IN  MEMORIAM. HENRY SCHEIB. Rev. Henry Scheib was born July 8th, 1808, at Bache- rach, a little town on the border of the Rhine. His father was a wine-grower. He received elementary instruction at the Latin school of his native town and then entered the Kreuznach College, where he layed the foundation for his broad knowledge of classical literature. The recently founded University of Bonn offered to the young student all the advantages so richly connected with these centres of Ger- man intellectual life, while at the Utrecht University the peculiar Dutch civilization gained his heart. He did, how- ever, not return to the "Fatherland,"—-if we are allowed to give this name to Germany of those days,—having al- ready felt the heavy hand of the "Reaktion," but looked towards the United States, whence such a hearty wel- come was extended to all those labouring in a hopeless struggle. In 1835 he landed at New York. Soon he was called to Baltimore, where the pulpit of Zion church was vacant. The young preacher, inspired by the liberal ideas both in theology and politics, was at his first sermon the chosen leader of the liberal party of said church, and by his strong will and eminent quali- ties he succeeded in stamping his mind on the congre- gation. Talent, however, as well as inclinations, led him more to emphasize the necessity of a modern school founded upon and directed after the German methods of educa- tion, chiefly taking natural history as the basis of in- struction. He shared the youthful expectations of the new science which claimed to solve the enigma of exist- ence. Exact science rather than theology seemed to him to be the source of truth. On the other side he studied universal history with the means of his time, and strongly advocated the right of the Reformation. Zion School, therefore, could be considered as the first higher school of the city, if not of the country. It raised the intellectual standard not only of the German population, but also of the community. It was the pio- neer school of Baltimore. After fifty years of its existence the institution which stood obviously far above the ordinary parochial school began by various reasons to decline. Likewise the church, for partly the same reasons, began to be unable to influence the broader masses with former force, al- though the preacher was of marvelous vigor and intel- lectual strength, after half a century spent in the reali- zation of his aim. His fiftieth anniversary saw the schoolman and the pastor adored and honored by all owing their education to him. At his sixtieth all those who felt their obligations to the old church and its teacher united again to do him honor. At the sixty-second year of his pastoral career at Zion church he resigned and one year after his resigna- tion he died, Nov. 15th, 1897. Zion church at his obse- quies paid the respects due to the eminent preacher and teacher, the never-tiring worker. The congregation fully appreciated that an epoch in its history was closed which was of unique character. At the anniversary of his death the congregation un- der impressive ceremonies placed on his grave at Lor- raine Cemetery a monument bearing the motto of his life: Truth, Righteousness and Love. REQUIESCAT IN PACE ! JACOB GMINDER. Mr. Jacob Gminder was born March 1st, 1835, in Reutlingen, Wuertemberg. He came to America in 1849 and entered the business of his uncle, who was a manufacturer of medals and uniforms for lodges and military organizations. At the latter's death Mr. Jacob Gminder took charge of the business and continued it successfully to the time of his death, which occurred September 10th, 1898. He also took an earnest interest in all popular demonstrations. FREDERICK  WALPERT. Mr. Frederick Walpert, who died September 29th, 1898, was born in Treysa, near Cassel, September 8th, 1833. At the age of 15 years he came to America. For thirty-five years he was at the head of the well-known firm: F. Walpert & Co., Manufacturers of Mattresses, etc. At the time of his death he was also president of "The Economy Savings Bank" and one of the directors of "The American National Bank," occupying besides many other positions of trust and responsibility. CHARLES HILGENBERG. Mr. Charles Hilgenberg, the third of our members departed during the past year, was born in Melsungen, Germany, on the second of January, 1829. In 1850 he arrived in Baltimore, which he made his home during the remainder of his life. He was engaged in a num- ber of successful mercantile enterprises, taking at the same time an earnest interest in a number of social and benevolent societies. He died on the 23d of Jan. 1899. HENRY VEES. Mr. Henry Vees, who died on the eve of our Annual Meeting, February 21st, 1899, was one of the best known German-American citizens of Baltimore. He was born near Ulm, Wuertemberg, on the 13th of August, 1817. In 1849 he emigrated to America, making Sharpsburg, Penna., where he was engaged in teaching, his first home. A few years later he came to Baltimore, where he was also engaged for a number of years as teacher. He was a very able musician, one of the founders of "The German Fire Insurance Company" and of the "St. James Savings Bank," whose cashier he was at the time of his death. His benevolent disposition mani- fested itself in like manner. ADOLPH STAIB. Adolph Staib was born on the 20th of February 1846 in Bieberach, Kingdom of Wuertemberg, Germany. After having finished his school education, he learned the trade of watchmaking, thereby following in the steps of his father and forefathers. In the year 1866 he emigrated to this country, making Baltimore his home from the first. After seven years connection with the farm of Geo. W. Webb & Co., Mr. Staib established a business of his own, first on Fayette Street, between Charles and St. Paul Streets, and for the last fourteen years at No. 668 W. Lexington Street. Mr. Staib was an expert in his trade and soon came into prominence among the watchmakers of Baltimore City. At the watchmakers' meeting in Naumberg in 1887 he was awarded a diploma for excellence of his watchwork. He was also a fine portrait painter. His portrait of our late President, Rev. Dr. Morris, is strikingly life-like, equal, if not superior to the one in our room. To some extent he understood and in his family circle practiced homoeopathy. In his intercourse with his fellow-men he was very congenial. Of the kindness of his heart he gave a striking proof, when at the close of our June meeting he learned that your Secretary suffered much of insomnia; he hastened home, though a hot and sul- try night, to fetch a remedy for this complaint out of his stock of homoeopathic medicines. He was a most devoted husband and father and a likewise dutiful son. For years, when his mother's birthday occurred, who is still living at the old home at the age of 89 years, he would report the same per mail to your Secretary and others, asking them to join him in rejoicing over the event, as well as in his prayer for the continued welfare of the aged lady, for Mr. Staib was also a de- vout Christian. Though never furnishing any ar- ticle for this Society, Mr. Staib was rarely absent from our meetings and always seemed to enjoy them greatly. He was with us at our last meeting in June, apparently in his usual good health, but before the next meeting occurred, Mr. Staib was no longer among the living, having died August 28th, greatly lamented by his fam- ily, a large circle of friends and last, though not least, by the Society for the History of the Germans in Mary- land.