USA > New York > Bronx County > The Bronx and its people; a history, 1609-1927, Volume III > Part 39
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Patrick ATeville
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reputation in his field. Fraternally, Mr. Kues is identified with Wieland Lodge, No. 714, Free and Accepted Masons. He has been very active in af- fairs in The Bronx, is a member of The Bronx Board of Trade, and was one of the organizers of the New York Turner Club and Gymnastic Association, which he serves as president. This is a branch of the old New York Turnverein of Eighty-fifth Street and Lexington Avenue, Yorkville section, which has been in existence for the past seventy-seven years. Mr. Kues has a host of friends in this section of The Bronx, and is well known as a public-spirited citizen, as well as an able and successful business man.
Herman Kues was married (first), in New York City, in 1895, to Minnie Heitmann, daughter of Henry and Wilhelmina Heitmann. She died in 1899, and he married (second) Elsa Roethgen. To the first marriage two children were born: 1. Henry, who was born August 16, 1896. 2. Edwin, born De- cember 2, 1900; married Ruth Goodwin. To the sec- ond marriage three children were born: 1. Paul, who attends Munroe High School. 2. Alda, a student in Munroe High School. 3. Norma.
Herman Kues, father of this family, is a son of Heinrich Kues, who was born in Brunswick, Ger- many, December 30, 1846, where he was engaged as a shoemaker throughout his active career, and of Johanna (Fricke) Kues, also a native of Brunswick, who died February 16, 1894.
PATRICK JAMES REVILLE-Fortified with a practical knowledge of the building construction trade, acquired over a considerable period as a journeyman mason, and later as a builder and con- tractor, Patrick James Reville, for more than fifteen years superintendent of the Bureau of Buildings, Borough of The Bronx, is esteemed a most capable incumbent of that office, through which an increas- ingly vast volume of business passes every succeed- ing year. More than any other man in the borough this official has an intimate knowledge of the re- markable growth that has been in progress in The Bronx for some years, and more particularly at this time, when the building operations seem to be run- ning at high tide. During his régime as superin- tendent, the bureau has made an excellent record for efficiency, and in his capacity, is contributing an important part to the great forward movement made by the community and its people as its chief mass objective.
Patrick James Reville was born in New York City, the son of Thomas James and Mary (Casey) Reville, his father, born in Newross, County Wex- ford, Ireland, in 1825, died in New York City in 1881. The mother, born in the United States in 1831, died in 1897. Her grandfather, John Casey, came to this country from Ireland in 1785, and her father, James Casey, came in 1821, settling in New York City, where he conducted a mercantile busi- ness on Roosevelt Street.
Patrick James Reville attended school until he was sixteen years old, when he, having chosen to enter the building trade, bound himself as an ap- prentice to Peter Somers, a mason-builder, whom he served for four years while learning the trade. Having become a full-fledged journeyman, he soon
established himself in the business of a general con- tractor. He followed the contracting and building line for eight years, and on April 1, 1903, he was appointed superintendent of the Bureau of Buildings for the Borough of The Bronx. He held the office until 1910, and owing to a change in the municipal administration by which another appointee assumed the duties of the office, he reentered the general contracting business, in which he was continuously engaged until 1918. In the latter year the political party of which he is a member again came into power, and he was appointed to his old position of superintendent of the Bureau of Buildings, which he has ever since held.
Mr. Reville is affiliated with Bronx Council, No. 871, Knights of Columbus, of which he is a charter member. He is an influential member of the Democratic party, and occupies an influential position in the councils of his party in The Bronx, being a member of The Bronx County Democratic Commit- tee, the Jackson Democratic Club, and the Chip- pewa Democratic Club of The Bronx. He is also a member of the Schnorer Club of The Bronx, and the City Island Improvement Association. He is president of The Bronx Builders' Protective Asso- ciation.
Mr. Reville married, August 31, 1905, at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, New Monmouth, New Jersey, Rev. John O'Conor officiating, Alice Mar- garet Daly, daughter of James Daly, a native of Mal- lon, County Cork, Ireland, and Bridgett (McCar- thy) Daly. Children: 1. Alice Margaret. 2. Pa- tricia Mary. 3. James Francis, born January 15, 1910. 4. John Daly, born May 16, 1912. 5. Thomas, born in October, 1914.
Mr. Reville has his office at Borough Hall, One Hundred and Seventy-seventh Street and Third Avenue, and his residence at No. 185 Beach Street, City Island, The Bronx, New York City.
PHILIP J. SCHNEIDER-A generous interest in his fellowmen, especially those who are helpless or unfortunate, and a great desire to leave the world a bit better and brighter because of his life and work are the motives which led Philip J. Schneider to close his business career and devote himself entirely to a humanitarian work of the highest order. Civic affairs and welfare work, especially among boys, have always had a grip on him, and he has always been a supporter of organizations or drives which have for their object the betterment of existing con- ditions.
Born in New York City on August 11, 1889, Philip J. Schneider is the son of the late Philip J. and Frances (Wurth) Schneider. Educated in the city public and high schools, he finished his educa- tion at Fordham College in 1909. His first business connection was with the Standard Gas Company, where he held a position as assistant secretary of the company. He left them after two years to be- come treasurer of the Central Union Gas Company, holding this office from 1909 to 1924. This period covered the war years, and in the emergency which our country was then called upon to meet, the gas industry figured prominently as an aid of the first rank, for they turned their plants into centers for
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the production of the deadly T. N. T. Though forced by grim necessity to do his share in this way toward the successful outcome of the world struggle, constructive work is far more to his liking. In 1924 he was offered the position of managing director of The Bronx County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children-and he took it. To this work he has devoted his ardent efforts since that time. With his natural endowment and his long experience, Mr. Schneider is a much desired member of other organizations which are affiliated with his own work, and Red Cross committees and drives for any wel- fare object are sure to find in him a sympathetic and efficient helper. He is president of The Bronx Council, Boy Scouts of America, and a member of the executive committee of the Boy Scout Founda- tion. He is also president of the Bronx Eye and Ear Infirmary, and a director of the Eureka Co- operative Building and Loan Association. Politi- cally, Mr. Schneider is a Democrat, and is fraternally associated with Bronx Lodge, No. 871, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, also San Salvadore Council, Knights of Columbus. He is a member of the Board of Alumni of Fordham College; chairman of the membership committee of The Bronx Rotary Club, and belongs to the Harlem Yacht Club, and The Bronx Board of Trade.
THOMAS REGAS-Popularity, attended with pronounced success, is the result of Thomas Regas' courteous catering to the public through his excel- lent management of the Willis Avenue branch store of J. Tryforos & Company, florists, and his thor- ough knowledge of the business that he has for many years represented in this district. A business of steadily increasing proportions is substantial proof of Mr. Regas' good faith as a floral merchant, and as a long-time member of this community.
Thomas Regas, son of Nicholas Regas, a native of Greece, whose death occurred shortly after his arrival in the United States, was born August 14, 1888, in Alephorion, in Greece, and coming to the United States when he was eleven years of age, he attended the public schools in New York City. Throughout his business career, Mr. Regas has given his undivided attention to the business of the florist, and since 1907 he has very capably held the position of manager for J. Tryforos & Company, florists, No. 482 Willis Avenue, between One Hun- dred and Forty-sixth and One Hundred and Forty- seventh streets.
Mr. Regas, for about seven months of the World War period, was a member of the detachment of the National Guard at Mays Landing, New Jersey. He is a member of the Florists' Association of New York. His religious faith is that of the Greek Or- thodox church.
DR. MEYER LOUIS ROSOFF-A masterful ability to assimilate new surroundings and turn dif- ficulties into success was shown by Dr. Meyer Louis Rosoff and his family, who are natives of Russia. Dr. Meyer, a surgeon dentist, was born July 1, 1882, at Naliboki, Russia. He came to the United States at the age of nineteen with his father, Louis Rosoff, and his mother, Dora Rosoff. Both are living in
The Bronx, retired from business, the father hav- ing acquired a competence in the dry goods trade which he followed for many years.
Dr. Rosoff began life as a newsboy while he pur- sued the study of dentistry. He studied and was graduated at the De Witt Clinton High School, and afterwards attended the New York College of Den- tistry, (now New York University), from which he was graduated in 1914. He was licensed to practice in that year, and established his offices in The Bronx where he had lived since 1903. He was on the staff of the New York Nose, Throat and Lung Hos- pital in East Fifty-seventh Street, from 1917 to 1921. He holds all privileges at the Flower Hospital and is head surgeon (oral) of The Bronx Clinic. He paid his way while preparing for his profession, teaching at night in the period of his advanced studies. He is a member of the Workingmen's Circle.
Dr. Meyer L. Rosoff was married, January 22, 1915, in The Bronx, to Rebecca Joseloff, of South Norwalk, Connecticut, daughter of Michael and Goldie Joseloff. Dr. Rosoff has offices at No. 529 Courtlandt Avenue. His house address is No. 849 Crotona Avenue, The Bronx.
SIEGFRIED L. TANZER-A vigorous and effec- tive part in the upbuilding of that section of The Bronx which is dominated by Morris Park Avenue has been the work of Siegfried L. Tanzer, real estate and insurance broker, with offices at No. 586 Morris Park Avenue. He is a man of wide experience and vision, together with keen business judgment, a rare combination utilized by Mr. Tanzer as much for the public benefit as for his own.
Siegfried L. Tanzer was born May 7, 1880, in Falkenau, Austria, now Czecho-Slovakia, son of Ignatz and Caroline (Leiner) Tanzer. The father, born in Tiplitz, Austria, November 14, 1837, is now hale and hearty in his ninetieth year, while the mother, born in Ausig, Austria, died in her twenty- ninth year in 1885.
Mr. Tanzer, subject of this record, was educated in the public schools of his native land and graduated from them. At the age of fourteen he was appren- ticed to the decorating, upholstering, and harness- making trades, then allied and taught as one trade. The apprentice paid for the privilege of working under tutelage until he mastered them all, serving for three years without pay. He then began work as journeyman and pursued his trade in several large German cities, such as Berlin, Hamburg, Nuremberg, Luneberg, etc. It was in 1903 when Mr. Tanzer de- termined to seek his fortune in the New World, and after six months of residence in Baltimore, Maryland, settled in New York City, where he has since lived. His first occupation in this country was in connection with his trade. In 1909, however, he established himself in the insurance business, meeting with suc- cess from the start. This introduced him to real estate, a field where opportunity was then greatest in The Bronx. Mr. Tanzer, in 1913, opened a realty office of his own on Van Buren Street, where he re- mained until his removal in January, 1922, to his present address, and he has in that interval conducted a growing enterprise in general real estate and in- surance brokerage. He is a member of the Freiheit
Shove C. Pauch
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Tent, Knights of the Maccabees, of The Real Estate Board of The Bronx, and of the Business Men's As- sociation of Manhattan.
On February 23, 1911, at City Hall, Manhattan, Siegfried L. Tanzer was married to Bella Mark, daughter of Julius and Emma (Trischer) Mark. The father, born December 31, 1846, in Vienna, Aus- tria, enjoys excellent health; the mother was a na- tive of the same city. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Tanzer: Lillian A., December 5, 1912; and Mildred, October 22, 1915.
MICHAEL BLASIUS, who has since 1904 been conducting a modern undertaking and embalming establishment in The Bronx, is well known there and prominent in many social and fraternal organiza- tions. Mr. Blasius can always be counted upon to give his support to every movement for the upbuild- ing of his community. He is a son of Nicholas and Elizabeth Blasius, the father formerly an undertaker in Manhattan, now living retired, the mother de- ceased.
Michael Blasius was born in New York City, June 16, 1881. He attended Primary School No. 26 and Grammar School No. 19 in Manhattan, and at an early age went into the undertaking business with his father, taking a special course in the science of this profession at the Renouard Training School for Embalmers, from which he graduated on November 23, 1901. After his marriage in 1904, Mr. Blasius withdrew from his father's business in East Twelfth Street, 'and established a business of his own in The Bronx, which he has continued up to the present time. Later his son, Charles A. Blasius, joined the firm, which is now known as Michael Blasius & Son and has a reputation for efficient and courteous serv- ice maintained through many years. The concern is well equipped with everything that is to be found in the most up-to-date establishments of the sort, including automobiles, funeral parlors and lady at- tendant, and in addition Mr. Blasius is a notary pub- lic and expert in the drawing of wills and testaments. There are six members of the Blasius family in the undertaking business, including the father, Nicholas Blasius, who founded his establishment in Manhattan in 1888 and carried it on until his retirement a few years ago. Mr. Blasius himself, his son, Charles A. Blasius, and his three brothers: Nicholas, Jr., in business in Brooklyn; Alexander, in business near the father's original location on East Twelfth Street; and Peter, who has a business of his own in the Ridgewood section of Brooklyn. In addition, Peter Blasius an uncle of Michael Blasius, conducts an undertaking establishment in Greenpoint and his son Nicholas at Dutch Kills, Long Island. The various members of the family have always taken pride in maintaining high standards of service in the business.
Mr. Blasius takes an active interest in the affairs of The Bronx in many fields and has many friends there. He is a stockholder in The Bronx National Bank, and a member of the Lions Club, Schnorer Club, Junior Order Club and the Woodstock Pin- ochle Students. Fraternally, he is affiliated with Lodge No. 871, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, in The Bronx, with Woodstock Camp No.
11,644, Modern Woodmen of America, and the Junior Order of American Mechanics.
He married, in New York City, April 2, 1904, Emily Schraft, daughter of Frederick and Louise Schraft, the father formerly a member of the firm of Jacob Doll & Son, piano manufacturers for fifty years, but died in 1923. Mr. and Mrs. Blasius have one son, Charles A. Blasius, born December 30, 1904, and now associated with his father in the busi- ness.
GROVER CLEVELAND RAUCH-Important in local municipal affairs in The Bronx, New York, and in sporting circles in general, Grover Cleveland Rauch is a transit man in the engineering depart- ment of Bronx Borough and a breeder of pedigreed dogs. He was born in Hartsdale, New York, No- vember 4, 1884, son of Michael Rauch, who was born in a house located at Forty-ninth Street and Sixth Avenue, New York City, August 14, 1845, and died August 7, 1924, and his wife, Sarah A. (Odell) Rauch, daughter of William and Keturah (Purdy) Odell, who died in 1921, at the age of eighty-four. Michael Rauch was the son of Emanuel Rauch, who was born in Baden Baden, Germany, and his wife, Felicia (Petcella) Rauch, born in Bavaria. He was promi- nent in civic affairs, and supervisor of Westchester Village for seven years.
Grover Cleveland Rauch attended public schools in the village of Bronxdale and West Farms, and graduated from the Young Men's Christian As- sociation School of Harlem. At the age of eighteen he became axman in the engineering department of The Bronx Borough under Louis Haffen, president of that borough. He was later advanced. to the position he still holds of transitman under William Gray. He inherits his father's taste for politics and is keenly interested in community progress. From 1917 to 1920 he was district captain under Sheriff Thomas O'Neill. Mr. Rauch's other hobby is the breeding of pedigreed dogs, and his animals have won many coveted prizes. He is a member of The Bronx County Kennel Club, of which he is also vice- president, as well as the Bronxdale Athletic and the Chippewa Democratic clubs. His fraternal affiliation is with Wyoming Lodge, No. 492, Free and Ac- cepted Masons.
On January 10, 1907, in the Beck Memorial Church of West Farms, Grover Cleveland Rauch was mar- ried, by the Rev. Charles Payson Mallory, to Ger- trude Hinkle, daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth Hinkle. To them was born a daughter, Alletta Rauch, May 27, 1908.
BENJAMIN S. KROLL-During the three years, 1908, 1909, and 1910, there came to this country from Russia three young Jewish boys, without money or influence, and, indeed, without even a knowledge of the English language. They did have, however, that invaluable gift, an unfailing supply of energy and in- dustry, which, combined with their natural endow- ment of intelligence and an invincible determination to make good, rapidly put them on the road to suc- cess, a success the more remarkable because it was achieved in the short space of some fifteen years and without any initial financial resources except those
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accumulated by their own hard and unremitting la- bor. The sons of Samuel and Rebecca (Diamond- stone) Kroll were: Louis Kroll, born in Russia, February 22, 1899, who came to the United States in 1909 and is likewise a partner in the firm of Kroll Brothers; Samuel, born in Russia in 1891, who came to the United States in 1908 and is now one of the partners in the firm of Kroll Brothers, manufacturing furriers; Benjamin S. Kroll, born July 15, 1893, of whom further.
Benjamin S. Kroll entered the fur business to- gether with his two brothers-and, indeed, the story of any one of these three brothers is also the story of the other two, because they have always worked together in the closest possible association and their marked success is the result of their com- bined labors. They operate as a co-partnership under the name of Kroll Brothers. Starting in a small space at No. 788 East Tremont Avenue, between Prospect and Mapes avenues, The Bronx, the busi- ness rapidly expanded and before long the firm ac- quired the building in which they had been only tenants heretofore. The building was entirely re- built with reënforced steel and concrete throughout, is without windows, and is as fireproof, burglarproof, and mothproof as human ingenuity and the latest scientific engineering and construction methods can make it. The upper floors of the building are used for the cold storage and manufacture of furs. Neither energy nor expense were spared to make the cold storage plant satisfy the most exacting scientific requirements, and construction, both inside and out- side, was designed to meet every specification of pro- tection, preservation and sanitation. The result was an imposing cold storage plant equal to the finest in the country and forming an important and valuable addition to the industrial and mercantile life of The Bronx. The only entrance to the steel storerooms is a steel door of the type used on the safety vaults of the largest banks and the steel storerooms them- selves are controlled as to their temperature by the most modern thermostatical appliances, resulting in absolute safety from man, moth and moisture, which is still further increased by special insurance on all stored furs, covering loss by fire, theft or moths. The ground floor is occupied by handsome show- rooms in which there are presented for the inspec- tion of the firm's customers the latest importations from all the fashion centers of the world, gathered by a member of the firm on his regular seasonal visits to Europe. Here, too, are on display the firm's own originations which have given this house an enviable reputation for originality and good taste, as well as for high grade workmanship. All of the features of these showrooms are reproduced in the branch store at No. 2478 Broadway at Ninety-second Street, Manhattan. Part of the East Tremont Av- enue plant is also devoted to the manufacture and remodelling of fur garments in which latter type of work the firm has also established a high reputa- tion. In all of these departments only practical and expert workers are employed and all of the work is under the continuous personal direction and super- vision of the members of the firm, themselves all expert workmen.
Mr. Kroll is a member as are his two brothers,
of Emanuel Lodge, No. 654, Free and Accepted Masons. He is also a member of the Level Club, of The Bronx Board of Trade, and of the East Tre- mont Retailers' Association. During the World War Benjamin S. Kroll saw service with the Sev- enty-seventh Division as a private in one of its in- fantry regiments and took part in a number of the battles fought by the United States Expeditionary Forces.
Benjamin S. Kroll married, April 13, 1921, Ethel J. Rudman, of The Bronx, and they have one daughter, Marylin B. Their residence is at No. 2070 Grand Concourse, The Bronx.
Louis Kroll married, in the year 1915, Sarah Cohen, of The Bronx. They have three children: Harold, Dorothy aud Edith B. Their residence is at No. 764 East One Hundred and Seventy-sixth Street.
Samuel Kroll married, December 26, 1910, Sarah Silverstein of Manhattan. They have three children: Nathan, Frances and Morton. Their residence is at No. 764 East One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Street, The Bronx.
JOHN HENRY ROMAINE-A man who has worked his way up from the position of shipping clerk for a manufacturing concern to the important position of manager of the Harlem Transfer Com- pany for three railroads is John Henry Romaine. Mr. Romaine began work when he was only seven- teen years old as shipping clerk for the Burt Manu- facturing Company, after passing three years fitting himself for this position. Born in Morristown, New Jersey, he worked in various railroad offices all over the State until a few years ago when he was elevated to the position of trust he now holds. Al- though his office is in The Bronx, he still makes his home in Millburn, New Jersey.
John Henry Romaine was born in Morristown, February 23, 1883, the son of John Henry, Sr., and Elizabeth (Anderson) Romaine. Both his parents were natives of New Jersey. Mr. Romaine, Sr., was for many years in charge of the United States Ex- press Company in the Morristown station. It was only natural that the son, who grew up in the atmos- phere of railroad work, should plan to make some angle of that work his profession. He early started to prepare himself for it, even while he was attend- ing school. When, at the age of seventeen, he grad- uated from the Morristown High School, he imme- diately entered the employ of the Burt Manufac- turing Company of Morristown as shipping clerk. Three years later he became clerk in the Millburn office of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Rail- road. Soon he was advanced to the more important position in this railroad's office at Orange and thence to the same work in the Montclair station and the Bloomfield station. It was while he was employed in the station at Bloomfield that he was given the responsible position he now holds in The Bronx,- manager in charge of the Harlem Transfer Company for three railroads, the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western, the Erie, and the Baltimore & Ohio. Mr. Romaine is a member of the Freight Agents' As- sociation, and of The Bronx Board of Trade.
Mr. Romaine married, in Millburn, April 23, 1904, Annie Young, daughter of Joseph and Julia (Mor-
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