Buffalo Freie Presse - December 7, 1901
Page 4, Column 4 Top

Jakob Scheu

After a six-week illness Jakob Scheu, one of the oldest German pioneers and most prominent businessmen of this city, died this morning in his home at 988 Main St. He was more than 87 years of age. Until 6 weeks before his death he was in the soundest of health but he became suddenly sick and it was certain that he would not recover. He died of old age infirmity.

Mr. Scheu was born on May 23, 1814 in Rheingau as the son of simple farm folk. In his home district he learned the baker's trade and in 1837 he succumbed to the urge to travel to America. He came directly to Buffalo, where he had neither friends nor family. His savings quickly dwindled to nothing and things went badly for him since he could not find employment. He finally went to Canada and worked on a farm. He became a peddler of patent medicines in Canada and this business, which for him was very successful, established the basis for what later became his large fortune. During his stay in Canada the Mexican War broke out and he attempted to reenter the United States, but this was denied to him. When he finally received permission he had to promise never to step onto Canadian soil again.

His first business endeavor in the States was a lumber yard on Genesee and Elm Streets, which he established in 1839. Then he began to build houses on speculation. He purchased a brewery on Genesee and Spring Streets for his cousin. He took over the brewery when the cousin was not able to keep to running. He had such great success with this business that the brewery soon became too small. He had a new one built on Niagara Street. What we know today as the International Brewery was, at that time, the largest and best equipped brewery in the city.

Mr. Scheu also actively participated in politics. In 1860 he was elected alderman of the old 6th Ward, which he represented for 4 years consecutively. In 1867 he again ran against the Honorable Nelson R. Hopkins and he as reelected. He was one of the organizers of the Western Savings Bank and he was its president for 10 years. He was a member of the board of directors until his death. He was also one of the founders of the German Young Men's Association and he was actively involved in its leadership. Among the societies of free masonry he held a position of high prominence. His wife died 13 years ago.

He is survived by 2 daughters, Mrs. William Miller of Armor, N.Y. and Miss Amelia Scheu of Buffalo. Augustus F. Scheu, the Commissioner of Public Works, Jacob H. Scheu and Otto Scheu are his nephews. Solomon Scheu, the former mayor of Buffalo, and Wm. Scheu were his brothers. They came to Buffalo a few years after Jakob, who was the eldest.