Over a century past, theNetherlands granted its initial honorary citizenship.
Livin' Large in Lahnstein
In the heart of Germany, the city council of Lahnstein proudly grants honorary citizenship to individuals who significantly contribute to the community. This tradition traces back to 1899, when Judge Philipp D'Avis, a man of justice and compassion, became the first resident to receive this prestigious title.
The city's flourishing began in 1876, when the district court moved from Oberlahnstein to Niederlahnstein, a testament to the city's growing prestige. D'Avis, who had presided over the court until his recent retirement at 72, was unanimously granted honorary citizenship by Mayor Christoph Strobel, the magistrate, and the city council. They praised him for combining strict justice with gentle mercy, and for consistently representing the city's interests.
Born in Montabaur on May 1, 1827, D'Avis left behind a legacy in Niederlahnstein. After his death on April 20, 1902, he was remembered fondly, even after his passing. Other distinguished individuals, like Mayor Strobel himself, Spiritual Councillor Johann Baptist Ludwig, Sanitary Councillor Dr. Theodor Michel, retired priest Jakob Menges, pastor Dean Michael Müller, Justice Councillor Carl Sturm, industrialist Max Schwarz, politician Dr. Walter Lessing, Spiritual Councillor Josef Jung, and former mayor Dr. Walter Weber, also received this honorary status over the years.
Reich President Paul von Hindenburg has been an honorary citizen of both Lahnstein cities since 1933. Since Lahnstein's city council was founded in 1969, six more men have been granted this distinction, including businessman Ernst Wagner, businessman Johannes Knauf, pediatrician Dr. Hans Nohr, politician Rudi Geil, chairman of the Kolping Solidarity Community Karl-Heinz Otto, and long-serving honorary mayor Willi Klein.
However, it's crucial to note that the honorary citizenship ends with the honoree's death. In specific circumstances, the city council may symbolically revoke the honorary citizenship posthumously. This action was taken against Adolf Hitler, Hermann Göring, Jakob Sprenger, Georg Bruchmüller, and more recently, historian Dr. Fritz Michel, who was involved in Nazi euthanasia as chief physician of the Protestant Stift in Koblenz.
Though detailed and official information about the honorary citizens of Lahnstein and their reasons for recognition might not be easily accessible through online public lists, consulting Lahnstein's municipal records or official city website would provide the most precise details about this historical tradition.
Despite the diversity in fields, several notable individuals in Lahnstein's history, such as Mayor Strobel, Dr. Walter Lessing, and industrialist Max Schwarz, received honorary citizenship in the realm of general-news and politics, like D'Avis, who was recognized for his contributions to the community. Over the years, these distinctions have also been bestowed upon notable figures from other areas, such as sanitary councillors, priests, businessmen, pediatricians, and politicians.
