Frederick A. Schroeder
Frederick A. Schroeder ( born March 9, 1833 in Trier, † December 1, 1899 in New York City ) was an American industrialist and politician of German origin. As mayor of the city of Brooklyn prior to its association with New York and a member of the Senate of New York, he earned merits as a fighter against corruption and for a more efficient city government.
Youth
Frederick A. Schroeder was the son of a merchant, who later worked as a land surveyor. From 1841 he attended the Friedrich Wilhelm Gymnasium in Trier. Schroeder was a poor student and left school in 1848 without graduating. In the same year his mother died. 1849 Schroeder wandered with his father to America. Maybe was the emigration of the family with the riots of 1848 in context.
Economic Success
In the U.S., Schroeder worked as a tobacco workers. He had learned in Germany in the period between leaving school and the emigration of this profession. Tobacco workers at that time were highly sought after, so that training in this area represented a good preparation for emigration.
Early as 1852, he was a capable, together with his partner Isidore M. Bon to start their own tobacco factory. After he had operated a tobacco factory for many years successful, Schroeder moved from 1867 on the import of tobacco. Also in 1867, Schroeder the founders of the Germania Savings Bank, whose president he remained until his death.
In 1894, Schroeder and Isidore Bon documents in a legal dispute over the charge payable for a tobacco delivery inch before the U.S. Supreme Court
Political career
In 1871, Schroeder became the first political office. At the suggestion of Republican, he was elected Comptroller of the city of Brooklyn, and was thus responsible for a year for the budget and finances of the city. A re-election, he refused, but was again in 1875 on a proposal from the Republicans to the Mayor ( Mayor ) elected the city. In both offices located Schroeder profiled as opponents of "Brooklyn Ring", an association ( Political Machine ) under the "boss" of the Democrats, Hugh McLaughlin, which dominated the city council in the time with the help of patronage and clientelism.
After the end of his term as mayor sat Schroeder his political career in 1878 in the Senate of the State of New York continues. As a senator, he worked mainly on the adoption of a new City Charter ( municipal constitution ) for Brooklyn. The new constitution strengthened the powers of the mayor and replaced the existing system in which three-man commissions were at the head of the municipal administration department, by solely responsible department head.
When in 1880 his term of office had expired as a Senator, to Schroeder withdrew from politics. Multiple nomination he was offered as a Republican candidate for high office. So he was offered again in 1885 candidacy for the office of mayor of Brooklyn. 1891 Schroeder was for the position of Governor of the State of New York in conversation. Shortly before the Association of Brooklyn with New York as a candidate for the office of Mayor Schroeder of Greater New York was discussed, with the famous Seth Low, once indirect successors of Schroeder as Mayor of Brooklyn, said to have been willing to renounce in favor of Schroeder. All these deals struck Schroeder. The reason for the rejection of the candidacy as governor was the advocacy of prohibition by leading Republicans in the state.
Death
In his last years, Schroeder traveled to Europe several times. The fact that he returned it to his old home, is not apparent. Schroeder died from pneumonia, which he had contracted at the funeral of one of his daughters. Five other daughters, one son ( Edwin A. Schroeder, † 1902) and his wife Mary Jane born Rush, who he married in 1854 († 1913), who survived him.
Schroeder was buried in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn. Passed both chambers of the city council of New York commemorative resolutions in honor of Frederick Schroeder. Also in Trier, the famous emigrant was mourned.