8. Edward Richard Schluter Sr. (1913-1914)
Served 2 Years
Edward Schulter was born on February 24, 1883, in Elmont, N.Y. He was the son of Henry and Catherine (Zonnerman) Schluter. He lived at 16 Old Country Road in Hicksville and married Lillian Marie Puvogel in July of 1914. They had a home at 20 Raymond Street, and he was a farmer and General Contractor.
Edward joined as a member of Independent Engine and Hose Company 2. Edward was elected to serve as 1st Assistant Chief in 1911 and 1912 without serving as a Foreman or Captain. The Department wanted a change in leadership and on December 9, 1912, the election of officers at the annual meeting of the Fire Department was declared illegal by the Board of Fire Commissioners.
The Commissioners ordered another election. There was much controversy and the Schluter ticket won out by a small margin and Edward Wagner who was elected at the first meeting was defeated by one vote. The vote was as follows: for Chief Edward Schluter, 25; Edward Wagner, 24. For 1st Assistant Chief Joseph Ofenloch, 28; August Schnepf, 22. For 2nd Assistant Chief A.J Connery was unanimously elected.
Chief Schluter asked the Board to purchase a new hose wagon in May of 1913. The U.S. Fire Apparatus provided specifications and details (standard pattern.) The wagon was delivered in November and cost $675.
A fire at Sebastian Wuchter’s bakery on Broadway was caught just in time after it started in a sleeping room. When the fire was discovered, the upper floor was in flames and the entire floor was consumed by fire. The firemen responded very quickly and in short time had the fire extinguished. One of the bakers had a watch in the pocket of his trousers that burnt to a crisp. His money was found to be in good shape. The fire loss was estimated at about $300.
Chief Schluter was re-elected in 1914 only to resign on July 9, after being a resident of the village for several years. He decided to return to New York City and take up his old trade, of a mechanical fitter. His term as Chief of the Hicksville Fire Department expired December 31st. His many friends wished him success.
In March of 1914, A.J. Connery also resigned as 2nd Assistant Chief and he was replaced by George Neder, from Company 2. Before the month had ended, Assistant Chief Joseph Ofenloch was suspended and removed from the Office. George Neder was the only one remaining and he took over as Chief in April of 1914. His Assistant Chiefs were Fred Fricke and William Mohrbach who were appointed by the Board.
At the end of his term, the Board of Commissioners would suspend Volunteer Hose Company 4 and Company 2 would change their name to Independent Engine and Hose Company 2.
When Company 3 was reorganized on April 13, 1925, Edward, who had returned from the city transferred from Company 2, to newly named Chemical Engine Company Co. 3, where he would serve as their first Captain. Edward went onto serve Company 3 as their Captain from 1935 through 1940. He served as the Department Recording Secretary and was Chairman of the Annual Labor Day Parade & Drill in 1940.
His son, Edward Schluter Jr. was also a member of Chemical Engine Company 3 and served as Chief in 1952 through 1954. His other son Harry Schluter was also a member of the Hicksville Fire Department.
Chief Schluter passed away on August 14, 1954, and was waked at Mowen Funeral Home on Barclay Street and he is interred at the Plain Lawn Cemetery.
