New-Yorker Staats-Zeitung, January 6, 1895, p. 18

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Hoffmann Celebration.Anniversary of the German Society Business Manager. –Banquet in his honor at the Liederkranz Hall. – Gifts for the deserved administrator.-

The magnificent hall of the German Liederkranz was the sight of the splendid banquet yesterday in honor of the well respected and loved business manager of the German Society, Mr. Julius Hoffmann, who on January 1 of this year celebrated his 25th year of service. The President of the Society, Mr. Gustav H. Schwab, led the honoree to the banquet table richly decorated with rare flowers and shining silver. The following gentlemen also were present:

R. von der Emde, William Steinway, Richard H. Adams, William Vigelius, General Consul A. Feigel, Theodor Kilian, W. A. Schmitthenner, August Merkel, Albert Meyer, Ernst Müller, Theodor Kauffeld, Charles Hahn, H. Hutter, George Poggenburg, A. Behrens, H. Rocholl, Emil Unger, Gustav Heyn, F. W. Brunn, Edward Uhl, A. Kuttroff, Henry Merz, Ernst Steiger, F. W. Holls, J. F. Pupke, Karl Goepel, George Hollerith, Paul Goepel, Frederick Pfaff, P. Lichtenstein, H. F. Poggenburg, D. Schnackenburg, Hubert Cillis, F. Ehrmann and G. Gudewill.

The following gentlemen had excused themselves in writing:

Mr. O. Ottendorfer. G. H. Moeller, A. Schwarzmann, Hermann Ridder, C. H. Schulz, Julius May, Theodor Dreyer, G. Neidlinger and Phillip Bissinger. After the assembled had enjoyed the delicacies served by LK Restaurateur Scharz and coffee had been served, President Schwab rose to start the round of toasts:

"Gentlemen! Today we are celebrating something unusual. For a period of 25 years our dear guest, Mr. Julius Hoffmann, has managed the business of the German Society with true devotion and obvious sense of duty. As genuine advisor he has supported many Board members, who are no longer with us today and has stood the test at all times. We are fully aware of his difficult position in view of the public, our public, the poor, needy people, duties, which required a warm heart and clear understanding. Every member of the Board will join me when I say he often fulfilled his often difficult duties in an admirable and tactful manner. My dear Mr. Hoffmann, I am delighted to welcome you here tonight in the name of your friends and I am expressive the true wish that you may act for many more years with God's help, many more years with the same noble success for the welfare and existence of the German Society."

With this the speaker presented a U.S. Bond with a 4-digit number and an expensive gold watch plus heavy chain whereupon the assembled intoned 3 times "Hoch!" [cheers!]

Mr. Hoffmann thanked every one with moving words for the many adulations given him this evening and noted that during his many years he also had presented many valuable items as signs of friendship. He had found that it was always difficult for the recipient to find the right words. This evening he too suffered from that and he could only offer a 'thank you' for the many signs of friendship, the lovely festivity and rich gifts. After Mr. Steinway and Mr. Steiger honored him with endearing words, who had both smoothed his way to this honored position, Mr. Hoffmann recited a short history of the German society, remembered his colleagues and assistants, especially Treasurer Schmitthenner, and closed with the words: "I have achieved the best goal, which a man can reach, in that I have earned the satisfaction of my superiors, recognition from my fellow man and say to myself, that I have taken care of my obligations in the best possible way."

After this the President read the many congratulatory telegram and letter, which had arrived for Mr. Hoffmann from Karl Fischer; Consul Max Schamberg of Pittsburg; G. Koeppen, President of the Milwaukee German Society; Carl H. Schulz; Ex-German Society President Phillip Bissinger and H. W. Cherouny. The next speaker was Mr. Wm. Steinway, who in fabulous humor-filled words reminisced and accomplished a "Hoch!" with the words, "to the man of genuine German grain and grit, of undeniable honesty and loyalty, the friend Julius Hoffmann." This was wildly applauded by the guests.

Now Mr. Schwab took the opportunity to thank Mr. van der Emde, Mr. Cillis and Mr. Behrens for the excellent arrangements. Mr. van der Emde mentioned the men who had excused themselves and wanted to emphasize the name Oswald Ottendorfer, who was absent due to illness but there in spirit, and asked them to give a "Hoch!" to Mr. Ottendorfer for all his efforts for everything that is German, good and honorable, which the guests did with gusto. There were many more warm words spoken that evening, much toasting and it all only ended in the early morning hours.

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