A History of the city of Newark, New Jersey : embracing practically two and a half centuries, 1666-1913, Volume II, Part 57

Author: Urquhart, Frank J. (Frank John), 1865- 4n; Lewis Historical Publishing Company. 4n
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: New York, N.Y. ; Chicago, Ill. : The Lewis Historical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1136


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 57


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The story of the life of Major Carl Lentz is the story of many of our good old Germans in America, who, with all their love for their new Father- land, cherish loyally in their hearts the memory of their home, of the land of their birth. Carl Lentz was born on July 1, 1845, and as a youth, scarcely outgrown his boyhood, he came to this country. He had a hard struggle and worked where and how he could. When the war broke out he, being then sixteen years old, quickly responded to Lincoln's call to arms, and entered the First Connecticut Cavalry Regiment and took the field. He fought bravely and was always one of the first when it was a question of looking danger boldly in the face .. In May, 1864, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. On October 19, 1864, at the Battle of Cedar Creek, in Virginia, a cannon ball shattered his arm. He was brought to the hospital in Washington, where, after months of suffering, he recovered. He took up the struggle of life as bravely as he had fought on the field of battle. He attended Columbian University in Washington, from which he graduated in 1869. Then he applied himself to the study of law at the same university, and in 1873 received the title of Bachelor of Law. He was admitted as a member of the bar of New Jersey, and began his practice in Newark. An extensive practice as a lawyer did not prevent him from taking the liveliest interest in politics. As he was a firm Republican, he was one of the few, who, at the end of the eighties, when the Republican party had lost practically everything, did not lose courage, but resumed the struggle, taking his place at the head of the Republican County Committee. In 1896 he was appointed member of the State Board of Assessment, an office which he held until 1905, when he was appointed president of the new State Equal Tax Commission, for five years. Even his extensive duties as lawyer and politi- cian did not prevent Major Lentz from taking an active interest in alt German endeavors, and he was particularly interested in the organization of German singers. Here he soon gained a footing and assumed an important position. He was the master of ceremonies for the singing festival held here in 1891, and since 1893 he has been president of the Northeastern Singers' Association ( Nordöstlicher Sangersbund). From 1890 he was presi dent of the United Singers and remained so until Mr. August Görtz took hly place in 1892. Besides this, Major Lentz Is a member of, probably, all the singing socletles and gymnastic societies in the city, and in all the great


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German organizations he has taken an active and helpful part. In all these positions, but especially at the head of the great singing association, he has worked with great success. His tact has again and again succeeded in calming the agitated spirits in the association and in guiding the ship of song between petty jealousies and dissatisfaction and bringing it once again into quiet channels. The singers of the Northeast owe much to Major Lentz, for never before has the association been in such a firm, secure and prosperous condition as under his clear-sighted guidance.


A new feature, consisting in the contest of all the singers of one city gathered in one great chorus, was introduced at the Sangerfest in Newark in 1891. It was a movement which became a success from the start, and has been the most interesting part of the whole contest. A valuable prize is always offered to the winner, consisting of the bust of some great com- poser, which the singers of the winning city organization have set up in some of the parks or public squares of their town. The singers of the city where the festival takes place are debarred by the rules from participating in this contest.


The chorns of the Newark City Association, under the leadership of Mr. Carl Heller, distinguished itself at the Brooklyn Song Festival by an excel- lent rendering of the prize song, so much so that the opinion was universal that the prize would go to Newark. The judges, however, decided differ- ently, and awarded it to Philadelphia. The singers, and especially Mr. Carl Heller, were bitterly disappointed at this decision of the awarders of the prize, but, full of courage, they obeyed the call three years later to the Song Festival in Baltimore, and under the leadership of Mr. Julius Lorenz, they entered the lists here for the prize of the cities. This time fortune was favorable to them, and with the splendid song of Reinhold Becker "High Mass in the Forest" (Hochamt im Walde), the Newark singers obtained for their city the colossal bust of the famous composer, Felix Mendelssohn- Bartholdi. It was brought in triumph to Newark, and the victory celebrated in solemn fashion.


The bust was handed over to the Essex County Park Commission for its erection in Branch Brook Park-after the singers had declared them- selves ready to bear the expenses for the pedestal as well as for the cost of erection. Then doubts arose among the Park Commissioners as to whether the bust was a work of art and worthy of being erected in the park. There- fore, a committee of New York sculptors had first to examine the bust and give their opinion upon it as a work of art. After this had proved favorable, the United Singers, under their president, Angust Goertz, as well as the president of the association, Major Carl Lentz, made preparations for the erection, which took place on May 22, 1904.


The seventeenth Song Festival came to New York, the eighteenth to Philadelphia, the twentieth to Baltimore and the twenty-first again to New- ark. The brilliant course of this festival under the skilful guidance of Mr. August Goertz, who understood how to organize one of the most imposing music festivals of the country, is probably still remembered by all. There were present 5,496 singers, the members of 167 different societies. The expenses amounted to $49,430.31 and the receipts totaled $57,162.08.


The four-part song of the Germans has been the means of causing the native Americans as well as immigrants of other nationalities to vie with German choral societies in the cultivation of song. There are in all American institutions of learning, glee clubs, with a repertoire similar to that of the German choral societies, though the words to which the melodies are set are


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English. And when we look through the song books used in the public schools we find the greater part consisting of German songs.


The results of instruction in singing (which was introduced into the public schools about forty years ago) were demonstrated by three great singing contests of public school children, held (1) in 1902 in the Krueger Auditorium, (2) in 1906 in connection with the festival of the United Ger- man Singing Societies, and (3) in 1909 in the Armory. These festivals were arranged by Miss Louise Westwood, supervisor of music in public schools, in which thousands of children participated. This was a glorious tribute to the triumph of the German Lied.


The following are short accounts of the German singing societies in Newark which have been organized during the last sixty years:


EINTRACHT MEN'S CHORUS.


The first German singing society in Newark and the third in the United States was the Eintracht, organized on December 3, 1846. It cannot be called the oldest, because it changed its character in 1898 and became a social society. The eighteen founders of the Eintracht were Messrs. Lipps, Brachmann, Vollmer, Rosenstiel, Schafer, Mertz, Hoffman, Sippel, Ehmann, Gerber, Frese, Brombach, Asmus, Schellmeyer, Neuder, Faulhaber, Krayer and Bender. The history of the Eintracht is one of triumphs, vic- tories and disappointments. Musically and socially, it occupied the highest place in the city throughout its career, and it won by its successful and victorious participation in many singing festivals a highly respected name in the eastern states. While the Eintracht took an active part in all public endeavors, particularly those connected with German affairs, it kept free from interference in politics, in spite of many temptations. The German schools and hospitals enjoyed its particular support. Early in its career the Eintracht essayed some of the most difficult musical productions, undertak- ing even operas. Thus Halevy's "Jewess," for instance, was performed in 1861, in co-operation with the Social Turnverein, for the benefit of the sufferers in Kansas. In 1864 Wagner's "Tannhauser" was given twice, and, in 1865, the comic operetta, "Incognito," was performed several times. In the several productions of "Troubadour," "Freischutz" and "Stradella," the Eintracht was aided by the mixed chorus, formed In 1866. The success of these operas Is still remembered with pride by the older German-Americans of the city.


AURORA.


In the fall of 1851, at the suggestion of August Rabke, there gathered at the carpenter's shop of Jacob Holle, on Springfield avenue, a number of young men who wished to form a singing society-the organization, how- ever, was not completely formed until the following spring. In April, 1852, a meeting was held at the home of Mr. Banks, on Broome street, under the chairmanship of August Rabke. Mr. A. Stolz was elected president, Mr. A. Kundinger, secretary, and Mr. Jacob Holle, treasurer. Mr. Rabke became the director. As the membership increased larger quarters became neces- sary, and a hall was rented in Th. Kochler's (now Forga's) brewery. On the recommendation of A. Stolz, the society was named "Aurora." Rigid enforcement of the Sunday closing laws brought the pollee in occasional contact with the soclety. Members were arrested for serenading friends. Even indoor meetings were now and then disturbed by officious policemen. At one time a social meeting was broken up, and the whole society, includ-


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ing the director and friends who were present, were put under arrest. At the close of 1855 the society numbered fifty-six members. Among the presi- dents of the society we find the names of Adam Werner, L. Ritter, John Werner, Friedrich Hausler, Joseph Bohler, Ferd. Evertz, J. Hatzenbuhler, Bernhard Ramberg, Karl Schneider, Peter Hess, Ferd. Herboth, John Reitz, Otto Ern, H. von der Heide, Leonard Heymann, Gottfried Krippendorf, Adolph Schuller, John Henning, Gustav Hagner, Karl Richter, Emil Hol- mann and Oscar Thun. Among the visible emblems of a German singing society, none is valued more highly than the banner, the dedication of which is always a memorable event. The oldest flag, presented in 1855, is still in existence. At the dedication of the second flag, on August 10, 1868, Mr. Benedict Prieth, publisher of the "Freie Zeitung," delivered an address, in which he spoke of the development of the choral song of German male voices, as well as of the duties of the singers. The Aurora has always been animated by an active public spirit. As early as May 15, 1856, the society gave a concert in co-operation with the "Urania," the "Eintracht" and the choral section of the soclal Turnverein, at the opera house, and the sum of $600 was handed over to the foundation fund of the Green Street School. The celebration of the centennial anniversary of Friedrich Schiller was a day of glory for the German population, and at the concert given at the opera house the Aurora sang "The Power of Song," by Kocher. In the spring of 1872, Franz Abt, the favorite composer of German choral songs, visited America. Singing societies vied with the general public to pay homage to the master. He came to Newark on May 6, where he met the lyric poet, Immergruen, whose poems had furnished the text of many of Abt's songs. On May 27 the composer was honored by a magnificent recep- tion in the Eintracht Hall. A noteworthy fact is also the founding of a singing school in connection with the Aurora, out of which developed a ladies' quartet, and, later, a double quartet, whose assistance at many of the Aurora concerts gave much pleasure. The leaders of the ladies' quartet were Professors Braun, Geppert, Wehner and H. von der Heide.


CONCORDIA.


Concordia is the name of the third oldest German singing society in Newark. It was formed on August 27,81857, by seven congenial men, who met in Hamburg Garden on Paterson street, which was in those days the- principal gathering place of the pleasure-loving Germans. At the election of officers N. Zimmermann was made president; J. Hoffmann, secretary; Ph. Butz, treasurer; A. Rabke, director. Mr. Rabke, who conducted the choral singing of the society for twenty-one years, will always be remembered for his splendid work for the cause of German chorus singing in Newark. The first song sung by the society under his direction was "Deutschland, Deutsch- land uber Alles." The Concordia became very popular and increased rapidly in membership. When the Civil War broke out, many of the singers joined the northern army and two Concordians died on the field of battle. In 1907 the society celebrated its golden anniversary in a magnificent manner. A most enjoyable concert was given under the direction of Emil Teschie. In 1912 the Concordia won a prize at the musical festival held in Philadel- phia under the direction of Karl Kapp.


ARION.


Love of German song induced a number of men to found a singing society, where they might find recreation and incentive for mind and heart, while at the same time strengthening German companionship. The result


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was the formation of the "Arion Men's Chorus Society," on September 4, 1859. The first officers were Theodor Simon, president; Charles Bach- mann, secretary; Henry Dilly, treasurer. The other charter members were Heinrich Geiger, Adam Heyl, Mathias Kastner and William Fanteck. The first associate members were Messrs. Baumeister, Bechler, Benedict Prieth, Martin Haussling, A. Spiess, Dr. Seidenbusch and Gottfried Krueger. The cultivation of German sociability was sustained in various festivities and the society made steady progress. Among the presidents of the first decade were Philip Dilly, Jacob Huber, Heinrich Dilly, Mathias Kastner, E. Heck, A. Lehr, Louis Aff, Henry Heil and Adam Wagner. Warm hearts and open purses have, from the beginning, always been a characteristic trait of the Arions, and, whenever distress calls for relief or public enterprises are in need of support, the Arionites are always to the forefront with their aid. Schools, churches, hospitals and orphan asylums are remembered. During 1864-'65 a number of entertainments were given for the benefit of .the singers who had gone to the war. The society aided also the Newark Patriotic Society in raising funds for crippled soldiers and the widows of the men who had died on the battlefield. The custom of singing at the burial of deceased members and friends of the Arion was established in its early days. Beginning in 1871, the society began to be known in larger circles, thanks very much to the efficiency of Wilhelm Traeger, who was then the choral director. It took an active interest in the concerts given in honor of Franz Abt in 1872. The more recent history of the Arion is inseparably con- nected with the name of A. A. Sippel, who, from July 1, 1872, occupied the presidency for eight years, and was made honorary president when he declined further re-election. Under the presidency of August Mueller, who served for two years-1883-'84-the Arion celebrated its silver jubilee in magnificent style. The musical direction was then in the hands of George Mangold, a successful teacher of music. On January 26, 1882, the society took part in the Singers' Festival at Philadelphla, and was awarded a beauti- ful silver cup, thirty inches high. The decade from 1885-1896 includes the memorable period, when the singers of the Arion attained, under the mas- terly leadership of Frank Van der Stucken, to the height of its artistic excellence, by which it won a long sertes of triumphs. The beginning was, the musical success, under the direction of Van der Stucken, at the four- teenth Sangerfest, at Brooklyn in 1885, when the Arions aroused the enthusiasm of all In the prize contest for honors in class I, and was awarded the first diploma. At the fifteenth convention at Baltimore in 1888, the Arions, represented by sixty singers, competed with five societies in class I, and was awarded a silver lyre with golden strings, surrounded by laurel wreaths. Only three points were lacking for first prize, and all competitors were surpassed in clearness of ennunciation. The most notable success was the rendering of parts of Van der Stucken's musical setting of Shakespeare's "Tempest," several parts of which had to be repeated to satisfy the enthusiastic audience.


A ladies' chorus was organized in November, 1891, in connection with which the men's chorus executed musical compositions of the highest order. At the general meeting of the society in January, 1890, Charles W. Menk was unanimously elected as president, and W. H. Fiedler, who had been at the head for five years, was made honorary president, in recognition of his eminent services. Mr. Julius Lorenz, with splendid success, directed the singing of the Arlon since September, 1895, being succeeded in September, 1912, by Mr. Richard Trunk. At the eighteenth Sangerfest, held at Phila-


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1 delphia in July, 1897, in which six thousand singers participated, the Arion captured the highest award-first prize in the class. The trophy was a medallion portrait of the composer, Hegar, chased in silver, a magnificent work of art in a precious frame. At the great Sangerfest in Baltimore in 1903, the United Singers of Newark won, under the leadership of Mr. Lorenz, the first prize in the contest of united choruses of cities of the first class. The prize was the colossal bust of Felix Mendelssohn, now standing in Branch Brook Park. At the musical festival held in Newark, July, 1906, the Arion scored in the contest for the Kaiserpreis, one hundred and ten points, only ten less than the highest possible number. The officers during the year 1909, the year of the golden jubilee of the Arion, were as follows: Hermann A. Dittler, president; Henry Ahl, vice-president; Paul Peschel, recording secretary; Eugen Brecht, corresponding secretary; William O. Schrafft, financial secretary; John E. Mayer, treasurer; Julius Lorenz, director; Emil Zeh, entertainment treasurer; A. Mueller, M. Fraentzel and A. Schaeffer, archivists; John Weissenbach and Henry Ahl, assistant directors; Otto Ern, collector. The Arion is recognized throughout the United States as one of the most eminent culture centres of German song in this country.


SOCIETY "HUMOR."


At a meeting of the "Geselliger Verein" it was resolved to organize a society with the object of providing entertainment and instruction by means of lectures, concerts and theatrical performances, and at the same time pro- moting the preservation and extension of the German language in America. The organization was formed on June 5, 1866, when the first officers were Eugene Hoffman, president; William Haertel, vice-president; Charles Unfried, secretary; Ed. Goeller, Jr., treasurer. Many of the Newark Ger- mans joined the society, for its meetings were famous for the wit and good humor that prevailed. Before six months had passed the membership had risen to over one hundred.


GERMANIA.


This popular society came into being on November 15, 1865. Its- founders were men who thoroughly enjoyed singing and knew how to sing. The first officers were Jacob Rummel, president; Andrew Voigt, vice- president; Ch. F. Geissele, secretary-treasurer. Since then there have been many years of prosperity and battling with ill-fortune, and the society has grown large and powerful. The first conductor was Mr. Schmidt, who gave great satisfaction. He was succeeded by Carl Traeger in the seventies, under whose leadership the Germania made phenomenal progress. After the death of this enthusiastic choral director, the baton passed into the hands of the ambitious Arthur Claassen. At the same time Major Lentz was elected president of the society and under the combined leadership of gentle- men it attained a high standard among the singers of Newark. Major Lentz is now honorary president. The silver jubilee was celebrated November 9-11, 1890, by a great musical festival in the old Academy of Music. The present director-Mr. W. Lauffenberg-has served the society efficiently since 1902. At the Choral Convention, held at Newark in 1909, Germania won the second prize in the contest. Wherever pleasure reigned supreme, or wherever societies competed in friendly rivalry, Germania was always in evidence.


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PHOENIX.


October 23, 1865, is considered the birthday of this society. Its found- ers were Messrs. Rudolph Krauss, Fritz Willms, Hermann Lüttgen, August Steinen, Karl Brock, John Offer, Gustav Hartkopf and Hermann Dannen- berg. Following an established custom, the ladies and young ladies' society presented Phoenix with a banner, which was dedicated on March 29, 1867, in Green Street Hall. Since 1862, Phoenix has participated in all singers' festivals. At the Song Festival held in Baltimore in 1882, the society was awarded the third prize in class II. Under Mr. E. Kampermann, who has held the directorship since 1897, the society has made excellent progress. The rehearsals at Kinast's Hall, corner of Springfield avenue and Tenth street, are always well attended.


BEETHOVEN MANNERCHOR.


"Sangerlust" and "Schillerbund" united in June, 1870, and formed the Beethoven Mannerchor. At the first anniversary in 1871 a flag brought from Germany by G. Frankle, was dedicated. After ten years of activity the meetings were suspended, owing to lack of support. In 1886 some of the older members revived the society, and under the leadership of Carl Heller, the rehearsals were resumed in the hall of the Tenth Ward German-English School. At present the headquarters are at Blum's Beethoven Hal on Lafayette street. .


LIBERTY.


In 1880 a small group of loyal singers formed the men's choral society, "Liberty." It has grown so large and performs such excellent work, that it is at present counted among the best singing societies of Newark. Mr. Wil- helm Laufenberg is the director.


ORPHEUS LIEDERKRANZ.


On February 11, 1906, the Orpheus Liederkranz celebrated its silver jubilee. In commemoration of the event the members gave a fine concert in Harburger's Hall, under the efficient leadership of August Muehe. The society was formed on February 1, 1881, and was originally composed of members of the chorus of St. Benedict Church. The object was to con- tribute to the celebration of church festivities, and to participate also as a male chorus in public festivals. The first officers were August Bernauer, Emil Schaefer, Ludwig Gahr and Christian Helmstetter. Mr. A. Rabke was chosen as director, and continued in that office until June, 1889.


HARMONIE.


The men's chorus society, "Harmonie," has loyally preserved the best German customs and traditions. Its founders were E. Flesche, R. Kirsch- baum, A. Weck, A. Kannebecker and Edw. Speck. On the first anniversary, April 8, 1883, the society gave its first public concert. In 1891 Mr. Carl Hein became the director. Under his able leadership rapid progress was made in musical culture, and the Harmonie was soon reckoned among the foremost singing societies. In the song competition held in New York, June, 1894, Harmonie won the second prize. On June 19, 1897, it went, with other societies, to Philadelphia to try for honors in class I. Thanks to the zeal of the singers and the indefatigable activity of the director, the Harmonie was awarded the second prize.


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SCHWABISCHER SANGERBUND.


The officers of the "Schwabischer Sangerbund" (Suabian Singers' League) founded on April 4, 1865, are C. Vosseler, president; W. Schwab, secretary; G. Finkbeiner, treasurer; Paul Engelskirchen, director. The society is famed for sociability and pleasure. The study of music is earn- estly pursued, and the Sangerbund has won prizes at several song festivals; at the Newark Festival in 1909 the first prize in the second class of contests, and at the Philadelphia Festival in 1912, the second prize in the first class of contests. The headquarters are at the Coliseuni on Springfield avenue.


BAYRISCHER SANGERBUND.


This society was organized by song-loving Bavarians on January 21, 1886, in Frank Buchler's Hall. The first officers were Jacob Dicker, president; Heinrich Bernhard, vice-president; Erhard Horbelt, secretary; Adam Brauners, financial secretary; Frank Buehler, treasurer. The popu- larity of the young society increased rapidly. In less than two years it liad sixty-nine active and five hundred associate members. These numbers gave the society courage to undertake concerts and entertainments on an elaborate scale. The president of the song festival given by German Choral Societies of the Northeastern States, and held in this city in 1891, was Carl Lentz, a member of the Bavarian Singers' Union. The first director was Mr. Speck. He was succeeded by Mr. Melamel, musical director of the Baltimore Sanger- fest; Koemenich, director of the Junger Mannerchor of Philadelphia, and Carl Engsberg.




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