Note 270 — Chapter XXIV · GERMAN-AMERICAN GYMNASTIC SOCIETIES AND THE NORTH AMERICAN TURNERBUND.

The “Central Turnverein” of New York City drew him away for two years (1889-1891) with its $800,000 building and its membership of 3000, to take charge of classes which soon enrolled 160 actives, 100 older men, 150 women, and from 1400 to 1500 children. Meanwhile the Normal School of the Turnerbund had been moved to Indianapolis, but a building of its own was now ready in Milwaukee, connected with the new home of the Teachers College and the German-American Academy (the model school of the College), and in these commodious quarters Brosius took up again the task of training teachers. Seven courses were held and 59 more men were graduated under him between 1891 and 1899. In the latter year he retired permanently from the Normal School, but took up his earlier position in Turnverein “Milwaukee,” to continue there his active teaching until in June of 1914 he had rounded out a full half-century of professional achievement. He died in Milwaukee March 17, 1920.

No account of his career would be complete without mention of the famous “Frankfort Squad” of 1880. The fifth general German Turnfest was to be held at Frankfort-on-the-Main on July 25-28 of that year, and Turnverein “Milwaukee” decided to send a team of seven members, under their teacher Brosius, to take part in the exercises and compete for prizes. To the amazement of everyone, at home and abroad, they succeeded in winning second, third, fifth, sixth, thirteenth and twenty-first place in the competitions. Herman Koehler, whose mother was the oldest sister of Brosius, carried off the second prize. He afterwards completed the course at the Normal School (1882) under his uncle, and since 1885 has been Master of the Sword and director of physical training at the West Point Military Academy, with the present rank of Colonel.