bachelor of Laws, when he was twenty years old; and he was admitted to the bar June 28 of the fol- lowing year. He then began practicing law in The Bronx, where he has since continued with the ex- ception of the period from 1914 to 1921, when he served as first guardian clerk in the surrogate's office of the county.
A leading Bronx attorney, Mr. Stein was also
a member of the New York State Assembly for one session, in 1909; and he was a member of The Bronx School Board from 1902 to 1908. Fraternally, Mr. Stein is affiliated with Unique Lodge, No. 310. Knights of Pythias, and he is a Past Chancellor of the lodge. He is a member of the Chippewa Demo- cratic Club; of the Arthur H. Murphy Association; and of The Bronx Fellowship Club; and he is Scoutmaster of Bronx Troop, No. 226, Boy Scouts of America. He is one of the founders of Congrega- tion Adath Israel.
Charles Stein married, May 8, 1902, Annie Zach- arias, daughter of Ismar Zacharias, born in Ger- many, and of Sarah (Weill) Zacharias, born in Al- sace-Lorraine; and they are the parents of David Stein, born March 2, 1906, who is now preparing in the New York University for the practice of law.
JOHN ADAM PACHLER-Although John Adam Pachler began his business career as a tailor, he early forsook that trade and associated himself in different positions with the civic affairs of The Bronx. He was born in New York City, July 23, 1873, son of John Pachler born in Austria, December 23, 1839, and of Anna (Hanf) Pachler, born in Germany, August 4, 1848.
He received his early education in the public school at One Hundred and Fifty-seventh Street and Third Avenue, and later attended Bryant & Stratton Bus- iness College, where he included bookkeeping with the regular stenographic course. His father came to the United States in 1873 and settled in The Bronx, where he and his wife still reside. John A. Pachler began his business life in his father's tailor shop. He remained here but six months when he became apprenticed to Huck, the tailor, on Fourteenth Street and Third Avenue, remaining with him one year. Having in the meantime graduated from Bryant & Stratton Business College, he accepted a position as stenographer with Colonel John O'Byrne, where he remained about one year. His next position was with the law-firm of Gumbleton & Hattenroth, when he secured a position in the office of Louis Haffen, who was then Commissioner of Street Improvements, Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth wards. From 1898 to 1902, he was employed in the Bridge Department, under Mathew Moore; from 1902 to 1911, he was with the Building Department under Superintendent P. J. Reville; in 1911 he became index clerk in the Albany Assembly; in 1912 index clerk to the State Senate; in 1913 he was again index clerk for the Assembly of the State of New York; and July 22, 1913, he was appointed assistant commissioner of jurors for The Bronx by Commissioner John Mason, a position he still holds (1926). Mr. Pachler is a member of the Catholic Benevolent Legion, and pres- ident of the New York State Council of that order, elected in 1924; Knights of Columbus, Bronx Coun- cil, No. 266, and of Alhambra Society, Vega Caravan. of Albany, New York, and The Columbian Order. He is a member of The Volunteer Fire Department of Westchester County, New York.
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