Marathon County, Wisconsin - Chapter 29, 1913

Chapter 29

Music and Song - Bands and Orchestras - Societies for the Cultivation of Song - Harmony - The Liederkrans - Opera and Choral Societies - The Tuesday Musical Club - The Ladies' Literary Club - The IVausau Club - The Wausau Country Club.

Music And Song

Whenever civilization has elevated rude society or pioneer Hfe, it carries cultivation of art in its wake. The first of all arts developed in civilized life is music, because it appeals directly to one's feeling and sentiment. The pioneers themselves brought no music to the wilds of the Wisconsin pinery, nevertheless they loved to hear it, uncultivated though their taste might have been. To them the sound of M. Rousseau's fiddle was the acme of perfection in musical art, and the change for something better came only with the influx of others, small tradesmen and artizans, mainly German immigrants, who brought their love for music and song from the Fatherland.

When Wausau was no longer a mere sawlog and mill camp, after its organization as a village, and some hundreds of inhabitants were settled here, they sought for entertainment of some sort, and first hit naturally upon the need of a brass band. Musical instruments are expensive, however, but the costs were a small matter when the people had set their minds upon accomplishing something. They "chipped in" liberally, instruments were bought for a full band, and in the early spring of 1867 a bandmaster or director in the person of Edw. Kretlow, father of Edw. C. Kretlow, was secured, who trained and taught this band of twenty pieces for two years. He was an excellent teacher, and his band an association of gentlemen. Every member prided himself to belong to the "Wausau Comet Band ;" among its members were D. L. Plumer, Valentine Ringle, John Ringle, Jacob Kolter, H. Daniels, Louis Storch, August Hett, Charles Woessner, and other well-remembered citizens. The band took pride in enlivening every public occasion with their music from a pure patriotic motive.

Mr. Kretlow returned to Milwaukee after two years, not however without giving the band a chance to find another leader to take his place, Mr. Jacob

Vetter, also of Milwaukee. He, too, remained only about two years, and returned to his beloved Milwaukee, where he directed a band and orchestra of his own. Richard Raumann then acted as leader, until Carl Riesenweber appeared at \Vausau. who organized a band of his own, taking over mainly the musicians from the cornet band when it went to sleep for a while.

Soon after Vetter"s departure, Carl Riesenweber appeared, a good musician, who was willing to join the band, but an unfortunate remark made by an old member of the band reflecting on the musical accomplishment of another newcomer, which Riesenweber thought was meant for him, led him to start a band of his own, some of the older members going with him, others withdrawing, and that was the end of the Wausau Cornet Band. After Riesenweber departed from here, in the latter seventies, there was no regular band for some time, but on public occasions, when music was needed, Gustav Mueller drummed enough of the old members together to render occasional music, Richard Baumann sometimes acting as conductor, sometimes Gusta\' Mueller. About 1879 Frank Dana came to Wausau as a jeweler being employed by C. F. Dunbar and being an excellent cornetist, assisted the cornet band on such occasions. About 1880 Frank Schubert came and took hold of the remnants of the old cornet band and organized it as Schubert's Band, and Frank Dana created at about the same time Dana's Band. From that time on Wausau was never short of music, either brass or orchestra. Schubert soon had a good orchestra going, but his comet band declined when he later started with a juvenile band. George Geier then organized another cornet band and for a few years there was music galore, brass as well as orchestra. Of all the three bands, Dana's kept its organization up longer than any of the others. He was called upon with his band to go to the grand encampment of the Grand Army, held at Boston, and was very flatteringly received there. Later his was chosen as the regimental band of the Third Regiment. Wisconsin National Guard, and when this regiment went into service of the United States in the Spanish-American war. he followed it to Porto Rico and returned with it in the fall. In 1894 he. received flattering overtures to go to Appleton, which he accepted, later to Marinette, and finally to La Crosse, where he was stationed when the war broke out. Later still he was called upon to direct the Sunday concerts in the park at the Soldiers' Home in Milwaukee and took up his home there ; he still resides and conducts the Sunday concerts mentioned.

After Frank Dana had departed from Wausau and had taken most of his best musicians with him. a young man who had come a short time before Dana's departure, C. S. Cone, surrounded himself with a number of young men, willing to be taught, and after much rehearsal and practice was in condition to appear with his band in public, and from that time on was the leader of Cone's Band, which improved steadily, so much so that in 1898 he was selected as chief musician for the Fourth Regiment of Wisconsin Infantry, which the state tendered to the National Government, and with his band accompanied the regiment to Chickamauga and staid with it until the regiment was discharged at the close of the war.

Through Schubert's Orchestra musical taste was greatly developed, and his departure was greatly regretted by all lovers of music. He went to California, where he was given the place of teacher of music in some Catholic Sisters' boarding school in St. Joseph.

C. S. Cone followed in his footsteps, and following up the organization of his band with the creation of an orchestra, and for fifteen years or longer he has successfully conducted it and kept it together. His comet band played twice at the State Fair in Milwaukee in 191 1 and 1912 and earned the sobriquet of being the best band at the fair. His orchestra of from fifteen to eighteen men is equally as good, and while it is not a philharmonic orchestra, which only the largest cities can support, it renders excellent orchestra music, playing to perfection such pieces as the overture to JNIartha. Traviata. Trovatore, Bohemian Girl, and lighter operas, like Poet and Peasant. He is a thorough musician and has done much to raise the understanding of our people for good music and created a love for the fascinating art.

with B. F. Schultz as leader and conductor, is in existence since 1902. The band can be relied on to muster from eighteen musicians upwards when playing on big occasions, and the orchestra is much in demand for private parties and gatherings.

Two of the German churches, the St. Paul, and the St. Stephan's congregation, each have a juvenile band which are progressing finely, so that there is enough material for good bands for years to come.

Societies For The Cultivation Of Song

As early as 1866 a German male choir (Maennergesang) existed and practiced under the leadership of Louis Storch, a w^agonmaker, living on Shingle street. It practiced for several years, in spite of the difficulties under which it labored, not the least being that of bringing the untrained voices to sing in harmony. It broke up with the removal of their leader about 1871.

Three years afterwards a party of young men met at the office of C F. Eldred, a lawyer, to organize another male choir. A committee was appointed to draft a constitution and by laws, with N. Heinemann as chairman, which committee soon reported, had their report adopted, and another society started out under the expressive name of

Professor Henry Neuman was cliosen conductor and under his competent direction the society prospered for some years, more in the way of training their voices and acquiring the ability to sing than financially.

It gave several concerts, which were well patronized by the Gennan population, and for some years the society was quite a factor for good in the social life of Wausau. All went well until it joined in the newly formed "Gennan Club" and became a section of the club, instead of keeping up its separate organization. At the instigation of one of the members of the club, the society brought Jacob Vetter's Band and Orchestra to Wausau for a grand concert and ball - much too large an undertaking for Wausau in 1877 - and there was a large deficit, which not the club or the instigator, but the society had to bear, and that was the beginning of the end. Discord prevailed over hannony, "Hannony" dissolved.

In the year 1885 two male choirs were started about the same time; one under the lead of Prof. Frank Schubert, taking the name of "Liederkranz," the other under the lead of Professor Moser, a young piano teacher, calling itself "Laetitia." The last named choir was shortlived, disbanding with the departure of their leader, some of the members joining the "Liederkranz," and thereby strengthening it vocally.

The Liederkranz

This society made splendid progress for over three years, when suddenly it was confronted with a difficulty which threatened its very existence. Professor Schubert informed it that his business engagements would not permit him to further direct the rehearsals, and it was then questionable whether anyone could be found to take his place before the choir would disperse. The members suspected that the leader was not satisfied with his little salary and wanted a raise, which the society could not grant, the mem- bers being only mechanics and clerks, depending on their daily earnings. In this, for the society, critical moment, Gustav Mueller, a member, took it upon himself to conduct, and did it successfully from the very beginning, so that all danger on that score was passed. He has been the director of the "Liederkranz" for twenty-five years, gave his time and energy and knowledge, all for love, without any remuneration. Under his lead the "Liederkranz" became the leading musical organization of the city, and still holds that place ; it never quit, never slept, it never rested. It trained, rehearsed with regularity, always ready to adorn any patriotic festivity with songs adapted for the occasion. Twice it brought a "Saengerfest" to Wausau, assembling hundreds of male voices in one grand mass chorus. It has sung in churches, on Memorial Day, on the Fourth of July, on hundreds of public occasions, and it sings from a patriotic motive, never for pay; it cannot be hired to sing, but it sings when requested only on proper occasions. It opened the exercises at the dedication of the Public Library with Beethoven's grand hymn, "The Heavens are Telling," which powerful chords sounded throughout the building, impressing the assembled multitude with thoughts worthy of the occasion.

When it is remembered that many of the active members of this society are mechanics working for wages, and donate their service to the public, it is plain that thereby they donate as much for the cause as many a wealthy man. The "Liederkranz," as a musical society, enjoys the respect and love of the musical inclined people of Wausau. for their accomplishments, and it is imanimous wish of the people that the society and their leader, Gustav Mueller, may continue in their laudable career.

Another German male choir, the "Eichenkranz," organized about the year 1890, and under different leaders existed for over ten years; this society advanced quite suiificiently to appear creditably at concerts and gave excellent entertainments for some years. But it was hampered by the frequent changes of conductors, which removed from Wausau, which rather discouraged the members, and it discontinued, some of the members joining the Liederkranz. To keep a German male choir in existence is a difficult undertaking. Good voices are rare, the songs are sung in the German language, and the field from which singers can be recruited is therefore limited. But there will be for many years yet to come splendid material for one choir, and with the progress in education and the advancement of fine arts, there is no fear of the German song ever dying out in Wausau.

Opera And Choral Society

In the decade from 1900 to 1910 the English-American population took great interest in the advancement of music. Jacob Renter had come to Wausau, he who is now making a tour through the United States with sensational success, as a violin virtuoso. He was well received and organized the "Philharmonic Orchestra," nearly all members being amateurs. The orchestra appeared in public three times and rendered classical overtures in so excellent, accomplished a manner as to rouse the enthusiasm of the audience, which packed every nook and comer of the Alexander Hall, to the highest pitch.

But the fervid devotion of this amateurs' club could not last, but the fact was nevertheless established that the muse of music had its devoted adherents in Wausau in both sexes, willing to bring sacrifices for her.

Choral Society

Under the lead of Edwin Howard, himself a lyrical opera tenor, and his wife, Mrs. Clara Hunt Howard, an accomplished opera songbird, who had made their home in Wausau about 1905, a choral society sprang into life, a mixed choir of a hundred voices, which equaled in perfection of volume, of precision and beauty of voice, any produced in any of the large operas of the land. It counted among its members soloists as Mrs. Hart, Mrs. J. W. Coates, Mrs. Marie Boehm, and with the duettos between Mr. and Mrs. Howard, the performances of this choir could well invite comparison with operatic performances of a great stage. When it is said that this choir produced Haendel's "Messiah," one gets an idea of what this choral society might have accomplished if it had continued its work. But it excelled in lighter music, too. It gave a fine, rounded production of Sullivan's light opera, "Mikado," to the enraptured audience, besides some charming songs. It was a matter of much regret when Mr. and Mrs. Howard concluded to take up their abode in the city of Eau Claire, where they established a conservatory of music, which enjoys splendid patronage.

The Tuesday Musical Club Of Wausau

A summary of the forces which have made for progress in the' history of Wausau would be altogether incomplete if mention was not made of the "Tuesday Musical Club." In January, 1896, Miss Marcy, who was then teacher of music in our public schools, assisted by a number of ladies musically inclined, organized the Tuesday Musical Club, with Miss Marcy as its first president. The object and aim and principal reason for its existence was set forth in its constitution to the effect that the standard of music in Wausau must and shall be raised.

The society shared the fate of all pioneers. Having no permanent abiding place, its members met on the first Tuesday afternoon of each month at the home of some of its members, for the purpose of study. Notwithstanding its somewhat "wabbly" condition, some progress was made during the first year and it entered upon the second year of its existence fully detennined to do - and not die.

However enthusiastic may have been the promoters of this society, or whatever of hope and ambition may have stimulated and sustained them in that early period of the society's existence when a rainy Tuesday afternoon might have resulted in dissolution - surely all of their highest hopes and fondest ambitions have been fully realized.

Many have been the entertainments given by this club since its organization, which could not fail to develop love for music. Not only have its members excelled in songs and concert pieces, but they lately have put operas on the stage in Wausau which were rendered in a manner far excelling some of the professional opera companies. In 1903 Balfe's "Bohemian Girl" was performed, and "lolanthe" in 1904, with a cast composed entirely of local artists, and the last concert given under the auspices of the Y. M. C. A. in the Opera House this last winter, at which time their choir rendered the beautiful spinning chorus from the "Flying Dutchman" in a most admirable manner, is still vividly remembered.

The charter members of this association residing in the city of Wausau were: Mrs. E. V. Speer, Mrs. H. E. McEachron, Mrs. George Hart, Miss Gertrude Harger, Mrs. D. T. Jones, Mrs. A. L. Kreutzer, Mrs. Charles Mathie, Mrs. J. W. Coates.

Important Musical Event

This program, which was executed to perfection on April 14, 1905, in the Opera House by a newly organized orchestra, shows what can be accomplished in W'ausau in the line of music and song.

The following was the program rendered in February, 1913, in their clubroom, which is published to show the kind of music which the club is cultivating :

The club arranges every winter for a series of concerts, where it brings before the Wausau people musical celebrities of the first rank, vocal and instrumental artists. Among them must be mentioned the "Kneisel Ouartett," leading executants of chamber music in the United States, which was heard in the winter of 191 1, and Miss Schnitzer, the celebrated pianist who is creating a sensation by her wonderful technique and complete discerning interpretation of the masterpieces composed for the piano.

In speaking of the artists who have made W^ausau a musical center, if such language is pennissible with reference to this city, Mr. Charles L. Hoyt must be mentioned, whose work as a teacher for the last ten years is bearing excellent fruit.

The Tuesday Musical Club has grown; is in healthy financial condition and gives the highest hopes of pennanency. It owns a full Steinway grand piano, which stands in the parlor of the Wausau Club House, where their

On the 3d day of April, 1877, a number of ladies met and constituted themselves as a Literary Club, for the dissemination of literature and education, the object of the association being to promote intellectual and social culture and advance the best interests of the city as a whole.

The charter members are: Mrs. S. H. Alban, Mrs. C. W. Harger. Mrs. W. S. Armstrong, Mrs. Mary Haines James,* Miss Julia Grace,* Mrs. J. A. Jones, Mrs. J. A. McCrossen, Mrs. E. M. Bridgman, Mrs. D. L. Plumber, ]\Irs. Adassah Spencer Crosby,* Mrs. Mary Hazeltine Schofield,* Mrs. H. A. Frost, Mrs. R. C. Scarles.

Besides bringing speakers of national reputation to W'ausau to speak on interesting topics, as, for instance, Schuyler Colfax, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Theodore Tilton, Colonel Sanford and others, the club for a number of winters arranged for the University Extension Lectures, giving lectures on popular "astronomy, history and literature, which last course of lectures was given by Prof. John Freeman, and was particularly enjoyed. After the association was formed, the old Pine Knot Library was turned over to the society and became the nucleus around which the present Wausau Public Library has grown.

There are at this time one hundred and thirty members, and the following are its present officers : Mrs. A. A. Bock, president ; Mrs. C. B. Bird, vicepresident; Mrs. P. V. O. Van Vechten, recording secretary'; Mrs. Charles Feathers, corresponding secretary: Mrs. C. A. Barwig, treasurer.

is an association of business and professional men, not exclusive, however, any man of character may become a member. It was created solely for the purpose of providing a place for its members for social meetings and mutual enjoyment, where every member may meet the next one on a footing of equality. The dues are $20 annually, just sufficient to pay for the cost of maintenance.

The real estate owned by the chib consists of two lots on McClellan street between Third and Fourth streets, where fonnerly stood the home of the late R. P. Manson, and is within the heart of the city.

The clubhouse itself is a large, comfortable frame building, steam heated; a large fireplace around which the members flock evenings to tell stories for mutual entertainment adds to the homelike feeling which pervades the atmosphere of the house.

It has a large sitting-room, a dining-room (the club having its own restaurant), a card room, and a large parlor, which is given over to the meetings of the Ladies' Literary and the Tuesday Musical Club, who meet there regularly, and to other ladies' societies; it is also granted free to other associations on particular occasions, such as the meetings of the Medical and the Dental associations or business men's meetings. Merchants' Club and others. It is of course a private club only and strangers have to be invited by members for introduction.

In the basement are bowling alleys and billiard tables, and on the second floor is a spacious hall, used for social entertainments, more particularly patronized by the younger set for dances.

The membership is not confined to Wausau people alone, and members from outside of Marathon county can become members, and this privilege has been taken advantage of by quite a number of gentlemen, who have occasion to visit Wausau and wish to have a place where they can spend an enjoyable evening before leaving. The clubhouse is what it ought to be, a meeting place for gentlemen for social intercourse.

The club was incorporated without capital on the loth day of May, 190 1, and the property cannot be used for any other than the purixises of the club. The first officers were : President, C. S. Curtis ; vice-president, Walter Alexander; secretary, E. A. Gooding; treasurer, H. G. Flieth.

L. A. Pradt, who had just taken up the game at Washington and who brought the bug to \\'ausau, aided and abetted by John D. Ross, who was already an expert. The grounds were the commons then lying northeast of the city, and being so convenient of access, were well patronized, though in a very crude state. The "hazards" included a lot of cows and to these the president offered to add a hive of bees. The subsequent addition of these commons to the city and the rapid improvement left the club without grounds and it languished. Some years later Messrs. Mortinson, Pradt, Ross and Winton, all golf fiends by this time, played for one season on the pasture lot south of the tannery on the west side. The perfomiances of these worthies were at first viewed with astonishment and suspicion, not to say alarm, by the adjacent residents. But when it was learned that these aimless lunatics would pay to have their bags of clubs carried for them, the boys in the neighborhood thronged about them like flies. One day a little chap about six years old approached them w-ith the request, "Please, may I carry the hammers?" The following year, in September, 1908, the Wausau Country Club was organized and incorporated with forty members, and a site of over sixty acres was purchased of the Marathon Paper Mill Company, lying just four miles south of the city and on the east side of the electric railroad to Rothschield. The work upon the grounds was begun the next spring and in 1910 the clubhouse was built and furnished, the funds being raised by the sale of bonds to the members. As constituted since the floating of Lake Wausau, the grounds consist of about forty acres of upland and two islands, one of about twenty acres, bounded by the lake on the south and west and by a winding channel or lagoon of the lake on the east and north. The other island, about two acres in area, is formed by the same lagoon and lies just below the bluff, upon which stands the clubhouse. This channel extends from the lake at south to the lake at the west, and has a depth of from four to ten feet. In its westerly course it runs in a winding course between the large island and a high wooded bank of the main bank, making a very beautiful and picturesque feature of the landscape. The grounds are particularly adapted for golf links. The channel affords two water "hazards" in crossing for the fifth and eighth holes, and several banks fomi the ideal bunkers. Various visiting golfers pronounce the same one of the best they have seen. And when it is just in complete condition it will merit that commendation.

The clubhouse is a very pleasing bungalow of modern construction, extending north and south along the crest of the wooded bluff, with broad screened porches on each side. From the western porch one looks out over tlie inlands and the winding wood-fringed channel already described, and the shining expanse of the lake beyond, with Rib mountain an impressive background. There is no finer view in the state, especially at sunset. The club has now over one hundred resident and several nonresident members. Besides affording an opportunity for the enjoyment of golf, tennis, boating and trap shooting, the club also supplies a most delightful means for social events of various kinds during the season, and altogether is as much a woman's as it is a man's club.

After the clubhouse was completed and the grounds had been put in shape, the interest in golf, which had been confined to a few members, began to grow and now there are over fifty men on the list of golfers, and nearly half as many ladies.

Some of the beginners were astonished as to the elusiveness of the little white ball. On one occasion three well-known lumbemien of Wausau attacked the game together, each prepared to drive the ball a mile. The first two managed to get a drive of a few yards, each taking a chunk of sod with the ball. The third made four strikes without hitting the ball and was then declared out by his companions, who compelled him to act as caddie thereafter.

The water hazards have lived up to their name. During the season a small boy is kept in a boat on the lagoon to pick up the balls that are driven into the water. One player achieved the record of driving nine balls in succession into the water hazard.

The officers of the Country Club are : President, Louis A. Pradt ; vicepresident, Walter Alexander; secretary, M. B. Rosenberry; treasurer, Philip V. O. Van Vechten. Board of directors : Louis A. Pradt, Charles J. Winton, Franklin E. Bump.

The Civic Improvement League

of Wausau is a voluntary association of ladies and gentlemen whose aim is to make for a clean, healthy and more beautiful city. They interest similarly disposed people with them; they collect small donations, such as people are willing to give, and spend this money for such purposes. The society is entirely voluntary and patriotic, giving their time and money without compensation. The effect of their good work, unpretentious as it is, is getting felt more and more every year.