Page:Portland, Oregon, its History and Builders volume 1.djvu/657

 xample. Al-

though the German immigrants who sought homes in Oregon were nearly all able to look out for themselves, having acquired a knowledge of English suffi- cient to transact business. There were cases of destitution and sickness which appealed to the better situated of their countrymen, who considered it their duty to assist them instead of obtaining relief from the county. To accomplish this effectively without putting the individual under too heavy contribution, the Gen- eral German Aid Society was organized.

January 3, 1871, a meeting was called at which C. H. Meussdoffer presided; Frank Dekum, Henry Everding, C. A. Landenberger, Henry Saxer and Charles Wiegand were appointed a committee to draft a constitution and by-laws.

February 7th, this committee reported, and the society was permanently or- ganized with the following charter members : F. X. Auer, F. Dekum, F. E. Eberhardt, G. H. Henry, F. A. Hoffman, C. A. Landenberger, C. H. Meuss- dorffer, H. Saxer, Dr. Schwab, A. Trener. C. Wiegand, Charles A. Birchard, H. W. Dilg, H. Everding, L. Herrall, L. Kuehn, F. Menge, J. L. Riete, Dr. Schumacher, A. Staender, Henry Weinhard, H. Wilmer. Henry Saxer was elected president; Frank Dekum, vice-president; Dr. Schumacher, secretary; C. A. Birchard, treasurer. Henry Everding, C. H. Meussdorffer, Charles Wiegand, trustees.

March 2, 1872, the society was incorporated under the name Allgemeine Deutshe Unterstutzungs-Gesellshafl — General German Aid Society. The object is declared to be to erect and maintain a German hospital, to provide for nursing sick members, to relieve needs and distressed German immigrants, to obtain em- ployment and furnish information and advice for them.

Lacking the support necessary to maintain a good graded school, the Inde- pendent German School Association transferred its property and consolidated with the aid society on condition that said corporation enlarge its field of activity and bind itself to maintain one or more schools, where native born children could learn the German language, and German immigrants be instructed in English whenever it is desired by a sufficient number willing to pay a reasonable tuition. In compliance with this agreement, additional articles of incorporation were filed, and two school directors added to the list of officers. After spending more than $2,000 in fruitless efforts to raise the school to a higher grade, it was closed for want of sufficient attendance. The high school where the German language is taught and the night schools where working people of all nationalities can ob- tain free instructions in English, made this independent school unnecessary.

Although the main object of this society, the erection and maintenance of a German hospital' has never been lost sight of ; it had to be deferred for want of means; and the principal work of the society so far, has been to assist the sick and destitute. For this purpose it has expended nearly $27,000. This sum is far from representing its usefulness, for the agent of the society acts also as reliable adviser and friend to the immigrants, in looking for proper homesteads. It is his duty also to answer correspondents from abroad regarding settlement in the states, etc.

The society has received letters requesting information from the eastern states as well as Europe. The school property has now become valuable for business, and will, at no distant day bring an adequate income to support at least an old people's home, and later on a hospital. Two acres of land in South Port- land was secured for this purpose 22 years ago. The erection of a home for old people has been resolved on in general meeting, and a committee is now at work on the project. The membership is now 114; the present officers are: John Reisacher, president; Charles J. Schnabel, vice-president; H. C. Bohlman. sec- retary and agent ; Peter Wagner, treasurer. John Griebel and William Isensee, school directors. C. Bircher, D. iW. Hoelbing, Charles Hegele, auditing com- mittee; F. Filing, delegate; Dr. O. S. Binswinger. Dr. F. H. Dammasch, society physicians ; Charles J. Schnabel, attorney." Since the above was w