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Plattdeutscher Verein
115 South Second
1882: ORGANIZED
1895
06 05 ANNUAL EXCURSION
The annual excursion of
the Watertown Pfattdeutscher Verein last Sunday was the most successful yet
given by the organization. This year it
was to Milwaukee, where the opening of the season of National Park took
place. At 7:30 a.m. a special train of
twelve coaches and one baggage car left here over the St. Paul Road. All the coaches were crowded and nearly 1,000
excursionists participated, 650 6f them being from this city. Upon arriving in Milwaukee, a picnic and
various pastimes were on the program, and the day was much enjoyed by all.
The Watertown Cornet band enlivened the occasion with good music. The party left for home at 10 in the
evening. WR
1897
04 07 OFFICERS ELECTED
Following
are the recently elected officers of the Plattdeutscher verein: President, Charles Goetsch, vice-president,
William Riehe; secretary, John J. Brusenbach; treasurer, William Schulz; board
of managers, William Boettcher, August Conrad, C. J. Wenck. The society is in a flourishing condition,
having 121 members and funds amounting to $1,750.83. WNEWS
1898
06 15 PICNIC AND SUMMER
FESTIVAL
The picnic and summer
festival of the Plattedeutscher Verein on the island Sunday afternoon and evening
was quite a success, notwithstanding the threatening weather. The procession, composed of the Sinnissippi
band, the Liederkranz and the Plattedeutscher verein, marched to the picnic
grounds at 1:30 o'clock, and the balance of the day was passed in enjoying the
band music, the games and other amusements, and in listening, to the exercises
dedicating the fine new silk flag of the society. The dedication speech was delivered by Otto
Linde, of Milwaukee. WR
1902
01 24 17TH ANNUAL BALL
Last Saturday night
Turner opera house was crowded with people, the occasion being the 17th annual
ball of the Plattdeutscher Verein. All
present had a delightful time, and the management conducted the affair in
first-class order. WG
1907
04 22
Society Organized Here 25 Years Ago
Members of the Plattdeutscher Verein
and Families Enjoy Social Time
They Banquet and Dance
The
Plattdeutscher Verein (Low German Club) of Watertown, Wisconsin, was founded in
1882 with a twofold mission: “fraternalism and the perpetuation of the German
language, especially the Plattdeutscher tongue.” The regional, cultural, and linguistic
diversity of German-speaking immigrants to the U.S. was reflected in the
plethora of “Vereine” (clubs, societies, associations) they founded. The German- American “Vereinswesen” (club
culture) not only represented an example of direct cultural transfer but also a
means through which the transition from the Old Country to the New could be
eased. Though many of these clubs did
not last beyond the first generation, some still exist today, including
Watertown’s Plattdeutscher Verein.
__________________________________________________________________
Members
of Watertown Plattdeutscher Verein and their lady friends, wives and daughters,
made merry Saturday evening at a banquet and ball given by the society in honor
of the 25th anniversary of the organization of the society. The festivities
were held at the Turner and the Weber-Stube orchestra enlivened the occasion
with a specially prepared program, while Mrs. William Rohde and Mrs. Charles
Zickert attended to the banquet for the society and all enjoyed thoroughly the
good things for the inner man placed before them. The ballroom
decorations were of especially fine scheme and thoroughly in keeping with the
occasion which marks an important epoch in the history of this local
association. Every one enjoyed themselves thoroughly from the time the
first strains of music broke on the ear until the tones of "Home, Sweet
Home" warned the merrymakers that it was time to leave.
The
organization was effected in May, 1882 with a membership of 27. Its total
membership at the present time is 334. Its first officers were:
President, John C. Halliger; vice president, Louis W. Krueger; secretary, Otto
Linde; treasurer, A. Zickert. Mr. Linde and Mr. Zickert are still alive,
the former residing in Milwaukee, and the latter in Fond du Lac. The organization's
present officers are: President, Ferdinand A. Krueger; vice president,
Carl Stiemke; secretary, J. J. Brusenbach; treasurer, William Riebe; finance
committee, Valentine West, Henry Winkler, William Schultz.
The
organization has a twofold object, that of fraternalism and the perpetuation of
the German language, especially the Plattsdeutscher tongue. Its
constitution requires that members shall be able to read and speak the German
language. Its fraternal feature is confined to a death benefit only, the
heirs of the deceased receiving the sum of one dollar from each member.
The
present secretary of the society, John H. Brusenbach, has been its secretary
for the last sixteen years, a fact which speaks well for the manner in which he
cares for the success of the organization.
WDT
1908
07 24 John J. Brusenbach represented the society at the German-American convention in Milwaukee WG
1910
03 25 Officers
elected at annual meeting WG
1911
01 20 A
large crowd attended the annual ball of the Plattdeutscher
Verein at Turner Opera House last Saturday evening
and all report having had an excellent time. WG
1950
01 20 
10 29 PLATTDEUTSCHER
VEREIN’S NEW CLUB, GRAND OPENING
Plans
for the grand opening by the Plattdeutscher Verein of
its new hall at South Second and Market streets, were announced today. The event will take place on Sunday, Oct. 29.
with open house and inspection from 3 to 8 p.m., followed by a dance. The general public
is invited to attend the grand opening and the officers and membership of the
verein, the auxiliary and the junior group joined today in issuing a general
invitation and welcome to all.
The Plattdeutscher Verein was organized on March 2, 1882, as a
mutual benevolent association, in Watertown, for the purpose of assisting in
the support of the family of a member of the association, in case of the death
of such member.
At
that time the organization took the name of “De Plattdeutscher Verein von Watertown.” The officers of the association were, John C.
Halliger, Otto Linde, L. W. Krueger
and E. Engelmann.
Planned
Own Home
Throughout
the many years the organization held its monthly meetings in various halls,
such as Benke’s or Eagles, Brusenbach’s,
Turner and St. Henry’s.
In 1941
the organization members felt they wanted a home of their own, so the present
building was purchased on the corner of South Second and Market streets, which
at one time housed the Otto Biefeld Co. In later years, Jansky Printing Co. occupied
it, and in more recent years, the Sears store.
Last
March it was decided to remodel the entire building, which now contains a much
larger hall, a check room, one of the most modern equipped kitchens, a spacious
modern bar. The heating facilities were
changed from a steam stoker to oil forced air.
The upstairs includes a large women’s auxiliary hall, rest room, Junior Plattdeutseher meeting room and an office and board of directors room. The
men’s and women’s rest rooms are located in the
basement of the building.
The
arrangement now gives the public as well as the members every means and modern
convenience.
1954
-- -- WATERTOWN
CENTENNIAL PARADE
72 years for Plattdeutscher
02 14 The
Plattdeutscher Verein
celebrated at its clubhouse in Watertown, the occasion marking the
burning of its mortgage which made possible its remodeling program, which began
some five years ago. Lester Teich, vice
president of the verein and master of ceremonies, opened the program. Raymond Franz, president of the verein, gave a talk on the acquiring of the club building in 1941,
its use and purposes as a home of the verein. Also the realization of the organization on
the remodeling program in 1950 was stressed, making it a building representing
the verein's home. This was accomplished
by hard work, put in by the membership of both the verein and the
auxiliary.
1958
01 31 The
Plattdeutscher Bar will open formally this evening. It is located in the
Plattdeutscher Club at South Second and Market Streets and will be in operation
daily. The Plattdeutscher Verein, which
will operate it, recently took over the license of the former Wolf Corner
Tavern located at 119 North Third Street and has transferred it to the
Plattdeutscher Club. WDT
1958
03 24 ELECTION OF OFFICERS
The
Plattdeutscher Verein and the auxiliary of the organization last night held
their annual elections of officers and during the evening a 92-year-old member,
Franz Koch of 1000 Labaree Street, was presented with a life membership.
Mr. Koch's membership in the Plattdeutschers dates back 70 years. He is
the oldest member. In addition to the life membership, Mr. Koch was
presented with a gift by the organization. Officers elected by the verein
are: Marvin O. Niehoff, president; Leonard Fehrman, vice president; Charles
Teich, secretary; Wallace Block, treasurer; Max L. Noffz, trustee for three
years; Elmer Kube, warden. Other trustees are Raymond F. Franz and Leonard
Nass.
1961
02 12 PLATTDEUTSCHER
CLUB RAIDED
A
Watertown man, 31, a member of the Plattdeutscher Verein, was named in a warrant
charging a violation of the state gambling or lottery statutes, following a
"raid" at the Plattdeutscher Club building last night. Officers confiscated some bingo-like game
equipment and said they found some 25 persons, all said to be members of the
Plattdeutscher Verein or its auxiliary, playing the game at tables. Chief of Polite Herbert F. Vehlow went to
Jefferson this afternoon to confer with county authorities, including District
Attorney Robert J. Shier, relative to steps to be taken on charges.
1963
03 18 The annual meeting of
the Plattdeutscher Verein and its auxiliary has been held. The following were named: Verein: President, Donald
Lenius; vice president, August Meyer; secretary, Charles Teich and treasurer,
Wallace Block were re-elected; trustee for three years, George Hiller; holdover
trustee, two year, Walter Kube; holdover trustee, one year, Max Noffz; warden,
Clifford Witte. Auxiliary: President, Mrs. Leonard Fehrmann; vice president,
Mrs. Arthur Lenius (re-elected); secretary, Mrs. Marvin Niehoff (re-elected);
treasurer, Mrs. Herbert, Schoenher; trustee for three years, Mrs. Wallace
Block; holdover trustee, two years, Mrs. Max Noffz; holdover trustee, one year,
Mrs. Ernst Oschmann; warden, Mrs. Alvin Zabel.
WDT
1967
03 15 The Plattdeutscher
Verein and its Auxiliary held its annual meeting Thursday evening at
Plattdeutscher Hall. Officers named for
the Verein are as follows: Clarence
Zabel, president; Leonard Fehrman, vice president; Charles Teich, secretary;
Wallace Block, treasurer; Max L. Noffz, trustee, three years; hold-over
trustees, Ray Franz and Ernst Oschmann; warden Arthur Lenius. Members of the auxiliary named the following
officers; Mrs. Donald Lenius, president; Mrs. Arthur Lenius, vice president;
Mrs. August Meyer, secretary; Mrs. Herbert Schoenher, treasurer; Mrs. Max
Noffz, trustee, three years; Mrs. Hubert Gronert, Mrs. Wallace Block, hold-over
trustees Mrs. Alvin Zabel, warden.
1976
1983
MAX NOTTZ
Max
L Noffz, 1907-1983; 55-year member, served
as secretary, treasurer and house chairman, awarded a
life membership
1984
09 29 EXPANSION PLAN:
PURCHASE OF TWO BLDGS ON S. SECOND ST.
The membership of
Plattdeutscher Verein has voted to purchase two buildings on South Second
Street which have been owned by the Wayne R. Jagow family. The properties, located north of the
Plattdeutscher facility at 115 South Second Street, will be used for future
expansion. The properties, located at
107-109-111 South Second Street, are the location of New Life Bookstore which
has an apartment upstairs, and the former JC Penney Catalog store. The catalog building has been rented to Video
Country of Burlington on a five-year lease.
Leasing will continue until plans are made for future expansion of the
Plattdeutscher building. WDT
113 S. SECOND DEMOLISHED FOR PLATTDEUTSCHER
EXPANSION
Al Rippe Photography / c.1957 photo
2004
10 08 PLATTDEUTSCHER BUFFET
When the Plattdeutscher
Hall doors are opened on Tuesday morning for its seasonal monthly Fair Day
dinner, the ladies auxiliary will find people waiting in line outside who want
to get in the buffet line inside. The
longtime tradition, which dates back about 40 years, has many repeat customers
who come monthly June through November for the good cooking at a reasonable
price. The tradition of the Fair Day
dinner is rooted in a longtime Watertown event which used to draw hundreds of
people to the city. The dinner is held six months of the year on the second
Tuesday of the month, the traditional date of the Watertown
Fair Day. WDT
2007
03 03 SOCIETY ORGANIZED 125 YEARS AGO
One of Watertown’s
oldest organizations, Plattdeutscher Verein, turns 125 this year. Members will celebrate the anniversary Sunday
with a dinner and a dance at the hall.
In 1882 a group of men in Watertown gathered together and formed, “De
Plattdeutscher Verein von Watertown.”
Although the name of
the group is German and the first constitution of the group was written in
German, membership was, and still is, open to those of many other heritages
including Irish, Dutch and Norwegians.
Until 1933 the organization was German oriented and all business was
conducted in German. “It’s a great way
to socialize and get together with your friends,” Frank Wegner, club member,
said. The group began as a death benefit
association with yearly dues going to the families of members who died in the
year. When the club was formed members
paid $1 yearly dues. Today, Verein
members pay $10 yearly dues and the funds are still divided to families of
members who died in the year.
“The members would wear
special badges to funerals of a fellow member.
They stopped wearing the badges at least 50 years ago,” Doris Wegner,
club member, said. “Over the years the
organization has done much to relieve financial burdens of Watertown families.”
Link
to Daily Times article
[WHS_005_545 ]
Cross
References:
Lodge
badge (WHS_009_985)
115 S
Second had been location of Geschke Hardware
History of Watertown,
Wisconsin