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Letter From The President, Leo Schelbert

Swiss American Historical Society Newsletter

The Annual Meeting of the Swiss American Historical Society will be held this year at the Embassy of Switzerland in Washington, D.C. Ambassador and Mrs. Dr. Raymond Probst have moreover most generously invited the participants to a luncheon at their residence. May I kindly urge you to attend this meeting which will enable you not only to shape the affairs of the Society, but also to meet with Ambassador and Mrs. Probst at their residence and to renew many personal contacts.

Piero Bianconi, Albero Genealogico (Cronaca Di Emigranti): Book Review, Lukas F. Burckhardt

Swiss American Historical Society Newsletter

"C'e piu distanza effettiva tra l'infanzia e la vechiaia di mia madre che tra lei bambina e gli uomini delle caverne" (There is more real distance between the childhood and the old age of my mother than between her as a little girl and man in the stone age), the author exclaims, as he observes from the new power dam, which has been constructed in his native Verzasca valley in the canton of Ticino, how a great part of the rural world of his ancestors is being submerged for ever. In such surroundings his mother had not been allowed by …

Postal "Helvetica" In The United States: Non-Historic Observations Of A Stamp Collector, Felix Ganz

Swiss American Historical Society Newsletter

A ~ew weeks after arrivi ng in this country, thirty years ago, fr iends drove me to a place called LAKE GENEVA, Wisconsin, and on t he way back we passed a town called LAKE ZURICH Illinois. Neither of these two towns seemed to have direct 1 ties to Switzerland; but a few months later, in NEW GLARUS Wisconsin, l earned much about that town's being founded by' Swiss immigrants--a story well known to all members of the Swiss American Historical Society.

Banziger, Hans, Zwischen Protest Und Traditionsbewusstsein: Arbeiten Zum Werk Und Zur Gesellschaftlichen Stellun Max Frischs: Book Review, John Holley

Swiss American Historical Society Newsletter

Lest the reader be frightened away by the author's promise to recount in the service of information those minor details which seldom find a place in "broad attempts at interpretation," it should be mentioned at the outset that this book has more to recommend it than such a pedantic statement of intent might lead one to believe. Indeed, Hans Banziger, appropriately for a peripatetic review of Frisch's work, takes us through a knowledgeable discussion of the major tenets that have long informed the thinking and writing of this most interesting, engaging, and thought provoking contemporary, reminding us of Frisch's abiding …

A Farewell And A Welcome, Heinz K. Meier

Swiss American Historical Society Newsletter

According to the Constitution of the Swiss American Historical Society the Ambassador of Switzerland to the United States is an honorary member of the society. For the last nine years (1966 to 1975) this post was held by Ambassador Felix Schnyder.

The Swiss In Hawaii, Niklaus R. Schweizer

Swiss American Historical Society Newsletter

SWITZERLAND AND HAWAII, at first glance, seem to have little to do with each other and any connection appears coincidental. A high government official in Honolulu recently was of that opinion and many would have readily corroborated his notions.

Editor's Remarks, Heinz K. Meier

Swiss American Historical Society Newsletter

It is my sad duty to inform the members of the Swiss American Historical Society of the recent death of Emil J. Schaefer. Emil Schaefer was born on May 10, 1892, in Zurich and came to this country in his late teens. After some traveling he settled in Madison, Wisconsin, where he worked in several capacities, founded a family and became one of t he active members of a number of Swiss organizations.

The Twelfth Annual Meeting Of The Swiss American Historical Society, Bruno Gujer, Leo Schelbert, Guido Schuler

Swiss American Historical Society Newsletter

The twelfth annual meeting of the reactivated SAHS was held on Saturday, November 8, 1975, at the Swiss Town House, 35 West 67th Street in New York City.

News From The President, Leo Schelbert

Swiss American Historical Society Newsletter

It is my sad duty to announce to the members of the Swiss American Historical Society that Dr. Imre de Kosinski died unexpectedly on August 17, 1975. The Society has thus lost an active and trusted member who - as former Treasurer - has decisively contributed to its successful revitalization. Dr. de Kosinski was born in Budapest, Hungary, 'Where he earned his doctorate in political science. In 1944 he left his native country and -went to Switzerland to assist the Hungarian goverment in exile. He then married Edith Nussbaumer of Basel. In 1954 Dr. de Kosinski and his family moved …

History Of The Swiss American Historical Society, Heinz K. Meier

Swiss American Historical Society Newsletter

5. The Last Ten Years*

The Washington meeting of October 5, 1963, was an encouraging sign of interest in the usefulness of the Swiss American Historical Society on the part of the official representative of Switzerland in this country. It did not solve any of the immediate problems, however. The society was without leadership and its activities had ceased a number of years ago. Thanks to the initiative displayed by the embassy, however, thigs were put in motion again. For one, Emil Schaefer, who had so unexpectedly been saddled with presidential responsibility again, actively looked for a person willing to …

News Of Genealogy, Heinz K. Meier

Swiss American Historical Society Newsletter

A. In Search of Ancestors: Where to Begin

We all of us harbor a particular interest in ourselves that just naturally extends to curiosity about our forebears. This inquisitiveness, when combined with the proper research procedures, can culminate in a rewarding and stimulating study: Genealogical Research.

New York Regional Meeting, Dr. Rolf Kieser

Swiss American Historical Society Newsletter

The New York chapter of the SAHS held a panel discussion on "Contemporary Switzerland in the Eyes of Young Swiss-Americans" on May 3, 1975, at the Swiss Town House. Seven panelists, all relatively recent immigrants from Switzerland, addressed themselves to written questions given them by the organizer and moderator of the meeting Dr. Rolf Kieser, First Vice President of the SAHS.

Introductory Remarks, Heinz K. Meier

Swiss American Historical Society Newsletter

It looked for while as if I would not have enough materials for a mid-year newsletter. However, after some worrying I received enough contributions to make up an issue, even though it is somewhat shorter than most recent ones. The individuals items are self-explanatory and need no introduction.

Introductory Remarks, Heinz K. Meier

Swiss American Historical Society Newsletter

With this number the Swiss American Historical Society begins the second decade of issuing a regular newsletter. Like most of its predecessors it contains a mixture of materials that should lie of interest to our members. Special attention shoultl be given to the report about the eleventh annual meeting, presented by Dr. Leo Schelbert, formerly Secretary, now President, of our society. Most of the space of this number is given to an article by Dr. Delbert Graetz on the Bernese Anabaptists which Dr. Graetz prcsentetl at the annual meeting. A couple of shorter contributions round out our offerings.

Sir Frederick Gordon Guggisberg, E. H. Bovay

Swiss American Historical Society Newsletter

In August, 1923, the then Governor of the Gold Coast (Ghana), Frederick Gordon Guggisberg, paid a visit to Switzerland. Although proud to welcome such a high dignitary, especially one with such a Bernese sounding name, the Swiss authorities were somewhat embarassed when the Governor asked to be taken to the birthplace of his ancestors. Nobody knew for certain, since the Bernese municipalities of Belp, Guggisberg, Niedermuhlern, Schwarzenburg and Zimmerwalk all claimed him as one of their sons. The origins of the Governor have been traced recently. Frederick Gordon Guggisberg's grandfather Johann (John), born in 1808 and a citizen of Belp …

Book Review: Chabag: Schweizer Kolonie Am Schwarzen Meer, Leo Schelbert

Swiss American Historical Society Newsletter

The founding of hoogeneous, ethnically defined settlements represents perhaps the most colorful aspect of migration history. The colony Chabag, located in Bessarabia where the Dnjester river flows into the Black Sea, provides a find example of such a story, traced by H. Gander-Wolf as a labor of love. The settlement, founded in 1822 by the botanist and vine-grower Louis Vincent Tardent from Vevey in French-speaking Switzerland, lasted for five generations until the turbulence of World War Two forced the inhabitants to return to their homeland. Although this study is written by a descendant of the settlers, it is remarkably free …

The Forthcoming Annual Meeting, Heinz K. Meier

Swiss American Historical Society Newsletter

1. Time and Place

This year's annual meeting of the Swiss American Historical Society will take place on Saturday, December 28, at the Orrington Hotel, 1710 Orrington Avenue, in Evanston, Illinois, in connection with the national convention of the American Historical Association in Chicago.

Other Books Received

Swiss American Historical Society Newsletter

A collection of books received.

Two Congratulatory Messages, Leo Schelbert

Swiss American Historical Society Newsletter

On August 1, 1974, Dr. med. Hans C. Syz, the noted psychiatrist and president of the Lifwynn Foundations of Westport, Connecticut, celebrated his eightieth birthday. The SAHS is privileged to extend the most cordial good wishes to its distinguished member and wishes him many more years of high accomplishment.

Carl Bodmer: A Biographical Sketch, Hans Läng

Swiss American Historical Society Newsletter

Almost every illustrated work on North American Indians has pictures by Carl Bodmer, the gifted Swiss painter. Experts as well as interested laymen are impressed by his excellent portrayals of various types of Indians and their world. When we look for the artist's signature, however, we often find nothing but "after Wied" under the picture or else the name of an engraver. Thieme-Becker, Benezit, Nagel, and any number of other editors of the various encyclopedias of artists, refer to Carl Brun (Schwizerisches Kunstler-Lexikon, Frauenfeld 1905), whenever they mention Bodmer. And here, too, we find precious little information about the painter.

The Passing Of Two Noted Swiss Americans

Swiss American Historical Society Newsletter

Dr. med. Karl Friedrich Meyer (1884-1974)

Karl Friedrich Meyer was born in Basel on May 19, 1884, as the son of Theodore Meyer zum Pfeil and Sophie Meyer-Lichtenhahn. After grammar school he attended the Humanistische Gymnasium of Basel and started in 1902 his graduate work in biology. Later he transferred to the University of Zurich where he studied comparative pathology and physiology and began to immerse himself in his favored field of specialization, veterinary medicine.

Book Review: Amicable Agreement Versus Majority Rule: Conflict Resolution In Switzerland, Frank Tachau

Swiss American Historical Society Newsletter

Writing a review of a book about Swiss politics for Swiss-American readers is not an easy task for a non-Swiss political scientist. Unfortunately, the Swiss political system has simply not been a very popular subject for investigation by American political scientists. Since Switzerland is the oldest and perhaps most successful multi-ethnic political system in Europe, if not the world, this lack of attention and popularity is very regrettable indeed, The appearance in English translation of this book by Jurg Steiner of the University of North Carolina (with teaching affiliations at the Universities of Zurich and Geneva as well) does a …

Book Review: Rapperswil Im 19. Jahrhundert, Leo Schelbert

Swiss American Historical Society Newsletter

The seven essays assembled in this book present excellent examples of the great value of local history for the professional historian. Eugen Halter, now a retired schoolteacher, had gathered a wealth of material that highlighted aspects of the 19th century economic and social history of the town of Rapperswil. Thus he offers in one chapter a sketch of the region's economic situation about 1850; in another he descries the stormy career of the liberal clergyman Felix Helbling (1802-1873). who had been greatly influenced by Ignaz Vital Troxler (1780-1866) and Heinrich Zschokke (1771-1848), two leaders of the liberal movement which after …

Two Distinguished Swiss Visitors In Chicago: Max Frisch And Jean Piaget, Leo Schelbert

Swiss American Historical Society Newsletter

On April 11, 1974, the Consulate General of Switzerland proudly announced: "The famous Swiss writer, winner of numerous awards and honorary member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, Max Frisch, author of novels, plays and diaries and one of the leading personalities in modern literature, will be in Chicago." As a major event a reading hour had been arranged for Tuesday, April 23, at the University of Illinois - in cooperation with the Consulate General of (West) Germany and the Swiss Benevolent Society of Chicago - where the author was to read from his recently published Sketchbook 1966-1971.

News From The President, Heinz K. Meier

Swiss American Historical Society Newsletter

Our annual meeting for 1974 has been tentatively scheduled for Saturday, December 28, to take place in Chicago in conjunction with the annual convention of the American Historical Association. Please keep this date open and be on the lookout for additional information concerning the meeting and the business to be transacted, most importantly that of electing a new president.

History Of The Swiss American Historical Society, Heinz K. Meier

Swiss American Historical Society Newsletter

4. Years of Silence*

Professor Senn realized that the society faced many difficulties. For one thing, membership had dwindled. There were 45 life members but only 61 annual members who had paid their dues for 1949. The treasurer considered them "fairly active" even though few had paid their dues for 1950 and only three of four for 1951. Swiss clubs and organizations had stopped paying their membership dues as long back and 1939. True, there was a stack of 120 cards of former members but they had not been hard from since the early 1940s. This was a bleak picture …

Introductory Remarks, Leo Schelbert

Swiss American Historical Society Newsletter

The present newsletter contains four items which, hopefully, will be of interest to SAHS members. Professor Heinz K. Meier presents the fourth part of his history of the Swiss American Historical Society. He shoes with much tact and lucidity how the organization almost vanished in the late 1950's and how its revival occurred largely due o the efforts of Dr. Lukas F. Burckhardt, then Cultural Counselor of the Embassy of Switzerland in Washington.

Bookreviews, George A. Codding Jr.

Swiss American Historical Society Newsletter

Dear Dr. Burckhardt:

During the research for a new book on Swiss federalism, I had the occasion to renew my acquaintance with a book which has probably received far less attention among those interested in Switzerland than it perhaps should have. The book in question is William Gorhan Rice, Law Among States in Federacy: A Survey of Decisions of the Swiss Federal Tribunal in Intercantonal Controversies (Appleton, Wisconsin: C.C. Nelson Publishing Company, 1959), the writing of which was subsidized, according to the author, by the Penrose Fund of the American Philosophical Society and the University of Wisconsin.

An American Glances At Switzerland: Horace Greeley's Swiss Journey 1851

Swiss American Historical Society Newsletter

I left Milan an 5 o'clock on the morning of the 10th, via Railroad to Como, at the foot of the Lake of like name, which we reached in an hour and a half, thence taking the Swiss Government Diligence for this place, via the pass of St. Gothard. Even before reaching Como (only some twenty miles from Milan), the spurs of the Alps had begun to gather around us, and the little Lake itself is completely embosomed by them. Barely skirting its southern border, we crossed the Swiss frontier and bade adieu to the Passport swindle for a season, …

The Tenth Annual Meeting Of The Swiss American Historical Society

Swiss American Historical Society Newsletter

The tenth annual meeting of the reactivated SAHS started promptly at 10:30 a.m. at the Swiss Town House, 35 Wes 67th Street in New York City. Dr. Heinz K. Meier, SAHS President, welcomed the 27 people attending and officially opened the session.