CHARLES A. SCHIEREN

	Charles A. Schieren, former mayor of Brooklyn, is of German parentage, having been born in Rhenish Prussia, February 28, 1842. He came to this country with his parents at the age of fourteen, and the family settled in Brooklyn, which has always since been Mr. Schieren's home. After completing his education he was engaged for several years in business with his father. In 1864 he obtained employment in the leather belting establishment of Philip
F.	Pasquay, in New York city. and upon the death of Mr. Pasquay in the succeeding year he was made manager of the concern, a position in which he continued until 1868. Having accumulated a moderate capital from his savings, he then embarked
in business for himself, founding the leather belting establishment of Charles A. Schieren.
	Mr. Schieren’s business career has been one of continuous success, and his house is among the foremost of its kind, not only in New York city, but in the world. His personal contribution to the development of the leather belting industry by his inventions has indeed been most notable and affords very substantial evidence of the qualities which have earned him a conspicuous place among the successful Americans of our times. He is a wells known and public-spirited member of the business community of New York city. He was one of the founders, and has long been vice-president, of the Hide and Leather National Bank. He is president of the Germania Savings Bank of Brooklyn, and a trustee of the Brooklyn Trust Company.
	In his political affiliations he has always been a Republican. He took an active part in the Lincoln campaign and was a member of the Famous "Wide Awakes," who did most splendid work toward the election of Lincoln. He has been an ardent worker and member of the Republican party ever since. Mr. Schieren was one of the principal leaders who reorganized the Republican party in Brooklyn upon the election district association plan, which proved very beneficial and led to the final overthrow of the Democratic ring in Brooklyn. His connection with public affairs. however, has been that of a representative citizen, to whom honors have come unsought and not as a reward of formal party leadcrship or special partisan activity. In 1893 he was nominated for mayor of the city of Brooklyn and was elected to that office by an overwhelming majority, receiving the general support of the independent voters. His administration of the mayoralty has been thus described:
	"He entered upon his duties as mayor under great difficulties. He found the credit of the city greatly impaired; millions of certificates of indebtedness were outstanding, and contracts and other obligations against the city unpaid. This hampered his administration of affairs considerably at first, but he soon mastered the situation, re-established the credit of the city, and paid off as speedily as possible afl just claims against the city.
	"During his term of office many imporant public improvements were planned arid executed. Wallabout market was remodeled from an unsightly, inconvenient mass of wooden frame buildings to a substantial, picturesque and valuable market. Through his influence and energy the bill authorizing the construction of the New East river bridge was passed by the legislature in 1895, the initial plans were made and the work was started. Mr. Schieren's administration more than doubled the area of the
park land of the city of Brooklyn by adding five new parks, located in various sections of the city. Forest Park, comprising five hundred and thirty-six acres, was the largest of these. It is noted for its natural beauty and high elevation, affording a fine view of both the ocean and Long Island sound. Another, Dyker Beach Park, of one hundred and fortyfour acres, gives the public several thousand feet of ocean front. Riparian rights were secured and final plans adopted for the Shore Driveway along the Narrows, which, when completed, will make it one of the finest driveways in the world. During his term Mr. Schieren devoted his entire time to the service of the city. He declined a renomination, and retired from office, leaving the city in a splendid financial condition and a large surplus in its treasury."
	His term as mayor of Brooklyn ended on the 31st of December, 1895. He has since been called to several honorable appointive positions. In 1898 he was appointed by President McKinley a member and treasurer of the Cuban relief committee. He served as chairman of the New York commerce commission, appointed by Governor Black, and was a member of the charter revision commission appointed by Governor Roosevelt. Aside from the high reputation which ex-Mayor Schieren enjoys as the result ot hic public services, he is one of the most promient, respected and useful citizens of the conununity in which he resides. He has long been actively identified with religious and charitable work, and is known as a man of warm sympathies and as an earnest supporter of religious, charitable and practical enterprises, as well as movements of useful kinds. He is a member of various select clubs and societies.