USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > A History of the city of Newark, New Jersey : embracing practically two and a half centuries, 1666-1913, Volume II > Part 53
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 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62
In the treatment of a subject of such wide scope within limited space, it was necessary to make a selection from a mass of material as has been done in this chapter.
CHAPTER X. VIEWS AND DEEDS OF THE GERMANS IN WARTIMES.
THE STATE CONVENTION OF THE RADICAL GERMANS-NOMINATION OF GENERAL FREMONT AT THE CONVENTION IN CLEVELAND-MANY NEWARK GERMANS LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE WAR-GERMAN ORGANIZATION FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE WOUNDED SOLDIERS AND THE WIDOWS AND ORPHANS OF THE DEAD PARTISAN INTERFERENCE WITH A GERMAN EMANCIPATION CELEBRATION ON SUNDAY -- JOY OVER THE END OF THE WAR-PRESIDENT LINCOLN'S DEATH-THE OLD GERMAN THIRTEENTH WAARD THE REPUBLICAN BANNER WARD-GERMAN VETERANS ORGANIZE HEXAMER POST NO. 34 G. A. R.
In the Hall of Fame of the American nation, no figure rises to a nobler height than that of Abraham Lincoln. It has been deeply instilled in the later generation to look up to him with plous veneration and to regard him as the embodiment of the wisest statesmanship and most distinguished patriotism. Therefore, it will astonish many to learn that there was a time when even this great man, inspired by the sincerest patriotism, was regarded with strong hostility by his own party, and when the purity of his motives was doubted.
Time has completely justified Lincoln's vigorous calm, his wise modera- tion and clear insight. By many spokesmen of public opinion of the time, however, his restraint was interpreted as timidity and irresolution. He proceeded slowly and deliberately, whereas they wished to see the desired Koal and end attained with stormy haste-this branch of the Union party became the radical.
------- 4
-
£
-
1076
HISTORY OF NEWARK
Not fundamental principles, but the means taken, divided the two factions, and since the radicals believed they saw the measures which they condemned, namely: those of slowness, indulgence and prolongation of the war (for thus they conceived the situation) embodied in President Lincoln, it was really only he who divided the old partisans from one another.
It is true that the progress of the war was not of a nature to keep the enthusiasm for Lincoln at its earlier zenith; for at the beginning of the fourth year of the war, which should have been opened with the final com- plete crushing of the Rebellion, the results seemed more remote than ever.
The radical party had a large following among the Germans in New Jersey, and a state convention of the radical Germans was held in Newark on Wednesday, February 10, 1864. All the clubs or societies belonging to the organization were represented by delegates. Dr. A. Douai, of Hoboken, was elected president of the convention. The platform which was adopted demanded the abolition of slavery in the entire Union and the confiscation or expropriation of the landed property of the rebels, and it was decided to support as candidates for the next Presidency Fremont, Butler or other radical men.
The idea of holding a national convention became a fact, and so it came to pass that between the national conventions of the Republican and Democratic parties a third convention-that of the Radical-Unionists- was held on May 31, 1864, in Cleveland, which was participated in by about three hundred and fifty or four hundred delegates. General John Cochrane, of New York, was chairman, and among the vice-presidents Dr. Ludwig Greiner, of Newark, was included. The convention nominated John C. Fre- mont for President and General Cochrane for Vice-President. The platform adopted was so radical that it seemed hazardous even to the nominees. It demanded that the Rebellion be crushed with all weapons, without com- promise; that the Constitution should be amended so that the President should serve only one torm, and, besides that, there should be popular elections of Presidents. Finally, the confiscation of the property of the rebels and their distribution among the soldiers of the Union was demanded. The convention has had no permanent disastrous effect upon the Repub- lican party. The disgruntled radicals, later, attained to a better insight, withdrew their national ticket and bowed to the decision of the Republican National Convention, which nominated Abraham Lincoln for the second time for President, on June 8, 1864, and then, too, Lincoln was elected by a large majority.
In the month of May, 1864, that titanic struggle began at the Potomac, which ended, finally, in the subjugation of the South. From time to time the reports of victory, coming from the seat of war, filled the hearts of the patriots with joy and enthusiasm, but, only too often, they were crushed with the fearful sacrifices which war inexorably demands: grief, weeping and lamentation.
In those days the sad message of the death or the severe injury of a loved one was brought to many a German family in Newark, and who can estimate the pain in the hearts of many women, when the devoted husband or the son in the bloom of youth was laid low in the bloody combat. Among the dead and wounded Union soldiers the number of Germans was exceed- ingly great. In the hospitals in Fredericksburg and Washington, in the hospitals of the Sixth army corps and in the regimental hospitals, thousands of these brave men were stretched on a bed of pain. In those murderous
-
-
F
£
6
1077
HISTORY OF NEWARK
battles the two German companies in the Second Regiment of New Jersey sustained by far the greatest losses. Among others, Lieutenant Colonel Karl Wiebecke, Sergeant Hermann Dehmer, Corporal Karl Huck, Daniel Zoll- weger and Jacob Bogart were killed: "Fallen on the field of honor."
There were two cases in particular, of heroic deaths, which aroused the deepest sympathy among the Germans of Newark. One was the death of Lieutenant Colonel Karl Wiebecke. He fell on Saturday, May 14, at the storming of a position held by the enemy, when he was pressing forward amid a rain of bullets, at the head of his valiant men of the Second Regiment of New Jersey. Wiebecke had marched from Newark as captain, to come to the aid of his oppressed, adopted Fatherland, with his arms and his military knowledge; and, esteemed by his superiors and beloved by his subordinates, he had advanced to the rank of lieutenant-colonel of the Second Regiment, of which he had been in command for a considerable time, since its colonel, Buck, was constantly in Washington. He died the death of a hero and a patriot.
The second death was a blow to one of the best-known and most revered German families in Newark-that of Pastor F. A. Lehlbach. Hugo Lehl- bach, the youngest of three brothers who fought in the Union army for the sacred cause of freedom, a member of Company C of the Second Regiment of Volunteers of New Jersey, lost a leg in the sanguinary Battle of the Wilderness on May 5. After long and severe suffering he died on July 23 in the government hospital in Alexandria, Virginia. The embalmed body was brought here, and on Thursday afternoon, July 28, the funeral took place, starting from the rectory in Washington street. Veterans of the Second Regiment of New Jersey and of the DeKalb Regiment rendered the last honors to their deceased comrade. The numerous participants among the German public in the funeral cortège of the young champion of liberty proved that it could appreciate the sacrifices which were offered for the country's cause.
The sacrifices which the Germans at that time made for their new Fatherland were great. Many had received bad news from the field con- cerning their loved ones and friends, and who can measure the grief of a woman's heart when death has stricken her dear ones? But pain and anxiety did not make them forget the most important point, and when the call went through the country for the means to support and nurse the wounded and sick among the Union soldiers, the German population of Newark again responded among the first. In Washington, D. C., a German auxiliary society had been formed, whose call for contributions and sub- scriptions found a ready response in Newark, and it was particularly the German women who devoted themselves with unsparing interest to the society in Washington. The matrons and young ladies of Newark were invited to a meeting, to be held in W. Knecht's Hall in William street, the 24th day of May, 1861, to organize for the aid and relief of wounded German soldiers and to alleviate their suffering as much as possible. This meeting was called by Dr. Ill, F. Kuehnhold, H. Häussling, William Knecht, Dr. Kuechler, F. Horn, L. P. Huber, F. Wüsthoff, F. Rich, L. Brustman, A. Doelger, D. Lauch, H. Metz, Dr. B. Sautermeister, Frau B. Prieth. The meeting resolved to ask the patriotic public for contributions, which were to' be received at certain places, and they appointed a committee to receive such contributions. The activity of the German. Aid Society was well spoken of by the press, and special mention was made of the sacrificing help given
£
1078
HISTORY OF NEWARK
to the sick and wounded by the Newark branch. The secretary of the German Society in Washington, Mr. Cohen, was especially delegated to express their warmest thanks to the patriotic women of Newark for their many gifts and contributions, which were minutely mentioned in a Wash- ington report, and which also said that it had been made possible to keep up the activity of the society, through the large money contributions received from Washington, Baltimore, New York and Newark.
After the mishaps that in the beginning pursued the troops of the Union, successes followed, and the final defeat of the Confederacy became more and more certain. It is out of place here to go into details of the last events of the war.
All the time the Germans were everywhere celebrating the victory of the emancipation of the negro slaves-which emancipation was accomplished on January 1, 1864, when the American people, through its representatives in Congress, declared its will to return to the neglected doctrine of its forefathers-"All men are born free"-and issued its second Declaration of Independence. In honor of the success of the principle of emancipation as well as of the glorious days of Fort Fisher, a festival was held on February 22 by Germans of the Thirteenth Ward in Haas's place on Belmont avenue; it was also attended by many loyal Democrats. During this assem- bly, Dr. Fridolin Ill made a stirring speech, in which he gave a general summary of those long and fierce struggles, in which the German Repub- licans, since 1856, had taken so conspicuous a share. The speaker drew a picture of the unfortunate consequences of slavery and pointed to the advantage to be derived from its abolition through a constitutional amend- ment by the living generation to its offspring as well as to mankind. In the course of the evening other orators referred especially to the progress of liberal ideas in the Republic, which rendered it possible for a celebration of emancipation to be held on Sunday, and that, in a city and in a ward in which, but a few years ago, it was perilous to hold a Republican meeting on a week day.
The satisfaction expressed in this meeting over the recognition of a free Sunday proved to be premature, for only a few weeks later there was ample reason to complain of a contrary condition.
On Sunday evening, March 19, 1865, it was intended to hold a meeting of opponents to slavery of the Sixth Assembly District, at Doelger's estab- lishment. The above-mentioned amendment of the Federal Constitution (concerning the abolition of slavery) was in the meanwhile, in accordance with the provisions, submitted to the various state legislatures, but was rejected by ours. The indignation among the Abolitionists was, in conse- quence, very great, but their opponents showed no less defiance. As for the meeting on Sunday afternoon, it had already been rumored that it would be prevented by the police, and, when the committee which had called the meeting arrived with the orators from New York, it was informed by the owners of the hall that the authorities would not permit the meeting to be held. The committee then betook itself to the closely-packed assembly room, and announced to those present that, in consequence of the order of the police, the meeting could not take place, and would have to be adjourned to a day to be fixed later. Simultaneously a squad of police entered the room, ready to execute the orders of their superiors by force, if necessary. That is to say, they were to break up the meeting. Consequently the intended manifestation of the Abolitionists could not take place until some time later.
一
1079
HISTORY OF NEWARK
This occurrence was thought to be in connection with the Sunday ordinance, the execution of which was supposed to have been demanded by a petition to the police; but that it had actually nothing whatever to do with the Sabbath ordinance was evident from a declaration of the mayor of that time, Mr. Runyon; that the holding of political meetings would be per- mitted on Sundays. The interference of the police appears rather to have been attributed to the influence of political opponents, and one of the prin- cipal officials seems to have exceeded his authority. We need not trouble ourselves over the real cause to-day.
The interrupted meeting was eventually held on May 24, in the gym- nasiuni (Turner Hall) on William street, and the public speaker, Weil from Gernsbach, delivered an impressive address.
It is impossible to describe the exultation that burst out everywhere, as well as in Newark, when the news flashed through the country that at last peace had been restored. To grasp the far-reaching consequence of this event in all its fullness, one must have experienced it oneself. There was no end to the jubilation when the news of the surrender of General Lee on April 9, 1865, reached us.
The 3rd of April, 1865, particularly, was a day of rejoicing in Newark. The enthusiasm which greeted the news of the capture of Petersburg and Richmond passed all bounds. The streets were filled with jubilant people who were rejoicing over the glorious victory of the Federal armies and the preservation of the country.
It was a lucky coincidence that the "M. G. V. Aurora" (Men's Singing Society Aurora)-a great many members of which had joined the rank and file of the Union fighters-was celebrating at this time (April 11, Monday) the anniversary of its foundation. The festivities were held at the head- quarters, Knecht's gymnasium on William street, and the members enjoyed a twofold celebration because of the victory of the cause of the Union, on which occasion the society, in words and song, expressed its feelings enthusiastically.
·
At that moment the Rebellion, which had been stricken to the ground, culminated in a desperate crime. The most exultant joy was changed to deepest mourning, because the nation stood lamenting at the bier of the noble President, Abraham Lincoln, who was struck down by the bullet of an assassin on the evening of April 14, and expired on the morning of April 15. The noblest heart was stilled, but the country and the people, in whose welfare it had never failed to beat, accomplished the great work begun by the martyr, and is keeping his memory as the dearest bequest.
And in the ringing of the Easter bells in the year 1865, the mourning for the murdered President was assuaged by the thought that the dread- fully hard time during which he had directed the destiny of the nation was at an end. At this time it was the German people before all other foreign nations who greeted the victory of the North with proofs of sincere rejoicing. The organs of the German press sent their congratulations and emphasized with proud gratification the fact that the Germans of America had honorably contributed their share to the full maintenance of the Republic. The "Volkszeitung" of Berlin offered a poetical Easter greeting as its contribu- tion, the sentiments of which were clothed in beautiful language and are calculated to stir the heart, even to-day:
-
7
V
E
-
1080
HISTORY OF NEWARK
Hear the glad tidings of joy, as of old! A tribute new of the resurrection morn, A message founded on truth, by Heaven told: The shameful bonds of slavery are torn! The bitter fight for freedom now is o'er, In victory gleams the star-spangled banner as of yore.
O bounteous flower of freedom, wet with the dew Of the blood of thousands-victory's cost is dear! Thou shalt flourish! For now, anew, Faith in goodness proclaims that salvation is near. All hail to thee, Union! Freedom is won,
And rich is her favor to each languishing son.
Owing to his policy, Congress entered into a bitter conflict with the President, who was sensitive, irritable and violent. The breach widened visibly and the contest dragged through two years, finally culminating in an indictment proceeding against the President, which forms a dark chapter in our political history. All this is of vital interest for our local history, only, in so far as it explains the exceptional violence with which the election campaigns, namely those of 1865 and 1866, were conducted, in which the Germans took a most important part. After the old whig party had out- lived its day, the Democratic party in Newark had been, almost without exception, victorious in the election campaigns. It is true that the young Republican party had made great strides in city and State, but it was not until the fall of 1865 that it was sufficiently strong to be able to obtain a decisive victory against the Democrats.
Naturally these great events aided essentially in the victory of the Republican party. This elected its candidate for Mayor-Thomas B. Peddie -with a majority of over one thousand votes, on Tuesday, October 10, 1865. In the city election of 1864, the Democrats had still a majority of one thousand and ninety-five votes, but in that of 1865, in which about thirteen thousand four hundred votes were cast, the Republicans had a majority of one thousand three hundred and sixty votes, so that the Republican gain since the October of the preceding year was two thousand four hundred and fifty votes. In the preceding election, in which thirteen thousand six hundred and eighty-one votes were cast in Newark, Lincoln had received six thousand six hundred and ninety-three, and McClellan six thousand nine hundred and eighty-eight, so that Mcclellan's majority amounted to no more than two hundred and ninety-five votes. In the city election of 1865, the German Republicans from the "hill" had been so prominent that the party thought it fitting to specially recognize this fact, which took the form of a presentation of a banner of honor to the Thirteenth Ward. The banner had originated in the Fremont campaign in 1856, and was to belong to the ward which should cast the largest Republican majority. Heretofore it had been in the possession of the Ninth. The presentation of the banner took place on Friday evening, October 20, in Library Hall. Captain Halsted of the Ninth Ward handed it over to the representatives of the Thirteenth Ward with a stirring speech, and J. P. Trimble thanked him in the name of the Thirteenth Ward. In conclusion, Mr. B. Prieth and Mr. John Y. Foster spoke with particular reference to the services rendered by Fremont to the Republican party. After the presentation, all the people marched from Library Hall to Haas' Hall on Belmont avenue, where speeches were deliv- ered by the newly-elected Mayor, Mr. Peddie, Mr. Halsted, Rev. Mr. Lehlbach, Messrs. B. Prieth, A. R. Hannian and others. This meeting, which will
Lni
-
-
-
1081
HISTORY OF NEWARK
never be forgotten by those who were present, concluded with cheers for Dr. F. Ill, the tried champion of the Republican party in the old Sixth, later the Thirteenth Ward.
The campaign of 1866 was also a very lively one, and the German Republicans took an active part in it. They were particularly conspicuous in a torch-light procession on September 15th, as well as in a mass meeting, which was held on Wednesday, October 3rd, at a place on High street now covered with buildings, between Mercer and Court streets. George Stein- brenner and General Kryzanowsky of New York, Dr. Louis Greiner, Dr. F. Ill, George A. Halsey, candidates for Congress, Pastor Lehlbach and Bene- dict Prieth, delivered enthusiastic addresses. In the November as well as in the city elections, the voting of the "German Bannerward" was very heavy. The outcome of this election helped to give the Congressional vote in the House of Representatives in Washington a Republican majority, whereby the above mentioned conflict became even more intense. George A. Halsey received, in Newark alone, a majority of over one thousand five hundred votes for Congress, and the re-elected Sheriff Ricord, received all the votes cast in the Thirteenth Ward, with the exception of two. In these fall campaigns the German Republican Central Committee was conspicuously active. It had as president, Dr. F. Ill, and as secretary, B. Prieth, whilst its members consisted of Frank Rich, Dr. Charles Lehlbach, Th. Simoni, A. Brach, A. Neigert, Captain Linder, J. L. Labiaux, Theo. Horn, J. Surerus, A. Schonberger, K. Koch, J. Kocher, F. Schlund and others.
In the lively campaign, which has just been mentioned, Hermann Raster appeared here as a Republican speaker. He was at that time editor of the New York "Abend Post" and later, as is well known, he acquired, as editor of the Illinois "Staatszeitung," the reputation as one of the most prominent German-American journalists. The campaign for the State elec- tions was conducted even more briskly than that for the city elections. There appeared, for example, on a Saturday night (November 4th) as speaker at a Republican meeting in Library Hall, no less than three Union generals-Joseph Hooker, John A. Logan and Judson Kilpatrick. In this
election, too, the Republican party obtained a great victory. Marcus L. Ward, who, in recognition of his great services rendered to the Union soldiers, had a hospital named after him, was elected with a tremendous majority over the Democratic candidate for Governor, General Runyon. In Newark, Ward's majority was one thousand five hundred and forty-six; In the townships, nine hundred and sixty-nine votes, and altogether in Essex county, two thousand five hundred and five votes. Sheriff Ricord was re-elected with a majority of two thousand six hundred and nineteen votes.
Fellowship among soldiers is the same all over the world. A soldier will never forget a comrade with whom he passed through the horrors of war, and with whom he shared the dangers, hardships and privations of the campaign. Death alone dissolves friendships which are thus made, and the feeling of intimate comradeship which exists among such men endures to the grave. And it is only natural that old soldiers should cling to one another for mutual help as much as for the exchange of inexhaustible reminiscences.
Hexamer Post, No. 34, G. A. R., was organized in 1872. The desire of having intercourse with congenial comrades, honorably discharged German veterans of the Civil War, brought together a number of them on April 22nd, 1872, in the hall of the deceased Gottfried Schmalz, at 140 Green street, and as early as April 25th, only three days later, the new association was sworn in by the officers, in the headquarters of Lincoln Post, No. 11, as Post No. 34.
11
1082
HISTORY OF NEWARK
Comrade J. E. Seitz, the only surviving founder (1913), was chosen first officer in command, and the other officers were John Müller, Wm. Lauer, F. Ringlieb, H. L. Roettger, A. C. Moll, Chas. Oberst, John Klepp and F. Freien- sehner. In addition to these associates, Elias Honig and David Lederer also belonged to the founders. To give the German post a name was the next task, and, after some rather lengthy debates, the name proposed by Com- rade J. Müller was accepted, namely, that of Captain Hexamer, known as one of the most valiant of the artillery officers of the Army of the Potomac. Up to the present time (1913) the Post has spent about $25,000 for benevolent purposes. The Post is very popular among the Germans, because it has always manifested great interest in their endeavors. The commanding officers are intimately connected with the history of German life in Newark, so their names may therefore be added. They were J. E. Seitz, John Mueller, F. Kirchmayer, E. Loering, A. Ziegler, G. L. Aab, P. Ulrich, L. Weyand, Wm. Amberg, L. W. Pfaff, R. Zeiss, H. Breuniger, J. Jetter, G. W. Dielmann and G. Freitag. Mr. Charles Kraemer, the father of Dr. Kraemer, at present (1913) Commissioner of the Board of Works, has been filling the office of quartermaster since the organization of the Post.
CHAPTER XI.
A GLIMPSE OF THE OLD PORTION OF NEWARK SETTLED BY GERMANS.
THE GERMAN HILL-THE PART ABOVE HIGH STREET-SPRINGFIELD AVENUE- THE HAUNTED HOUSE-FEE FOR TEACHING CHILDREN 1212 CENTS A WEEK -PIONEER SHIPBUILDERS ACTIVE-THE OLD BELMONT AVENUE-TIIE HORSES' HEAVEN-THE WEST END AND ITS MAGNOLIA SWAMP AND KEHOE'S HOLE --- PEAT CUTTING FOR THE SOLDIERS' HOSPITAL-HISTORY OF WEST END PARK-THE OLD GREEN STREET-HOME OF THE JEWELRY INDUSTRY- HHISTORY OF THE GREEN STREET HALL-FIRST GYMNASIUM OF A GERMAN ATHLETIC SOCIETY.
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.