Saturday's Society- Harmonia Gesangverein

On October 31, 1881 a German singing society was founded; the Saengerbund Harmonia or Harmonia Singing Society. The group later reorganized itself on March 23, 1884. Over the years, the Gesangverein met and practiced at many locations, including the Hotel Columbia, Caecilia Halle, and Saint Matthew’s schoolhouse. The society began with fourteen members and grew to include thirty active members and fifty passive members by 1886. Eleven years later the club numbered twenty-two active and seventy-five passive members.[1] Harmonia disappeared from city directories after 1910.  

An undated photo of the Harmonia Gesangverein

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[1] Howell and Tenney, eds., History of the County of Albany, N. Y., p. 745. n. a., Geschichte der Deutschen in Albany und Troy, pp. 81, 167, 169.

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 4; Stephen Behrhof

This week's ancestor biography is on Stephen Behrhof; younger brother of my gg grandmother Margaret Behrhof. Stephen was the son of Michael Behrhof and Magdelena Schaetzle who were German immigrants from the town of Grosbardorf in the state of Bayern. Michael and Magdelena emigrated to America on 26 August 1852 on the ship Guttenberg. Stephen was born in Albany in June of 1856 most likely on Delaware Street in the South End of Albany. Stephen's siblings included

• Margaret (1844 - 1908) married Henry Koreman (1841-1923) 
• Magdelena (1856 - 1892) married Charles Koreman (1844-1908) 
• Peter (1861 - 1886)

Stephen Behrhof, circa 1876

                  

Although Stephen was first generation American born in the Behrhof family. He could be considered a prominent German-American in Albany due to his cultural interest in his ethnicity. Stephen was a member in numerous Gesangvereine (German singing societies) in Albany. In 1907 he was the financial secretary of the German Hall Association. The association was instrumental in the building of the German Hall building located at 48 Beaver Street.

The Northeastern Sängerbund of America attempted to unify Albany’s Gesängvereine when it encouraged seven of Albany’s societies (Liederkranz OSDF, Eintracht, Harugari, Liederkranz, Männerquartett, Cäcilia, and Harmonia) to unite for the Seventeenth National Sängerfest in New York on June 23-26, 1894. On October 1, 1893, delegates from Albany’s singing societies met at Eintracht Halle, and the Gesängvereine agreed to merge as the Vereinigte Sänger von Albany, or the Combined Singers of Albany. At the meeting, the representatives voted Stephen Behrhof as President of the society.  

Stephen was elected Chairman of the Music Committee for the 1907 German Day Parade. He was in charge of organizating all of the music activities for the three day celebration. From 1905 until 1916 there were enormous parades and celebrations commemorating "German Day." The German Day parades from the past possibly might have dwarfed Albany's St. Patrick's Day parades of today. Thousands of Albanians attended these festivals, which had numerous events; each chaired by prominent German-Americans. (German Day will be the subject of a future blog post.)

Stephen married Wilhelmina Neudorf (1860-1954) in 1885. They had no children. Stephen worked in various occupations throughout his years. He clerked in his father's grocery store and saloon at 48 Delaware Street. Later he operated the saloon. By 1900 he worked as a tailor at Koreman & Behrhof at 276 South Pearl Street. His partner was his nephew, Henry Koreman. Stephen died on 23 January 1917 in Albany. He was buried in Our Lady Help of Christian's Cemetery in Glenmont, New York.

Stephen & Wilhelmina Behrhof gravestone

For years I never knew what his epitaph meant. However as research on my family tree progressed I discovered that he was a member and officer in many German singing societies. His grave site above was rehabbed in 2013.

Liederkranz Hall and Strempel's Hall

At one time Albany had two distinctive German enclaves.  First and largest was in the "South End." Comprising of the areas of the west side of South Pearl Street from First Avenue to Delaware Street westward out to around Eagle Street.  The second German enclave centered on the Bowery, now known as Central Avenue, Sherman and Elk Streets.  The area was also known as Cabbage Town.[1]  

In close proximity, on Central Avenue, were the anchor churches of Saint John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Catholic Our Lady of Angels Church.  Around the corner, on Sherman Street, Liederkranz Hall was popular meeting spots for German societies.  Fashionable Biergartens and saloons in the area included Lange’s and Strempel’s. 

The Liederkranz O. S. D. F. (Order of Sons of German Freedom), was a German Gesangverien or singing society founded on March 4, 1884.  The group practiced at Strempel’s Halle located at 241 Central Avenue until it was decided on March 3, 1897, to build a hall at 210 Sherman Street.  Erection of the new hall was started on April 22, 1897 and was completed in July 1897. 

Liederkranz Hall, 210 Sherman Street, 2004

Liederkranz Hall looking towards Strempels on Central Avenue, 2004

Charles Strempel, 1897

Strempel Halle und Garten was operated by Charles Strempel, who provided choice ales, wines, liquors, and cigars.  The hall was a popular gathering point for German Vereine, or societies.  Notably, the rear of Strempe
l Halle ran through to Sherman Street and was back to back with the new Liederkranz Halle, at 210 Sherman Street, which also became the scene for many festivities.  The new Halle also had a Rathskeller, or restaurant, meeting rooms, and a bowling alley. 

1895 Albany City Directory Ad

241 Central Avenue, former site of Strempel's Hall, 2004

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[1] Times Union, July 6, 1986, Supplement, 41:3.