$150.00 - Luxembourg American Heritage Information Center

The war in Europe and occupation by the German army in Luxembourg had its impact in
the United States. In 1917, America joined ranks with the other allied nations in fighting the
Kaiser. The 1919 Schobermesse Program Book featured an article entitled "Luxembourg and the
War," by Captain N. Daubenfeld. The article relates the conditions in the Grand Duchy and of
its people during the German occupation. Another article in the 1919 program book compiled
by Fred A. Gilson, detailed some of the activities of members of Section 3 who served in the
Armed Forces during World War I.
At this juncture, it would be appropriate to introduce Fred A. Gilson to the readers of this
essay. In the Editor's opinion, his efforts on behalf of the L.B.A. and Section 3 were accomplished
with great devotion and instinctive fervor.
Fred Gilson (married to Eleonora Brons) was born in Mertzig, Luxembourg in 1889, the
son of Franz and Margaretha Dellere Gilson. He immigrated to the United States in 1906 and
became a naturalized citizen in 1912. In 1920, he established the Gilson Employment Service.
Shortly after his arrival in America, Gilson joined Section 3. Before he passed away on May
1,1964, Fred Gilson would be elected Grand President of the L.B.A. in 1931 and would hold that
post for 12 years, retiring in 1943. But, his greatest accomplishment on behalf of the L.B.A. lay in
his willingness to record the history of the Brotherhood and its sections. For example, in the 1938
Golden Jubilee Book, he wrote the history which formed the foundation for this work. In 1952,
he authored the history of Section 8 which was followed by the history of the Schobermesse in
1953, and the history of Section 21 in 1957. Without these histories and the cogency of their
content, it would have been impossible to compile this work.
In 1934, Fred Gilson was appointed Chancellor of the Luxembourg Consulate in Chicago
and in 1954 he was appointed Vice-Consul, a post he would hold until his death. He was
decorated by the Luxembourg government on two occasions, once in 1934 and again in 1953. He
and his wife Eleonora had two sons, Fred and John.
In 1920, Joseph LaPlume was President of the Section and Fred A. Gilson was Chairman of
the Schobermesse Committee. This festival, of course, was the first Schobermesse following the
signing of the Armistice on November 11, 1919. In the program book was an article written by
Albert P. Schimberg entitled "A Land of Mary." It tells the story of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
the Consoler of the Afflicted, who is the Patroness of Luxembourg.
Between 1921 and 1927, the Schobermesse festival, like the roaring 20's in which they were
situated, grew in scope and size. Section members were still vying with one another for
appointment to the Schobermesse Committee.
In 1921, cash prizes totalling $600.00 were given away. In 1925, the location of the Schobermesse
was moved from the Karthauser/Eberts Groves in Chicago to Klein's Grove, located at Crawford
and Lincoln in Tessville (n/k/a Lincolnwood) Illinois.
In 1921, Fred Gilson was Chairman of the Schobermesse Committee and was succeeded
by John Guirsch in 1922 and 1926, John B. Molitor in 1923, Joseph Winandy in 1924, Nick Flam
in 1925, and John Fichter in 1927.
The Program Book in these years contained articles touching upon the birth of the present
Grand Duke in 1921, the names of the Luxembourg Consuls in the United States, a report on the
1923 Grand Lodge Convention held in Chicago, and an article on the late publisher of the Schobermesse
program books, a Mr. O'Bladen, who was a native of Oauzaukee County, Wisconsin.
The year 1928 was a great year in the annals of Section 3. That years' Schobermesse marked a
quarter century of a progress in hosting the fall festival. The Program Book for 1928 was, by far,
the largest program book published. It contains a group picture of the members of the section.
Charley Landerer's Grove, in Niles Center, now Skokie, was rented for this memorable event.
The day started with a huge parade. $150.00 was set aside as prize money for the best decorated
autos. The Chairman of the 1928 Schobermesse was Fred A. Gilson and Nicholas Nilles was
Secretary. An article in the program book by Mr. Gilson, entitled "Some of the Soldiers and
Their Activities," deals with the highlights and experiences of some of the members of Section 3
who served in World War I in France and Luxembourg.
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