USA > New York > Bronx County > The Bronx and its people; a history, 1609-1927, Volume III > Part 37
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81
John Adam Pachler married, September 18, 1894, in the Church of The Immaculate Conception, One Hundred and Fiftieth Street, the ceremony being per- formed by Rev. Father Cutberlet, Mamie A. Reilly,
Daniel lopes &
147
THE BRONX AND ITS PEOPLE
born in The Bronx, June 15, 1873, and died May 5, 1925, daughter of Phillip and Marie Reilly, both natives of Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Pachler were the parents of four children, as follows: 1. John Edward, born August 20, 1897; married Amelia Schmedding, and they are the parents of two children: John and Catherine. 2. Marie Ann, born November 20, 1900; married Frank Schlessinger. 3. William Joseph, born August 14, 1904. 4. Francis, born November 27, 1909. Mr. Pachler and his children are communicants of St. Angela Merici Church, One Hundred and Sixty- third Street and Morris Avenue, The Bronx.
SAMUEL GREENSTEIN, M. D .- For some twelve years, ever since he finished his medical education in 1914, The Bronx has been the scene of Dr. Greenstein's successful professional activities as a physician. He was born in Hungary, August 16, 1886, a son of Ignatz and Leah (Freeman) Green- stein, both deceased, the former for many years a merchant.
Samuel Greenstein was educated in the public and high schools of New York City, and after graduating from the latter took up the study of medicine, for which purpose he attended New York University and Bellevue Hospital Medical College. Having been graduated from this institution in 1913 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine, he became an interne in Sydenham Hospital, New York City, and in 1914 established himself in the practice of his profes- sion in The Bronx, in which he has continued since then with marked success, maintaining his office in recent years at No. 726 Kelly Street. He is also associated with Lebanon Hospital, The Bronx, and with the Hospital for Joint Diseases at No. 1919 Madison Avenue, Manhattan. He is a Fellow of the American Medical Association, and a member of the New York State and The Bronx County Medical so- cieties, the New York Physicians' Association, and the Knights of Pythias. Dr. Greenstein is not mar- ried and makes his home at No. 726 Kelly Street, The Bronx.
ALEXANDER GEZA ROTHBERG-As presi- dent and treasurer of the Schildwachter Auto Body Company, Inc., of The Bronx, Alexander Geza Roth- berg is highly regarded among the business men of that borough. Mr. Rothberg, who is of Hungarian birth, has been remarkably successful in his chosen field in the country of his adoption. He is a son of Jacob and Maria (Gah) Rothberg, both born in Schlagendorf, Hungary; the father was born in 1823. and died in 1893, the mother in 1832, died in 1878. The father served as a soldier in the war between Austria, Italy and Prussia, and was decorated for his valor. He became a very successful shoe manufac- turer in Matheocz, Hungary.
Alexander Geza Rothberg was born February 26, 1872, in Matheocz, County of Zips, Hungary. He attended the public and high school in his native town, and at fourteen left school to serve an appren- ticeship at the carriage builder's trade, at which he spent four years. He then traveled widely through nearly all the countries on the continent, working at his trade in various cities for some three years. Re- turning to Hungary, he next spent three years in the Bronx-10
military service, entering the Field Artillery of the Seventeenth Regiment, and at the time of his re- lease held the rank of top sergeant. Mr. Rothberg now established his own business as carriage and coach builder in the town of Miskolcz, Hungary, where he was successfully engaged for a number of years. In 1904 he decided to sell out and come to America. After a short period in Philadelphia, he came to New York, and entered the employ of the Schildwachter Auto Body Company, an old concern that had been established in 1867. Mr. Rothberg first worked for a short time as a body painter, then was promoted to the post of superintendent, and then to that of manager of the entire plant. He continued to serve in this capacity until 1920, when he took over the business from Mr. Schildwachter, and in 1923 purchased the entire interest in this old established company and has continued as owner ever since, retaining the well-known trade name of the Schildwachter Auto Body Company, Inc. In its half-century and more of existence, this concern has won for itself a reputation for the highest grade workmanship and business standards, and is known throughout the country. Under Mr. Rothberg's management it has carried on the traditions of the past, at the same time keeping pace with new de- velopments in the industrial world. Mr. Rothberg serves as president and treasurer of the concern, and his daughter, Marylda Rothberg, as secretary.
Mr. Rothberg married, October 27, 1896, in Mis- kolcz, Hungary, Marie Szekely, daughter of Louis and Frances (Gelvick) Szekely. Mr. and Mrs. Roth- berg have five children: 1. Lena Yolante, born Oc- tober 17, 1897, who married Francis Gregory Mc- Manus, and they have one child, Helen McManus, born November 24, 1921. 2. Marie, born March 24, 1899. 3. Irene, born May 5, 1902. 4. Gizzella Olga, born December 13, 1907. 5. Alexander Ferdinand, born August 28, 1909.
DANIEL MAPES, JR., one of the most highly respected citizens of The Bronx, was born in this county in 1837. He is the son of Leonard and Mary (Archer) Mapes, who at the time of his birth re- sided on Daly Avenue near One Hundred and Eightieth Street in a frame house which is still standing in the midst of brick and stone apart- ment houses.
His father, Leonard Mapes, was a descendant of Thomas Mapes, who came here from England in 1640 and settled in Southold, Long Island. His mother, Mary (Archer) Mapes, was also a descend- ant of an old English family, her ancestors having received the original grant of land of what is today all of Fordham by virtue of a document issued by King Charles II, their homestead being located on the present site of the New York University grounds and known as Archer Manor.
When Daniel Mapes was scarcely six years of age his father removed from West Farms, having pur- chased a farm east of The Bronx River and bordering on what is now known as East Tremont Avenue and the Catholic Protectory, which is now often spoken of as Park Versailles or the Mapes Estate. On this farm Daniel Mapes spent the early days of his youth, receiving his education in the old neigh-
148
THE BRONX AND ITS PEOPLE
borhood school where he studied under Miss Anne McGregor. Later he attended the new public school under Principal Theodore Kent. At the early age of fourteen he gave up school and went to work in the general store then owned and operated by his uncle, Daniel Mapes, located and still stand- ing at No. 2077 Boston Road, having been partially remodeled. The elder Mr. Daniel Mapes was a man of sterling qualities, being a man of high principles and strong convictions, at that time the only man in the neighborhood voting the Prohibition party ticket. Hence the young boy received not only a practical education as a merchant but had the opportunity of acquiring through association those high moral principles and strong convictions which have clung to him through life.
At this time he became known as Daniel Mapes, Jr., and has ever since made use of that signature. When his uncle retired, Daniel Mapes formed a partnership with Frederick Ryer and bought out the business, continuing thus for a few years when Mr. Ryer sold out his interest to Mr. Mapes' broth- ers, William A. Mapes and Henry Clay Mapes, and the business was conducted under the name "Mapes Brothers" until the year 1869 when Daniel Mapes sold his share.
Mr. Mapes at once opened up business for himself as a coal and feed merchant, having leased a yard and store along West Farms Road about One Hun- dred and Seventy-sixth Street, where he remained for ten years. Having established his business, Mr. Mapes now purchased a plot of ground for the un- loading and storage of coal, along Bronx River and West Farms Road at One Hundred and Sev- enty-third Street and adjoining the old gas house. At the same time he purchased a plot of ground at West Farms Road and Rodman Place, and built the brick structure now known as No. 1920 West Farms Road, with an office and storage rooms for feed and flour. From this place he conducted an ever-increasing business, having customers in all parts of The Upper Bronx, and becoming widely known among the old residents for miles around. Some time after 1900 Mr. Mapes increased his ac- tivities by the addition of a hardware department, and for the next ten years was obliged to give more and more time to the business, hence in 1911 he sold his coal business together with his coal yard and necessary equipment to Olin J. Stephens, a leading coal merchant at that time. Mr. Mapes then continued his other lines of business until 1918, when at a ripe old age he retired from business.
Mr. Mapes, when a young man, married Emily Ryer, a daughter of his first partner, who died about two years after the marriage, leaving an infant which only lived to be six months old. Years later, Mr. Mapes married Evadna Horton Arnow, the daughter of Matson S. and Phoebe Jane Arnow, an old and well-known Westchester family. By this union five children were born, of which three are now living: Ernest Seward Mapes, now a resident of Mamar- oneck; Elizabeth (Mapes) Peters, wife of Rev. Joseph D. Peters, a resident of Hoboken. New Jersey; and Mary Augusta Mapes. Another child died a mere infant, and a bright and promising boy of fifteen named Leonard met an untimely death
by drowning. Mrs. Daniel Mapes was a most won- derful help-meet, and a constant and never tiring worker in the West Farms Reformed Church, of which they were both active members. Mr. Mapes has five grandchildren, Evadna Mapes Peters, Au- gusta Peters, Jeannette Arnow Mapes, Madeline Wheaton Mapes, and Daniel Mapes. This grandson and namesake is a graduate of Stevens Institute and shows every promise of being a worthy successor to the name.
Mr. Daniel Mapes has always taken a great inter- est in Bronx real estate, investing often and en- couraging others so to do; he still has large hold- ings in the county. He is a man of strong convic- tions and has always adhered to the highest moral principles. He has been a strong advocate of the temperance cause and the abolition of the liquor traffic. Altruistic in his ideas, devoted to the best interests of his country and mankind, he is a splen- did type of Christian gentleman.
PHILIP E. COLETTI-One of the best informed business men in The Bronx making a specialty of real estate and insurance, Philip E. Coletti, has con- tinued with pronounced success the business that was begun by his father and today is known as the Coletti-Ennis Realty Company, Incorporated, with headquarters at No. 33 West Tremont Avenue. A specialty is made in business properties by the con- cern of which Mr. Coletti is president, and whose success therein in both the East and West sections of The Bronx is well established. Mr. Coletti is a son of Emile and Emilie P. Coletti. Emile Coletti came to The Bronx about 1880, and engaging in real estate and insurance interests was active to the time of his death, which occurred in 1922, in his seventy- first year.
Philip E. Coletti was born November 2, 1897, in The Bronx, where he attended Public School No. 26 and the Morris High School. He matriculated at Fordham University with the class of 1918, and left college to enlist in the World War. He entered the Naval Aviation Department of the United States Navy in Boston, and trained at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is a leading member of the Real Estate Board of The Bronx, and of the Dunwoodie Golf Club. He is a communicant of the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Spirit.
Philip E. Coletti married, February 9, 1921, in The Bronx, Beatrice M. Brady, daughter of Edward and Mary Brady, both parents now deceased. Their children: Victor Philip, born February 7, 1922; Kathleen Estephe, born July 31, 1923; Richard Leo, born July 9, 1925.
HUGH J. ENNIS, JR. - The valuable field in realty that is covered by the Coletti-Ennis Realty Company, of which Hugh J. Ennnis, Jr., is the secretary and treasurer, has been augmented by his enterprise, his business experience and his extensive knowledge of real estate values and conditions in The Bronx having had a lifelong interest to him. Mr. Ennis is a veteran of the World War, and he has a vital interest in civic affairs and all matters that pertain to Bronx progress. He is a son of Hugh Ennis, an attorney-at-law, and Sarah (Kings-
149
THE BRONX AND ITS PEOPLE
ton) Ennis, and is a grandson of John J. Kingston, who came to The Bronx in 1850, who is eighty-nine years of age, and the oldest Civil War veteran in this section.
Hugh J. Ennis, Jr., was born December 28, 1893, in The Bronx, where he was graduated at Public School No. 42, in 1908, and at Morris High School in 1912. He then matriculated at Cornell University, and was graduated there in 1917, with his Bachelor of Science degree. For some time he engaged in textile manufacturing, and then he became associated with Philip E. Coletti (q. v.), in the business of real estate, insurance and mortgage loans. The Coletti-Ennis Realty Company, Incorporated, was established in 1925 with Philip E. Coletti as president, and Hugh J. Ennis, Jr., as secretary and treasurer, specializing in business properties in East and West Bronx.
Mr. Ennis enlisted in the United States Army in the World War, and was a captain of infantry at Camp Dix, New Jersey, receiving his discharge in 1919. Fraternally, he is affiliated with Bronx Lodge, No. 871, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and he is a member of Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity; the Cornell Club; and The Bronx Real Estate Board.
Hugh J. Ennis, Jr., married June 28, 1922, in The Bronx, Marie Mclaughlin, daughter of Thomas Mc- Laughlin, a manufacturer, and Sarah Mclaughlin. Their children: Dorothy, born August 19, 1924; Mar- jorie, born March 23, 1926.
MILTON J. GOODFRIEND, M. D .- A native of New York City and a graduate of its schools and colleges, Dr. Goodfriend chose The Bronx in which to settle as a physician, after he had successfully completed his medical education in 1919, and he has been engaged in the general practice of his profes- sion there since then, maintaining his office at No. 1186 Grant Avenue. He was born in New York City, March 27, 1897, a son of Samuel and Minnie (Fried- man) Goodfriend, both residents of New York City, where the former is a successful cigar manufacturer.
Dr. Milton J. Goodfriend was educated in the public and high schools of his native city and, after graduating from the latter, took up the study of medicine at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, from which he was gradu- ated in 1919 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. After having served for some time as an interne at Lebanon Hospital, The Bronx, he commenced the private practice of medicine in a general way, though he is especially interested in obstetrics and gynecol- ogy. He is also actively associated with Lebanon Hospital, The Bronx, is a Fellow of the American Medical Association, and a member of the New York State Medical and of The Bronx County Medical societies, as well as of the Physicians' Square Club and of the Masonic order.
Dr. Goodfriend is not married and makes his home at No. 1186 Grant Avenue, The Bronx.
WILLIAM ASCHER, official examiner of title for Bronx County in charge of the Torrens System of Title Registration, has been a resident of The Bronx since 1907. He is a son of Max and Kate
(Grossman) Ascher, the father a designer of ladies' apparel.
William Ascher was born on Attorney Street, New York City, April 30, 1892. He attended Public School No. 160, at the corner of Suffolk and Riving- ton streets, and was later transferred to No. 25, at Fifth Street and First Avenue. He then became a student at Eastern District High School, from which he graduated in 1908, and at the College of the City of New York, graduating there in 1912 with the de- gree of Bachelor of Arts. Mr. Ascher's professional training in the legal profession was received at the New York Law School as a member of the class of 1914, the degrees of Bachelor of Laws and Master of Laws being given him for his work there. He began practicing his profession in New York City in 1915, specializing in real estate and corporation work, with offices on lower Broadway, and after four years there, was appointed in June, 1920, to the post of official examiner of title for Bronx County and has ably filled this office ever since. He entered the service of the United States during the late World War, and after fourteen months of distinguished serv- ice was honorably discharged, on December 3, 1918. He is a member of the North End Democratic Club of The Bronx, and is affiliated, fraternally, with Bronx Lodge, No. 871, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is also a member of the 258th Field Artillery, New York National Guard, where he holds the rank of sergeant.
Mr. Ascher married, on October 30, 1920, at her home, Pauline Swerdling, daughter of Jacob and Bessie Swerdling. Mr. and Mrs. Ascher have two children: 1. Stanley Seymour, born June 26, 1922. 2. Robert Howard, born January 30, 1925.
HARRY A. SCHACHT-The remarkable prog- ress that has been made in the structural steel and or- namental iron business of B. Schacht and Sons, In- corporated, since the enterprise was established in 1904, has been due to the combined and successful efforts of the members of the firm to place its prod- uct before an appreciative public. Harry A. Schacht continues as secretary to the business that was founded by his father; his service has been profitable to his concern; and has made this firm of increasing value to the builder throughout the State and country; his service to general industry, as well as to the business status of The Bronx itself, is that of a constructive and far-sighted business man. He is a son of Barnet Schacht, who came from Russia in 1885, and founding the business that bears his name, is now practically retired, although he is still presi- dent of his corporation.
Harry A. Schacht was born November 20, 1890, on the East Side, New York City, where he attended Public School No. 1, and was graduated at Cooper Union Institute. He practically grew up in the business with which he is associated, starting with the firm in 1904 when the business was founded by his father, Barnet Schacht for the manufacture of structural steel and ornamental iron. The firm re- moved to The Bronx in 1906, when the present buildings were erected; and this, the biggest plant of the kind in this section, does a business that amounts to a million dollars annually, and employs
150
THE BRONX AND ITS PEOPLE
eighty-five people. Mr. Schacht, who became sec- retary of this corporation in 1921, is also president and director of the Hip Construction Company, engaged in heating iron and plumbing and also president and director of the Lenrae Holding Com- pany, Filfred Realty Company, Joe Bert Realty Company, and secretary of the Barshac Holding Company, engaged in building apartment houses.
Fraternally, Mr. Schacht is affiliated with Level Lodge, No. 914, Free and Accepted Masons; he is a member of The Bronx Chamber of Commerce, The Bronx Board of Trade, the Building Industry League, Inc., being a trustee of the building fund of this organization; the Lions Club, the Federation of Jewish Charities and the Bikur Cholim Con- valescent Home.
Harry A. Schacht married, September 7, 1913, in New York City, Rae Levy, daughter of Charles Levy, now deceased, a drummer boy in the Civil War, and of Lottie Levy, who survives her husband. Their children: Charles, born July 21, 1914; Har- riett, born March 26, 1921; Beverly, born January 23, 1924. Mrs. Schacht finds time outside of her home duties to take an active part in charity and welfare work, and is treasurer and director of the Onwood Sisterhood, and is also a member of the Beth Abraham Home for Incurables.
HERMAN ANTHONY ACKER-When the history of Bronx real estate is written, with the underlying significance to all New York of the ever-growing area improved for human habitation and business clearly shown, the hero of the story may well be Herman Anthony Acker, who, as presi- dent and general manager of the Herman A. Acker Corporation, northeast corner of Fordham Road and Jerome Avenue has played a conspicuous rôle in the drama of progress. To name specific properties which have passed through his hands is to list most of the important business enterprises of that sec- tion, whose growth has thus been stimulated and whose prosperity has been assured. One apartment house after another has sprung up through his ef- forts in desirable sites, and hundreds of comfortably housed families owe their pleasant living conditions to him.
Herman Anthony Acker was born in New York City, June 4, 1883, son of Henry and Katherina Acker. The father, born in Bad Orb, Germany, a noted watering place, came to this country in search of opportunity and freedom from military servi- tude, after the Franco-Prussian War, in company with many prominent leaders in the German move- ment for freedom. He became a prominent builder of New York, settled in that city, and married there his German fiancée, who had come from Germany to join him. He died in November, 1923.
Herman Anthony Acker attended Public School No. 70, high school in The Bronx, and completed the course in architecture given at Cooper Union, where he studied at night. He began in the build- ing and realty business in The Bronx with his father, from whom he received intensive training in car- pentry, building, plumbing, steam-fitting, roofing, and the practical rudiments of architecture. When he became an independent operator, some fifteen
years ago, therefore, he was one of the best practi- cally trained builders in the field. His subsequent success has come from this preparedness and from his energy and zeal for rendering the highest type of service to his clients, guided by his good judgment and wide knowledge of the real estate field. His
brokerage business covers the whole of New York City, but is especially expert in connection with Fordham and West Bronx properties. His convic- tion that this part of New York is richest in poten- tial growth has been borne out recently by develop- ments, and in those developments, both in improved and unimproved lands, the Herman A. Acker Cor- poration has taken a leading part. Something like $40,000,000 for new buildings on or near Fordham Road was expended during 1923. Mr. Acker has found it helpful to his clients to conduct, in con- junction with his realty operations, general insur- ance covering fire, compensation, automobiles, etc. He is a stockholder in The Bronx National Bank.
Mr. Acker's civic activities have been as signifi- cant as his business career. He is a member of the Fordham Merchants' Association, The Bronx Board of Trade, and The Bronx Chamber of Commerce, as well as the One Hundred and Seventieth Street Business Men's Association, the Taxpayers' Alliance Association, and United Real Estate Owners' As- sociation. As a member of the Lions Club he pre- sided at luncheons and headed a winning team of business men rounding up contributions to The Bronx Boy Scout Council. He is alive to all com- munity betterment projects and a helpful contribu- tor to all. His clubs are the New York Athletic and the Wingfoot Golf. He is a communicant of the Christian Science church.
On February 4, 1913, Herman A. Acker married Grace Felt, daughter of the late Henry Felt and his wife, Emily. To Mr. and Mrs. Acker a son, Henry Ross Acker, was born, June 18, 1914.
MORRIS BATLIN-The name of Morris Batlin is well and widely known throughout The Bronx and its environs as the senior member of the pros- perous printing and stationery store of Batlin & Horowitz, located at No. 2800 Third Avenue. Mr. Batlin, an American by adoption, came to this country, supplemented his education in the public schools of New York City, engaged in business, and by close application, unflagging energy, perseverance, and strict honesty of thought, purpose and deed, he has achieved a notable success in his especial field of endeavor, and has become one of the most prominent and influential business men of The Bronx. America, often called the Land of Opportunity, has proved just that to Mr. Batlin.
Morris Batlin was born on August 28, 1887, in Dubno, province of Volhynia, which now belongs to Ukraina. He received a liberal and comprehensive education in the public schools of his native town, and after coming to America attended the public schools of Manhattan in order to improve his edu- cation and to learn the principles and fundamentals of Americanization. In the year 1903, at the age of sixteen years, Mr. Batlin came to the United States, settling in New York City on the lower east side, where he promptly embarked upon his business ca-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.