USA > New York > Bronx County > The Bronx and its people; a history, 1609-1927, Volume III > Part 63
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known wholesale millinery house of M. L. Cutler, of Albany, becoming a traveling salesman when he was but seventeen years old. He remained with this concern for eight years, and then decided to re- move to New York City. Later, he opened a fac- tory for the manufacture of paper writing-tablets in Brooklyn, New York, and was very successful in this line of work for fourteen years. At the end of that time he engaged in the contracting, building and real estate business by opening offices in the Beek- man Building, No. 140 Nassau Street, New York City, where he was soon active in the erection of apartment houses in the Harlem section, organizing the Realty Company of New York, as the operating agent, and so continuing for one year. He then bought a large farm and home in Newton, New Jer- sey, to which he moved with his family in order that his sons might have the advantages of country life. After six years of semi-retirement, Mr. Travis re- turned to New York City and reentered the building business, bringing his two sons-Emerson L. Travis and Judson C. Travis, Jr.,-into the business with him, and organizing a New York corporation with $100,000 capital, under the firm name of J. C. Travis & Sons, Inc., with offices at No. 4419 White Plains Avenue, The Bronx, where the firm has become well and widely known for its extensive work in building up this section, especially along the White Plains road branch of the New York Subway.
Judson Cooper Travis was married, on October 11, 1893, at the bride's home in Harlem, New York City, by the noted divine, the Rev. Dr. Charles H. Parkhurst, to Mae Loomis, a daughter of Charles N. and Eva (Robinson) Loomis. Judson Cooper and Mae (Loomis) Travis are the parents of two sons: 1. Emerson Loomis. 2. Judson Cooper, Jr. The family home is maintained at No. 515 West One Hundred and Eleventh Street, New York City, New York.
JULIUS CORN-A broad-minded and far-sight- ed business man and citizen of The Bronx, New York City, Julius Corn has given almost as much thought and constructive effort to community development as to his own flourishing business of furnisher and hatter at the Corn Men's Shop, No. 16 East One Hun- dred and Seventieth Street. Julius Corn was born in The Bronx on August 26, 1893, son of Charles and Ray Corn. The father was a pioneer in the men's furnishing business in The Bronx. The son attended the public schools of his locality, completing them in 1907. His first business engagement was with his father, who had the oldest establishment of that type in The Bronx.
Julius Corn owns a store at 'No. 1326 Boston Road, which was established in 1914, and on March 6, 1924, he opened a second one, the well-known Men's Shop on East One Hundred and Seventieth Street. Both these places have prospered under the energetic and able management of Mr. Corn. He has, at the same time, been the moving spirit of the One Hun- dred and Seventieth Street Business Men's Associ- ation, of which he is president, since its inauguration. The latest achievement of this organization has been securing the cooperation of the Hamilton National
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Bank and the Corn Exchange Bank, each of which has opened a branch on One Hundred and Seventieth Street. He is also a member of the School Board of The Bronx.
Mr. Corn is a loyal Democrat in politics, but he has never been an aspirant for office. He is a mem- ber of the James Brown Association, and the Jerome Democratic and the Tackamuck Democratic Club, also is a member of the Royal Arcanum. His re- ligious affiliation is with Congregation Adath Israel. During the World War, Mr. Corn was quartermas- ter-sergeant at Governor's Island.
On August 10, 1919, in The Bronx, Julius Corn married Sophie Haber, and they are the parents of a son, Charles Corn, born October 16, 1923.
JOHN JOSEPH DORMAN-During his resi- dence of many years in The Bronx section, John Jo- seph Dorman has acquired many true friends and admirers, all of whom regard Mr. Dorman as one of the most substantial and progressive citizens of the community.
James Joseph Dorman, his father, was born and spent his early life in Pennsylvania. He was en- gaged for many years as a foreman of construction by the M. J. Leahy Contracting Company. He married Mary Quinn, who was born in Franklin, New Jersey. The elder Mr. Dorman died in 1903, at his home in The Bronx.
John Joseph Dorman, son of James Joseph and Mary (Quinn) Dorman, was born in Franklin Fur- nace, New Jersey, on November 2, 1881. His par- ents removed to New York City when the youth had attained his fourth year. The family first resided in Fort Washington Avenue, where they remained for a period of two years, and when young Dorman was in his sixth year, removed to The Bronx. Their son became a student in St. Augustine's Parochial School on Jefferson and Franklin avenues, but at the expiration of one scholastic term, he entered Public School No. 61, at One Hundred and Sixty- ninth Street and Third Avenue. In 1890 he attended Public School No. 90, at One Hundred and Sixty- third Street and Eagle Avenue. He was graduated from the latter institution in 1897 and then entered the College of the City of New York. Mr. Dorman began his career as an employee of the General Post Office at the City Hall, Manhattan, where he con- tinued to be employed for about one year. He then became connected, in 1902, with the department of taxes and assessments, city of New York, from which he was transferred, in 1905, to the president's office in the department of highways, engineering division, city of New York, located in The Bronx. The last-mentioned position he most capably con- tinues to occupy.
Mr. Dorman takes an actively prominent part in social and other affairs of The Bronx. He is fre- quently called upon to act as a referee and final ar- bitor during the course of frequent sporting events. He is also interested in political affairs, local and national, and is an active member of the Samoset Democratic Club of The Bronx.
On August 26, 1907, in SS. Peter and Paul's Ro- man Catholic Church, John Joseph Dorman was
united in marriage by Rev. Father John J. Maher, to Mary Stevenson, of The Bronx, daughter of Rob- ert E. Stevenson, born in Ireland, and Margaret (Smith) Stevenson, native of Westchester Village, a section of The Bronx. To this union liave been born three children: Mary Virginia, Margaret Alice, and Helen Angela.
THOMAS HENRY MARSHALL-Seek where he may, in any metropolitan city of the United States, any person sufficiently interested to make inquiries would learn that the directing heads of practically all important municipal operations are not far removed, in years, from The Emerald Isle. A noteworthy local instance is Thomas Henry Mar- shall, upon whose shoulders rests the responsibility for efficient paving construction in this community. Born in far-off Ireland, and reared on the farm of his father in Illinois, fate decreed that he should make his mark in municipal affairs-and politics, in The Bronx.
Francis and Sarah Jane (Balmer) Marshall were natives of Armagh County, Armagh, Ireland. Prac- tically the entire life of Francis Marshall was de- . voted to tilling of the soil. He removed his family to the United States in 1884, when his son Thomas Henry had attained the age of ten years. They settled down to life on an Illinois farm, and the son of the family attended the public and high schools in the town of Champaign. When he had reached his thirteenth year, the youth, too, went out into the fields and thus continued until 1888. In the lat- ter year Francis Marshall disposed of his farm and, with his wife and son boarded a train for New York City. After the strangeness of the noisy, bustling city had worn off somewhat, young Marshall began to seek a job. He became irresistably attracted to the granite-block paving business and accordingly chose to follow that line as his life's work. He entered the business, and continued therein until De- cember 10, 1903, when he entered the employ of the Department of Highways, city of New York, with which department he has been connected, in various capacities, to the present time. Since some time in June, 1925, he has been general foreman, charged with the responsibility of properly completing all Belgian-block paving construction operations throughout The Bronx. In addition to his official connection with the Department of Highways, Mr. Marshall, a prominent figure in the labor union world, is vice-president of the International Union, which is an affiliation of the all-powerful American Federation of Labor. Furthermore, he is, and has been for the past fifteen years, treasurer for Local Union No. 37, Pavers and Rammers of The Bronx. An ardent Democrat, he holds membership in the Monroe Democratic Club of The Bronx, The Chip- pewa Club and several fraternal organizations.
Thomas Marshall was married on September 5, 1905, by Rev. William H. Kephart of the New York Congregational Church, to Martha Thompson, daugh- ter of William and Martha (Moorehead) Thompson of County Donegal, Ireland. To this union have been born six children: Ruth May, Thomas Robert, William Stewart, the other three children being deceased.
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JOHN SCAVO, Pharm. D .- Following in his father's footsteps, Dr. Scavo chose, when the time had arrived to decide upon a career for himself, to make pharmacy his profession. A native of Italy, he came to the United States soon after having gradu- ated from high school and in 1899 began the study of pharmacy in New York City, continuing his studies at various educational institutions and successively acquiring several degrees, including that of Doctor of Pharmacy. While he was still studying he en- gaged in the retail drug store business, in which he has continued ever since with the exception of some six years devoted to further study and also to teach- ing. Since 1916 he has been established in The Bronx as the owner of a successful and well-known drug store at No. 235 Alexander Avenue, corner of One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Street. His unusu- ally extensive studies of pharmacy and chemistry, his long practical experience, his energy, business ability and attractive personality all have combined to make him one of the most able pharmacists in The Bronx, where he is highly respected and widely known. He has also been always very prominently active in the various organizations of his profession, and he is a member, not only of local and State, but also of national pharmaceutical societies and associa- tions.
John Scavo was born in Palermo, Italy, Septem- ber 20, 1875, a son of Emanuel and Frances (Ma- rino) Scavo, both natives of Palermo, where the former was born in 1837 and lived until 1891, being successfully engaged as a pharmacist and chemist, his wife predeceasing him in 1890, at the age of fifty- three years. He was educated in the public grammar and high schools of Palermo, graduating from the latter in 1896. Three years later, in 1899, he came to the United States, and there took up the study of pharmacy at the New York College of Pharmacy, No. 115 West Sixty-eighth Street, from which he graduated in 1904 with the degree of Pharmacist, re- ceiving his license as a pharmacist in the same year. He then entered Columbia College in 1908 and there graduated in 1909 with the degree of Ph. C., and in 1910 with the degree of Doctor of Pharmacy. Prior to his entering Columbia University he had opened, in 1906, a drug store at the corner of Canal and Mulberry streets, Manhattan, which he continued to conduct with success while pursuing his studies at Columbia University. In 1910 he sold out this store and accepted a position as special representative with the wholesale drug firm of Bakst Brothers, New York City. This connection continued until 1914, when Dr. Scavo removed to Boston, Massachusetts, where he taught pharmacy and chemistry. At the same time he also took up the study of medicine at the Boston College of Physicians and Surgeons, but in 1916 he returned to New York City and bought the drug store at No. 235 Alexander Avenue, The Bronx, which he has continued to carry on ever since then under his own name. He is a member of the Ameri- can Pharmaceutical Association, the New York Phar- maceutical Conference, the Bronx County Pharma- ceutical Association, the National Druggists' Asso- ciation, the New York State Pharmaceutical Associa- tion, the Italian Pharmaceutical Association, and the Columbia University College of Pharmacy
Alumni Association. Of the last three organizations he is a life-member, and he is also honorary presi- dent of the Italian Pharmaceutical Association.
Dr. Scavo married, in New York City, at St. Mark's Roman Catholic Church on East Twelfth Street, June 19, 1901, Rosie Lombardi, born in Pa- lermo, Italy, in 1886, a daughter of John and Emily (Brancato) Lombardi, both natives of Palermo. Dr. and Mrs. Scavo are the parents of eight children: 1. Emanuel William, born September 8, 1902. 2. Frank Salvatore, born July 11, 1903. 3. Emily, born August 21, 1904. 4. Mario, born February 3, 1906. 5. Yolanda, born January 23, 1911. 6. Humbert, born February 18, 1913. 7. Nicholas, born Novem- ber 3, 1914. 8. Eugene, born January 29, 1917. The family home, which Dr. Scavo purchased a number of years ago, is located at No. 207 Alexander Avenue, The Bronx.
ALFRED EDWARD SCHAEFER-The de- velopment of The Bronx, one of the outstanding factors in the history of New York City in the past decades, has been largely directed by such far-sighted and public-spirited realtors as Alfred Edward Schaefer, of No. 878 Melrose Avenue, and his father, Henry Charles Schaefer. The father was born on the lower east side of Manhattan in the old Ger- man settlement on First Avenue, in 1854, and died May 3, 1919. He had a feed and flour business there until his removal to The Bronx, where he anticipated the phenomenal developments to be made in real estate and where he devoted himself to this field of economic progress. He married Bertha Hoppe, who came from Germany at the age of sixteen and settled in New York City, where she died on July 20, 1923.
Alfred Edward Schaefer, son of Henry Charles and Bertha (Hoppe) Schaefer, was born August 25, 1885, on Franklin Avenue, near One Hundred and Sixty-ninth Street, The Bronx, New York. He at- tended Public School No. 3, on East One Hundred and Fifty-seventh Street, from which he graduated. At the age of fifteen he entered the employ of Clapp & Clapp, insurance underwriters, where for a year he proved an apt pupil in acquainting himself with business methods. He then became associated with his father in the real estate business at No. 763 Courtlandt Avenue, where his father had been operat- ing for some time, and the firm of Schaefer & Son prospered. When ill health necessitated the father's withdrawal from the enterprise, the son continued it alone. Since 1919 Alfred E. Schaefer has put through all his operations under his own name. In February, 1924, he moved his offices to larger quar- ters to take care of a greatly increased clientele, and has since maintained well-equipped rooms on Mel- rose Avenue. He takes care of both insurance and realty transactions. His wife, who is thoroughly familiar with the business, is associated with him and handles the details, particularly in the absence of Mr. Schaefer.
He is a man of many interests and very popular with his fellows. He belongs to Bronx Lodge, No. 871, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Irv- ing Council, No. 602, Royal Arcanum; the Schnorer Club of The Bronx; and the Samoset Democratic Club of that section.
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On September 28, 1923, in the German Methodist Church, Rev. Feodore Hagner married Mr. Schaefer to Katherine Grimm, a daughter of Henry Grimnı, who was born in Rheaborn, Germany, in 1858, and died in The Bronx in 1917. He was for many years a resident of the old German settlement on the lower east side and conducted a gentlemen's hat store on First Avenue near Sixth Street. He was a char- ter member of the Kreutzer Quartet Club of Man- hattan, in which he enjoyed taking an active part. Caroline (Winkler) Grimm, mother of Mrs. Schaefer, was born in The Bronx in 1864, and is still residing in the old homestead at No. 833 Elton Avenue.
JOSEPH LEO CRAIG-Among the younger lawyers who have disclosed exceptional versatility in The Bronx is Joseph Leo Craig. He was born March 5, 1888, in New York City. His father, John Craig, likewise a native of New York City, is living in The Bronx at the age of eighty-five. He was engaged in the tobacco business in New York City through his active life, and was in business for him- self for a long period of years. His mother, Mary Anna (Brady) Craig, also a native of New York City, died December 13, 1913, aged seventy-two. Mr. and Mrs. Craig were the parents of nine living children, all born in The Bronx: 1. John. 2 .- 3. Anna and Mary, twins. 4. Charles J. 5. Nellie, who is unmarried. 6. Louise, who is unmarried. 7. Frank A. 8. Agnes M., a law partner of her broth- er, Joseph. 9. Joseph Leo, of whom further. The grandfather, John Craig, came from Scotland.
Joseph Leo Craig was graduated from old Public School No. 85, now No. 9, in 1902. He entered the Fordhanı Preparatory School and was graduated in 1906. He then entered Fordham College, graduating in 1910, and completed his law school training from the Fordham Law School in 1913, but his admission to the bar was deferred for several years. He en- gaged in the real estate business upon graduation, and continued in that occupation until he was di- verted from it by the World War. He enlisted in June, 1918, and was stationed in New York for two months, being a private. He was transferred from New York to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, afterwards being sent east to Camp Meade, where he remained until he received an honorable discharge from the service of the United States in February, 1919, Only then did he turn to the law for a livelihood. He passed the bar examinations of the State in June, 1919, and was admitted to practice the following Oc- tober. He is a member of the Loyal Order of Moose; The Bronx County Bar Association; The Bronx Board of Trade, and the Roman Catholic church. He is fond of al out-door sports.
Mr. Craig was married, in St. Jerome's Church at One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Street and Alex- ander Avenue, to May Elizabeth Turnbull, the ceremony having been solemnized August 17, 1919. The bride is the daughter of William C. Turnbull, living at Eastern Boulevard and Middletown Road, and of Delia (Syres) Turnbull, his wife, also living. Mr. and Mrs. Craig are the parents of Mary Agnes Craig, born August 6, 1920, and Joseph, born April 22, 1926. The office address of Mr. Craig is No. 529 Courtlandt Avenue. His house address is No.
361 East One Hundred and Sixty-third Street, The Bronx.
LOUIS SILVERMAN-An outstanding figure among the men who have built The Bronx of today is Louis Silverman, member of the Realty Board, realtor, and builder of homes. With a thorough knowledge of real estate values, with foresight and prudence, combined with alertness, Mr. Silverman dispenses the best of service from his offices at No. 370 East One Hundred and Forty-ninth Street and numbers among his friends and clients thousands of householders of that vicinity. Thus has he con- tributed largely also to the rapid development of the district in which he has chosen to operate.
Louis Silverman was born in Poland, May 25, 1882, son of Leon Silverman, who remained in his native country where he engaged in farming.
There Louis Silverman was educated, in Radoon, and came to America at the age of eighteen. Soon after reaching this country he associated himself in the garage business, first as an employee, and, as his native shrewdness and untiring energy won ad- vancement for him, as owner. Real estate pointed the way to a wider use of his talents, and Mr. Silver- man has devoted himself to it since 1912. For seven years he studied The Bronx, its needs, its possibili- ties, and the rapid influx of residents, and in 1919 he was ready to utilize his findings for the public. He organized first the Harding Construction Company, of which he was president. Two years later followed the Homeric Construction Company, which he also served in the executive capacity of president. The intervening year, 1920, had seen the development of the Sil-Mark Realty Company, with Mr. Silverman as its active president, which devoted its resources chiefly to the building of homes. Thus Mr. Silver- man worked out a comprehensive program adapted to the manifold needs of a rapidly growing com- munity. He is connected with the Port Myers Bank, is a member of the Democratic Club, of The Bronx Board of Trade, and of the Charterbend Club. His religious affiliations are with the Minford Place Syn- agogue.
Louis Silverman married, in The Bronx, February 18, 1904, Sylva Burke, daughter of Samuel and Lilly Burke. Mr. and Mrs. Silverman are the parents of three children: Samuel J., born February 5, 1905; Irving, born July 2, 1907; and Lillian, born Septem- ber 3, 1909.
EDWARD O. SEIFFERT-Evidences of the practical and enterprising interest that Robert F. and Edward O. Seiffert have displayed in the busi- ness of plumbing and steamfitting from the begin- ning of their successful career as organizers and as supply merchants, are revealed both in the high standard of the companies of which they are execu- tive officers, and in the excellence of the product that is distributed by them throughout the extensive territory of the trade. Mr. Seiffert is a prominent citizen of The Bronx, his birthplace, and possesses a civic pride in all the concerns of the city, its many institutions and its business increase and prosperity. He is a son of Charles Seiffert, who came from Germany to the United States just after the Civil
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War, and making his home in The Bronx in 1872, died there in 1914, and of Franciska Seiffert, who survives her husband.
Edward O. Seiffert was born April 4, 1877, in The Bronx, where he attended the public schools at One Hundred and Fifty-eighth Street and Third Avenue, and One Hundred and Sixty-third Street and Eagle Avenue. When he was fourteen years old, he began work in a drugstore, then for some time he was a carpet designer. - In 1898, the Seif- ferts established the Standard Plumbing Supply Company as the Standard Slate and Marble Com- pany, which was reorganized in 1899 as the present company, selling supplies to plumbers and steam- fitters. The various branches, the outgrowth of the present company, and which employ over one hun- dred people, are as follows: Yonkers, opened in 1905; Frontier, in Buffalo, 1919; Poughkeepsie, 1915; White Plains, 1918; Springfield and Bethlehem, 1920. Mr. Seiffert is vice-president of the Springfield. Massachusetts, the Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Supply companies, and the Rochester Supply Company. Fraternally, he is affiliated with Bronx Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and he is a member of Schnorer, Lions, Ampersand, Travel- lers, and many other clubs.
Edward O. Seiffert married Annie M. Johnson, daughter of Fred Johnson, formerly prominent in local political interests, and of Martha Johnson. They are the parents of Edward F. Seiffert, who was 1 born July 14, 1905.
WALTER A. WALSH-Possessed of discrimi- nating taste for the best in music, highly educated for his profession, Walter A. Walsh, the accepted orchestra leader of The Bronx, is one of the most public-spirited of its citizens. He was born in Har- lem, August 17, 1883, son of Thomas J. and Catherine Walsh. The father, a noted architect and builder, who superintended the erection of the Vanderbilt home at No. 1 West Fifty-eighth Street, New York City, died in Scarsdale in 1923.
Walter A. Walsh was carried to The Bronx by his parents in 1884, and has ever since made that section his home. He attended Public School No. 64, Morris High School, the College of the City of New York, and secured his professional training at the New York College of Music. Since he completed his preparation for his life-work, he has been an important factor in the musical world of the city. In 1900 he organized the Walsh Orchestra, an able group of musicians who perform for various orga- nizations, as do the others under his leadership. Mr. Walsh supplies an orchestra of forty pieces for en- tertainments of the Elks' Club. He is leader of the Concourse Plaza Orchestra, which has grown famous under his management. His zeal for good music and his unwearying efforts to afford opportunities for its enjoyment to Bronx residents have met with gratifying success. He is a member of the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks, Bronx Lodge, No. 871, of the Friends of Erin, and of several clubs, including the Rotary, the Schnorer, and the Ford- ham. He is a communicant of the Church of SS. Margaret and Mary.
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