Learn more..."Philip Koonz"
Deciding that New York City was no place to bring up children, he bought a home in Jersey City, near the Central Railroad Ferry at the foot of Communize Ave., which provided for easy commuting to his office. Later the railroad took over his property for a freight yard and he moved to a large, comfortable home at 39 Gifford Ave.
Philip Koonz fully enjoyed his money. He loved auctions and amassed such a large collection of paintings that he had to build a big gallery in the back of his house to accommodate them. The gallery also served as a lecture hall, theater, and site for various social activities, including a place for my parentss' wedding reception. He also collected Japanese war masks and weapons, rugs, canes, autographs, and interesting miscellany, such as a life mask of Abraham Lincoln (molded in plaster from his face while he was living), and a full-size reproduction of the Rosetta Stone which graced our sun porch wall for years before we turned it over to the Jersey City Library.
He also enjoyed travel. According to my mother, he when he got the urge to go, he would tell my grandmother to gather up whatever children were at home and they would all take off for Europe.
My mother claims he virtually supported a number of beggars, those that came to his office and those who intercepted him on his way to the ferry. He would cuss out the latter, then toss them whatever coins he had in his pocket (and coins, of course, were worth a lot more than they are today).
Philip Koonz was an alcoholic and a lone drinker. Mother said the only time she saw him drink was at her wedding. However, he would come home and collapse on his bed. Then his three daughters would go through his pockets, and pull out, smooth out, and count the bills. Since there was no income tax, he didn't have to account to anyone for his earnings. He also sniffed ether.
Philip Koonz died of a liver condition, as might have been expected. He was buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn, N. J.