USA > New York > Bronx County > The Bronx and its people; a history, 1609-1927, Volume III > Part 68
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
In politics Mr. Casey is a Republican, and is act- ing at present (1926) as secretary of the Park Re- publican Club. His fraternal affiliation is with Coun- cil No. 1412, Fordham, of the Royal Arcanum.
In the old Fordham College Chapel, in 1892, the marriage of Thomas James Casey and Rachael Fo-
garty was solemnized by the Rev. Father Francis Murphy. Mrs. Casey is the daughter of James and Rose Constance Fogarty, of New York City. To this union three daughters have been born: Ellen; Mary Ellen; and Rose Cecelia.
ALBERT CIAMBRONE-A native of Italy, but a resident of the United States for more than a quar- ter of a century, Mr. Ciambrone, after having been connected for more than twenty years with various lithographing and printing establishments in New York City, established himself in October, 1923, in the real estate and insurance business, with offices at No. 718 Morris Park Avenue, The Bronx. Even before this he had been interested for a number of years in real estate deals and had familiarized him- self extensively with realty values, especially in The Bronx, and as a result he met with marked success from the beginning and has built up a large and profi- table business.
Albert Ciambrone was born January 27, 1885, in Catanzaro, in the province of the same name, Italy, a son of Dominico and Louisa Amelio Ciambrone, the former born in Catanzaro in 1837, died in April 1924, the latter born in 1850 at Zagarise, province of Catanzaro, died June 25, 1905. He was educated in the schools of his native town, where he attended the local Seminary. At the age of twenty years he came to the United States, in 1906, and at first lived on Bayard Street, in the lower east side of New York City. His first position was with George Slagel, lithographer on Centre Street, New York City, where he remained for seven years. He then entered the employ of the Carey Printing Company, one of the largest and best equipped printing establishments of New York City, continuing with this concern for five and a half years. For a short time he was then con- nected with the Pictorial Review Company and then, for about a year, with the Charles Schweinler Press. About this time he began dealing in real estate as a side issue and, meeting with success, he began to give considerable attention to the study of real estate pos- sibilities and values, particularly in The Bronx. In October, 1923, he bought out the real estate business of Timothy J. Kelly at No. 718 Morris Park Avenue, The Bronx, and since then he has been located there and has carried on the business, which under his able and energetic management has enjoyed steady growth and prosperity.
Mr. Ciambrone married, March 17, 1915, in the Ro- man Catholic Church of St. Anthony, New York City, a civil ceremony having been performed pre- viously at the Municipal Building, Mrs. Maria Far- ago, widow of Felix Farago, the latter having died in 1914, and daughter of Francisco and Angiolina (Fittante) Farago. Mr. and Mrs. Ciambrone are the parents of one child, Louise Amelia, born Feb- ruary 1, 1916. By her first marriage Mrs. Farago had had four children, who are being brought up and educated by their stepfather: 1. Rose, born January 1, 1906; married, April 26, 1925, Rosario Fittante. 2. Carlo, born June 24, 1907. 3. Angiolina, born December 16, 1912. 4. Mario, born May 27, 1914. The family home is located at No. 639 Mead Street, The Bronx.
272
THE BRONX AND ITS PEOPLE
JAMES COPPOLA-A man who has put through many important real estate deals in The Bronx and Westchester County is James Coppola, sole owner of the Royal Realty Company in The Bronx. Born in Italy in 1885, he came to America with his parents in 1890, and has made a great success of his work in the land of his adoption. Starting work at the age of thirteen he has worked as factory boy, hotel clerk, as clerk in a law office and finally drifted into the real estate business where he has been very success- ful.
James Coppola was born December 21, 1886 in San Gregorio, Magna, Salerno, Italy, the same com- munity where his father, Dominick Coppola, was born before him. His mother was Filomena Cop- pola, born in Basilicala, Italy. The parents emigrated to America in 1890, bringing their son with them and settled on Mulberry Street in Manhattan, that district of the lower east side which is the great melting pot of so many nationalities.
James Coppola attended public school here and began working at the age of thirteen, his first job being in the employ of Meyer and Breier, manufac- turers of paper boxes on Mulberry Street. He left here after a year and a half to take a job with an- other manufacturer of paper boxes where he remained for five years as stock clerk. Still casting around for the work which would bring him the opening he desired, he entered the law firm of his brother, John Coppola, where he studied law for five years. At this point came an opening in the real estate field, an opportunity which James Coppola took advantage of. He established the Olinville Real Estate Com- pany, at No. 701 East Two Hundred and Thirteenth Street, and continued this company with his as- sociates for two years. At the expiration of this time he launched the Royal Realty Company of which he is now sole owner on White Plains Road, The Bronx. This business is continuing with in- creasing prosperity.
Mr. Coppola is a member of the Bronxwood Park Association and of the Democratic Club of The Bronx.
ALFRED JOSEPH GRIESEL-A name well known in The Bronx and synonymous with stability and excellence of service is that of Alfred Joseph Griesel, funeral director, now at the head of an under- taking establishment founded by Charles Herrlich more than fifty years ago. The business is today located at No. 666 East One Hundred and Sixty- first Street, where it is a landmark. It forges ahead with the prosperity merited by such a long and hon- orable record, under the management of Mr. Griesel. He was born November 4, 1885, in Coudersport, Pennsylvania, son of Joseph and Matilda (Kem- merer) Griesel. The father, born in Germany, came to the United States in young manhood and settled in Coudersport, where he engages in the trade of harness-making. The mother was born in New York City. The son was educated in the Couders- port public schools. At the age of ten he began work in a butcher shop and continued there until 1905, when he became associated in the undertaking business with Charles Herrlich.
For twenty-two years, therefore, Mr. Griesel has
been devoting himself to funeral directing, remain- ing continuously with the same employers. The business was located where it is still situated, at No. 666 East One Hundred and Sixty-first Street, hav- ing moved there from a Manhattan location. In existence for fifty years, the establishment founded by Charles Herrlich has been in operation in The Bronx for thirty-five. When Charles Herrlich died in 1917, Mr. Griesel, who had been his right hand man for so many years, succeeded the former head and has since conducted the business under its for- mer title of Charles Herrlich. He is a member of Wakefield Lodge, Royal Arcanum, No. 1944; Morn- ing Sun, No. 314, Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, and three important clubs of The Bronx, the We-Us, the Pondiac Democratic, and the Schnorer.
On November 15, 1908, in the home of Charles Herrlich, father of Mrs. Griesel, Alfred Joseph Griesel married Lillian Katherine Herrlich, the cere- mony being performed by Rev. Dr. Freas. The Griesel family today resides in the Herrlich home, built by Charles Herrlich who was born in Germany, and the home to which he brought his wife, Eliza- beth Ebingsers, born at Hastings-on-Hudson. A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Griesel, April 3, 1910, named Carl Robert Griesel.
THOMAS JEROME BYRNE-No name is bet- ter known in The Bronx, New York City, than that of Thomas Jerome Byrne, for twenty-six years head of the rapidly growing Metropolitan Sewer Pipe Company at Two Hundredth Street and Webster Avenue, and public-spirited citizen and public of- ficial. He was born in that section, at the south- west corner of One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Street and Morris Avenue, December 28, 1856, son of Thom- as Byrne, who was born in Queens County, Ire- land, in 1820, and his wife, Bridget (Connolly) Byrne, born in the same year in King's County, and died in 1876. The father, who came to the United States at the age of ten years, alone, in 1830, pre- ceded his parents by a year, and he died in his adopt- ed city at the age of ninety, in 1910. He was engaged as a stevedore for a time, then entered the general contracting business, during his forty years being occupied on important works, including the abut- ments under High Bridge.
Thomas Jerome Byrne attended the old public school between One Hundred and Forty-seventh and One Hundred and Forty-eighth streets on Courtlandt Avenue, and later, that at the corner of One Hun- dred and Forty-sixth Street and College Avenue. Mr. Byrne had a varied career until he found himself and entered upon the business in which he has made his mark-sewer construction. At the age of thir- teen he was employed in a machine shop, whence he passed to stair building. For a time he was a professional baseball player, belonging to the old Harlem Club in 1874, and the Scranton (Pennsyl- vania) Club the following year. He then worked for the Knickerbocker Ice Company until 1888, when he engaged in the ice business on his own account, succeeding from the start. Selling out in 1892, he entered the general contracting business, which in- cluded construction of sewers and other important public work. This brought his name, already promi-
1
273
THE BRONX AND ITS PEOPLE
nent in connection with the Democratic political ac- tivities, before the public, and he was, in 1898, ap- pointed deputy commissioner of sewers in the Borough of The Bronx, holding the office for four years during the term of Mayor Robert Van Wyck. It was in 1901 that he established the Metropolitan Sewer Pipe Company. The business has grown with astounding rapidity, largely because of Mr. Byrne's comprehensive knowledge of sewer con- struction and of general conditions in New York, because of his unusual business acumen, and his great personal magnetism. The yards and office now oc- cupy a large area on the original site, and the repu- tation of the firm as a long-established and depend- able concern is widespread.
Mr. Byrne has always been public-spirited. In 1897 he was Tammany Leader in the old Thirty- fourth District. He is a member of the North End Democratic Club, the Democratic County Commit- tee, an attendant at all National Democratic Con- ventions, and the Old Timers' Association, of which members must have been a resident in The Bronx for not less than fifty years. He also belongs to The Bronx Board of Trade, the Schnorer Club, and the Lions Club, as well as to Bronx Lodge, No. 871, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and Bronx Council, Knights of Columbus.
In September, 1881, in a church at the corner of One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Street and Manhat- tan Avenue, Thomas Jerome Byrne married Delia McAneny, the ceremony being performed by Father Kessler. Children: 1. Mary, born in 1883. 2. Eliza- beth, born in 1885. 3. Loretta, born in 1887. 4. Lillian, born in 1889. 5. Grace, born in 1890. 6. Thomas Jerome, Jr., born December 28, 1892. 7. Alfred Francis, born December 27, 1894. 8. Phillip, born in 1895. 9. Robert Van Wyck, born Novem- ber 6, 1898.
GEORGE ROBERTS, who is engaged in the building and contracting business in The Bronx, has been in his present business for thirty-three years, stanting as a boy of thirteen. He is president of the Amorel Construction Company and has built many fine office buildings and apartments. Mr. Roberts is a son of Robert and Emma Roberts, both living, the father formerly in the electrical business but now retired.
George Roberts was born in Liverpool, England, September 5, 1879, and came to the United States at the age of three. He attended the public school on One Hundred and Fourth Street and Amsterdam Avenue, graduating there at the age of thirteen, and upon leaving school immediately became connected with the building trade. Mr. Roberts was respon- sible for the row of buildings on both sides of Mor- ris Avenue between One Hundred and Seventy-ninth Street and Tremont Avenue, where his fine mason work has received much favorable comment, and he has built a number of twelve and fifteen-story apartments and the Knickerbocker Hospital buildings on One Hundred and Thirty-first Street and Con- vent Avenue. He is a member of the City Island Yacht Club and fraternally is affiliated with The Bronx Lodge, No. 871, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mr. Roberts is also a member of the
Lions Club, The Bronx Board of Trade and the James Brown Association.
George Roberts married, in Manhattan, June 17, 1900, Annie Malloy, a daughter of Thomas and Annie Malloy, both dead. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have one child, Emma, born June 14, 1901.
EMANUEL GROSSMAN-One of the novel and very successful business ventures of The Bronx launched to meet the changing conditions there is the Empire Auto Renting Company, especially or- ganized to supply funeral corteges to undertakers. The guiding spirit is Emanuel Grossman, whose long experience in funeral directing and whose many agreeable associations with business men of The Bronx in general have contributed to the prosperity of this company. He is a keen business man and a public-spirited citizen.
Emanuel Grossman was born December 13, 1900, on East Sixth Street, Manhattan, son of Isaac and Ida (Ziegler) Grossman, both alive and active. The father, born in Austria-Hungary, in 1860, conducts a restaurant of his own in Flushing, Long Island. The mother was born in Austria-Hungary in 1868. Their son attended old Public School No. 15, and later No. 188, from which he graduated. At the age of fourteen, he found employment with Dieges and Clust on John Street, remaining for a year with that old-established firm of diamond and jewel merchants. He then entered his father's restaurant business in Flushing and helped there for a year. His next posi- tion was with Louis Smith, undertaker, where he served an apprenticeship to the trade for two years and learned all the details, both of service and of ad- ministration. The Bronx then offered him opportunity for advancement, for he was foresighted enough to anticipate developments there, and found employ- inent with Hirsh and Schwartz, undertakers, of No. 487 East One Hundred and Sixty-third Street, the first Jewish undertaking establishment in The Bronx. He was made manager and held the position for eight years. His next change was to enter business for himself. In 1926 he formed an association with Alfred J. Griesel, undertaker, of No. 666 East One Hundred and Sixty-first Street to conduct the Em- pire Auto Renting Company for the purpose of cater- ing to funeral directors, renting hearses and auto cars for funeral services. This is probably a pioneer in its line in The Bronx and has met with success from the start. The partners still remain in associa- tion and headquarters are at the original address. Mr. Grossman is a member of Unity Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, is director of the Bronxside Athletic and Social Club, and a member of the In- dependent Order B'rith Abraham.
On February 18, 1924, in The Bronx German Lu- theran Church, One Hundred and Fifty-sixth. Street, Emanuel Grossman was married by the pastor, the Rev. Jung, to Blossom Reiher, daughter of John Henry and Katherine (Ebert) Reiher, both natives of The Bronx. To Mr. and Mrs. Grossman a son was born, June 8, 1926, Walter Kenneth Grossman.
EMIL SCHWAB, the owner and operator of one of the oldest real estate businesses in New York City, and a man who has long been identified with both
274
THE BRONX AND ITS PEOPLE
that and the world of plumbing as well, was born on January 9, 1872, in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania. Mr. Schwab is a son of Julius and Emma (Meyer) Schwab, both of whom are now deceased. Julius Schwab, the father, was born in Germany dur- ing the year 1833, and he died in New York City during the year 1888. He was an expert jewel-case maker, by trade, a man beloved by those who knew him well and respected by all with whom he came in contact. Emma (Meyer) Schwab, the mother, was born during the year 1838, in Fulda, Germany, and she, too, died in New York City.
Their son, Emil Schwab, removed with his parents to New York City while he was still an infant. Settling on the lower east side of Manhattan, on Ninth Street near Avenue B, Emil, the lad, attended the old Houston Street Public School. His first real contact with the world of commerce was received when, at the age of but twelve years, he began serv- ing his apprenticeship to the plumbers' trade, work- ing under one Charles Schuler, a plumber of No. 15 Stuyvesant Street, with whom he continued until he was eighteen years of age. Young Mr. Schwab then established a plumbing shop of his own at No. 93 East Tenth Street, where he achieved success from the very beginning. For he began working, almost from the very start, for several large realty holders and developers, and this, in turn, brought Mr. Schwab in contact with others who eventually learned to value his work. There was a secondary issue to this work, however, which was destined to have a primary meaning. For as the months went by, Mr. Schwab was, through his commercial and friendly connections thus established, enabled to enter into a number of real estate deals which turned out most successfully. The result was that he became more and more interested in this phase of his endeavor until he was finally giving a maximum of his time to this type of investment. He still continued active in his own plumbing establishment, however, carry- ing on his realty work through the well-known firm of Jackson & Stein, at No. 31 Nassau Street. This was back during the time immediately surrounding the year 1894, however, and since that time, so numerous have his real estate investments and the clients for whom he also acted as broker, become, that, of late years, he has had to discontinue his plumbing work altogether. But it is a point of some interest in connection with the man and the psychology of attachment under which one labors in connection with the first commercial enterprise of a life-time, Mr. Schwab still holds his license to act as a plumber. For a very considerable number of years Mr. Schwab maintained an office for real estate at One Hundred and Sixty-ninth Street, near Third Avenue. And it is only during this last year, 1926, that he has moved to more spacious quarters at No. 2485 Creston Avenue, near Fordham Road, in The Bronx. As a sequel to this change, it is pleasant to note that this indefatigable man is scoring an even greater success at his new address, centering his investments more and more upon the ever- advancing properties of The Bronx.
Emil Schwab married, June 24, 1896, in New York City, the Rev. Doctor Haas officiating, Emma Stein, a daughter of Jacob Stein, who was born in
Borgetsheim, Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Schwab are now the parents of two children, a son and a daugh- ter: 1. Emil Henry Schwab, who married Louise Glenz, a daughter of George and Catherine Glenz, and by her became the father, in 1913, of Warren Schwab. 2. Rita Schwab, who married John Henry Radlein. Mr. and Mrs. Emil Schwab now maintain their residence in The Bronx.
GEORGE CHARKALIS-A native of Sparta, Greece, George Charkalis came to the United States in boyhood, and true to the enterprising record of his countrymen, has achieved success in business.
George Charkalis is the son of Constantine Char- kalis, born in Sparta, Greece, in 1874, who was in, turn a son of George and Jeanoula (Gazetos) Char- kalis. Constantine Charkalis, father of the prominent Bronx business man, married Kanella Chiolokis. He is still living and is in excellent health.
George Charkalis, son of Constantine and Kanella (Chiolokis) Charkalis, was born February 15, 1897, in the city of Sparta, Greece. He attended the schools of his native city, came to the United States when he was in his fourteenth year on April 22, 1911, and located in The Bronx, where he again became a student in the public schools and continued his studies for one year. His education acquired, the youth then entered the flower shop at No. 2772 Web-
ster Avenue at One Hundred and Ninety-eighth Street, The Bronx, and remained in the capacity of as- sistant until he received an interest in the business. In 1919, the partners bought the flower shop located at No. 376 East Fordham Road. The partnership con- tinued until 1924, when George Charkalis, having ac- quired the interest of his uncle, took into partnership his brother, Leonidas, and the brothers have success- fully carried on the business until the present time (1926). Mr. Charkalis is one of the leading florists of The Bronx. He conducts a large, spacious shop wherein are displayed a complete line of large decora- tive plants and a wonderful assortment of cut flowers. He keeps abreast of all the most recent developments in floral culture and horticulture through his member- ship in the Metropolitan Retail Florists' Association. He is a member of the Greek order, the Association of Lacedaemonians of New York.
On April 12, 1923, in Albany, New York, George Charkalis married Kanella Thomas Koulos. Mr. and Mrs. Charkalis are the parents of three children: Constantine George, born January 28, 1924; Thomas George, born April 7, 1925; and Angelene George, born February 8, 1927.
ABRAHAM BLANKFEIN, M. D. - For more than six years, ever since he had finished his medical education and had established himself in private practice, Dr. Blankfein has made The Bronx the principal scene of his professional work. He was born in New York City, July 21, 1896, a son of Isaac and Dora (Myers) Blankfein, both residents of New York City, his father being a manufacturer, now re- tired from business.
Abraham Blankfein was educated in the public and high schools of New York City, and after grad- uating from the latter took up the study of medicine at the University and Bellevue Hospital Medical
275
THE BRONX AND ITS PEOPLE
College, from which he graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1919. The next year he spent as an interne at the Jewish Maternity Hos- pital, at No. 270 East Broadway, Manhattan, and at Montefiore Hospital, Gun Hill Road and Bainbridge Avenue, The Bronx. In 1920 he became a general practitioner in The Bronx, where he has continued since then, with offices at No. 1888 Bathgate Avenue, and where he has met with a full measure of success. He has been associated in recent years with Lebanon Hospital, Westchester and Cauldwell avenues, The Bronx, where he is a highly valued member of the consulting staff. He is a member of the New York State Medical Society and of The Bronx County Medical Society.
Dr. Blankfein married, in August, 1923, in New York City, Marion Friedman, daughter of Louis and Anna Friedman. Dr. and Mrs. Blankfein are the parents of one daughter, Anita.
AUGUST LAUTER-Engaged for many years in the real estate business in The Bronx, and con- sidered an expert on Bronx realty values, Mr. Lau- ter was born August 9, 1880, on Prince Street, Bor- ough of Manhattan, New York City, son of Wilhelm and Amelia Lauter. His father was born February 4, 1854, in Cuxhaven, Germany, came to the United States in 1871, and for many years was a shoemaker in Manhattan. His mother was born in Berlin, Germany, April 2, 1858, and came to the United States in. 1870.
August Lauter was educated in Public School No. 54, Amsterdam Avenue and One Hundred and Fourth Street, and later attended the College of the City of New York, Twenty-third Street and Lexing- ton Avenue. After completing his education he en- gaged in the real estate business and has spent his entire business life in this field, becoming one of the best known real estate men in The Bronx. He has been very active in Masonic affairs and is a member of Lily Lodge, No. 342, Free and Accepted Masons; of the Royal Arch Masons, and the Knights Templar; of Mecca Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; and of Azim Grotto, Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets. Politically a supporter of the Democratic party, he is a member of the Samoset Democratic Club of The Bronx.
Mr. Lauter was married, January 25, 1905, in Trinity Lutheran Church, One Hundredth Street and Amsterdam Avenue, Manhattan, to Anna M. Frerck, daughter of John and Maria (Gerdes) Frerck, both natives of Zeven, Hanover, Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Frerck, too, became residents of Prince Street, Manhattan, after having come to the United States and their daughter was born there, next door to Mr. Lauter's birthplace. Mr. and Mrs. Lauter are the parents of one son, August Lauter, Jr., born in The Bronx, May 27, 1909. The family residence is at No. 6124 Liebig Avenue.
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.