Volume 20 No 2 • Spring 2011
Schlaraffia Milwaukia Antje Petty
Members of the Schlaraffia Milwaukiawith visitors from New Orleans, March 2011. Photo courtesy Schlaraffia Milwaukia.
n the nineteenth century a known, however, is another German colorful Vereinskultur (Verein = phenomenon: the Schlaraffia. club, society) flourished in the The Schlaraffia was founded in INSIDE IGerman states. People joined singing 1859 in Prague (then part of the • Annual Meeting 2011 societies, gymnastic clubs, shoot- Austrian Empire) at a time—a decade • D. C. Luening’s Colorful ing societies, the Freemasons, and a after the failed revolutions—when Career multitude of other groups, depending any gathering of people was easily • Impressions from the Annual on their interests, goals, political or construed as political and raised Meeting religious leanings, and local tradi- the suspicions of the authorities. In • Jacob Best Family Memorial tions. Germans who immigrated this atmosphere a group of German • Book Review: Civil War Let- to the United States brought their artists and actors decided to form an ters from America’s German- Vereinstradition with them, and to explicitly non-political society whose Language Press this day we find Liederkranz choirs sole purpose was the amusement • Friends Profile: Johannes and Turner gymnastics societies in of its members in a cultural and Strohschänk American communities. Much less Continued on page 6 DIRECTOR’S CORNER
Greetings, Friends held this year on May 7 in the village looking forward to rejoining the MKI of St. Nazianz, not far from Manito- as soon as things are ready. We la- and Readers! woc; a report of the program and also ment only the fact that progress is so e have reached the end photographs can be found elsewhere slow—the original schedule called of the spring semester in this issue. We were pleased at the for the roof to be ready at the end at the UW–Madison, turnout and especially at the distanc- of the summer of 2010—but those Wand we are looking back on the past es from which some of the Friends who know about such things assure academic year as a period of hard came to attend: from Minnesota, us that delays are not out of the or- work and many accomplishments. from the Chicago area, and from dinary. Our March symposium on “German all over Wisconsin. Our hosts in St. Once again, I would like to close and German-American Dimensions Nazianz welcomed our visit and gave my remarks by expressing our heart- of the U.S. Civil War” was a success, us guided tours of the historical sites; felt thanks for the support you have with all of the sessions attended by and we were delighted to be there. given to the Library Project capital good-sized audiences from within We would like to express our grati- campaign—so far. We appreciate the university, the local community, tude to them and, above all, to Karyl your assistance as we move toward and more distant places. It was our Rommelfanger, whose energy and our goal, and we will keep you in- intention to explore the time before, dedication as chief-in-charge of the formed about our progress. during, and after the end of the local arrangements were in evidence Now come the summer months, Civil War, focusing especially on the throughout. which should be a time to catch up. contributions made by Germans and If you have been on the Library The MKI will take part in Milwau- German-Americans, as well as the Mall in the last couple of months, kee’s German Fest, which will be th war’s reception in Europe and the you will notice that the new roof for held from the 28 to the 31st of July, way developments in America were the University Club is nearly fin- and we would love to see you there. influential there. ished. The roof will certainly benefit Meanwhile, we send you our very We hope soon—within a very few the MKI as well as the Center for the best wishes: enjoy the good weather, weeks—to be able to share with you Study of Upper Midwestern Cultures keep away from the bad weather, be some of our ongoing work on our (CSUMC), which will be housed healthy, work hard, and stay in touch! Civil War project: check the Max together right under it on the fourth —Cora Lee Kade Institute’s Web site
2 2011 Friends Annual Meeting in St. Nazianz, Wisconsin
n a beautiful, sunny, and funds to restore the property to its Banquet Hall. We thank Karyl warm Saturday in early former glory, with the intention of Rommelfanger for organizing this May, over fifty Friends using it as a retreat. marvelous event. Special thanks go Omet for the 2011 Annual Meeting in Then it was time for the annual also to the wonderful people of the St. Nazianz, a town of 730 inhabit- business meeting, where MKI staff St. Nazianz Historical Society and the ants near Manitowoc, Wisconsin. members gave an overview of the Christian Ministries, who guided us We started out with a tour of St. Institute’s activities, and four new through their buildings and treated Gregory’s Church, a beautiful stone members were elected to the Friends us to coffee and cake and punch. structure that was built by Ambrose Board of Directors: Edward Langer, For images of the event see pages Oschwald’s utopian Catholic com- Luanne von Schneidemesser, and 8 and 9. munity. Afterwards, we strolled Johannes Strohschänk were elected across the old cemetery adjoining to a first term, and Elizabeth (Betsy) the church, where fascinating grave Greene was elected to a second markers still bear witness to the term. Three members leave the German settlers who founded the Board now after having served two community in 1854. For a detailed terms: Hans Bernet, Tom Lidtke, history of St. Nazianz see the two- and Fran Luebke. We are grateful part article by Karyl Rommelfanger for everything they have done for in the Fall 2010 and Winter 2011 the Friends and the Institute over issues of your Newsletter. the last six years. At a brief meeting Then we visited two buildings in of the new Board of Directors the downtown St. Nazianz, just a short following officers were elected: walk from the church: the lovingly James Kleinschmidt (President), restored old post office and the Charles James (Vice President), old fire house, which today houses Sandra Casterline (Secretary), and the St. Nazianz Historical Society. Peter Arvedson (Treasurer). Peter Next on the schedule was a stop at Monkmeyer again agreed to serve as the property of the old Salvatorian assistant to the Treasurer. Seminary, which is connected to The day concluded with a the town by a beautiful park. The delicious meal at the Silver Valley Salvatorian Order of the Divine Savior bought the old communal Board of Directors, Friends of the Max Kade Institute properties in 1896, where it opened Peter Arvedson Treasurer, Elm Grove a seminary and later a high school. Sandra Casterline Secretary, Oconomowoc We strolled around the large property Gary Gisselman Wausau and visited the old Seminary Elizabeth Greene Madison Charles James Vice President, Madison building, St. Ambrose Chapel, the James Kleinschmidt President, Fitchburg Seminary cemetery, and Loretto Cora Lee Kluge ex officio, Madison Chapel, where Father Oschwald Edward Langer Hales Corner is buried. Abandoned for over Peter Monkmeyer Assistant to the Treasurer, Madison Antje Petty ex officio, Madison twenty years, many of the buildings Karyl Rommelfanger Manitowoc are currently in serious disrepair. Johannes Strohschänk Eau Claire However, new owners are raising Luanne von Schneidemesser Madison
3 COLLECTION FEATURE
D. C. Luening’s Colorful Career, or Coming of Age as an Immigrant Antje Petty
n the last days of 1936, German- self-deprecating style and laced with and English-language newspa- humorous anecdotes, the book is the pers in Milwaukee, throughout coming-of-age story of Dietrich, a ISouthern Wisconsin, and even in troubled boy from the northern Ger- Chicago lamented the passing of man port city of Bremen, who took Dietrich C. Luening, a renowned citi- to the high seas at age 14 and wound zen of Milwaukee who had died on up in Wisconsin a few years later. December 18 at the age of 88. People According to the autobiographical fondly remembered “Professor Luen- account, Dietrich was born in 1848 ing” for his service to the Milwaukee in Amsterdam, where his father was a Public School District, where he wholesale merchant. When the busi- had been principal at two different ness faltered in 1854, his father and schools for over forty years, and for oldest sister immigrated to America, his pioneering work in the education while his mother returned with her D. C. Luening on the day of his retirement as Princi- pal of Milwaukee’s 9th Street School, 1922. Milwaukee of deaf children. German papers in other children to her hometown of Sentinal, 19 December 1936. particular emphasized D. C. Luen- Bremen, where she had grown up ing’s commitment to the German in a prominent merchant family. shipped out to sea as a cabin boy on language and the Milwaukee Ger- There Dietrich was put in the care of the commercial sailing vessel Diana. man community, where he had held a childless uncle and aunt who were The same month, his mother and leading positions in the Liederkranz unable to deal with a rambunctious siblings immigrated to Milwaukee to (singing society), the Masonic Au- and mischievous six-year-old. A join his father. rora/German lodge, and the Schlaraf- broken church window was the final One reads that young Dietrich’s fia Milwaukia (see lead article). The straw, and Dietrich was sent on, to life for the next sixteen months, as papers were a bit more circumspect stay with various uncles and aunts the Diana traveled from Bremen to about Luening’s youth, hinting at a and grandparents. No matter where Hong Kong with a crew of thirteen, “colorful career” (Milwaukee Journal, he lived, however, he managed to “was not a string of happy days. 19 December, 1936). get himself into trouble, and school On the contrary, there were many The Max Kade Institute holds a was not his priority. At age ten, he dark hours. A rope’s end frequently little book that describes those color- was thrown out of the renowned danced on Dietrich’s back, mak- ful years in D. C. Luening’s life: his “Bürgerschule” for instigating a fight. ing sure that he quickly learned the autobiography Vom Schiffsdeck zum Looking back, the author concluded: sailor’s skills. A better person, how- Katheder: Werdegang eines Menschen “Once more, Dietrich missed a gold- ever, he became not.” In Hong Kong, welcher sich erst spaet im Leben en opportunity to associate himself Dietrich switched to another vessel, gefunden (From the Ship’s Deck to with the good kids.” Other school the Graf Eulenburg, but not before the Lectern: The Story of Someone failures followed, and in June 1862— leaving a parting present for the crew Who Found His Way Only Late in after the police arrested him because of the Diana in the form of castor oil Life), self-published in Milwaukee in of a street fight—the family decided in the soup. This earned him a cita- 1922. It was donated to the Institute to send him to “Das rauhe Haus,” the tion with the Maritime Board in Bre- with other family documents by D. last resort for difficult youths. At this men. TheGraf Eulenburg headed for C.’s grandson and longtime MKI point Dietrich had had enough. Bare- New York, where it arrived in March Friend, Robert Luening. Written in a ly 14 years old, he left his family and
4 1864. At first, Dietrich considered long a conductor appeared and asked after visiting his teacher-sister in her visiting his family in Milwaukee, but for a ticket. When it became clear classroom, he warmed to the idea changed his mind when he learned a that Dietrich had neither ticket nor and attended a local teachers institute war was going on. He quickly enlist- money, he was pulled into the lug- in the summer of 1870. After only ed in the U.S. Navy and took part in gage car and thrown off the train at six weeks, he took the exam, barely the battle of Fort Fisher, North Caro- the next station. There he waited for passed, and received a teacher’s li- lina, the last major naval battle of the the next train, boarded, and repeated cense third class. American Civil War. In the summer the same game. Fellow passengers In November, Dietrich began his of 1865, he left the Navy, squandered shared their food with him, and at first teaching assignment at a rural what little money he had, and now, night he slept under the stars. Half- school in Sauk County. For $37 a penniless and in rags, decided to go way through his journey, luck had it month, he taught fifty students, all back to Bremen as a deckhand on that Dietrich encountered the same children of local Swiss farmers, who another sailing vessel. conductor who had accosted him on ranged in age from four to sixteen Dietrich announced his return to the first day of his journey. The man years. When the school closed in his North German relatives and—try- greeted him warmly with “Hallo little March for the farming season, Di- ing to explain his appearance—made Dutchman. You are back again!” and etrich had to find other jobs, and he up a shipwreck story. He was touched placed him in the luggage car, but decided to go back to school to re- when his family welcomed him with “forgot” to make him leave the train ceive a higher-level teaching license. open arms, believed his story, tried at the next station. Thus Dietrich In 1873, after passing the next exam, to bring him back into their fold, and made it to Milwaukee in “only” six- he got a job as a German-language make a good merchant out of him. teen days. teacher at the Douglas School in Mil- Alas, it was to no avail. The tedium After reuniting with his parents, waukee’s 8th Ward. Dietrich proved of the trading business did not agree who now lived in Sauk City, and with to be a popular teacher. His students with Dietrich, and he lost one ap- his brother and sister, who lived in appreciated his teaching style of mix- prenticeship position after another. Milwaukee, Dietrich explored Wis- ing intensive studying with plenty of Now the family saw no other alterna- consin “the Dietrich way.” This meant outdoor activities, singing, and fun. tive but to send him to his parents doing odd jobs as a farm hand and Possibly looking back to his own in Wisconsin. They bought Dietrich on lake schooners, painting houses childhood, Dietrich’s philosophy was passage to New York, outfitted him and working in a lumber mill—work- not to give up on any child: “It is not with clothes and travel supplies, and ing just enough to get by and enjoy particularly challenging for a person gave him a voucher to be exchanged life. He quickly learned to speak to teach children from good homes, for a train ticket to Milwaukee and fluent English and began giving en- who grow up in an environment of $25 for pocket money. Thus, in May tertaining speeches at public events, love, patience, and discipline. […] A 1866, Dietrich once more arrived in such as Fourth of July parades. Fi- true educator is someone who can New York. However, instead of head- nally, Dietrich thought he had found teach the so-called ‘bad’ child. No ing straight to Milwaukee, he decided his calling: he wanted to become a child is born ‘bad,’ and it is up to the to enjoy the city for a while. He first lawyer. He consulted Dr. Lachmund, teacher to counter adverse circum- spent his $25, then sold his luggage, a family friend and doctor in Sauk stances in a child’s life, poor parent- and last but not least sold the train City, who agreed that Dietrich had ing, etc., […] and to find and develop ticket for half price. When all of his the brains and the gift of gab neces- what is good in every child.” Dietrich resources were depleted, Dietrich sary for that profession, but—point- continued his training, eventually had three options: get a job and try to ing out that Dietrich lacked a formal passed the principal’s exam, and in make a living in New York, go back education—suggested that he should 1878 became a tenured school prin- to sea, or attempt to make it to Wis- get a teaching license first. Being a cipal at both Jefferson School and consin. Dietrich opted to head west teacher was the last thing Dietrich and boarded the next train. Before would have imagined for himself, but Continued on page 15
5 Continued from page 1 York, 1907): “From the moment a Milwaukia opened in Wisconsin Schlaraffe [member] entered the as “Reych” No. 67. One of its early castle, he was supposed to leave members was the painter Friedrich behind him all his profane cares of Wilhelm Heine, who immigrated to existence, to step, for the time being, Milwaukee from Dresden, Germany, out of his mortal shell, and to live in 1885 to become the lead artist of solely for the enjoyment of humor, the American Panorama Company. art, and friendship among men.” In his diaries* Heine described his Indeed, only men could be members, introduction to the Milwaukia. and while they did not have to be He was ecstatic when he and a intellectual environment. The new German, they had to speak the friend received invitations to visit club was named Schlaraffia, alluding German language. In Prague, a city the society on 13 January 1886 to the fabled land of plenty. In Arte with equally prominent German and from an established “Ritter,” Mr. Voluptas (pleasure lies in art) became Czech populations, this meant that Guttmann. At 9 p.m. they arrived its motto. Members were selected the Schlaraffia from its early days was at the “Dachsburg” (badger castle), not by social status, wealth, religious inseparably tied to German culture the Milwaukia’s meeting place, and affiliation, or occupation, but solely and ideas. were introduced to the Schlaraffen, by their appreciation of humor For six years, the Prague who donned silly medieval-looking and art and their willingness to Schlaraffia remained a local affair costumes complete with wooden contribute to the club’s entertainment until one its members, the author swords and “helmets” that were made program with poems, songs, artwork, Eduard Schmidt-Weißenfels, moved of colorful fabric and resembled or humorous speeches and skits. In fools’ caps more than actual armor. mockery of feudal customs and the The guests were asked to wait outside claims of the aristocracy, a pseudo- while the members gathered to sing medieval hierarchy, language, dress, “Schlaraffenlieder,” songs specifically and ceremony was established composed by and for the Schlaraffen. and eventually codified in the Next, the guests were led into the “Schlaraffenspiegel.” main chamber, a large hall decorated Meetings called “Sippungen” like an over-the-top medieval castle. were held once a week at a club They had to bow at the altar “Lulu,” house or “Burg.” Members called a blinking Uhu (horned owl), the themselves “Ritter” (knights) and mythical bird of wisdom and satirical adopted humorous new Schlaraffia deity of the Schlaraffia. Then they names. The meetings were conducted were introduced to the “Herrlichkeit,” according to strict rules, the so-called Scharaffisches Spiel, which, as the *The Friedrich Wilhelm Heine diaries (writ- name suggests, gave the proceedings to Berlin where he founded a new ten between 1879 and 1921) are housed in the Milwaukee County Historical Society the character of a well-rehearsed Schlaraffia. In 1867, this group (MCHS). Quotes and images from the diaries play and probably reflected the became the first official branch or are used with permission. The MKI is col- founders’ background in theater. Any “Reych” of the organization. As word laborating with the MCHS and the Museum potentially controversial topics such spread, new chapters were added in of Wisconsin Art on a multi-year project to as politics, religion, nationality, or other German and Austrian cities, transcribe the diaries from old German script business were banned. As Sigmund and in 1883, the first United States and to translate selected passages into English. For more information on the “F. W. Heine Krausz describes it in his article chapter was founded in San Francisco Diaries Project” and the Panorama movement, “Schlaraffia: A World Society” by a traveling German theater see the Winter 2008 issue of the Friends of (Appleton Magazine, Vol.#10, New troupe. A year later, the Schlaraffia MKI Newsletter.
6 appearances,” but at the same time the chancellor of the New York a certain lack of proper Schlaraffia chapter felt compelled to explain the protocol. When a fellow “Schlaraffe” society to his fellow Americans in asked him for his honest “outsider English. Emphasizing its focus on opinion” of the event, Heine equality, congeniality, tolerance, and summarized: “‘Sendboten’ (visitors) friendship, he concluded: “Schlaraffia were not properly acknowledged, the constitutes a new approach to the ‘Stammrolle’ (membership roll) was recognition of the sublime values of not read, too few songs were sung, life. Selfless devotion to one another the program wasn’t followed, the is coupled with an ardent interest beer was flat, but overall I had a good in both the fine and liberal arts, and impression.” active production rather than mere For Heine, the Schlaraffia was passive enjoyment is urged. A subtle, an important part, if not the center, never coarse, humor floats through D. C. Luening, “Großfürst von Markstein,” undated. of his social life and eventually a the air like gossamer. […] The family affair. His son Hans Florian psychologist may pronounce this an the leader of the group, “whose joined the Milwaukia to become escape-mechanism, but the poet calls word is law,” and drinks were passed Ritter “Rippchen vom Wippchen,” it Utopia.” around. A hearty meal of goulash and Hans’ older brother Rudolph Today, following the general followed, and the evening concluded Ernst joined the Schlaraffia trend of declining membership with more songs and a skit initiated Franciscana taking the name in fraternal organizations and by a second “Herrlichkeit,” Director “Auch ein Wippchen.” Among the hampered by the strict German-only Welb from the German theater. other Milwaukia members during requirement, Schlaraffia chapters in Heine soon joined the Schlaraffia, Heine’s tenure was D. C. Luening, the United States tend to have only and in April 1895, after nine years of or “Großfürst von Markstein” (see a few dozen members. Worldwide rising through the ranks, he became article beginning on page 4), who the organization had over 10,000 Ritter “Wippchen der Wasserscheue.” was the chancellor of the society for members in 2010. The Milwaukia When Heine temporarily many years. Luening’s son Edwin is one of the remaining Schlaraffias moved to San Francisco in 1898 to followed in his father’s footsteps and the United States. In its “Dachsburg” prepare the production of a new became Schlaraffe “Äpfelchen nicht on Marquette Avenue, a large oil panorama of the “Battle of Manila,” weit vom Stamm.” painting by F. W. Heine depicting the he immediately sought out the local Over the years, more than 400 Castle of Prague still hangs over the Schlaraffia. However, a “Schlaraffe” Schlaraffia chapters were established altar of “Lulu.” cannot just spontaneously show up around the world. Many of them at another “Reych”; he first needs have since closed, but others still a “Schlaraffenpass” (passport) flourish. During the Nazi period, the from his own organization. In San Schlaraffia organization was banned Francisco, Heine realized that not in Germany. At the same time, all chapters are the same. On 26 chapters in the United States were November 1898, he was invited to viewed with suspicion. Although it is the 15th anniversary celebration of the neither a secret society, nor secretive Schlaraffia Franciscana, a big event about its membership, purpose, and dinner where members brought rituals, or events, the Schlaraffia is their spouses and other guests. Heine a private, introverted organization, was surprised about the dress code not well known outside the German- (tailcoat), and the “emphasis on American community. Thus in 1940,
7 Impressions from the 2011 Friends of the Max Kade Institute Annual Meeting in St. Nazianz, Wisconsin Photos by Charles James, Kevin Kurdylo, and Antje Petty
One of many German gravestones at St. Gregory’s Cemetery.
A stroll through the park between St. Gregory’s Church and the Salvatorian property.
Listening to one of the Historical Society’s guides. The old post office in downtown St. Nazianz.
8 A stained glass window in St. Gregory’s Church.
St. Gregory’s Church and graveyard.
The St. Nazianz Museum and Historical Society have their home in the Old Fire House.
MKI Friends at St. Gregory Church. St. Nazianz plates commemorating the American Revolution.
9 The Jacob Best Family Memorial Peter Arvedson
from the small city of Mettenheim in September 1844, a deed transfer of Rhenish Hesse, where patriarch Jacob two lots (13 and 14) on block 127 in Best had owned a brewery. They had the Town of Milwaukee was signed traveled to Havre de Grace (now Le by one Christian Rolle and his wife Havre), France, boarded the ship and Jacob Best and his son Phillip. Louis Philippe and sailed to New York These lots, located on the west side of City. On the ship manifest they are Ninth Street between Chestnut and listed as Jacob Best and his wife Eva Winnebago, became home to a newly Maria; Philip Schmidt, Eva’s 85-year- built brewery and the Best family. old father; Jacob and Eva’s oldest son However, this was not the first Charles; his wife Anna Margaretha time a member of the Best family had and their daughter Margaretha; Jacob set foot in Milwaukee. Jacob, Jr., had and Eva’s second son Phillip, his wife already arrived in 1842 and had im- Maria Anna, and their two-year-old mediately started a business. The fol- daughter Maria, who later married lowing ad appeared in the Milwaukee Jacob Best, Sr. From The Pabst Brewing Com- pany by Thomas C. Cochran, 1947. Frederick Pabst; Jacob and Eva’s third Sentinel on 15 February 1843: “Vin- son Jacob, Jr., and his wife Elizabeth; egar! Vinegar! Jacob Best has estab- ne of the oldest burial sites Jacob and Eva’s fourth son Lorenz; lished a Vinegar Factory in the West in Milwaukee is Forest and two adult daughters of Jacob and Ward, opposite J. A. Messinger’s, Home Cemetery, and the Eva, Marie and Anna. near the canal and will always have Ograve markers there reflect the city’s TheLouis Philippe arrived in New on hand a good assortment of BEST settlement history, as well as the evo- York City on 22 August 1844. On 10 CIDER VINEGAR, which he will sell lution in burial traditions and even architectural design. Until recently, visitors who took the fascinating Historical Tour could see the family graves of Milwaukee’s famous beer barons, all adorned with momen- tous memorials, except for one: the Best family site, which did not have so much as a simple marker. This changed on 22 May 2011, when a memorial stone was unveiled by de- scendants of the Best-Pabst families and the staff of the Milwaukee Pabst Mansion, culminating a several-year community effort. This is the story behind the monument: In the fall of 1844, thirteen members of the extended Best fam- ily arrived in Milwaukee, coming Best Brewing Company, Miwaukee, 1844. From a Best Brewing Company poster. Courtesy John East- berg.
10 When Frederick Pabst died in 1904, the family was informed that the crypt was in a state of disrepair and would be removed. Thus the remains still there were moved, but no marker was erected at the new site, possibly because the family intended to replace the crypt with a new suitable monument. This, however, never happened, and for over 100 years there has been no memorial at Forest Home Cemetery to the Jacob Best, Sr., family;—until today.
Peter Arvedson is a docent at the Peter Arvedson, Bob Giese, John Eastberg, and Leonard Jurgenson at the dedication of the Best fam- Milwaukee Pabst Mansion. He has ily memorial, Forest Home Cemetery, Milwaukee, May 2011. Photo: Mark Arvedson. done extensive research on the families of Milwaukee brewers Frederick Pabst, at wholesale and retail, at reasonable go to Langworthy and that he could Jacob Best, and Emil Schandein. prices.” Thus the Best family’s im- have free beer the rest of his life—a migration to Milwaukee followed the promise kept by Phillip’s successors same pattern as that of many others: and sons-in-law Frederick Pabst and one member came to America first, Emil Schandein, even after Phillip’s put down roots, and then sent for death. The first keg of Best beer was the extended family, that now had a brewed in 1845, and the business place to stay and enough support to grew from there. establish a business. Life, however, was not always The Best family spent the winter of easy. In the first few years after their 1844–45 constructing the new brew- arrival, several family members ery and a family home. Their first including infant children died. They task was to acquire a steam boiler for were buried in the small German the brewing process. Phillip Best ap- cemetery a few blocks west of the proached A. J. Langworthy and asked brewery on Chestnut Street. When him to construct the equipment. that cemetery closed, the remains At first Langworthy was skeptical, were transferred to Forest Home knowing that there was not enough Cemetery, which had opened in boiler iron in Milwaukee, Racine, 1850. In 1857, Phillip and Jacob, Jr., or Kenosha, but then he arranged to purchased Lots 13 and 14, Block 9, have the special iron brought in from Section 8. Jacob, Sr., purchased Lot Buffalo, New York. When the boiler 8 at an unknown date. Soon a large was finished, however, Phillip was family crypt was built into the hill unable to pay Langworthy in full. The on Lot 8. In 1882, the Pabst and boiler maker generously told Philipp Schandein families purchased Lot 15, to take the boiler and begin brewing. Section 40, and some of the remains Phillip was surprised at this offer and from Section 8 were moved there, promised that the first keg would while others remained in Section 8.
11 BOOK REVIEW
Now in English Translation: Civil War Letters from America’s German-Language Press Cora Lee Kluge
August Willich’s Gallant Dutchmen: historical narrative, which has been Civil War Letters from the 32nd (and is increasingly) hidden from Indiana Infantry. Translated and view. The fact that they were writ- edited by Joseph R. Reinhart. Kent, ten in German has relegated them to Ohio: The Kent State University dusty archives, where they lie forgot- Press, 2006. xiii + 262 pages. $35.00. ten and ignored; and yet this fact also makes them even more valuable, as A German Hurrah! Civil War Let- they present the views of and shed ters of Friedrich Bertsch and Wilhelm light on a specific—large—ethnic Stängel, 9th Ohio Infantry. Translated minority within the country. and edited by Joseph R. Reinhart. In his introduction to August Wil- Kent, Ohio: The Kent State University lich’s Gallant Dutchmen, Reinhart Press, 2010. xiv + 370 pages. $59.00. provides background information about Willich’s career, both in Europe s we mark the sesquicen- and in America, the history of the tennial anniversary of the 32nd Indiana Infantry Regiment, and beginning of the U.S. Civil the 60 letters whose translations he AWar, we are happy to draw atten- includes. The letters and also several ten by an unidentified infantryman tion to these two volumes, which reports can be found in chronologi- from Cincinnati who called himself contain Joseph R. Reinhart’s edited cal order throughout the volume’s Artaxerxes. translations into English of German- twelve chapters, interspersed with ed- The second volume,A German language letters written by Union itorial comments by Reinhart, which, Hurrah! Civil War Letters of Friedrich soldiers for publication in German- together with his copious notes, allow Bertsch and Wilhelm Stängel, 9th Ohio American newspapers. The letters are the reader to understand easily the Infantry, contains 98 letters by Lieu- contemporary commentaries, essen- course of events. Most of the letters tenant Friedrich Bertsch that were tially what we would call the work of were written between August 1861 published in the Cincinnati Volks- war correspondents, that will interest and December 1863, and all of them freund and an additional ten letters the scholarly community as well as were published in one of three news- written by Chaplain—later Captain— the general reading public. After all, papers: the Democratic Louisville Wilhelm Stängel that were published they contain observations of German Anzeiger, the Democratic Cincinnati in the Louisville Anzeiger, all from and German-American members of Volksfreund, and the Republican Freie the period between 1 June 1861 and the military, a large group that made Presse von Indiana (Indianapolis). 5 September 1862. As in August Wil- up nearly one-fourth of the entire Some appeared unsigned, or were lich’s Gallant Dutchmen, Reinhart Union army forces, and they were signed with nothing more than an provides editorial comments inter- published for widespread consump- initial or initials, or a penname; but spersed throughout to fill in the de- tion in newspapers with substantial Reinhart reveals the identities of ten tails. Bertsch (1823–1904) was born circulation. In addition, the letters of the writers, and in his Epilogue he in Stuttgart, trained as a lithographer, serve to remind us of the huge wealth provides information about the fates and became an enthusiastic Turner; of foreign-language documentation, of nine of these ten. The largest group in 1852 he emigrated to the U.S., a significant part of the American of letters—17 of the 60—were writ- where he settled in Cincinnati. He
12 criticism of the leaders of the war the way events are reported—“The effort, including President Lincoln. American correspondents are be- He moved to Cincinnati and then on stowing especially over exuberant to St. Louis, where he worked as an praise on the generals, none how- assistant editor and political writer ever thinking about investigating with the Westliche Post. There is some the reason for the sudden attack by overlap between Reinhart’s two vol- the enemy, which resulted in the umes, both in the Introductions and useless deaths [and] maiming of in the Epilogues, as the translator/ thousands of men” (August Willich editor himself points out. 86). Statistical reports of the dead The letters included inAugust Wil- and the wounded do not give the lich’s Gallant Dutchmen and A Ger- same perspective as statements like man Hurrah! make available infor- “[Lieutenant Sachs] was surrounded mation concerning the war experi- by six enemy soldiers and would not ences of two German regiments; and surrender, and so was shot down” they succeed in illustrating the prob- and “[he] died in my arms” (August lems and the feelings of German and Willich 47, 46). The German soldiers German-American soldiers as they felt they were better citizens, remark- enrolled as a three-month volunteer dealt with the period’s widespread ing “...we [German citizens] hasten on 8 May 1861, joining the Ohio 9th, nativism. The first collection provides in the hour of danger to do our duty, and changed his enlistment to three a broadly drawn perspective on life regardless of what may be, and even years later that same month. Pro- within and the activities of the 32nd if others, that is just those nativists, moted to first lieutenant in February Indiana Infantry Regiment, because hesitate so much, to risk body and 1862, he returned to Cincinnati for it includes letters written by a num- life, to save their ‘beloved country’” health reasons in January 1863 and ber of correspondents. The second (German Hurrah! 100). But there are finally mustered out together with volume is different, in that it includes also occasional humorous situations: his regiment in June of 1864. Stängel letters by only two writers: one a For- “A field guard called…‘Hold! Who (1826–1880) was born in Schwäbisch ty-eighter and the other very much comes there?’ and…fired and a poor Gmünd, studied law in Tübingen, a kindred spirit, both Turners, both cow, who had still not understood participated in the 1848 Revolution, religious liberals who opposed pro- field service, fell to the ground dead. and fled to the U.S. in its aftermath. hibition laws as well as nativism and Likewise it went with a nice horse of A prominent member of the German slavery, both officers in the war, and a major…; certainly a soldier’s horse community in Louisville, he joined both openly critical toward much should have known” (German Hur- the Ohio 9th in the summer of 1861, they found in American politics and rah! 172). when the regiment was operating in society. Thus, while not providing a There is much to praise here: western Virginia. Stängel’s checkered cross-section of the attitudes within Reinhart’s research and his transla- career in America included work as the Ohio 9th, it does offer a clearly tions are done meticulously, and his a journalist, a portrait painter, an art drawn picture of one outspoken and indexes provide good assistance. teacher, and a Turner. His letters con- often disapproving group. These volumes will join the other firm that he was bitter and angry be- These volumes bring the reader collections of German letters from cause of American nativism, was not close to the Civil War. One finds ex- the Civil War era, of which there only hesitant to praise the German soldier pressions of frustration over its con- a few (listed in Appendix C of August as a “much better soldier” (German duct—“One sees…all too clearly… Willich’s Gallant Dutchmen), as sig- Hurrah! 202), and finally was dis- that no practical field soldier stands nificant sources of information. missed from the army in August of at the head of the troops” (German 1862 because of disrespectful public Hurrah! 279)—or annoyance over
13 FRIENDS PROFILE
Johannes Strohschänk Antje Petty
loged German-American documents O. Kröhnke, a founding member of stored at the Milwaukee County His- the town of New Holstein. torical Society; and done a survey of Johannes sees his membership German graves at local cemeteries. on the Board of Directors as an op- Many of the students are of German portunity to increase his involvement heritage themselves. with people from across the state and Johannes makes it a point to con- beyond. He is particularly interested nect German-American history with in expanding the German-American the experiences of new immigrants immigration discussion beyond today. Last semester, for example, the nineteenth century and to other his students organized a successful ethnicities. As a German immigrant university-wide panel discussion himself, he sees parallels to his on the topic of “Heimat” or “home” own experience in both the stories with panelists from regional Hmong, of nineteenth-century immigrants Somali, and Latino communities. and the lives of contemporary im- Johannes hopes that these interac- migrants of other ethnicities. Says tions will build bridges among com- Johannes: “I believe our research of munities and will eventually lead to German Americans will be hugely he Friends welcome Johannes collaborations in migration studies enriched if we conduct it with an Strohschänk to the Board of across the state. eye to other ethnicities and within Directors. Originally from Johannes credits his good friend the discourse of global migration in TGermany, Johannes came to the (and former member of the Board of general.” United States in 1974 to study Ger- Directors) Bill Thiel with getting him Welcome aboard, Johannes! man language and literature at the interested in German-American stud- Universities of South Carolina and ies. Bill, whose ancestors hail from California Davis. He now lives in Eau Schleswig-Holstein and were among Claire, Wisconsin, where he teaches the earliest Wisconsin settlers in— German in the Foreign Languages where else?—New Holstein, intro- Department at the University of duced Johannes to the rich German Wisconsin–Eau Claire. history of the state. Over the years, Among Johannes’ most popu- Johannes and Bill have collaborated lar classes is an honors seminar in on a number of research projects German-American studies, co-taught and publications. Their monograph with William Thiel. Every year, The Wisconsin Office of Emigration around 20 students learn about Ger- 1853–1855 and Its Impact on Ger- man immigration to America and man Immigration to the State was collaborate with professors on a published in 2005 by the Max Kade variety of research projects. Students Institute. Now the two are working have helped with the cataloging, on a comprehensive history of Ger- transcription, and translation of im- man immigration to Wisconsin for migrant letters; researched German the years 1836–1861 and an annotat- communities in the Chippewa Val- ed translation of the diary of Johann ley; taken an inventory of un-cata-
14 MEMBERSHIP/RENEWAL
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• Friends of the Max Kade Institute is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization that supports the research, outreach, educational, and publishing activities of the Max Kade Institute for German-American Studies. • Membership covers the calendar year (January–December). Payments received after November 1 of the current year will be credited for the full succeeding year. another school in Milwaukee, an to find himself are closely connected appointment he held until his retire- to his experiences in a new country, ment in 1922. and who—with pluck, humor, and Dietrich’s personal life moved determination—contributed signifi- forward, too. He married Franziska cantly to his adopted community in Louise Stupinski in 1874 and had most unexpected ways. three children, only one of whom, his son Edwin, survived into adulthood. In the 1890s, Dietrich decided to go back to his original plan and study law, passed the Wisconsin bar in 1899, but never practiced law. He had realized that teaching was his true calling. Dietrich Luening, now going by the initials D. C., was a member of numerous clubs and charitable organizations in Milwaukee, the city that had become his home. There are many stories of immigrants who pur- posefully came to America with well- thought-out plans and goals in mind. D. C. Luening’s “colorful career,” on the other hand, is the story of an ac- cidental immigrant, whose attempts
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The MKI Library Project Capital Campaign
Are you . . . passionate about history? . . . interested in America as an immigrant country? . . . intrigued by the experiences of your German ancestors? . . . concerned about the preservation of American print culture?
If so, please support the MKI’s Library Project for • a state-of-the-art facility in our new quarters on UW–Madison’s central campus; • new acquisitions; • an endowment to support library staff.
This is a three-year fundraising campaign. Tax-deductible contributions can be made to the MKI Library Capital Cam- paign Fund at the UW Foundation. For more information, contact Antje Petty at (608) 262-7546 or