Sons of Hermann

On 6 July 1861, the Order Sons of Hermann was founded by German settlers in San Antonio. The attempts to create a chapter of the organization in Texas had been made a year earlier, however, it all needed authorization from the National Grand Lodge of the Sons of Hermann. 

At the beginning of the Texas branch, its members who wished to sit during the meetings needed to bring their own chairs. Until the 1920s, German was the language spoken during the Order gatherings. Sons of Hermann took part in various public events such as festivals, parades, concerts, balls, dances, and others. The Lodge also organized a youth summer camp and a home for the elderly in Comfort. Besides, they also provide a life insurance program. In 1890, a Grand Lodge of the Order was formed in San Antonio, TX.

 

 

Clipping source: Garrett, O. H. P. Brenham Daily Banner. (Brenham, Tex.), Vol. 15, No. 55, Ed. 1 Wednesday, March 5, 1890, newspaper, March 5, 1890; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth486499/: accessed March 4, 2022), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Library Consortium.
 

 

Clipping source: Source: Garrett, O. H. P. Brenham Daily Banner. (Brenham, Tex.), Vol. 15, No. 59, Ed. 1 Sunday, March 9, 1890, newspaper, March 9, 1890; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth485439/: accessed March 4, 2022), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Library Consortium.

 

 

Clipping source: Garrett, O. H. P. Brenham Daily Banner. (Brenham, Tex.), Vol. 15, No. 66, Ed. 1 Saturday, March 29, 1890, newspaper, March 29, 1890; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth481938/: accessed March 4, 2022), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Library Consortium

 
Sons of Hermann of the State of Texas Lodge No. 41 was organized in Fredericksburg on 19 March 1892 (with the initial 17 charter members). The lodge early officers were (among others): L. Hagen, W. Bierschwale, Max Wahrmund, HB Meckel, Julius Kordzik, Robert Penniger, H Hahn, John Schandua, and FC Hartmann.

More about Sons of Hermann in TX:
1. https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/sons-of-hermann
2. http://www.stichtingargus.nl/vrijmetselarij/hermann.html

Source:
1. "The Texians and the Texans. The German Texans" The University of Texas, Institute of Texan Cultures, 1972.
2. "Fredericksburg, Texas ... The First Fifty Years. A Translation of Penniger's 50th Anniversary Festival Edition", Fredericksburg Publishing Co., Inc., 1971.