104
(1908.)
TWENTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SECRETARY
OF THE
Society for the History of the Germans in Maryland.
Baltimore, February 18, 1908.
To the President and Members of
"The Society for the History of the Germans in Maryland"
Gentlemen:
I have the honor herewith to submit the Twenty-Second
Annual Report covering the Society's activities for the year
ending January 21, 1908.
MEETINGS
.
There were nine (9) monthly meetings held during the
past year, the full number provided for by the By-Laws.
The attendance has been encouraging, thereby giving proof
that the interest of the members in the aims and purposes of
the society is being fully maintained.
Apart from the gratifying attendance, the meetings, with
scarcely an exception, have been highly instructive and enter-
taining, many original papers having been read and discussed,
foremost among which were a series of readings by the chair-
man of the Executive Committee, Louis P. Hennighausen, Esq.,
from the manuscript of his forthcoming book "The History
of the German Society of Maryland."
105
The resumption of the publication of Annual Reports (now
in print) marks the return of the society to its former sphere
of activities in its chosen field of historic research.
OFFICERS.
The officers of the society have, both by precept and ex-
ample, been most faithful in the discharge of their respective
duties, and their untiring efforts in behalf of the society's
interests and the promotion of its welfare merits the approval
and generous support of its members.
MEMBERSHIP.
Numerically the present membership calls for more than
a passing notice, as at no time in the society's history has it
been as low in numbers, and that, too, seemingly, from no other
cause than a passing indifference to the duties incumbent upon
all who are able to aid in developing the large and exception-
ally interesting fields in the special domain of historic research
in which this society has heretofore achieved such notable
renown.
Per last report of one year ago there were thirty-six (36)
active and six (6) corresponding members on the roster, of this
number four (4) active and one (1) corresponding member died
during the year; this loss, however, was partly offset by the
gain of three (3) active and one (1) corresponding member,
thus leaving at the close of this the Twenty-second (22) year
an active membership of thirty-five (35), and a corresponding
membership of six (6), a net loss of one as compared with the
report of one year ago.
The loss by death during the year is summarized in the
following necrology:
† Mr. George A. Von Lingen, Imperial German Consul at
Baltimore, and one of the oldest members of this society, died
June 26, 1907. Mr. Von Lingen, for many years the head of
the universally well known and old established shipping firm
of A. Schumacher & Co., had also been prominently identified
with the financial and commercial affairs of Baltimore, where
his name and that of the firm over which he presided, had
106
become synonymous with the era of progressive development
marking the close of the Nineteenth and the opening of the
Twentieth century.
†
Mr. Henry Lauts,
one of the most prominent merchants
of the city of Baltimore, and one of the oldest members of
this society, died December 29, 1907.
The sudden and untimely death of Mr. Lauts was a shock
to the community, especially to German-American circles, who,
have sustained a loss that can only he effaced by the healing
hand of Time.
Apart from his prominence in the commercial life of
Baltimore, he was always to the fore in every movement looking
to the uplifting and advancement of the social, moral and
material interests of all to whom he was bound by the ties of
consanquinity and race.
Dame Nature had generously cast him no less mentally
and morally than physically in an heroic mold.
His broad humanitarian conceptions and lofty ideals were
never circumscribed, but like the glorious orb of day, shed
their beneficent influence broadcast over all.
Ever true to his convictions, born of his high resolves and
nobility of character in fostering and protecting the cause and
welfare of his fellow German-Americans, his life course stands
pre-eminent as a memorial on Time's highway of the people
of which he was so highly esteemed and honored a representative.
This chaplet is dedicated in grateful recognition and re-
membrance of him, who, as President of the Germania Club,
never wearied in his attentions by extending every possible
courtesy, together with the many and inestimable privileges
enjoyed for so many years by this society.
† Mr. J. Fred. Requardt, a member of the Baltimore Bar,
and prominent in German-American circles, and for many
years a member of this society, died December 15, 1907.
† Mr. Edward L. Felgner, retired tobacco manufacturer,
and for many years a prominent factor in the commercial
affairs of Baltimore, and one of the oldest members of this
society, died January 5, 1908.
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† Mr. Wilhelm Rapp, Journalist, and editor of the Illinois
Staatszeitung, Chicago, and a corresponding member of this
society, died March 1, 1907.
Mr. Rapp had the honorable distinction of having been
one of the foremost and oldest journalists of the German-
American press in the United States, having at one time been
editor of the Baltimore Wecker, one of the pioneer papers that
vigorously opposed slavery in ante-bellum days.
The portend of these figures and facts admit neither argu-
ment, evasion or delay, as they simply portray existing condi-
tions, that, if courageously met, would be readily overcome,
as nothing can well be said further that more fittingly covers
the situation and its requirements than the following paragraph
in my last year's report:
"The significant object lesson contained in this mor-
tality list, admonishes more forcibly than words the im-
portance of bringing to the front the young and virile
members, if the notable achievements and enviable standing
of the society's past and present is to be maintained in the
future."
LIBRARY
.
The library, as the result of long and diligent effort, is
now in as perfect a condition as circumstances permit.
Whilst in point of numbers the library may not bear com-
parison with those of some of our sister societies, yet in their
high standard of excellence and value as historic tomes and
works of general reference, it can safely be classified with the
best.
As a whole, the library is a reflex of the care and discrimi-
nating judgment displayed in its selection by those entrusted
with this important duty, the praiseworthy honors, without
prejudice, being worthily divided.
Prominent among the noteworthy books acquired and ca-
taloged during the year were the "Mumma Family Bible,"
Nürnberg, 1770, bequeathed to the society by the late Mr.
David T. Mumma; The Records of the Virginia Company
2
Volumes, from the Ms. in the Congressional Library; Vo-
lume II, Illinois Historical Collections, Virginia series No. 1,
108
Cahokia Records 1778—1790; and the highly important histor-
ical publications of the New York State Library.
The re-cataloging of the library was completed last fall,
together with an entire re-newal of the card-system, thereby
bringing the record of the books and publications contained
in the library up to the 31st of December, 1907.
The new catalog, now ready, will be issued as soon as
the society's sixteenth Report, now in print, is ready.
Two-hundred and eighty (280) pamphlets German-Ameri-
can Turner Lyric, Prof M. D. Learned, and published by this
society, were tendered to and accepted by the Vorwärts Turn-
Verein.
The importance of increasing the active membership com-
mensurate with the splendid work being prosecuted by this
society, should appeal to every member.
Nowhere is there a more promising field for historic re-
search than that presented by the record of the early Ger-
mans in the Colonial period of our State, and nowhere is there
a larger or more thoroughly qualified element able and willing
to engage in this highly interesting work, if only reasonable
efforts are put forth to bring it within the sphere of the
society's activities.
J. LEONARD HOFFMAN,
Secretary.