USA > New York > Bronx County > The Bronx and its people; a history, 1609-1927, Volume III > Part 74
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Concourse Plaza, Bronx Terminal Market, and many apartment houses in The Bronx and Manhatcan. He also supplied stone for the entrance and approaches to The Bronx Zoo and Horticulture Building, in Bronx Park, and the Nurses' Home on Brother Is- land. In maintaining this extensive business James B. Lenahan is merely carrying out the ideals and policies of his father. Known at present as Jamies B. Lenahan, Inc., No. 2820 Marion Avenue, the business was started almost forty years ago, in 1887, as R. W. Kane & Company, at One Hundred and Fortieth Street and Rider Avenue, with Bernard J. Lenahan as president. It continued as R. W. Kane & Company until 1895, when on the death of R. W. Kane and Patrick Cummings it became known as Bernard J. Lenahan, and continued under this title until the death of Mr. Lenahan, Sr., in 1915. The son succeeded to the presidency and changed the name to that which it bears at present. The father, who was a man of rare business acumen and judg- ment, was born in Ireland and came to the United States at the age of twenty-one.
James B. Lenahan was born in Albany, September 19, 1882, the son of Bernard J. and Anna (Doherty) Lenahan. He was educated in Ursuline Academy and the public schools of Manhattan, and at an early age started working in the business of which his father was president. Father and son worked hand in hand to expand their enterprise and at the time of the death of Mr. Lenahan, Sr., they were filling contracts, not only in The Bronx, but all over Greater New York. The growth of the enterprise has con- tinued under the son's management.
James B. Lenahan married, in New York, in 1915, Mary Brenner, daughter of Charles and Mary Bren- ner. They are the parents of three daughters and a son: Marion, Anne, Bernice, and James B., Jr.
NATHAN BERGER-A business man of great versatility and acumen, Nathan Berger has achieved a solid position in the rapidly expanding business circles of The Bronx, and his two delicatessen stores and restaurants on East One Hundred and Seven- tieth Street, at Nos. 68 and 153, attest to his grow- ing success. It has always been his policy to give the best of service to his clients. He was born in Minsk, Russia, August 15, 1880, son of Nathaniel and Esther Berger, who came to this country with the lad when he was eleven years old. The father, who was a successful contractor in Manhattan, died in 1909, and his wife in 1917 while en route to Je- rusalem. The son completed his schooling at Public School No. 62.
Originally Mr. Berger was engaged in the auto- mobile business, and during the World War he was supervisor of construction for the Dupont plant. For about six years he has devoted all his time to the delicatessen and restaurant business, having operated a store at the corner of Fiftieth Street and Broadway until three years ago, when he opened his present establishment at No. 153 East One Hundred and Sev- entieth Street. His other Bronx enterprise flourishes. He is one of the organizers of the B. R. H. Electric Sign Company, Inc., at No. 548 Casanova Street, The Bronx. He is a member of the One Hundred and
Seventieth Street Business Men's Association and The Bronx Board of Trade, and has business deal- ings with the Hamilton National Bank. From 1913 to 1920 Mr. Berger was a member of Local 137, International Sheet Metal Workers Association. For six years he was the president and one of the leading figures in the organization. A Democrat, he is a member of Tammany and the Tackamuck Demo- cratic Club. His religious affiliation is with Temple Beth Israel.
On June 31, 1918, in New York City, Nathan Berger married Anna Finkelstein, daughter of Her- man Finkelstein. Children: Harvey, born May 20, 1920; and Norman, born July 22, 1925.
BARNET KLIONSKY-Prominent among the realtors of The Bronx is Barnet Klionsky, president of the Klion Holding Corporation, treasurer and sec- retary of the Great Northern Apartment Corpora- tion, the Kelvale Realty Corporation, and the Neho Realty Corporation. Mr. Klionsky is very actively identified with a number of Hebrew religious and social service organizations and is known for his public spirit. He was born in Vitovsk, Russia, November 18, 1875, his father dying when he was only a child. He attended the Minsk public schools and in September, 1892, when he was six- teen, came to the United States, where he soon iden- tified himself with American institutions and in 1899 became a citizen. Mr. Klionsky's first employment was in the clothing business, but after a short time in this field, he went into the manufacturing business for himself and continued for about fifteen years, being associated in this and in the shoe business with his brother-in-law Nathan Cohen (q. v.). Mr. Cohen is also prominently identified with various companies with which Mr. Klionsky has occupied himself since he went into the real estate business in 1903. He has been very successful in this field. Mr. Klionsky gives much of his time to charitable and religious projects, in which he is keenly in- terested. Among the numerous organizations with which he is connected are the Chevra Anshe Bori- soff, the Independent Order of B'rith Abraham, the Rabbi Jacob Joseph School, Zionist Organi- zation of America, Keren Hayesod, Yeshivah Tip- ereth Jerusalem, Montefiore Congregation in The Bronx, of which he was formerly vice-president and treasurer; Talmud Torah Voodath, of Brook- lyn; The Bronx Hospital; the National Home for Incurables, the Hebrew Day and Night Nursery; the Harlem Home for the Aged; the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society; the Rabbi Isaac Eichanan Theological Seminary; Hyman Joseph Family Cir- cle; and United Borisoff Lodge No. 34. He is a member of The Bronx Board of Trade and of the Greater New York Taxpayers' Association.
Mr. Klionsky married, in Manhattan, December 17, 1895, Bessie Cohen, daughter of Samuel M. and Rebecca Deborah Cohen, who died in Europe, and a sister of Nathan Cohen, with whom Mr. Klionsky has been and is associated in numerous business pro- jects. Mr. and Mrs. Klionsky are the parents of the following children: Samuel M. Klion, the name being shortened; he was born May 13, 1897 and
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served in the United States Navy; Harry Klion, born September 2, 1899; Beatrice, born February 28, 1904, now the wife of Julius Krifetz, an attorney; Leona, born in September, 1907; and Minnie, born in March, 1911.
JOSEPH E. STEINMEIER-For more than thirty years connected with the bronze industry and for almost a quarter of a century head of a very successful business of this type, bearing his own name, Mr. Steinmeier's bronze works are located at Nos. 213-221 East One Hundred and Forty-fourth Street, The Bronx. He was born in New York City, September 7, 1875, a son of Ernest and Emma Steinmeier, who both died about 1880, his father having been connected up to the time of his death with the New York Custom House.
Joseph E. Steinmeier was educated in the public schools of New York City, and after leaving school was employed for a number of years by the Man- hattan Brass Company and the Henry Bonnard Bronze Company. During these years he acquired a thorough knowledge of the bronze business in all its branches, and in 1903, he established his own business. From small beginnings the business has grown steadily, until now its customers are to be found throughout New York State, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, enjoying a very high reputation throughout the trade. In 1920, it was incorporated as the J. E. Steinmeier Bronze Works, and since then its founder has been president and general manager. The plant, covering considerable space and being one of the important industrial establishments of The Bronx, produces architectural bronze work, bank fixtures, grilles, mausoleum supplies, memorial tablets and similar products.
In spite of the heavy demands made upon his time and energy by his continuously growing busi- ness responsibilities, Mr. Steinmeier is active in fraternal circles, being a member of Bronx Lodge, No. 871, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of which he is also a trustee. He is also a member of The Bronx Friends of Erin, the Rotary Club, and The Bronx Board of Trade.
Mr. Steinmeier married, in New York City, June 14, 1905, Lillian Wengenroth, daughter of William and Anna Wengenroth. Mr. and Mrs. Steinmeier have no children and make their home at No. 135 West One Hundred and Eighty-third Street, The Bronx.
GEORGE ROEDER-The work of George Roe- der is known thoughout The Bronx, and particularly in the Riverdale section and the Delafield Estate, for its expert and satisfactory results in the stair- building activities of carpentry, wherein Mr. Roeder has had a lifelong experience, his specialty being considered among the most substantial and durable. He is well esteemed among contractors everywhere, with an established dependability as a builder.
George Roeder, son of John Roeder, who died in 1870 in Germany, and of Lena Roeder, who died in 1882, was born September 8, 1868, in Germany, and coming to the United States when he was five years old, he attended the public schools in New York
City. He learned the builder's trade, and for ten years was associated with A. S. Wright, specializing in stair-building. Since 1911, Mr. Roeder maintained the business in his own name, and with one of the best-equipped shops in this section of the city. He is a member of The Bronx Board of Trade; and of the Firemen's Association of Mount Vernon.
George Roeder married, September 3, 1894, in New York City, Lena Knebel, who died in 1918, daughter of Fred and Elisa Knebel. Their children: George Walter, born August 3, 1896; William F., born Sep- tember 6, 1900; Helen May, born April 7, 1909.
SILAS ALACCHI-A leading citizen of The Bronx and a pioneer resident of Throggs Neck, Silas Alacchi is an attorney who ably manages large affairs and who occupies offices at No. 355 East One Hundred and Forty-ninth Street, The Bronx, New York City. He was born in New York City, April 16, 1893, son of Sebastian and Catherine Alacchi, grandson of Joseph Alacchi, who came to this country about 1875, from Sorrento, Italy. Se- bastian Alacchi died in 1903.
Silas Alacchi was educated in the public schools of New York City, completing the grammar and high school courses, and in the College of the City of New York, from which he graduated in 1912. His law course he pursued at New York Law School, from which he graduated in 1914. In December, 1914, Mr. Alacchi was admitted to the bar, and since that time he has maintained a general practice. To a thorough knowledge of conditions in New York City, and in particular in The Bronx, and of busi- ness, Mr. Alacchi adds an alert and well-trained mind, with a natural aptitude for the law, and great success has come to him. He is connected with The Bronx National Bank, is a member of the Detwo- cratic organization, secretary of the Central Body Italian-American Democratic clubs of Bronx County, Inc., of which Albert H. Vitale is president. Mr. Alacchi is also enrolled in the Monroe Democratic Club, Chippewa Democratic Club, James W. Brown Association, Mazzini Camp, Woodmen of the World, the Cosyayna Democratic Club, and the Ausonia Club. He is a communicant of St. Benedict's Church.
Mr. Alacchi married, in New York City, June 29, 1915, Elsie Schmidt, daughter of Joseph and Bertha Schmidt. Her father operates a barber shop. To Mr. and Mrs. Alacchi were born three children: Elizabeth Charlotte, April 7, 1916; Joseph Silas, Jr., January 3, 1919; and Clothilde Veronica, June 18, 1924.
FRANK COLLINO-One of the substantial citi- zens and business men who have adopted the United States as their country is Frank Collino, proprietor of a shop for stone-cutting and granite monuments at No. 3301 East Tremont Avenue, The Bronx, New York City. He is loyal to the ideals of his new country and a finished artist in his own trade, fin- ancially successful. Frank Collino was born in Naples, Italy, October 4, 1872, son of Michael Col- lino, a stone cutter of Naples, and his wife, Philo- mena (Lambiosa) Collino.
He was educated in the public schools of Naples,
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and served his apprenticeship at stone-cutting and stone-carving in his native city, beginning at the age of ten to learn the trade. At the age of fourteen he came to the United States, settling first in New York City and engaging in his trade. He then went to Easter Island, Connecticut, near New Haven, where he was employed as a stone cutter. Return- ing to Italy, he served three years in the army, and on completion of his military obligations came, back to the New World. For three years he followed his trade in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, then returned to New York City. In 1917 he established his own shop at No. 3301 East Tremont Avenue, The Bronx, where he purchased the property, erected his house and shop, and launched into a business which has greatly prospered. Fine cutting and carving are done in his shop by the several cutters who assist him, and a steady business in marble monuments is part of his activity. Mr. Collino took out his citizenship papers at the age of twenty-five and is an admirable exponent of the value to this country of the natural- ized citizen. He is a member of St. Raymond's Roman Catholic Church, The Bronx.
On December 23, 1896, in White Plains, West- chester County, Frank Collino married Grazia Pi- rone, daughter of Antonio and Madelena (Apostolico) Pirone. Children: 1. Fannie Collino, born December 10, 1897; married to John Brosino, and they are the parents of a daughter, Jeannette Brosino, born in 1921. 2. Michael Collino, born October 3, 1899. . 3. Madelena Collino, born April 5, 1901, married to Frank Pavia, and the mother of a daughter, Gracie Pavia, born July 16, 1923. 4. Annie Collino, born January 19, 1903; married to William Letterman, and mother of one daughter, Dorothy Letterman, born October 11, 1923.
NATHAN LEVY-In The Bronx section of New York City are three department stores, which stand out among their competitors in the trade as a trio of giants among dwarfs, and these three mercantile organizations owe their supremacy to genius and foresight of a man whose achievements well deserve perpetuation in history-Nathan Levy-who, coming to America from his native France, many years ago, a poor boy, unknown, and without influence, has builded a career that should prove of inspiration to the youthful aspirants to mercantile fame in this and future generations.
A native of Alsace-Lorraine, Nathan Levy came into this world June 21, 1878. A student in the public and high schools of the land of his birth, those institutions sowed the seeds of culture in his keen, receptive brain. Finally, came the time of his journey to America, the Land of Opportunity, that welcomes the type of man who, like himself, is pos- sessed of talents of a progressive nature. Arrived in America's greatest city, New York, in the year 1895, Nathan Levy, at the time a lad of seventeen years, sought employment in the city of Brooklyn in connection with a leading merchant of that community, with whom he remained, as pupil with master, for the ensuing five years. Finally, con- vinced that his mercantile training was sufficiently developed, he removed to the famed Bronx district,
and there purchased an old-established merchandising concern, until that time conducted by A. Anderson, and situated at No. 3925 Third Avenue. Subse- quently, however, Mr. Levy removed his enterprise to a more modern and commodious structure at the intersection of One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Street and Third Avenue, there founding the original Bos- tonian Store, which under his direction, was uni- formly prosperous. Later, another store, also named the Bostonian, was brought into being at Nos. 771- 773 Treniont Avenue, which latter enterprise subse- quently proved just as popular as the first-named due to the popularity of its proprietor and his repu- tation as a merchant whose products may at all times be depended upon for both superior quality and reasonable price. In 1921, Mr. Levy began to de- vote his entire attention to the large departmental concern, the modern Bostonian Store, at Nos. 771- 773, which has ever since received the benefit of his direction, his interests in the Third Avenue store having been sold to a cousin, Louis, who was as- sociated with Mr. Levy for a number of years. For more than a quarter of a century, this success- ful Bronx merchant has been catering to the needs of his patrons, and will no doubt continue to do so for many years to come.
Not only is Mr. Levy popular as a merchant; he is a lodge-fellow of the Shakespeare Lodge, No. 720, Free and Accepted Masons. A devout member of the Free Synagogue, his hand is ever ready and willing to serve the institution and the various phil- anthropic causes it endorses.
Nathan Levy married, October 12, 1904, Lucy Levy, daughter of David and Hannah (Meyer) Levy; their son, David M., should follow in the footsteps of his father.
PETER SINNOTT-A lifelong resident of The Bronx, and connected with the heating industry there, ever since he left school as a boy, Mr. Sinnott has been in business for himself for a considerable period of time as a successful heating contractor, being located since 1923 in a building erected by himself at No. 621 Tiffany Street, The Bronx. He was born in The Bronx, August 1, 1882, a son of Joseph and Margaret Sinnott. His father was a native of Ireland, but came to this country at the age of forty years and was a successful contractor to the time of his death in 1897, being survived by his son and by his wife who died in 1918.
Peter Sinnott was educated in the public schools of The Bronx, attending both Schools Nos. 61 and 10, the latter at Eagle Avenue and One Hundred and Sixty-third Street. After leaving school he was ap- prenticed to a heating contractor where he learned the business in all its branches in the most thor- ough manner, and finally established himself in business under his own name in which he has con- tinued since then with ever-increasing success. He is a general heating contractor, furnishing heating equipment for all types of buildings and for all kinds of purposes. He is a member of Bronx Lodge, No. 871, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; the Knights of Columbus; The Bronx Board of Trade; the National Association of Heating and Piping Con-
Peter Sunmax
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tractors; and the Schnorer Club. In politics he is a supporter of the Democratic party and as such a member of the Star Democratic Club, while his re- ligious affiliations are with the Roman Catholic church, and more particularly with St. John Chryso- stom's Church, East One Hundred and Sixty-sev- enth Street and Hoe Avenue, The Bronx.
Mr. Sinnott married, in The Bronx, June 19, 1910, Anna Gorey, of The Bronx. They are the parents of four children: 1. Peter, Jr., born in April, 1911. 2. Margaret, born in July, 1913. 3. Joseph, born Aug- ust 3, 1915. 4. William, born March 25, 1922. The family residence is located at No. 236 Bowne Street, City Island, The Bronx.
PETER ANDERSON CORBETT-In Aberdeen, Scotland, Peter Anderson Corbett was born on Oc- tober 30, 1887, son of Peter Anderson and Ann Elizabeth (Shinnie) Corbett. When three years of age, his parents moved to the United States, bring- ing their little boy with them. Here his father fol- lowed his trade as a stone cutter, working on the Pennsylvania Terminal Station in New York City, on the Equitable Building, the New York Post Of- fice and many other well-known buildings, including Senator Clark's Fifth Avenue mansion. The family first settled in Barre, Vermont, where their son be- gan his early education. Later they moved to Vinal Haven, Maine, and still later to Milford, Massa- chusetts.
In each of the above-mentioned towns, Peter An- derson Corbett continued his education in the public schools, and in Milford he began to learn his father's trade, apprenticing himself to the Norcross Brothers, granite and stone cutters. During the three years that he worked with this firm, he cut stone that went into the Pennsylvania Terminal Station in New York. He finished his apprenticeship with John Brown and Sons, One Hundred and Forty-first Street and Ryder Avenue, The Bronx, and afterward followed his trade until 1916, when he joined the United States Regular Army, Troop E, Sixteenth Cavalry and was stationed on the Mexican border. He remained here through the World War, assisting in the training of men for duty overseas. Holding the rank of sergeant, he was honorably discharged on November 11, 1919.
Returning to The Bronx, he established his pres- ent business on April 3, 1920, at No. 3273 East Tremont Avenue. His workshop here occupies the entire lot, and in addition to his own work, he em- ploys three men to assist him.
JULIUS CORNELIUS BUMB-Few men better known in the activities of the truckman and the piano mover than Mr. Bumb, who in the matter of piano transportation has a repute that has not been successfully duplicated in The Bronx for forth- right ability, painstaking care, and thoroughly sat- isfactory results. Mr. Bumb is a son of William Bumb, who was born April 21, 1836, in Edenkoben, Rhinefalz, Germany, and who died in New York in 1920 in his eighty-fourth year, and of Barbara (Buck- meyer) Bumb, who was born January 3, 1836, and died in 1910.
Julius Cornelius Bumb was born June 10, 1875, in Edenkoben, Rhinefalz, Germany, his parents coming to the United States when he was five years old and settling in New York City, at first on Fifty-fourth Street, later removing to the Yorkville section. Mr. Bumb began work when he was fourteen years old, in the employ of Blaisell Brothers, bundle-wood deal- ers, and with whom he remained for six years. Then, in association with his father and brother who also had been in the employ of Blaisell Brothers, he started in the bundle-wood business, each partner, however, catering to his own trade independently. Mr. Bumb continued in this line of activity until September 3, 1898, when he moved up to The Bronx, to become associated with trucking interests, at first entering upon a contract to do all the truck- ing for Harry Stultz, manufacturer of piano cases on One Hundred and Forty-fourth Street, between Rider and Park avenues. This proved the begin- ning of his present business, which was gradually expanded until today Mr. Bumb does about ninety per cent of the trucking for all piano manufacturers in The Bronx, a very significant fact regarding his reliability as a piano mover. Mr. Bumb, before enter- ing upon his active career, attended the parochial school in Brooklyn attached to the church of which Rev. Father Carroll was pastor, at the corner of North Sixth Street and Bedford Avenue.
Julius Cornelius Bumb married, February 12, 1896, in the German Church on Forty-third Street, near Ninth Avenue, Rev. Rauschenbusch, pastor, Minnie Kleist, daughter of Henry Kleist, who was born in Hanover, Germany, July 2, 1853, and died in 1910, and of Caroline (Schulte) Kleist, who also was born in Hanover, August 18, 1853, and died in 1902. Their children: 1. Helen Caroline, born March 22, 1897; married Edward J. Daly, and they have one son, Kenneth Edward Daly, born July 15, 1918. 2. Al- vina Barbara, born December 6, 1898; married James Francis McKaige, and they have two children: Doro- thy Minerva, born November 15, 1922, and Stewart William McKaige, born August 11, 1925. 3. Julius Cornelius, Jr., born November 1, 1901; married Anna Franchie, and they have a daughter, Virginia Lee Bumb, born April 16, 1925. 4. William, born August 29, 1903.
GEORGE WILLIAM NEUBERT-A business conducted successfully for seventy odd years is man- aged with skill and experience by George William Neubert, who inherited it from his father. Mr. Neu- bert was born June 22, 1888, at the corner of Mel- rose Avenue and One Hundred and Fiftieth Street, The Bronx. His father, Frederick Adam Neubert, was born in Germany in 1859, and died in New York City in 1909. His mother, Regina (Glick) Neubert, was born on the lower east side, Fourth Street, Manhattan, in 1851 and died in 1923, in her seventy- second year.
George William Neubert first attended the paro- chial school of the Immaculate Conception; and fol- lowed with attendance at the public school at Court- landt Avenue and One Hundred and Forty-eighth Street. He also attended the public school on Col- lege Avenue and afterwards that at Mott Avenue and
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One Hundred and Forty-fourth Street. He began his active life working for his father in his undertaking establishment, at Melrose Avenue and One Hundred and Fiftieth Street. This business was established in 1853 by Louis L. Zuegner, Sr. He was succeeded by his son, Louis L. Zuegner, Jr. The building was conducted for many years in its early days as an undertaking and building business. Frederick Adam Neubert, father of George William Neubert, was in the employ of the junior Zuegner for many years, and at the time of Mr. Zuegner's death succeeded him as the owner. Frederick Adam Neubert in turn was succeeded at his death by his son, the present head of the establishment, the oldest in its line in The Bronx.
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