New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-11
Republican Leader of 18th
Assembly Victim OF
Bright's Disease.
RULED FOR YEARS
UPPER WEST SIDE
Successful as Lawyer and Untir-
ing Worker in Party COun-
ellis and Charity.

bIuDtI, DOnyIEe @ hChdHuof Ni'N 80
terday at his home, 3l4 West Ninety
second Street. in the 18th Assembly
District. Of which he had been Repub-
lican leader for many years. Mr.. Cru
Der had been i'll for about three
months, his death resulting from a
complcat on Of diseases, eliminating in
Bright's disease. He was ifty-four
years old.
Mr.. Gruber had not been active in
politics or the practise Of his profess
sion recently, spending most Of his
time at his country home in Lakewood.
n. j. On Wednesday he was brought
from there to his city home because Of
the approach NC crisis in his illness.
Mr.. Gruber was g prominent and pic
turesque character in the state coun-
ellis of the Republican party, a hard
fighter for the old standpat policies
of the organization, and an unrelenting
political foe Of Colonel Theodore Roose-
welt from the tine the latter entered
+ the political field. With a few OF the
remaining oldtime leaders, Abe Grubcr.
as he was always known. mourned the
loss of the oldtime state conventions.
Almost a Dictator.
A small man physically, he had
keen. analytical mind and an ever-ready
power of speech, which he exercised
frequently to the disadvantage of his
political opponents. For generation
he was almost a dictator in Republican
politics on the upper West Side. pro-
noting or thwarting the ambitions of
political aspirants, debating legislation
and fighting scores of battles at the
primaries and elections with those who
sought to overthrow him.
Mr.. Gruber never aspired TO public
Office except once. That was in 1894,
when he was a candidate for State
Senator. and was defeated. From that
tine on he was satisfied 10 be an active
worker in behalf of the Republican
party without seeking political Office or
high political honors, although his
party on various occasions endeavored
to have him accept Office.
ADe Grubers opposition TO Colonel
Roosevelt developed in all its force at
the Republican State Convention, when
Governor Black was turned down by
his party and Colonel Roosevelt, then
Spanish-American War hero, was
nominated for Governor. In that con
vention Mr.. Gruber made a vigorous
address, urging the delegates to re-
nominate Governor Black, and during
his speech declared that he was top
posed TO turning the Executive Man
sion of the State of New York into
shooting gallery" 1t was after Gov
crnor Black had been turned down by
the convention that Mr.. Gruber came
to New York and became a member of
the law firm with which he was so long
associated.
Born Poor.
At more recent conventions of his
party Mr. Gruber was firm in his stand
against any and all movements in
which Theodore Roosevelt was inter-
ested.
Mr.. Gruber was self-made man.
Born Of poor parents tifty-fOur years
ago in humble home in Spring Street,
the lawyer first attended Public School
-. While there he helped his widowed
mother run little grocery store. lie
worked nights and on Saturdays as an
errand boy in the store. and when about
twelve years old became an Office boy
in the law Office of General Stillman +.
Kneelaud. While a pupil in the old
Fifth Street public school he was
classmate of General Cocktails, of Pan
anna Canal fame.
Young Gruber's entrance into the
/ legal profession was brought about by
a sign that appeared on the law office
Of General Kneeland, announcing that
a boy was wanted. When he, round
faced little lad, applied for the job
: General Kneeland gladly gave him the
position. The ambitious youth read law
anG was admitted to the bar on becom-
ing Of age After serving for some
years in that Office young Gruber took
| charge Of the legal department of the
big commission house Of Bates, Reed
& Cooley, which conducted a CONNER
cial banking and commission business.
Active in Charity.
In 1885 Mr.. Gruber began the prac-
tice Of law on his own account, asso-
ciating himself with Frederick b. Bard
in the firm known as Gruber Bard,
with Offices at POI Broadway. Later
that firm became known as Gruber,
Bard e. Landon, with Offices in the old
Times Building. in Park Row. After
ward the firm was changed to Gruber
e. Landon. More recently Mr. Gruber
formed a partnership with William II.
I Bonynge. at 209 Broadway, and another
change IN the firm brought about the
/ partnership known as Black, Olcott,
I Gruber & Bonynge. II was at this time
that former Governor Black came to
New York to practise He remained
I ma rfppr b11t q short tiuna later Drac-
/ Using law alone. IL was then that the
present law firm was formed.
MIR. Gruber was a most chartably
/ disposed man. He sought out those in
need, and after being convinced they
were worthy, gave freely. In his chart
ties he always RETAINED from the spec
| tacular No one knew whom he was
! aiding, and no one, even his most in
| innate associates, had a clew TO his ex-
tensive benefactions He was a firm
believer in modest charity rather than
so called public philanthropy, In re-
cent years his associates had 10 watch
him in order that his generosity be not
imposed upon.
Mr. Gruber leaves his wife. two chill
dren, Mrs. Edward Rayher and Herbert
| Gruber, and two adopted children, Anna
and Frank Gruber.
He was a member Of the Riverside
Republican Club, the Republican organ
izat!on of his home district, the Repub-
lican Club, the Arkwright Club, the
American Academy Of Political and
Social Science, the Thirteen Club, the
/ County Lawyers Association and the
Masons
LORD ELLENBOROUGH DEAD