Charles Siedler Explained

Charles Siedler
Birth Date:24 May 1839
Birth Place:Münden, Kingdom of Hanover
Death Place:Bloomfield, New Jersey
Residence:Jersey City, New Jersey
Office:Mayor of Jersey City
Order:20th
Term Start:May 1, 1876
Term End:May 5, 1878
Predecessor:Henry Traphagen
Successor:Henry J. Hopper
Party:Republican
Spouse:Julia T. Franklin & Grace Syms
Children:Ella M., Pierre Lorillard, Julia, Charlotte M. and George J.

Charles Siedler (May 24, 1839 in Münden, Kingdom of Hanover  - June 28, 1921 in Bloomfield, New Jersey) was the 20th Mayor of Jersey City, New Jersey from May 1, 1876 to May 5, 1878.

Biography

Charles was the son of Joseph Siedler and Charlotte Hildebrand. His mother died shortly after he was born. He and his father then immigrated to New York City in 1842. His father died in 1851, forcing Siedler to find work. He eventually joined the P. Lorillard Tobacco Company in the Bronx. He married Julia T. Franklin and had five children; Ella M., Pierre Lorillard, Julia, Charlotte M. and George J. By 1868, Siedler became a partner of Pierre Lorillard. Shortly after in 1872, the company moved to downtown Jersey City. Later, Siedler became the president of the Bergen Savings Bank in Jersey City.

The Republicans, who needed a candidate, talked Siedler into running for mayor of Jersey City. Siedler was elected as Jersey City's second Republican mayor and served one two-year term.[1] He was dissatisfied with politics and left after his term was served in 1878. Less than two months later, on June 28, 1878, his wife Julia died. On October 28, 1879, Siedler married Grace Syms of Hoboken.

He retired from P. Lorillard Co. in 1894. He later moved to Bloomfield, New Jersey where he died on June 28, 1921. Siedler is buried in Bayview – New York Bay Cemetery in Jersey City.

Notes and References

  1. William Edgar Sackett, Modern Battles of Trenton Volume 2 (The Neale Publishing Company, New York, 1914)