Frederick Lauer, brewer, was born in the Province of Palatine, now Rhenish Bavaria, October 14th, 181O. He is a son of George and Katrina Lauer, both of whom are now deceased. He attended school (German) until he was twelve years of age, and during this period learned the French language. His father had been one of the largest property holders and taxpayers in the country, and was the man who raised the first liberty-pole on the French borders. On account of his liberal and patriotic sentiments he had to suffer, and for nine years was unable to gather any crops owing to the presence of the army. Finding himself getting more and more impoverished, he concluded to emigrate to America, and with his family landed in Baltimore in August, 1823. He at once started for Reading, where his married daughter was then living. He Frederick became, for the first four months of his residence, a butcher boy, assisting his brother-in-law--who was a victualler--in various ways. But he left this employment when his father commenced the brewing business at Womelsdorf, Berks county, where he assisted him until he removed to Reading, and continued his calling there. During this time the lad had four months' schooling, all that he ever received in this country, and through three months of this period the tuition was by night; but he has ever been a book-worm, and each leisure hour has been devoted to close study. It was in the spring of 1826 that his father returned to Reading, where he established a small brewery in an old log house, which had been erected many years before by Read, the founder and owner of the town. Frederick, who was then not quite sixteen years old, was made foreman and clerk, and with one assistant did all the brewing. He built up his first kettle with a capacity of five barrels, which in two months time was increased to ten. He rose at 2 A.M., finished the brewing by daylight, and after breakfast would deliver the beer to customers in town. In 1835 he became the proprietor of the brewery, enlarged it, and by the aid of more assistants extended the business. During the first five years nothing was made but what was known as "strong beer." The brewing of ale and porter was begun in 1831 and of lager beer in 1844. The original site of the brewery in 1826 was in the midst of a wretched swamp. The wonderful improvements which have since sprung up by means of his industry and tact, and without capital, have resulted in a town of itself. In 1849, he commenced buying up vacant lots, and therein quarried extensive vaults in the solid limestone rock for the storage of lager beer. In 1866, he erected a large brewery on this locality, containing all the latest improvements, and complete in every respect. In connection with this brewery is a fine park of seven acres, planted with shade trees, a park house with porticos, etc. He has always favored the establishment of these gardens, thinking it the duty of the State Government to encourage their establishment, that good music might be discoursed and malt liquors and domestic wines sold. He had quite an extended correspondence with Senator Eli K. Price, of Philadelphia, on the subject; in which he maintained that fermented liquors taken in moderate quantities are not only harmless but beneficial to the system, and that the soothing influence of music has a wonderfully beneficial effect upon the mind. Although no politician, in the modern acceptation and definition of that term, never seeking office of any kind, he has always manifested a deep and intelligent interest in politics. From the day he was permitted to cast his maiden vote until the present time, he has been a strong, unwavering, unflinching Democrat. His first vote was cast in the gubernatorial election of 1832 for Henry A. Muhlenberg, and a few weeks afterwards for General Jackson for President. Ever since in all national struggles his vote has been "straight Democrat." In local issues he chooses the best man, irrespective of politics. In 1835, Joseph Ritner, Whig, was elected Governor, through the division of the Democratic party, and, in July, 1836, he was elected a member of the "Peace, Union and Harmony" Convention, which met at Harrisburg, to cement the two sections of the party. He was very instrumental and influential in gaining this important end, which resulted in the election of Governor David R. Porter, in 1838. During the campaign of 1840, he took an active part when Van Buren was defeated. In 1846, the Free Soil movement was inaugurated, and he arrayed himself on the constitutional side, favoring the passage of a law by Congress which would provide for the compensation of the Southerners for their slaves; had this been effected, the war of the Rebellion would not have occurred. During the Buchanan campaign, in 1856, he took an active part in his favor; and in May, 1862, he and Hiester Clymer were elected delegates to the Charleston Convention from Berks county. These two used their utmost exertions to prevent division and war, and by their influence the border States were kept in the Union. They sought to bring out William Guthrie, of Kentucky, as a Compromise candidate; this action pleased the border States, and they were preserved to the Union. He attended the Baltimore Convention, in 1872, but left before the time of nomination, instructing his alternate to vote in the negative on all questions. In State politics he has been very active, especially in the miscalled temperance movement of 1853, when the "Maine Liquor Law" was defeated by one majority. So also in 1855, after the "Jug Law" had been previously passed, he was instrumental in defeating the Know-nothing temperance house in the spring session, thus securing its repeal. In 1857, Governor Parker was elected by 37,000 majority, and this result was in a great measure owing to his personal influence, as he went throughout the State, to every town of prominence, and urged the election of his favorite by all the eloquence in his power. The license law of 1858 is principally due to his exertions; it was passed but three days before the adjournment of the Legislature. During the war of the Rebellion he espoused the Union cause, and gave freely of his means to sustain it. He literally gave thousands upon thousands of dollars. Whole regiments were regaled by him at a time, and he had words of encouragement for all. As above remarked, he is no politician nor office-seeker; he has been tendered, more than once, the Congressional nomination; but his business interests would not permit him to serve in the National Legislature. He always has taken a deep interest in the government and prosperity of Reading, and has been a member of the Town and City Councils for many years. He has always been an active member of the Berks County Agricultural Society, and at one time was its President. He was one of the corporators and original stockholders of the Reading & Columbia Railroad. He was an intimate friend and regular correspondent of the celebrated Dr. Hebbe, the Swedish Revolutionist, who was driven from his native land. In one of his letters to him, written many years ago, he foretold the Southern Rebellion, which would result, he thought, from the continued aggressions of the Abolitionists. He has also been regularly in correspondence with the United States Consuls abroad, interchanging views, and keeping well informed of foreign matters, as well as being in advance of the movements which afterwards took place. He has made the acquaintance of all the prominent members of Congress, of both houses, during the past thirty years, to which may be added all the Presidents of the Nation in the same period. His efforts in connection with the Internal Revenue tax on fermented liquors have invariably been crowned with success, and as President of the Brewers' Congress he has been indefatigable in his services to the trade. Personally, he is of a frank, hearty, cordial disposition, with an abrupt good humor, which inspires friendship and confidence. He is quick and nervously active in his movements, and will go any length to serve a friend. Shrewd, far-seeing and industrious, he has made his establishment one of the most successful in the United States.
Source: The Biographical Encyclopedia of Pennsylvania of the Nineteenth Century. Philadelphia: Galaxy Publishing Co., 1874, pp. 204-205.
Contributed by: Nancy.