USA > New York > Bronx County > The Bronx and its people; a history, 1609-1927, Volume III > Part 56
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Primas Doyle
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fourth Street, between Sixth and Seventh avenues, he was graduated there with his degree in 1886.
After leaving college, Dr. Doyle began the practice of his profession, and within a short time he was called upon by many of New York's wealthiest peo- ple, owners of large private stables, who were aware of his repute as an expert in the care and treatment of horses. Through such practice, mainly, he entered upon his present leadership in his profession. Pres- ently, the city of New York called upon him, and Dr. Doyle became identified with the Board of Health Department, and he so continued for several years until he was transferred as veterinary to the Street Cleaning Department; this was on December 16, 1903, and he has performed notable service there- in to the present time.
Dr. Doyle is a communicant of St. Nicholas of Tolentine Roman Catholic Church, in The Bronx.
Dr. Thomas Henry Doyle married, June 18, 1893, at St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church, in New York City, Mary Agnes Curtin, who died in April, 1915, daughter of David Curtin, a native of County Waterford, Ireland, and Elizabeth (Hayes) Curtin, who was born in Bagnalstown, County Carlow, Ire- land. Their children: Elizabeth Mary Doyle; Mar- garet Mary Alacoque Doyle; Clarissa Mary Doyle; Thomas Hayes Doyle; and Daniel Joseph Doyle.
ROBERT JAMES BOYLE-Intended by his par- ents originally for the study of medicine, his own preferences prevailed and Mr. Boyle became a lawyer instead of a physician. He was born in New York City, June 24, 1886, a son of Harry F. and Elizabeth (Conklin) Boyle, the father being formerly in the carpet and painting business, but now retired and a resident of The Bronx, the mother deceased some years ago.
Robert James Boyle was educated in Public School No. 14, Manhattan, on East Twenty-seventh Street, from which he graduated in 1900. After three years at De Witt Clinton High School he attended Miller's Business School and then entered New York Law School from which he graduated in 1910, being ad- mitted to the New York bar in the same year. He afterwards went to Morris Evening High School to continue the study of Latin and received his high school diploma in 1911. As soon as he had been graduated from law school he entered the office of the corporation counsel of the city of New York where he served as assistant corporation counsel until December 31, 1922. He then began the practice of law under his own name at No. 5 Beekman Street, Manhattan. but in December, 1923, moved his office to the A-Re-Co Building, The Bronx, where he con- tinues in the general practice of law. During the World War he had charge of the Liberty Loan drive for the 69th Regiment. In politics he is a sup- porter of the Democratic party and as such a mem- ber of the North End Democratic Club, while his re- ligious affiliations are with the Roman Catholic church.
Robert J. Boyle was married, in New York City, October 30, 1910, to Mary Ellen Bence, daughter of George and Catherine Bence, of Kingston, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Boyle are the parents of two children:
1. Irene G., born December 1, 1911. 2. Robert James, Jr., born April 23, 1915.
COLONEL FRANK OLIN SAUVAN-Of a military family, of which father and four sons served in wars of the United States, Colonel Frank Olin Sauvan, for nearly thirty years engaged in the paint- ing and decorating business in The Bronx, long years ago won the spurs in the New York State military establishment, serving under his father, captain of his company, later participating in the Spanish-American War, and retiring after almost thirty-four years of service, with the rank of colonel, having distinguished himself both as an army officer, and a contributor to the commercial prosperity of The Bronx.
Colonel Frank O. Sauvan was born in The Bronx, in the house where he is still living, No. 893 Union Avenue, October 21, 1854, a son of Captain John J. and Margaret (Leaper) Sauvan, his paternal grand- parents having come to the United States from Eng- land in 1809. His father, a pioneer settler of The Bronx, conducted a painting business there for many years. The son Frank O. attended Public School No. 4, at One Hundred and Fifty-eighth Street and Third Avenue, after leaving Mrs. Raines' primary school, where he received his first rudiments of an educa- tion. Following in his father's footsteps, he entered, in 1884, the painting and decorating business, having his establishment at One Hundred and Sixty-first Street and Third Avenue, The Bronx, where he con- tinued for twenty-eight years, retiring from active business pursuits in 1912. He since has been spend- ing his days in a well-earned rest on his property, which was bought by his father, Captain Sauvan, in 1849, of Gouverneur Morris.
The military record of the Sauvan family began with John J. Sauvan, the father, who was instructor of the 17th Regiment, New York Volunteers, for many years and served in the Civil War. A son, Jolin J., Jr., served in the Mexican War of 1848, at thirteen years of age; another son, Robert, served with the 9th New York Volunteer Regiment in the Civil War; he went to the front again with the 15th Heavy Ar- tillery and was wounded. He was a member of Lily Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; still another son, Henry, served with the 17th New York National Guards in the Civil War. In 1852 the senior Sau- van organized a company of the National Guard of The Bronx at a meeting of a group at Corbett's Ho- tel in Melrose at One Hundred and Sixty-second Street, now the Melrose Depot. In 1870 Frank O. Sauvan enlisted for service in his father's Company- A, 3rd Regiment, National Guard of New York, as a drummer, or field musician. Later the number of the regiment was changed to the 27th. His father was captain of Company A. This command was dis- banded in 1878. After a lapse of twelve years Frank O. entered the 8th Regiment as a second lieutenant, in February, 1890. In 1892 he was elected first lieuten- ant; in 1896 elected captain of Company D, 8th Regi- ment, National Guard of New York, and held that commission for fourteen years. He served in the Spanish-American War, and was the senior captain in his regiment. He was brevetted major, and in 1908 was elected lieutenant-colonel. He was retired
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in 1914 with the rank of colonel, having been thirty- three years and eight months in the service.
Colonel Sauvan has for many years been a strong supporter of the Democratic party, and a tower of strength to the organization in The Bronx. He was a district captain when the local improvement party was in that hard-fought campaign. He is president of the Veterans Association of the 8th Regiment, Na- tional Guard, having served for the past three years; member of David Wilson Camp, No. 59, United Spanish War Veterans; secretary of the Old Timers' Association.
Colonel Frank O. Sauvan married (first), June 15, 1876, in The Bronx, Mary M. DeGuerre, and had children by this marriage: 1. Frank DeGuerre, who married Martha Geiger. 2. Mabel R., married James Mayes and has a son and daughter. 3. Margaret L., married Silas E. Moore, and has two daughters. He married (second), April 26, 1899, in The Bronx, Eloise Harris, by whom he has a daughter, Florence Eloise.
NATHAN KRAEMER, M. D .- While Dr. Na- than has for a considerable period conducted a gen- eral practice in The Bronx, where he is widely known and thoroughly appreciated in his profession, he has an even more extensive repute as a specialist in ob- stetrics, his genial and pleasant personal character, his training and abilities therein being those of the thorough student and most capable practitioner, and the reason for his high standing in the medical pro- fession. Dr. Kraemer has built his practice and his specialty upon the foundations of an intelligent and expert study, and that he has found success, and has benefited humanity through his profession, is largely due to that substantial basis upon which he has built. He is a son of Abraham Kraemer, and Fannie (Avrashkoff) Kraemer, both living and re- siding in The Bronx.
Dr. Nathan Kraemer was born May 30, 1888, in Elizabethgrad, Russia, where until the age of eleven he studied Russian, Hebrew and Latin. In 1899 he came to America with his parents, settled in New York City, where he attended public school and la- ter the College of the City of New York, also the Schechter Hebrew Rabbinical Seminary. He pre- pared for his profession in the Medical School of New York University, and at Bellevue Hospital, where he was graduated in 1911 with the degree Doc- tor of Medicine, and then interned at the Italian Hospital. Dr. Kraemer established his offices in The Bronx in 1916, where he has conducted a general practice, while he specializes in obstetrics. He owns and conducts the Mount Hope Private Hospital at No. 145 East One Hundred and Seventy-sixth Street, New York City, where he gives special attention to diseases of women.
Fraternally, Dr. Kraemer is affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons; and is a member of Bronx Lodge, No. 871, of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a member of the State, Coun- ty, and American Medical societies, also of the New York Physicians Medical Society and the Harlem Medical Society. He is a director of the Concourse Center of Israel.
Dr. Nathan Kraemer married, April 9, 1916, Ma-
thilda Kehlmann, daughter of Leopold and Rose Kehlmann; and their children are: Edward K. and Lenore G.
ROBERT L. DAVIS-One of the well-known business men of The Bronx is Robert L. Davis, vice- president and secretary of the roofing concern of Da- vis Brothers and a member of a number of local or- ganizations. Mr. Davis is a son of Robert and Emma L. Davis, the father having died in 1910, the mother still living. The elder Mr. Davis was born in Ire- land, but came to the United States at the age of two. He engaged in the real estate business for a number of years before establishing, in 1895, the present roofing business as a concern dealing in re- tail hardware and stoves.
Robert L. Davis was born in The Bronx, March 14, 1886, and was educated in Public School No. 90 and Morris High School. He was engaged in busi- ness enterprises of various sorts for a number of years after leaving school, and in 1923 joined the concern of Davis Brothers which had been founded by his father and of which his brother, Morton Wil- bur Davis is president. The company is one of the leading roofing firms in The Bronx: Mr. Davis is a member of The Bronx Board of Trade, The Bronx Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club, and is affiliated fraternally with Trowel Lodge, No. 873, Free and Accepted Masons. He is a member of the St. Margaret's Protestant Episcopal Church.
Robert L. Davis married, in The Bronx, Septem- ber 11, 1915, Madeline K. Simons, who died June 12, 1925, daughter of Jay and Hannah Simons, both liv- ing. Mr. Davis is the father of one daughter, Ruth, born December 28, 1916.
THOMAS MOFFA-An important real estate business has been created at No. 645 East Tremont Avenue, The Bronx, through the efforts of Thomas Moffa, who was born at Riccia, province of Campo- basso, Italy, February 3, 1889. His father, James Moffa, was born in Italy, and has been a citizen of the United States for thirty-five years, and is now living in The Bronx at the age of fifty-six years, having conducted a machine shop in the borough all his active life. He married Rose Alexandra, born in Italy, and now fifty-three years old. They are the parents of four children, all living in The Bronx: 1. Thomas, of whom further. 2. Lena, who is the wife of Angelo Desoccio. 3. Jean, who is single. 4. William, who works for his brother, Thomas.
Thomas Moffa was a baby when his parents brought him to the United States, making their home in The Bronx. He was graduated from Public School No. 5. Thereupon he went to work at the age of thirteen, selling papers in the street. This was coincident with a course in the Walworth Busi- ness College. He finished to become a bookkeeper for Gallo & Pittelli, contractors, where he continued for one year. He afterwards went with a construc- tion company in West Virginia, remaining for one and one-half years, and returning to New York City at the expiration of this period, he put up a clothing factory on Bleecker Street which engaged his atten- tion for a year. He then traveled for Coon Broth- ers, of Troy, New York, the following four years.
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This took him South where he traveled the "Cotton States" from Florida to Texas. He returned to open a real estate office at No. 50 Church Street, New York City. For the following six years he was in the real estate business in The Bronx, being con- nected with Frank McNulty in that borough for one year. Since 1919 he has been in business for himself, engaged in extensive building as well as a dealer. His favorite recreation is baseball. He has been active in Bronx politics. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity; The Real Estate Board of The Bronx; The Real Estate Board of New York; and the National and State Real Estate boards; a member of The Bronx Board of Trade, and the Schnorer Club of Morrisania. He is a Roman Catholic in his re- ligious affiliations. Mr. Moffa is president of Burke Wallace Holding Corporation, Northboro Holding Company, Inc., Park Plains Realty Company, Inc., Sabirch Realty Company, Inc., Woodley Realty Co., and Moffa & Company, Inc.
Mr. Moffa was married, January 31, 1925, in The Bronx, to Henrietta Di Maio, born in Canada, and daughter of Louis Di Maio, living in The Bronx, and of Claudia Di Maio. His business address is No. 645 Tremont Avenue; his house address is No. 3162 Bainbridge Avenue, The Bronx.
MICHAEL SOLOMON-A successful business man in The Bronx is Michael Solomon, born in Pone- wiesch, province of Kovna, Russia, December 26, 1884. His father, Elias Solomon, was born in the same place in 1860, and came to the United States in 1887. He settled in The Bronx where he prospered and has since retired from active life. Elizabeth (Bernstein) Solomon, the mother of Michael Solo- mon, was born in Ponewiesch, Russia, in 1865, and is still living. The son began his active career at fourteen years of age, when he accepted an opening in the drygoods store of James A. Hearn on Four- teenth Street, New York City, where he continued for seven years. At that time he was appointed a letter carrier and served the United States for ten years in that capacity. He next opened a book and stationery store in the West Bronx, where he con- tinued for five years. Afterwards he engaged in the real estate business, establishing a partnership with Theodore Danis, a sketch of whom follows, which adopted the style of Solomon & Danis, with offices at No. 587 East One Hundred and Forty-ninth Street. The firm afterwards moved to the finely ap- pointed offices now occupied at No. 545 East One Hundred and Forty-ninth Street, where they employ a force of salesmen and maintain one of the most- up-to-date real estate offices in The Bronx.
Mr. Solomon is a member of The Bronx Real Es- tate Board of Trade, and the National Association of Letter Carriers. Fraternally, he is connected with The Bronx Lodge, No. 871, Benevolent and Protec- tive Order of Elks.
Michael Solomon was married, January 10, 1904. in The Bronx, to Edith Dresbold, daughter of Louis and Sarah (Markowitz) Dresbold. Mr. and Mrs. Solomon are the parents of: Arthur, born Novem- ber 2, 1904; Sidney, born September 7, 1910; Lillian, born June 10, 1915. The family reside at No. 152 East One Hundred and Seventy-first Street, while
Mr. Solomon's business address is No. 545 East One Hundred and Forty-ninth Street, The Bronx.
THEODORE DANIS-The aptitude of the for- eign-born American is illustrated by the career of Theodore Danis, who was born in Wilno, Russia, now in Poland, March 15, 1888. His father, Solomon Danis, was born in Wilno, Russia, in 1844, came to the United States in 1904, and died in 1915, in New York City, where he conducted a book and stationery business for several years. He married Sophie Schriro also born in Wilno, Russia, in 1842, and who died in New York City in 1920. Theodore Danis be- gan his education in the schools of Wilno, and came to the United States at sixteen years of age. His parents settled in New York City and the boy entered the bookstore of his father, working after school hours while continuing his education by attending the public and high schools. He fitted himself for Columbia University and studied there for a short time, but at nineteen the urge of business drew him from advanced education, and he opened a book and stationery store on his own account. This he con- tinued for twelve years when he decided to engage in real estate. Soon after he established offices, he entered the employ of the Metropolitan Life Insur- ance Company in the office at Twenty-eighth Street and Broadway, New York City, remaining here a year and a half, when he again entered the real es- tate business. He continued on his own account until 1923, when he formed a partnership with Mi- chael Solomon, whose sketch precedes this, and opened offices at No. 587 East One Hundred and Forty-ninth Street, The Bronx, the firm since then moving to its present well appointed offices in the new store on the ground floor of No. 545 East One Hundred and Forty-ninth Street. Mr. Danis is a member of The Real Estate Board of The Bronx, and the Independent Order of B'rith Abraham.
Theodore Danis married, in The Bronx, June 18, 1916, Bessie Gerhardt, daughter of Morris and Esther (Gerhardt) Gerhardt. Mr. and Mrs. Danis are the parents of: Elenore Sylvia, born June 22, 1917; Lil- lian, born May 19, 1919; Seymour, born January 22, 1921, and Bernard, born November 9, 1923. Their home address is No. 1268 Teller Avenue, the busi- ness being located at No. 545 East One Hundred and Forty-ninth Street, The Bronx.
JOSEPH HARRY MCNALLY-The name Mc- Nally stands permanently for pioneer and present-day building in The Bronx, J. Harry McNally having maintained in a very substantial way the long-es- tablished and excellent repute of his father, Harry McNally, as a builder and a public-spirited citizen. Mr. McNally is a thoroughgoing business man, an able and conscientious builder, and he is active and prominent in the civic interests of city and district. He is a son of Harry McNally, forty years a builder in both Manhattan and The Bronx, and who built Saint Jerome's Church and many other churches and public buildings; he died December 1, 1925, at the age of eighty years.
J. Harry McNally was born August 2, 1890, in Manhattan, and he removed to The Bronx with his parents when he was six months old. He grew up
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in the business of mason and builder, and since his father had retired, he specialized in brick work.
Prominent politically, Mr. McNally conducted the campaign of Judge James F. Fitzgerald in 1924, as well as that of Senator Antion; and he served as treasurer in Lester W. Patterson's campaign for sheriff. Mr. McNally was a schoolmate of Mr. Pat- terson and of Edward J. Flynn. He is a member of several Bronx political organizations; the National Democratic Club; the Lions, the New York Athletic, the Dunwoodie Golf, and the Wingfoot Golf clubs. He is a communicant of St. Nicholas of Tolentine Roman Catholic Church.
J. Harry McNally married, in November, 1912, in The Bronx, Agnes Schnaufer, daughter of William and Katherine Schnaufer; and their children are: Harry J., born in 1914; and Edith, born in 1915.
LEO JOHN EHRHART-A man who has made a specialty of developing land in the eastern part of the United States, Leo John Ehrhart, has his head- quarters in the Borough of The Bronx. He was born April 9, 1889. His father, John L. Ehrhart, was born in 1849, in New York City, died in 1906, at fifty-seven years of age. He was the son of the immigrant, who was a native of Germany, and came to New York City in early life and established himself in business. John L. Ehrhart was general manager for D. S. Hess & Company, builders, and interior decorators. He married Barbara Wille, born in Greenwich Village, New York City, in 1849, and now living at the great age of seventy-seven (1927). They were the parents of six children, four of whom are living: 1. Elizabeth. 2. Amelia. 3. Lena. 4. Leo John, of whom further.
Leo John Ehrhart was graduated from the Mount Hope School in 1902; from Public School No. 155; from the Morris High School in 1905; from Cooper Union in 1909, with the degree of Bachelor of Science; from Cooper Union in 1916 with the degree of Civil Engineer. He was on the staff of the City Surveyor for the five years following, and continued his studies at night-school. He was assistant en- gineer for the American Real Estate Company be- ginning in 1910, and continued with them until 1914. Since that time he has been in business for himself, specializing in land development throughout the East.
Mr. Ehrhart has been a member of the Democratic County Committee of The Bronx; and for many years has been a member of the Democratic Finance Committee. He finds his pleasantest recreation in gunning and golf. He is a Past Exalted Ruler of Bronx Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; a charter member of The Bronx Rotary Club; a member of The Bronx Board of Trade; of the Cooper Union Alumni Association; of the Catholic Club of the City of New York; of the New York Ath- letic Club; the Wingfoot Golf Club. He has been engineering expert for the District Attorney's office of The Bronx, since the county was organized. He is vice-president of the Grand Jurors' Association of The Bronx, and attends the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Spirit.
Leo J. Ehrhart was married on October 6, 1915, to Irene Genevieve McGovern, daughter of Patrick
and Ellen (Higgins) McGovern, both parents de- ceased. They are the parents of Leo John Ehrhart, Jr., born January 24, 1917. The address of Leo J. Ehrhart is No. 563 East Tremont Avenue, The Bronx.
THOMAS COTTER-Since 1921 Thomas Cotter, in association with Michael J. Tully, has been en- gaged in the building and contracting business. Be- fore engaging in his present line of business he was engaged in the trucking business. He is well-known and highly esteemed among a large group of as- sociates, and is active in the affairs of the Democratic party.
Thomas Cotter was born in County Cork, Ireland, February 11, 1875, son of John Joseph Cotter, a na- tive of County Cork, Ireland, who came to this coun- try and located in Mount Vernon, New York, where for many years he was engaged in trucking, and of Margaret (Lee) Cotter, a native of County Water- ford, Ireland, whose death occurred in 1913.
He attended the National school in Ireland, and when he was thirteen years of age came to this country with his parents, who settled first in Mount Vernon, New York, where his father engaged in the trucking business. He began his active career in the employ of his father and continued that connec- tion for a period of ten years, but at the end of that time engaged in the trucking business for himself. He successfully continued in that line until 1921, when he formed a partnership with Michael J. Tully and engaged in the building and contracting business. That enterprise met with success from the begin- ing, and is steadily increasing its patronage. It has built many garages in The Bronx, also some dwell- ing houses, and there is every prospect of an in- creasingly successful future before them. Mr. Cot- ter is a member of Unity Council, No. 426, Knights of Columbus, and of Archbishop Hayes Assembly, in which he holds the fourth degree, and he is an in- terested member of the North End Democratic Club.
Thomas Cotter was married, in St. Patrick's Ca- thedral, New York City, November 25, 1898, by Rev. Father Daly, to Catherine O'Hara, daughter of Mi- chael O'Hara, a native of County Sligo, Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Cotter are the parents of five children: 1. Margaret, married Joseph Gerrity, and they have two sons, Robert and Thomas. 2 John Joseph. 3. James. 4. Thomas, 5. Joseph.
CHRISTIAN GUNDALL-An expert in his spe- cialty, the amateur photograph finishing business, Christian Gundall has popularized his products by thorough, careful and painstaking work, his head- quarters in this line as well as that of cigar jobbing, being at No. 2987 Webster Avenue in The Bronx. He is a son of Daniel and Rosa Gundall; Daniel Gundall, who died in 1894, was a barber, born in Ger- many, and came to the United States when a young man.
Christian Gundall was born July 7, 1892, in New York City, where he attended Public School No. 8. For sixteen years he was associated with D. G. Hall in the amateur-photography finishing business, that was established by Mr. Hall in 1907. Mr. Gundall purchased the business January 1, 1926, and since
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1923 he has conducted a cigar-jobbing business, as well.
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