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HISTORY OF CLEVELAND 27
is best in mayoralty service. He ever placed the good of the city before partisanship
or personal aggrandizement and he sought the betterment of municipal
conditions without the useless or extravagant expenditure of the public
funds. It was his desire to retire from office on the expiration of his first
term that he might give his attention to his business, which he felt demanded
his time and care, but his party renominated him and in April, 1869, he was
again elected to the mayoralty, receiving an unprecedented majority of nearly
three thousand. Thus came to him the endorsement of the general public concerning
his previous service, notwithstanding the fact that he was ever recognized
as a loyal democrat and the republican party was then in the ascendant
in Cleveland. His party further honored him in the following autumn in
making him the candidate for state treasurer, but in that year Ohio gave its
usual republican support to the candidates for state offices. In April, 1871,
Mr. Buhrer was again urged to become the mayoralty candidate. He respectfully
but emphatically declined for he felt now that he had rendered such services
to the public as was commensurate with the duties of a good citizen and
preferred the quiet of home life and the opportunity for the conduct of individual
business interests. Notwithstanding his refusal he was nominated but
this was the presidential year and, moreover, the republican party gathered in
its strength, saying that for a third term a candidate should not be elected upon
his personal popularity. The republicans bent every energy to accomplish their
purpose and succeeded, Mr. Buhrer losing in the race, although his opponent
won by a very small majority. Later, without his knowledge, the democrats
twice nominated him for county treasurer and kept his name upon the ticket
notwithstanding his protest. In 1874 he was returned to the city council, though
his ward was largely republican, but his fellow townsmen recognized the fact
that very important measures were pending which his presence would promote.
The finance committee and the board of improvement absorbed almost
his entire time during the ensuing two years' service. Later he was appointed
on the board of workhouse directors, in which connection his labors were of
signal benefit to the public. He stood at all times for measures, movements
and institutions that would promote the general good, including the Home for
Wayward Children who needed the care and attention of the public. He was
the first who officially recommended the high level bridge which spans the valley
of the Cuyahoga river, known as the Superior street viaduct.
While the public life of Mr. Buhrer made constant and heavy demands
upon his time and attention, his deepest interest, nevertheless, centered in his
home. In the early springtime of 1889 he lost his first wife, who had long been
an invalid. A year later, on the 29th of March, 1890, he married Miss Marguerite
Patterson, a daughter of William and Anna (Marshal) Patterson. Her father
came from Scotland to America and after some years' residence in New York
removed to Cleveland. The death of Mr. Buhrer occurred December 9, 1907,
and thus passed one who had long been a central figure on the stage of activities
in Cleveland. His commercial enterprise was unfaltering but his vision
was never narrowed to the boundaries of personal interests alone. He viewed
life from higher standpoints, recognized his duties and his opportunities, fulfilling
the one and improving the other to the benefit of the city at large.
MRS. MARGUERITE PATERSON BUHRER.
A life largely devoted to service for humanity has given Mrs. Marguerite
Paterson Buhrer firm hold upon the regard and affection of Cleveland's citizens.
She came to this city in her childhood days in company with her parents,
William and Anna (Marshal) Paterson, the former born in Scotland, March 17,
1807, and the latter in New York, May 1, 1841. The daughter acquired her
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