Marathon County, Wisconsin - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 28 of those read), 1913

Chapter with an unread heading (no. 28 of those read)

Military Organizations, Lysandcr Cutler Post, G. A. R. No. 55 - Company G, Third Regiment Wisconsin National Guard - Fraternal and Benevolent Societies^ - Marathon Grove No. 20, Order of Druids - Secret and Benevolent Societies - German-American Mutual Sick B-enefit Societies - D. G. K. U. V. - D. A. U. V. - Deutscher Krieger Verein of JVausau.

Military Organizations

The veterans of the Civil war or the war between the states are represented by Lysander Cutler Post, No. 55, G. A. R., which organized December 5, 1882, with the following charter members: John A. Kellogg, Ely Wright, W. B. Philbreek, W. W. De Voe, J. B. Vaughn, J. D. W'omer, J. P. Briggs, S. M. Quaw, Miles Swope, and Chili Averill. The meetings are held in the basement of the courthouse. Their numbers are thinning out, as must be expected, and from a strong post a few years after its organization, the number has been reduced, mainly by death, to thirty members. A woman's relief corps also was in existence, but death has so diminished the ranks that it was broken up, and steps are now taken to fill the vacant places so as to re-establish the corps. The present officers are: Hy. Grob, commander; Joseph Heinemann, senior vice commander: J. Susor, junior vice commander; D. M. Maxon, adjutant; Oswald Plisch. quartermaster; Leander Swope, chaplain.

Company G, Third Regiment, Wisconsin National Guard

The history of tliis bra\e companj^ has been given in a former chapter, and it is sufficient to say here that the company is still in existence at Wausau and living up to the best traditions of the same of former times.

It has now sixty-three members, with the following officers : Captain, Elmer Lucas ; first lieutenant. Otto C. Abraham ; second lieutenant, George H. Boerke. Commanding officers : First sergeant, Carl E. Behnke ; second sergeant, Hallie Y. Niles; sergeants, Emil Hannemann, Frank Gottschalk, Walter Frei. Corps : Donald McPhail, Arthur Korzinek, Tony F. Schlueter, Nels C. Nelson, Frank N. Drake, Abraham Kreider. Musicians: Frank Riege, Albert H. Will; artificer, John M. Kraft; cook, George L. BoUin. Number of privates, fifty, which is the full membership of a company in times of peace.

Fraternal And Benevolent Societies

exist in Wausau to the number of over thirty, the great majority being mutual insurance societies, having for their object the securing of a payment after the death of a member at cost, by which is meant that there are no highpriced officials to conduct the financial operations, as is the case in stock companies. In the past many of these fraternal insurance societies, with quite a large 'membership in Wausau, had discovered that their rates were too low, which forced them out of existence; others profited by the lesson and raised their rates in corformity therewith, which put them on a safe basis. Others of these societies are organized solely for sociability and with a moderate sick and funeral benefit.

The first of secret fraternal societies in Wausau was the ]\Iasonic order, which instituted its lodge, Forest Lodge, Xo. 130, A. F. & A. M., as early as 1850. This order owns its temple or meeting place, situated on Third street, in the business center of the city. It is a two-story solid brick building; the whole of the second floor is used for its lodge rooms, the first floor being divided into three stores, which are occupied for business purposes.

The next societies in point of time were the Sons of Temperance and Good Templars. They were in existence in the decades from 1850 to 1870, or somewhat later, but their organization was abandoned.

In 1869 a lodge of the I. O. O. F. was established - Marathon Lodge, No. 169 - which existed until 1874, when it surrendered its charter; but meanwhile another lodge of the same order. Wausau Lodge, No. 215, had been established, which obtained its charter in 1873 and is in prosperous condition and has a large membership.

Marathon Grove No. 20, Order Of Druids

was established in Wausau in the year 1883. Some years ago this lodge by mutual consent of parties concerned, released itself from the ties which bound

It holds regular meetings, owns the brick building wherein it meets, the first floor being rented to business, and the second floor occupied for lodge purposes, of which many besides the Druids hold their meetings as tenants of this lodge. The real property is easily worth $8,000.

German-American Societies

These initials stand for the following translated into English : Gemian Mutual Sick Benefit Society. It was as its name indicates, a German society founded as early as 1871, and like the D. A. U. V. has no connection with any other society. Aside from its fraternal character it pays to its members in case of sickness a fixed weekly stipend and a funeral benefit. It owns no real estate, but it has over $8,000 in money and security in its treasury which is the best evidence of its prudent management, being almost exclusively com- posed of workmen, and was organized without any other fund and no other income than the weekly or monthly dues from members, although it has quite an income from its securities now. It has a large membership, and from the fact that it pays a funeral benefit of $150 at the death of a member and $150 on the death of the wife of a member, it is plain to see that this organization during its existence has paid out many thousands of dollars for funeral benefits, saying nothing of sick benefits.

which initials stand for German Workmen's Aid Society, was organized January 11, 1883. The first meeting was held at the West Side engine house, and in other places, but the society saw the necessity of permanent quarters and that paying rent would sap its treasury, and they determined to acquire real property and build a home of their own. This move proved excellent policy, and the society owns a solid brick building on Third avenue for its sole use, the main part being a hall with a stage and scenery used in entertainments, also a kitchen for refreshments and it has a German library of over 300 volumes. It holds regular meetings with frequent entertainments of an educational and literary character. It has a male choir and a musical library. It is incorporated under the laws of the state of Wisconsin since July, 1888. Since its organization it has paid in sick and funeral benefits to its members the sum of $2,273.52, and has over $2,000 in its treasury which alone besides the real estate which is of considerable value, is guarantee of the faithful performance of all its obligation to its members. The German language is the official language at its meetings, and the object is expressed in its title, to be of aid to workmen, but as can be seen from the foregoing, the society goes further and looks to the social elevation of its members.

Deutscher Krieger Vekein Of Wausau

is what its name implies (German Veteran's Association), an association of German veterans who served their old fatherland in times of war, notably the war of 1870-71, although there are some who were in the wars of 1864, 1865, and 1866. But the association does not limit itself to the admission of these old veterans, but admits all who have served in the German anny and have obtained and show an honorable discharge.

It is the object of the society to preserve among themselves the ties of comradeship, the language and traditions of their fatherland, on the plan and principle of the G. A. R., and the members are pledged to adhere to the constitution and laws of this country, and they are good and patriotic citizens of their adopted country.

In addition to keeping up social intercourse among the members, they pay 9. small sum or fee from which sick or decrepit members may receive a stated weekly stipend. These old German soldiers' associations exist throughout the state, and they are federated and consolidated together by a central state body elected annually, their officers having military titles, and Fred. Jawort of Wausau, a member of this association is one of the state officers, with the title of major.

The present officers of the society are : Captain, J. H. Keil ; first lieutenant, Jacob Richter ; second lieutenant, August Sparbel ; secretary and first sergeant, Fred. Weisse; treasurer, Frank C. Schneider.