Charles E. Roesch

Who was Charles E. Roesch?

Charles Edward Roesch was Mayor of the City of Buffalo, New York, serving 1930–1933. He was born in Buffalo at 613 Oak Street on March 31, 1886, the son of a leading local meatpacker. He graduated from Public School No. 15 in June, 1901, and he joined his father in his wholesale and retail meat business in the Chippewa Market. In 1916, he started his own meat business at the Broadway Market. He married Mabel C. Klinck on June 3, 1914; her uncle was former mayor Louis P. Fuhrmann. The Roesch's lived at one address for their entire marriage, 633 North Oak Street, just down the block from where he was born.

He was elected Mayor on November 5, 1929, as the Republican candidate. During his term the country was in the throes of the Great Depression and Roesch was a leader and innovator in the relief programs for the unemployed. Buffalo's iconic city hall opened for business. After serving one term, he returned to his wholesale and retail meat business. He died on January 15, 1936, and was buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery.