USA > Illinois > Monroe County > Columbia > History of Columbia and Columbia precinct, Monroe County, Illinois, 1859-1959 and centennial celebration, Columbia, Illinois, July 3-4-5, 1959 > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18
They gave the Firemen's Ball - a novelty ball on Jan. 24, 1925 and cleared $175, and now there was $2515 in the subscription fund. The public school children donated $100 to the cause. On March 3, 1925 the Village Council and firemen bought a General Manufacturing Company fire truck, Reo triple combination pump, chemi- cal engine and hose cart. This was accepted by the village council and we had our first modern fire fighting equipment. March 23, 1925 the Columbia Fire Department gave a check to J. F. Lotz, village treasurer for $3125 as part payment on the village fire equipment.
June 25, 1925 the fire siren was moved from the top of the fire bell to the Masonic Hall roof. The fire engines were kept in the old power house, and meetings were held there. October 1925 six coats and hats were pur- chased. Turkey and goose raffles were held at the Old Power House that year and the fire laddies sold fish sandwiches to make money.
January 3, 1926 they raised $492.92 by a popularity contest and dance. Contestants were Nora Shook, Stella Eschmann, Cecelia Reiter, Louise Schneider, Eleanor Schmidt and Ardelle Huth. February 27, 1927 they made a profit of $2438 on a Willys-Knight dance.
In July of 1927 the village and fire department traded in the Reo fire truck for a General Studebaker Metro- politan pump, booster tank and hose cart, and 1 Graham Bros. G. Boy twin copper tank chemical fire truck for $9270, trade-in allowance $4270 and $3500 net cash, $1000 after delivery of first truck and $1500 after delivery of second fire truck. They had assets of $8000 and bor- rowed $1270.
In 1927 Leo A. Weilbacher was president of the fire company; John Landgraf, vice president; A. A. (Casey) Lepp, secretary; George Dehn, treasurer; Gus Goeckeler, Jr., Chief.
Jan. 26, 1929 the Fire Department gave a dance. Miss Lou Rauch won an Essex car in the popularity contest; Miss Dorothy Durrer won a Hudson sedan, and a La Grange, Illinois man won an Essex car. Other entrants in the popularity contest were: Helen Heise, Lucille Ebel, Aleda Grasshaw, Nelda Faus, Ruth Schneider, Esther Beckmann, Mildred Cash and Esther Kraus. Judges were R. P. Briegel, Miss Ernestine C. Smith and Ex-Fire Chief Panzer of St. Louis.
Following are the Fire Chiefs from 1925 to the pres- ent: John Landgraf, 1925; G. C Goeckeler, Jr. 1926-28; John Landgraf 1929-48; Charles E. Brucker, 1949-51; Jacob Steppig, 1951-59.
Assistant chiefs through the years were John Land- graf, Sr., Jake Daab, Albert Lepp, Otto Salger, Theodore Klein, Jacob Steppig, John Landgraf, Jr., and Carl Land- graf.
COLUMBIA RURAL FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Columbia Rural Fire Protective Association was formed September 1939. On October 30, 1939 they pur- chased a 1940 Chevrolet white fire truck. Later the name was changed to Columbia Rural Fire Protective District. This district was organized at an election held Dec. 16, 1950. On January 24, 1953 this district purchased a 1952 Ford F-8 Red Fire Truck.
The present trustees of the Fire Protective District are Herbert L. Mueller, Robert C. Nolte and George A. Schmidt. These trustees are appointed by the County Judge.
The City Hall houses all City and Rural Fire Depart- ment Equipment. The Fire Department is manned and serviced by the Columbia Volunteer Fire Department, with twenty-five well trained members. The Illinois In- spection Bureau gives the Department a Class 6 rating.
26
In 1942 when Civil Defense was set up in Columbia, the Fire Chief, John Landgraf, was appointed assistant coordinator to C. L. Volkert, the coordinator of Auxiliary Police; O110 Salger of the Fire Department was appointed Chief of the Rescue squad. The firemen also participated in two ten-week courses in Red Cross First Aid. Some of the members of the Fire Department at that time who Were called to the colors were: George Van Luik, Louis Lepp, Ed Offerman, Walter Habermehl, Carl Landgraf and Thomas Bergmann.
Now records become scarce, as it is when all is well within an organization and only these notes are forth- coming: In 1943 they talked about overhauling the Stude- baker Fire Pumper; in 19-16 a Reo disaster truck, fully equipped was purchased for $6500; a Dodge fire truck was in service; in October of 1949 a new Mack fire truck was purchased and donations were received for a port- able resuscitator for the Disaster Truck, in the amount of $916.30. That year there was a bond issue for fire fight- Ing equipment, and a Mack Fire Pumper was purchased for the City Fire Department at the cost of about $18,000. New By-Laws were the order of the day in 1950. To summarize: the present City equipment is a Mack fire truck, a Studebaker truck and a Reo Disaster Truck. The Rural equipment is a 1952 F-8 Ford red fire truck.
In earlier years, and from 1954 on, Columbia Fire- men have attended the Firemans' School at Champaign- Gus Schroeder in earlier years and Jack Steppig and Carl Landgraf In later years. There they learn the newest methods of fire fighting. In July of 1954 Jack Steppig spent a day at Scott Air Base at Belleville learning how to deal with crashed jet planes in the event of a disaster.
The firemen have completely equipped a very mod- ern kitchen in the Municipal Building where they can prepare a course dinner or just snacks for sociable fire meetings. They have a large capacity deep freezer to keep fish for their popular fish frys; a club room for playing cards; a meeting room in the basement.
They have been in charge of the Muscular Dystrophy drives from 1956 to the present for which they received a Citation of Merit. They also assumed the Infantile Par- alysis drive in 1958.
In 1935 they adopted a new Constitution and By- Laws.
For some years, from 1952 on, they have sponsored soft ball teams and Khoury league teams both financially and by furnishing leadership. Carl Landgraf has been the manager, and has been helped by Oliver Roessler, Howard Moskopf, John Landgraf, Elton Schorb and Albert Jahr and others.
The Columbia Fire Department with modern equip- ment and twenty-five fire laddies ready and willing to answer calls any time, any where, Is of great Import- ance to Columbia. Before the wail of the fire siren moans ts last alarm, the fire department doors are opened and the firemen on their way.
This department in Columbla is one to Inspire con- fidence for they are quick to answer all calls and they are expert firemen with years of service. They all face peril and death together and should be honored for their selfless, loyal service to the community.
The fire calls, since the dial telephone went into effect, are received at the Control Center at the City Hall, where 21 hours a day someone is at the Control desk. Formerly the fire calls went to the telephone op- crators at the Harrisonville Telephone Exchange and the operators blew the siren there.
Officers and members for 1939-60: City Fire Depart- ment: City Fire Marshal, Jacob Steppig; 1st Assistant, Theodore E. Klein; 2d Assistant; Clemence Metter.
Officers and Firemen Columbia Volunteer Fire Com- pany: President, Carl Landgraf; Vice President, Edward Vogt; Secretary, Alfred Crowder; Treasurer, Clemence Metter.
Firemen (25) Marvin Bergmann, Alfred Crowder, Harry Daab, Oliver M. Durrer, Robert Farr, llerman G. Frierdich, James Janson, James Juengling, Theodore E. Klein, William E. Klein, Herman Krack, Edward Kremmel, Carl Landgraf, John Landgraf, Jr., Dennis McMullan, Clemence Metter, Ronald Raeber, E. J. Schorb, Norman Schroeder, Raymond Schroeder, Edgar L. Steppig, Jacob Steppig, Donald A. Stumpf, Sr., George J. Van Luik, Ed- ward Vogt.
The old engine house, city hall and "calabooze" torn down to make way for the new municipal building.
27
TURNVEREIN THE COLUMBIA GYMNASTIC ASSOCIATION
The Columbia Gymnastic Association, formerly known as the Columbia Turnverein, is one of our earliest social and educational organizations. It contributed much to the physical, cultural and social life of this community. It can truthfully be said that the Turner Hall was Columbia's community center.
This organization had its beginning in Germany. Fath- er Jahn, a teacher there, felt that physical education and cultural education should be equally stressed. He organiz- ed the Turner movement. German immigrants brought the idea over with them and when the immigrants became established they wanted this medium of education and culture as part of their lives.
Accordingly a group of Columbia Germans met at the home of Gustav Pentzler in 1866. Mr. Pentzler acted as the temporary chairman to organize a Turnverein. It was long an ideal of his and he may well be called the Father of the Columbia Turnverein or Gymnastic Association as it now is called. "Verein" means society.
The Turner motto is "A Healthy Mind in a Healthy Body." Another motto was "Frisch, Freie, Treue, Stark." This in English is "Fresh, Free, True and Strong." The Turner greeting was "Turner Gruess" or "Gut Heil" and headed all Turner communications.
Charter members were: John Philip Ebel, Wenzel Sou- kopf, Charles Beck, Peter Reis, Henry Pretsch, Henry Beck, John Schmidt, John Kolb, Charles Schaefer, William Ebel, Joseph Stephan, Michael Herz, Gustav Pentzler, Daniel Kraus and August Mund.
First officers were: Philip Ebel, President; Wenzel Soukopf, vice President; Henry Pretsch, recording secre- tary; Carl Schaeffer, corresponding secretary; Carl Beck, first instructor; John Schmidt, second instructor, Gustav Pentzler, treasurer, and August Mund, custodian.
The first new members were Charles Schuler, Freder- ick Walz and John Reinhold.
Present officers of the Columbia Gymnastic Associa- tion are: Charles J. Grueninger, President; Frank T. Toen- jes, Vice President; Erwin Hankamer, Secretary-Treasur- er; William Landgraf, Corresponding Secretary; William Schueler, William Rehg and William Lengfelder, Trustees; William C. Gummersheimer, business manager; Pamela Horsley, pianist; and Harry Temperle, Turning School in- structor.
Shortly after the first meeting Gustav Pentzler and John Schmidt were sent to St. Louis to purchase standard Turning school equipment. They must have gone by stage coach or horseback for there was no other means of trans- portation except on foot, and that was not unusual, for many went to St. Louis on "Shank's Mare."
The equipment purchased consisted of standard equip- ment, poles, rings, ladders, horses, parallel bars, mats, wands, dumbbells, and Indian clubs. After these were purchased, regular classes began, being held weekly. The Turner costume for boys was a white shirt, blue knee pants with a white stripe down the side. Girls wore a dark blue shirt, piped in white, over knee pants. (Later the girls daringly wore very full blue serge bloomers.) They also wore long black stockings and shoes of black either button or lace. All had to wear standard uniforms and all had to pay for their own. Turning School fees were 50c initial fee, and 25c monthly thereafter.
Meetings were held by candle light until 1867 when hanging oil lamps were bought.
September 6, 1866 the Waterloo Turnverein invited the Columbia Turnverein to help them celebrate their second anniversary. Both Turnvereins gave exhibitions of their athletic prowess.
The first October ball was held Oct. 7. 1866, at John Reinhold's Concert Hall. There was a dance and a Turner exhibition. This became an annual affair. We still have the October ball.
May 9, 1867 the first anniversary was observed with a picnic at "Oxen Pasture" or Union Park as it came to be known. This was across the tracks from the present G. M. and O. depot.
The first masque ball was held in 1866 on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent-the last fling of gayety before the penitential season, for Columbia always kept Lent. These masked balls were something special for be- sides costumes of all description and a good orchestra, a midnight supper was served. It was a feast, and your dancing partner as the midnight hour struck was your supper partner. The cook was "Grandma" Riebeling and she was a figure in Turner circles. She could cook an epi- curean feast and dance an old fashioned waltz that would put Lawrence Welk to shame. She was in great demand as a dancing partner, eighty-odd years old though she was. She ruled her kitchen with an iron hand and volun- teer help, and everyone who helped, felt that her hand was as heavy in discipline as her pie crust was light.
In 1869 a singing society was organized for men's voi- ces only. This was chartered on Aug. 19, 1871. A teacher was hired for two nights a week to teach and direct. This was called the "Saengerbund". There were Bund choral fests with Waterloo, Red Bud and St. Louis. When Colum- bia competed out of town, they hired a hack from A. F. Weinel to take them. The Columbia Gesangverein, a part of Columbia's first library, back in 1885 joined the Turn- verein and became its singing section.
Anyone could join. There were no lines drawn, either religious or social. If you could sing you were in.
The Turners were duly incorporated as a non-profit organization, with profits acquired to be used for building or ethical purposes. Officers were: Henry Riebeling, Presi- dent; Wenzel Soukopf, Vice President; Gustav Pentzler, Secretary; Philip Ebel, Treasurer; Fred Meyer, sr. gymnas- tic director and Henry Heitzenroeder, custodian.
The objective of the society stated in the articles of incorporation were: the cultivation and advancement of body and intellect, the former by Turning, the latter by debates, music and other activities. It was organized as a not-for-profit corporation and all profits go for improve- ments, either physical or ethical. It is recognized as an educational institution, since Turning School is regularly taught and therefore it is tax-exempt.
In 1875 the society purchased John Reinhold's Concert Hall. Previously they had met there and given entertain- ments on a cooperative basis, with Turner members served free. The concert hall was purchased from the heirs of Henry Schumacher for $800. The original building is still a part of the Turner Hall although it has undergone a complete transformation during the years, making it one of the finest structures of its kind in Southern Illinois.
In 1883 ground was purchased from the Henckler heirs for $1000 for a park to surround the Turner Hall. There was a house on the land where the father of Fred Henck- ler, sr. was born. Trees were planted, an out-of door pa- vilion for dances provided, out of door baking ovens and other innovations. The house was torn down later and the park now adjoins the city recreation center, becoming al- most a part of it, for the Turners permit the grounds to be used for out of door activities.
In 1916 the Turners celebrated their fiftieth anniver- sary. Over a hundred members attended. The North St. Louis Actives class was present and with our classes gave
28
a gymnastie entertainment. Offleers then were George Roessler, President; Julius Lotz, Vice President; Henry Reichenbach, corresponding secretary; Arthur G. Arnin, Treasurer; Alvin Klein, flrst gymnastic instructor; William Juengling, second gymnastle instructor; George Riebeling. custodian; Albert Lepp, E. J. Schneider and Fred G. Rapp, trustees and Conrad Zahn and Chris Dehn, banner bearers. The Turning teacher was William Thomason.
The Turner Homecomings were an annual event and exist to this day.
The L. M. C. Club, a group of young Turners, gave a serles of dances and a minstrel show and gave the net proceeds, $1200, to the Turners for a new hard maple dance floor. The Turner Hall also served as a meeting place for the G. A. R., the Sons of Union Veterans, the Hlari Garls, the Damen Verein, the Modern Woodmen, the Legion and its Auxillary. They also had a picture show for a number of years with Joseph J. Volkert, Jr. and Emil Brucker and Alvin Klein co-managers and picture oper- ators
We have taken this history from the records of the Turners. Records were first written in German, in the beautiful script of the educated German. Equally as beau- tiful were the English minutes of Emil Brucker who for many years served as secretary.
The metropolitan press acknowledged what the Tur- ners contributed to Columbia as attested by this article in a Sunday edition of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat in 1936 in which they say:
"Seventy years ago in the little town of Columbia, I]- linols. a jolly, robust German by the name of Gustav Pentzier called a meeting of fourteen members to discuss the welfare of the children of the growing community. Thus was born one of the first societies of Turners in America. Recently all Columbia turned out to commem- crate in true German fashion that night in 1866 when the Turnverein became a part of the community to work for the good of its creed. "A healthy mind in a healthy body" In the generations that followed in the small country town.
Today Columbia Is predominantly German. It is an oasis of quaint beauty, less than an hour's drive from the smoky, grimy atmosphere of large cities. Its square, red, brick houses and neatly kept lawns speak for the tradi- tional neatness of the Germans.
OFFICERS OF THE COLUMBIA GYMNASTIC ASSOCIA- TION AUXILIARY-Mrs. Lillian Landgraf, Mrs. Pat Vogt, "Irs. Pearl Grueninger, Mrs. Louise Shea.
More than four hundred persons, invited by Charles Weisenstein, celebrated the anniversary of the organiza- tion of the Turnverein in 1866. German bands with their familiar tunes of "Ich Bin Der Doktor Eisenbart", "Die Lorelei" and that old time favorite "Das Schnitzel Bank" were heard all day. Under the shade of a large spreading elm, was the welcome sign "Beer".
The celebration was a continuous one, lasting two days and Including a parade In which every child in Co- lumbla took part. For it is for the welfare of the children the Turners exist. The history of the Turners Is the his- tory of Columbia or vice versa. The Germans settled in Columbia from 1833 to 1850. There were German revolu- tions in 1848 which hastened migrations.
In the years that followed the Turners recognized the need for a Community Hall where all of Columbia could take part in the verein activities and singing parties of the musically Inclined Germans.
Nine years after Its organization, or in 1875, the Tur- ners procured from one of Its members, Henry Schumach- er, the site on which the Turner Hall stands. All activities of the community center around the Turner Hall. It is the meeting place for all organizations with no discrimination for religion or social standing. There developed in Colum- bia a community spirit that has no equal. All its commu- nity projects are successful as a result of the Turner spir- it. The organization grew and with it, the community. In 1916 plans for a larger building were realized. The organ- ization had accumulated a treasury which, alded by con- tributions, produced $8000. On their 50th organization an- niversary the Turners dedicated their remodeled building to Columbia for community functions."
The leaders of the 70th Anniversary of the founding of the Turners were: Charles Welsenstein, Fred G. Rapp, Walter Koch, Dan Daab, Henry Beckmann and Arthur P. Wink.
When the Turners have only five members, and this will not be soon, for it Is still a flourishing organization, the assets and property will revert to the Columbla public school. Early in their history they proudly purchased a bell for the new Columbia school.
Their last gesture will be to give their all for educa- tion in Columbia, surely a worthy gift from a society that did so much for education.
PRESENT OFFICERS OF THE TURNERS) COLUMBIA GYMNASTIC ASSN .-- Front row; William Schueler. W'm. Lengfelder, W'm. Rehg. Back row. Wm. E. Landgraf Erwin Hankamer, Frank S. Toenjes, Chas J Grueninger, W'm C. Gummersheimer.
3
77%
SCOUTING IN COLUMBIA
Scouting in Columbia has always been popular, the citizens furnishing leaders, sponsorship and financial as- sistance.
When the meeting place of the Boy Scouts, the old office of the A. F. Weinel Lumber Company, became too small and the meeting place of the Girl Scouts, the Co- lumbia Public School, outgrew the space allotted, the citizens of Columbia, with the consent of the City Council, supplied a place in the Municipal Park for a Scout Hut; plans were drawn up gratis by Architect Oscar Kress of East St. Louis and funds were solicited to pay for ma- terials for a Scout Hut for Columbia youngsters.
Then the magic that is Columbia's began to evi- dence itself. Columbia works together for anything that is for the good of the community. The Farmers' Co-op, with manager Roy Downs, brought the firm's big Oliver tractor over to the site in the Municipal Park, and ex- cavated the basement; Fred Harres moved in with a team and scraper, and the Scouts and other helpers finished the job of excavating. Skilled workmen dug the sewer line for safety's sake; Senior Scouts and their fathers dug the water line; union men representing all the skills, from Columbia, Waterloo and Millstadt and even from St. Louis came on Saturday to help gratis; and a good time was had by all. Business men from Co- lumbia and dads of Boy and Girl Scouts all turned out to help. Meals were served to the workers and liquid re- freshments sent down to the Scout Hut by local tavern owners.
The Girl Scout mothers furnished the Scout Hut with donated, painted and refurbished furniture. Columbians gave $850 to a solicitation committee of the old Lions Club assisted by the Boy Scouts, and a Hut was ready for the children of Columbia in 1938. The entire cost was not covered by subscriptions so Scout mothers gave parties and plays and liquidated the debt.
Camporees on the public school grounds and at the Municipal Park, with tents borrowed from Scott Field
at Belleville, were thoroughly enjoyed by both Boy and Girl Scouts. Later both Boy and Girl Scouts camped at Camp Vandeventer, near Valmeyer for a week, the Girl Scouts camping after the Boy Scout camping season was over.
Scout movements wax and wane. Today's scouting seems to be on the rise, with many good leaders who spend endless hours planning and working for the youth of Columbia.
History of Cub Pack 19, Columbia
A charter was granted to Cub Scouts Pack 19, on May 14, 1941. The first cubmaster was Howard H. Hub- bell. There were seventeen boys and five Den Mothers. This Cub Pack was under Columbia PTA sponsorship and has been, continuously, through the years, up to the present.
Following are the Cubmasters who served through the years: Howard H. Hubbell, Alvin E. Tunze, (Pack dropped December 1944 but re-registered in 1947); C. W. Gruninger, Erwin Withum, Jr., Lowell Andrew, Rea O'Neill, Oliver C. Hoffmann and Harry Niemann, the present Cubmaster.
In 1941 seventeen Cub Scouts were registered; in 1956, sixty; 1957-58 fifty, and at the present thirty-six are registered.
Den Mothers for 1958-59 are Mary Krebel, Ardell Vogt, Bessie Riebeling, June Joseph, Margaret Henckler, Pat Thurman, Dorothy Niemann and Mary Ann Hoff- mann. Den Chiefs are: Leslie Niemann, James Hoff- mann, Bill Todd and Thomas Hermann.
Some of the activities of the Cub Scouts are: study and practice of conservation, serving as color guards in civic parades, music shows, pow wows, constructive hobbies and games.
Good sportsmanship, brotherly love and reverence for God and country form the foundation of all Cub Scout activities.
30
THE BOY SCOUT MOVEMENT IN COLUMBIA
The Boy Scouts of Patrol 1 were organized in Co- lumbia in 1917. The sponsor of the troop was the Co- lumbia Commercial Club; the Scoutmaster E. J. Schnel- der; the assistant Scoutmaster Edward Schoppe.
There is no record of this troop because It was a Lone Troop organized through New York Headquarters, and the records were not available. It could be assumed that the Commercial Club furnished the Troop members since they sponsored the troop.
In the minutes of the Commercial Club at the Febru- ary 11, 1918 meeting, E. J. Schneider, Scoutmaster re- ported that nineteen boys passed their Tenderfoot tests. Monroe Gundlach has a sheepskin card issued to him Jan- uary 18, 1918 by E. J. Schneider, Scoutmaster.
It was during the first World War to end all wars, and the government asked the Scout Troop to find walnut trees for the government out of which gun stocks were to be manufactured. This the Scouts did, thor- oughly, as boys of that age are excessively active. Our recollection is that they served on all war drives with distinction and received a citation from the government for their assistance.
Some of the members of this energetic troop were Alvin E. Tunze (first to sign the charter), Adolph Dreher, Monroe Gundlach, Melvin Justus, Victor Breidecker. Edgar Schoening. Jos. J. Volkert, Jr. (the bugler), Erwin and Leonard Schoppe, Alex Rauch, Carl W. Richert and Miles Justus. There were more, but their names elude the writer.
In 1923 and for several years after Albert C Metter served as Scoutmaster under American Legion sponsor- ship, during which time four of the Scouts became Eagle Scouts.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.