USA > New York > Bronx County > The Bronx and its people; a history, 1609-1927, Volume III > Part 76
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WILLIAM JOHN OSWALD-One of the youngest men to hold a position of authority in the public service of The Bronx, William John Oswald, was born February 17, 1886, in the Borough of Man- hattan, New York City. He is the son of George Francis and Delia (Hannan) Oswald. His father, George Francis Oswald, was born in New York, May 19, 1858, and was the son of George Francis Oswald, Sr., who was born in Wurtzberg, Germany. Mr. Oswald's father died in the year 1906. His moth- er Delia (Hannan) Oswald, was the daughter of Ed- ward and Hanorah Hannan.
William John Oswald began his education at Pub- lic School No. 83, in Manhattan, graduating from there in the year 1901. From there he entered Ford- ham University, taking, at first, the academic course and later taking the regular college course. In this he continued until 1905, when he left college to ac- cept a position with the Twelfth Ward Bank of New York. He remained there for a period of time somewhat in excess of three years, giving it up at the end of that time to enter the department of street cleaning as assistant foreman. Sometime later he was advanced to section foreman, and then to the position of stable manager. In January, 1925, he was appointed district superintendent, which office he now fills with ability and dispatch. Mr. Oswald has the distinction of being one of the youngest men in the department of street cleaning to hold this position of responsibility. Due to his very hu- man qualities and well poised natural ability, he has been very successful in handling the great number of men who work under him and who like and under- stand him.
Mr. Oswald's particular hobby is music, in which
he is keenly interested, and to which he still de- votes a great deal of time and study. He is a singer of no slight excellence, being the tenor soloist in the Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church, and also a member of the Glee Club of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick.
Mr. Oswald is affiliated fraternally with the St. Nicholas Council, No. 386, Knights of Columbus. Among his other outside interests is included mem- bership in the James W. Brown Association of The Bronx; the Tackamuck Democratic Club of The Bronx; and the Fordham University Club.
William John Oswald married, June 18, 1913, in the Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church of New York City, the Rev. Father John H. Dooley officiat- ing, Helen Cecelia McCarthy, daughter of Eugene and Mary (Hickey) McCarthy. Both Mrs. Oswald's parents were born in Limerick, Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. William John Oswald are the parents of three children, two sons and one daughter: 1. Mary
Eugenia Oswald. 2. John Henry Oswald. 3. Wil- liam John Oswald, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Oswald and their family reside in The Bronx.
ELLIS B. McLAURY-Among the large busi- ness concerns of The Bronx is The McLaury Mar- ble Corporation, of which Ellis B. McLaury is presi- dent and treasurer, their central plant being located on a plot of ground covering about three quarters of an acre at Walnut Avenue and One Hundred and Forty-first Street.
Many generations back the McLaury family was Scotch, but their American ancestry covers a long stretch of years. Ellis B. McLaury was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, on August 9, 1878, son of Daniel and Mary McLaury. Preparing for college in the schools of New Brunswick, he entered Rut- gers and graduated with the class of 1900. Mr. McLaury has been in the marble business since 1900, the firm becoming a corporation in 1915, with Ellis B. McLaury in the two important offices of president and treasurer. They handle commercial marble, and they keep a large force of men employed, chiefly in New York City.
Mr. McLaury, who makes his home at Pelham Manor, is a member of the Transportation Club of New York, the New York Athletic Club, the Rotary Club, and the Pelham Country Club.
In November, 1904, Ellis B. McLaury married Mary Kennedy, daughter of John and Mary Ken- nedy, of Albany, the ceremony being performed &: Pittsburgh. In 1905, a son, John E., was born to Mr. and Mrs. McLaury.
THOMAS E. FRESTON, M. D .- One of the most successful young physicians of The Bronx is Dr. Thomas E. Freston, who was born in New York City, May 21, 1886, a son of Thomas and Catherine (Parsons) Freston, both living in New York City.
He received his preliminary education in the pub- lic and high schools of New York, and the New York University. His professional education was received at Bellevue Medical College, from which he graduated in 1911 with the degree of Doctor of
YOVO
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Thomas & Preston &
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Medicine. He served as an interne at St. Vincent's and Lincoln hospitals, and began his private practice in The Bronx in 1913. He has been very successful in his chosen profession, having acquired a large and lucrative clientele, and has recently been ap- pointed chief sanitary engineer of the New York Board of Health. He is a member of the State and County Medical associations; in his fraternal affilia- tion he is a Knight of Columbus, and a member of the Catholic Benevolent Legion and Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. His political fellowship is with the Democratic party, and he is a member of the Na- tional Democratic Club, the Monroe Democratic Club, the Schnorer Club, of which he is a director, and the James Brown Association. He is a communicant of the Roman Catholic church.
Dr. Thomas E. Freston married, in May, 1914, in New York City, Jane Torpey, daughter of John and Mary (Hallihan) Torpey, her parents both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Freston are the parents of two chil- dren: Thomas, Jr., and Jane.
FREDERICK JOHN HINNERS-An important owner of garages in The Bronx is Frederick John Hinners, who was born September 19, 1884, at No. 1882 Park Avenue, New York City. He is of Ger- man antecedents. John Frederick Hinners, his father, was born November 5, 1851, in Hanover, Germany, and came to New York at fourteen years of age. He established in 1882 a grocery at No. 1882 Park Avenue, and this business he conducted successfully until his final retirement from active life in 1888. He enlisted in the National Guard of the State, July 21, 1879, and served for five years in the Second Battery, First Division. He died July 8, 1909. Margaret Bruck Hinners, the mother of Mr. Hinners, was born in New York City on No- vember 10, 1861, and died August 1, 1917. Mr. and Mrs. Hinners are the parents of two children: Fred- erick John Hinners, of whom further, and Harold Bruck Hinners, who lives in Pelham.
Frederick John Hinners was educated in the schools of New York City. He was graduated from Public School No. 85 in 1899, and attended the Mor- ris High School for three years. He sold news- papers while he was at school, taking a station at the lower end of The Bronx, and was one of the first newsboys there. Leaving school, he worked for the New York, New Haven & Hartford Rail- road. Meanwhile he took up electrical engineering at the Cooper Union Institute. He continued to work for the railroad until 1907, when he engaged in electrical engineering and contracting on his own account. This continued until 1912, when Mr. Hin- ners opened the Mott Haven Garage Company, In- corporated, with the third garage in The Bronx south of One Hundred and Forty-ninth Street. Mr. Hin- ners is president of this company; he is vice-presi- dent and general manager of the Garage Supply Company; and part owner of the Mott Haven Sales Company. He finds his most pleasurable recrea- tions in traveling and sight-seeing. He is vice- president of the Associated Garage Proprietors of New York State; a member of The Bronx Grand Jury, and of the Business Men's Protective League, and of the Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church
One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Street and
Brown's Place.
Mr. Hinners was married, June 10, 1908, in The Bronx, to Anna Katherine Marie Indorf, daughter of John P. Indorf, a grocer, now living in retire- ment; and of Marie Dora (Luderman) Indorf. Mr. and Mrs. Hinners are the parents of one son and one daughter: Herbert Frederick, born March 2, 1911; and Dorothy Marie, born July 13, 1919, and died No- vember 10, 1923. The business address of Mr. Hin- ners is No. 279 East One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Street. His house address is No. 3332 Eastchester Road, The Bronx.
JOHN JOSEPH O'CONNOR-Among those who are successfully engaged in the embalming and fun- eral directing business in The Bronx is John Joseph O'Connor, whose office and funeral parlors have been located at No. 113 East Tremont Avenue, The Bronx, since 1911. Mr. O'Connor is well known as a scientific and expert embalmer and his tact and courtesy in the conduct and management of funerals have won for him the sincere commendation of those whom he serves.
John Joseph O'Connor was born in the building at the corner of Twenty-third Street and First Ave- nue, New York City, son of John O'Connor, a native of County Cork, Ireland, and of Hannah (Cronin) O'Connor, who was also a native of County Cork. He attended old Grammar School No. 40, and when he was fourteen years of age began work in a lawyer's office, where he remained but a short time, leaving to enter the employ of Lord & Taylor, with whom he remained for three years. At the end of that time he entered the employ of Mr. McTigue. who was engaged in the embalming and funeral directing business at the corner of Twenty-eighth Street and Third Avenue. Here he learned the business which in later years he was to follow, but he was not yet ready to settle down to that busi- ness, and after learning the business he left McTigue and entered the lace importing house of Lahey and Dubord on Broome Street, where he remained for a period of seventeen years. At the end of that time, when Louis Haffen was commissioner of streets and highways in The Bronx, Mr. O'Connor became one of his assistants. This connection made him thoroughly familiar with The Bronx and its needs and possibilities, and in 1911 he made use of the knowledge he had gained in the old undertaking establishment of McTigue and engaged in the under- taking business for himself, locating at No. 113 East Tremont Avenue, where he has continued to the present time (1927). During the sixteen years which have passed since he established his business here he has built up a large and important patronage and has fairly earned an enviable reputation as a skilled embalmer and a tactful director of funerals. His many satisfied patrons have steadily given him the commendation which wins other customers, and his integrity, in handling the business, details of his profession, has placed him high in the esteem of his associates.
Mr. O'Connor is well known in fraternal circles, being a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 871, of The Bronx; of
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St. Martin of Tours' Council, Knights of Columbus; of Wakefield Council, Royal Arcanum; and of the R. T. Hutchinson Catholic Benevolent Legion. He is a member of the North End Democratic Club of The Bronx, and his religious affiliation is with the Roman Catholic Church of St. Margaret Mary, which he serves as sexton.
EDWARD P. DURHAM, in 1910, entered the street cleaning department of New York City. In this new field he proved himself so capable and ef- ficient, that he gained rapid and frequent promo- tions to various positions of ever-increasing respon- sibility and importance, until eventually he was made district superintendent, a position which he continues to hold and in which he has made valuable contribu- tions to the welfare and health of The Bronx, where his offices are located at the corner of One Hundred and Eighty-eighth Street and Tiebout Avenue.
Edward P. Durham was born, May 10, 1865, at No. 43 East Fourteenth Street, Manhattan, a son of Edward Patrick and Mary (Leach) Durham, the former, born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1826, for many years a resident of New York City, where he died in 1898, the latter born in Carlow, Ireland, in 1834, a resident of New York City to the time of her death in 1910. Mr. Durham was educated at St. Ann's Parochial School, on East Eleventh Street between Third and Fourth avenues. At the age of twenty- one years, in 1886, he became connected with the Metropolitan Street Railway Company, being em- ployed in the construction department and participat- ing in the building of the Thirty-fourth Street line. He remained with this company for four years and for the next three years was employed in the con- struction department of Westinghouse, Church, Kerr Company, one of the leading construction and en- gineering concerns in New York City. He then joined the staff of the William Bradley Construc- tion Company, with which he remained for three years. On February 10, 1910, he was appointed to a position in the department of street cleaning of the city of New York, with which he has been con- nected ever since then. Starting in the position of driver his past experience and his ability won him rapid promotion and he was successively advanced to stableman, assistant section foreman, foreman, and finally to his present position of district superin- tendent in The Bronx. Mr. Durham makes his home at No. 2088 Anthony Avenue, The Bronx.
HARRIS ELPERN-The remarkable scope and the quite as remarkable results obtained in the real estate field by Harris Elpern. within the compara- tively short period that he has been operating there- in, have been sufficient to place him in the front rank with not only The Bronx realtor, but with others who have led in the development of exten- sive properties throughout the State. Mr. Elpern has demonstrated his eminent business abilities in his control and disposal of large tracts of land and town- ship sections. The benefits that he has thus con- ferred upon communities settled within such limits cannot be over-estimated, his interests and activi- ties in real property being inclusive of districts in Florida, as well as in New York.
Harris Elpern, a son of Julius Elpern, who was born in Vilna, Russia, in 1819, and died in 1915, in his ninety-fifth year, and of Fannie Elpern, was born October 23, 1867, in Vilna, province of Vilna, Russia, where he attended the local district school. He came to the United States when he was fifteen years old, at first settling in Brooklyn, where he began work in a shoe store at a salary of two dol- lars and fifty cents a week. So continuing, at the end of two years he was receiving six dollars. Re- moving to Shamokin, Pennsylvania, he was there employed as an interpreter for several years by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company; and then, return- ing to Brooklyn, he took charge of all the Union News Company's stands throughout the Pennsyl- vania Railroad system. He also had charge of the commissary of the railroad in its work of feeding all immigrants traveling on this system, continuing in this work up to 1914. During his employment with the railroad, from 1900 onwards, Mr. Elpern had become interested in real estate matters, and in 1914 he relinquished all other work in order to devote his time and talents wholly to real estate. He then became associated with his brother-in-law, Louis Gold, one of the most extensive of the realty opera- tors in The Bronx, who took over the large tract of land formerly known as the Watson Estate, on Westchester Avenue, for development. Of such de- velopment, Mr. Elpern was given full charge, in ad- dition to that of the Astor Village property, Pelham Parkway, and the Castle Hill section in The Bronx. Mr. Gold has more recently taken over 81,000 acres of land at Fellsmoor, Florida, for development, and he has already built his own railroad, begun con- struction, and continued his plans for expansion un- der Mr. Elpern's supervision.
Harris Elpern married, June 23, 1895, in New York City, Minnie Gold, daughter of Abraham Gold. Their children: 1. Anna, born April 9, 1899, who married Dr. Trasoff, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and they have one daughter, Marjorie, born in Oc- tober, 1924. 2. Gerald, born June 16, 1901. 3. Ruth Alice, born February 22, 1909.
MILTON STEWART RICE-Ever since his thirteenth year engaged in the field of commercial advertising sign painting, Mr. Rice has become one of the best known producers of this art in the United States. He is a son of Oscar and Sarah Milton (Pickett) Rice, his father a native of Manhattan and a member of an old Dutch family whose early repre- sentatives had been amongst the original settlers of Manhattan Island. On his mother's side, too, he was descended from an old family, members of which had fought in the Revolutionary War and had been prominently identified with early American history, some of them being noted in their time as writers and newspaper editors.
Milton Stewart Rice was educated in the public schools of The Bronx, and began to work at the age of thirteen as an apprentice with the Van Buren Sign Painting Company of Newark, New Jersey. Remaining with this firm for four years he became an expert sign painter and thoroughly versed in every department of this business. He then went with the R. G. Gunning Company, of Chicago, en-
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gaged in the same line of business, and before long was advanced to road manager, in which capacity he added to his experience during the next three years. His next connection was with Thomas Cusack, one of the largest out-door advertising concerns in the United States. Two years later, in 1905, he de- cided to establish his own business. As a location for his first office and work rooms he chose the lower section of The Bronx. Having acquired a large acquaintance among out-door advertisers and a high reputation for the quality of his workman- ship, the new business grew rapidly from the be- ginning. He specialized particularly in large signs, and having on his staff many of the most skillful and talented advertising sign painters, his business has become one of national dimensions, its headquar- ters occupying a large loft on the second floor of a modern building at No. 302 East One Hundred and Forty-ninth Street, The Bronx. He is a member of the Masonic Order, having attained the Chapter, Council and Commandery; and is a meniber of Mecca Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.
Mr. Rice married, July 3, 1904, in The Bronx, May Brucher, also a resident of The Bronx, and a daugh- ter of Adam and Charlotte Brucher. Mr. and Mrs. Rice have one daughter, Edna May. The family home is at No. 360 Beekman Avenue.
NATHAN ARONOWITZ-Significant in the pro- motion of industry in The Bronx and well known throughout New York for the excellence of his own product, Nathan Aronowitz is president of the City Fireproof Door Company, No. 820 Whittier Street, The Bronx. The company deals in lumber, fireproof doors and metal covered woodwork, and has for its product the approval of the National Board of Fire Underwriters. Mr. Aronowitz was born in Vashir, Roumania, September 25, 1885, son of Abraham and Gertrude Aronowitz. His father died in 1892. The son attended the public schools in his native coun- try and night school in New York City after his arrival there at the age of sixteen, in 1901. In 1910 he established in association with partners, the City Kalamein Door Company, whose business he did much to further until 1925, when he withdrew from the partnership. He founded the City Fireproof Door Company, incorporated it, and was elected presi- dent. Under his aggressive and able management, the business has greatly prospered and made a very definite place for itself in the city with its manu- factured product of fireproof and fire-resisting doors. He is also a builder of apartment and two-family houses, and a dealer in lumber and real estate.
Mr. Aronowitz is a member of Lodge No. 933, Free and Accepted Masons, the Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and of the Democratic Club, North End. He is also af- filiated with the Building Industry League, The Bronx Board of Trade, and the Fellowship Club. His religious connection is with the Jacob Schiff Center.
In Brooklyn, New York, on June 24, 1905, Nathan Aronowitz married Sarah Schwartz, whose parents are dead. Children: Edith, born in February, 1906; Ida; Flossie; Albert; Cecelia; and Robert.
M. P. STEIN-One of the most active, public- spirited citizens of The Bronx is M. P. Stein, who was born in Riga, Russia, September 15, 1885, the son of Elias and Bessie Stein, who celebrated the golden anniversary of their marriage in 1923, and are now living retired from all business cares.
His parents came to the United States when his father was forty-one years of age, bringing with them their son, M. P., who was then but six years of age. He received his preliminary education in Public School No. 7, at the corner of Chrystie and Hestor streets, and started to work at the age of twelve years. On February 24, 1900, he started to work for the Aeolian Company, and has, through his strict attention to work and his sterling integrity, been promoted through various positions until he is now the manager of The Bronx and Fordham branch of the Aeolian Company, on Fordham Road. He is also the president of one of the most active civic organizations in The Bronx, the Fordham Mer- chants' Association, which was reorganized in March, 1925. Mr. Stein is a member of the James Brown Association, and is on the executive committee of The Bronx Grand Jurors' Association, and of The Bronx Hospital, B'rith Abraham Home for Incur- ables. In political affiliation he is a Democrat, a member of the North End Democratic Club. His fraternal affiliation is with the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 871. He is a mem- ber of The Bronx Friends of Erin. He is also a member of The Bronx Eye and Ear Hospital and The Bronx Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. He is very active in civic affairs and is a director of the Rotary Club, a member of The Bronx Board of Trade, and the chairman of their luncheon committee. His religious fellowship is with the Jacob H. Schiff Center, which he serves as third vice-president.
M. P. Stein married, February 19, 1907, in New York City, Ida Aarons, daughter of Julius and Mary Aarons, her parents both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Stein are the parents of the following children: 1. Rosalie, born May 23, 1908. 2. Bernard, born Aug- ust 14, 1913. 3. Harold, born April 22, 1919. Their home is at No. 2701 Grand Concourse, The Bronx.
RALPH SICONOLFI-For more than a decade The Bronx has been the scene of Mr. Siconolfi's business activity. He was born November 11, 1873, in Guardia Lombardi, province of Avellino, Italy, a son of Alphonse and Mary (Bartimmo) Siconolfi. His father, a contractor, was likewise a native of Guardia Lombardi, while his mother was born in Rochetta St. Antonio, province of Avellino, Italy.
Ralph Siconolfi was educated in the Normal School of his native town. At the age of twenty- one he came to the United States and settled in Manhattan. In 1913 he removed to The Bronx and until 1915 engaged in the cut stone business. In that year he became associated with Dominick A. Trotta in the real estate and insurance business at No. 391 East One Hundred and Forty-ninth Street, The Bronx, an association which he has maintained since then. He is a member of La Fraterna Society of New York, The Bronx Real Estate Board and The Bronx Chamber of Commerce.
Bronx-20
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Mr. Siconolfi was married on February 17, 1900, in the Church of Mount Carmel, One Hundred and Fifteenth Street and First Avenue, to Mary Santora, of New York City, daughter of Joseph and Rosa (Cuzzi) Santora. Mr. and Mrs. Siconolfi are the parents of three children: Alphonse, born February 27, 1901; Rose, born June 26, 1903; and Elena, born November 21, 1911. The family home is at No. 3219 Kossuth Avenue.
MAX DEUTSCH-An inventive turn of mind, ap- plied to his particular field of work, chiropody, re- sulted in the development by Mr. Deutsch of the old idea of "shoes made to order" into the new science of "prescription shoes." Max Deutsch was born in Hungary, November 23, 1866, a son of Meyer and Sarah Deutsch. The family later moved to Frank- fort-on-the-Main, Germany, where the father, a teacher, died.
Max Deutsch was educated in the various schools in Germany, and, after coming to the United States in 1885, took up the study of chiropody, having pre- viously received 'some instruction in podiatry in Frankfort. Graduating from the School of Chi- ropody in August, 1898, he began the practice of his profession. In August, 1902, he established himself at No. 2655 Third Avenue as a manufacturer of "prescription shoes," being a pioneer in this field and the only manufacturer of "prescription shoes" in the city of New York, these shoes being made absolutely as per specifications of the orthopedic surgeons. He continued to apply his inventive talents to the needs of certain types of feet for special footwear and one of the results was his "Gravid" maternity shoe, which was patented February 22, 1916. Since then he has developed various improvements entitling him to new patents. Besides being a member of The Bronx Association of Chiropodists, he is a member of the National Association of Chiropodists, Mr. Deutsch is an honorary member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, a member of The Bronx Board of Trade and The Bronx Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club and the South Bronx Civic League. How highly he is regarded by his fellow-merchants in that part of The Bronx in which his own establish- ment has been located for more than two decades is shown by the fact that he has been elected three times president of the Mott Haven Merchants' As- sociation. Mr. Deutsch and his family are members of the Free Synagogue of New York, founded and ministered by Rabbi Stephen S. Wise.
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