1860-61
HISTORY
Franklin Augustus Alberger was born in Baltimore,
Maryland, on January 14, 1825, the oldest of six children
in his family. He spent his early years in Baltimore, moving
to Buffalo
in 1837, where his father continued his trade as a butcher.
Alberger received little formal education, but was
an avid reader. "Every day he visited the library and
brought home a book. ...He chose histories and books on
science and general information."
He was a leader by nature, usually directing games
as a child, and often called upon to settle the disputes
of younger children.
He left school at a early age to become his father's
apprentice in his shop at Franklin and Terrace Streets.
Here they dispensed "All kinds of Fresh, Salt and Smoked
Meats, also Lard, Tallow, etc., etc." His father, Job,
also had slaughter houses in this vicinity. Prior to 1850,
Franklin became the proprietor of stalls in the Terrace
Square Market, later joining his brothers in the pork packing
business.
He was an avid political party worker and was an
admirer of Henry Clay and the Whig
party. When the Republican party
was formed, he was one of its leading and active members in
Buffalo
He thoroughly believed in the party and its principles.
He was appointed Library Board member in 1846.
In 1854 he was elected alderman from the Eleventh
Ward.
He was again elected an alderman, in 1859, from the
Ninth Ward.
On October 20, 1859 the Democratic City Convention
was held. Several
names came up in preliminary balloting, including William
G. Fargo
and Henry K. Viele. The final choice for the Democrats was Henry
K. Viele.
The Union City Convention was held on October 22,
1859, with ex-Mayor Frederick P. Stevens
at the head. Future Mayor Chandler J. Wells
, was a early pick, as was Franklin Alberger
, and Solomon G. Haven
After many ballots were taken, the final formal ballot chose
Franklin A. Alberger as the Union candidate for mayor, confident
he would carry the German vote.
"We are so confident that the people will, on
election day, place it so far ahead of the ticket nominated
by our opponents that it will be like the old Triumphs of
the racer Eclipse - Eclipse was first, the rest were nowhere."
Commented about Alberger: "We can heartily say,
that the nomination tendered him pays but a just compliment
to a true, upright, sterling and competent man."
LIFE AS A MAYOR
On November 8, 1859 elections were held, and the
result was a Republican landslide. The entire Union ticket
was voted for in the city, and many of the county and state
nominations were also victorious.
Franklin A. Alberger swept Democratic candidate Henry
K. Viele 4,445 to 4,100.
Mayor Alberger's salary was set at $1,600 by the
Common Council
The first meeting of the Common Council
was on January 2, 1860, at which time Alberger was sworn in
by Mayor Lockwood
: "I do solemnly swear that I will support the constitution
of the United States, and the constitution of the State
of New York, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties
of the office of Mayor of the city of Buffalo
, according to the best of my ability."
The newly elected aldermen and city officials were
then sworn in, and the old Council was dissolved.
Alderman A. A. Howard offered a resolution that any
city officials appointed by the Council must devote their
time and attention to their positions, or face removal,
which was adopted. In addition, he moved that a committee
be appointed to wait upon Mayor Alberger and inform him
that the Council was ready to receive any communication
from him.
The clerk read the Mayors Inaugural Message:
"To The Honorable the Common Council
of the City of Buffalo
:
"Among your duties is the care of the harbor,
and I regret to inform you that numerous complaints have
been made of apparent attention to the difficulties that
have interposed to the free navigation of the harbor the
past year. Obstructions of a serious character are said
to exist at the mouth and at other points in the channel
of the creek. Much dredging has undoubtedly to be done before
vessels can safely enter and pass along without delay.
"Considering the vast commercial operations
transacted in our city, the eager competition of other cities
for business, the large number of arrivals and departures
of lake-going craft, added to which the reflection that
Buffalo
is the greatest grain port in the world, seems sufficient arguments
to demonstrate the importance of this trust, and the necessity
of early exertions to improve the condition of the harbor;
and I cannot too earnestly recommend this subject to your
attention.
"We
have a School Organization that is a source of just pride,
giving education to the children of the poorest citizen
without price, a system that while it has imposed large
additions to the burdens of the tax payer, has been cheerfully
acquiesced in.
"During the last year a system was established
for the regulation of Markets and Butchers. So far
as financial results are considered it has proved successful,
and I would advise its continuance. The Elk Street and Washington
Markets have been well filled; the Clinton and Niagara
will, in time, be occupied; but it is
evident that a large amount of money has been unwisely
expended in the purchase of the grounds and the erection
of the buildings thereon.
"The Fire Department
demands, more than ordinarily, your attention. It is in excellent
condition, and the conduct and exertions of the firemen
deserve your cordial approbation. The introduction of the
Steam Fire Engine has excited the interest of the public,
and seems to have given universal satisfaction. It has been
thoroughly tested, and proved the value and utility of the
invention.
"The important improvements made to the Parks
on Prospect Hill are highly creditable to the city, and
their beautiful appearance makes them contrast strongly
with the dilapidated condition of the parks on the Terrace.
Some actions should be taken to preserve the few trees remaining,
from destruction, and improve the parks, or remove the fences
and abandon them to the public.
"The Police system has been highly commended,
and is believed to be effective and capable of answering
the purposes designed. I am under the impression that the
number of men employed is larger than is necessary, and
believe it should be reasonably reduced.
"The subject of street railroads has attracted
much attention, and appears to have been favorably received
by the citizens residing on the routes proposed. Your predecessors
have taken such action upon the subject as evinced their
disposition to improve the thoroughfares of the city, promote
the convenience of our inhabitants, and encourage laudable
enterprise.
"The project of building a bridge over Niagara
River has received a large share of public attention. It
is a subject of general interest, and it is difficult to
estimate properly the important benefits that must accrue
to our city if the enterprise can be consummated.
"The concentration of the trade of the province
and the various railroad lines at this point would give
an impetus to business, revive the energy, and tend to restore
the prosperity of our citizens."
Previous to 1860 the only public transportation in
Buffalo
was furnished by stages.
Two companies were organized to build street railroads
on Main and Niagara Streets. Both companies obtained franchise
agreements for 999 years, a problem argued about for many
years. They originally operated as horse-drawn car lines,
and a line on Genesee Street was added. In 1868 the Niagara
Street line was taken over by the Main Street company, as
none of these lines were immediately profitable.
Alberger spent the year working through his policies
and bracing the city for the impending Civil War
On January 7, 1861 he gave his annual address
to the Common Council
, delivering new ideas, and realizing mistakes made during
his first year in office.
"Through the prudest legislation of the Common
Council
of the years 1859 and 1860, great reductions have been made
in the expenditures as compared with preceding years. This
has had a salutary effect, and has encouraged our citizens
to undertake new enterprises, and strangers to invest their
means, where taxation is not excessive.
"Your action in
harbor improvements should be prompt, that those
contemplated may be completed early in the year.
"During the past year the purchase of two Steam
Fire Engines has been completed, and at least another should
be procured very soon. In my opinion, the time has come
for the Common Council
to establish some certain, definite system, and determine how
many companies they intend to disband, and at what time.
The remaining companies, if any, then would be retained
so long as they were effective and useful. The interest
heretofore felt is the Fire Department
seems to have slackened, and I believe more than from other
motives. The vacant Engine Houses and the machinery no longer
required, should be disposed of.
"There are three points about the City, in the
New Territory, which should have Fire Engines. I refer to
the two villages of Black Rock
and the Cold Springs. In or near each there is a large amount
of valuable property, which, if once on fire, must be nearly
or entirely consumed before assistance could reach them
from the City proper. By disbanding fire companies there
will be valuable machines that are not needed, that cannot
be sold for much more than half they are really worth, and
which, instead of being sold, should be placed in those
localities.
"One year since I expressed an opinion, held
in common with many citizens, that the Police force was
larger than necessary. Experience has taught the error of
that opinion, and has compelled me to ask an increase rather
than its diminishment. The number of Policemen employed
is but sixty - five only are detailed for the day duty,
one at my office, leaving but fifty-four to be divided between
the four stations.
"While it is understood that these men are not
on duty all night, but must necessarily spend a part of
the time in the Station Houses, your Honorable Body can
appreciate the unpleasant positions the Chief of Police
and myself must often be placed in, when complaints are
made that officers cannot be found at night when required.
"The same recommendations made in reference
to an extension of the fire districts in the new Territory
apply to the extension of the police
districts. Frequent calls have been made for Police aid and
men who are detailed to serve there are drawn from service
in the city proper. The Police districts should be extended,
and the police
force increased, as it is impossible and unjust to give the
assistance often required; unjust, because that portion
of the city pay no part of such expense, and are protected
at the expense of others.
"[The] steady reduction of debt should be the
policy of the city and not departed from. The only addition
to this debt that that should be permitted for many years,
is the is the bonds of the city issued for building the
Ship Canal, which were issued anticipating the collection
of taxes
to defray the [cost]."
One project that Alberger worked strongly for was
the Association for the Encouragement of Manufacturers "to
advertise the advantages of Buffalo
as a business site." In 1860 the slogans, living economical,
low rents, 80,000 inhabitants, and the miles of paved streets,
sewers, and gas lines, was touted heavily.
On February 16, 1861 President Lincoln
stopped in
Buffalo
on his way back to Washington, from Cleveland. Governor Morgan,
Mayor Alberger and a citizen's committee all greeted the
President upon his arrival. The President and Mayor proceeded
to the American Hotel
where they spoke to the crowd from the balcony.
The following day was Sunday, and former President
Millard Fillmore
"played the host with the dignity and hospitality worthy
of his high position in the community." They attended
closed ceremonies at Unitarian Church
(110 Franklin Street).
The year of 1861 proved to be an important one. Alberger's
"love for the union and patriotic devotion to his country
made him an ardent and untiring supporter of the government
in its struggle for existence. As the head of the municipal
government it was expected that he would take the lead in
this movement, and there was no disappointment on account
of any dereliction of duty on Mr. Alberger's part."
"His term embraced the memorable years of the
election of President Lincoln
and the breaking
out of the [Civil War
]. ...It required a steady hand, and a strong nerve at the
head of municipal affairs. The people of Buffalo
had the fullest faith in their Chief Magistrate and Mr. Alberger
never abused his trust or forfeited their confidence. He
used his official and personal influence in raising regiments
and equipping them for service, as well as in providing
for the care and maintenance of the families of soldiers."
On April 15, 1861 a meeting was held and 102 men
signed up to defend their country. A crowd estimated at
10,000 surged through the streets. Flags flew throughout
the city. The next evening another meeting was held. When
Millard Fillmore
was called to the chair, he stated: "We have reached a
crisis in the history of this country, when no man, however
humble his rank or limited his influence, has a right to
stand neutral. Civil war has been inaugurated, and we must
meet it. Our government calls for aid and we must give it.
Our Constitution is in danger and we must defend it."
A citizen's committee on the defense of the Union
was organized under the direction of Mayor Alberger. Relief
societies, women helpers, marching clubs of older men, were
all formed, as Buffalo
prepared for war.
In September, 1861, Mayor Alberger issued a statement
to the citizens of Buffalo
regarding Abraham Lincoln
"The President having recommended the last Thursday
in September as a day of public humiliation, fasting and
prayer, to be observed by the people of the United States
with religious solemnities and the offering of fervent supplications
to Almighty God for the safety and welfare
of the States;
"And the Governor having by proclamation united
with the President in recommending that the day be carefully
observed by the people of this State; and that on that day
they abstain from their usual duties and avocations;
"And acknowledging the necessity of appealing
to our Heavenly father for his protection, and humbly avowing
our dependence upon him for our national existence, and
feeling sensibly the importance of a united observation
of this day of fasting, I have deemed it proper to more
particularly invite the attention of my fellow citizens
thereto, and earnestly advise that they obey the request
of the President of the United States and the Governor of
this State." On Thursday, September 28, 1861, the loyal
towns, cities, and states of the Union fasted and prayed,
and "Buffalo
was one of the most alert to show its desire to cooperate with
the Government."
Alberger did not seek a second term in office, and
was nominated at the Republican State Convention for Canal
Commissioner.
On January 6, 1862 Alberger administered the oath
of office to newly elected Mayor William G. Fargo
"After a few remarks in which he acknowledged the obligations
he felt to the officers of the corporation for the important
assistance they had rendered him in the discharge of his
arduous duties - expressed his heartfelt thanks for their
courtesies and assured them of his lasting esteem and respect.
PERSONAL LIFE
Alberger married Katherine Rice of Buffalo
, and they had four children. They resided at 1686
Main Street
in the 1860's on 13 acres of land bounded by Lafayette,
Main, Linwood, and Balcom Streets.
In 1861 Alberger was elected to an important state
office - that of Canal Commissioner, and was re-elected
for a second term in 1864. After serving his second term,
he returned to private life and was not very conspicuous
in politics for several years.
In 1871 he was nominated and elected to the state
Assembly from the Third District of Erie County. This was
the first time he barely escaped defeat, even though his
party had a strong political stronghold in that district.
He served three successive terms in the state Assembly,
1872, 1873, 1874, re-elected on his excellent service.
With his previous Canal Commission experience, he
was always placed on the Canal, or Commerce and Navigation
Committee's while in the Assembly.
Alberger was the Republican nominee for state Senate
in 1874, but was defeated for the first time, after a hotly
contested struggle. "It appears that his popularity
did not extend beyond the confines of his own district."
In the fall of 1870 Alberger once again ran for nomination
to the state Assembly, and nearly won it. The man he lost
to, was the man who won it when he retired from that office.
After a sudden illness lasting only 12 hours, Franklin
Alberger
apparently died of cholera morbus on August 24, 1877. He is
buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery
A special meeting of the Common Council
was held to bestow the grief of the city father's.
He was a member of Buffalo
Chapter, R.A.M.; Hugh de Payne Commandry, Knights Temple; and
a prominent member of the Mason
Lodge, being buried according to that order.
Unfortunately, Alberger "served his party and
his political friends much better than he attended to his
own private interests" and left very little for his wife
when he died.
