Account of the 1st Clewell Family Reunion

During the spring of 1903, the compilers of the Family history saw and felt the advantage of a Family reunion. They expressed their opinions to some who were anxious about the success of the history with a view to create a sentiment for the reunion till the following year. Instead, a sentiment in favor of immediate action arose so strongly that in June a preliminary meeting was held at Nazareth, Pa,, and the following officers elected; president, Lewis B. Clewell, of Bethlehem, Pa.; vice— presidents, Rev. Lewis P. Clewell and Bishop J. M. Levering, both of Bethlehem, Pa.; secretary, W. D. Seyfried, of Bethlehem, Pa.; treasurer, Harry E. Clewell, of Nazareth, Pa.

So enthusiastic were those in attendance at this meeting which was attended by ladies as well as gentlemen, that the date for the reunion was fixed for August 26, 1903, when the first reunion of the Clewells should take place. The Rev. George F. Bahnson, then pastor of the Schoeneck Moravian Church, extended an invitation to hold the first reunion at the religious altar of the progenitors of this large family. The invitation was cheerfully accepted and committees on arrangements and music were appointed. The former consisted of Harry E. Clewell, chairman, G. A. Schneebeli, Ephraim Loux, Stephen Trein, Eugene Stocker, Edwin Clewell and Tilghman Fehr and the latter of Stephen Trein, Ellis Schneebeli and Tilghman Steiner.

The president was also empowered to appoint a committee to be known as the Executive Committee which consisted of Monroe Clewell, Oliver L. Fehr, Edwin Clewell, Walter Clewell, James H. Fehr, Francis G. Fher, William A. Siegfried, John J. Clewell, William H. Friebely, Ephraim Loux, Thomas B. Clewell, Martin Oewell, G. A. Schneebeli, Oliver A. Clewell, 0. B. Desh, Thomas D. Clewell, A. S. Bishop and A. B. Fehr. The committees and the officers immediately began the planning for the reunion and to make it a memorable day for those who should attend.

The historians had gathered at this time about 400 families and to them were sent invitations with the request that they should extend the invitation to others who were likely to belong to the descendants of the Clewells and by the responses received by the secretary it bid fair to assure a large crowd.

There was something peculiarly appropriate in celebrating a reunion near the spot where the ancestors had lived and worked. Many came from a distance to meet with the scenes of their childhood and the friends whom they had left as they went forth into the world. Others who were ignorant of the fact that all Clewells in America were closely related to each other came on a mission for information and identify.

The early hours of August 26, the date of the first reunion, promised a bright and sunny day with a mild atmosphere and as early as seven o’clock did the young and old begin to assemble in the village of Schoeneck. The graves of the deceased members on the cemetery were marked by a white silken streamer with the letter "C" stamped upon it in bronze while the graves of those who were connected with the family through marriage were marked by a blue silken streamer.

The grave of Mother Clewell (Stamm-mutter) as well as the graves of her two sons, Franz and George Clewell were more elaborately decorated with streamers and floral tributes.

The celebrating spirit was evident among the crowd as it gathered and registered on the blanks prepared by the committee and by ten o’clock fully Soo members and relatives of the family were wearing the button with the following inscription. "First Reunion, Clewell Family, 1737, August 26, 1903. So surprising was the attendance that it may best be illustrated by the following incident. The president although hardly able to be present on account of ill health stood gazing down the road toward Nazareth when he was accosted thus: "Ai! Ai! Lewis was hustch du gemocht Guk! die gonsa welt kurn’t yo noch da Clawelda reunion!" (Oh Lewis, what have you done! Has the whole world come to the Clewell reunion?)

At 10 o’clock, a trombone choir consisting of Messrs. John J. Reinheimer, Carl Seyfried, William H Trein, Sydney Beitel. Samuel Ruth, Stephen A. Trein and Harry Kellar announced the beginning of the programme from the belfry of the church by rendering a few of the familiar and beautiful Moravian. tunes after which the people gathered in the orchard back of the church where a platform and seats had been erected. Rev. Lewis P. Clewell delivered the opening address in which he pointed out the objects of the reunion: first, to promote devotion; second, information; third, Inspiration; and fourth, association, Rev. William Oerter of New Dorf, Staten Island, led the devotional exercises after which the president, Lewis P. Clewell offered a few remarks on the history of the Clewell family in America and deplored his inability to do justice to the occasion on account of his illness.

The address of welcome was ably and appropriately delivered by Rev. George F. Bahnson. He emphasized the sterling qualities in the characters of Madame Kuechle and her two sons, Franz and George Cleweil. and extended the warm hand of friendship to the descendants in coming home to the religious shrine of the ancestors. Rev. Robert E. Clewell of Hopedale, Pa., responded. He spoke of the prolific family-tree and offered words of praise for the devotion of the many to their ancestors and extolled- the virtues and patriotism of the fathers and reminded his audience of the future and its responsibilities. Other brief addresses followed after which a business session took place when all the officers were re-elected except Harry E. Clewell who declined and was succeeded by William A. Siegfried and a resoluion passed to have a second reunion within the next year. During the noon hour the sextette gave a delightful concert while many took luncheon which the Sisters’ Union of the Schoeneck Church had furnished.

At two o’clock the people again gathered in the orchard to listen to the historical sketch of the family and to hear the secretary’s report which gave full information as to the extent of the family and the work accomplished on the history. Rev. T.G. Clewell of South Park, Ohio, read an original poem and followed with a brief address.

The assemblage then proceeded from the orchard to the graveyard, the trombonists leading where the memorial services were held. Rev. Lewis P. Clewell delivered a masterly address full of inspiration and aspiration and which should be here recorded but his unexpected removal from our ranks left the manuscripts incomplete. Rev. T. G. Clewell closed the programme by a brief address and the benediction.

The reunion was attended by at least 1200 people and all expressed their highest praise for the occasion. The expenses which amounted to over $110 were met by voluntary contributions.

OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES OF THE FIRST REUNION OF THE CLEWELL FAMILY

The members reading from left to right of each row are as follows: 1st row W. D. Seyfried, Secretary: Rev.George H. Bahnson,Pastor of the Schoeneck Church : Rev. T. G. Clewell, of South Park OH.; Lewis B. Clewell President; Ellis Schneebeli, Rev Lewis P. Clewell, O. L. Fehr, Rev Robert Clewell, Ephraim Loux, J. H. Fehr 2nd Row- Thomas R. Clewell, S. T. P. Steiner, A. S. Bishop, H. E. Clewell, O. A. Clewell, F. G. Fehr, S.A. Trein, W. A. Siegfried, 3rd Row- Monroe Clewell, J. J. Clewell, Thos. D. Clewell, Walter Clewell, O.B. Desh, G. A. Schneebeli, and Rev. Wm.Oerter

GODS ACRE IN THE YEAR 1903

The graves of the deceased members on the cemetery were marked by a white silken streamer with the letter "C" stamped upon it in bronze while the graves of those who were connected with the family through marriage were marked by a blue silken streamer.