USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > History of the city of Columbus, capital of Ohio, Volume II > Part 105
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The Mannerchor was never in a more flourishing condition than it is at the time of the present writing. Few musical associations in any American city have lived so long or enjoyed an existence so uniformly useful. May its career in the future be still more prosperous and beneficent.
THE LIEDERKRANZ: BY THOMAS F. M. KOCH.
The object of this association is to cultivate vocal music and sociability. It was organized on August 6, 1866. Its first president was Christian Herten- stein ; its first director, Bernhard Kaiser. At its beginning it was but a small society with limited means, but it soon acquired sufficient proficiency in vocal music to enable it to give public concerts and other entertainments, by which it acquired means to purchase a piano, music and furniture. Its meetings were held on Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoons at Hessenauer's Hall, which at that time was the most popular place for German assemblages and entertain - ments. Bernhard Kaiser continned to be its director for several years, and a number of concerts were given with great success under his leadership. He
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HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.
finally resigned for the purpose of removing to the West and was succeeded by F. Puhringer, after whom came, in the order of service, Karl Schoppelrei, Karl Spohr, B. Kaiser, Herman Eckhardt, Karl Schoppelrei, Theodore H. Schneider and the present director, Franz Nebenstreit. Under these leaders the Liederkranz continued to grow and prosper ; their vocal acquirements became of a refined and artistic character : and their renditions of chorus and solo singing were of a high order. Their usual programme for each year inelu led two con- certs, one annual banquet and a masquerade ball. A comic operetta was rendered at each masquerade and these entertainments were considered the most enjoyable of the kind given in the city.
In 1870 the Liederkranz joined the American Sangerbun I. It has since par- ticipated in the festivals of that organization as follows: 1870, at Cincinnati ; 1872 at St. Louis : 1874 at Cleveland ; 1877 at Louisville ; 1879 at Cincinnati : 1881 at Chicago ; 1883 at Buffalo ; 1886 at Milwaukee ; 1888 at St. Louis ; and in Febru- ary, 1890, at New Orleans, where the most enjoyable festival that the Sängerbund has ever yet given was held. In 1878 the Liederkranz and Mannerchor of Colum- bus organized the Central Ohio Sängerbund, composed of a large number of Ohio singing societies. The first Sangerfest of this Bund was held in Columbus July 9, 10, 11 and 12, 1878, and was a financial and musical success. The next one was held at Akron in 1880, the next one at Dayton in 1882, and the next at Springfield in 1884. An excursion of the Bund under the auspices of the Columbus society was made to Sandusky and Put-in-Bay in 1885. At the great Sängerfest in Columbus on July 29, 30 and 31, 1887, under the very able leadership of Profes. sor Herman Eckhardt, the Liederkranz took a prominent part. The next Sänger- fest of the Bund was held in 1890, at Canton, Ohio, and was attended by the Liederkranz. Besides the part which the society has taken in these great musi- cal festivals it has visited Findlay, Coshocton, Upper Sandusky, Chillicothe, Akron and other Ohio cities for the purpose of attending dedications of musical halls or on occasions of like nature.
The Liederkranz does not boast of extraordinary voices, but it has always had a wellbalanced chorus which has been highly appreciated wherever it has been heard in concerts either at home or elsewhere and has given it a wide repu- tation. Of its original charter members the following are still connected with the society : C. Hertenstein, B. Kaiser, C. Heddaus, M. Lusch, George J. Brand, M. Fassig, F. Fassig, C. Balz, and M. Muehlheim. The present treasurer, M. Lush, has held that office ever since the original organization. The headquarters of the society are at C. Balz's Hall on East Main Street, where regular rehearsals are held every Wednesday evening and Sunday afternoon. The ball is large and commodious, is provided with refreshment and other adjunct rooms, and contains a neat and comfortable stage.
The members of the Liederkranz now number 118, of whom thirtytwo are active voices, seventysix are passive or contributing members and ten are bonor- ary members. The present officers are : President, John Farmer ; vice president, George M. Brand; musical director, Professor Franz Nebenstreit ; treasurer, M. Lush ; recording secretary, Charles Wege; corresponding secretary, Thomas Koch ; financial secretary, Julius Schonfeld ; librarians, Henry Doll and Conrad Grauman ; color bearers, Stephen Waterstreet and C. Grauman ; trustees, George J. Brand, Henry Doll and J. M. Brand. All the officers are elected annually.
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ASSOCIATIVE ORGANIZATIONS-II.
HUMBOLDT VEREIN.
On September 14, 1869, the one hundredth anniversary of the birth of the great German naturalist, Alexander von Humboldt, was celebrated throughout the civilized world. In Columbus the occasion was honored with appropriate fes- tivities participated in by the citizens who were of German birth or deseent, then numbering about 8,000. That the honors which were then paid to one of the most learned, versatile and useful men of modern times might not be merely transient, a society was organized which adopted the name of Humboldt, and was designed to be a pepetual tribute to his memory. In accordance with Ger- man eustom, this society, the members of which are mostly Germanspeaking citi- zens, unites and blends literary and musical culture with social enjoyment. It also aims to cultivate the use of the German language and encourage the study of German literature. Its annual series of biweekly meetings begins in Novem- ber and ends in April. These meetings are attended by the members of the society, their families and friends. The exercises usually comprise an essay, a musical programme and a social reunion. During the reunion refreshments are taken by such as desire them, each one paying for what he orders. Annually, on September 14, the birthday of Humboldt and the foundation of the society are celebrated by a banquet. Among the distinguished persons, not members, who at different times have addressed or been the guests of the society were Friedrich Hecker, a prominent participant in the German revolution of 1848; Friedrich Bodenstedt, one of the most conspicuous of the contemporary German poets ; Friedrich Schonemann-Pott, of San Francisco ; Madame Hedwig Heinriche Wilhelmi, of Germany, Miss Helene Wagner, Max Strakosch and Mr. Conrad Nies, a talented young German-American poet. The Humboldt Verein now has a large membership and is in a highly flourishing condition.
COLUMBUS TURNVEREIN.1
A society of Turners was first organized in Columbus on November 16, 1852. It was called the Socialer Turnverein. Among its founders was Louis Bisky, a finely educated man and a talented speaker, who, after the wreek of the German Revolution of 1848, emigrated to America from Berlin. During the Civil War he fought as an officer on the Union side and met his death heroically in one of the battles in the Virginia Wilderness. Another of the founders was Louis Schneider, who now resides in New York. The society held its meetings in the house of Mr. Zehnacker, on the corner of High and Brewers' streets.
On July 4, 1855, while the Turners, with the Mannerchor and the Grenadier military companies, were returning from a picnic in Stewart's Grove, now City Park, they were attacked at the corner of High and Town streets and defended themselves as best they conld. One of the assailants was shot, and in consequence of this about twenty of the Turners were arrested and imprisoned in the county jail. Among these were Frederick Fornoff, Christian Hertenstein, George Brand, Gustav Luchtenberg and Jacob Harris. On July 6, these were all released and only Gottlieb Mayer was charged with firing the fatal shot, but on July 24 he also
1. The author is indebted, in part, for the information on which this sketch is based to Mr. Carl Stein, Secretary of the Columbus Turnverein.
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HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.
was discharged. This event so affected the society that for several years its active existence ceased.
The present Turnverein was organized on March 1, 1867. One of the persons most active in its formation was Colonel Gustav Tafel, then a member of the General Assembly from Hamilton County. Thirtytwo members were enrolled. The society was incorporated on March 11 with George Hessenaner, John Brickel and Robert Clemen as trustees and John Alten as clerk. Of the original founders of the society the following are still among its members, the first four being hon- orary : Carl Synold, H. Olnhausen, Gustave Tafel, Christian Heddaens, Peter Schmitt, H. Schneider and Charles Buchsieb.
On March 15, 1869, a convention of the Turner societies of the Cincinnati district was held at Hessenauer's Hall. There were twentytwo societies in the district. A meeting of the Turner societies in the Ohio Valley District was held at Columbus in August, 1872, continuing three days. In honor of the occasion Turner Hall and other buildings were handsomely decorated. The visiting delega- tions were received and escorted by the local society : an address of welcome was delivered by Henry Olnhausen. One of the most notable incidents of the conven- tion was a grand concert given at the Atheneum under the direction of Professor Herman Eckhardt. On Saturday evening the societies marched in torchlight parade and on Sunday held literary and gymnastic exercises at the City Park.
A convention of the Turner societies of Ohio was held on December 1, 1878, at Turner Hall ; president, C. F. Reis, of Columbus; secretary, R. Kühnert, of Cincinnati. A district Turnfest at which six societies were represented, began at the Fair Grounds August 15, 1880. A parade of the societies took place on Monday, August 16.
Until this time the Columbus society had occupied rented apartments but, on October 16, 1881, its present hall, the property of the society, on South High Street was opened and dedicated. The opening was signalized by a grand concert.
The annual convention of the Ohio District of the North American Turnbund was held at Turner Hall March 18, 1888. A reception concert was given at the hall March 17, under direction of Professor Herman Eckhardt.
ORDER OF COMMERCIAL TRAVELERS OF AMERICA.1
On January 16, 1888, the association bearing this name was duly incorporated for the following specified purposes: 1, To unite fraternally all commercial trav- elers of good moral character ; 2, to give all moral and material aid in its power to its members and those dependent on them; also to assist the widows and orphans of deceased members; 3, to establish a fund to indemnify its members in case of total disability or death resulting from accidental causes; 4, to secure from transportation companies and hotels just and equitable favors for commer- cial travelers as a class ; 5, to elevate the moral and social standing of its mem- bers; 6, to institute a secret organization among commercial travelers for the purpose of accomplishing good through the teachings and practice of certain truths contained in its ritual.
1. The author is indebted for the information contained in this sketch to Mr. John C. Fenimore.
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ASSOCIATIVE ORGANIZATIONS-II.
The names of the incorporators were John C. Fenimore, Levi C. Pease, Sam - nel H. Strayer, Willis E. Carpenter, John Dickey, Charles S. Ammel and Francis A. Sells. The founders of the United Commercial Travelers were John C. Feni- more and Levi C. Pease. Its subordinate bodies are known as councils and the first, or Number 1, was established in this city in the spring of 1888, since which time the order has been spreading through the principal cities of the East and West, until at present it numbers more members in good standing than any other national organization of its kind. By its constitution and articles of incorpora- tion the office of the Supreme Council and its business are permanently located in the city of Columbus.
The annual meeting of this fraternity is held the last week of June, each year in this city. John C. Fenimore is the Supreme Counselor and Charles B. Flagg Supreme Secretary, with offices in the King Building at the corner of Spring and High streets. During the fiscal year ended May 31, 1890, the order paid as indemnity to its members the sum of $2,373. Not a single claim was contested nor for one moment withheld after satisfactory proofs of its correctness had been filed with the proper officers.
COLUMBUS CLUB.
This is a purely social organization, incorporated December 15, 1886 ; capital stock, 850,000. It is elegantly housed at the corner of Broad and Fourth streets, in the former residence of B. E. Smith. This building is said to have cost, orig- inally, over $100,000 ; the Club bought it for $44,000, and has since spent $30,000 in adding to and improving it. The members of the club now number over three hundred. The membership fee is one hundred dollars.
THE WYANDOT CLUB; BY E. L. TAYLOR, ESQUIRE.
This club was organized in September, 1881, and has since obtained a wide celebrity. It is a social organization with an archaeological bearing. The club is composed of seventeen members which was the number at the original organ- ization and has never increased or diminished. In 1891 the club became incor- porated under the laws of the State of Ohio. Prior to that time it had no regular constitution or bylaws but was governed by well-established rules which from long use had solidified into laws which were observed as such by the mem- bers.
In 1891 the elub purchased the Wyandot Grove, a traet of land long known by that name, comprising about fortytwo aeres situated about eight miles north - west of Columbus, on the west bank of the Scioto River. It was here that the elub was first organized, and here it has held its annual meetings ever since. So that the whole history of the club has been identified with this spot. This
774
HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.
grove has long been considered one of the most beautiful in Central Ohio and has connected with it much of historical and traditional interest. There is here a magnificent spring with a flow of clear cold water sufficient, almost, to supply a city, and this, with the natural surroundings of hills, forests, ravines and river combine to make it a most beautiful and restful spot. It was in times past a favorite camping ground for the Indians and was most admirably suited for that purpose. Chief Crane of the Wyandots and others of his tribe pitched their camps here for years after the whites began to settle in the wilderness. As late as 1840 there were still several wigwams standing near the spring although the Indians had years before departed. Most fortunately this grove has been pre- served and will hereafter be protected with serupulous care. The club proposer to adorn and beautify it so as to make it an ideal place to which the members and their families and friends may resort for pleasure and recreation.
One of the incidental features of the Wyandot Club is its annual meetings, which are always held in this grove in September and to which each member invites a certain number of his friends. The dinners on these occasions are very elaborate and profuse. each member vying with the other in producing for the occasion that which is most rare and tempting. About one hundred guests are usually invited and the invitations are much prized.
In September, 1889, the elub purchased a tract of land in the east bank of the Scioto River, about three miles north of the village of Dublin, in Franklin County. The purchase included the spot where Leatherlips - whose Indian name was Sha-te-va-ron-yah. a chief of the Wyandots, was executed under the pretended charge of witchcraft, the real cause, however, being his constant refusal to enter into the schemes of' Tecumseh, Roundhead and other turbulent chiefs of different tribes who were endeavoring to foment a war with the whites. On the spot where Leatherlips was executed a beautiful and appropriate monument of the most enduring character has been erected by the members of the Wyandot Club, so that this old chief who was slain and buried in the wilderness more than eighty years ago on account of his friendship for the white settlers has at last had his ashes cared for and his memory preserved from oblivion by the descendants of some of the white men whom he knew and befriended when they first began to build their cabins along the banks of the Scioto, and the other streams in Frank- lin County.
In June, 1892, when certain improvements were being made abont the monu- ment, the remains of Leatherlips were found at a short distance below the surface of the ground. There is no history or tradition of any other human being having been buried there and all the facts and circumstances are such as to leave no room for doubt but that the remains found were those of the old chief Sha-te-ya- ron-yah. These remains have been carefully reinterred on the spot and will prob- ably never again be disturbed.
The capital stock of the elub is $8,500, divided into seventeen shares of $500 each. It is requisite that each member shall hold a share, and to this end the shares are not transferable or assignable, but on the death or resignation of a member surviving, or remaining members take up the stock at its face value and reissue it to the newly elected member. Thus the elub bas at all times control over its stock and membership, which gives to it the elements of strength and perpetuity.
At the organization of the club in 1881 William Taylor was elected president and Andrew McNinch vice president. These gentlemen have ever since been annually reelected to these respective offiees, but on July 1, 1892, Andrew McNineb resigned his office and active membership and was succeeded by Samuel Thompson, chosen vice president in his stead. The other officers of the club are
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ASSOCIATIVE, ORGANIZATIONS, 1892.
Conrad Born treasurer and E. L. Taylor secretary, both of whom have long held these positions.
The present membership of the club is as follows : Cotton H. Allen, Conrad Born, Herman G. Dennison, David L. Bowersmith, John Calender, Edward Den- mead, William B. Hayden, William S. Huffman, William W. Medary, Robert E. Neil, Charles H. Pinney, Charles G. Saffin, William Taylor, Edward L. Taylor, Samnel Thompson, Henry D. Turney and Charles Zigler.
APPENDIX TO CHAPTER XLIX.
ASSOCIATIVE ORGANIZATIONS, 1892.
Masonic. - (All bodies of this order meet in Masonic Hall, on East Town Street, unless otherwise specified.) F. & A. M .: Columbus Lodge, Number 30; stated communications second and fourth Tuesdays of each month; Dennis N. Kelley, W. M .; A. H. Jones, secretary.
Goodale Lodge, Number 372; stated communications tirst and fourth Mondays in each month ; John B. Romans, B. M. ; L. G. Thrall, secretary.
Humboldt Lodge, Number 476; stated communications first and second Wednesdays in each month ; James D. Osborn, W. M. ; J. Nicholas Koerner, secretary.
Magnolia Lodge, Number 20; stated communications first and third Tuesdays in each month ; C. B. Cameron, W. M. ; John F. Lincoln, secretarv.
R. A. M. Ohio Chapter, Number 12; stated convocation first Monday in each month, in Carpenter Block, East Town Street.
Temple ('hapter, Number 155; meets first and third Saturday of each month.
R. & S. M. Columbus Council, Number 8; stated communications the second Friday in each month, in Carpenter Block. East Town Street.
Knights Templar. Mount Vernon Commandery, Number 1 ; stated conclave last Thurs- day in each month.
A. A. & S. R. Enoch Grand Lodge of Perfection, fourteenth degree; meets every Friday evening, unless called off.
Franklin Council, Princes of Jerusalem, sixteenth degree ; meets every Friday even- ing, unless called off.
H. R. D. M. Columbus Chapter. Rose Croix, H. R. D. M., eighteenth degree ; meets every Friday evening, unless called off.
Thirtysecond Degree Club ; meets at the call of the President.
Ancient Scottish Rite ; meets at Masonic Cathedral on Third Street.
Columbus Grand Lodge of Perfection. Fourteenth Degree ; meets Thursday evenings.
Columbus Grand Council, Princes of Jerusalem, Sixteenth Degree ; meets every Thurs- lay evening.
Columbus Chapter, Rose Croix de H. . . R. . . D. . . M. .. , eighteenth Degree ; meets every Thursday evening.
Columbus Grand Council, Knights Kadosh, thirtieth Degree; meets every Thursday evening.
Sovereign Grand Consistory of Ohio, Thirtysecond Degree; meets every Thursday evening.
Royal Masonic Rite; meets in Johnson's Building on South High Street.
Karnac Rose Croix Chapter, Number 514 (4 to 18 degrees) ; meets first and third Friday evenings of each month.
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HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.
Mokattan Senate, Number 51 (18 to 45 degrees), meets fourth Friday evening each month" Council Patriarch, Number 21 (45 to 90 degrees); meets fourth Friday evening in each month.
Order of Eastern Star. Crown Chapter, Number 8; meets first and third Wednesday evenings at Masonic Cathedral, South Third Street.
Loraine Chapter. Number 1; meets first and third Wednesday evenings at Red Men's Hall, Odd Fellows' Temple.
Insurance. Masonic Mutual Benefit Association. North High Street ; E. Morrell, Presi- dent ; R. R. Rickly, Treasurer ; William M. Cunningham, Secretary.
Colored Mas ons, meet at 1164 South High Street; St. Mark's Lodge, Number 7, meets first Tuesday evening each month; St. Mark's Lodge Number S, meets first Tuesday each month in First National Bank Block ; R. A. M., Johnson Chapter, Number 3; meets first Monday evening each month ; K. T., Taylor Commandery, Number 6, mects first Thursday evening of each montli.
Odd Fellows. - All bodies of this order meet in the Odd Fellows' Temple unless other- wise stated.
Sovereign Grand Lodge; Charles M. Busbee, Grand Sire, Raleigh, North Carolina : C. T. Campbell, Deputy Grand Sire, London, Ontario ; Theodore A. Ross, Grand Secretary, Columbus: Isaac A. Shepherd. Grand Treasurer, Philadelphia; George Coburn, Assistant Grand Secretary, Columbus ; Rev. J. W. Venable, Grand Chaplain, Hopkinsville. Kon- tucky ; A. C. Cable, Grand Marshal, Covington, Ohio; Alexander Guthrie, Grand Guardian, Hockessin, Delaware ; E. A. Kelly, Grand Messenger, Otting Washington.
Columbus Lodge. Number 9, meets every Monday evening; Excelsior Lodge, Number 145. meets every Wednesday evening : Capital Lodge, Number 334, meets every Friday even- ing; Greiner Lodge, Number 450. meets every Monday evening; Harmonia Lodge, 358 (German), meets every Saturday evening ; Junia Lodge, Number 474, meets every Wednes- day evening; National Lodge, 509 (German), meets every Friday evening ; Stauring Lodge, Number 512, meets every Tuesday evening; Dennison Lodge, Number 74t, meets every Wednesday evening at its hall on North High Street ; Robert Curtis Lodge, Number 762, meets every Tuesday evening at its hall on Mount Vernon Avenue.
Daughters of Naomi, Ruth Assembly, Number 9, meets every other Wednesday evening, corner of Broad and Mitchell streets.
Daughters of Rebekah, Naomi Lodge, Number 6, meets every other Saturday evening ; Germania Lo Ige, Number 159, meets every other Saturday evening ; Indianola Lodge, Number 199, meets every other Thursday evening in the Odd Fellows' Hall on North High Street ; Ella Dill Lodge, meets second and fourth Friday evenings at Odd Fellows' Hall on Monnt Vernon Avenue ; Superior Lodge meets on alternate Fridays in the Odd Fellows' Temple.
Encampments : Concordia, Number 96 (German), meets on second and fourth Wednes- day evenings each month in Red Men's Hall ; Capital, Number 6. meets every Tuesday even- ing ; Buckeye, Number 145, meets every Thursday evening in Red Men's Hall ; Ridgely, Number 189, meets every Tuesday evening in Odd Fellows' Hall on North High Street.
Relief Committee: General Relief, composed of one committeeman from each lodge in the city ; meets on first and third Saturday evenings of each month ; W. A. Dill secretarv. Odd Fellows' Beneficial Association: Trustees meet on first Monday evening of each month at the office of the association ; Thomas A. Morgan, secretary.
Patriarchs Militant : Grand Canton Ohio, Number 1, P. M., meets every Monday night in Wirthwein Block, H. M. Innis clerk; Canton Columbus, Number 65, meets second and fourth Saturday evenings on North High Street, Frank Howell clerk
G U. O. O. F. (Colored): Meets at the Sessions Hall ; Grand United Order of Odd Fellows. Ohio District Lodge, Number 24. Charles E. Ransom district secretary ; Beacon Light Lodge. Number 2 874. mects every Monday evening, permanent secretary William Rickman ; Capital Lodge, Number 1,903, meets every Tuesday evening, Isaac D. Ross perina- nent secretary ; Columbus Patriarch, Number 26, meets third Thursday in each month, R. F. Williams secretary ; Household of Ruth, Number 218, meets first Thursday in each month, Mary W. Spencer recorder ; Household of Ruth, Number 567, meets second and fourth Friday in each month ; Past Grand Masters Council, Number 68, meets second Thurs- day evening each month, William Rickman Grand Secretary.
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