The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1881-02-24
RASHINGTONS BIRTHDAY


With the exception of the closing OF the schools
and Court, Washington's birthday was generally
unobserved in Canton. But in the evening the
German Pioneer Society atoned for the de6cien-
cy by fitting celebration Of the honored Wash
ingtons natal day.
At 7:8O the City Band played several selections
| in front of tie Wernet block and by O'Clock
between two and three hundred invited guests
assembled in the Concordia rooms which were
ittingly decorated, On the stage life-siEe por'
trait of Gen Washington, in oil by the late Cap
tain John E. Dunbar, brother OF Deputy Sheriff
Dunbar, served to remind the guests Of the object
for which they had assembled. The program
opened with selection by the orchestra and
song OF welcome by the Concordia Singing Club.
Judge Meyer then delivered the oration OF the
evening in German. He spoke for about an hour
and gave brief and pointed review Of the life Of
Washington and the important part he playedin
securing to America that much priSsd boon Of
freedom. Judge Meyers grafton was an able et
fort and lack Of space only prevents more ex
tended notice Of It, A bass solo by Mr.. Charles
Biechele sr.. a defamation by Mr. William Has
soldt, a vocal selection by the Concordia and
selection Oy the orchestra, followed. Toasts were
then in order, and Mr.. Henry Knobloch, presi
dent OF the society, in answer to the toast 1.-THE
German Pioneer Society" recalled the trials and
troubles through which the pioneers passed in
years gone by. "The German Lady Pioneers"
called forth humorous and pointed response
from Mr.. G. N Frank.
Mr.. Joseph Biechele President Of the Concor.
dia Society, was Of course called upon to answer
to the toast OF "The Concordis Singing Club"
Thishe did in most happy manner, concluding
with the remark that the Pioneer and Concordia
societies went hand In hand and the latter was al
ways ready to respond to the call Of the former
"The City OF Canton" This subject was left to
the care of Mr. John Raeber, the efficient deputy
treasurer Mr.. Raeber has been q resident Cf
Canton for yeal and was the right person to re-
Hpond to the toast. He spoke Of Canton's growth |
from a small country village to a thriving and |
populous city, and said that much Of her success |
was due TO the German element, which formed |
about one third Of Canton's population.
"The German Press" wasintrusted in the hands |
OF Mr.. Joseph A. Hemann, editor OF the Ohio HolkS
Zettung, and he responded in quite an interesting
speech He said the first German newspaper in |
AmeTlCh was puDIlbubu III fnllhuelpuld III liOJ |
The first German paper published In Ohio was
published in Canton in 1921 by Edward schaefer |
It was called Der Canton DeubChe Beobdchter |
Wherever there is a German settlement in Ameri |
ca, where German congregations or German or.
ganzations exist, there will be found German |
paper, The pioneer German journalists of Can.
ton were Edward Schaefer, John sala, Solomon
5ala, D. c. Lehmus, Peter Kaufman, Franz Ha.
wreCht, H, ]. NOthnagel, Joseph Falkenbach and
John Raeber. he ended with the wish that the
Pioneer Society might live to celebrate many
more birthdays of the illustrious George Wash.
ngton the first in war the frs! in peace, and the
irst in the hearts Of his countrymsn. Mr.. G. N.
Frank then sang comic song, which ended the
program.
After the rendition Of the regular program the
our Biechele brothers, Charles, Leopold Angus.
us and Joseph, sang a quartette. Shortly after
he orchestra struck up and the entire aesemblage
oined In a social dance, which lasted until after
a. M, when all adjourned in good spirits One
II the features Of the evening was Wslts In
which many Of the old pioneers joined.