admin A. SCHREIBER, President and founder of the A. Schreiber Brewing Company, Civil Service Commissioner, and Censor of the Polish National Alliance of the United States of America, is one of the foremost Polish- American citizens of Buffalo, an industrial leader and a man of an exceptionally wide range of activities, including business, civic and social pursuits.
Mr. Schreiber was born in Poland January 12, 1864. He received a High School education in his native country, and then came alone to the United States, being eighteen years old when he arrived in New York City. Mr. Schreiber’s early career was typically that of a self-made man. For a number of years he maintained himself by following various pursuits. He became office boy in a large chemical company, and rose by a rapid series of promotions. He was successively shipping clerk, city salesman, traveling salesman in New England and later general salesman, his territory including all of the United States and Canada.
Resigning in 1899, he came to Buffalo, where, with one of his employees, Mr. F. Rawolle, he formed a partnership, and the same year he established the A. Schreiber Brewery, which in 1899 was incorporated under the Laws of the State of New York as the A. Schreiber Brewing Company, with Mr. Schreiber as President and General Manager, the concern having a paid-in capital of $100,000. Under Mr. Schreiber’s able direction the business was extended with unexampled rapidity, and soon built up an immense trade. When running to its full limit the establishment has a capacity of 100,000 barrels annually. It now produces 70,000 barrels every year, all of which is disposed of in the city of Buffalo. The plant originally occupied 140 feet front; today it has a frontage of 477 feet on Fillmore avenue, extending back to Wilson street in the rear. The business is steadily growing and is destined to be one of Buffalo’s greatest brewing industries. The company has a large and increasing family trade, and its delivery wagons are constantly kept busy. Of commensurate magnitude is its hotel and general trade, and for sound policy, purity of product, improved methods of manufacture and financial trustworthiness, the house enjoys a reputation unsurpassed in Western New York.
Though his business pursuits leave little time at his disposal, Mr. Schreiber takes an intelligent interest in the civic welfare of the community and has rendered excellent service as Civil Service Commissioner.
Staunchly American in his loyalty to his adopted country and in his assimilation of its customs and progressiveness, Mr. Schreiber has never ceased to take a living interest in the welfare and history of his native land, and he is a representative figure in the movement to bring about unity among Polish Americans and to perpetuate the traditions and sentiments of Polish nationality. That his efforts in this field are appreciated is convincingly shown by the fact that to him has been accorded the high honor of being chosen Censor, or Supreme Master, of the Polish National Alliance, an organization of over 100,000 members.
Mr. Schreiber is also a member of the Elks, the Royal Arcanum as well as various other societies. He devotes conscientious thought and attention to the welfare of all organizations with which he is identified, and in the prosperity of Buffalo and the plans for the furtherance of his home city’s interests, he takes such a part as becomes a loyal citizen and a prominent factor in the business world.
Mr. Schreiber is married and has two daughters.
A man of genial personality, Mr. Schreiber has the popular qualities which belong to a true man of the people. He has made his own way in life, and no one is better aware than he of the difficulties which are to be overcome before the goal of business success is attained. His modesty, courtesy and sterling qualities of mind and heart have won him many friends, and his career is an admirable illustration of what may be accomplished by zeal, honesty and ability.
SOURCE: Memorial and Family History of Erie County New York; Volume I