New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-02
SKETCH OF F. A. SCHROEDER.


Frederick A Schroeder born in the city OF
Trier Prussia, March 10, 1898 His father
surveyor OF taxes in the service of the Pruss!an
government. The elder Schroeder a sympa-
thizer with the revolutionists in 1913, and for
political reasons emgrated to the United States.
His son had received good academic educa ton
at the age OF fifteen when his father came to this
country. and after reaching New-York determined
TO start in business without more schooling. He
went 10 work with cigarmaker and became an
expert in the trade. At the age OF nineteen he
started factory OF his own. which was successful
from the start. In 1854 he married Miss Mary Jane
Rusher American girl Of excellent family, and
his business becoming more and moro prosperous
in 1853 he built a large factory at Cortandt and
Greenwich SITS. Manhattan. In 1868 he formed
partnership with Isador Bon. and after few years
OF prosperity they dropped manufacturing and
began the importation OF tobacco leaf. The firm
has continued up to the present time.
Mr.. Schroeder's amiabe qualities. business integ
rty pleasing address and growing popularity with
all classes in Brooklyn made him the popular
choice Of the Republican party in 1871 for the office
Of Controller This was q new experience for him.
and one that he did not relish He at first declined
to become a candidate but the wishes OF his
friends finally prevailed. and he defeated the
Democratic candidate by a handsome margin after
an exciting campaign. The task which confronted
him he assumed office was one OF I'M
usual magnitude. ring practices. were firmly
fastened upon the city government and the Demo-
Gratis held the other principal offices. Mr. Schroeder
displayed great courage in graphing with the
situation and he broke official thevery that
had become a habit with the ring managers. he
forced the District Attorney todndlct number or
guilty officials brought about the restoration of
public funds TO the city treasury and became Inc
terror of municipal evildoers. He found the Con-
trolers Office hampcred with out OF date methods
and irregular bookkeeping practices and ne ieII
some time later with all Of its business systena-
TIED and with system. which was main
Tt is said that Mr. Schroeder the first city
tir Of he accounts in his office His record
as Controller made him one or $rooKlyH Io irr
citizens and in 1873 the Republicans insisted uPot t
his accepting the MayoraIy nu d ohof 40
Edward Rowe, whom he defealeu Dy @ rLoSo ROD
kooeS al' T5e1ublican MAYOR OF Brooklyn for many
years and before, MI Schroeoer ~ al the
abuses which had become a habit with the nea6s
Of departments He quilted the once %nt ard
nv lie RenubI,can fellow citizens again called
unon him with the idea clearly IN mlnd OF sehotn6
Senator to Albany who would secure iegl It
for the city Of Brooklyn which wod by rings in
eoHtii par ains, Mr. schroeder but ne was again
SonessS,,I at the polls. At Albany he secured the
passage OF bin giving BROOKLYN new Cna' ~, ne
Sle ~ Tay vim many three headed commissions
and dxing the responsibility in single head' me
rogb, Under the direct supervision Of the city
onIS6Srities and forced make an accounting can
rosr ~ moneys received. 1t was MI schros si
Who secured the section in the charter proyiohSS
tbat tho bonded indebtedness or the cry s hVu.u
aa ovnead 10 per cent OF the assessed vaiualon
A{ter about ten years OF oiceholdng he retired ~
order IN devote his time 70 business pursuits 10
raS . nersonal friend of General Grant ana deIe,
gate 10 the Chicago convention when ho'rin"'e'
General Garfield. . A.. ,o,,ndora NJ the
cornania Savings Bank. OF Brooklyn ano Tvs
Dresident for twenty years. He was promlneht III
IL Gerrnania oxford Hamilton and other ciuDs,
III, IN - director in many corporations in Brooklyn
and Manhattan In 1891 influential men IN me me
nar,v offered TO secure him the NOMINATION Iol
Governor on the Republican ticket bqt ne ,o GS
oijnad In 1897 when excitement ran high doUut
en- ealection Of IN anti-Tammany candidate for
MAYOR Of New-York City. the republican dIenos
~ Itr Schroeder wanted him 10 take the noHlna-
lion He declined TO entertain the suggesuoI say
10 AZ the time that his health was not AT al eo9a
10 I'D tbat he had no ambition 10 hgure again III
politics. -. IT, ,,,s highly ENJOYABLE
nd his declining years were made happy, ny tns
nomnaniorsh ship OF his SON. Edwin A schroeder anu
60 iSaurhters Mr. Schroeders summers. W.
spent at his country house on she!ter Isar ,15s
~ several wears he had lived IN the winter lime
~ the Hotel Margaret on the Heights