ENGINE 205 BROOKLYN ORGANIZED ENGINE 5, BROOKLYN FIRE DEPT
ORG. 160 Pierrepont St. FQ Vol. (Sep. 15, 1869)
CHANGE To Engine 5, FDNY (Jan. 28, 1898)
CHANGE To Engine 105 (Oct. 1, 1899)
CHANGE To Engine 205 (Jan. 1, 1913)
RELOC. 274 Hicks St. At E-224 (Jul. 30, 1925)
NQTRS. 74 Middagh St. W/ L-118 (Oct. 22, 1929)
DISB. (Jul. 2, 1975)
REORG. 74 Middagh St. At L-118 (Jul. 4, 1975)
Sirs:
In researching my family genealogy, I just received the attached
photograph, without any supporting documentation. Our family (Clasen and
Duff) had lived in and around Brooklyn from the late 1800's. We are not
currently aware that any Clasen or Duff ancestors were fire fighters, but
the gentleman driving the team pulling the engine pictured looks very much
like my Grandmother, Rose Duff Clasen. Judging by the markings on the
engine, it appears to be #205, which I find was at 74 Middagh Street,
Brooklyn. The numbering suggests the photo was taken after the
reorganization and renumbering of the FDNY on 1 January 1913, and the
presence of the automobile ahead of the horses supports that time line.
Is there any way you can help me identify the driver--whom I guess to
be one of the brothers of Rose Duff Clasen, perhaps Thomas J. Duff,
(1886-1952) or Harry Duff (1888-1973), or Ed Duff (born 1891).
Any help you can offer would be much appreciated. Likewise, if the
photograph would be valuable to the Museum or to the Web-based Engine home
pages, I would gladly seek permission for it's use. Again, many thanks.
Michael Hofmann
