In 1841 he founded Kaye & Co., which was well known for its brass and bell works, including the bell in the
Cathedral of the Assumption. In 1862 he was elected as a
Democrat to the City Council, He was elected as Chief of Police. On April 4, 1863, he was elected mayor over former mayor
Thomas H. Crawford, who ran on the
Unionist platform. Kaye was not an open supporter of the Confederacy, but he was backed by some secessionists. After his term as mayor, he served again on the City Council. ==Personal life==