The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-03-21
DEATH OF CHAs. soEHNER, SIR
A Sketch of an Eyentful Career-The Re-
mains to BE Cremated.

Charles SOehner, ST., one of the oldest and
best-known citizens of indianapolis, died at
O'Clock yesterday morning, at his residence ON
Vermont street, the immediate cause being q
stroke of paralysis, with which he was affected
few days ago. Since the attack his life has
been despaired of, and for three days past his
death was hourly expected. For thirty years
Mr.. Soehner has been prominent in business and
social circles here. His career before he came to
this country was eventful In the extreme.
Mr. SOchner was born in Baden, Germany,
where he continued to reside until the uprising
of 1s4s9, when he joined the rcvolutionists and
became a member of the revolutionary Legisla-
ture After the failure of tile revolution Mr..
SOehner, with hundreds of others, was compelled
to flee from his native land, being denounced as
rebel after the success of the government and
a price set his head. He came at once to
America, and learned soon afterward that his
property had been confseated, and that he had
been sentenced to twenty-one years imprison-
ment. He did not go back to serve out his
time. On his arrival in America he first came to
Cincinnati and afterwards to this city, where
he arrived IN the fall of 1849 He knew but lit
tie of the English language, but soon found
friends among the Germans here, and through
their influence soon obtained many pupils III
music as he could attend to, having determined
to make the teaching of music his profession in
his new home. He found considerable musical
talent ln the place among his fellow-country-
men, and organized the first German musical
society in this city, which was known as
parent OF the present M8nnerchor. The
'Gesang Veren" gave its rlrst public con-
cert in the old courthouse in the winter
of 1880, and there many residents
in the city to-day who will recall the satisfac-
tion given by the concert and the fine impress
made by "the new German music-ieacher" as
conductor. Mr.. Soehner continued to teach mu-
sic in this city for two years, when he removed
to Dayton, O., where he taught music and also
in do hoxy
agency OF the famous Stein way piano. He
manned in Dayton and Hamilton about seven
teen years, when he again returned to this city
and established himself in the piano and organ
business.
After he left Germany efforts were made
by his father and friends, who still
that he might again visit his native
land. pardon was at one time granted him on
acknowledgement that he had done wrong in his rev.
Oiutlonary attempts in favor of republican in
stltntions. This he refused to accept, aud in
1869 an unconditional pardon was granted him
ana he returned at once to Germany to visit his
father after an absence of twenty years. His
father was then eighty years OF age, and died the
year subsequent to his sons visit.
During his long residence in this city and Day
ton, by close attention to business and the exer
else OF that native shrewdness that is one of his
well-known characteristics, Mr. Soehner had ac-
cumuated quite handsome competence He
was the owner OF several residences in this city
and three valuable farms in this county.
Mr. Soehner's family consists of Mrs. Fred
Fahnley, Mrs Henry Wetzel, Mrs. Charles Test,
jr., and his son, Charles Soehner, jr., VINO
associated in business with his father. The
funeral services win be held at his late residence,
No. SO West Vermont street, at O'clock this
afternoon, and at o'clock Judge Gresham,
Frank Fertig ana Charles Soehner, jr., will start
with them to Washington, Pa, where they will
be cremated in the lie Moyue furnace, Mr.. S0eh-
Der having made a special request to that effect.
Among some OF his relatives there has been an
indefinite belief that he had prepared u lengthy
account of his life IN Europe but it has not yet
been found among his effects. Such an autobi-
ography would be of great interest.