Society Vorwaerts
Denison Daily News
1879
Society Vorwaerts
The
celebration of the day of the organization of Society Vorwaerts, which society
was organized two years ago today, has been postponed until June 17th on account
of the picnic given by the MK&T railway employees today. The Vorwaerts
numbers all told, thirty-eight members, and is the first society in this city
which has acquired real estate. It purchased last year from the Town Company the
four lots on the [southwest] corner of Burnet Avenue [and Chestnut Street].
These lots are fenced in and a building erected on the same, which, though
small, is amply large for their meetings and small social gatherings. The
society has managed to pay all debts incurred promptly, and today owes no man a
dollar. The success achieved by the society is due in a great degree to its able
president, Mr. Louis Lebrecht, who has been indefatigable in his efforts to
promote its welfare. That his labors in behalf of the Vorwaerts are appreciated
by its members, is proven by the fact that he was re-elected Sunday for the
third time president by an unanimous vote of the meeting. Long may the Vorwaerts
flourish.
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February 24, 1879
Concert and Ball at Nolan Hall, Society Vorwaerts.
Louis Lebrecht is on the Committee of Arrangements, along with J. A. Euper, J.
W. Steiner, H. Casper, M. L. Werner, and Phil. Ledrick. Floor managers are W. J.
Scott and J. A. Euper. Among the musicians performing in the concert are: Mrs.
A. W. Acheson (vocal solo), Mr. Bergman, Mr. Dunn, Mr. Eppstein, Mr. J. A.
Euper, Mr. W. Everett (violin solo), Mr. J. G. Gnase (cornet solo), Mr. Leuder,
Mr. Riley, Mr. Rost, Mr. V. Russo (flute solo), Mrs. F. A. Shulze (vocal solo),
Mr. M. L. Werner, and the Vorwaerts Orchestra. Among the works performed are a
medley, “"Rage in Denison",” by Riviere; and "Express Train",” by Kalkbrenner.
[Source: Program, “Society Vorwarts Concert and Gala at Nolan Hall, Monday Eve,
February 24, 1879;” in collection of Hank Lebrecht]
The Sunday Gazetteer
Sunday, Mary 11, 1890
pg. 3
The
13th annual anniversary of the Vorwaerts Society of Denison was
celebrated June 10, 1890 with a grand concert and ball. The
Philharmonic Society was be joined by the Dallas Turnverin, the Sherman
Harmonie Society along with many friends at home and from abroad.
The
committee of arrangements consisted of L. Lebrecht, A. Knecht, J.
Martens, Jos. Irvin, Chris Waltz, Hermann Stueber, R. Heagler,
Frank Ellsworth and Frank Lyon.
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The Sunday Gazetteer
18 October 1891
Calico Ball:
October
27th, given by the Denison Philharmonic and Society Vorwaerts. Those
wishing tickets will apply to Christ Waltz, Max Beck, W. Geiger, E.
Walton, Jos. A. Euper, Frank Lyon, Frank Ellsworth, or H. Stueber.
Denison Press
September 21, 1903
(quoted from Denison Press, September 21, 1903)
"Sunday,
the last day of the fair, was German Day. There was a large crowd. The
grandstand was literally packed. In the morning the cowboy band received the
German societies at the depot and marched to Vorwaerts Hall. German Day was
a fitting closing day of the fair. Sunday night was ‘huskie’ night, and the Cowboy
Band celebrated the event with constant playing.”
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Industrial Denison, 1909:
The Verein Vorwaerts Singing Society owns the large
building they occupy and, as an organization, are nearly as old as the city
itself.
72. Verein Vorwaerts, Organized 1877, Singing and Turning Sections,
German and English Sunday School
Denison
Herald
August 31, 1947
Vorwaerts Was Early Group Here That Has Passed From the Picture
As Denison celebrates its Diamond Jubilee, there
will be many homes and buildings missing from the scene that were here in early
years. One such building is the old Vorwaerts hall, which stood on the corner of
Burnett and Chestnut, where the Steakley Chevrolet Company now stands. [This is
incorrect. The hall stood on the southwest corner, not the southeast
corner.]
Also missing from the scene will be the organization that used this
hall as the center of its activities—, the Verein Vorwaerts.
Strictly
a German institution, the club’'s membership were open only to those
persons who, regardless of nativity, could speak and write the German
language. Passive memberships were provided for other persons; however,
and while these were not admitted to business sessions, they had access
to the club’s attractive social privileges.
Had Large Roster
Numbering 300 members at one time, only two
men formerly connected with the club are living today. Oscar Kollert, pioneer
Denisonian now residing near Durant, is the only surviving active member; while
Mel Morse of Denison is the only passive member living.
In the early 1930s,
the building was dismantled due to its deteriorated condition. The hall was a
two-story building, with the second story once being the ground floor. Here when
a new first floor was built from rock, the older frame structure was jacked up
to become the second story.
The organization'’s social chamber, business hall,
and library were quartered on the first floor, with the second story was devoted to
the dance hall.
Started in 1887
The German club was officially chartered
July 20, 1903, but had been organized in 1887. Verein Vorwaerts in the German
language means "“Society Forward".”
[Note: The Sunday Gazetteer of April 17,
1898, states that the state charter was received from Austin by Louis Lebrecht,
the Verein;’s long-time president, on April 12, 1878. An early Denison City
Directory states that the Turnverein Society was established June 1873; this
likely was a predecessor of the “Verein Vorwaerts Singing Society and
Turn-Verein, organized June 1877” (City Directory for 1887-1888). And a photo
published in 1909 shows the building bearing the date 1877.]
It was through
its social program that the organization attained the popularity pinnacle. In
the days when less hustle and bustle to everyday life permitted closer
fellowship, the Vorwaerts’ club was the social center where professional and
business men and others of ordinary stations in life assembled on the common
ground of fellowship for many evenings of genuine entertainment.
Across a
foaming mug of beer, many friendship knots were tied that held to the grave. It
was here that the quaffing of beer in a social way attained the perfection of an
art, and many kegs were emptied during the innumerable evenings [illegible] for
sobriety.
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Denison Herald
June 25, 1972
Vorwaerts Society Had Early Role Here
An
interesting organization that was responsible for a colorful and prominent
episode in Denison history faded into oblivion several years ago.
The
Vorwaerts Society was an organization by and for German families, who were well
represented among Denison'’s sturdy pioneers.
The society, very active for
several years, had its own two-story building at the southwest corner of
Chestnut and Burnett, which was dismantled more than thirty years ago to make
room for an auto used car lot.
The last surviving members were Oscar Kollert,
Mel Morse, and Hugo Koeppen.
Strictly a German institution, the club’'s
memberships were open only to those persons who, regardless of nativity, could
speak and write the German language. Passive memberships were provided for other
persons, however, and while these were not admitted to business sessions, they
had access to the club’s attractive social privileges.
Numbering 300 members
at one time, only two men formerly connected with the club are living
today.
In the early 1930s, the building was dismantled due to its
deteriorated condition. The hall was a two-story building, with the second story
once being the ground floor. Here when a new first floor was built from rock,
the older frame structure was jacked up to become the second story.
The
organization’'s social chamber, business hall, and library were quartered on the
first floor, with the second story devoted to the dance hall.
The German club
was officially chartered July 20, 1903, but had been organized in 1887. Verein
Vorwaerts in the German language means “"Society Forward".”
[Note: The Sunday
Gazetteer of April 17, 1898, states that the state charter was received from
Austin by Louis Lebrecht, the Verein’s long-time president, on April 12, 1878.
An early Denison City Directory states that the Turnverein Society was
established June 1873; this likely was a predecessor of the “Verein Vorwaerts
Singing Society and Turn-Verein, organized June 1877” (City Directory for
1887-1888). And a photo published in 1909 shows the building bearing the date
1877.]
It was through its social program that the organization attained the
popularity pinnacle. In the days when less hustle and bustle to everyday life
permitted closer fellowship, the Vorwaerts’ club was the social center where
professional and business men and others of ordinary stations in life
assembled.
Verein Vorwaerts History
Susan Hawkins
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