Solomon Scheu
Encyclopedia
Solomon Scheu was an American businessman and politician from New York
.
in 1839 to live with an uncle and a brother in New York City
, and learned the baker
's trade. In 1844, he removed to Buffalo, New York
, where his brother Jacob lived. They opened a bakery, later a grocery business, and then a malt
factory. In 1847, he married Wilhelmina Rink, and they had seven sons and a daughter.
He entered politics as a Democrat, and was alderman from the Sixth Ward in 1854 and 1855. He was Receiver of Taxes from 1856 to 1859. He was an Alderman again in 1866 and 1867.
He was an Inspector of State Prisons
from 1868 to 1873, elected in 1867
and 1870.
In November 1877, he was elected Mayor of Buffalo by a slim margin in a three-way race, defeating the incumbent Republican Philip Becker
(vote: Scheu 8,756; Becker 8,159; Edward Bennett, Tax Payers Party, 6,216). He was in office from January 7, 1878, to January 1880, but was defeated for re-election in 1879 by Alexander Brush
(vote: Brush 13,721; Scheu 12,189). In 1887, he ran again for Mayor but was defeated by the incumbent Philip Becker
(vote: Becker 17,925; Scheu 17,451).
He died of "paralysis", and was buried at the Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo
.
His son Solomon Scheu (1850–1895) was also an alderman of Buffalo.
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
Life
He came to the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1839 to live with an uncle and a brother in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, and learned the baker
Baker
A baker is someone who bakes and sells bread, Cakes and similar foods may also be produced, as the traditional boundaries between what is produced by a baker as opposed to a pastry chef have blurred in recent decades...
's trade. In 1844, he removed to Buffalo, New York
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
, where his brother Jacob lived. They opened a bakery, later a grocery business, and then a malt
Malt
Malt is germinated cereal grains that have been dried in a process known as "malting". The grains are made to germinate by soaking in water, and are then halted from germinating further by drying with hot air...
factory. In 1847, he married Wilhelmina Rink, and they had seven sons and a daughter.
He entered politics as a Democrat, and was alderman from the Sixth Ward in 1854 and 1855. He was Receiver of Taxes from 1856 to 1859. He was an Alderman again in 1866 and 1867.
He was an Inspector of State Prisons
New York State Prison Inspector
The Inspector of State Prisons was a statewide elective office created by the New York State Constitution of 1846. At the New York state election, 1847, three Inspectors were elected and then, upon taking office, so classified that henceforth every year one Inspector would be elected to a...
from 1868 to 1873, elected in 1867
New York state election, 1867
The 1867 New York state election was held on November 5, 1867, to elect the Secretary of State, the State Comptroller, the Attorney General, the State Treasurer, the State Engineer, a Judge of the New York Court of Appeals, a Canal Commissioners and an Inspector of State Prisons, as well as all...
and 1870.
In November 1877, he was elected Mayor of Buffalo by a slim margin in a three-way race, defeating the incumbent Republican Philip Becker
Philip Becker
Philip Becker was Mayor of the City of Buffalo, New York, serving 1876–1877 and 1886–1889. He was born in Oberotterbach, Bavaria, Germany, on April 25, 1830. He graduated from college in Germany at sixteen years of age. In 1847, Philip and his older brother were provided the means to pay the...
(vote: Scheu 8,756; Becker 8,159; Edward Bennett, Tax Payers Party, 6,216). He was in office from January 7, 1878, to January 1880, but was defeated for re-election in 1879 by Alexander Brush
Alexander Brush
Alexander Brush was Mayor of the City of Buffalo, New York, serving 1870–1873 and 1880–1881. He was born on February 8, 1824 at Brushland, New York. In 1848, he moved to Buffalo and opened a brick making business. In April 1863, he married Lucinda Bucklin of Titusville, Pennsylvania; she died...
(vote: Brush 13,721; Scheu 12,189). In 1887, he ran again for Mayor but was defeated by the incumbent Philip Becker
Philip Becker
Philip Becker was Mayor of the City of Buffalo, New York, serving 1876–1877 and 1886–1889. He was born in Oberotterbach, Bavaria, Germany, on April 25, 1830. He graduated from college in Germany at sixteen years of age. In 1847, Philip and his older brother were provided the means to pay the...
(vote: Becker 17,925; Scheu 17,451).
He died of "paralysis", and was buried at the Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo
Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo
Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, New York was founded in 1849 by Charles E. Clark. It covers over 250 acres and over 152,000 are buried there. Notable graves include U.S. President Millard Fillmore, singer Rick James, and inventor Lawrence Dale Bell...
.
His son Solomon Scheu (1850–1895) was also an alderman of Buffalo.
Sources
- http://www.buffalonian.com/history/industry/mayors/Scheu.htm The Mayors of Buffalo, at The Buffalonian
- http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9407E7DD133DE433A2575BC2A9659C94649ED7CF Death notice of his son, in NYT on March 28, 1895