Max Samuel Grifenhagen (May 12, 1861 – October 28, 1932) was an American entrepreneur, businessman, manufacturer, and notable Republican politician in New York City in the early 1900s. He was the noted sheriff of New York County (present day Manhattan), an alderman, and a city registrar.
Biography
Early life
Max was born to a Jewish family in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, where he attended the public schools there. His father died in 1866, when Max was only five years old. The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 caused Max's family to lose all of their income, and two years later they moved to New York City and lived in the 7th Ward on the East-side. Max attended public schools on Monroe and Henry Streets. After school, Max had to work as an errand boy and a newsboy to help support his family financially.
After leaving school and while still in his teens, he went to Denver, where he engaged in cattle dealing. After remaining there for six years, he returned to New York City and married.
He then began his entrepreneurship on a grand scale, beginning "his business career as a poor boy and [making] a fortune in the manufacture and sale of bottles, cider, vinegar, and sacramental wines, among various other business ventures and real estate dealings."
Business ventures
Grifenhagen Bros and Co. In 1880, Max and his brother Jacob B. Grifenhagen founded Grifenhagen Brothers & Company, Incorporated (more commonly called Grifenhagen Bros & Co.). They were wholesale dealers in new and old bottles. The firm went on to manufacture bottles, and was the biggest bottle manufacturer in America in the late 1800s. The corporate offices were shared with Max's other business offices at 249–251 Tenth Avenue. They were known as "The Bottle Clearing House of America", becoming one of the largest of its kind in the country.
Mohican Springs Co. Max served as the Vice President and Director of the Mohican Springs Co. after purchasing the property and other assets of the Mohican Springs Water Co. of New Jersey. His brother Jacob B. Grifenhagen served as President.
Duffy-Mott Company, Inc. In 1912, Max founded the Duffy-Mott Company, Inc., cider and vinegar manufacturers and wholesale dealers. The Duffy-Mott Company would go on to become the household applesauce company commonly known as Mott's. Max was President of the Duffy-Mott Company until his death.
Monopole Vineyards Corporation
In 1914, Max founded the Monopole Vineyards Corporation, with a large winery at Rheims, NY. After retiring as the Sheriff of New York County, Max purchased the Germania Wine Cellars in Steuben County in September 1919. Before prohibition, it manufactured and sold champagne and other fine wines. Following prohibition, manufacturing was limited to sacramental wines and non-alcoholic beverages. Max's son Herbert M. Grifenhagen served as Vice President while his brother-in-law Jacob C. Rosenblum served as Secretary and Treasurer. Max served as President of the corporation until his death. The corporate offices were shared with Max's other business offices at 249–251 Tenth Avenue.
The Royal Costume Co. Max was the founder and President of The Royal Costume Company, manufacturers of popular priced costumes, suits, coats, etc. The business was located at 87 & 89 Fifth Ave., New York City.
Foss Wool Stock Co., Inc. Max also served as the Vice President of Foss Wool Stock Company, Inc., which was in the business of producing/manufacturing "Graded Wool Stock". H. Foss served as President of the company and Jacob C. Rosenblum served as Secretary & Treasurer.
Real estate
Max was heavily involved and extremely successful in the real estate business throughout New York. He bought, sold, owned and operated numerous hotels throughout New York City and the state of New York over the course of his life. One of the many notable commercial properties owned by Max was the Grove Hotel, located at 98 Rose Street, which he purchased for $60,000 in 1916. This is the building that the Duffey's (Duffey-Mott) lived in for many years.
Political life
Alderman
In 1904, representing the Washington Heights district, Max became a Republican Alderman, serving for five years.
In 1907, he became chairman of the Committee on Buildings of the Board of Alderman.
Building Code revisions
Max's efforts to have the Building Code revised were highly praised. Max believed that "a small auxiliary committee of experts can be more effective than the larger one which it is possible to employ under the terms of the resolution of the Board."