Louis F. Haffen

Louis Francis Haffen
FirstBorough PresidentofThe Bronx
In office January 1, 1898 – August 29, 1909
Succeeded by	John F. Murray
Personal details
Born	(1854-11-06)November 6, 1854 Melrose,New York (state)
Died	December 25, 1935(1935-12-25)(aged 81) New York City

Louis Francis Haffen(November 6, 1854 – December 25, 1935) was an American engineer and politician who was the firstBronxBorough President.He was elected four times and was known as the "Father of the Bronx." He was a member of theDemocratic Party.

Early life and education

Of German-Irish descent, Haffen was born inMelrose, Westchester County(present-day Bronx),New York,the son ofHaffen Breweryfounder Matthias Haffen, an immigrant fromBavaria.His mother, Catharine Hayes, was born in Ireland. He was educated at theUniversity of Niagarabefore transferring toFordham Universityin 1872, earning a B.A in 1875. The following year, Haffen entered theSchool of MinesatColumbia University,graduating in 1879 as a civil and mining engineer.

Career

Haffen went out West for two years to work as an engineer. In 1883, he returned to New York and took an engineering job at theParks Department,which was then overseeing new streets and thoroughfares. He later became Commissioner of Street Improvements in the 23rd and 24th Wards until 1897. He was credited with making significant improvements in these wards, which were mostly farm land at the time without modern streets and utilities.

In 1897, when the borough became part of New York City, Haffen was elected as the first president of the Bronx, and re-elected three times.

AsBoroughPresident he selected contractors in 1897 to paveJerome Avenue.Three sections of the road were to be remodeled, costing the Bronx about $136,505.

While borough president, Haffen worked withMichael J. Garvin.Garvin is credited with the design of theHaffen Buildingand theBronx Borough Courthouse(built between 1905 and 1915), but a scandal arose when it was discovered that Garvin was not the architect.Oscar Florianus Bluemnerwas the real architect, and the allegations ofplagiarismandfraudin relation to who designed the courthouse forced Louis Haffen's resignation from office amid accusations ofcronyism,fraud andcorruption.

After leaving office, he resumed work as a consulting engineer for the Bronx Borough.

Personal life

He was married to Caroline Kurz in 1886. They had five sons, Mathias, Louis Jr., Henry, John and Thomas, and a daughter, Beatrice W. Haffen Havender.

He died on Christmas Day, 1935 of reported heart problems and is interred atWoodlawn Cemeteryin The Bronx.

External links

• Louis F. HaffenatFind a Grave