Call Number:

Ms. Coll. 20

Repository:

German Society of Pennsylvania: Joseph P. Horner Memorial Library

Extent:

0.5 linear feet (2 boxes)

Language:

German

Preferred Citation:

Deutscher Orden der Harugari, Teutonia Loge No. 225 records, Joseph P. Horner Memorial Library, German Society of Pennsylvania

Date:

1894-1909, 1923-1933

Creator:

Deutscher Orden der Harugari. Teutonia Loge No. 225 . (Manayunk, Philadelphia, Pa.), Hohlfeld, F., Jagenburg, August, Reese, Christ, and Schöllhorn, Karl

Form:

Financial records, Forms (documents), Manuals (instructional materials), Manuscripts, German--19th century, Manuscripts, German--20th century, Membership lists, and Minute books

Abstract:

Records of the Teutonia Loge No. 225 (Manayunk, Philadelphia, Pa.), of the national German-American fraternal organization Deutscher Orden der Harugari. Includes minute book, 1894-1909; a volume of membership forms containing completed forms for approximately 50 members who joined from 1923 to 1933; and multiple copies of printed books related to the rituals of lodges of the order: four copies of an 1880 version (no publication information); and six copies of an 1874 version printed in Reading, Pa. (two different printings, one dated 1902).

Lodge of the national German-American fraternal organization Deutscher Orden der Harugari, or D. O. H. (German Order of the Harugari), based in the Manayunk neighborhood of the former Roxborough Township, of Philadelphia, Pa. The national order was founded in 1847 in New York City as both a secret society and a mutual aid association. The Manayunk group dates from before 1894. Based on the present records, its primary function appears to have been mutual support for sick members and for funeral expenses. One published reference in 1922 gives the address of the clubhouse as 158 Levering Street; at a later point it may have been located on Fleming Street between Lyceum and Monastery Avenues.

The collection includes a handwritten minute book covering the period 14 November 1894 to 9 June 1909; a volume of membership forms containing forms for approximately 50 members who joined from 1923 to 1933; and a total of 10 copies of printed books containing the rituals of lodges of the order, all with some handwritten emendations. The minutes include financial records, and the main purpose of the organization appears to have been the caretaking and distribution of funds for supporting sick members and paying funeral expenses. Minute takers, signing as secretary, include Christ Reese, August Jagenburg, Karl Schöllhorn, and F. Hohlfeld.

The membership volume contains forms with the heading: Prüfung von Candidaten vor ihrer Aufnahme in den Deutschen Orden der Harugari. The form requires candidates to provide name, address, age, and occupation, along with certain acknowledgements, such as their having read the constitution and by-laws of the order. Each completed form is signed by the candidate, and dated and signed by the member who is initating the candidate.

Of the printed books, six have the title Rituale für die untergeordneten Logen D. O. H., in the version from September 1874; five of those are printed by John Weiler, in Reading, Pa., undated, and one is printed in 1902 by W. Rosenthal, also in Reading. The four remaining books have the title Rituale für die Graden-Logen D. O. H., in the version from September 1880 (no publication information); three of those have initials embossed on the front cover (O. B., E. B., and U. B., respectively), apparently with reference to roles played in the rituals.

Both publications refer to rituals for the opening and closing of the lodge; for intiating candidates; and for installing officers. The ritual book of 1874 includes a section at the back on how members should dress (Regalien). The book of 1880 mainly concerns the bestowing of ranks (Graden).