The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-06-13
Host of Friends Mourns Staunch Citizen Whose Activities for the Public Service Stands Out Con spicuously In Recent His tory of Bridgeport.
SERVED CITY THRICE
 AS ITS TOWN CLERK
Was Pioneer Tn Organiza-
 tion of Societies Devoted to His Compatriots and a Liberal Patron of Music.

Liberal Patron or MUSIC. After an illness that had made him an invalid for more than 10 years, death claimed Robert Weber last night at his home, 73 Whitney avenue. MT. Weber was 64 years old. He had been town clerk for three terms and from the time he became 3. voter many of the years of his busy n1e were devoted to public service. lie was one of the most widely known German residents of the state. AL ways a staunch Democrat he never sought public office but the honors came to him unsolicited as rewards for his efforts in the public veal
 MT Weber was born in Wurtem- burg, Germany. in 1852. He came shortly afterward obtained employ ment as a machinist apprentice in the old Howe Sewing Machine So. fac tory There he remained for three years until he learned the trade. On February 8, 1874. he married Miss Lena Koehler, who survives him. Soon after his marriage MT. Weber engag- ed in business, opening a cafe and -hoteI in State street near Water %street At that time Water street @xvas the principal business street of @the city and most of the business mere was COuQuClOO OI tIAcI fare for the intersecting streets be- tween Water and Main streets.
 MT Weber was one of an active xroup of Germantown citizens to whose activities much of the growth and progress of the city is due. This group included the late Albert Whit CT, the late Daniel Lesser, Francis J. F'reyIer, Jacob Huber, Louis Ginand. Joseph and Charles Keller, Frederick Sailer, Charles Hartmann, Fritz Egge of Smith & Egge, and the late Louis Schneider. All these men were active in the interest and up1ift of the city and in politics as well as in fra terna1 circles and German socie- ties.
 Mr. Weber was a, man of robust physique. He was one of the found CTS of the Turn Nerein here and also of the German school where children of German parents were taught or Saturday afternoons, the language o1 the FatherIand-
 From this Turn verein originated the old Bridgeport Athletic club which for many years maintained a z gymnasium in Water street next door to the McMahon & Wren building.
 In business, MT. Weber had a long and varied career. From the cafe in State street he moved to a location in East Main street He remained there but a short time, however when ne again InOV00 LO LI1O WOS' side of the PeQuonnock river and took over the hotel and cafe, now the Adams House This place soon be came a rendezvous for politicians o1 both parties and each evening found a gathering there of men prominen in public life.
 franchise here and for a season rar k the club, the games being played al Scheutzen Verein- park, in the Eas1 End Read street runs through wha was formerly the center of this park now covered with dwelling houses.
 For a time after selling his busir ness in Fairfield avenue MT. Weber was engaged in the real estate busi ness then he took over the hotel ana safe in Main street known as th' Central House. This hotel was locat ed on part of what is now the Pol building. In 1905 MT. Weber dispos ed of this business and thereafter Matt Weller conducted it. About thi time MT. Weber became seriously af f1icted with rheumatism. The diseas' in spite of the best medical treatmen rapidly assumed such an acute stag that the sufferers joints becam' greatly swollen and for several year he could move about only in vince chair.
 His early training in the old coun try in daily physical exercise stoo him in good stead at this time and tn spirit which had led him to organiz the Turn Verein stayed with him that until a. few hours of his deatl he was of the belief that through ex ercise he would some Sday acquir again the use of his limbs.
 As it was he was able to get abou on crutcfles until about a month ago although for several years he coult move about only in a wheel chair. is doubtful if during any of his walk ing moments during the past ten year that Mr. Weber was free from pain Yet he was never given to complain because of his physical condition ant bore his suffering with the stoic for tit1de with which all his life he hal accepted whatever fortune brough him. MT. Weber's last business ven ture was at old Steep1echase islan' where for several seasons he conduct ed the restaurant privileges there.
 MT. Weber began an active part il politics shortly after he was made voter. He soon became a, prominen figure in the Democratic party ant remained so until he retired from bus mess and public life several years ago MT. Weber was elected selectman il 1884 and held that office for severa terms. At that time seIectman wa one of the principal officials of tn city. It was largely due to the effort of MT. Weber that the present emer gency hospital was esta blished ant the system of providing free nnedica attention for the poor was begun.
 Tn 1897 MT. Weber accepted the Dem ocratic nomination for town clerk ana was elected on the Democratic ticket although the late Thomas P. Taylor Republican, was elected mayor. H held office for two terms afterwart during the terms of Mayors Hugl Stirling and Denis Mulvihin- Sidne. Lockwood, new clerk of the superio court was the assistant town c1erl during Mr. Weber's tenure of office.
 The large maJorities which he re