Alfred Lueben

Who was Alfred Lueben?

Alfred Lueben was a German-born music professor and conductor in Seattle, Washington.

Around 1889, Lueben immigrated to San Francisco, California with his wife Sabine, daughter Lillian, and son Alfred. He was active from 1890 to 1932 as a music teacher, church organist, choir conductor, director of his own concert band, retailer, and as a prominent Seattle citizen who helped lead the local German community.

A notable figure in Seattle's German community, Professor Lueben lead the Lueben Orchester in shows and dances. He directed his Seattle Liederkranz in a “Grosses Konzert, Oper und Ball” at Turn-Halle and “Grand Concert, Opera & Ball” was held at the Germania Hall.

Alfred Lueben was featured in a locally published 1906 book titled Men Behind the Seattle Spirit. When planning began for Seattle’s first world’s fair, Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, he helped organize the musical entertainment that would be performed for fairgoers on German Day, August 18, 1909.

In 1910 the Lueben began a costume retail shop in the Clemmer Theater building, and went on to rent tuxedos and dress suits. He and his son Alfred ran the store for many years.