Louis F. Haffen

Louis Francis Haffen (November 6, 1854 – December 25, 1935) was an American engineer and politician who was the first Bronx Borough President. He was elected four times and was known as the "Father of the Bronx." He was a member of the Democratic Party.

Early life and education

Of German-Irish descent, Haffen was born in Melrose, Westchester County (present-day Bronx), New York, the son of Haffen Brewery founder Matthias Haffen, an immigrant from Bavaria. His mother, Catharine Hayes, was born in Ireland. He was educated at the University of Niagara before transferring to Fordham University (known at the time as St. John's College) in 1872, earning a B.A in 1875. The following year, Haffen entered the School of Mines at Columbia University, graduating in 1879 as a civil and mining engineer.

While borough president, Haffen worked with Michael J. Garvin. Garvin is credited with the design of the Haffen Building and the Bronx Borough Courthouse (built between 1905 and 1915), but a scandal arose when it was discovered that Garvin was not the architect. Oscar Florianus Bluemner was the real architect, and the allegations of plagiarism and fraud in relation to who designed the courthouse forced Louis Haffen's resignation from office amid accusations of cronyism, fraud and corruption. After leaving office, he resumed work as a consulting engineer for the Bronx Borough.