History of the Municipalities of Hudson County, New Jersey, 1630-1923/Volume 3/Gabriel, Aro Gwynne

by Daniel Van Winkle

GABRIEL, Aro Gwynne,

Lawyer.

As a thoroughly prepared member of the New Jersey State bar, Aro Gwynne Gabriel has before him the prospect of an eminently active and useful career. Young, energetic, and associated with an already well established firm, he has been engaged in practice since February, 1923. Nikolas Gabriel, father of Aro Gwynne Gabriel, was born in Egin, Armenia, and died in Union Hill, New Jersey, March 28, 1912, at the age of fifty-three years. He was a very well-known furniture dealer in Union Hill, where, for more than twenty-five years, he conducted the establishment now owned and managed by his son, Newton G. Gabriel, at Nos. 79-81 Bergenline avenue. He married Makoor Der Hazarian, who now resides in the old homestead at No. 309 Cottage place, Union Hill, and they became the parents of six children: Frank, deceased; Lucy, married Krikor Baltaian; George, engaged in the photo-engraving business; Newton G., who is conducting the furniture business established by his father; Charles A., also engaged in the furniture business; Aro Gwynne, of further mention.

Aro Gwynne Gabriel, son of Nikolas and Makoor (Der Hazarian) Gabriel, was born in Egin, Armenia, May 22, 1896, and came to this country with his parents when he was a young infant. The family settled in Union Hill, New Jersey, and in public schools of that town Mr. Gabriel received his early education, graduating from the grammar school in 1910, and from the Union Hill High School in 1916. In the latter he was president of the Athletic Association from 1915 to 1916, captain of the basketball team during the same year, and was also captain of the baseball team the following season, compiling a batting average of .512. Aro Gwynne Gabriel not only excelled in athletics but in scholarly attainments as well, receiving honorary mention in the prize essay contest at commencement, and serving as associate-editor of the "Orange and Blue," the school magazine. With all of these activities, Mr. Gwynne still found a way for utilizing some of his spare time by coaching the theatrical performances held at the school. Upon the completion of his high school course he became a student in New York University, where, in the spring of 1917, he made the baseball squad. In 1921 he was graduated from this institution with the degree of Bachelor of Law. A year and a half later, in February, 1923, he was admitted to the New Jersey bar, and since that time he has been associated with J. Emil Walscheid, counselor-at-law, whose offices are located in the Dispatch building, No. 404 Lewis street, Town of Union, New Jersey. The firm is a well established one, and Mr. Gabriel is gaining valuable experience and laying a foundation for a successful legal career.

When relations between Germany and the United States became strained, and rumors of war were in the air, Aro G. Gabriel organized a company of students and started to drill them, using sticks for guns. Others becoming interested, the company was soon equipped with genuine rifles. Mr. Gabriel had a very capable assistant in Miss Harrison, daughter of the former president of the United States, Benjamin Harrison, and with two such efficient directors the company made considerable progress. Upon the entrance of the United States into the World War, Mr. Gabriel at once enlisted, April 19, 1017, and was at first stationed at Brooklyn, New York, in the navy yard, but later traveled all over the country as a member of the publicity or recruiting department, finally attaining the rank of sergeant in the United States Marine Corps, in which rank he was mustered out of service, August 10, 1920. Upon his return to civil life, he at once continued his preparation for the legal profession, and is now engaged in practice, as has already been quoted.

Fraternally he is affiliated with Union Hill Lodge, No. 1357, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and with Alpha Chapter of the Pi Kappa Upilson. He is also a member of the Union High School Alumni Association; American Legion; and is professionally affiliated with the North Hudson Lawyers' Club, the State Bar Association, and the Hudson County Bar Association. He has always been interested in athletic sports and in out-of-door pastime, and his special hobby is baseball. Mr. Gabriel's religious connection is with the First Armenian Presbyterian Church. He is unmarried.

His many friends predict for him a successful career, and both his thorough preparation and personal qualifications, as well as the success of his experience as a speaker during his term of enlistment, seem to indicate that his friends prophecies will be fulfilled.