$150.00 - Luxembourg American Heritage Information Center

Section 8 was organized on February 23, 1902 in Evanston, Illinois. Grand President
John N. Watry initiated the following forty-two members into the L.B.A.:
John Becker
Nick Brosius
J.R Damit
Peter Didier
Lorenz Elsen
Frank Elsen
John Fischbach
Nick Fischbach
Nick Cans
George Guirisch
Michael Hirtzig
Hubert Hoscheid
Frank Leider
Michael Louis
The first officers were:
President
President
Vice-President
Recording Secretary
Finance Secretary
Treasurer
Trustee
Trustee
Trustee
Marshal
Grand Representative
Nick Majerus
Steven Marso
John May
Martin Mersch
Mathias M. Miller
Frank Miller
Nick Olinger
Henry Olsen
William Pestka
Adolph Reding
Michael Reding
Andrew Reisch
John P. Remich
Peter Schimberg
J.P. Koob
Hubert Hoscheid
John P. Remich
Henry Geimer
Nick Gans
John Weiland
Michael Schumer
N. K. Welter
Peter Schimberg
Mathias M. Miller
Nick Gans
Henry Schmit
Martin Schmitz
Michael Schumer
Frank Shelsky
Nick Steffen
Paul Sterpenig
John P. Sterpenig
Andrew Theisen
John P. Wanderscheid
Mathias Watgen
John N. Weiland
Michael Weiland
N.K. Welter
Frank Williams
These charter members began, in 1902, a Section whose contributions to the L.B.A. and its
community have been too numerous to count. It has supported a variety of charities, among
them St. Nicholas Catholic Church, the Luxembourg Club of Evanston, and most recently the
Doniphan Rescue Mission in Missouri, which was begun by member Ed Schleker.
The following individuals have held the office of President of Section 8, since its inception.
They are: Hubert Hoscheid, John P. Remich, M. Weiland, Nick Steffen, John May, Jacob
Schaak, John Schaul, Charles K. Schwind, Peter Muller, Peter Fuertsch, Lawrence Elsen,
Nicholas Hoffmann, Richard Hoffmann, Glenn Murphy and John Murphy.
Section 8's members have attained many accomplishments. In 1913, Henry Geimer was
elected the 7th Grand President of the L.B.A. and served for 13 years. It was during his
tenure that the National Convention of Luxembourg people in the United States was convened
in Chicago, IL on November 17, 1918. The purpose of the convention was to demand, of
the world leaders meeting at Versailles, the independence and security of the Grand Duchy of
Luxembourg.
In 1930, John Weiland became the 9th Grand President of the L.B.A. and second member
of Section 8 to hold this office. As the Depression sank its teeth into the American fabric, the
monetary affairs of the L.B.A. reached their nadir. John Weiland held the watch during these
turbulent years and is credited with maintaining the stability of the Grand Lodge until he was
succeeded by Fred Gilson, in 1933.
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