James E. Homans, editor, The Cyclopædia of American Biography… (1918)
“ He began his musical career as conductor for singing societies. In 1849 he started for America, settling in Milwaukee, Wis., where he founded the famous Musical Verein of Milwaukee, in 1851. He produced several oratorios and operas, and conducted musical festivals in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Detroit, Chicago, and Pittsburgh. In 1860 he became leader of the newly founded Philharmonic Society of Chicago, in 1867 director of the Germania Männerchor, and in the same year conducted a musical festival in Indianapolis. ”
