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ing officer and Nick Conner from Dubuque was the secretary.
The purpose of the convention was to establish an umbrella organization whose mission
would be to preserve the ideals, characteristics and traits of the Luxembourg immigrants in
America and, secondarily, to establish a benefit association open to all Luxembourgers irrespective
of geographic location. A tentative Constitution was adopted and further substantive
proceedings were deferred until the Second Congress, which convened in St. Paul in 1894.
A parade preceded the solemn church services. The meeting did not accomplish a great deal
so it was decided to try again the following year. In 1895, a third Congress was convened in
Dubuque. Delegates from the Luxembourg Independent Club of St. Paul, Luxembourg
Brotherhood of St. Paul, Luxembourg National Society of Minnesota, Luxembourg Benefit
Society of Shakopee, Luxembourg Society of Winona, Luxembourg Nickolas Society of
Rollingstone, Luxembourg Sick Benefit Society of Dubuque, Luxembourg Independent Club
of Aurora, Luxembourg Independent Club of Chicago and the Bruderbund attended.
As the tentative constitution had been scrapped in St. Paul, a new constitution was adopted
and the name "Luxembourg Nationalverein" was given to the new organization.
To meet death benefit payments, an assessment on the affiliated societies was proposed. Due
to the lack of a favorable response to this proposal, the National Society came to a quick end.
Attempts were made in 1896, and again in 1897, to revive the Nationalverein, but these efforts
failed. In the ensuing ten year period, numerous efforts to revive the concept of an umbrella
organization were initiated, but came to no avail, principally due to disagreements arising out of
the proper role of religion and political affilliation.
From 1888 to 1896, the Bruderbund prospered and grew rapidly. It now had 75 members
including John N. Watry, who suggested that L.B.A. branch out and form new clubs in other
Luxembourg settlements. Frank Dieschbourg is given credit for suggesting that the new
branches be known as "sections."
In Chicago, near the steel mills, a large number of Luxembourgers settled. It became
apparent that a local society could be established in the area. They had heard glowing reports
of the Bruderbund and decided they would like to become part of the organization. A committee
composed of John N. Watry, John Schmit, Nick Stirn and Frank Dieschbourg was appointed
to draft an amendment to the constitution which would
permit affiliation of "branches" into the Brotherhood.
A meeting was called on the South side of Chicago and
after deliberation, it was decided to organize another branch
of the L.B. A., and that it would be designated as "Section
2." It now became necessary to form a "head-organization,"
and the first Grand Lodge meeting was held on February
14, 1897. At this meeting, the organization of the Grand
Lodge was established and the following members were
elected as the first Grand Lodge officers:
John Hankes
1st Grand President
Grand President
Grand Vice President
Grand Secretary
Grand Treasurer
Grand Trustee
Grand Trustee
Grand Trustee
John Hankes
Nick Mausen
John N. Watry
Nick Stirn
John Diederich
John Schmit
Mathias Berchem
In April, 1897, John Glesener, a member of Section 1,
then living in Rogers Park, formed Section 3. On May 9, 1897, Section 3 was welcomed into the
Bruderbund. In May, 1897, the 5th Luxembourg Congress was convened at Turner Hall on
Chicago's north side. With the addition of Section 3, the newly invigorated L.B.A. extended an