Germans in Syracuse, New York
Encyclopedia
A German mission was established in Onondaga County, New York
in 1750, by Moravian
missionaries from Pennsylvania
, however, most of the earliest Germans to arrive in the area did not remain for very long.
The German immigrants who first settled in the farmlands around Syracuse
beginning in the early 19th century came from all areas of Germany including Alsace
which was then a part of France. During the 1820s and 1830s, most came from Southern Germany
, namely: Baden
, Bavaria
, Hesse-Darmstadt
and Württemberg
which were the areas devastated by the Napoleonic War, among others. The arrivals from Northern Germany
including Franconia
, Lorraine
and Prussia
came later
By 2010, demographics showed that 12.2% of the population in Syracuse was of German descent.
, the "chief town of the Six Nations
", situated in Central New York
, which contained five small towns and villages situated next to the River Zinochsaa. The missionaries were lodged at the house of the chief, who welcomed them with much cordiality. The object of this visit was both to fulfill the promise of a visit to the great Council of the Iroquois
made in 1749 to the deputies at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
, and to obtain permission for members of the missionary to live either at Onondaga or some other town of the Iroquois in order to learn the language and to "preach the gospel." The mission stayed for six years, however, with no clear result.
, the numbers rose to 90,000 and in 1850, more than 113,000 settled in the United States.
Germans who arrived in the Syracuse area before 1821 settled in Manlius
and other parts of Onondaga County. Johannes A. Schaeffer kept an inn at Manlius village as early as 1792. He built a two-story cabin which he operated as an inn and "small goods" trading post.
In the 19th century, Germans founded several of the industries that made Syracuse noteworthy. One group settled in the heart of the Onondaga Salt Springs Reservation
, in the village of Liverpool
, and developed the willowware industry, which enjoyed wide fame for 50 years.
. He settled in Lewis County
after serving as personal assistant to George Washington
during the Revolutionary War. After the war, on July 7, 1791 he received a veterans' homestead grant in the Military Tract Plot No. 47 in the town of Pompey
.
Many other towns in Central New York also were settled by the Germans including Cicero
, Salina
and Otisco
.
The first German settlers within the boundaries of what is now the city of Syracuse were John Jacob Mang, Christian Usenbents, and Henry Philip Bentz. The trio originally settled in Baltimore, Maryland, and originally came from a part of the Kingdom of Württemberg
in Germany called Swabia
.
Mang arrived about 1797 and Usenbents and Bentz came in the year 1800. Mang was a physician in Württemberg, but never practiced medicine as a profession after he settled in Salina in 1804.
Mang and Usenbents began the manufacture of salt which was a thriving industry in Salina. Mang was the "scientist and experimenter", and Usenbentz was the businessman. By 1812, Usenbentz became an extensive salt manufacturer and owned four salt blocks, while Mang eventually gave up the business and settled on 60 acres of land in the swamp between the village of Salina and Green Point on the Onondaga Salt Springs Reservation. Usenbents purchased the land in January 1825 and on the dry portion of the property he planted a fruit garden. Mang's house stood on North Salina Street, just west of Wolf Street where he made wine, cider and bitters which he sold to his friends and local residents. He died on December 16, 1842 at age 84.
Usenbents died on January 12, 1832 at age 65. His son, Christian Usenbents, who was born on November 13, 1808, was the first child born of German parents in what is now called Syracuse. Bentz was the brother-in-law of Usenbentz and was also engaged in the salt business until 1813. He died in September 1865 in Salina at age 84.
Usenbentz and Bentz were both naturalized in Onondaga County on May 26, 1814. This was the first recorded German naturalization in the county, however, there is no record of Mang's citizenship.
In 1833, a colony, originally from Hesse-Darmstadt
in Germany, came from Cape Vincent, New York
in Jefferson County
, and settled in the area. Among the men were Ernst Hoecher, Frederick Schnauber, John Miller, and George Lupp and their families. Hoecher's name was later "Anglicized" by his neighbors to "Hier." His eldest son, George P. Hier, was Mayor of Syracuse in 1875 and was the first German elected to that office. His other son, John P. Hier, was a cigar manufacturer at 140-142 North Salina Street.
After 1833 German immigrants settled rapidly, due to the development of the salt industry
. By 1840 there were over one 1,000 Germans in Onondaga County
.
In 1898, John P. Hier was the oldest merchant in Syracuse and had an "uninterrupted" business career during which time he had built the "largest tobacco establishment and business" in Central New York. Hier began working when he was eight years old stripping tobacco for Henry Church and Oran Candee. He worked in the cigar trade until 1860 when he opened his own business after saving a few hundred dollars. His first cigar shop was located in North Salina Street where he worked in a room that was 11 feet (3.4 m) by 28 feet (8.5 m). Over 30 years, the cigar manufactory employed over 400 workers.
Hier owned a large amount of real estate in Syracuse in North Salina and Church Streets. In 1888, he erected a "splendid" structure in West Willow Street known as The Hier Haus which was a seven-story apartment that housed nearly 100 families and was "fitted with all the modern and up-to-date improvements."
By 1900, the majority of German residents who lived within the city limits resided on the Northside
.
During 1851, the German Musical Institute was organized with George Saul as leader. The group met at rooms in the Noxon Block on North Salina Street twice a week. In 1853, Miller's Brass Band was organized with leader and conductor, Casper Miller.
The first singing society organized was the Siungerbund which had about 20 members and was the outgrowth of a quartet that included Max Schoot, Lorenz Herkomer, John Herkomer and Charles Schaefer. The Herkomer's were elder brothers of the famous London artist, Hubert Herkomer, although he was still a child during that period. The society only existed for two years.
On October 5, 1855, the Gesangverein Syracuse Liederkranz, was organized with thirteen members at the old National Hotel where Benedict Haberle was the owner and proprietor. Members of the society included Carl Eckerman, Charles Steingrebe, Max Schott, Jacob Miller and John Ziegler who were among the organizers. Ziegler was the first president. By 1891, the society had been in existence for over 35 years and was considered one of the leading German Liederkranz societies in the country.
The Verein met at their hall at the corner of Lodi and Butternut streets and were incorporated on April 20, 1889. Directors of the society included many Syracuse business leaders such as Benedict Haberle, Francis Baumer, Anton Will, Theodore Dissel, Max Schott, Jacob Miller, Paul Thoret, Eugene Neuberger and director, Professor Henri Bitter. At that time, membership totaled 150.
In 1857, the Concordia was organized and for many years were the rival of the Liederkranz for "popular favor." The group met at 713 North Salina Street and numbered about 50 members.
During 1873, the Fifth ward Siungerbund was organized with Professor Heinrich Regener as Director. It numbered about 25 members who met in rooms in the rear of the building on the southwest corner of Gifford and Oswego streets. On February 14, 1889, the Arbeiter Liedertafel was organized and numbered about 40 members. It met in the Kaupp building on North Salina Street near Catawba Street. Professor Henri Bitter was the director.
In 1896, the Arion Singing Society of Syracuse was formed. From the 1960s to the 1990s, their hall and club was located in the former Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer building at 713 Catherine Street.http://www.germanamericanscny.net/
The French Revolution of 1848
prompted many German speaking expatriates to immigrate to America and also resulted in the organization of the German-American Turn Verein, also known as the Turner movement. Once they arrived in the U.S., the German's wanted to create the same gymnastic clubs they had in their homeland so they founded their counterparts in order to promote German physical education goals, while at the same time, preserving traditional customs, languages and celebrations.
In the early days in the U.S., the Turn Verein was considered a radical movement whose principles and goals were similar with those of German "'freethinkers' societies."
Some of the basic principles of the group included anti-slavery, anti-prohibition and anti-nativism. The group was devoted to the Bill of Rights
and advocated free public education
and separation of church and state
. They also supported cultural events such as concerts, lectures and the theater and urged legislation to protect the American worker, in particular the farmer. Turn Verein were opposed to the "dogmas" of all churches.
The Turn Verein was organized in Syracuse on May 15, 1854. At that time, there were fewer than 20 members and they were disciples of Jahn
, the founder of the German system of gymnastics. The Turners held their first meeting in a cottage on Pearl Street. Peter Baumgrass of Chicago
, an artist, was the first president.
The local chapter relocated to the rear of the Union office on North Salina Street where there was a vacant lot. In 1860, the building burned and the Turners lost all their property. The society had reached a membership of 150 before the fire, however, was reduced to 20. A lot was purchased on Pond Street and the Turners erected a one-story building where they remained until 1863. At that time the club moved to the corner of Lodi and John streets where they constructed the Turn Hall.
During late August 1882, the Turners State Convention was held in Syracuse with the local Turn Verein as the "entertaining society."
By February 1893, the "athletic school" of the Turners was the oldest in the city and the apparatus was "much worse for the wear." The classes comprised 50 men and 250 boys and girls and the increase in attendance was so rapid that year that new quarters were necessary.
Soon after, the members of the Turn Verein adopted a resolution to remodel the "gymnasium department." A committee was appointed and granted the power to buy additional apparatus and supplies in order to make the gymnasium "second rate to none" in the city. Bathrooms, which had long been lacking, were also installed, "much to the delight of the members."
Professor Carl Grosse was hired as the physical instructor of the school in 1893 and under his direction "many remarkable athletes" were developed. He was born in Leipaic, Germany in 1853 and from early boyhood showed a natural ability for gymnastics.
The Turners were intertwined into all aspects of German-American life in Syracuse. The festival of Gemuelichkeit, conducted by the Turn Verein, was celebrated by early German's as a highlight during Thanksgiving
.
, from 1861 to 1863, many German immigrants in New York State served in the Twentieth Regiment, New York State Volunteer Infantry which was also known as Turnschützenregiment; The United Turner Rifles.
Foremost among fraternal organizations was the German Order of Harugari. The constitution of this Order, aside from the sick and death benefit provided, "directed the exclusive use of the German language in its proceedings" and made it a duty to do everything possible to preserve the language. By 1850, Syracuse Lodge No. 30 was organized and met on Monday evenings at their hall in the Ackerman Block. This lodge existed until some time in 1857, when most of its members joined the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and organized LaFayette Lodge No. 409. There were no Harugari lodges in Syracuse from that time until November 17, 1867, when Central City Lodge No. 154 was organized.
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows first organized Schiller Lodge No. 408 on September 29, 1849. Meetings were held on Monday evenings in Odd Fellows' Hall in the Washington Block on South Salina Street. In 1867, the name of the lodge was changed and merged into Lessen Lodge No. 116, which met later on in Odd Fellows' Hall on Market Street.
The second German lodge, the LaFayette Lodge No. 489 was instituted in 1857. In 1866, the lodge merged into Lincoln Lodge No. 180. It was the only club in Syracuse that owned its own hall which was described as "a beautiful brick structure on the southwest corner of Ash and Townsend streets. The building was erected in 1887 at a cost, including land, of about $12,000.
The Knights of Pythias, members of Onondaga Lodge No. 190, used the German ritual. Several other lodges and councils belonging to other orders were German: Germania Council, No. 49, of the Order of United Friends; Harmonia Lodge No. 23, of the American Protestant Association; Syracuse Council No. 94, Order of Chosen Friends; Order of Foresters No. 7387; Salt City Lodge No. 239, Ancient Order of United Workmen. Although there is no distinctively German lodge of Free Masons in Syracuse, this nationality was represented in both Syracuse Lodge No. 501 and Salt Springs Lodge No. 520.
The Bavarian Club Almenrausch was founded in 1972 for the purpose of preserving and perpetuating Bavarian
customs including Tracht (costumes), Schuhplatteln (traditional Bavarian shoe slapping dances) and folk dances.
region.
The company also produces German Frankfurter, Knackwurst, Kielbasa links, Bratwurst, Bologna, Liverwurst and Italian Sausage, all served with German style mustard and sauerkraut. The company is located at 6196 Eastern Avenue.
Danzer's German & American Restaurant was established in 1946 by Ludwig Danzer and after five decades, still serves homecooked German
meals at 153 Ainsley Drive. They are known for their tall drafts of imported beers and ales, and "giant" deli sandwiches have made Danzer's a local favorite. Other authentic recipes include Hot German Potato Salad, Potato Dumplings, Buttered Noodles, Red Cabbage, German Sauerkraut, Cole Slaw, Deli Corned Beef, Chicken Schnitzel, Jäger Schnitzel, Hot Pastrami on Rye, Sauerbraten, Schnätzeli, Reuben, Beef Rouladen, Wiener Schnitzel, German Potato Pancakes and Limberger with onion.
sponsored churches in America as there were in Germany. This meant that in order to continue their religious practices and traditions within the church, they had to first build the church and then maintain it, something that was never their responsibility in the "old country." Immigrants began to form congregations such as St. John's Lutheran Church, which was formed in 1838.
One of the major problems was the lack of priests and ministers to "attend to the immigrants spiritual needs." Struggling to establish a church that would serve as the center of their social as well as their religious life, the early German
pioneers had to be "persistent in seeking religious leadership." The Germans were a mix of both Roman Catholic and Protestant religions.
Additionally, the responsibility of the church included the costly goal of building a meeting place and paying the salary of a permanent resident pastor. This often came as a great sacrifice, including the mortgaging of their modest homes to pay for the construction of the church. As the community grew, disputes within congregations led some members to split off, forming new congregations. By 1863, two daughter congregations of German-American Lutherans, St. Peter's and Zion, had joined St. John's at the corner of Butternut Street and Prospect Avenue.
Some of the members of Saint Peter's and their pastor, Johannes Schaeffer, split off in 1900 to form the Deutsche Evangelische Friedenskirche (German Evangelical Peace Church), now the Friedens United Church of Christ at the corner of Ash and Lodi Streets. By May 1901, work had begun on the foundation for the new church which cost $15,000 to build and was designed by architect, Archimedes Russell
. The style of the building was Romanesque and it was constructed of brick with gray limestone trimmings. Henry Reichel, mason, and William Thayer, carpenter, were the contractors. The church had a seating capacity of 400 and had a membership of 200 German residents of the North side. The pastor was Rev. Johannes Schaefer who was also chairman of the building committee.
It appears that many of the Jews who settled in Syracuse were German speakers. The first congregation, Keneseth Shalom (Society of Concord), was incorporated in 1842. A small wooden synagogue was constructed in 1846. On September 19, 1851 a larger and more substantial synagogue on Mulberry Street was dedicated; the congregation then numbered about 86. The opening addresses were given in German, and at least some of the congregation's services were given in German at least through the 1880s.
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mstone/postcardsm-mon.htm, came the First World War. Anti-German sentiment
during the war discouraged the speaking of the German language in public. Friedens Evangelical church, for example, introduced a separate English-language service at that time. During the Second World War, Friedens dropped its German-language service entirely.
Onondaga County, New York
Onondaga County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 467,026. The county seat is Syracuse.Onondaga County is part of the Syracuse, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area....
in 1750, by Moravian
Moravian
Moravian refers to:* a person or thing from Moravia * Moravians * Moravian language, disputed language or dialect of the Czech language* a member or adherent of the Moravian Church...
missionaries from Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, however, most of the earliest Germans to arrive in the area did not remain for very long.
The German immigrants who first settled in the farmlands around Syracuse
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
beginning in the early 19th century came from all areas of Germany including Alsace
Alsace
Alsace is the fifth-smallest of the 27 regions of France in land area , and the smallest in metropolitan France. It is also the seventh-most densely populated region in France and third most densely populated region in metropolitan France, with ca. 220 inhabitants per km²...
which was then a part of France. During the 1820s and 1830s, most came from Southern Germany
Southern Germany
The term Southern Germany is used to describe a region in the south of Germany. There is no specific boundary to the region, but it usually includes all of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, and the southern part of Hesse...
, namely: Baden
Baden
Baden is a historical state on the east bank of the Rhine in the southwest of Germany, now the western part of the Baden-Württemberg of Germany....
, Bavaria
Bavaria
Bavaria, formally the Free State of Bavaria is a state of Germany, located in the southeast of Germany. With an area of , it is the largest state by area, forming almost 20% of the total land area of Germany...
, Hesse-Darmstadt
Grand Duchy of Hesse
The Grand Duchy of Hesse and by Rhine , or, between 1806 and 1816, Grand Duchy of Hesse —as it was also known after 1816—was a member state of the German Confederation from 1806, when the Landgraviate of Hesse-Darmstadt was elevated to a Grand Duchy, until 1918, when all the German...
and Württemberg
Württemberg
Württemberg , formerly known as Wirtemberg or Wurtemberg, is an area and a former state in southwestern Germany, including parts of the regions Swabia and Franconia....
which were the areas devastated by the Napoleonic War, among others. The arrivals from Northern Germany
Northern Germany
- Geography :The key terrain features of North Germany are the marshes along the coastline of the North Sea and Baltic Sea, and the geest and heaths inland. Also prominent are the low hills of the Baltic Uplands, the ground moraines, end moraines, sandur, glacial valleys, bogs, and Luch...
including Franconia
Franconia
Franconia is a region of Germany comprising the northern parts of the modern state of Bavaria, a small part of southern Thuringia, and a region in northeastern Baden-Württemberg called Tauberfranken...
, Lorraine
Lower Lorraine
The Duchy of Lower Lorraine or Lower Lotharingia , established in 959 was a stem duchy of the medieval German kingdom, which encompassed part of modern-day Belgium, the Netherlands, the northern part of the German Rhineland and a part of northern France east of the Schelde river.It was created out...
and Prussia
Prussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
came later
By 2010, demographics showed that 12.2% of the population in Syracuse was of German descent.
Moravian brothers
During 1750, the Moravian brothers arrived in OnondagaOnondaga, New York
Onondaga is a town located in Onondaga County, New York, United States. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the town had a population of 21,063. The town is named after the native Onondaga tribe, part of the Iroquois Confederacy....
, the "chief town of the Six Nations
Iroquois
The Iroquois , also known as the Haudenosaunee or the "People of the Longhouse", are an association of several tribes of indigenous people of North America...
", situated in Central New York
Central New York
Central New York is a term used to broadly describe the central region of New York State, roughly including the following counties and cities:...
, which contained five small towns and villages situated next to the River Zinochsaa. The missionaries were lodged at the house of the chief, who welcomed them with much cordiality. The object of this visit was both to fulfill the promise of a visit to the great Council of the Iroquois
Iroquois
The Iroquois , also known as the Haudenosaunee or the "People of the Longhouse", are an association of several tribes of indigenous people of North America...
made in 1749 to the deputies at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
, and to obtain permission for members of the missionary to live either at Onondaga or some other town of the Iroquois in order to learn the language and to "preach the gospel." The mission stayed for six years, however, with no clear result.
Immigration
German immigration to the U.S., as a rule, did not begin until approximately 1821 when 2,200 arrived. By 1830, the greatest number to immigrate in one season was 15,000. In 1832, the number rose to 24,000 and by 1837, to 33,000. The total number fell to 23,000 in 1843 and by 1844, rose again to 44,000. In 1845, 67,000 found a new home in America and during the years of the French Revolution of 1848French Revolution of 1848
The 1848 Revolution in France was one of a wave of revolutions in 1848 in Europe. In France, the February revolution ended the Orleans monarchy and led to the creation of the French Second Republic. The February Revolution was really the belated second phase of the Revolution of 1830...
, the numbers rose to 90,000 and in 1850, more than 113,000 settled in the United States.
Germans who arrived in the Syracuse area before 1821 settled in Manlius
Manlius (village), New York
Manlius is a village in Onondaga County, New York, USA. The population was 4,819 at the 2000 census. The village takes its name from its town.The Village of Manlius is near the south town line of the Town of Manlius and is southeast of the City of Syracuse of which it is a suburb.An area of about...
and other parts of Onondaga County. Johannes A. Schaeffer kept an inn at Manlius village as early as 1792. He built a two-story cabin which he operated as an inn and "small goods" trading post.
In the 19th century, Germans founded several of the industries that made Syracuse noteworthy. One group settled in the heart of the Onondaga Salt Springs Reservation
Salt industry in Syracuse, New York
The salt industry has a long history in and around Syracuse, New York. Jesuit missionaries visiting the region in 1654 were the first to report salty brine springs around the southern end of "Salt Lake", known today as Onondaga Lake...
, in the village of Liverpool
Liverpool, New York
Liverpool is a village located in Onondaga County, New York, United States. The population was 2,505 at the 2000 census. The name was adopted from the city of Liverpool in the United Kingdom...
, and developed the willowware industry, which enjoyed wide fame for 50 years.
German settlers
Conradt Busch was the second settler in Central New YorkCentral New York
Central New York is a term used to broadly describe the central region of New York State, roughly including the following counties and cities:...
. He settled in Lewis County
Lewis County, New York
As of the census of 2000, there were 26,944 people, 10,040 households, and 7,309 families residing in the county. The population density was 21 people per square mile . There were 15,134 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile...
after serving as personal assistant to George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
during the Revolutionary War. After the war, on July 7, 1791 he received a veterans' homestead grant in the Military Tract Plot No. 47 in the town of Pompey
Pompey, New York
Pompey is a town in the southeast part of Onondaga County, New York, United States. The population was 6,159 at the 2000 census. The town was named after the Roman general and political leader Pompey by a late 18th-century clerk interested in the Classics in the new federal republic.- History :The...
.
Many other towns in Central New York also were settled by the Germans including Cicero
Cicero, New York
Cicero is a town in Onondaga County, New York, USA. The population was 27,982 at the 2000 census. The name of the town was assigned by a clerk interested in the classics, honoring Cicero, a Roman statesman....
, Salina
Salina, New York
Salina is a town in Onondaga County, New York, United States. The population was 33,290 at the 2000 census. The name of the town is derived from the Latin word for "salt."...
and Otisco
Otisco, New York
Otisco is a town in Onondaga County, New York, United States. The population was 2,561 at the 2000 census. The Town of Otisco is in the southwest part of the county. Otisco is situated at the northern edge of the Appalacian Highlands, where an escarpment declines to the Lake Ontario plain and the...
.
The first German settlers within the boundaries of what is now the city of Syracuse were John Jacob Mang, Christian Usenbents, and Henry Philip Bentz. The trio originally settled in Baltimore, Maryland, and originally came from a part of the Kingdom of Württemberg
Kingdom of Württemberg
The Kingdom of Württemberg was a state that existed from 1806 to 1918, located in present-day Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It was a continuation of the Duchy of Württemberg, which came into existence in 1495...
in Germany called Swabia
Swabia
Swabia is a cultural, historic and linguistic region in southwestern Germany.-Geography:Like many cultural regions of Europe, Swabia's borders are not clearly defined...
.
Mang arrived about 1797 and Usenbents and Bentz came in the year 1800. Mang was a physician in Württemberg, but never practiced medicine as a profession after he settled in Salina in 1804.
Mang and Usenbents began the manufacture of salt which was a thriving industry in Salina. Mang was the "scientist and experimenter", and Usenbentz was the businessman. By 1812, Usenbentz became an extensive salt manufacturer and owned four salt blocks, while Mang eventually gave up the business and settled on 60 acres of land in the swamp between the village of Salina and Green Point on the Onondaga Salt Springs Reservation. Usenbents purchased the land in January 1825 and on the dry portion of the property he planted a fruit garden. Mang's house stood on North Salina Street, just west of Wolf Street where he made wine, cider and bitters which he sold to his friends and local residents. He died on December 16, 1842 at age 84.
Usenbents died on January 12, 1832 at age 65. His son, Christian Usenbents, who was born on November 13, 1808, was the first child born of German parents in what is now called Syracuse. Bentz was the brother-in-law of Usenbentz and was also engaged in the salt business until 1813. He died in September 1865 in Salina at age 84.
Usenbentz and Bentz were both naturalized in Onondaga County on May 26, 1814. This was the first recorded German naturalization in the county, however, there is no record of Mang's citizenship.
In 1833, a colony, originally from Hesse-Darmstadt
Grand Duchy of Hesse
The Grand Duchy of Hesse and by Rhine , or, between 1806 and 1816, Grand Duchy of Hesse —as it was also known after 1816—was a member state of the German Confederation from 1806, when the Landgraviate of Hesse-Darmstadt was elevated to a Grand Duchy, until 1918, when all the German...
in Germany, came from Cape Vincent, New York
Cape Vincent (village), New York
Cape Vincent is a village in Jefferson County, New York, United States. The population was 760 at the 2000 census.The Village of Cape Vincent is in the northern part of the Town of Cape Vincent and is northwest of Watertown.- History :...
in Jefferson County
Jefferson County, New York
Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 116,229. It is named after Thomas Jefferson, third President of the United States of America, and president at the time the county was created in 1805...
, and settled in the area. Among the men were Ernst Hoecher, Frederick Schnauber, John Miller, and George Lupp and their families. Hoecher's name was later "Anglicized" by his neighbors to "Hier." His eldest son, George P. Hier, was Mayor of Syracuse in 1875 and was the first German elected to that office. His other son, John P. Hier, was a cigar manufacturer at 140-142 North Salina Street.
After 1833 German immigrants settled rapidly, due to the development of the salt industry
Salt industry in Syracuse, New York
The salt industry has a long history in and around Syracuse, New York. Jesuit missionaries visiting the region in 1654 were the first to report salty brine springs around the southern end of "Salt Lake", known today as Onondaga Lake...
. By 1840 there were over one 1,000 Germans in Onondaga County
Onondaga County, New York
Onondaga County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 467,026. The county seat is Syracuse.Onondaga County is part of the Syracuse, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area....
.
In 1898, John P. Hier was the oldest merchant in Syracuse and had an "uninterrupted" business career during which time he had built the "largest tobacco establishment and business" in Central New York. Hier began working when he was eight years old stripping tobacco for Henry Church and Oran Candee. He worked in the cigar trade until 1860 when he opened his own business after saving a few hundred dollars. His first cigar shop was located in North Salina Street where he worked in a room that was 11 feet (3.4 m) by 28 feet (8.5 m). Over 30 years, the cigar manufactory employed over 400 workers.
Hier owned a large amount of real estate in Syracuse in North Salina and Church Streets. In 1888, he erected a "splendid" structure in West Willow Street known as The Hier Haus which was a seven-story apartment that housed nearly 100 families and was "fitted with all the modern and up-to-date improvements."
German population
In 1891 the population of Syracuse was approximately 90,000; "it is probable that at least 25,000 were German, of whom about 20,000 were born in this country" Most Germans who lived in the city that year were described as "clannish" and resided mainly in the Second, Fourth, Fifth, Seventh and Ninth Wards. Fully 90 percent of the Second Ward was German. By 1897, Syracuse's German-born population was the largest foreign-born group in the city, and 25,000 Syracusans were German-speakers.By 1900, the majority of German residents who lived within the city limits resided on the Northside
Northside, Syracuse
The Northside is a neighborhood in the city of Syracuse, New York consisting of a residential area bordered by commercial corridors. As defined by Syracuse's "Tomorrow's Neighborhoods Today" planning system, the Northside is a large section of the city of Syracuse, covering almost four square...
.
Language barriers
Despite their common language, the German immigrants of Onondaga County often seemed as much foreigners to each other as they were to their English speaking neighbors because they came from so many disparate areas and parts of Europe that are now called Germany and spoke so many dialects.German musical societies
The German Brass Band was formed as early as 1848. Jacob Samsel was conductor and leader. The band played together for many years. In later years, they were known as "Samsel's Brass Band.During 1851, the German Musical Institute was organized with George Saul as leader. The group met at rooms in the Noxon Block on North Salina Street twice a week. In 1853, Miller's Brass Band was organized with leader and conductor, Casper Miller.
The first singing society organized was the Siungerbund which had about 20 members and was the outgrowth of a quartet that included Max Schoot, Lorenz Herkomer, John Herkomer and Charles Schaefer. The Herkomer's were elder brothers of the famous London artist, Hubert Herkomer, although he was still a child during that period. The society only existed for two years.
On October 5, 1855, the Gesangverein Syracuse Liederkranz, was organized with thirteen members at the old National Hotel where Benedict Haberle was the owner and proprietor. Members of the society included Carl Eckerman, Charles Steingrebe, Max Schott, Jacob Miller and John Ziegler who were among the organizers. Ziegler was the first president. By 1891, the society had been in existence for over 35 years and was considered one of the leading German Liederkranz societies in the country.
The Verein met at their hall at the corner of Lodi and Butternut streets and were incorporated on April 20, 1889. Directors of the society included many Syracuse business leaders such as Benedict Haberle, Francis Baumer, Anton Will, Theodore Dissel, Max Schott, Jacob Miller, Paul Thoret, Eugene Neuberger and director, Professor Henri Bitter. At that time, membership totaled 150.
In 1857, the Concordia was organized and for many years were the rival of the Liederkranz for "popular favor." The group met at 713 North Salina Street and numbered about 50 members.
During 1873, the Fifth ward Siungerbund was organized with Professor Heinrich Regener as Director. It numbered about 25 members who met in rooms in the rear of the building on the southwest corner of Gifford and Oswego streets. On February 14, 1889, the Arbeiter Liedertafel was organized and numbered about 40 members. It met in the Kaupp building on North Salina Street near Catawba Street. Professor Henri Bitter was the director.
In 1896, the Arion Singing Society of Syracuse was formed. From the 1960s to the 1990s, their hall and club was located in the former Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer building at 713 Catherine Street.http://www.germanamericanscny.net/
Turner movement
The Turner movement originated in the early 1800s in Germany as part of an effort to liberate the German states from Napoleon's rule. It combined "patriotic and liberal principles with an emphasis on physical training."The French Revolution of 1848
French Revolution of 1848
The 1848 Revolution in France was one of a wave of revolutions in 1848 in Europe. In France, the February revolution ended the Orleans monarchy and led to the creation of the French Second Republic. The February Revolution was really the belated second phase of the Revolution of 1830...
prompted many German speaking expatriates to immigrate to America and also resulted in the organization of the German-American Turn Verein, also known as the Turner movement. Once they arrived in the U.S., the German's wanted to create the same gymnastic clubs they had in their homeland so they founded their counterparts in order to promote German physical education goals, while at the same time, preserving traditional customs, languages and celebrations.
In the early days in the U.S., the Turn Verein was considered a radical movement whose principles and goals were similar with those of German "'freethinkers' societies."
Some of the basic principles of the group included anti-slavery, anti-prohibition and anti-nativism. The group was devoted to the Bill of Rights
Bill of rights
A bill of rights is a list of the most important rights of the citizens of a country. The purpose of these bills is to protect those rights against infringement. The term "bill of rights" originates from England, where it referred to the Bill of Rights 1689. Bills of rights may be entrenched or...
and advocated free public education
Public education
State schools, also known in the United States and Canada as public schools,In much of the Commonwealth, including Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United Kingdom, the terms 'public education', 'public school' and 'independent school' are used for private schools, that is, schools...
and separation of church and state
Separation of church and state
The concept of the separation of church and state refers to the distance in the relationship between organized religion and the nation state....
. They also supported cultural events such as concerts, lectures and the theater and urged legislation to protect the American worker, in particular the farmer. Turn Verein were opposed to the "dogmas" of all churches.
Syracuse chapter
The society offered "congenial gathering places" for Germans across the country as well as physical fitness regimes and support for Germans to assimulate their old culture with their new way of life in America.The Turn Verein was organized in Syracuse on May 15, 1854. At that time, there were fewer than 20 members and they were disciples of Jahn
Jahn
Jahn is a surname, and may refer to:* Erich Jahn , Hitler Youth leader* Friedrich Ludwig Jahn , German educator* Gunnar Jahn , Norwegian politician and resistance member...
, the founder of the German system of gymnastics. The Turners held their first meeting in a cottage on Pearl Street. Peter Baumgrass of Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, an artist, was the first president.
The local chapter relocated to the rear of the Union office on North Salina Street where there was a vacant lot. In 1860, the building burned and the Turners lost all their property. The society had reached a membership of 150 before the fire, however, was reduced to 20. A lot was purchased on Pond Street and the Turners erected a one-story building where they remained until 1863. At that time the club moved to the corner of Lodi and John streets where they constructed the Turn Hall.
During late August 1882, the Turners State Convention was held in Syracuse with the local Turn Verein as the "entertaining society."
By February 1893, the "athletic school" of the Turners was the oldest in the city and the apparatus was "much worse for the wear." The classes comprised 50 men and 250 boys and girls and the increase in attendance was so rapid that year that new quarters were necessary.
Soon after, the members of the Turn Verein adopted a resolution to remodel the "gymnasium department." A committee was appointed and granted the power to buy additional apparatus and supplies in order to make the gymnasium "second rate to none" in the city. Bathrooms, which had long been lacking, were also installed, "much to the delight of the members."
Professor Carl Grosse was hired as the physical instructor of the school in 1893 and under his direction "many remarkable athletes" were developed. He was born in Leipaic, Germany in 1853 and from early boyhood showed a natural ability for gymnastics.
The Turners were intertwined into all aspects of German-American life in Syracuse. The festival of Gemuelichkeit, conducted by the Turn Verein, was celebrated by early German's as a highlight during Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving (United States)
Thanksgiving, or Thanksgiving Day, is a holiday celebrated in the United States on the fourth Thursday in November. It has officially been an annual tradition since 1863, when, during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of thanksgiving to be celebrated on Thursday,...
.
Civil war
During the Civil WarCivil war
A civil war is a war between organized groups within the same nation state or republic, or, less commonly, between two countries created from a formerly-united nation state....
, from 1861 to 1863, many German immigrants in New York State served in the Twentieth Regiment, New York State Volunteer Infantry which was also known as Turnschützenregiment; The United Turner Rifles.
Presidents of the society
The organization was founded on May 15, 1854 and the first president was Peter Baumgrass. On January 15, 1937, Syracuse Mayor Rolland B. Marvin honored the Turn Verein and stated they were "one of the greatest organizations this city has ever known." He declared the club a "real asset" to Syracuse and said "the whole city is proud of it."- Peter Baumgrass (1854-?)
- Frank W. Traugott (19?-1912)
- William E. Sembach (1912–1916)
- Charles A. Latterner (1918–1920)
- George Bretzer (1920–1922)
- Joseph Ehegartner (1923–1925)
- Otto E. Schoeneck (1932–1935)
- Frank Halsig (1930–1932)
- Joseph E. Kuehlman (1936-?)
Fraternal organizations
The fraternal and social feeling of the Germans of Syracuse was evidenced by the numerous lodges, vereins, and orders that existed in the early days.Foremost among fraternal organizations was the German Order of Harugari. The constitution of this Order, aside from the sick and death benefit provided, "directed the exclusive use of the German language in its proceedings" and made it a duty to do everything possible to preserve the language. By 1850, Syracuse Lodge No. 30 was organized and met on Monday evenings at their hall in the Ackerman Block. This lodge existed until some time in 1857, when most of its members joined the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and organized LaFayette Lodge No. 409. There were no Harugari lodges in Syracuse from that time until November 17, 1867, when Central City Lodge No. 154 was organized.
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows first organized Schiller Lodge No. 408 on September 29, 1849. Meetings were held on Monday evenings in Odd Fellows' Hall in the Washington Block on South Salina Street. In 1867, the name of the lodge was changed and merged into Lessen Lodge No. 116, which met later on in Odd Fellows' Hall on Market Street.
The second German lodge, the LaFayette Lodge No. 489 was instituted in 1857. In 1866, the lodge merged into Lincoln Lodge No. 180. It was the only club in Syracuse that owned its own hall which was described as "a beautiful brick structure on the southwest corner of Ash and Townsend streets. The building was erected in 1887 at a cost, including land, of about $12,000.
The Knights of Pythias, members of Onondaga Lodge No. 190, used the German ritual. Several other lodges and councils belonging to other orders were German: Germania Council, No. 49, of the Order of United Friends; Harmonia Lodge No. 23, of the American Protestant Association; Syracuse Council No. 94, Order of Chosen Friends; Order of Foresters No. 7387; Salt City Lodge No. 239, Ancient Order of United Workmen. Although there is no distinctively German lodge of Free Masons in Syracuse, this nationality was represented in both Syracuse Lodge No. 501 and Salt Springs Lodge No. 520.
The Bavarian Club Almenrausch was founded in 1972 for the purpose of preserving and perpetuating Bavarian
Bavaria
Bavaria, formally the Free State of Bavaria is a state of Germany, located in the southeast of Germany. With an area of , it is the largest state by area, forming almost 20% of the total land area of Germany...
customs including Tracht (costumes), Schuhplatteln (traditional Bavarian shoe slapping dances) and folk dances.
German foods
Hofmann Sausage was founded in 1879 in Syracuse. They produce a wide range of sausages including Snappys otherwise known as Coney Dogs which are unique to the Central New YorkCentral New York
Central New York is a term used to broadly describe the central region of New York State, roughly including the following counties and cities:...
region.
The company also produces German Frankfurter, Knackwurst, Kielbasa links, Bratwurst, Bologna, Liverwurst and Italian Sausage, all served with German style mustard and sauerkraut. The company is located at 6196 Eastern Avenue.
Danzer's German & American Restaurant was established in 1946 by Ludwig Danzer and after five decades, still serves homecooked German
German cuisine
German cuisine is a style of cooking derived from the nation of Germany. It has evolved as a national cuisine through centuries of social and political change with variations from region to region. The southern regions of Germany, including Bavaria and neighbouring Swabia, share many dishes....
meals at 153 Ainsley Drive. They are known for their tall drafts of imported beers and ales, and "giant" deli sandwiches have made Danzer's a local favorite. Other authentic recipes include Hot German Potato Salad, Potato Dumplings, Buttered Noodles, Red Cabbage, German Sauerkraut, Cole Slaw, Deli Corned Beef, Chicken Schnitzel, Jäger Schnitzel, Hot Pastrami on Rye, Sauerbraten, Schnätzeli, Reuben, Beef Rouladen, Wiener Schnitzel, German Potato Pancakes and Limberger with onion.
Politics
The first German alderman elected in the city was Harmon Ackerman in 1852.German Churches and Synagogues
When Christian German immigrants first arrived in communities in Onondaga County during the 1830s, they were surprised to find there were no statesponsored churches in America as there were in Germany. This meant that in order to continue their religious practices and traditions within the church, they had to first build the church and then maintain it, something that was never their responsibility in the "old country." Immigrants began to form congregations such as St. John's Lutheran Church, which was formed in 1838.
One of the major problems was the lack of priests and ministers to "attend to the immigrants spiritual needs." Struggling to establish a church that would serve as the center of their social as well as their religious life, the early German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
pioneers had to be "persistent in seeking religious leadership." The Germans were a mix of both Roman Catholic and Protestant religions.
Additionally, the responsibility of the church included the costly goal of building a meeting place and paying the salary of a permanent resident pastor. This often came as a great sacrifice, including the mortgaging of their modest homes to pay for the construction of the church. As the community grew, disputes within congregations led some members to split off, forming new congregations. By 1863, two daughter congregations of German-American Lutherans, St. Peter's and Zion, had joined St. John's at the corner of Butternut Street and Prospect Avenue.
Some of the members of Saint Peter's and their pastor, Johannes Schaeffer, split off in 1900 to form the Deutsche Evangelische Friedenskirche (German Evangelical Peace Church), now the Friedens United Church of Christ at the corner of Ash and Lodi Streets. By May 1901, work had begun on the foundation for the new church which cost $15,000 to build and was designed by architect, Archimedes Russell
Archimedes Russell
Archimedes Russell was an American architect most active in the Syracuse, New York area.Born in Andover, Massachusetts and trained under local architect Horatio Nelson White, Russell served as a professor of architecture at Syracuse University from 1873 through 1881.In the course of his career he...
. The style of the building was Romanesque and it was constructed of brick with gray limestone trimmings. Henry Reichel, mason, and William Thayer, carpenter, were the contractors. The church had a seating capacity of 400 and had a membership of 200 German residents of the North side. The pastor was Rev. Johannes Schaefer who was also chairman of the building committee.
It appears that many of the Jews who settled in Syracuse were German speakers. The first congregation, Keneseth Shalom (Society of Concord), was incorporated in 1842. A small wooden synagogue was constructed in 1846. On September 19, 1851 a larger and more substantial synagogue on Mulberry Street was dedicated; the congregation then numbered about 86. The opening addresses were given in German, and at least some of the congregation's services were given in German at least through the 1880s.
Volunteer fire department
The volunteer fire department was organized about 1850 and by 1891 was considered "one of the best in the state." Philip Eckel, Chief of the department, was killed in 1886. Engine House 3 was located on West Willow Avenue and Engine House 4 was located on Division Street. Peter Conrad and Peter Ohneth were the respective captains of these companies. Both companies disbanded when the Syracuse Fire Department was formed.Twentieth century
The twentieth century was a time of assimilation and decline for Syracuse's German-American community. From a high point in 1911, with the dedication of the Goethe–Schiller MonumentGoethe–Schiller Monument (Syracuse)
The Goethe–Schiller Monument in Syracuse, New York incorporates a copper double-statue of the German poets Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Friedrich Schiller . It was erected by the German-American organizations of Syracuse and Onondaga County, and was unveiled on October 15, 1911...
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mstone/postcardsm-mon.htm, came the First World War. Anti-German sentiment
German American
German Americans are citizens of the United States of German ancestry and comprise about 51 million people, or 17% of the U.S. population, the country's largest self-reported ancestral group...
during the war discouraged the speaking of the German language in public. Friedens Evangelical church, for example, introduced a separate English-language service at that time. During the Second World War, Friedens dropped its German-language service entirely.
German events
- Bavarianfest: First Sunday of August each year at Long Branch ParkLong Branch ParkLong Branch Park is a public park in Onondaga County outside of Syracuse, New York, located in the town of Liverpool on Long Branch Road near NYS Route 370 and John Glenn Boulevard...
on the north shore of Onondaga LakeOnondaga LakeOnondaga Lake is a lake in Central New York located northwest of Syracuse, New York. The southeastern end of the lake and the southwestern shore abut industrial areas and expressways; the northeastern shore and northwestern end border a series of parks and museums. Although it is near the Finger...
. Live music, dancing, German food and drink, Schuhplattler and folk dance performances, and Gemütlichkeit. - Oktoberfest: German heritage festival is held in late September through early October at the Syracuse Regional Market. The festival's entertainment lineup includes community bands as well as entertainers from Germany. The 50th anniversary of the event was celebrated in 2010.