UNIVERSITY OF
ILLINOIS LIBRARY
AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN
ILLINOIS HISTORICAL SURVEY
CLERICAL BEAD ROLL
OF THE
DIOCESE of ALTON, ILL.
By
A. ZURBONSEN
(Sacerdos Altonensis)
1918
PRICE, ONE DOLLAR
Requiem aeternam dona eis Domine,
Et lux perpetua luceat eis
Requiescant in Pace
s
F recent years earnest and laudable efforts are being made of
rummaging through archives ami book shelves, newspaper
files, scrap-bcoks, etc., for the purpose of delving into the
past and of extricating therefrom such facts and figures as
are thought to be of importance, or at least oi interest to the present
and coming generation. Numerous historical societies, both in church
and state are founded for the purpose of conserving and saving from
oblivion and destruction such names, deeds and mementos of men of
action, who have generously contributed by their noble lives and un-
selfish endeavors to the betterment of society.
To this class of public benefactors >the deceased members of our
Catholic Clergy must be added ; hence it seems but just and meet, that
their names and achievements be perpetuated and handed down to
posterity. Though not all have met with equal success in their voca-
tional sphere of activity, yet, all were animated by the one and same
impulse, viz, to make the world better than it had been before. To
this end they ceaselessly toiled and moiled from early 'till late, for it
their noble, unselfish and Christ-like lives were spent.
It would appear that there were no time more propitious or more
opportune than the present that the publication of brief biographical
sketches of these indefatigable workers in the Master's vinyard of the
Diocese of Alton be launched forth in print. May they serve a source
of pious edification to the faithful and a powerful stimulant to their
surviving confreres.
Regarding the Alton diocesan clergy, however, the following bit
of history not generally known may here be adverted to, namely, that
prior to the erection of the bishopric of Chicago in 1843, the spiritual
jurisdiction over the Catholic population of Illinois had been exercised
by the bishops of Yincennes and St. Louis. The pioneer priests who
in those days ministered to the needs of the people living within the
territory of the present diocese of Alton received their "faculties" from
them. Many were recalled, however, by their respective Ordinaries to
their own dioceses as soon as the creation of the Diocese of Chicago
had become an accomplished fact. Our Catholic people of the State
were shepherded thereupon by the bishops and priests of Chicago from
1843 'till 1857, in which latter year a division of the extensive Diocese
of Chicago took place and the Diocese of Alton was called into being
Hence, in the list of these biographical sketches the deceased prelates
and priests of the former diocese up to the year 1857 must be accorded
space and attention if this work would claim merit of completeness.
Quincy Ittinoi. ZURBONSEN.
January 1, 1918.
418578
RT. REV. WM. QUARTER, D. D.
First Bishop of Chicago,
March 10, 1844 April 10, 1848.
"Serve bone et fidelis, intra in gaudium
Domini tui".
During the fifth Provincial Council
of Baltimore which convened May 14,
1843, the Bishops present proposed to
the Holy See the formation of three
new bishoprics, namely, Little Rock,
Albany and Chicago. The pious and
zealous pastor of St. Mary's, New
York City, was appointed first Bishop
of Chicago. He was consecrated by
the great Bishop John Hughes in the
old Cathedral on Mott street, New
York City, on the third Sunday of
Lent, March 10, 1844.
With the coming of Bishop Quarter
to Chicago the southeastern portion
of our present diocese became elim-
inated from the jurisdiction of the
Bishop of Vincennes, whose valiant
clergy were likewise withdrawn, and
henceforth became subject to the new
Ordinary of Chicago. Some of our
older men served yet under him. Like-
wise did all jurisdiction of Bishop
Rosati of St. Louis cease over Illinois.
Bishop William Quarter was born
in Killurine, Kings County, Ireland,
January 21, 1806. When sixteen years
old he came to America, April 10,
1822. The vessel in which he sailed
landed at Quebec. He applied to the
Bishop of Quebec and Montreal to be
received as an ecclesiastical student
but his youth was urged as an objec-
tion. He then went to Mt. St. Mary's,
Emmitsburg, Md., where he was
gladly welcomed by Fr. Dubois, presi-
dent of that institution. His progress,
owing to a well-made preparatory
course was rapid. On Sept. 19, 1829,
he was raised to the dignity of the
priesthood by the Rt. Rev. Dr. Du-
bois, Bishop of New York under a
special dispensation, he not being 23
years old. He became at once pastor
of St. Peter's and on June 9, 1833,
pastor of the new St. Mary's parish,
which position he held till elevated to
the Episcopacy in 1844. The recall of
the priests by the Bishop of Vin-
cennes from in and around Chicago
and other portions of the eastern half
of the state beset the new Bishop with
unexpected difficulties. In conse-
quence he set about founding a col-
lege, the nucleus of the future Uni-
versity of St. Mary of the Lake, be-
Page Seven
ginning with six students and two
professors. Throughout his short
episcopal career he maintained the
same unflagging, zealous spirit which
had characterized him as pastor in
Xew York. He set out on a tour of
inspection of the diocese. A diocesan
visitation in those days was an ardu-
ous undertaking fraught with many
risks and hazards, at a time when the
vehicle was an ox-team or horse
wagon, or horse-back, sitting on the
quaint saddle-bags, journeying over
marsh or prairie or through the forest
for Illinois along her creeks and
rivers had in the forties her heavy
wooded sections. Add to all this his
mental work preparing for and hold-
ing his synod, publishing his excellent
pastorals to mission rectors and their
flocks, and above all that ever abiding
thought "The solicitude of all the
Church," of which an account is to
be handed to. the Shepherd of Souls.
No wonder, being anyhow of a frail
and delicate constitution, when he
was shouldered "with a load that
would sink a navy," he sank under the
weight writes Father Shaw in the
story of the La Salle Mission and
after four years strengthened by all
that is refreshing and hopef'il, passed
to his Lord, Whom he had served so
faithfully. Consummates brevi ex-
plevit multa!
Bishop William Quarter, who died
a rather sad and sudden death April
10, 1848, was buried in a vault under
the main altar of old St. Mary's Cathe-
dral, in Chicago. R. I. P.
RT. REV. JAMES OLIVER VAN DE VELDE, D. D.
Second Bishop of Chicago,
February, 1849^-November, 1853.
"Hie vir despiciens mundum et terrena
triumphans, divitias coelo condidit ore,
that the Holy See had found a worthy
successor in the person of Very Rev.
The calamity which by the sudden Oliver Van de Velde, S. J., a native
death of the energetic young Bishop of Belgium, born April 3, 1795. He was
Quarter had cast a pall of gloom and
sadness over the youthful diocese of
Chicago on April 10, 1848, was some-
what mitigated when it became known
Page Eight
a former president of St. Louis Uni-
versity and vice president of the
Order; a man of great moral force
and learning, well equipped for the
exalted though onerous and respon-
sible position. The brother of the de-
ceased Bishop who had been his Vicar
General and counsellor in many dif-
ficulties and perplexities, V. Rev.
Walter J. Quarter, had acted in the
meantime as Administrator of the be-
reaved diocese, receiving the appoint-
ment to that position from the Most
Rev. Dr. Eccleston of Baltimore.
The prominent position occupied
by Father Van de Velde in his own
Order, the important services ren-
dered by him to the cause of religion
in the United States and the acquaint-
ance which was thus formed between
him and many Prelates of the church
who entertained a high appreciation of
his talents, piety and zeal led to his
being selected as the successor to
Bishop Quarter in the diocese of Chi-
cago. Archbishop Eccleston received
from Rome the bulls appointing him
to that See Dec. 1, 1848. He was
consecrated by the Archbishop of St.
Louis, Most Rev. Peter Kenrick, as-
sisted by Bishop Loras of Dubuque
and Bishop Miles of Nashville, on
Sunday, February 11, 1849, in the
Church of St. Francis Xavier. at-
tached to the St. Louis University.
Bishop Spalding of Louisville
preached the consecration sermon.
The advent of the new Bishop into
his diocese was hailed with delight
by the clergy and laity of Chicago.
After spending a few months in ar-
ranging the concerns of the diocese in
Chicago and vicinity, he began his
first visitation July 25, 1849. These
visitations were journeys of severe
labor and unremitting zeal for the
spiritual improvement of his flock.
Besides administering confirmation at
all practicable times and places, the
distances were so great and the means
of traveling so inconvenient and un-
certain, that he had to pass through
the country as a missionary laboring
for the salvation of souls and per-
forming every kind of clerical and
spiritual service. Twice he made such
episcopal visitations throughout the
vast extent of his diocese within
whose confines the entire state was
embraced, hence also the territory of
our present Alton diocese.
Bishop Van de Velde's health had
not been good for several years; he
suffered severely from rheumatism
which was greatly aggravated by the
cold, damp and penetrating air of Chi-
cago. His health was still further im-
paired by the anxieties of his office
and by the hostility and opposition of
a small number of his clergy and
laity. A few disaffected persons can
accomplish much evil, and Bishop
Van de Velde found himself fre-
quently without adequate sympathy
or support in his charitable efforts.
(R. H. Clark in "Lives of Deceased
Bishops.")
In consequence of his suffering
health and the unfavorable influence
of the northwestern climate he for-
warded a petition to Rome to be re-
leased from the burden of office. It
was during the second visitation of
his diocese that he finally received
from Rome the brief transferring him
to the vacant See of Natchez, agree-
ably to his own request. The transfer
dates from July 2, 1853. Bishop Van
de Velde departed for the South Nov.
3, 1853, and arrived at Natchez Nov.
23, where he was most joyfully re-
ceived by all the clergy and people
who had so often heard of his great
labors, noble sacrifices and heroic ser-
vices to religion.
He died November 13, 1855, on the
Feast of St. Stanislaus in whose honor
he had just finished a novena, aged 60
years and 7 months. His remains
were deposited in a vault under the
sanctuary of St. Mary's Cathedral in
Natchez.
Pagt Nine
RT. REV. ANTHONY O'REGAN, D. D.
Third Bishop of Chicago,
1854-1857.
"Os justi meditabitur sapientiam
Et lingua ejus loquetur judicium''.
Bishop O'Regan was born in the
town of Lavalloe, County Mayo, Ire-
land in the year 1809. After complet-
ing his preparatory studies he spent
eight years in Maynooth going
through a thorough course of philos-
ophy, theology, church history and
sacred eloquence. Having completed
his ecclesiastical studies he received
Holy Orders and said his first Mass
in the chapel of the Maynooth Col-
lege. His superiors were anxious to
retain the talented young priest for
college work. With great success he
taught for ten years at St. Jarlath's
in Tuam, after which he rose to the
presidency of the institution; this po-
sition he occupied for five years with
the greatest distinction.
In 1849 Archbishop Kenrick estab-
lished his Seminary at St. Louis and
installed Father O'Regan, whom he
had induced to come to America, as
president. Under his regime the
Seminary soon began to flourish and
to send forth worthy laborers in the
vineyard of the Lord.
Page Ten
Since the bishopric of Chicago had
become vacant by the resignation of
Bishop Van de Velde, the unanimous
choice fell upon Father O'Regan as
the man eminently qualified to fill
the Episcopal office of that rapidly
growing diocese. His name for the
position was forwarded to Rome. The
Holy See, in consequence of the
strong recommendation and unani-
mous endorsement of Father O'Regan
nominated him for the Chicago dio-
cese and the bulls of appointment
were immediately transmitted to the
Archbishop of St. Louis. However,
the Bishop-elect strenuously opposed
the nomination and sent back the bulls
to Rome. But the Holy See had
spoken and did not withdraw its ap-
pointment. The papers were returne.l
to the Bishop-elect, who said: "I ac-
cept them only in the spirit of obe-
dience."
On July 25, 1854, the feast of St.
James the Apostle, the ceremony of
consecration took place in the Cathe-
dral of St. Louis, the Most Rev. Arch-
bishop Kenrick being consecrator. The
assistant Bishops were Rt. Rev. Oliver
Van de Velde of Natchez, Rt. Rev.
John Martin Henni of Milwaukee, Rt.
Rev. Mathias Loras of Dubuque, and
Rt. Rev. Bishop Miles of Nashville.
The eloquent sermon was preached by
Rev. James Duggan of St. Louis (who
a few years afterwards succeeded him
as Bishop of Chicago).
On the 3rd day of September, 1854,
the ceremony of installation took
place in St. Mary's Cathedral amid the
universal rejoicing of the clergy and
laity of Chicago. It is easily under-
stood that a vast field was opened to-
Bishop O'Regan on his arrival in his
See city, and mighty interests at stake
claimed his immediate attention, and
he lost no time in looking after the
pressing needs-of the diocese.
When making a visitation of the
diocese, he encountered as many
hardships as his predecessors, but
physically a strong man, he never
knew sickness nor fatigue, hence he
would frequently walk from one mis-
sion to another when the distance was
not too great.
( But Bishop O'Regan was by no
means a happy man under the weighty
burden of the mitre. He had accepted
the dignity of the Episcopacy under
protest, in obedience, and he could
never make the onerous duties con-
genial to his tastes. After a "trial", as
he called it, he determined to go to
Rome and place his resignation into
the hands of the Supreme Pontiff.
Bishop O'Regan's resignation was re-
luctaatly accepted and he was ap-
pointed Bishop of Dora in partibus
infidelium.
He passed the remainder of his life
in quiet retreat at Michael's Grove,
Brompton.
The third Bishop of Chicago died
November 13, 1866, aged 57 years.
His remains were conveyed to his
native parish of Cloufad, Archdiocese
of Tuam, where they found their last
resting place. R. I. P.
RT. REV. JOSEPH MELCHER, D. D.
Bishop-elect of the Diocese of Quincy
1853
Bishop of Green Bay, Wise.
1868-1873.
"Justum deduxit Dominus per vias rectas
Et ostendit illi regnum Dei".
Whilst the first Plenary Council of
Baltimore was in session (1852) it
was unanimously decided by the pre-
lates assembled that the great dio-
cese of Chicago which comprised
within its jurisdiction the whole state
of Illinois, be partitioned and a sec-
ond diocese be created. A petition to
this effect was at once forwarded to
Rome. Pope Pius IX acquiesced in
the wishes thus expressed, and under
date of July 29, 1853, formally and
officially approved of the establish-
ment of the new diocese of Quincy.
The document which announced this
important decision was signed by
Cardinal Lambruschini. The territory
set apart for the Diocese of Quincy
comprised the counties of Adams,
Brown, C a s s, Menard,. Sagamon,
Macon, Moultrie, Coles and Edgar,
on a line from the Mississippi to the
Wabash river. It was to be a suf-
fragan bishopric of the archbishopric
of St. Louis. The new diocese had
at the time of its erection (rather at
the end of 1853) 51 churches, 34 mis-
sions, 23 priests and 42,000 members.
Bishop Van de Velde had always
manifested a great interest for
Quincy, yea even previous to the re-
ceipt of above mentioned papal bull
had already selected a convenient
spot for a future cathedral and epis-
copal residence there, in June, 1852.
Had his ailments and adverse local
conditions not influenced him to ab-
dicate and move south to Natchez,
.Quincy would have had i;s bishop
there and then.
Rome's selection for first Bishop
of the new diocese fell upon the Very
Rev. Joseph Melcher. priest and Vicar
Page Eleven
General of the Archdiocese of St.
Louis. However, Father Melcher de-
clined the honor, and refused to ac-
cept. Foreseeing the difficult task
which awaited him as Administrator
of Chicago, which duty was assigned
him since the resignation of Bishop
local conditions, moreover, aggravate 1
such opposition. At the Provincial
Council held in St. Louis, October,
1855, the opponents to Quincy were in
the majority, resolutions were adopted
by which the transfer of the See from
Quincy to Alton was urgently sug-
Van de Velde had been acceded to by
Rome, he became timorous. The
Quincy diocese sede vacante was
then placed under the administrator-
ship of Archbishop Kenrick of St.
Louis and that of Chicago under the
Bishop of Milwaukee till the appoint-
ment of Bishop Anthony O'Regan to
the vacancy of Chicago, who was con-
secrated in St. Mary's Cathedral of
that city on September 3, 1854.
And what became ultimately of the
See of Quincy? Remonstrances to its
continuance were sent to Rome based
on allegations that Quincy as a seat
of a Bishop was too far removed
from the center of the diocese, being
located almost in its extreme north-
western corner; prevailing adverse
gested to the Roman Propaganda.
Rome acted on this suggestion, the
Diocese of Alton was established
January 9, 1857, with the appointment
of Rev. Damian Juncker, of Dayton,
Ohio, as its first Bishop. The diocese
of Quincy became absorbed by that
of Alton.
Bishop-elect Melcher continued his
duties as priest and Vicar General in
St. Louis until his elevation to the
bishopric of Green Bay, Wis., July,
1868. He died in 1873.
A native of Vienna, he was born in
the Austrian capital March 19, 1806,
ordained a priest March 27, 1830, and
arrived in America in 1843, when he
at once set out for St. Louis, Mo.
R. I. P.
Page Twelve
RT. REV. HENRY DAMIAN JUNCKER, D. D.
First Bishop of Alton,
1857-1868.
I
''Amavit eum Dominus, et ornavit eum,
Stolam gloriae induit eum".
Rt. Rev. Henry Damian Juncker,
the prelate chosen to preside as first
Bishop over the destinies of the in-
fant diocese of Alton, was a man dis-
tinguished for the sanctity of his life
and the devotedness to his mission-
ary labors. He was a native of Fene-
trange, Diocese of Nancy, Lorraine,
born August 22, 1809. He came to
this country when young, attached
himself to the Diocese of Cincinnati,
made his ecclesiastical studies in that
city and was raised to the priesthood
by Bishop Purcell on Passion Sunday,
March 16, 1834, at Cincinnati, being
the first priest ordained by that Pre-
late.
He was appointed to Holy Trinity,
the first German church in Cincinnati
and in 1836 became rector of St.
Mary's Canton, attending it with its
numerous missions, for ten years,
when he was transferred to Urbana,
also a position of no little labor. In
1845, he was made pastor of the
Church of Emmanuel at D a v t o n.
Father Juncker had spent twenty-
three years in onerous missionary
labor until 1857, when he became
Bishop of Alton. The consecration
ceremonies were performed by Bishop
Purcell on Sunday, April 26, 1857, in
St. Peter's Cathedral, Cincinnati: The
assistant Prelates were Bishop Henni,
of Milwaukee and Bishop Young of
Erie. There were also present Bishops
Miles, Lefevre, Spalding, De St. Palais
and Carrell.
The work to be accomplished by
Bishop Juncker in a new and rapidly
growing country, then but imperfectly
supplied with priests, churches and
schools, was arduous and difficult. He
spared no effort to build up the church
around him, and to supply his flock
with the blessings of religion and
education. His visitations of the dio-
cese were long and severe journeys,
and laborious missions among the
people, in which the Bishop performed
every office of the priesthood.
At his arrival the Diocese of Alton
was supplied with 58 churches, 30
Page Thirteen
stations, 28 priests and a population
of about 50,000. The Bishop soon be-
came convinced that his diocese was
suffering for want of priests. Unable
to satisfy himself in this country, he
turned his eyes towards older lands
in the hope of recruiting available
subjects. Accordingly he left late in
the fall of 1857 for Franc<fe : Italy,
Germany and Ireland. In afi these
countries his efforts were crowned
with success. Accompanied by many
of his recruits he sailed for Havre in
June, 1858, eager to repair to his dio-
cese. On his return home he lost no
time to prepare his students for or-
dination. To the Franciscans he gave
charge of the important mission of
Teutopolis in Effingham county.
The statistics of the Diocese of Al-
ton in 1868, the year of the Bishop's
death, contain the proudest eulogy on
Bishop Juncker and his work. The
number of priests were increased to
one hundred, besides twenty-five cleri-
cal students, the churches to one hun-
dred twenty-three, the parochial
schools to fifty-six. He bequeathed to
his diocese also two colleges for boys,
six academies for girls, two hospi-
tals and an orphan asylum. He also
erected the present fine episcopal
residence, designed at the same time
to serve as his Ecclesiastical Semin-
ary.
After a long and severe illness,
Bishop Juncker died at his residence
in Alton on the Feast of the Guardian
Angels, October 2, 1868.
RT. REV. PETER JOSEPH BALTES, D. D.
Second Bishop of Alton,
1870-1886.
''Nou est inventus similis illi
Qui conservaret legem Excelsi".
E n s h e i m, in Rhenish Bavaria,
claims honor of being the birthplace
of the second Bishop of our diocese,
the Rt. Rev. Peter Joseph Baltes, D.D.
There he first saw the light of day
Page Fourteen
on April 7, 1824. When six years old
he emigrated with his parents to
America. The family settled in the
State of New York. At the age of
sixteen he took private lessons and
thereupon continued his classical
course at Holy Cross College, Wor-
cester, Mass. He studied philosophy
and theology at the Seminary of St.
Mary's of the Lake, Chicago, whilst
he himself was instructor in German
and acted as prefect of studies. On
May 21, 1853, he was ordained to the
priesthood at the Grand Seminary of
Montreal. His first mission was
Waterloo, in Monroe county, where
he remained till 1855, when he was
ordered to Belleville. Here his first
care was to place the parochial school
on a good solid basis. For this pur-
pose he called in the School Sisters
of Notre Dame. His next attention
was directed towards building a new
church. Everything went seemingly
well in spite of many oppositions and
difficulties when owing to some de-
fects in construction the grand edifice,
which was nearing completion, col-
lapsed. Undaunted and undismayed
by these reverses, Father Baltes re-
sumed work again only more com-
plete and secure. The dedication of
St. Peter's now the Belleville cathe-
dral was a day of triumph for the
indomitable rector. Archbishop Ken-
rick of St. Louis, preached during the
Pontifical Mass celebrated by Bishop
Juncker. and Rev. P. J. Ryan, the late
Archbishop of Philadelphia, delivered
in the evening one of his best lec-
tures, never to be forgotten by those
who had the privilege to hear it.
When, in 1866, Bishop Juncker
went to Baltimore to attend the Sec-
ond Plenary Council, his choice fell
on the Belleville rector as his theo-
logian. Upon the suggestion of Arch-
bishop Purcell of Cincinnati, he was,
on the way to Baltimore, made Vicar
General of the Alton diocese. When
Bishop Juncker died, Father Baltes
was appointed Administrator of the
vacant See. During his administrator-
ship he obtained from the Illinois
State Legislature the passage of a
law under which the Catholic congre-
gations and institutions of the diocese
could be incorporated, entitled: "An
Act to provide for the holding of
Roman Catholic Churches, Cemeteries,
Colleges and other property." It was
a wise and prudent move on his part,
as was repeatedly demonstrated soon
after the law's enactment.
On September 24, 1869, Very Rev.
Administrator Baltes was appointed
by Pope Pius IX to succeed Bishop
Juncker. The consecration of the new
Bishop took place in the church built
by him, St. Peter's in Belleville,
January 23, 1870. As nearly all the
Bishops were in Rome attending the
Vactican Council, the difficulty was
to secure Bishops for the occasion.
Rt. Rev. Bishop Luers of Fort Wayne,
one of the few who had remained at
home, was the consecrator, assisted
by Bishop Toebbe, of Covington
just consecrated himself and by the
Very Rev. P. J. Ryan, Vicar General
and Administra or of St. Louis.
Father Baltes had been great as
pastor, he became even greater as
Bishop. This he proved by submit-
ting the whole diocese in all its varied
activities to a thorough reorganiza-
tion. He established regulations, laws
and discipline and demanded indis-
criminately obedience and respect for
Episcopal authority. He waged an
unrelenting war on some of the fore-
most and ablest Catholic newspapers
of the land, which had again and
again assailed his authority in matters
of discipline. Ambitious in his work,
he aimed at finding himself placed at
the head of the finest body of clergy-
men in the country and a time came
when it was deemied an honor to be-
long to the Diocese of Alton.
After a life of great activity Bishop
Baltes died February 15, 1886. His
funeral took place February 19, and
was attended by Archbishops Feehan
of Chicago, Kenrick of St. Louis,
Heiss of Milwaukee, by Bishop
Hogan of Kansas City, by one hun-
dred and sixty priests and vast crowds
of the laity. The remains were de-
posited in the vault under the sanc-
tuary of the Cathedral beside those
of his predecessor. Bishop Juncker.
R. I. P.
Page Fifteen
REV. HENRY ADER.
"I thank Thee, Lord, that Thou has kept.
The best in store, not known before".
The people of Carlinville, more par-
ticularly those of St. Joseph's congre-
gation, were deeply moved when it
became known that Rev. Henry Ader,
for about ten years pastor of the
parish, had died at St. John's Hospital
of Springfield. This sad and distress-
ing news cast a pall of genuine grief
and gloom over many hearts and
homes and March 5th, 1909, will long
continue to be remembered by them
as the day on which they sustained a
great loss, because on this day death
summoned their friend and pastor. It
was a shock to all, the announcement
of his death, that was somewhat les-
sened by the fact that Father Ader
had been known to be in a serious
condition for several days; his death
therefore, was not entirely unexpect-
ed. It was hoped, however, till the
last that he might rally again and
once more be able to take up his
duties in their midst.
Rev. Ader had been operated upon
several times in the past for relief
from an affliction which he had long
borne with Christian, heroic patience,
He was very anxious and intent of re-
turning to his charge and became
envious of the days that his confine-
ment under surgical care kept him at
the hospital and away from accus-
tomed daily work. After the last oper-
ation had been performed, the good
man slowly sank to his death.
Father Ader was born at Borken in
Westphalia, on February 18, 1853, and
ordained to the priesthood at Alalines
in Belgium on June 7, 1879. Shortly
after his ordination the neo-presbyter
set out for America, arriving at dio-
cesan headquarters some two weeks
later. He reported ready for duty and
was assigned as an assistant to the
Cathedral priest, a position which
temporarily so many young priests
had to fill the writer not excepted
in order to first thoroughly acquaint
themselves with the contents of the
Bishop's "blue book," namely with the
laws, rules, regulations and require-
ments which governed the diocese,
after a rigorous examination as to
the knowledge of them, the successful
post-graduate would receive his di-
ploma in the shape of an appointment
proper.
Today we live under a somewhat
milder form of government which has
supplanted the more rigorous ancient
regime. The young men of this gen-
eration do not know what it meant to
us older ones to be summoned into
the presence of the Chief, whose repu-
tation for severity and minuteness was
too well known to all.
In the instance of our subject who
emerged from the inquisitorial rooms
"magna cum laude," he received the
appointment as assistant to St. Peter
and Paul's parish of Springfield. Later,
the incumbency of Assumption having
become vacant, Father Ader became
its pastor for a number of years,
1888-95, but was finally assigned to St.
Alexis' of Beardstown, 1895-99, as
successor to Rev. Wm. Weigand.
From Beardstown our good friend
was transferred to Carlinville, suc-
ceeding Rev. Clement Sommers,
whose impaired health had enforced a
resignation of the charge of St. Jo-
seph's. A stately parochial residence
which was here constructed under his
Page Sixteen
management, evidences the active and
zealous life of our decedent.
Father Ader was a man of fine
scholarly attainments, distinguishing
himself especially in biblical re-
searches and Hebrew language. His
voluminous, valuable library was
second to none in the diocese. It is
regrettable that it was permitted to be
sold to outsiders.
The Rev. C. G. Monro, a Protestant
minister of Carlinville, one who was
an intimate friend of the deceased
priest and associated with him to a
great extent in researches and studies
paid the following well-merited tri-
bute to the talented priest's memory:
"As well as being a faithful parish
priest, the late Father Ader was very
well educated and learned, especially
was he familiar with the little traveled
ground of Hebraistic literature. His
studies were not confined to the text
only of the Old Testament, but he
was conversant with the Talmud, both
in the Mishna and Gemmara, both of
Jerusalem and Babylon. To him the
Halachoth, the Midrashin, the Kab-
balet and the Yalkut Shimoni were
open books, and his knowledge of
Jewish traditions and customs was
very deep and clear. The late Father
was a master of several languages and
left behind him a valuable and ex-
tensive library, which while contain-
ing all the standard works on Jewish
literature, is rich also in a number of
early publications concerning the civ-
ilization of America, long before the
days of Columbus. These volumes
contain a number of the early exe-
cuted maps of this continent and are
therefore very valuable and rare.
"He was a man difficult to know, of
a sensitive and retiring disposition,
yet when one did become acquainted
with him, he became acquainted with
a sweet, gentle and charitable nature."
Having done his duty, he was one
of those for whom the past was un-
sighed for and the future sure.
His earthly remains were deposited
by the side of one of his illustrious
predecessors, the Rev. Francis Os-
trop, in the Catholic cemetery of
Carlinville. R. I. P.
REV. JOHN G. ALLEMAN, 0. P.
"Misericordias tuas Domine
In aeternum cantabo".
The third resident priest of St.
Peter and Paul's parish of Collins-
ville, was Father Alleman, a Domini-
can Friar from the Monastery of
Somerset, Ohio. He presided over
the destinies of that young congrega-
tion from 18S9-'60. Prior to his com-
ing to Collinsville he had been for
years an indefatigable missioner in
Lee County, Iowa, especially in and
around Fort Madison, contemporan-
eous with Father Brickwedde of
Quincy. He is justly styled the
"Apostle of Lee County."
Rev. John George Alleman, says
Rev. G. J. Zaiser, (in his Diamond
Jubilee edition of St. Joseph's church.
Fort Madison, 1915,) was born near
Strassburg, in Alsace, probably in
1806. He spoke both German and
French with equal fluency, hence he
was sometimes regarded as a German,
sometimes a Frenchman. When twen-
ty-six years old he entered the Order
of St. Dominic at the Convent of St.
Rose, Springfield, Kentucky, where
he was clothed with the white and
black mantle of the Friar Preachers,
and began his novitiate in the fall of
1832. On March 7, 1834, the young
religious made solemn profession of
vows. As his course of divinities had
mostly been made previous to his
religious profession, the young aspi^
rant to the priesthood was ordained
by Bishop John B. P u r c e 1 1 in St.
John's church, Zanesville, Ohio, June
1, 1834. He began at once his mis-
sionary labors in the churches of
Ohio, traveling through its northern
part as an itinerant priest until his
departure for the farther west in the
summer of 1840. He came to Fort
Madison, Sugar Creek and West
Point, in Lee county, Iowa, where
from 1834-37, Father Lefevre had al-
Page Seventeen
ready performed missionary duties,
likewise Father B r i c k w e d d e, of
Quincy, from '37-'39. However, Father
Alleman located in 1840 at Fort Madi-
son and thus became the first resi-
dent priest in that section of the
state. He spoke four modern lan-
guages fluently (including his own
vernacular, German and French), was
missionary to the Winnebago Indians,
an intimate friend of Chief Keokuk
and other Indian chiefs. He intro-
duced the first cultivated grapevines
into Lee County, many of the present
orchards in that vicinity had their
origin in the pioneer nursery conduc-
ted by him near his little church. In
1841-'42 he organized the first total
abstinance society in Lee County. He
was saintly, generous, kind-hearted
and charitable to a fault always
sharing his last farthing with any one
in need, enduring and zealous, dis-
playing a remarkable devotion to his
calling.
Father Alleman left Fort Madison
in 1851 for Rock Island (and Moline,
at both of which places he built the
first churches) where he was pastor
until 1859. Leaving Rock Island our
pioneer missioner became pastor of
Collinsville in our diocese in 1859-60.
On account of premature age and in-
firmities, both physical and mental,
brought on by overwork and depriva-
tions in his difficult missionary labors,
he entered St. Vincent's Hospital at
St. Louis, November 26, 1863. He
suffered from melancholia. His death
occured July 14, 1865, and was buried
from St. Vincent's chapel in Calvary
cemetery, St. Louis. There beneath
the shadow of a great granite cross,
beside archbishops and priests, await-
ing the resurrection morn, slumbers
the dust of this good and noble priest.
REV. PAUL ASMUTH.
"Into a joyland above us,
Where there's a Father to love us,
Into our Home Sweet Home''.
Fath. Ab. Ryan.
In 1902 a newly ordained young
priest was assigned as assistant to
St. Mary's of Alton. He had only
shortly before received Holy Orders
at the Jesuit Seminary of Insbruck.
It was Rev. Paul Asmuth, a native of
Eppe, in Westphalia. He was an ex-
emplary young priest, meriting his
pastor's entire confidence because of
his conscientious and punctual per-
formance of duties. Pleasant and con-
genial, he soon grew into favor with
the parishioners. Of a frail constitu-
tion however, his health became un-
dermined, consumption set in. Yearn-
ing for his home and dear ones in the
Fatherland, Father Asmuth rallied his
waning strength and returned to the
scenes of his boyhood days in the
fall of 1906. For five years he tried to
ward off the fatal hour which was to
terminate his young priest life. Not-
withstanding all the loving care and
medical aid that was so generously
bestowed on him, Rev. Paul Asmuth
sank into death's embrace on October
10, 1911, at the parental home in his
native land. R. I. P.
Page Eighteen
REV. BARTHOLOMEW BARTELS.
''The bells tolled slowly, sadly,
For a noble spirit fled;
Slowly in pomp and honor,
They bore the quiet dead".
A knotty, blunt and rugged charac-
ter was old Father Bartels. Fearless
and aggressive he hewed his way
through life. Like all other priests of
early pioneer days he learned many a
trite lesson in the school of adversity,
disappointment and failure. But he
brooded not over ineffectual attempts
and futile efforts, but tried again and
stubbornly forged ahead clearing his
way of obstacles and impediments.
Neither did he cater to the favors of a
fickle world, no, once knowing his
duty he fearlessly went ahead to ex-
ecute it. He was a man of great con-
servative habits, tenaciously clinging
to old traditions and customs. He
was especially known for his financial
ability. Being a man of saving habits
Father Bartels accumulated in the
course of years a competency which
with prudent management and by safe
investment he succeeded in multiply-
ing. Did he use the money thus made
for himself? Go to Bartelso, a place
founded by him and called after him,
and ask the people for an answer to
that question, and they will point with
pride to the beautiful church, the
school, cemetery, etc., and tell you
that the big and generous heart of
sturdy, stubborn Father Bartels had
provided for all that mainly from his
own resources. Nay, more. Among
all newspapers one of the foremost
champions of the church and her in-
terests is without doubt the "Amer-
ika" of St. Louis. That paper today
rests on safe and sound business prin-
ciples which guarantee its life and
future continuance. It was, however,
not always thus, for there was a time
when the "Amerika's" financial affairs
were rather shaky and in doubtful
condition. When creditors demanding
their money and no one in sight will-
ing and ready to unloosen the purse-
strings in aid of this valued paper,
Father Bartels proved himself the
man of the hour by planking down his
hard cash and standing good for all
obligations contracted by the paper.
He saved the "Amerika" from dis-
grace and ruin. For this act alone, if
for nothing else, every German Cath-
olic in these parts of the country owes
him a debt of gratitude. Ripe in years,
living more than three score and ten,
he passed away at Bartelso, where in
the shadow of the cross he found his
last resting place by the side of his
faithful friend and assistant, Rev. Cor-
nelius Hoffman.
Rev. Bartholomew Bartels was born
March 10, 1823, at Cleve on the Rhine.
His studies were made partly in his
home city and partly at Cologne,
Bonn and Muenster. He was ordained
in the latter place by Bishop Arnold
Melchers, May 29, 1847. For eleven
years, from the time of his ordination
till the year 1858, the young priest
worked in his own native diocese. He
came to America at the instance of
Bishop Junker, of Alton, who as-
signed him as pastor to Teutopolis.
From there he came for a few months
to St. Boniface of Quincy, then to St.
Marie in Jasper county, Freeburg,
1860, Millstadt, 1862-65, and two and
one-half years to Highland, after
which he spent sixteen years as pastor
of Germantown, at the end of which he
retired to Quincy, purchasing a home
near St. John's church and lived the
retired life for six years. Bartelso,
however, where his main interests
were located, lured him away from
Quincy, he became pastor of that
place, and after three years, May 4,
1894, peacefully slept away. R. I. P.
Page Nineteen
REV. HENRY BECKER, D. D.
''Memento Mori'".
"In manus tuas, Doniine, commendo spiritum
meum' '.
"Memento Mori" was seldom in all
its terrible and awsome significance
more strikingly exemplified than on
Tuesday, September 11, 1917, when
the Angel of Death summoned Rev.
Henry Becker, D. D., from our midst.
Apparently in good health and spirits
had he assisted less than two weeks
previous thereto the bi-annual clergy
retreat at the St. Francis College,
Quincy, Illinois. During recreation
hours the genial and good-natured
doctor became as usual the centre
around which so many grouped to
listen to his inoffensive stories and
harmless aecedotes, little thinking
that for this universally beloved priest
the grave was already yawning, and
that he was to be the first to descend
into the tomb. Alas! such was the
cruel fate that awaited him shortly
after arriving home aain. But death
found him not unprepared. His thir-
ty-eight years of priestly life, culmin-
ated by a good retreat where the
Memento Mori subject is uppermost
in the minds of all retreatants, had
paved the way for the final call and
blissful eternity of the pastor of Pier-
ron, Illinois.
Father Becker was a learned man,
a sound theologian, a fine logician
and analyst, who commanded over ;i
wide range of knowledge and informa-
tion. As a mathematician he perfected
and published but a few years ago a
perpetual almanac, which was well
received and by competent men highly
endorsed; moreover did he possess
more than ordinary astronomical
knowledge. Withal, however, he was
modest and humble to a fault; he
eschewed notoriety and but seldom
caused his opinions to prevail. Being
a lover of physical exercises our de-
parted was passionately addicted to
swimming. In whatever part of the
world he visited, there he gave him-
self over to swimming, and he was a
master in this acquarian sport.
Rev. Henry Becker, D. D., was
born July 1, 1856, at Salzkotten, West-
falia, came to America September 25,
1875, and entered the Grand Semin-
ary of Montreal. Here the talented
young theologian passed a splendid
examination, being awarded with the
degree of Doctor of Divinity the first
in the history of that institution. On
December 20, 1879, he was . elevated
to the priesthood. Since then he
worked at Mound City, Kaskaskia,
Saline, Hillsboro, Vandalia, Brighton,
Brussels, Meppen and Pierron. R. I.
P.
Page Tu
REV. HENRY BEERHORST.
"Weary not through Springtime rain
But wait till the Autumn conies
For the sheaves of golden grain".
Delbrueck, near Poderborn in West-
falia, is the birthplace of Rev. Hy.
Beerhorst. There he was born Janu-
ary 19, 1838, was admitted to Holy
Orders March 12, 1864, and appointed
the following December to St. Mary's
church of Grand Rapids, (then
still in the Detroit diocese). In 1869
Father Beerhorst was replaced by
another priest, discontinued his ser-
vices in the Detroit diocese and gradu-
ally landed at Alton where he applied
to the bishop for an appointment. He
was received and sent to Quincy,
there to become an assistant to Rev.
Schafermeyer of St. Boniface parish,
for the new arrival was a near relative
of the pastor. From March 5, 1870,
to April 25, 1871, Father Beerhorst
performed good services at St. Boni-
face. The people had become greatly
attached to him and he proved a val-
uable asset to pastor and parish. On
the latter date, however, the young
priest strove to realize a long cher-
ished a m b i t i o n he determined to
embrace monastic life, packed his few
belongings and set out for the Car-
melite Monastery of Scipio, Kansas,
where soon after he was invested with
the habit of that order. A few years
later, Father Schafermeyer likewise
donned the Carmelite habit at that
place, to exchange it later, however,
for that of the Fransciscans. R. I. P.
Page Twenty-One
REV. PATRICK M. BOURKE.
'My soul would lay her heavy burden down
And take with joyfulness the promised
crown.' '
.When on February 14, 1896, the
late Rev. P. M. Bourke went to his
eternal reward, a learned and elo-
quent man passed from sight. He
was a well-known, familiar person
throughout the diocese, beloved by
clergy and laity alike, whole-souled
and generous to a fault. During the
early years of priestly life, he taught
at the College of Ruma where his
solid learning was combined with the
gift of thoroughly imparting knowl-
edge to the student body. Unstinted
praise was given his ability by all who
studied under him.
Father Bourke was a native of Tip-
perary, Ireland, where he was born,
St. Patrick's Day March 17, 1839.
When still a child, both parents died.
The orphaned boy was adopted by an
aunt living in Limerick, where young
Patrick was educated. From the pri-
mary school he was admitted to the
Jesuit College and later attended the
Monk's school (Trappists) of Mt.
M e 1 a r y. At All Hallows and the
Grand Seminary of Montreal he stu-
died philosophy and theology and
became ordained to the priesthood by
Bishop Baltes. When the Ruma Col-
lege had closed its doors Father Bour-
ke worked in the capacity of both as-
sistant as well as pastor at Grafton,
Springfield, Decatur, Vandalia, 1888-
1894 and Shipman, every where win-
ning hosts of friends and well-wishers.
Pursuant to his wishes his remains
were interred at Springfield. R. I. P.
REV. PATRICK BRADY, SR.
"I desire to be dissolved and to be with
Christ, being by much the better".
Phil. 1, 2-3.
County Cavan, Ireland, had given
the diocese a prominent priest in the
person of Rev. Patrick Brady. His
pastoral wisdom, prudence and cau-
tion were productive of good results.
He ranked high in the esteem of his
fellow priests because of his compan-
ionable disposition and his kindly
benevolent ways. Born in 1833, our
future candidate for Holy Orders
made his studies at All Hallows;
there he became ordained to the
priesthood April 17, 1865. After act-
ing as an assistant for a while at the
Cathedral, the young priest was sent
in similar capacity to Rev. L. A. Lam-
bert (author of "Notes on Ingersoll")
then pastor of St. Patrick's church of
Cairo. Four years Father Brady
spent there, three as assistant and the
last as pastor, 1868-'69. At this time
the Bishop recalled him from the
Egyptian Metropolis and made him
pastor of the Immaculate Conception
Page Twenty-Two
church of Springfield. During Father
Brady's administration the church
was remodeled and besides received
an addition to it so as to extend its
length; moreover he built a large
brick school house, an eloquent monu-
ment to his pastoral zeal and energy.
In 1889 Father Brady exchanged
places with Father Timothy Hickey,
of Jacksonville, who in the meantime
had been made a Vicar General by
the new Bishop. With undiminished
vim and vigor he continued his work
at Jacksonville until May 14, 1892,
when death called him away from the
scenes of usefulness. His age was
59 years.
Father Patrick Brady's body was
bedded in the Jacksonville cemetery.
R. I. P.
REV. HUGH BRADY, JR.
"How gallantly, how nobly
He struggles through the foam;
And see in the far distance
Shine out the lights of Home ! ' '
Another Cavan County man, a
splendid young priest who was called
from hence in the prime of manhood,
was Rev. Hugh Brady, pastor of St.
Ubaldus church of New Douglas. His
soul soared upward to God's holy
throne on May 17, 1916. The young
priest had contracted pneumonia
which culminated in death. He died
well prepared at the St. Francis hos-
pital of Litchfield.
Father Hugh Brady was born June
18, 1883, in Cavan, Ireland, and at
the time of his death was but 32 years
and 11 months old.
He attended St. Patrick's College
of Carlow, and was ordained in June,
1908, for the diocese of Alton. Im-
mediately after his ordination he
sailed for America and was assigned
as an assistant to St. Joseph's parish
of Springfield. He remained there for
five years, winning the confidence and
love of the parishioners in an uncom-
mon degree. After the lapse of this
period the young priest was made a
pastor and ordered to New Douglas,
where soon he endeared himself to
all. But alas! his usefulness was to be
of but short duration.
With eyes fixed on eternity, and
recalling to mind his work at St.
Joseph's parish, Springfield, his dying
request was that he be buried at
Springfield.
The test of a priest's worth is made
apparent, by his standing with his
brother priests, hence the fact that
77 confreres attended Father Brady's
funeral, is eloquent testimony as to
his sterling character. Rev. P. J.
O'Reilly, of St. Joseph's celebrated
the Requiem, assisted by Rev. P. J.
McGiiinness as deacon, and Rev. F.
Shiels as sub-deacon. Rev. A. Smith
preached the sermon which was an
eloquent tribute to the priestly virtues
of our defunct. R. I. P.
REV. J. J. BRENNAN.
"Arise! This day shall shine f prevermore !
To thee a star divine on Time's dark
shore' '.
In 1858 the coal mine in the neigh-
borhood of Bethalto, in Madison
county, had gathered there a large
number of people, many of whom
were Catholics. To minister to these
people became the duty, in 1858, of
Rev. J. J. Brennan, at the time an
assistant at the Alton Cathedral. He
had a frame church built, which con-
tinued to be attended from the Cathe-
dral till 1865. During the years from
1859-'61, Father Brennan was given
charge of the parishes of Carlinville
and Jacksonville, after which he was
appointed pastor of Shawneetown.
One year he stayed in this latter
place when he was ordered to East
St. Louis with the injunction to as-
sume the organization of St. Patrick's
parish and to build a church. Father
Brennan accomplished both but soon
after severed connection with the dio-
cese whilst Father O'Halloran was ap-
pointed administrator until a new
pastor was assigned to St. Patrick's
in 1864 in the person of F. X. Zabell,
D. D.
Page Twenty-Three
REV. AUGUSTINE FLORENT BRICKWEDDE.
"For we know that if our earthly house
of this habitation is dissolved that we have a
building of God, a h >use not made with
hands, eternal in heaven.'' 2 Cor. 5, 1.
The iirst German CatTiolic parish
established along the entire course of
the Mississippi river was that of the
"Ascension." "Christi Himmelfahrt'.s
Gemeinde" of Quincy. This name was
given it by the small band of Catholic
settlers who as early as 1834 had been
gathered into a congregation by the
occasional visitor. Rev. Father Le-
F e v r e, (subsequently Bishop of
Detroit.) To this struggling young
community which chiefly was com-
posed of German Catholic emigrants,
Rev. August Florent Brickwedde was
appointed by Bishop Rosati of St.
Louis, as first resident pastor. The
name "Ascension parish" was retained
until the present large brick structure
was erected in 1848, and the patronal
name "St. Boniface" became substitu-
ted for the titular "Ascension."
Rev. Augustine Florent Brickwedde
was born June 24, 1805, at Fuerstenau
in the then kingdom of Hannover. His
father was a lawyer of repute who
afterward became a judge at Bersen-
bruck. Our future Quincy priest com-
pleted his classical studies at the Car-
olinum of Osbnabruck and the theo-
logical course at the universities of
Muenster and Bonn. He was made
a sub-deacon September 20, 1828, a
deacon September 19, 1829, and or-
Pnge Twenty-Four
dained to the priesthood in the Cathe-
dral of Hildesheim by Bishop Code-
hard Joseph, September 20, 1830.
In his native city of Fuerstenau the
young priest acted as Vicar until his
departure for America in May, 1837.
At this time it happened that quite a
number of Catholics had determined
on emigrating to Missouri and Illinois,
which had become known for its
healthfulness, plentiful timber, and its
cheap farm lands He was induced to
join some of these emigrating families,
to become their pastor and counsellor
in the new world. God inspired him to
follow them and to aid them in their
spiritual needs and necessities, for far
or near there was no German priest
to be found to minister to the colony
of emigrants from the fatherland.
After along and tedious journey
which lasted more than eight weeks,
the young priest landed in Xew York
on July 4, 1837, and reached Quincy a
few weeks later. The hardships of the
pioneer life may be imagined. The
climate was severe, the way of living
new and accommodations rather prim-
itive. And yet he faced these condi-
tions smilingly. He remained in
Quincy where some of the early Ger-
man settlers had located and at once
set to work to build a small frame
church with additional two rooms for
a residence and another large one to
serve as temporary school. Having
said Mass in private dwellings since
August 15, 1837, Father Brickwedde.
now was happy to say Mass and ad-
minister the Sacraments in a church
building proper, although humble and
lowly in appearance; it measured but
28x18 feet. Solemn Benediction of this
first church of Quincy took place on
Pentecost Sunday, 1838. By this time
his own private personal resources
were well nigh exhausted. Twice he
recrossed the ocean for the purpose of
gathering funds for his parish and
outlying missions of Sugar Creek and
Ft. Madison, la. Not only were his
friends and relatives asked to con-
tribute, nay he solicited even at the
courts of Vienna and Munich, bring-
ing with him not only the much-
needed cash; but beautiful sacred ves-
sels and vestments, yea even an organ,
the gift of his sister.
Of his periodical visits to lowan
settlements in and around Ft. Madi-
son, Father Zaiser says in his Dia-
mond Jubilee edition of St. Joseph's
church of Ft. Madison: "In 1837
Father August Brickwedde, the first
pastor of Quincy, took charge of the
missions in this territory and for sev-
eral years visited Fort Madison, West
Point and Sugar Creek, to give the
few Catholics a chance to perform
their Easter duties. He celebrated
High Mass in Fort Madison at J. H.
Dingman's log cabin in 1839. Great
must have been the joy ancr consola-
tion of the good pioneers. From here
he went to Sugar Creek settlement,
now St. Paul, where he held divine
service in the new log barn of J. H.
Kempker, May 13, 1833. Sugar Creek
deserves the distinction of having
erected the first temple of God in Lee
county and in all the surrounding
region. In 1839 a few Catholic farm-
ers got together, cut down some oi"
the tallest trees in the forest of Sugar
Creek valley and built a log church.
They sent for Father Brickwedde,
who came, celebrated Holy Mass for
them and dedicated the little church
in honor of St. James.
After the building of the present
church, St. Boniface of Quincy,
Father Brickwedde had to encounter
the accursed spirit of dissension
which, rent the parish in twain. The
seeds of discontent had been adroitly
sown ly a discharged teacher and his
obnoxious following. Poisoned shafts
of slander were levelled against the
hard working priest, his priestly char-
acter was attacked and besmirched,
his life even threatened. In the midst
of his trials he had the consolation
of being upheld not only by the testi-
mony of a good conscience, but also
by the support of his own Bishop,
Msgr. Van de Velde, who emphatical-
ly decided in his favor and twice
closed the church and placed the
clerical villifiers under the ban of ex-
communication. Though the Bishop
of Chicago intervened (Quincy since
1844 had come under the jurisdiction
of the Bishop of Chicago) yet peace
would not be restored, and as Quincy
was one of the largest and oldest
Catholic German congregations and
the city was then seriously thought of
for a new episcopal see, the division
of the people and the factionalism in
the parish caused a great deal of ad-
verse comment, it hurt -the city, and
ultimately fustrated the erection of
the new diocese with Quincy as See.
Father Brickwedde resigned and left
sick at heart in March, 1849.
To restore unity and harmony
among the opposing factions, the Pro-
vincial of the Jesuits of St. Louis, was
appealed to by the Bishop of Chicago
"to send a learned and prudent priest
to Quincy." But the Jesuit priest was
but a short time there when opposi-
tion turned also against him. When
this was reported to the Provincial at
St. Louis he became indignant, with-
drew the priest and left the Catholics
of Quincy to themselves. The cholera
at that time decimated the ranks of
the rebels. "When Father Brick-
wedde left Quincy," says Rev. John
Larmer in 'Lives of Early Catholic
Missionaries of the Nineteenth Cen-
tury in Illinois' "he was so disgusted
with the world that he determined to
take to the woods. He went into the
forest where government land was
from 12 cents to $1.25 per acre, about
twenty-five miles from St. Louis. He
selected forty acres for church pur-
poses and school. Xot a living soul
was near the location. When he got
settled he went over to St. Louis,
found three poor German immigrants
on the river bank not knowing where
to go nor what to do. They were
humble, God-fearing Catholics of the
innocent peasant type. He told them
if they would come with him he
would give each forty acres of land
The only condition he imposed was
they were to help the next settlers he
found to build homes and get started.
This was the way Father Brickwedde
settled Columbia in Monroe Co., 111.
from St. Libory whither he was sent
as pastor after leaving Quincy. When
the good old priest related his first
Page Twenty-Five
start in getting settlers, says Father
Larmer, tears came to his eyes. Co-
lumbia soon grew into prominence
and counted within a few years numer-
ous families.
At St. Libory or Mud Creek as it
was then generally known it was his
habit, though now advanced in years,
to drive to and from St. Louis in search
of necessary supplies. In the middle
of November, 1865, as he was on his
way home from St. Louis, he felt un-
well and was compelled to stop at
Belleville, where after two days' of
sickness he died on the 21st of
November of the same year, 1865.
At first funeral service was held in
the Belleville church, attended by the
people and clergy of the neighbor-
hood, all eager to cast their eyes on
the noted victim of Quincy parish
persecution and pray for the repose
of his soul. On the next day the same
was repeated at St. Libory. Father
Bartels sang the Requiem Mass and
Father Baltes, (soon to be the second
Bishop of the Diocese), gave the Ab-
solution. The remains of good Father
Brickwedde were interred at Mud
Creek.
The defunct, says Father Larmer,
was a man of great height and pos-
sessed a rather homely yet benevo-
lent countenance. As a business man,
and cautious financier, he would be an
example even in these days of careful
calculation. This venerable servant
of God was moreover a man of learn-
ing allied with solid piety. He was
liberal in all his views and practical
in all the affairs of life. He died as
he had lived, a true servant of his
Divine Master. R. I. P.
REV. THEODORE BRUENER.
The subject of this sketch was a
man of great mental caliber and rare
intellectual attainments one who com-
manded attention wherever met or
seen. Tall of stature, robust and vig-
orous, good natured and smiling, such
were the traits in the general makeup
of Rev. Theodore Bruener who on
January 1, 1870 assumed the pastoral
reins of St. M'ary's congregation of
Quincy. The church had just been
built and dedicated to Mary Im-
maculate, the first Holy Mass had
been said therein three weeks previ-
ously and the congregation as such
had not as yet fully emerged out of
that formative stage into a compact
body which is the essential requisite
of any stable, active and healthy or-
ganization. Rev. Bruener seemed to
be the providential man to accomplish
and perfect what so far had been left
incomplete. It was reserved for him to
place St. Mary's on solid basis and to
dictate a policy which, if promptly
carried out, was to establish and in-
sure the congregation's stability and
permanence. He at once set out to
inaugurate and introduce these neces-
sary elements, he organized men and
women, old and young, into societies
and what was most important of all
he started a parochial school. At
what heroic sacrifices and manifold
personal inconveniences this was ac-
complished, he himself tells us in his
inestimable work entitled, "Kirchen-
geschichte Quincy's" in the chapter
exclusively devoted to the interest of
Page Twenty-Six
St. Mary's. To these interesting pages
all may re,fer who would read a detailed
account of the history of St. Mary's.
Father Bruener was eminently a
great organizer; from practical prior
experience he knew the needs and
wants of society, the dangers which
beset it and the means to safeguard it.
To procure the latter he left no stone
unturned, but worked and talked and
preached on all convenient occasions,
in season and out of season. Success
soon crowned his efforts. Some of
the societies which flourish today
after a half century's existence, owe
their beginning to the endeavors ot
St. Mary's first pastor. And who can
gauge the amount of good they have
done since in helping to build up and
strengthen the congregation? Xot
only that, but they were indirectly
the means that parish work preceede-1
on systematic lines of action, they
proved a vast help and great relief to
the oftentimes overburdened priest.
If Father Bruener proved himself a
great organizer, he was still greater
as educator. For this latter profes-
sion he had been especially trained in
Germany, where for a number of years
he had been successfully active as
teacher. His was the rare gift to
communicate and to impart, to model
and to train. Possessed of splendid
talents and natural aptitude for teach-
ing and being generously equipped
with broad and liberal training which
was solid and thorough in all its es-
sentials, Father Bruener soon distin-
guished himself as a noted educator
and pedagogue not only locally at St.
Mary's, where 'under his direction
the parochial school attained prom-
inence and distinction, nay, his emi-
nent qualification in the field of edu-
cation induced in 1873 and again the
following year the Most Rev. Arch-
bishop of Milwaukee to extend a
most urgent invitation to our St.
Mary's pastor to assume the reins of
rectorship of the Normal School of
St. Francis, Wis., known as the "Pio
Nono" College. So insistent were
these repeated calls that Father Brue-
ner finally yielded and accepted the
proposed position, much to the grief
and sorrow of his friends and par-
ishioners of St. Mary's.
In this connection it is of interest
to state that later Rev. Bruener fol-
lowed the example of a predecessor by
joining a religious order, thus his
successor at the "Pio Nono" college
likewise embraced the religious life
when ready to resign his position as
rector of that institution. It was the
Rev. Wm. Neu who came to the Alton
diocese from Wisconsin in exchange
of Rev. Bruener. Assigned to the
parish of Bunker Hill this eminent
churchman performed excellent work
whilst there and gained in marvellous
degree the esteem of Catholic and
Protestant alike. No priest ever en-
joyed such well merited popularity
during the few years stay with us,
than -lid Rev. Wm. Neu at Bunker
Hill. He finally joined the Benedic-
tine Abbey of Atchinson, Kansas, in
September, 1889, and was known from
thenceforth as P. Longin, O. S. B.
He died there a few years ago, sin-
cerely mourned by m any. (See
sketch.)
Father Bruener was undoubtedly
much stimulated in his chosen pro-
fession by the words of Holy Writ:
"They that instruct many unto justice
shall shine as the stars for all etern-
ity."
His were four years of incessant
hard work, of planting, pruning and
sowing whilst ooirs, owing to his
labors, are years of reaping.
A worthy counterpart of our sub-
ject, one of striking similarity of
thought and action as well as of phys-
ical appearance, robust and rugged
was the Rev. Fr. Wm. Faerber of St.
Mary's parish, St. Louis, Mo. Whilst
the former distinguished himself as
historian and pedagogue the latter be-
came widely known as popular Cate-
chist in which capacity he published
"Faerber's Catechism," a work known
in all Catholic schools throughout the
land.
Father Bruener's name will forever
continue to live in the grateful hearts
of the good people of St. Mary's.
Born May 27, 1836, he was ordained
Page Twenty-Seven
to the priesthood September 3, 1859,
at Muenster and acted as "Schulvikar"
at Wadersloh from the time of his
ordination till he set out for America,
late in 1867, at the invitation of Bishop
D. Junker of Alton. He was sent
at once to Quincy to become the first
pastor of St. Mary's parish January
1.
This congregation had been organ-
ized and the church built under the
supervision and by the efforts of good
Father Reinhardt, who now by the
advent of Rev. Bruener, re-assumed
his work at St. Boniface, to be sent,
however, shortly after to a different
place. From 1874-1879 our former
pastor remained at the head of the
St. Francis institution from which at
the instance of his diocesan Bishop
he returned to become pastor of St.
Boniface parish of Quincy. Here
Father Bruener again performed good,
lasting parochial work till November
9, 1887. Foremost among his under-
takings ranks during this time the
publication by him of that important
work on the "History of the Catholic
Church in Quincy," a work which re-
ceived unstinted praise even at Rome
from such eminent men as Cardinal
Simeoni, Cardinal Melchers and Msgr.
De Waal. Following a call from
heaven our veteran worker bid fare-
well to his friends and former asso-
ciates of the clergy, and joined the
Franciscan Order at Teutopolis, to
be known from thence forth as P.
Leo. What good he accomplished as
an humble follower of the great Sera-
phic Saint till the hour of his death.
May 15, 1898, and his previous God-
like deeds are chronicled 6n the pages
of the book of life.
He died at San Francisco, Califor-
nia, where he found his last resting
place. R. I. P.
REV. ALBERT BUSCH.
"Then with slow, reverent step
And beating heart,
From out the joyous days
Thou must depart".
Amid the reposefulness and quietude
of rural surroundings lies the small
"God's acre" belonging to the parish
of Lively Grove, in Washington
county. Here on this consecrated plot
of ground we come to a grave, the
tenant of which is, as the modest
headstone announces, Rev. Father
Albert Busch, a priest carried away
by inexorable death in the prime and
vigor of young manhood, for he had
scarcely attained the age of 35 years,
when his record came to a sudden
close. The cradle of our defunct
young priest stood at Xeheim, near
Hoexter in Westfalia, where he was
born February 26, 1844. After com-
pleting the high school studies in his
native town, young Albert Busch
came to America in 1866, entered St.
Francis seminary near Milwaukee
shortly after, and was elevated to the
priesthood by Bishop Henni, January
29, 1868, for the bishopric of Alton.
With great vim and vigor the neo-
presbyter embraced his holy vocation.
Page Twenty-Eight
His first appointment was to St.
Alexis' of Beardstown, March 18,
1868. Here he built a front addition
to the old church, purchased the
present parsonage and lots adjoining
for the sum of $2,100 and erected a
small school house. In 1873 our sub-
ject was assigned to Marine where he
stayed but one year till 1874, when
the Bishop appointed him to Lively
Grove. Here he worked successfully
for five years till March 18, 1879, on
which date he was summoned to his
eternal reward.
In the premature death of Father
Busch the diocese lost a promising
young man, who during the eleven
years of priestly career had worked
enthusiastically for the welfare of
those committed to his sacred charge.
His life though brief was active,
meagre in years but fruitful in service.
Far better to go before God after
few years with full hands than after
many years empty-handed.
May the memory of his good and
noble life prove an inspiration unto
others to imitate. R. I. P.
REV. D. BYRNE.
Consumatum est !
In the "aul lang syne" in days long
ago as early as 1847, St. Mary's
parish of Mt. Sterling had not only a
church but even a resident pastor.
He was Father James Gallagher.
Several priests had succeeded him
after his departure from there in
rapid succession, till Father Byrne
was appointed, who remained at the
head of the parish from 1856-'59, dur-
ing which time he looked after the
spiritual interests of St. Alexis' parish
of Beardstown. From Mt. Sterling
he was appointed to Marshall and
Paris, where he became the successor
of old Father Tom Ryan in 1860-'61.
Little is known of his subsequent
history except that from September,
1870 he had charge for one-half year
of St. Mary's congregation of Ed-
wardsville. R. I. P.
REV. MICHAEL CARROLL.
"The links are broken; all is past;
The last farewell when spoken
Is the last".
One of the hardy and rugged old
characters of former pioneer days was
Rev. Michael Carroll, second pastor
of Alton, 1841-1857. He was a native
of County Limerick, Ireland, and was
sent to replace Rev. George A. Ham-
ilton, first pastor of St. Mathew's
church, in 1841 (compare sketch).
When appointed to the Mission of
Alton it embraced Madison and the
surrounding counties. In 1845 he said
first Mass at Collinsville. Father Car-
roll purchased a lot on Third and
Alby streets, Alton, and at once com-
menced the erection of a stone church
which was completed in 1843 and ded-
icated to divine service by Bishop Le
Febre, of Detroit. It bore the patronal
name of St. Mathew, same as its pre-
decessor under Father Hamilton. This
church burned down in 1852. Three
years the Catholics of Alton wor-
shipped in a hall on State street. In
1855 Bishop O'Regan, third Bishop of
Chicago, permitted Father Carroll to
erect another church. He built the
present Cathedral church. Rev. M.
Prendergast was Father Carroll's as-
sistant in 1853.
In a diary kept by Bishop Quarter,
of Chicago, there is repeated mention
made of Father Carroll. He assisted
at old St. Mary's. Later on under
Bishop Van de Velde, he conducted a
conference at Alton. On June 15, 1844,
he went to Joliet to meet Bishop
Quarter. On the 17th the party com-
prised of the Bishop, Fathers St. Pa-
lais, De Pontavic and Carroll set out
in a carriage for Ottawa. The jour-
ney was full of hardships as the roads
were bad, and twice the Bishop and
priests had to apply rails to lift the
carriage from the quagmires in the
sloughs through which they were
compelled to pass. They arrived at
Ottawa the following day.
The first stone church which Father
Carroll erected in 1855 is still the
handsome Cathedral of the Alton dio-
cese today. True, generous sums of
money have been expended from time
to time for repairs and embellish-
ments. Its ultimate completion was
reserved for Bishop Juncker. The
Cathedral was solemnly consecrated
Page Tieenly-Nine
by Archbishop Kenrick, of St. Louis,
May 15, 1859. Bishops Luers, of Fort
Wayne, Duggan, of Chicago, and
Whelan, of Nashville, being present.
The construction of this substantial
church, truly magnificent for the time
of its erection, proclaims to coming
generations the zeal and noble ambi-
tion manifested by this sturdy pioneer
priest in the cause of religion.
In 1857, when Bishop Juncker was
about to take possession of the new
.see of Alton, Father Carroll returned
to his Bishop in Chicago. He was
sent to Elgin, where he lived and died
a few years afterward. His remains
were buried in the old St. Mary's
church in that city.
Father Michael Carroll was a man
of tall stature and iron frame, pos-
sessing a commanding appearance.
When building the present Cathedral
church, he is known to have per-
formed hard manual labor like a com-
mon workman. After Mass he would
slip into his overalls and begin mix-
ing mortar or wheeling building stone
to the masons.
Few of the towns now in Madison,
Jersey and Montgomery counties are
there which in their incipiency did
not enjoy the priestly visits of Father
Carroll, and what he gathered in his
missionary wanderings says Father
Larmer was put in to build the Ca-
thedral of Alton. When Father Car-
roll left Alton in 1857, he made a trip
to Ireland with Rev. Patrick O'Brien,
of St. Louis, and on his return was
appointed to Lake Forest, near Wau-
kegan, and shortly after to Elgin.
Whilst visiting a neighboring priest
who was sick, a night call came from
a distance. The priest could not go,
so Father Carroll attended in a storm,
the sick person, caught a malignant
fever and soon thereafter died.
REV. JAMES A. CASSIDY.
"I have fought a good fight, I have fin-
ished my course, I have kept my faith. For
the rest there is laid up for all a crown of
justice, which the Lord, the just judge, will
render to me at that day." 2 Tim. 4, 6.
Among the large class of Ordinandi
which presented itself for Holy Or-
ders in the Seminary chapel of Mon-
treal a few days before Christmas in
1882, was our subject, Rev. James A.
Cassidy. Born at Canajoharie, in New
York state, in 1854, he finished his
preparatory studies in his native state,
after which he pursued his theological
course with the Sulpician Fathers of
Montreal. Well does the writer of
these^ lines recall the days when
Father Cassidy, together with the late
Father Joseph P'innigan and Father
James Gough (Belleville) was elevated
to the priesthood. A jovial, genial,
good-natured young man was Father
Cassidy when a student of the Semi-
nary, and these traits he retained dur-
ing his subsequent priestly career.
Wherever seen during recess hours,
he was the centre of an animated
gathering. All enjoyed his company
and friendship, and as priest he be-
came equally popular and well liked
by all who came in close contact with
him. Hence his success in founding
and developing St. Patrick's congre-
gation of Alton. Being for a short
while an assistant at the Cathedral, he
was ordered to inaugurate prelim-
Page Thirty
inary work for starting St. Patrick's.
There were but eighty families to
commence -with, but young Father
Cassidy was by no means discouraged
in his undertakings. He succeeded ad-
mirably, for he built church and par-
sonage in 1883, and three years later,
in 1886, added a parochial school to
his now flourishing parish. In March,
1887, Father Cassidy was transferred
from Alton to Murrayville, where four
years later he died, February 4, 1890.
Father Cassidy was a great promoter
of manly sports, hence an ardent lover
of base ball. R. I. P.
REV. BERNARD CLAUS.
"Sweet Heaven my hope points up to thee
When whelming woes sweep over me!"
On the night of May 19, 1903, a
terrible catastrophe occured at the
parochial residence of Columbia, 111.,
casting the pall of genuine mourning
not over the parish alone, but over
the entire diocese as well. On that
fatal night, the pastor of Columbia
parish, Rev. Bernard Claus, testing
doors and windows ere retiring for
the night, as usually he did, was sud-
denly seized with an attack of diz-
ziness, collapsed and expired. A heart
stroke had snuffed out his priestly
life instanter. In the act of attending
to the locking of doors and windows,
however, he generally carried a kero-
sene lamp in his hand. So this fatal
evening. Whilst the stricken priest
sank lifeless to the floor, the burning
kerosene lamp exploded and flaming
oil encircling the body partly in-
cinerating it. A thrill of horror went
forth when next morning the pastor's
sad and tragic death was made known
to his faithful flock and the numerous
friends both in the Belleville and
Alton dioceses, where for many years
he had worked so well and left such
honorable record in every place and
parish which had witnessed his un-
selfish labors and ministrations.
Born April 3, 1842, at Niederovschel
in Saxony, Father Claus studied
classics at Heiligenstadt, philosophy
and partly theology at Muenster and
Bonn. He came to America in June,
1868, and finished his studies at Cin-
cinnati, where Archbishop John B.
Purcell, D. D., ordained him to the
priesthood September 24, 1870. He
was stationed as assistant at St. Boni-
face of Quincy, December 6, 1870
February 14, 1872, a few months at
Edwardsville, with Staunton and New
Douglas as out-missions; at Mt. Ster-
ling from 1872-73; at Taylorville from
1873-77. During this period he erected
a comfortable parochial residence at
Morrisonville, and moving thither
became the first resident pastor of St.
Maurice congregation. From here he
was assigned to parishes in the south-
ern part of the state and hence be-
came incorporated into the new dio-
cese of Belleville when the latter was
erected in 1888. There he was active
at Madonnaville December 5, 1872
January, 1882; at Paderborn from
January, 1882-1892, when he became
pastor of Columbia and met his tragic
death May 19, 1903. He was buried
in the cemetery of that parish. R. I. P.
Page Thirty-One
REV. MICHAEL CLIFFORD.
"I have come to take thee home
Said the veiled guest;
The great journey of life is done*
I will take thee into rest".
It was a large class that prepared
for ordination which was to take place
at All Hallows Seminary, April 17,
1863. Among these young aspirants
who went through College and Semi-
nary life together, were some whose
future years were to be spent in the
Mission field of one and the same dio-
cese. In this particular class for in-
stance, were a number destined for
Alton, where the field was extensive,
laborers however few. Whilst on a
visit to Ireland, Bishop Juncker had
aroused a missionary spirit in the
young clerics with the result that a
goodly number had applied to be ad-
mitted into his diocese, and good and
faithful workers they all eventually
proved to be. They were men of the
old school, blunt and plain, true and
honest, worthy and zealous. There
was, among others, Michael Clifford,
who emerged from that class of '63 to
swell the ranks of the Alton clergy.
He had accumulated a store of merits
when death summoned him in the
springtime of 1907, and he was ush-
ered into the presence of his Maker.
Page Thirty-Two
This native of Limerick has left his
distinctive mark on every parish over
which he was called to preside and his
memory is held by the people in last-
ing benediction. And many were the
parishes whom he served as pastor.
Many a heart was sorely afflicted
when it was learned that Father Clif-
ford had died. He had been truly a
father and friend to all parishioners.
His first assignment after ordination
was to the parish of Winchester in
1863-'66. Next we learn that he is di-
recting the destinies of Virden's con-
gregation from 1868-'69, whereupon
Bunker Hill claimed his ministrations
from 1869-72. Mt. Sterling at this
time needed a strong man to erect a
residence, school building and a new
church. The choice fell upon Father
Clifford and he proved to be the right
man. Twenty-four years of faithful,
fruitful service characterized his stay
at Mt. Sterling, when in 1896. he was
entrusted with the pastorate of St. Jo-
seph's of Springfield, where he labored
in his own quiet, unobtrusive way till
early in 1907, when God called his
pious, faithful servant from hence.
The Springfield deanery in its quar-
terly session on June 27, of that year,
passed the following set of pertinent
resolutions which admirably portray
the priestly life and character of de-
ceased. They were as follows:
"Whereas, It has pleased Almighty
God to take to Himself the soul of
Rev. Michael Clifford, for eleven years
pastor of St. Joseph's church, Spring-
field, 111., and one of our most efficient
and venerable reverend Fathers, and
Whereas, His consistent conduct in
the priesthood for forty-five years
was an exemplification in the highest
degree of the teachings of our Lord
and his Church, and
Whereas, During life he was a light
to many in the way of salvation, both
by his prayers and cheerful person-
ality, and
Whereas, Knowing, as we do, ru-
mors, to the contrary, notwithstand-
ing, that he died possessed of little of
this world's goods, therefore be it
Resolved, That we, his co-laborers
in the priesthood, while deploring- our
loss in his death, take this method of
showing to the world our heart-born
appreciation of his many priestly vir-
tues, and further be it
Resolved, That in view of the many
places over which he had jurisdiction,
his care in financial affairs in the
building of schools, convents and
churches, merited for him the implicit
undying gratitude of his people, and
confidence of his superiors, and fur-
ther
Resolved, That out of respect for
his memory this Quarterly Confer-
ence of the Springfield deanery now
in session be adjourned."
Whoever has known the deceased
and witnessed his past saintly, priestly
life, will say "Amen" to this set of
resolutions which so appropriately
memorialize his priestly life.
May Father Michael Clifford rest in
peace.
REV. T. J. CLIFFORD.
''Life is only bright when it proceedeth
Toward a truer, deeper Life above".
Whilst pastor of Carrollton from
1865-'66, the cholera broke fiercely out
in the community. During this ordeal
good Father Clifford edified all by his
courage and heroism, attending the
sick and burying the dead. Finally,
he himself, became a victim of the
dread disease and was prepared for
death. However, Le recovered for the
time being but died a few months
afterward. He was buried at Alton.
R. I. P.
RT. REV. JOHN HENRY CLUEVER, D. D.
"Let peace, O Lord! Thy peace, O God,
Upon our souls descend,
From midnight fears and perils, Thou
Our trembling hearts defend".
A priest of eminent learning, pres-
tige and subsequent unusual distinc-
tion, was the olim pastor of Bunker
Hill, Rev. J. H. Cluever, D. D. Our
doubly titled subject was born March
8, 1845, in the Diocese of Paderborn,
Germany, and came to this country
in 1871. In that same year he was
raised to the priesthood. He acted as
pastor of the Bunker Hill parish from
1872-74, after which the Doctor left
for the East, affiliating with the dio-
cese of Albany, N. Y. He became
pastor of St. Lawrence congregation
of Troy, X. Y., and was chosen a
member of the diocesan school board.
His eminent services which he ren-
dered the diocese caused him to be
elevated a Monsignor. For many
years, however, our Rt. Rev. gentle-
man had conceived the idea of ulti-
mately embracing religious life. This
long-harbored intention assumed
tangible form in 1892, in which year
the Monsignor bid farewell to diocese,
parish and friends, sailed for South
Africa and there joined the colony of
Trappists.
REV. TERENCE COWLEY.
How sweet Thy service and how safe Thy fold.
Born in Waterford, Ireland, he was
ordained at the Alton Cathedral
August 1. 1865, and died January 12,
1881. He is a quondam Alton cathe-
dral pastor.
Page Thirty-Three
REV. JOHN CROWE.
"Life's vesper bells are ringing
In the temple of my heart,
And yon sunset sure is singing :
'Nunc Dimittis Now Depart'."
Father Abr. Ryan.
Sad and solemn was the tolling of
the bells of Our Savior's Church, of
Jacksonville, on the morning of March
10, 1916. They announced to a grief-
stricken congregation that the last
rites were about to be performed over
the remains of their late pastor, Rev.
John Crowe, who had departed this
life a few days previous thereto, viz:
on March 7. The obsequies gathered
a vast concourse of people, irrespec-
tive of creed or nationality, within the
sacred walls of the handsome church,
all eager to pay a last tribute of love
and respect to the popular priest and
citizen, for Father Crowe was re-
spected and admired by the whole
city where he had labored faithfully
and well since 1892, when he was ap-
pointed an irremovable rector by the
Bishop of the Diocese. Father Crowe
had died from the effects of an opera-
tion performed about two weeks be-
fore his death.
The sermon was preached by the
Very Rev. J. P. O'Mahoney, President
of St. Viator's College at Kankakee,
111., and was a splendid .tribute to the
life and works of the dead priest. He
drew a beautiful pen-picture of the
Catholic home in which the pre-
destined youth drank in the inspira-
tion and high ideals that later on
made him the champion of right, the
expounder of truth, the enemy of vice
and the admiration of all who knew
him.
Defunct attained an age of 64 years
and was born at Oswego, N. Y. Father
Crowe made his ecclesiastical studies
at the Grand Seminary of Montreal,
where he was ordained to the priest-
hood after a thorough training under
the competent guidance of the Sul-
pician Fathers. His first charge was
at Flora, where he remained but six
weeks, when he was promoted to Mat-
toon. Here he worked with great de-
votion for fifteen years and erected
the present beautiful church. Realiz-
Page Thirty-Four
ing Father Crowe's worth and ability,
the Bishop sent him as pastor to the
important charge of Jacksonville t as
successor to the Very Rev. Timothy
Hicky, V. G., who had assumed the
pastorate of the Immaculate Concep-
tion Parish of Springfield.
The history of the church under the
rectorship of Father Crowe has been
one of indefatigable labor on the
rector's part and of a steady expan-
sion on the part of the parish under
his direction, in all lines of Catholic
work, spiritual, financial and intellec-
tual.
The Jacksonville Journal paid the
following editorial tribute to Father
Crowe:
"The passing of Very Rev. Dean J.
W. Crowe removes from Jacksonville
a very influential citizen. Father
Crowe has been a resident of Jackson-
ville twenty-three years and his record
has been such as to prove beyond
question his ability as an organizer.
Proof of this ability has appeared in
various 'ines and during his pastorate
the Church of Our Savior has de-
veloped in a material way. Father
Crowe was especially interested in
educational work and because of his
leadership Routt college stands in
Jacksonville today. Father Crowe was
a man of wide learning and liberal ed-
ucation. A well known Jacksonville
man and a non-Catholic, who accom-
panied him on a trip occupying sev-
eral days, said recently that the de-
ceased rector was one of the most de-
lightful men he hac 1 ever known so-
cially and in a conversational way.
Father Crowe was not especially dip-
lomatic in his manner or in his ways
in fact he was especially outspoken
and had the habit of going directly
after anything that he wanted. Oppo-
sition to him or disagreement with
him did not mean offense, and he had
an admiration for men and women
with convictions and willing to fight
for those convictions. During his years
of residence here. Father Crowe be-
came a large force in the community
and while his parishioners and friends
found much in him to admire, even
those who disagreed with him had
great respect for his knowledge and
influence. His going marks the end
of a very forceful life."
One brother, Father Donat Crowe,
late pastor of Kewanee, died in Rome,
Italy in 1912. R. I. P.
REV. THOMAS CUSACK.
(From the New World.)
The Rev. Father Cusack was one
of the pioneers of the Alton diocese.
Born in Kilmainam, County Cavan,
Ireland, he emigrated with a brother
to Indian Creek, Mo., some 30 miles
west of Quincy, where they purchased
and worked a farm. In course of time
Mr. Cusack repaired to the Seminary
of the Barrens and was ordained
August 15, 1842 by Bishop Kenrick
for the diocese of St. Louis. In the
same year he was sent to Salt River.
In 1845 he was given charge of Indian
Creek. In 1850 he was found sta-
tioned at Arrow Rock, a locality not
known to modern geographers. In
1851 he was stationed at Marshall,
Saline County. In the year of the
Jubilee, whilst crossing the Salt River
with Bishop Kenrick, the stream hav-
ing unexpectedly risen, the distin-
guished prelate lost his equilibrium
and owed his life to the skill of Father
Cusack as a swimmer. Afterwards he
had charge of Jefferson City, and
1852 of Lexington. In the list of
Missionaries kept in the archives of
the Archdiocese of St. Louis, he is
described in 1854 as missionary "in
via ferrata vaporea" t h e Railroad
Apostle. And so he was, not only in
Missouri, but also in Illinois, whither
he repaired in the following year,
with headquarters at London City. In
1856 he was stationed at Decatur,
from thence following the men build-
ing the railroads, administering to
their spiritual wants and striving to
control their excesses. His means of
conveyance was a "white mule," still
famous wherever he visited. He built
several churches, all of a simple and
primitive style, neither Greek, Roman-
esque nor Gothic, known to the
priests as the "Cusack style," a good
sort of style notwithstanding their
plainness, in which as good prayers
could be said as in St. Peter's of
Rome.
Father Cusack left Decatur for
Shelbyville where he was stationed in
1864, if not before. In 1865 he left
for Bloomfield, Adams County, where
he remained till 1875 when he went
to Grafton. His next and last mis-
sion was Shipman, where he moved
to in 1876. He died at the Mullanphy
Hospital, St. Louis on February 28,
1887 at the ripe old age of about 87
years. He was burried at Indian
Creek, Mo., where he had labored as
a former priest in the midst of rela-
tives.
Father Cusack was a hard-working,
painstaking priest. He was plain-
spoken and had no flattery for any
one. He made the youngsters know
their catechism.
A prayer for the repose of the soul
of honest old Father Tom.
REV. PATRICK DEE.
"Every word man's lips have uttered
Echoes in God's skies".
His
nary, Milwaukee, Dec. 21, 1872.
death occurred Oct. 16, 1886.
Our subject was born in Ireland and. Father P. Dee acted for two years
ordained a priest at St. Francis Semi- as pastor of the Alton cathedral.
Page Thirty-Five
REV. FRANCIS DERWIN.
"Every throb of my own heart's beating
Tells of the flight of Time".
Obviously our subject must be
numbered with the oldest missionary
priests of the state. As early as 1845
Bishop Rosatti of St. Louis, assigned
him to New Dublin, near Galena,
where he said Mass in a log house
16x24 and 7 logs high, which had been
constructed in 1836. The only men-
tion made of Father Derwin in this
part of the state, the present Alton
diocese, is that in 1846 he was ap-
pointed pastor of St. Lawrence church
(now St. Peter's) of Quincy. He suc-
ceeded its first pastor and founder.
Father Tucker, and remained in
charge of that parish from 1846
Dec. 1849. His administration there
was uneventful, the parish making but
little progress during his incumbency.
After his recall from Quincy Father
Derwin labored in the northern part
of the state, and there he died. R. I.
P.
REV. PATRICK R. DUCEY.
"Godliness is profitable to all things hav-
ing promise of the life that now is and of
that which is to come". 1 Tim. 4, 8.
On December 17, 1908, there expired
at Boerne, Texas, whither he had
gone for the recuperation of impaired
health, the Rev. Patrick R. Ducey,
pastor of St. Mary's congregation of
Marshall, 111. Funeral services were
held the following Tuesday at Mar-
shall. A large concourse of people
was present to attest their respect to
him who had labored so earnestly and
incessantly among them for eight
years in the cause which he repre-
sented. This outpouring of the people
manifested the high regard in which
he was held by the community,
whether Catholic or Protestant. Fol-
Page Thirty-Six
lowing the Solemn Requiem services
the 'body was conveyed to Springfield
for interment. Forty of his confreres
were present at these services. He
was lowered to his last resting place
in Calvary cemetery amongst mem-
bers of the Immaculate Conception
church as he looked upon that congre-
gation as a second home, for there
he had spent the first years of his
young priestly life as an assistant to
its venerable pastor. Father Ducey
was a man of honor and uprightness,
a priest greatly devoted to God's
service an^d the salvation of souls.
Wherever he was his works remain
after him for good. After laboring
at Springfield for some three years in
the capacity of assistant priest, he
was appointed to organize and build
a chinch at Effingham, the Sacred
Heart church. He did so and suc-
ceeded notwithstanding that difficul-
ties were great and means very small.
Leaving the young parish in flourish-
ing condition, Father Ducey assumed
charge of the congregation of Mar-
shall, where, during the subsequent
years of his pastorate he performed
good work, always active in behalf
of the material and spiritual welfare
of his people. When dying his last
words were: "May God's holy will be
done."
Father P. R. Ducey, an only son of
his parents, was born at Lowell,
Mass., in 1862, attended the local St.
Patrick's parochial schools and then
entered upon the courses of Classics,
Philosophy and Theology at St. Bon-
aventure's College of Allegheny, Pa.,
where on June 20, 1889, on the Feast
of Corpus Christie, he was ordained
by Bishop Stephen Ryan of Buffalo,
to the priesthood.
May Father Ducey, whose untime-
ly going is mourned by a host of
friends, rest in God's holy peace.
FATHER DURBIN.
"Time, like an ever-rolling stream
Bears all its sons away".
A venerable missionary priest, who
occasionally exercised his sacred func-
tions at places now comprised within
the Alton diocese, was Father Durbin.
In 1850, his residence or rather stop-
ping place, was at St. Vincent's in
Union County, Ky., twenty-four miles
from Shawneetown. The circuit of
this intrepid early crusader included
southeastern and southwestern Ken-
tucky, a great part of Tennessee, In-
diana, and all Southern Illinois, called
Egypt. From his Kentucky home he
visited on his periodical tours, St.
Bonaventure parish of St. Elmo (now
connected with Altamont). From St.
Elmo he would proceed further north
to Christian county, where near Tay-
lorville there is still to this day quite
a colony of Kentucklans, among whom
we meet with numerous Durbins. By
his occasional visits he would enable
these people to receive the Sacra-
ments, have their children christened
and their marriages solemnized or val-
idated. The old settlers are talking
of Father Durbin's visits to this day.
Father Durbin was an American of
Maryland stock, and had imbibed the
traditions of the persecutions of that
colony against the Catholics. This
filled him with ardor for his religion,
even to rigorism, for he had been in-
structed by Bishops Flaget and David,
first Bishops of Kentucky, they being
exiles from France on account of their
faith. They imbued the future mis-
sionaries in their seminary with a
rigid and self-sacrificing spirit.
Father Durbin died at Bardstown,
Ky., being at the time of death over
ninety years of age. R. I. P.
REV. HENRY EGGENSTEIN.
"Gone home! He lingers here no longer,
A restless pilgrim, walking painfully
With homesick longing daily growing
stronger,
And yearning vision of the joys to be".
On January 21, 1916, the angel of
death beckoned Reverend Henry Eg-
genstein, ''pastor emeritus" of St.
Elizabeth's congregation of Marine,
to follow and the priestly soul winged
its flight to the great white throne of
the Master there to receive eternal
reward for work well and nobly done.
He breathed forth his soul into the
hands of the Creator at St. Vincent's
Hospital of Taylorville, where he had
acted as chaplain ever since his retire-
ment from his beloved St. Elizabeth's
of Marine, in the fall of 1913. Ad-
vanced in years his weakened and
feeble body was not able to withstand
the inroads which a complication of
diseases had caused therein and when
finally dropsy made its appearance the
stricken man knew that the end was
not far off. Hence he set his house
in order so that when the fatal sum-
mons came to him he was fully pre-
pared to answer same. Having re-
ceived most fervently the last sacra-
ments of his Church two days before
death and being fully resigned to the
inscrutable designs of God's provi-
dence, our venerable friend lapsed into
a coma from which he was not to
awaken ere coming to the shores of
eternity. Calmly, without the least
of struggle he passed away, his sun
had set forever, Father Eggenstein
was no more, and another void and
vacancy within the ranks of the faith-
ful workers of the Alton Diocese had
been made. The ranks of older clergy
have alarmingly been decimated
within recent past years, but few
of the old stock are left to tell the
tale of former-day experiences of
Page Thirty-Sevfn
hardships and self-denials which plen-
tifully awaited them in newly started
parishes in city and country alike.
Father Eggenstein was born July
10, 1843 at Drensteinfurt, Germany.
He studied in the local schools, thence
attended the gymnasium of Muenster
after which he entered as alumnus the
American College of St. Maurice (sub-
urban to Muenster.) There he was
raised to the priesthood on May 8,
1869. In autumn of same year, Octo-
ber 2, he landed on the American
shores, setting out at once for Alton
to report "ready for duty" to Bishop
Baltes. He was sent to Springfield as
assistant to the Pastor of St. Peter
and Paul's. His stay here, however,
was to be of but short duration, as
he was after a few months appointed
assistant priest to Father Schaefer-
meyer at St. Boniface church of
Quincy. A vacancy occuring at St.
Joseph's church of Carlinville, Father
Eggenstein became pastor of that
congregation a few months later,
working hard for its material and
spiritual uplift till September, 1876,
when he received his ultimate appoint-
ment to St. Elizabeth's parish of
Marine and where he remained until
forced by age and infirmities to seek
the hospitable asylum of St. Vincent's
Hospital of Taylorville, in the fall
of 1913.
St. Elizabeth's parish in its com-
pleteness, church, school and resi-
dence, is, with exception of the latter,
the result of Fr. Eggenstein's efforts,
it's a bijou among the country par-
ishes of the diocese, proclaiming elo-
quenitly the priestly spirit of deceased
which wrought these telling results.
He likewise built the priest's residence
at Saline.
Our defunct was a man of abstem-
ious, frugal habits, who required but
little for his living. Hardly ever did
he leave his habitat at Marine. In
the summer 1886 he paid a few
month's visit to his boyhood home
and purchased while abroad a number
of fine vestments for his church. He
seemed the picture of contentment
when ambulating up and down his
pretty garden walk and puffing at his
long German pipe, dispelling thereby
whatever care or worry might hover
on his mind. In the performance of
priestly duties, administration of
Sacraments, visits to the sick and
catechetical instructions at school, he
was exemplary and exact; in his deal-
Thirty-Eight
ings with the outside world indulgent
and generous, charitable to the poor
and needy. He was a man of large
stocky built, measuring more than six
feet in height. Having never cared for
worldly wealth and lucre, he died as
he had lived, a poor man. May heaven
be his reward. His mortal remains
were laid to rest at Marine, where
funeral obsequies were held Wednes-
day, January 26, 1916. R. I. P.
REV. JOSEPH EILER.
"The journey is very weary
And He only can give me rest".
Born at Metz, France, (now Ger-
many), he came over to America in
1857, was ordained in 1869 and ap-
pointed an assistant to the Alton Ca-
thedral. He remained, however, but a
few months in Alton when he left for
the Cleveland diocese. There he was
assigned in similar capacity to the
Church of the Assumption, in Cleve-
land. All further particulars are lack-
ing.
REV. JOHN NEPOMUCEN ENZELBERGER.
"You shall reap in joy the harvest,
You have sown today in tears'*.
A trenchant and forceful writer, who
fearlessly championed the cause of the
church, wa3 Rev. John N. Enzel-
berger. For many years his weekly
glosseries on religio-political topics
appeared in the "Herold des Glau-
bens" of St. Louis. His name became
widely known and his sayings exten-
sively quoted by the press. He was an
avowed and outspoken antagonist of
all modernistic tendencies and other
outgrowths which threatened to dam-
age the church. He was honest and
sincere in his denunciations although
probably not always prudent in ex-
pressing them. The greatest service.
however, which forever will redound
to his merit is the compilation of the
third catalogue of the Catholic Ger-
man clergy and of the German par-
ishes of the United States, known as
"Schematismus der Katholischen
Geistlichkeit deutscher Zunge in den
Vereinigten Staaten Amerikas" in
1892. This work is a valuable addition
to the history of the Catholic Church
in the United States for the use of
present and future generations and its
great value has received universal
recognition and unstinted praise. Fr.
Enzelberger would deserve to be par-
alleled with that well-known German
writer, Alban Stolz. He served our
diocese at Vandalia from July 12,
1875-March 22, 1876.
Rev. John Nepomucen Enzelberger
was born March 30, 1852, at Weizen-
kirchen, in upper Austria; studied at
Linz, Austria, and at St. Francis, Wis-
consin; was ordained by Bishop P. J.
Baltes, March 19, 1875; substituted at
vSt. Joseph's parish, Cairo, April 10
till June 23, 1875; substituted at Du
Quoin, from June 29 till July 12,
1875; was rector of Vandalia until
March 22, 1876; then rector of Piop-
olis until February, 1902; after which
he acted as rector of Germantown
rntil his death, November 2, 1907. He
is buried at Germantown. R. I. P.
Page Th'rty-Nine
REV. JOSEPH FINNIGAN.
"Thou shalt exchange the midnight for the
morning
And thy fair home above".
A full measure of sincerest sym-
pathy was poured forth from every
priest's heart when it became known
that their cherished confrere and
companion, Rev. Joseph Finnigan had
been stricken with a fatal affliction
against which medical science for ages
had battled in vain, viz: cancer of the
throat. This dreadful disease claimed
our subject in the ripeness of his con-
secrated career. Weeks and months
of intensest suffering were his portion
ere death relieved him of the terrible
affliction.
Born in 1857 at Providence, R. I.,
young Finnigan was sent in early
youth to Montreal, there to study
Classics, Philosophy and Theology,
under the direction of the Sulpician
Fathers. And nobly he acquitted him-
self of his studies, bearing away sev-
eral college prizes at the annual com-
mencement exercises. He was very
popular among his fellow students
and the Sulpician Fathers in college
and seminary had high regard for his
talents, manliness and high sense of
honor. And yet, as college student,
he was full of harmless mischief and
law-breaking propensities. Had some
little prank occurred whose source
the good Father Rector could not at
once fathom, young Finnigan was
looked upon as the culprit, and with
threatening finger of indulgent repri-
mand he would be addressed: "Ah,
Monsieur Finnigan, c'est vous le cou-
pable." And, sure enough, our sub-
ject had usually been at the bottom
of it. After a brilliant course of studies,
Father Finnigan was ordained to the
priesthood a few days before Christ-
mas, 1882, in the Grand Seminary
chapel by Archbishop Edward Fabre
of Montreal. After reporting ready
for duty to Bishop Baltes, he was sent
as pastor to Kahokia, after which he
successfully filled positions at Virden,
Auburn, Charleston, Grafton, 1895-98,
Jacksonville, Springfield and Dalton
City. Whilst in the latter place, he
was stricken with that dreadful mal-
ady, cancer of the throat, which con-
signed him to an early grave. He bore
his sickness with heroic fortitude and
great Christian resignation and ex-
pired February 9, 1908. A memento
for Father Finnigan. R. I. P.
REV. F. J. FISCHER.
"Pass on, pass on, poor Spirit,
For heaven is yours at last;
In that one minute's anguish
Four thousand years have passed".
We know that prior to the erection
of the Bishopric of Chicago, in 1843,
the eastern part of Illinois was under
the jurisdiction of the Bishop of
Vincennes, Msgr. Brute, whilst the
western portion was ruled over by
Bishop Rosatti, of St. Louis. And
even after the formation of the for-
mer diocese priests from Vincennes
continued to look after the spiritual
interests of many parishes, such as
Ste Marie. Paris, Teutopolis and
others. Among the priests of Teutopo-
lis who originally hailed from Vincen-
nes was Rev. F. J. Fischer, who in
1847, had put up the first bric'k build-
ing at Ste Marie. He administered its
affairs for several months in
1850 after the leave-taking of Father
Kuenster.
Before coming to Teutopolis, Fr.
Fischer had been rector of Piquet's
Settlement, (Ste Marie), and previous
to that for several years an assistant
to Rev. St. Palais (who a few years
later became Bishop of Vincennes.)
When Chicago's first priest, Rev. St.
Cyr, was compelled by age and in-
firmity to relinquish his pastoral duties
of old St. Mary's of Chicago, and
retire to St. Louis where he died, Rev.
St. Palais succeeded him in 1837,
having Father Fischer as assistant.
These were the only priests in Chi-
cago when Bishop Quarter arrived
there May 5, 1844. In August, 1844,
our subject was recalled by Bishop
Page Forty-
Brute back to Vincennes. A few
years later, in 1850, he presided for
several months over the parish of
Teutopolis. R. I. P.
REV. JOSEPH H. FORTMANN.
' 'In Te Domine speravi, Non confundar in
aeternum' '.
A Catholic center in the diocese of
Alton, is Highland. The first settlers
from 1831-1842, were nearly all Cath-
olics, at least in name, though without
strong affiliations to the church. The
years 1840 and 1841 brought more
than one hundred from the Grand
Duchy of Baden, besides a number of
Swiss and a few Bavarian Catholics.
Occasionally, probably twice a year,
a priest was sent them from St. Louis.
More frequent became the visits
since Shoal Creek (Germantown), had
a resident priest in the person of Rev.
Joseph H. Fortmann, ordained at
the Barrens, November 1, 1837, and
since then pastor of Apple Creek,
Mo. He did his best to persuade the
Catholics to build a church and in
this he succeeded. The cornerstone
was placed in 1844 on the first day of
May. The first Mass was celebrated
in this church of Highland in 1846 by
Rev. Kuenster, pastor of Teutopolis.
Father Fortmann was recalled from
Shoal Creek by Bishop Rosatti in
1847 and sent as pastor to St. Joseph's
church of Grosse Point (Wilmette,
Chicago), where he stayed from 1847-
'53. During his stay at Grosse Point
he erected St. Peter's church at Xiles
Center. Next we find him busily en-
gaged at St. Mary's of the Woods at
Highland Park (Chicago), after which
he was appointed pastor of St. Peter's
church at Teutopolis. Here he worked
against many odds and difficulties
from August 5, 1857-January, 1858.
He had made arrangements for the
construction of a new parochial resi-
dence, for which purpose he had col-
lected the sum of $723. Before he
witnessed the realization of his plans,
however, he was sent to Peoria to
assume charge of St. Joseph's church
of that city. Three weeks after his
advent to Peoria, Father Joseph H.
Fortmann died.
His successor in Teutopolis was
Rev. B. Bartels, the last secular priest
of that parish, which now went over
into the hands of the Franciscan
Fathers, who had arrived from Ger-
many. May God rest his soul.
REV. THOMAS FRAUENHOFER.
"No true crown of honor can be given,
Till we place it on a funeral bier".
A great worker was Rev. Thomas
Frauenhofer, Teutopolis, Green Creek
and Effingham, must forever be grate-
ful to his untiring efforts in their be-
half. Early in 1857, February 12, he
was appointed pastor of St. Peter's
congregation of Teutopolis. After re-
siding there for some month's, he
moved to Green Creek, becoming its
first resident pastor. How exact and
faithfully he discharged his sacred du-
ties may be learned from his diary
and publication book which are still
extant in that parish. They are, in
composition, very neat, though rather
exhaustive. Whilst pastor of Green
Creek, Father Frauenhofer looked
after the spiritual needs of the Cath-
olic people in and around Effingham,
where in 1856 a log church had been
built. To this little log shanty he
journeyed every other Sunday to say
Holy Mass for the few scattered
Catholic people thereby laying the
foundation for the present strong
parish. At times he visited Decatur
to minister to the German Catholics
there. When, in 1858, the Franciscan
Fathers assumed charge of Teu-
topolis and subsequently of Green
Creek he took charge of lohnsburg
parish, (Rockford), from Dec. 1858-
Dec. 1860. After this Father Frauen-
hofer became stationed at Lourdes
(now Peoria diocese), and later on
left for the Dubuque diocese. In 1867
he was in charge of Sherrilsmount,
Iowa, and after that at Petersburg.
Page Forty-One
Rev. Thomas Frauenhofer was a
native of Bavaria, born Dec. 6, 1817,
at Pfeffenhausen, in the Diocese of
Regensburg. On July 1, 1844, he was
ordained to the priesthood and exer-
cised his sacerdotal functions for
eight years in his native diocese until
May 19, 1852, when he came to Amer-
ica to affiliate with the diocese of Chi-
cago. Rumor has it that Father
Frauenhofer died at the Trappist
monasteo' near Dubuque, in the year
1870 or 1871, though lack of positive
information prevents from placing
him there with any degree of confi-
dence. R. I. P.
REV. J. FREIMUTH.
' 'Let the incense of pur prayers
Before Thy mercy rise ;
The brightness of the coming night
Upon the darkness rolls ;
With hopes of future glory
Chase the shadows on our souls".
The first resident pastor of Kamps-
ville, in Calhoun county, was Father
Freimuth. He was appointed to that
parish which was still in a formative
state, in 1877, and remained there till
1879. During his two years stay he
built a small frame church and dedi-
cated it to St. Anselm. On the 24th
day of April, 1879, it'was duly blessed
and given over to divine worship.
After holding several minor charges
in the Southern part of the diocese,
Father Freimuth joined the Fran-
ciscan Order at Teutopolis in 1887,
and was known from that time as P.
Firmatus, O. F. M. As such he be-
came an assistant at St. Joseph's
Church of Cleveland in 1892. Being
a man of extreme nervousness and
delicate health, P. Firmatus was much
confined to indoor life. His death oc-
curred at Superior, Wis., Nov. 23,
1909, being in his 71st year of life, the
25th of his solemn profession and the
33rd of his priesthood.
Father Freimuth was born April 10,
1838, at Remscheidt in the Archdio-
cese of Cologne, was ordained a priest
at Maline in Belgium, May 26, 1877,
and came to this country the follow-
ing October. His solemn profession
as member of the Franciscan Order
was made on March 8, 1888. R. -I. P.
REV. HENRY FREDERICK FROHBOESE.
"Cor Jesu, fac cor meum sicut cor Tuum!"
This humble and pious priest was
born June 7, 1823, in Ringelheim,
Hanover, was ordained December 8,
1853, and arrived in the states July
26, 1858. With the exception of the
last five years, the deceased spent his
priestly life in parishes of the present
Belleville diocese, at Mascoutah, Ger-
mantown, Prairie du Rocher and
Fayetteville. Broken in health, after
serious trials and labors, Father Froh-
boese retired in August, 1884, to
become a chaplain in the St. Vincent's
Home of Quincy. Blindness prevented
him from saying Mass after Dec. 24,
1888. Peacefully he slept away Janu-
ary 9th, 1889. His remains were in-
terred in St. Boniface Cemetery of
Quincy. R. I. P.
Page Forfv-J.ro
REV. WILLIAM FUTTERER.
"So soon, so soon, is the daylight fled!
And O, how fast comes the dark to-morrow,
Who hides, perhaps, in her veil of sorrow
The terrible hour I wait and dread ! ' '
Like a flash from a clear noonday
sky came the startling- announcement
of Rev. Father William Futterer's
death on Monday, August 21, 1910. It
was cabled to his sister, Mrs. L. Rit-
ter, of Mattoon, 111., from Munich in
Bavaria, whither decedent had gone
to recover lost health. Most of his
confreres were even unaware of his
ailing condition, few knew of his de-
parture for Europe. Writer of these
lines since 1876 a friend and formes-
schoolmate of the departed received
a card from him. written on landing
in England, on which he stated that
owing to the invigorating ocean trip
he felt much better and that he antici-
pa/ted a pleasant journey on the Con-
tinent. But "Man proposes whilst
God disposes." This truism became
exemplified in the life of our subject.
Arrived at Bonn he had to .submit to
a serious surgical operation which, as
far as is known, turned out to be suc-
cessful. Within a short time he had
so far recuperated from the effects of
it that to journey to Munich seemed
to be entirely safe. Prospects for
returning health and strength seemed
reasonably good, nay almost certain.
Buoyed up by the hope of finding
permanent cure in Bavaria's fascinat-
ing capital for his shattered constitu-
tion, Father Futterer undertook the
trip. From time to time letters and
cards contained the information that
he was doing well and there seemed
hope in every sentence. On August
8th, however, he wrote to his sister:
"I am doing only fairly well," the
last words received from the poor
sufferer who was then already proba-
bly fighting with death. On the morn-
ing of August 21, the scythe in the
hand of the grim reaper mowed down
the precious life of our esteemed
friend in far-away Munich and caused
tears of genuine sorrow in many a
home, for this whole-souled man com-
manded hosts of friends who will
continue to bless his memory.
Rev. William Futterer was an only
son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles and
Mary Futterer of Mattoon, 111. He
attained the age of 47 years and six
months, having been born August 21,
1863. Strong and powerful of phy-
sique, he would inspire one with a
sense of that steam-roller vitality
which is so conspicuous and notice-
able wherever met. His eyes were
dark and keen and upon occasion
would rather mischievously twinkle,
his hands would extend in firm, strong
grip and cordial clutch; his whole
bearing was one of energy and deter-
mination. Though at times blunt of
speech, yet he was of transparent
honesty of purpose and nobility of
character. Generous and unselfish to
a fault he would gladly part with the
last dollar in his pocket or as some
one pertinently remarked w o u 1 d
take the shirt off his back and give it
to the needy one. His hospitality
was lavish. We always found him in
happiest mood when either entertain-
ing friends or dispensing kindness to
deserving people. But how often was
his kindness abused and flagrantly
taken advantage of by unworthy and
ungrateful people, greedy leeches who
were ready to smite the hand that had
blessed them; and blacken the char-
Page Forty-Thrr
acter of the noble man who in days of
distress had befriended them.
Rev. Futterer spent his boyhood
days and early manhood in Mattoon,
where he received his schooling at
the parochial schools conducted by
the Dominican Sisters. After leaving
the Mattoon schools he entered St.
Joseph's College at Teutopolis, from
which he graduated with high honors.
In compliance with the preferred
wishes of the late Bishop Baltes he
went to the Grand Seminary of Mon-
treal, there to study Philosophy and
Theology and became ordained to
the priesthood by the Most Rev.
Archbishop Edouard Fabre, D. D.,
during the week preceding Christmas,
1887.
The first charge which the young
priest enjoyed was at Grant Fork,
(Saline) where he succeeded Rev. A.
Zurbonsen, who was sent as first resi-
dent pastor to Staunton, January 12,
1888. From here he was sent by his
Bishop to near-by P i e r r o n, where
owing to his energetic and generous
initiative he was instrumental in
starting a parish, erecting a fine
church and rectory, purchasing a
cemetery site and performing numer-
ous other duties which will forever
redound to his honor and credit.
At this time Father Futterer became
the Bishop's choice as diocesan re-
presentative at the Catholic Univers-
ity of Washington. Whilst prosecu-
ting his studies at that seat of learn-
ing, he was placed in temporary
charge of St. Mary's German Cath-
olic church, the only church in the
National Capitol where the German
language is spoken. After remaining
for about two years in Washington
where he became the personal friend,
admirer and defender of the late Mgr.
Dr. Jos. Schroeder, dogmatic profes-
sor at the University he was recalled
by the Bishop and appointed pastor
of the parish of Petersburg, where
he performed noble work, but con-
tracted, however,- the malady which
eventually resulted in his untoward
death. The remains were forwarded
after considerable delay to this coun-
try, the following October. Solemn
obsequies at which almost the entire
diocesan clergy assisted, were had in
his native town and parish church of
Mattoon, after which he was bedded
to his eternal rest in the local Catholic
cemetery. R. I. P.
REV. CHARLES GEORGE GEIER.
"In Domino laudabitur anima mea".
A fine young priest, amiable and of
winning disposition was Father C.
Geier, a former college student of
Teutopolis and Seminarian of St.
Francis, Milwaukee, who was raised
to the holy ministry in the Alton
Cathedral by Bishop Baltes, Oct. 31,
1880.
Deceased was a native of St. Louis,
son of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Geier
(Anna, nee Wollenschlager) born
April 26, 1857. Whilst a student of
college and seminary he spent the
annual summer vacations with the
late Father F. Stick, of Mattoon, a
profitable pastime and enjoyment with
such versatile man and talented pastor
of wide experience.
Father Geier was assigned to the
Vandalia parish where he worked
faithfully and successfully from 1881-
'85. Owing to feeble health which
gradually developed into consumption
he was forced after four years to dis-
continue active service. Death claimed
our genial young priest January llth,
1886. R. I. P.
-
Page Forty-Four
REV. HERMAN GESENHUES.
"Thy life that has been dropped aside
Into Time's stream, may stir the tide
In rippled circles spreading wide".
On Sept. 13, 1913, the members of
the Immaculate Conception parish of
Shelbyville, learned with sincerest
feelings of deep regret and poignant
sorrow of the sad fate which had be-
fallen their pastor, and with them, the
bishop and every priest in the diocese
were most painfully affected, when
told of Father Herman Gesenhues'
sudden death. A heart stroke early
in the morning had terminated the
precious life of Shelbyville's pastor.
Three weeks before his death he had
attended the bi-annual retreat at
Quincy, where he edified many by the
strict observance of the rules as well
as by his unfeigned genuine piety and
devotion. During recreation hours
when a free intermingling of priests is
permitted after the noon and evening
meals, good Father Gesenhues would
tarry in the chapel, taking but little
heed of his fellow-priests' recreation
and diversions. Had he a premonition
of his impending fate, did he feel the
nearness of the last summons? So
much, however, seems to be certain,
that he who at all times had led a
model priestly life, who shortly be-
fore death had deeply penetrated into
his interior, spiritual life to set things
aright, needed not to fear nor trepi-
date when suddenly the grim reaper
appeared and beckoned to accompany
him. Father Gesenhues was prepared
for such eventuality.
Of the beautiful life and character
we will let "A Member of the Congre-
gation" speak who thus, wrote to a
local paper after the funeral had taken
place:
"I fail to find words to express the
deep sorrow felt by the members of
the Immaculate Conception Church of
this city over the sudden but peaceful
death of our dearly beloved pastor,
Father Gesenhues, which occured at
the parsonage in this city about 6
o'clock Saturday morning. Sept. 13,
1913. Death was due to a heart stroke.
We mourn the loss of our dear pas-
tor, an honored priest of the diocese,
and our dearest friend.
I shall endeavor to pay tribute to
his memory by mentioning a few of
his many virtues.
Father Gesenhues realized that a
priest of the Catholic Church is an
ambassador of Christ. The joys and
sorrows of his people were his joys
and sorrows. He was an ideal priest
and the soul of sincerity.
Father Gesenhues was meek and
lowly, kind and gentle and unassum-
ing, and was remarkable for his pa-
tience. He was to be admired because
he strictly minded his own business
a character which he also so much ad-
mired in others. He was eminently a
man of peace; the father of his flock,
for whom and for whose sake he la-
bored. It made no difference what
the occasion or the circumstance
might be, Father Gesenhues was al-
ways the same kind, gentle pastor.
Many of his quiet acts of charity are
known, but most are only recorded in
that great book which some day will
be revealed to all.
Father Gesenhues disliked publicity.
He was not a public man in the ordi-
nary sense of the word. He had one
duty; that was his duty to his parish.
Page Forty-Five
His religious convictions were firmly
fixed, mellowed, however, with charity
for all not of his faith. He was a shin-
ing light unto all, carefully practicing
all he preached. His whole life was
devoted solely to the service of God.
To know him was to love him. To
meet him was a joy and a consolation.
Not only cheering in the hour of dark-
ness, but ever and always bright and
cheerful with the spirit of a priest,
urging all to do better.
Could our dear departed pastor
speak to us today, he would say:
"Friend, cease praising me, but pray
for me." "He is worthy of praise, and
in that spirit I pay tribute to his mem-
ory."
Deceased, a big, corpulent man of
great weight and tall stature, was born
in St. Louis, Dec. 13, 1858. Shortly
after his parents removed to German-
town, where young Herman attended
the parochial school and later entered
St. Joseph's College of Teutopolis.
His classical course finished, he was
sent by the Bishop to Milwaukee,
there to study Philosophy and Theol-
ogy.
Herman Gesenhues acquitted him-
self both at Teutopolis and at Mil-
waukee, splendidly for he was a gifted
and talented young man who suffered
not to be outdone by his class-mates.
Bishop Baltes raised our young the-
ologian to the priesthood at Alton,
Oct. 23, 1881. Bloomfield, Hillsboro,
with Raymond and Gillespie, Alta-
mont, Beardstown and Shelbyville
were successively the parishes where
Father Gesenhues performed excellent
work and where his name will remain
in benediction. Many a time when
coming from Hillsboro to Gillespie on
a late evening train and not wishing
to incommode anyone, he went to his
little church and there spent the night
on the hard planks of a church pew.
His modesty forbade to ever mention
these and other incidents but they elo-
quently portray his humility and un-
selfishness. He was certainly a priest
according to the heart of God.
When Father Herman Gesenhues
then, was called away from the scenes
of his manifold exploits and services,
may the great High Priest have ad-
dressed him in the words of the ante-
phone: "Euge serve bone . . . intra in
gaudium Domini tui."
His mortal remains were taken to
his old home in Germantown, and
there, after solemn services, interred
in the Catholic cemetery. R. I. P.
REV. JOHN W. GIFFORD.
"Leaving the house forever,
To wander out forlorn".
Our subject was a native of Scot-
land, and ordained in Ireland. He
succeeded Rev. George A. Hamilton
in 1851 in the administration of the
affairs of the young Immaculate Con-
ception church of Springfield. There
had been a vacancy after its first
resident pastor, G. A. Hamilton, had
relinquished it in 1845. Father Gif-
ford remained its pastor for two years.
He died in the fall of 1853 at O'Hara
Settlement (now Ruma), in Randolph
county, and there he found his last
resting place. Father Gifford arrived
in Chicago from Ireland in May, 1850,
and was at once accepted by Bishop
Van de Velde. He worked mostly in
the northern part of the state. R.
I. P.
Page Forty-Six
REV. CHARLES GONANT.
1 'Death is coming and I hear him
Soft and stealthy cometh he;
But I don't believe I fear him,
God is now so close to me".
Father Ab. Eyan.
Numbered with the brave band of
French priests, who, at the solicita-
tion of Bishop Juncker, left the sunny
hillsides of beautiful France in the
latter part of the fifties in order to
devote their future lives in the young
diocese of Alton, was Rev. Charles
Gonant. He was a native of Nancy,
where he received Holy Orders in
1858. On arriving in the United States
in the fall of that same year, his first
assignment was to the parish of As-
sumption, which then was greatly
peopled by French-speaking Catholics.
He became their first resident pastor.
Here Father Gonant remained three
years, from 1858-'61, attending during
these years to the spiritual needs of
the Catholics of Pana.
From Assumption our worthy
priest was ordered to Litchfield to
succeed the Rev. Michael Colton as
pastor of that young congregation.
Father Colton had assumed charge of
that parish a few years previous and
had caused the first brick church to
be built there in 1859. For ten years
Father Gonant remained at Litchfield.
A considerable debt on the church
was liquidated and shortly after suc-
ceeded in building a becoming paro-
chial residence. A two-story brick
was erected and nearly all paid when
he took possession of it. Hitherto he
had lived in a one-story cottage ad-
joining the old church and which he
rented for years. From Litchfield he
regularly attended Hillsboro.
Leaving Litchfield in June, 1871, he
moved to Arcola, where, however, his
stay was but a short one, for he left
this charge in September of the same
year. At this juncture our good priest
went to the Peoria diocese to become
a subject of Bishop Spalding Che-
banse had become a separate parish
and awaited a pastor. Rev. Charles
Gonant was sent thither in 1875 and
he continued to direct the destinies
of that congregation for eleven years,
till 1886. He died a priest of that
diocese. R. I. P.
REV. AUGUSTINE GORRIS.
"Adieu! Farewell!
At peace! at rest!
Gone home to dwell
Among the blest."
The queenly city of Amsterdam in
Holland, was the birthplace of a tal-
ented and eager young priest, who
during the few years of priestly life
had already accomplished a great
deal. His premature final leave-taking
then caused sincerest regret wherever
known. Father Augustine Charles
Gorris is this man in question. The
lamented young priest had a host of
friends who all admired him for his
deft ways and undismayed courage,
which he exhibited to good advantage
when placed amid adverse conditions,
especially when made pastor of St.
Ubaldus parish of New Douglas.
Our clerical young friend he was
but 40 years of age when called to
his reward was born in Amsterdam
on Christmas day, 1861. Being with-
out sufficient means to complete the
prescribed course of required studies,
he set out to learn the joiner's trade.
Page Forty-Seven
This he followed for a number of
years, husbanding in the meantime,
every penny for the accomplishment
of his proposed purpose, the study for
the priesthood. And he succeeded
though hard was the task.
At the American College of Lou-
vain we find our young man pouring
over his books, determined to win
out, which he did, for he was ordained
there on February 25, 1893. In the
fall of that same year he came to this
country to be appointed as assistant
to St. Boniface church of Quincy.
This was November 13, 1893. For
three years he worked faithfully at
St. Boniface, when on November 5,
1896, he was transferred to St. John's
church of that city, there to lighten
the burdens of Father Still, the pastor.
Here the young priest performed like-
w i s e good and valiant services.
Recognizing his merits and persistent
endeavors his Bishop made him pastor
of St. Ubaldus parish of New Doug-
las, July 11, 1899. Here the enduring
qualities of the man were put to a
severe test. As a poor priest, he
landed in a poor congregation. St.
Ubaldus was not any more what it
used to be in the Eighties. The Cath-
olic population had dwindled away,
causing that parish to struggle for an
existence. A mere handful of Cath-
olic people, themselves not blessed
with riches, to have and support a
resident priest and meet current ex-
penses when the income was small and
meagre, was indeed a task from which
many a one would have tried to
shrink. Not so with Father Gorris.
Finding the church walls bare, and
plaster cracked, he papered them, the
leaky, rotten roof he tore away, and
hunting for his carpenter's tools
climbed the roof and re-shingled it,
broken down fences he repaired and
caused a great many other necessary
improvements to be made. Neither
did he forget to build up the spiritual
life of the parish. When everything
was in good running order our young
hard-working pastor's health suc-
cumbed to the continued strain and
hardship and self-denial. Where
should he go to in his broken down
condition and poor in purse? A sin-
cere welcome awaited him with the
good Sisters of St. Vincent's Home
of Quincy, whose chaplain he had al-
ready been whilst stationed as assist-
ant at St. John's. Nine months he
struggled to ward off the fatal hour.
However, he had to yield to the in-
evitable on November 16, 1901, tuber-
culosis claiming him a victim.
After solemn funeral services, his
remains were buried in St. Boniface
cemetery of Quincy.
May the soul of this worthy young
priest rest in God's holy peace.
Page Forty-Eight
REV. GEO. A. HAMILTON, SR.
"I will pass from earth and meet him
Whom I loved thro' all the years,
Who will crown me when I greet Him
And will kiss away the tears".
Sparse and meagre are the items
left us about Rev. G. A. Hamilton
and his doings in parishes now parts
of the Alton diocese and the few
known facts comprise but seven years
of his priestly career among us.
Rev. George A. Hamilton, together
with Rev. Hilary Tucker, the founder
of St. Peter's of Quincy, were sent in
their young student days by Bishop
Rosatti of St. Louis, to Rome, there
to enter the College of the Propagan-
da. The young men had attracted the
Bishop's attention by their extraordi-
nary mental endowments. These gifts
and talents augured well for their
future usefulness. The territory for
which they were ordained was im-
mense, the laborers, however, were
but few. Both young men were of
native American parentage. Finish-
ing their studies at the Eternal City
in 1839, the young neo-presbyters
hastened home and presenting them-
selves to their Ordinary, were assigned
to their respective spheres of work,
Father Tucker to Quincy and Father
Hamilton to Upper Alton. Here the
latter assumed charge as first resi-
dent pastor of St. Mathias' church
which a few years thereafter was con-
sumed by fire. From Alton Fr. Hamil-
ton extended his activity in every
direction, especially did he center it
in Springfield, where in 1845 he or-
ganized a parish in honor of St. John
Baptist, built a small frame church
and took up his residence beside it.
Again his usefulness from here radi-
ated in many directions, attending
from Springfield, the Catholic settle-
ments of Sugar Creek, Bear Creek,
South Fork, Vandalia, Taylorville,
Jacksonville and Virginia. On May
11, 1845, Father Hamilton celebrated
for the first time Mass at Vandalia, the
ceremony taking place at the court
house. People of every denomination
were desirous of seeing the services
and administration of baptism per-
formed. Consequently the building
was crowded to excess, not half of
the large concourse of people being
able to gain admission. Catholics
largely seized the opportunity afforded
them by offering up their prayers be-
fore the throne of the Most High.
Fifty persons received the Sacrament
of Baptism that day. Truly a Pente-
costal sight. Virginia, one of the sta-
tions attended to by Father Hamilton
from Springfield relates in the ac-
count of 1850 that it had received the
accomodations of a frame church.
When this frame church was erected,
is not stated.
In May, 1846, he left the diocese
(Chicago) and the state, going east to
Boston, where he died a few years
later. Only once after leaving his
diocese we hear from him and this
was on the occasion when a petition
was signed that was to secure a. char-
ter for the "University of St. Mary of
the Lake." George A. Hamilton
placed his signature thereto July 18,
1849, to which was added: removed
from the state.
Our subject, Rev. George A. Hamil-
ton must not be confused, however,
with a namesake, Rev. Geo. Hamilton,
Jr. who received ordination from
Bishop Quarter at Chicago, August 19,
1845. He labored for awhile at North
Arm, this diocese, attending Paris and
thereafter worked in Chicago diocese.
He was a nephew of Rev. Geo. A.
Hamilton, Sr. R. I. P.
Page Forty-Nine
REV. FRANCIS J. HARBE.
At the Santa Maria Infirmary of San
Antonio, Texas, on June 17, 1913, the
life of a fine young priest was
snuffed out by cruel death. Rev. Fran-
cis J. Harbe died there a victim of the
"White Plague," tuberculosis. Medi-
cal aid and science had tried in vain
to stay the inroads caused by this
terrible disease but to no avail. He
sank into the grave when but 37 years
old.
Father Harbe's life was one replete
with adventures, it reads like a
romance in all its phases and features.
Born May 2, 1876 at Cleveland, Ohio,
he became in infancy orphaned
through the death of his mother. The
father took the child to far-off Arizona
and placed him in the care of the Sis-
ters of St. Joseph. Mother Monica,
one of the sisters, thereupon confided
little Francis to an orphanage in St.
Louis, Mo., where he grew up into
boyhood. Being endowed with a
bright intellect, the boy was sent to
St. Francis College of Quincy, where
he remained till 1896, making splendid
progress in all his studies, especially
in music. We next hear of him as
music teacher in St. Louis and organ-
ist at St. Patrick's of that city. When
the Spanish-American war broke out,
young Harbe joined the Missouri
volunteers and saw service in Cuba.
In 1900 he decided to again take up
his studies and to prepare for the
priesthood. He entered the American
College of Louvaini, in Belgium where
after the completion of his theolog-
ical course he was ordained July 12,
1903 by Bishop James F. Van der
Stappen.
His first appointment was to
Oconee from where he was trans-
ferred to Greenville. His health gave
way, whereupon in 1910 he sought
the more salubrious clime of Oklaho-
ma. There he had charge for one year
of the parish of Coal Gate, but not
seeing any improvement in his broken-
down health, he entered in 1911 the
Sanitarium at Boerne, Texas. But the
result here was not better than in
Oklahoma, on the contrary, Father
Harbe felt his life slowly ebbing
away. From Boerne he journeyed to
the Santa Maria Infirmary of San
Antonio, where as already stated, he
passed away June 17, 1913. R. I. P.
REV. JAMES HARTY.
It is a fact, unknown to many, that
St. Joseph's College of Teutopolis,
combined with the classical course
likewise one of Philosophy and Theol-
oyg. This was in the beginning of its
existence, now more than fifty years
ago. It prospered and flourished
from 1862-1865 when owing to a lack
of professors the theological course
was discontinued by the Rector of the
institution, the Very Rev. Mauritius
Klostermann, O. F. M., who felt that
services of the little band of Fathers
was more urgently needed elsewhere.
During the existence of this theolog-
ical department at the College, how-
ever, there were twenty-five young
clerics graduated for the priesthood,
one of whom was our subject, Rev.
James Harty. He with three other
seminarians was ordained on St. Nich-
olas' Day, Dec. 6th, 1863. The co-
ordinati were the Revs. W. Kinchen-
buch (who in later years joined the
Peoria diocese), Ferdinand Stick and
Jeremiah Sullivan. All these good
priests now rest in God, the last to
die was Rev. Ferd. Stick of Highland.
St. Francis Xavier's parish of Jer-
seyville, will forever be linked with
the name and blessed memory of
Father Harty, for it was in this parish
that almost his whole priestly career
was spent, from 1868-1899, in which
latter year (July) he" was summoned
to a better world.
The decendent was born at Old Par-
ish, County Waterford, Ireland, on
Dec. 6th, 1836. He made his classical
studies at the school kept by the
Trappist Fathers at Mt. Mellary and
entered All Hallows' College in 1859.
He left the land of his birth, however,
Page Fifty
and setting the prow of his future
career westward, came to America,
landing at Alton in 1862. The theo-
logical department having just been
opened at Teutopolis, it was thither
that Bishop Juncker directed the
young aspirant to proceed where in
1863 he was ordained to the priest-
hood. His first appointment was to
Olney, whence he was transferred to
become the Cathedral Rector of Alton.
Shortly after his advent to Alton, St.
Francis Xavier's parish of Jerseyville
was founded. The church building was
under construction. The committee
in charge, however, had encountered
a financial snag and it required the
services of a prudent and experienced
pilot to extricate the affair out of be-
setting difficulties and send the un-
finished church on to completion.
Father Harty was the man of the
hour. He assumed the task. No one
was better qualified to undertake this
job than he. (1868) With what signal
success he labored in this chosen field
of St. Xavier's of Jerseyville for thir-
tyone long years, is well known to all
Church residence, Sister's dwelling,
and above all the fine parochial school
the pride of the parish, eloquently
proclaim better than words can tell
Father Harty's untiring efforts in
behalf of parish and people.
It is not often that a priest has
departed beyond the meridian sun of
life whose taking off has left a deeper
sorrow upon parishioners, or has de-
prived his friends of a more beloved
and genial companion and the diocese
at large of a more wise and useful
pastor, than Rev. Harty. To say
that he was endeared to all who knew
him is only to express their faith and
trust in his unblemished conduct of
priestly life and in his fidelity to all
good principles, and to repeat toward
the departed the earnest friendship
which he inspired by his noble, unsel-
fish bearing, extended to all with cor-
dial sincerity. His acquaintance was
extensive, but it was not wider than
that atmosphere of warm and appre-
ciative love and respect which per-
vades all classes of people who had
ever come in contact with him. A
good, generous, big-hearted man and
true priest of God has left his last-
ing imprints upon the Alton Diocese.
Father Harty found his last rest-
ing place in the local Catholic ceme-
tery of Jerseyville. R. I. P.
Page Fifty-One
REV. B. HASSE.
"Rich the joy to be revealed
In that hour from labor free
Bright the splendors that shall yield
Happiness to thee".
The former "Americanum" of St.
Maurice in Muenster, has contributed
a number of excellent priests to our
diocesan clerical ranks. This institu-
tion has now ceased to exist as such.
The last one of the Alton priests who
received their training there, Rev.
Bernard Hasse, died May 4, 1911, at
the age of 63 years. The cradle of
Father Hasse stood on the banks of
the river Ems at Warendorf in West-
falia, where he was born February 12,
1848. There in the primary schools of
his native city he received his first
marked honor and distinction. In
1870 he entered as young cleric above
mentioned institution. After four
years of strenuous application to phil-
osophical and theological studies, he
was elevated to the priesthood in the
venerable cathedral church of St.
Ludger of Muenster, by Bishop John
Bernard Brinkmann, May 30, 1874.
In company with the late Revs.
Augustine W e n k e r, of Naperville,
Emmerich Weber of Chicago, and
John Stor'p of Green Creek, he set out
for America that same summer, ar-
riving in New York, September 19, and
Page Fifty -Two
a few days after in Alton. From the
day of his coming till the day of exit
Father Hasse proved himself a con-
scientious, faithful and earnest priest
in the discharge of his holy office. In
a quiet, unobtrusive way he went
about his business doing good. Being
of a retired disposition he seldom ap-
peared in public for he eschewed all
notoriety and ostentation. He lived
for his parishioners, his best friends
were his books on the library shelf,
for Father Hasse was solid in his
studies. The parishes in which he
faithfully worked, Paris, Grant Fork,
Fayetteville, Raymond, Petersburg
anl Mt. Sterling, will continue to keep
his memory sacred. Months prior to
death our subject became afflicted
with heart trouble angina pectoris
for the relief of which he sought a
quiet retreat in St. Mary's Hospital or
Quincy. This, however, proved of but
little avail. The doctors suggested
the Southern clime of Hot Springs,
Ark. He went thither but soon re-
turned to Illinois, the ailment had
grown in intensity and assumed
alarming proportions. He entered St.
John's Hospital of Springfield, for
feeling the nearness of death, our
good priest wanted to die among his
friends of the diocese. On May 4,
1911, death relieved him of his suf-
ferings and his priestly soul soared
upwards to God's holy throne.
Having been a life-long friend of
his former schoolmate and confrere
Father Joseph Still, our departed had
oft expressed a wish to be buried near
him. Thus it happened that the ob-
sequies took p 1 a c e at St. John's
church, Quincy, on the following
Tuesday, May 9. Solemn Requiem
followed the recitation of the Office
of the Dead, Rev. E. Spalding being
celebrant assisted by Rvs. C. Kreck-
enberg of Springfield, as deacon, and
H. Muckermann of Linn, Mo., as sub-
deacon, whilst the pastor, Rev. J.
Postner, acted as master of cere-
monies. The funeral sermon was
spoken by Rev. A. Zurbonsen, of St.
Mary's, Quincy. R. I. P.
REV. WILLIAM J. HEALY.
' 'Best had come. His task was done.
Calm was written on his brow."
Responding to the heavenly roll-
call of his Maker, Rev. William Healy
departed from hence June 2, 1915. He
was in the summer of life when he
harkened to the final summons.
Months of illness had defied all medi-
cal skill and treatment in hospital
and sanitarium. Peacefully and qui-
etly he breathed forth his soul into
the hands of his God. The energetic
priest had framed up within his soul
a vision of years of usefulness to his
congregation, years of endeavor for
the welfare of others, years of service
to the diocese, years of prayerfulness
to Almighty God. Cruel death frus-
trated all plans arid projects. Father
Healy was beckoned forth to meet
his Master. His priestly soul entered
Eternity.
Deceased was of cheerful and sunny
disposition, ever ready to report to
the call of duty, kind and generous
to all. Championing physical culture
and recreation, he was an ardent lover
of our national sport, baseball. A
host of friends and admirers mourn
his untimely loss, especially the
Knights of Columbus, whose state
chaplain he had been for several
terms.
Rev. William Healy was born at
Scranton, Pa., August 1, 1868. After
graduating from the elementary
schools of his native city, he entered
St. Michael's College of Toronto,
Canada, where he pursued his classi-
cal course. From there he was sent
to "Our Lady of Angels" Seminary
of Niagara, for Philosophy and The-
ology, and became ordained to the
priesthood by Bishop S. V. Ryan of
Buffalo, December 23, 1894. Imme-
diately after ordination the young
priest was assigned as assistant to
the Cathedral of Alton. Here he re-
mained for almost six years, being
transferred in March, 1900, in similar
capacity to the church of Jacksonville.
In September of that same year,
Father Healy was appointed pastor of
the Sacred Heart congregation of
Effingham, succeeding Rev. Father
Ducey, who was transferred to the
parish of Marshall. After several
years of devout faithful service at
Effingham, Father Healy was again
called upon to succeed his former pre-
decessor and move on to Marshall,
where Father Ducey's career had
been rudely interrupted by death.
Here it was that our departed one be-
gan to ail, steadily getting worse and
worse as time passed on. Thinking
that a change to a smaller rural parish
might improve his condition, the
Bishop appointed him to that of
Murrayville, made vacant 'by the
death of Father McGuire, but all to
no avail. The deadly germs had de-
veloped rapidly and on June 2, 1915,
Father Healy sank into the arms of
death. After solemn funeral services
his remains were imbedded in the
cemetery of the parish. R. I. P.
Page Fifty-Three
REV. WILLIAM HEFFERNAN.
"Ambition have I, and it's with me night
and day;
To live my life for others and to help
them when I can ;
To foster hope, and sorrow drive away,
And love and be loved by my fellowman' '.
Thus wrote the priestly pen of one
whose sad and sudden passing shocked
the community and spread a pall of
gloom and mourning over the diocese
when the sad news was flashed to
priests and people that Rev. William
Heffernan had been found dead in
bed, had answered the last summons
of the angel of death and had passed
to his reward in the kingdom of his
Master whom he had served so well.
It was on the day of the Holy Souls,
November 2, 1912, at the rectory of
St. Mary's parish of Mt. Sterling, that
this catastrophe overpowered the ap-
parently strong and healthful man.
Little did anyone dream that Father
Heffernan would be a corpse before
the morning sun had awakened all
Nature and called upon the members
of the church militant to aid the
members of the church suffering by
their sacrifices, communions and
prayers, little did he dream that the
Holy Mass which he intended to offer
that fatal Saturday for the suffering
souls would be offered for himself
by another, his faithful assistant.
Rev. William Heffernan was born
in Blackstone, Mass., May 24, 1869,
and hence had but passed the forty-
third milestone on life's journey. After
finishing his high school education in
his native town, young Heffernan de-
cided to study for the priesthood. To
this end he entered the Grand Semin-
ary of Montreal for the study of
Philosophy and after a two years'
course there betook himself to the
American College of Louvain, where,
after four more years he was elevated
to the priesthood in 1896. After his
ordination he served as assistant at
St. Mary's church of Springfield, re-
maining there three years and win-
ning a distinguished reputation for his
theological sermons and public ad-
dresses. From there he was trans-
ferred to Shelbyville as pastor, later
appointed pastor of the congregation
of Arcola from which place he came
to Mt. Sterling, July 1, 1907. The
want x>f a Catholic high school at
this place, a center of Catholic popu-
lation and energy, had been long and
keenly felt for years. It was reserved
for Father Heffernan to accomplish
what others had not dared to under-
take. St. Mary's Academy, with al-
most 200 pupils stands today a per-
manent monument of his untiring
work and devotion to the cause of
education and religion. His memory
will continue to live on in the hearts
of many grateful people whom he
benefitted by his many deeds of kind-
ness and priestly ministrations.
His mortal remains were forwarded
to his home town, Woonsocket, R. I.,
where his aged mother then resided,
and there they rest within the shadow
of the cross on the pretty Catholic
cemetery 'till the dawn of resurrection
morn. R. I. P.
Page Fifty-Four
REV. RODERICK HEIMERLING.
Mary, our comfort and our hope,
O may that word be given
To be the last we sing on earth
To be the first we breathe in heaven!
The Rev. Roderick Heimerling was
born February 20, 1825, in Waldfaus-
ten, a small town of Bavaria. His
parents were persons of social stand-
ing and wealth, the father holding an
important government position.
Young Roderick being the issue of a
mixed marriage, his father a protest-
ant and the mother a Catholic, was
raised a protestant. However, early
in life he embraced the religion of his
mother. This was in opposition to
the law of the land which prohibited
the son of a protestant father from
becoming a Catholic under a certain
age. The violation of this law com-
pelled him to flee from home. He
went to Switzerland, but was pursued,
brought back and sent to a Military
Academy. Whilst here he was woun-
ded by a shot which caused a slight
but permanent lameness. When he
had partly recovered from his wound
he fled again to Switzerland and from
there to Rome. By the intercession
of the Bavarian Court he was admit-
ted to the College of the Propaganda,
where he studied for the next seven
years. After completing his course
of studies and being unable under the
laws of his native land to return home
he was sent by the Prefect of the
Propaganda to the United States a
sub-deacon. Chicago was selected as
the field of his future services. Shortly
after landing Bishop Van de Velde
ordained him a priest, September 9,
1850.
Ever since that day he had been
in active service. His first appoint-
ment was at Galena, and after that in
various places of Illinois. In 1856 and
part of '57 he had charge of St.
Marie, Jasper county. October 26,
1859, we find him in charge of St.
Alexis' at Beardstown. At this place
he established a school in a rented
building and purchased land for a
graveyard. Here he remained for al-
most seven years and here it was this
great and generous man died March
20, 1866. The story of his last hours
of life is a sad one. Having to attend
a sick call during the night previous
to his death, he waded a stream, con-
tracted a severe cold, and instead of
returning home at once and caring
for himself, went on to Rushville,
Schuyler county one of his missions
paying with his life the excess of
his zeal. Feeling the nearness of
death he sent for Father Stick, then
pastor of Mt. Sterling, but alas! had
to die without the consolations of his
church, the priest being unable to
reach him in time. After solemn
funeral services conducted by Revs.
M. Clifford F. Stick and A. Busch,
his remains were interred in the Cath-
olic cemetery of Beardstown.
Among his schoolmates in Rome he
counted Cardinal Cullen, Archbishop
Spalding, Bishop Rosecrans and Dr.
Cummings of New York. R. I. P.
REV. HENRY ALOYS HELLHAKE.
' 'And the south-wind sighing in the trees
And the dead leaves rustling as they fall".
Born at Quincy, 111., February 9,
1849, Father Hellhake was raised to
the priesthood in his native city, April
21, 1872. He was an assistant at St.
Boniface, Quincy, from May-August,
1872, and then served as pastor of St.
Alexis parish of Beardstown from
1873-Aug. '75, after which he joined
the Fort Wayne diocese, where he be-
came pastor of St. John's church of
Remington, in Jasper county. He died
within recent years, Aug. 11, 1909, at
Sheldon, Ind., where he was pastor of
the local St. Aloysius church. R. I. P.
Page Fifty-Five
REV. EDWARD HERMANN.
1 'The star of life had risen
Only to fade away".
A priest of migratory propensities
was Rev. Joseph Edward Hermann.
He was a native of Silesia, born at
Steinau, in the Diocese of Breslau.
Having almost completed his studies
in the old country, he came to the
States November 18, 1859, and was
ordained a priest by Bishop Juncker
at Quincy, July 2, 1860. Among other
places which he occupied in our dio-
cese was that of St. Mary's, Edwards-
ville, in 1866, succeeding Rev. G.
Tuerk. On May 29, 1867, he left the
diocese and entered upon the duties
as pastor of St. Joseph's church at
Mendota, 111., was transferred to Lin-
coln, thereupon was made pastor of
Matamora in 1871, and in 1872 was a
chaplain in St. John's Hospital of Port
Townsend in the diocese of Nesqually,
Washington. The date of Father Her-
man's death could not be ascertained.
R. I. P.
REV. JOHN HERLITZ.
"Dies mei sieut umbra declinaverunt et ego ut
foenum ami".
Among the number of Neo-Presby-
ters who, as graduates from the
American College of Louvain had
been ordained in the summer of 1877,
was Rev. John Herlitz. A class pic-
ture still extant and today in the pos-
session of one of the ordinati of that
year, shows our subject presiding over
that class of graduates, for he was the
oldest among them, having been or-
dained when well advanced in years.
Father Herlitz arrived in the Alton
Diocese in the fall of that year and
from the very start displayed great in-
terest in his work. In 1885 he took
.charge of Mitchell, attending at the
:same time Bethalto. During a mission
given by Father Braun, S. J., prepara-
tory to the celebration of the patron
feast of the church, on the eve of St.
Martin's Day, during evening service,
a defective flue set the church of
Bethalto on fire, destroying it as well
as the rectory adjoining. The first
years of his priesthood were spent in
the southern part of the Diocese, he
had charge for several years of the
parish of Anna. Before studying for
the ministry at all, our deceased priest
had been a member of a religious
community of brothers and had taught
school several years in England.
Father Herlitz died Nov. 5, 1889, at
the rectory of Mitchell and has found
his last resting place in the small
Catholic cemetery near that town. R.
I. P.
REV. LOUIS HINSSEN.
"Lingering breezes pass
As tenderly and slow,
As if beneath the grass,
A monarch slept below".
The zealous and self-sacrificing
community of Franciscan Hospital
Sisters, whose Mother-house is loca-
ted at Springfield, sustained a severe
loss in the death of their able Direc-
tor, Rev. Louis Hinssen. In good
health until a few weeks before his
death, his friends predicted for him
many more years of active work. He
died at St. Clara's Hospital, of Lin-
coln, 111., whither he had retired at
the advice of his physician, June 25,
1905. In the annual report for 1904-
1905 of St. John's Hospital of Spring-
field, the Rev. Joseph S t r a u b, ap-
pointed successor to decedent speaks
at length of the life and merits of
Father Hinssen. Here is the well-
deserved tribute he pays to his mem-
ory:
Father Hinssen was born at Sons-
beck, Germany, December 29th, 1834.
In this little town he spent his early
years and received his elementary
education. After completing the rigid
course of studies at the Gymnasium
of Cleve, he entered the Seminary at
Muenster, Westphalia, to prepare
himself for his ordination to the
priesthood.
Page Fifty-Six
About a year before his ordination,
an event took place that was to make
an important change in his plans. Up
to this time Father H i n s s e n had
thought of no other field of labor than
that of his own native country. An
address on the need of Catholic
priests in the diocese of Alton, deliv-
ered to the students of the Muenster
Seminary, by Rt. Rev. Henry Damian
Junker, the first Bishop of the diocese,
inspired in young Hinssen a zeal
lor missionary labor and aroused and
confirmed in him the desire to emi-
grate to America. With the determin-
ation that characterized his actions
all through life, he immediately set to
work to carry out this new project.
He did not wait for his ordination, but
as soon as possible made the prepa-
rations necessary for his departure;
and with one companion landed in
New York about the middle of the
following year.
Shortly after his arrival in this coun-
try, he was ordained by the Rt. Rev.
Bishop Juncker in the Cathedral of
Alton, September 21, 1859, and within
a few months was assigned to his
first mission, the parish of Edwards-
ville, Illinois. His work here was the
difficult and arduous work of all the
Catholic priests of southern Illinois
in the early part of the latter half of
the last century. He continued work-
ing in the smaller parishes of the dio-
cese until the beginning of the year
1870, when the newly consecrated
Bishop Baltes appointed him his suc-
cessor at St. Peter's Church, Belle-
ville, Illinois. In this congregation he
labored indefatigably for thirteen
years, doing at times the work of
three priests. At the end of this time
he made a journey to Rome (to set-
tle an acrimonious controversy which
had arisen between the bishop and
himself. Z.) After a sojourn of four-
teen months at Rome he returned and
took charge of a parish in Cairo, Illi-
nois, whose pastor he remained till
the close of the year 1886, when he
began his successful work as Superior
of the Franciscan Sisters' Community
and Director of St. John's Hospital.
The person who contemplates today
the extensive building of St. John's
Hospital, with its clock-work like
management, can not even imagine
the difficulties that confronted Father
Hinssen when he assumed the duties
of Director. No adequate idea of all
that his untiring labor did for the
hospital, and the Sisters of the hos-
pital can be given in the small space
of this brief sketch. Suffice it to say
that his able financiering worked won-
ders in decreasing the debt which
weighed heavily upon the sisters. So
successful was he that, aside from the
many improvements in the hospital
building- itself, and the improvements
and additions to the branch houses in
other cities, the sisters were able
some years ago, without any dread of
the future, to build the extensive ad-
dition to St. John's hospital, which
now adds beauty to the building and
completes it on the west side.
More than his successful financier-
ing, however, we must admire his ef-
ficient work in bringing the nursing
in the institution up to the scientific
standard found today in modern, well-
equipped and well-managed hospitals.
When Father Hinssen was made
director he was almost a sexagenarian.
Men at this age ordinarily are so fixed
in their views that it requires, to say
the least, a strenuous effort on their
part to remain in touch with the pro-
gress made in any field of science and
art. They praise the practices of their
own days and are not easily per-
suaded to concede the good accom-
plished by the discoveries and inven-
tions of the younger contemporaries
of their old age. Not so Father Hins-
sen. In spite of his advanced years,
and in spite of the fact that he was
reared and educated at a time when
hospital work was still in swaddling
clothes, and most people considered
the hospital only a place where sick
paupers might spend their last miser-
able days, Father Hinssen with a
mind open to progress, kept pace with
the rapid strides of improvements
that hospitals were making both in
regard to their architecture and man-
agement, as well as in the nursing
to be had in them. He had not occu-
Page Fifty-Sev
pied his position as Director very long
when he saw the need of a well or-
ganized and systematized training
school, and in spite of his advanced
age, he began to work out a plan for
such a school. While thus engaged
he was confronted by a serious diffi-
culty. In his search for a text book,
he found that there was none in ex-
istence that would exactly suit the
needs of hospital Sisters. This ob-
stacle, however, did not deter him
from prosecuting his undertaking.
Seeing that he could not find a suit-
able text book, he resolved to compile
one. The result was "The Nursing
Sister," a hand book for Sisters train-
ing schools, which today is used in
many of the Catholic hospitals of the
United States and Canada, and which
has even found its way across the
ocean into some of the hospitals in
England. In addition to the "Nurs-
ing Sister" he compiled a smaller vol-
ume, entitled "Hints for the Clinical
Record," which serves as a supple-
ment to the former and which met
with as much success as its predeces-
sor, the Hand-book of Nursing.
The hospital in his charge, however,
furnishes even better proof of Father
Hinssen's ability to understand and
appreciate modern progress, than his
work for the training school and the
compiling of text books of nursing.
Everybody knows that today a hospi-
tal which is not modern in equipment
and up-to-date in nursing will fail to
receive the patronage of the people,
and consequently will not be able to
exist, especially in a place where it
has to meet the competition of other
hospitals. Now St. John's hospital
not only exists today, but at times in
spite of its size has not sufficient room
to accomodate its patrons. The num-
ber of its patients has increased from
357 in 1886, the year when Father
Hinssen was made Director, to 1,839
in 1905, the year of his death; In 1915
the number of patients was 4,500.)
More need certainly not be said to
show that Father Hinssen not only
understood well the necessity of keep-
ing in touch with modern progress,
but that he also, with a mind fit to
appreciate modern improvements, so
managed the hospital and directed the
Sisters that today St. John's hospital
can without fear of contradiction be
said to be among the foremost hos-
pitals in the State. During a long life
of labor, vivified by zeal for the honor
of God and the good of his fellow-
men, Father Hinssen has erected for
himself many a monument that will
make his name live long in the mem-
ory of those for whom he worked.
But foremost among these monuments
is St. John's hospital, for it will pro-
claim his praise to coming genera-
tions, a praise that will find its echo
in the benedictions, especially of all
those who have and will have the
good fortune to share the kind care
and scientific treatment of the Sisters
of this hospital.
A few closing words on the char-
acter of the deceased will without
doubt find interested readers in all
those who had the pleasure of know-
ing him.
The straight figure of the grey-
haired man of three score and ten
that could be seen daily on the streets
of the city certainly yet lives in the
memory of many. The carriage of the
man was the index of his character.
His erect head and body may be con-
sidered the outward manifestation of
the lofty ideals with which his mind
was im'bued, whereas his firm step
gave evidence of his inflexible will in
the pursuance of what he considered
true and just. Yet in this unbending
frame, which harbored a strong mind
and autrocratic iron will, also beat the
kind heart of a father. His sympathy
went out to all. He was a m'an who
felt as his own the sufferings and
troubles of his fellowmen. No one in
trouble knocked in vain at the door of
his heart, he was sure to find it the
source of kind words of sympathy and
consolation, and, if necessary, of sub-
stantial aid. Father Hinssen's chari-
ties were the cause of his dying a poor
man as regards worldly possessions.
His purpose in life was not to accum-
ulate riches, but to do all the good
that was in his power, and to obtain
Page Fifty-Eight
this end he exerted himself to the
utmost.
The days of Father Hinssen's life
were days of labor to the very end.
The world gave him little of that
with which she is wont to reward her
votaries. He asked it not. His view
was fixed on another realm a place
where, he was firmly convinced, a
reward would be given him, in com-
parison to which all that the world
can offer shrinks into insignificance.
For this he worked, with this con-
viction he died, and we may be cer-
tain that his labor was not in vain.
R. I. P.
REV. CORNELIUS HOFFMANN.
'When my eyes are slowly closing,
And I fade from earth away,
And when Death, the stern destroyer
Claims my body as his prey,
Claim my soul, and then, sweet Mary,
Ora pro me''.
A man of rare qualities of mind and
heart, forebearing, gentle and sensi-
tive, such was our subject, Father
Hoffman. Of frail constitution and
feeble health, he was wont to lead a
more or less retired and quiet life,
chiefly occupying himself with his
friends on the library shelf, his books.
He was known to be a fine scholar of
literary attainments.
Rev. Cornelius Hoffmann was born
February 15, 1846, at Breyel on the
Rhine. His studies were made at
Gaesdonk and Muenster and were
finished at St. Francis Seminary, Mil-
waukee, where he was ordained
March 13, 1869, by Bishop Martin
Henni, of Milwaukee. He became an
assistant at St. Peter's parish, Belle-
ville, from March, 1869-June 25, '69;
rector of Mt. Sterling from June,
1860-June, 71; rector of St. Joseph's,
Cairo, which church he built, from
June 1871-October, 73; rector of St.
Wendel and Newton, from October
1873-October, 76; assistant at St.
Boniface, Quincy, from August 1878-
Xovember, '85; rector of Fayetteville,
from November 1885, at Bartelso from
September, 1889 till his death, Novem-
ber 28, 1891. He was buried at Bar-
telso. Solemn obsequies were per-
formed by Bishop Janssen whilst the
late Msgr. Abbelen of Milwaukee, a
former schoolmate and lifelong friend
of deceased, spoke a touching funeral
sermon. R. I. P.
Page Fifty-Nine
REV. THOMAS HOGAN.
"The 'hours fly fast;
With each some sorrow dies
With each some shadow flies,
Until at last
The red dawn in the east
Bids weary night depart
And pain is past".
'Widespread regret was evoked by
the premature demise of Rev. Thomas
Hogan, pastor of St. Peter's parish
of Petersburg, which occured at the
parochial residence, January 12, 1884.
The young priest was but twenty-
seven years old when death overtook
him. Born at Oak Creek, now South
Milwaukee, Wis., he lost his parents
when yet a tender child. The Aemi-
lianum, an orphanage, located next to
St. Francis Seminary, became his
home, the devoted Sisters his trusted
and loving friends and benefactors
who at all times watched over his
growing years with zealous motherly
care and solicitude. At the proper
time in the fall of 1870, he entered as
student St. Francis Seminary to
prepare himself for the attainment of
his lofty ideal, the priesthood, and he
proved himself an excellent student.
By his noble and gentlemanly deport-
ment and close application to study
he won universal respect. The many
priests who were school companions
of deceased entertained the highest
opinion of him and spoke enthusias-
tically of his genial disposition, his
solid piety and his sterling character.
On June 29, 1879, he was ordained
priest by Bishop Baltes at Alton and
at once appointed to the pastoral
charge of Petersburg and its two de-
pendencies, Greenview and Ashland.
With -characteristic zeal the young
priest entered upon his work, captur-
ing in a short time good the wishes of
every one. The present handsome St.
Augustine church of Ashland owes its
construction to the indefatigable
Father Hogan. Whilst his labors in
his sphere of action had already
proven abundantly fruitful yet they
augured still more so for the future.
And with vim and vigor he prosecuted
his holy vocation, when a malady
flung the zealous worker on the couch
of sickness. Medical aid did not avail
and the young priest, not yet five
years in the ministry, soon sank into
the slumber of death.
We were present at the funeral
which took place at St. Francis Sem-
inary in accordance with the oft ex-
pressed wishes of deceased. The body
was accompanied thither by Rev.
John Dietrich, then an assistant at
Jacksonville. Obsequies were had in
the Seminary chapel January 16, with
Father Willmes of Milwaukee as cele-
brant and Revs. J. Dietrich and Nic
Thill as assistants, while Father Jos.
Rainer, then professor at the Semin-
ary (of late nominated a "Notary
Apostolic" by the Holy See, appointed
a Vicar General of the Milwaukee
diocese and who has acted for years
Rector of the seminary) preached the
funeral sermon. The remains were
interred in the little cemetery ad-
joining the Chapel of the Woods.
R. I. P.
REV. HENRY JOSEPH HOVEN.
"Beyond the Land,
Beyond the Sea,
There shall be rest
For thee and me".
To cele'brate the "Golden Sacerdotal
Jubilee" is a privilege accorded to but
very few priests, the majority are
gathered to their reward long ere this.
Such a great commemorative day was
reserved for Rev. H. J. Hoven, when
in the fall of 1911, he celebrated the
50th anniversary of his ordination to
Page Sixty
the priesthood. Whoever saw and wit-
nessed the solemn ceremonies on that
day at the Immaculate Conception
church of Springfield, was surely sur-
prised how the aged priest, still vig-
orous and robust, had so well out-
lived, nay, by far surpassed the bibli-
cal age of three score and ten. And
yet Divine Providence had still three
more years in store for him. It was
on June 9, 1914, that Father Hoven
peacefully slumbered away at his pri-
vate residence in Carlinville, at the
age of 79 years. There he was buried.
The departed jubilarian was born at
Kirspenich, in the Diocese of Cologne,
June 8, 1835, arrived in the States in
June, 1861, and received Holy Orders
at Alton, November 24, 1861, from
Bishop Juncker. From the day of his
ordination to that of his death, he was
always and everywhere faithful and
exact in his duties. His first mission
was Ste. Marie, from whence he was
sent to Marshall, where he laid the
foundation for the present handsome
church. From Marshall he attended
Paris, North Arm and Charleston, a
territory embracing three counties.
From that laborious mission he was
transferred to Jerseyville on March
26, 1865, where his health began to fail
under the constant strain. At this
time he absented himself from the
diocese for awhile. On his return he
was appointed to Carlinville with in-
structions to rebuild the church which
had been destroyed by a storm and
also to erect a new church for the
German Catholics of the place, St. Jo-
seph's. His next incumbency was
Pittsfield, 1878-'80, then Pana and
Shelbyville. From the latter place de-
ceased was transferred to Carrollton,
1892-1903. Finally he was moved back
to Carlinville where he spent two
years as pastor of St. Mary's, and two
years and three months as pastor of
St. Joseph's church. When by the
death of Father Schlegel a vacancy
occurred in the parish of Highland,
Father Hoven was designated his suc-
cessor but declined the offer; instead
he became pastor of Morrisonville and
later a little while pastor of Ray-
mond. His "Golden Jubilee" was cele-
brated October 17, 1911. During the
latter years of his life his health had
gradually been failing, and during two
seasons he sought the quiet retreat in
St. Mary's hospital of Quincy.
Old in years, rich in merit, loved by
his brother priests and respected by
the laity, he obeyed the final call of
the Master whom he had ever served
faithfully.
Father- Hoven was a fine English
scholar, a man of reserve and retire-
ment, a pattern of tidiness and neat
appearance. Besides being a zealous
priest he had the reputation of an ac-
complished musician and skillful or-
ganist. May his soul rest in peace!
REV. LAWRENCE HOYE.
''The hours are flying;
Each one some treasure takes,
Each one some blossom breaks,
And leaves it dying".
Brown's Settlement in Christian
county had the honor and privilege of
harboring from 1889-98 a conspicuous
though humble and unassuming pas-
tor in the person of Rev. Father Law-
rence Hoye. A ripe scholar of bril-
liant attainments was he, one who had
distinguished himself for many years
of his priestly career an eminent in-
structor and had occupied a profes-
sor's chair in various seats of learning.
He who for years had associated with
men of great worth and prominence
had come to seek the quiet and repose-
ful environments of St. Isidore's
there to spend the declining years of
his priestly life preparatory to the
last summons. Physical infirmaries to-
gether with old age demanded an ab-
solute relinquishment of any further
strenuous efforts or new undertak-
ings.
His was a golden heart, at all times
kind, gentle and courteous. Serene
and happy amid rural surroundings
highly esteemed by his confreres and
possessing the unqualified love and
veneration of this sturdy community,
the aged rector appeared to be the
personification of contentment. Such
at least was the impression the dear
old man made upon me when an oc-
casional visit led me to his secluded
hermitage.
Sincerely mourned by all, Father
Hoyne peacefully passed away on
February 20, 1898, at St. Isidore's rec-
tory.
The funeral took place from St.
Agnes Church, Springfield, (Rev. J. J.
Page Sixty -One
Howard, D. D. pastor) from which he
wished to be buried. Bishop Ryan
pontificated at the solemn obsequies
and Rev. Ferdinand Stick, then pastor
of Morrisonville, pronounced the fun-
eral oration. His body rests in the
Springfield Catholic cemetery.
Father Hoyne was a native of the
Emerald Isle, coming to this country
when quite young. In the Eastern
states where he frequented the schools
he received a thorough literary and
scientific education. He was on inti-
mate terms with Archbishop Hughes
and came West with Bishop Quarter,
of Chicago.
In 1847 we find him a sub-deacon
studying Theology at the Chicago
Catholic University, where two years
later he occupied the chair of Philos-
ophy, Mathematics and French whilst
Mr. J. P. Baltes, the future Bishop of
Alton, taught German Literature. In
1851 Father Hoye was prefect of the
Seminary.
Afterwards we find him associated
with the late Bishop McFaul of
Rochester, in Seaton Hall College and
Seminary. One of his scholars who
subsequently rose to national fame,
was John Gilmary Shea, the eminent
historian, whose graduating diploma
he signed. Though a scholar of the
first water. Father Hoye was as shy
and modest as he was learned. He
showed the earnestness of his zeal by
attending the cholera patients in
Chicago in 1849.
When Bishop Baltes was appointed
to the See of Alton, his old friend
returned West to share his labors. He
was appointed to St. Patrick's church,
Ruma, Randolph county, at the same
time teaching in the Diocesan Semin-
ary located there. From 1874-78 he
acted as pastor of Pittsfield, moving
thence to Carlinville, where he built
the St. Mary's parochial residence. In
view of granting the now aged man
in a quiet country place the much
needed rest, Bishop Ryan sent him
to Brown's Settlement. In March,
1889, as above stated, this saintly little
man died. R. I. P.
REV. MICHAEL HURLEY.
Bishop-elect of Peoria, 1875.
' 'The fret, and the strife and the burden
Will be softened and laid away".
A quondam pastor of the Church of
the Immaculate Conception of Spring-
field, was Rev. M. Hurley, having
been appointed to the position in
1854. He succeeded Rev. Michael
Prendergast. Owing to the briefness
of his stay of but a few months,
which were rather void of any nota-
ble achievements, we would be temp-
ted to be satisfied with the mere men-
tion of this short incumbency were it
not for the important fact that the
erstwhile Springfield pastor had been
chosen by the Holy See to become
first Bishop of Peoria. This new dio-
cese was created in 1875, by a sub-
division of the Chicago diocese.
Father Hurley was at the time pastor
of St. Patrick's church of Peoria. He
had been pastor of all the English
speaking Catholics of the city, St.
Mary's since 1864, and when the
parish was divided in 1868 had chosen
the new St. Patrick's parish in which
to continue his labors. While he was
Page Sixty -Two
by virtue of location and his know-
ledge of the new diocese, the most
available candidate for the position,
he modestly and humbly signified his
wishes to the Holy See, at the same
time returning the bulls of appoint-
ment. Singularly his declination and
the bulls never reached Rome, but
went down off, the coast of France in
a vessel lost at sea. Pope Pius IX
and the Prepaganda were advised
from other sources of the state of
affairs and on November 28, 1876,
Rev. John Lancaster Spalding was
appointed Bishop of the new See.
Father Michael Hurley built the
present St. Patrick's church of Peoria
in 1878, and erected a commodious
brick school house in 1888.
He was born in Tipperary, Ireland,
in the year 1826. His education was
completed at Dublin, where he was
raised to the priesthood. Coming
to this country he labored as priest
in Lockport, Bloomington and Spring-
field before coming to Peoria as pastor
of St. Patrick's church in 1864. His
death occured at Peoria on December
11, 1892. R. I. P.
REV. FRANCIS H. HUSSEY.
"Let us revere the power of the Unseen
And know a world of mystery is near".
On November 18, 1914, a young dio-
cesan priest breathed his last in
Providence, R. I. It was Father
Francis H. Hussey. After his ordina-
tion in Buffalo, February 29, 1896, he
acted as assistant at St. Peter's church
of Quincy, after which he was made
pastor of the parish of Bloomfield in
1898, to be transferred the next year,
in 1899, to Virden. The latter place
he relinquished after a few years in-
cumbency for that of New Douglas.
Failing in health Father Hussey went
to Beresford, South Dakota. In Au-
gust, 1914, he returned to his former
home in Central Falls. R. I., in hopes
that a rest would enable him to regain
his lost health. He died from cerebral
hemorrhage at his sister's house in
Providence on above mentioned date.
His funeral took place from Holy
Trinity Church of Central Falls, R. I.,
Nov. 21, 1914.
Father F. H. Hussey was the son of
John and Catherine (McDermott)
Hussey, and was born in Albion, R.
I., October 2, 1869. R. I. P.
REV. ADOLPHUS JACQUES.
"Then strange words upon the silence broke,
And I listened as the Angels spoke".
Among the brave band of early
missionaries whose coming hither was
more or less contemporaneous with
the advent of the First Bishop of
Alton, Rt. Rev. Damian Junker, D.
D., were a number of zealous apos-
tolic men from France. Here as
everywhere else they performed yeo-
man work, they were truly pathfinders
and trail-blazers who left in their wake
many a grateful heart to bless their
memory.
In looking over the accounts of the
pioneer work accomplished by these
heroic men we encounter such names
as Gonant, Dubois, Bedard, Laurent,
Recouvreur, Zabel, Jacques and others
equally distinguished. With a single
exception, these men have all passed
away from the scenes of their ex-
ploits, all have received from the
Master of the great vine yard in which
indefatigably they toiled and moiled
through so many years from early
till late merited compensation.
From the above mentioned list we
single out one whose tragic ending
elicited at the time universal sympa-
thy and sorrow, namely, Rev. Father
A. Jacques. In detailing his life and
activity in the Alton diocese, we turn
for information to the columns of the
"New World," where the following
narrative is thus related. It reads:
Rev. John Adolphus Jacques was
born in 1836 at Buriville, diocese of
Nancy, France. He made his classical
Page Sixty-Three
course at the Seminary of Pona-
Mousson and his philosophical and
theological studies at the Great Sem-
inary of Nancy, leading his class in
both establishments. After spending
a few months at All Hallows' College
in Ireland he came over to America
with Bishop Junker and was ordained
by him on the 3rd of May, 1859.
After assisting for awhile at St.
Mary's, Springfield, he was sent suc-
cessively to Shawneetown, Kaskas-
kia, Paris, Virginia, Beardstown 1867-
68 and then to Assumption where he
did very good work. Two years be-
fore his coming thither a general sub-
scription had been taken up for the
building of a new church, but nothing
was accomplished until he came. In
the fall of 1869 the corner-stone of
the new building was laid by Ad-
ministrator P. J. Baltes; Rev. D. S.
Phelan, the late well known editor of
the Western Watchman, of St. Louis,
preaching the English and Rev. F. H.
Zabel, D. D., the French sermon.
Fairs and subscriptions supplied the
means. It took until the year 1872
to have the building under roof.
In 1874, Father Jacques finding the
congregation unwilling to supply him
with a becoming residence, left and
went to Shelbyville, though still at-
tending Assumption. This move
stirred up the people who at once
built a house.
When Father Jacques left Shelby-
ville he was sent to Cahokia, at the
same time attending Centerville Sta-
tion. In the heated term of July,
1878, he was compelled to travel from
Centerville to Cahokia in an open
wagon under the mid-day broiling
sun to attend the funeral of a child.
As he reached home, he felt prostra-
ted, had no one to help him in his
sad condition, and expired unattended,
being found two days afterwards, July
17, dead, a martyr to priestly duty.
His body, swollen beyond measure,
was buried in the village graveyard
by Rev. P. J. O'Halloran and Rev.
Chris Koenig, both of East St. Louis.
Father Jacques was a refined
scholar, a writer of uncommon merit,
as honorable as he was eccentric. His
delight was to impart religious in-
struction to the rising-generation,
thus planting the seeds for future
harvest. R. I. P.
V. REV. JOHN JANSSEN, V. G.
"What words can speak the joy
For thee in store ?
What smiles of earth can tell
Of peace like thine?
Silence and tears are best
For things divine".
'Very Rev. John Janssen, V. G.
(late Bishop of Belleville), was born
March 3, 1835, at Keppeln, Rhine-
land. He received his early educa-
tion in the parochial schools of his
native town and pursued the higher
studies, classics and theology, partly
at Gaesdonck, partly at Muenster.
When he had almost finished the the-
ological course, the young ecclesiastic
decided to come to America. On
November 19, 1858, Bishop Juncker
conferred Holy Orders on him in the
Cathedral church of Alton. Our neo-
presbyter was assigned to old St.
John's church of Springfield. (This
has since ceased to exist and in its
place the present St. Peter and Paul's
church and parish were built.) Besides
Page Sixty-Four
being pastor of the Springfield congre-
gation he likewise extended his pas-
toral care over the parish of New
Berlin. Next we find him in the chan-
cellor's office and a few years later
he is made Vicar General of the dio-
cese, which position he retained till
elevated to the episcopacy. On Sep-
tember 1st, 1877-December 31st, 1879,
Father Janssen acted as pastor of St.
Boniface parish of Q u i n c y, after
which he was appointed rector of the
Cathedral parish of Alton. At the
death of Bishop Baltes, which oc-
cured February 18, 1886, Archbishop
Feehan of Chicago made him an ad-
ministrator of the diocese (sede va-
cante,) and after its division on Janu-
ary 7, 1887, also administrator of the
new See of Belleville. On the 28th
day of February he was chosen by
Rome to become the first Bishop of
the newly created southern diocese
and received the episcopal consecra-
tion at St. Peter's Cathedral of Belle-
ville on April 25, of the same year.
Father Janssen was a man of gentle
and amiable disposition. His priestly
career as pastor was rather unevent-
ful; as chancellor and Bishop's secre-
tary, he was known to be very prompt
and accurate; as Vicar General and
Administrator, wise and prudent.
He died July 2, 1913. His remains
were sepulchred in a vault beneath
the sanctuary in St. Peter's Cathedral
of Belleville. R. I. P.
REV. JOSEPH JELE.
"Gone to the beautiful city above
To rest in the bocom of infinite love".
From among the visions of the past
there arises before me in the con-
tours of imagined reality the great,
bulky figure of a generous and ten-
der-hearted man, one whose principal
fault, if such it may be called, was a
tendency of over-communicativeness;
it is Rev. Joseph Jele, simple, kind,
child-like man. Born in wonderful
Alpine Tyrol, September 4, 1850, he
joined in the early days of his young
manhood the Capuchin Friars, who
are particularly numerous in his
native land, and was ordained to the
priesthood during Eastertide, 1876.
As professed religious he was known
by the name of Father Angelus. O.
M. Cap. As such he taught for a
number of years at the St. Lawrence
Capuchin College, of Mt. Calvary,
Fond du Lac Co. Wisconsin, where
he enjoyed the universal esteem and
love of the college boys. When in
1884 he applied for permission to join
the secular clergy and having obtained
the permit from the Superior General
of the Capuchins at Rome, Bishop
Baltes assigned him assistant to
Father Meckel of St. Paul's church of
Highland, there to look after the in-
terests of the various out-missions
then connected with Highland, viz:
Pocahontas, St. Jacob, Troy and Black
Jack. He was of a rather impetuous
and impulsive zealousness in the per-
formance of his work.
In September, 1888, Father Jele was
transferred to Springfield, there to
assist Rev. A. J. Pennartz, in the work
at 'St. Peter and Paul's parish, where
he was likewise successfully active.
In less than two years, however, he
was stricken down with illness which
within a few days terminated fatally
for the then still young priest. April
26, 1890. His body was sepulchred on
Tuesday, April 29, followed to its
last resting place in the priest's lot
by many mourning parishioners and
a number of brother priests. R. I. P.
Page Sixty-Five
REV. HERMAN JOSEPH FRANCIS JUNGMANN.
"The time of toil is past, and night has
come
The last and saddest of the harvest eves.
Worn out with labor long and wearisome
Drooping and faint, the reapers hasten home
Each laden with his sheave".
When Rev. F. Metzger, the then
newly appointed pastor of St. An-
thony's parish of Effingham and dean
of that district had unexpectedly died
whilst visiting at his boyhood home in
Germany, Rev. H. Jungmann was
selected his successor to fill the vacan-
cy. At the time of this appointment
he was stationed in the Southern part
of the diocese, at Murphysboro, with
jurisdiction over the neighboring
towns. How judiciously the selection
of Father Jungmann to the vacant
post of Effingham was made, his
splendid administration of parish
affairs, both temporal and spiritual,
fully demonstrated. For eighteen
years St. Anthony's pastor served his
congregation most efficiently. It was
done in a quiet, unobstructive manner.
The secret of his success was his
Page Sixty-Six
kindness, modesty and charity. Har-
mony and peace reigned within the
parish, hence great results were
scored. In this connection we quote
the following from the columns of the
Effingham Democrat of April 6. 1895:
"The members of St. Anthony's con-
gregation are sensible of the great
work done by Father Jungmann, their
priest and pastor, whose ministrations
towards his flock were ever full of
that fervor and zeal which character-
ized his life as a faithful and devoted
priest and which earned and main-
tained that love and respect of all in
the communities in which he labored.
Father Jungmann will be long re-
membered in Effingham. The mater-
ial monuments which speak of his 18
years of labor in this community may
crumble into dust but the influence of
his zealous, self-sacrificing work will
endure. Fearless in the pulpit, tire-
less in labor, he was the advisor,
teacher and model of his flock. When
he took charge of the Effingham con-
gregation he found an indebtedness of
$17,000 to meet. So well he managed
the finances that at his death there
would have been practically no debt
had not extensive improvements been
made in 1884 and 1885. During these
years several thousands of dollars
have been spent upon the church; and
the fine parochial school house and
residence have been built. Never in
the city has there been a more largely
attended funeral. Father Jungmann
had earned the love and respect of
all classes."
Father H. J. F. Jungmann was born
October 1, 1846, at Ochtrup in West-
phalia, of a pious family, which gave
to the church three priests, two of
whom distinguished themselves as
professors and authors, both gradu-
ates of the Roman College, one a
Jesuit, professor of sacred eloquence
at the Insbruck University, and the
other professor of Church History at
the Louvain University. After previous
studies made in Westphalia, Father
Jungmann repaired to the American
College of Louvain, where he studied
for the diocese of Alton. Ordained
to the priesthood December 23, 1871,
at Malines, he started for the future
field of his labors the following Sep-
tember. Wherever he was, he edified
all by his sincere piety and zeal, espe-
cially in the training of the young
the hope of the Church.
Good Father Jungmann was called
to his reward on April 6, 1895, and
slumbers in the shadow of the cross
in St. Anthony's cemetery of Effing-
ham. R. I. P.
REV. MANASSES KANE.
"Here the scene ends! The shadows flee
away!
And morning breaks in everlasting day!
O what a contrast! What ecstatic bliss
On passing thither from a world like this!"
In the list of our Cathedral rectors
we find the name of Rev. Manasses
Kane enumerated. He was called
thither from Macon, where he had re-
sided from 1874-75, and served in the
capacity of Cathedral pastor from
1875-76. At this time steps were con-
templated for the founding of a new
parish in Springfield. The Ursuline
Academy there had for years been in a
flourishing condition, the city had de-
veloped with strides and bounds in
that direction so that a "crying need"
was felt for a new parish. It was to
be St. Joseph's and Father Kane its
founder and first pastor. The good
man performed laudable work and put
up a fine church. During his pastor-
ate of St. Joseph's the energetic
priest looked likewise after the in-
terests of St. Mary's of Illiopolis,
where he enlarged the little frame
church by adding an addition to it so
as to accomodate the seventy-five
families forming the parish. Father
Kane remained at the head of St.
Joseph's of Springfield from its in-
ception in 1876 till his retirement in
1881.
Rev. Mannasses Kane was born in
Banagher Diocese of Derry, Ireland,
in January, 1836, and was raised to the
priesthood at Montreal, Dec. 17, 1870.
After relinquishing St. Joseph's.
Father Kane went West, subsequent-
ly became a Trappist and died in 1914
at Long Point near Montreal.
Before deceased took up studies for
the priesthood he had been a Brother
of the Holy Cross Community, a
teaching order connected with the
great educational institution of Notre
Dame, Ind. R. I. P.
REV. PATRICK KEARNEY.
"Where the golden evening light was burn-
ing".
All that is known of Father Kear-
ney is that from 1865-'66, he was pas-
tor of St. Mary's at Pittsfield, from
1866-'69 pastor at Winchester, and
from 1869-70 at Mt. Sterling. Whence
he came and whither he went is a
question that awaits solution.
Page Sixty-Seven
REV. J. P. KERR.
Among the church's priests who dis-
tinguished themselves by ever faith-
fully attending to their entrusted
stewardship, Rev. John Patrick Kerr,
for twenty-one years pastor of St.
Peter's parish of Quincy, occupies a
promin entplace. When death claimed
him, the members of St. Peter's con-
gregation sincerely mourned because
deprived of a loyal friend, safe guide
and exemplary shepherd, the com-
munity had lost a good and upright
citizen.
On the morning after his demise, a
local paper had the following "In
Memoriam" penned by a brother
priest:
"When death invaded the St. Peter's
presbytery on last evening summon-
ing the pastor of his flock away from
the scene of his many year's ministra-
tions and activities, many a heart was
overpowered with sincerest, genuine
sadness at the mournful intelligence
for he whose demise was the cause
of so much regret was an exemplary
good man.
"Ever since his ordination to the
priesthood, Rev. Father J. P. Kerr
Page Sixty-Eight
has proven himself a faithful worker
in the cause of his Master, eschewing
notoriety and publicity but in a
quiet, unassuming way conscientious-
ly complying with his sacerdotal
pastoral duties. True to his calling
his every word and deed was calcu-
lated to stimulate the weak to action
and the strong to perseverance to
bless and to uplift. The duty of the
hour claimed and received all his at-
tention, he spent himself in earnest,
persevering labor in an humble,
modest and kindly way.
To his superiors in authority he
showed forever a loyal heart and
submissive will, to his clerical friends,
a companionable disposition.
"His late years have been years of
suffering patiently borne. The cross
was his solace, and no doubt he of-
fered his sufferings in unison with
those of his Master for whom he
spent the toilsome years of his minis-
try. And the evening found him still
working. He would work until the
lassitude of a fatal malady at last laid
him prostrate. His work was well
done, and the Master called him to
his reward. His day-star has risen to
set no more for him."
The following poem, a tribute to the
late Father Kerr, appeared in a local
paper:
Farewell, but not for aye, kind friend
Firm faith and hope once more
Shall reunite our friendship's bonds
More closely than before.
Where suns of glory never set,
Where souls of mortals never fret,
On that bright shore
For evermore.
Firm faith and hope thy heart upheld
When life waned on thy sight,
Amid the tumult of the sea
They steered thy barque aright,
And led thee to the roadsted mild
Where thou wert welcomed as tfod's child
To heaven's shore
For evermore I
Rev. John P. Kerr was born De-
cember 29, 1843, in Enniskillen, Ire-
land. At the age of 24 he came to
America and was raised to the priest-
hood March 19, 1875, by the Rt. Rev.
P. J. Baltes, second Bishop of Alton.
Among the various parishes which
he successively presided over were
Bloomfield, in Adams county, Brown s
Settlement, in Montgomery county,
Carlinville, and finally St. Peter's in
Quincy, to which latter position he
was appointed upon the death of his
predecessor Rev P. McGirr in 1893.
On the death of Rev. Michael Weis
which occured November 9, 1909,
Father Kerr succeeded him as Dean
of the Quincy Deanery. For many
years he had been in poor, feeble
health; various trips to Ireland, his
native country, and to sunny Florida
for the sake of recuperation, were in
vain. A complication of diseases de-
veloped which hastened his death on
March 2, 1914. Among other legacies
and charitable bequests the thought-
ful man willed the sum of $10,000 to
St. Peter's parish. R. I. P.
REV. ANTON KERSTING.
"The flash that struck thy tree
No more to shelter thee .
Coming to this country and dio-
cese in 1881 from Germany, Rev.
Anton Kersting was ordered to assist
the pastor of St. Paul's church of
Highland. Possessed of fervor and
enthusiasm for his holy calling, our
young assistant priest gathered before
long a nucleus of a promising future
congregation at Troy. Divine service
was temporarily held in a small rented
hall until 1883, when a modest little
frame church took its place. In
Black Jack, another mission connected
with Highland at the time the young
priest succeeded in putting up a neat
brick church. His continuance in
Highland, however, was soon to ter-
minate. Father Kersting asked for
and was given an indefinite leave of
absence. He repaired to his native
country from whence he failed to
return. His death there was chroni-
cled in recent years. R. I. P.
REV. JOHN PETER KLEIN.
"Fast and deep the river floweth,
Floweth to the West".
This aged, venerable priest claimed
Saargemuend, in Lorraine his birth-
place. There he was born May 17,
1822. Having duly prepared himself
for his lofty vocation in the schools
and Seminary of Metz, he received
Holy Orders June 6, 1846 and arrived
in the States September 20, 1853. Pre-
vious to his departure from his native
land the young priest had been sta-
tioned as teacher in various colleges.
He was appointed April 4, 1867, to the
parish of Carrollton. He found a
heavy church debt to contend with
but by contsant exertions succeeded
in paying it off. His subsequent ap-
pointment was to the pastorate of
French Village, where he worked
faithfully from August 17, 1871, till
November, 1890. Partially paralyzed,
he retired to St. Mary's hospital of
East St. Louis, where he died August
9, 1896. His remains were interred
in Holy Cross cemetery. R. I. P.
Page Sixty-Nine
VERY REV. P. MAURITIUS KLOSTERMANN, 0. F. M.
"I heard a promise gently fall
I heard a far-off Shepherd call
The weary and the broken-hearted
Promising rest unto each and all.' '
The greatest and noblest of all dio-
cesan Franciscan priests, one who
most earnestly worked for and gladly
spent his energies both physical and
mental in the upbuilding of our dio-
cese, was undoubtedly dear old Father
Mauritius Klosterrmann, O. F. M.
The mere mention of his name evokes
with all who had the good fortune and
privilege of knowing him more inti-
mately many happy memories of by-
gone days, especially with those over
whose training and education he pre-
sided. The former college boys of
Teutopolis, now men of mature age,
are foremost in gratefully treasuring
his name and memory and in giving
unstinted praise and appreciation of
this good man's efforts in their
behalf. He was the heart and soul of
that institution. No boy was ever un-
justly or even harshly dealt with by
him, nay, many were there whose
faults and shortcomings were gener-
ously overlooked and kindly par-
doned, a slight reprimand and all was
serene and calm again as ever. His
was a personality therefore which
won the susceptible hearts of the boys
in uncommon degree. He was of an
unusually magnanimous disposition,
manifesting at all times a spirit of
broadest charity and utter unselfish-
ness. Though firm and unalterable in
his convictions and the sense of
right, he was by no means a stern
man, on the contrary, was very
pleasant in his manners, humorous and
witty in his conversation and made
himself beloved by all with whom he
came in closer contact. He was also a
man of profound piety and showed an
extraordinary zeal and devotion for
the Blessed Sacrament which is evi-
denced by the little book entitled:
''Three Days of Spiriutal Exercises Be-
fore Receiving First Holy Commun-
ion," and again in his "Meditations
For Each Day o.f the Month." He was,
moreover, a man of broad intellect
and a fluent and forcible German pul-
pit speaker, a fact which at times is
still alluded to by older people. Being
well on in years when coming to this
country, Father Mauritius found some
difficulty in expressing himself cor-
rectly and faultlessly in English
which fact gave rise to many inno-
cent little jokes and stories which are
related to this very day of course
by former students. For many years
he accompanied the late Bishop Bal-
tes on the annual confirmation trips
through the diocese.
Adolph Klostermann was born at
Lippborg in Westphalia, August 30.
1820, of a family which, as record
show, had furnished teachers of this
place continually since 1751, if not
earlier. Like his father, Adolph chose
the vocation of teacher. His primary
education he received from his father
and after attending the Seminary at
Buerren from August, 1838-40 he
graduated with honors, being declared
"eligible for a position as teacher and
well qualified for the position of or-
Page Seventy
ganist, having practiced well on the
piano and organ.' After teaching
school for fourteen years, the unex-
pected death of a dear friend a lady
to whom he was engaged to be mar-
ried opened the eyes of the young
teacher, who was a man of high ideals,
to the vanity of worldly pursuits, and
encouraged 'by a Franciscan brother,
he entered the Order at Warendorf
as lay brother, October 12, 1854. But
his superiors, noticing his talent for
teaching, advised him to study for
the priesthood. He volunteered for
the American Missions. In 1859 he
came to Teutopolis, and in February,
1860, to Quincy, where he was or-
dained July 2, 1860 in St. Boniface
church by Bishop Junker. He be-
came the first pastor of St. Anthony's
in Melrose, near Quincy, the first or-
ganist of St. Francis and its first
parochial school teacher. From 1864-
1882 Father Mauritius acted as Rector
of St. Joseph's college at Teutopolis
and for ten years, 1869-79 filled the
office of Commissary to the Provin-
cial. In 1882 our veteran College
Rector resigned his position owing to
failing eye-sight and was elected
guardian of the Quincy Monastery. In
July, 1885, Father Mauritius was elec-
ted Provincial of the newly estab-
lished Province of the Sacred Heart,
which had become independent of the
old German "Saxonia" Province. His
term of office over, he went to In-
dianapolis and thence soon after to
Teutopolis, where on April 28, 1890
he returned his beautiful spotless soul
into the hands of his Maker.
With the passing of this great, illus-
trious good man there passed away a
true Nathaniel in whom there was no
guile, an able teacher, an ideal pious
priest and a model religious. Few
men enjoyed such an extended circle
of friends as he did, for to know him
was to love him. P. M a r i t i u s was
moreover an able musician and fine
composer; he left a number of valu-
able compositions, among which two
able compositions, among which are
two Masses and a beautiful "Abend-
lied." In pedagogics decedent was
without question an accepted authority.
His mortal remains were interred
in the Franciscan crypt at Teutopolis,
where they rest in peace until
they will be re-united with their nobler
tenant on the Great Judgment Day
to participate in and partake of the
happiness and bliss of heaven. R. 1.
P.
REV. PETER KOLOPP.
The deceased was born in 1834 at
Nancy, France; ordained to the priest-
hood July 14, 1858, and acted as as-
sistant priest to Father Schaefer-
meyer at St. Boniface church of
Quincy, from September 17, 1863
April 19, 1864. He went to the Cleve-
land diocese, where, in June, 1866, he
was appointed to St. Peter's parish of
Doylestown, in Wayne county. He
died a subject of that diocese. R. I. P.
Page Seventy-One
REV. WM. KUCHENBUCH.
"Lead me, O Lord, till perfect Day shall
shine
Through Peace to Light".
Among the twenty-five theological
students who pursued their higher
studies at the St. Joseph's College of
Teutopolis from 1862-65, was Rev.
William Kuchenbuch, a native of
Hundshagen, Westfalia, where he was
born August 15, 1836. At the age of
fourteen he came to America, July 28,
1850, took up the regular course of
classical studies, entered the above
mentioned Seminary and was or-
dained by Bishop Juncker, December
6th, 1863, in the college chapel of Teu-
topolis. With him were three more
young men ordained, viz: J. Harty,
Ferd Stick and Jeremias Sullivan.
From the time of his ordination in
1863 till the year 1875, young Father
Kuchenbuch worked well in various
parishes, of the Alton diocese, such as
Edwardsville, where in 1867, he pur-
chased a plot of land 500x300 to DC
used for church purposes, respectively
for a new church by the German
Catholics of Edwardsville, at same
time he caused a brick yard to be
started to supply the necessary brick
for the contemplated building. From
Edwardsville he was sent to Quincy
as assistant to Rev. Schaefermeyer
of St. Boniface, after which we meet
him as pastor of St. Mary's parish
of Mt. Sterling. For several reasons
Father Kuchenbuch severed connec-
tion with the Alton diocese and joined
that of Peoria, where he served the
parishes of Danville, Brimfield, Hen-
nepin and Peterstown (Troy Grove.)
To this last named place he was sent
in 1892 and continued till February
17, 1906, on which date after a short
illness he died and was buried in the
small Catholic cemetery of Peters-
town.
Father Kuchenbuch was a worthy
and conscientious priest, very exact
in his functions and duties but rather
eccentric and singular in disposition
and habits. His thin, haggard feat-
ures and snow white hair stamped him
an ascetic. R. I. P.
REV. JOSEPH KUENSTER.
"Faithful servant! sweet thy rest
With thy Savior and the blest! "
All thy trials now are o'er,
Sorrow ne'er shall pain thee more."
The first resident pastor who was
assigned to St. Peter's congregation
of Belleville, 111., was Rev. Joseph
Kuenster. This was in November,
1842. Conditions there were anything
but agreeable and encouraging. Of
undaunted determination and will
Page Seventy-Two
power, however, which knew neither
defeat nor failure, he at once planned
the erection of a church. In the face
of marked opposition he succeeded in
his undertaking. Great was his joy
when on Christmas morning, 1843, he
was able to say Holy Mass in -the
modest little structure 60 x 40, to
which Archbishop Kendrick in the
spring of that year had laid the cor-
ner stone. But alas! Opposition grew
stronger as time passed. This was
principally occasioned by his stern
refusal to permit a fallen-away Cath-
olic woman to act as sponsor at
Baptism. Xot only that, but he him-
self became the object of villification,
slander and blackguardism. His
enemies conspired to rid themselves
of his presence. In this they suc-
ceeded. When met on a lonely coun-
try road homeward bound, they
dragged him from his conveyance and
for almost 24 hours kept him im-
prisoned in a stable beyond Center-
ville. Utterly disheartened and dis-
gusted at the indignant treatment to
which he was subjected, Father Kuen-
ster left Belleville and went to Teu-
topolis, there to assume charge of St.
Peter's parish. This was in 1845.
(With the advent of the Franciscans ?n
Teutopolis, September 25, 1858, the
name of the patron of that parish
was changed from St. Peter's to that
of St. Francis.)
Those years spent at Belleville had
been hard and trying. Besides look-
ing after the interests of a steadily
growing congregation with its many
daily demands and sacrifices, our sub-
ject made trips at regular intervals
to the young mission parishes of St.
Libory, Germantown, Red Bud, Ed-
wardsville and Prairie du Long.
Father Kuenster was now located
at Teutopolis (1845 as first resident
pastor of St. Peter's, which had been
organized in 1839 by Rev. Joseph
Masquelet. But he was of the old
but practical type. When he went
there he found but few struggling
German Catholic families, who in the
fall of 1838 had come thither from
Cincinnati. Like them, he turned in
to help himself and make the building
of church and school for his poor, but
pious people, as light and easy as pos-
sible.
Father Kuenster had his little piece
of cultivated land, his garden and his
fowls. "One day," writes Rev. John
Larmer, "he was called on to pay his
cathedraticum for the support of the
Bishop. He astonished all by paying
his cathedraticum with a goose and a
gander, carried by him across the
prairie. The good priest saw nothing
funny about it, as he got only pay in
kind, for there was little or no money
in the settlement. As time passed
Father Kuenster's flock of fowl and
geese increased and so did the world-
ly possessions of his thrifty German
parishioners. His success did not
escape the authorities in Chicago, and
he was removed to take charge of the
rebellious and annoying parish of
Qiiincy."
As the cholera had returned to
Quincy' in 1850, the malcontents and
peace disturbers of St. Boniface
parish again wished for a priest, de-
ploring their past conduct towards
noble Father Brickwedde whilst the
good regretted their indolence in al-
lowing a bold and desperate minority
to bring shame and confusion upon
the congregation and the fair name
of the city.
During his term at Quincy, Father
Kuenster caused a great mission to be
given by the popular Father Wennin-
ger, S. J., built the church steeple and
purchased three bells in 1852, a pipe
organ in 1854. established an Orphan
society and built a two-story brick
Page Seventy-Three
residence. But now he was likewise
to experience from wicked people,
what poor Father Brickwedde had ex-
perienced, opposition, slander and
calumny. For seven years the cholera
continued to rage in the unfortunate
city claiming many a one from the
ranks of his opponents and enemies
and taxing the strength of the priest
beyond the actual capacity and endur-
ing powers, thus bringing him to a
premature grave on September 15,
1857. Funeral services were held by
Bishop Junker, the newly enthroned
Bishop of Alton, who hearing of the
serious illness of the good man, had
hastened to his bedside, but on his
arrival there found him already bat-
tling with death.
The defunct, of whose early life but
little is known, was born in 1806 at
Dueblich, on the Rhine, came to
America, studied for the priesthood at
the "Barrens," St. Louis, was ordained
by Bishop Kendrick of St. Louis,
August 15, 1842, together with Revs.
T. Cusack and P. McCabe.
Father Ktienster has a monument
to his memory in St. Boniface ceme-
tery of Q'uincy, whilst many of his
early co-workers are now in unknown
graves, "unwept, unknown and un-
sung." R. I. P.
REV. PETER PAUL LEFEVRE.
Coadjutor-Bishop of Detroit, 1841-1869.
"I do not ask my cross to understand my
way to see ;
Better in darkness just to feel Thy hand
And follow Thee'.
soil of Illinois, was undoubtedly Rev.
Peter Paul Lefevre. It was in the
beginning of the thirties of the- past
One of the earliest missionary century that this heroic man set out
priests who set foot on the virgin from St. Paul's on the Salt River in
Rails county, Mo., to evangelize
Northern Missouri, Southern Iowa,
and Middle Illinois. Already, in 1833,
he ministers to the spiritual wants of
Page Seventy-Four
the few Catholics of Quincy, where
he said Mass in the private house of
Adami Schmitt. Springfield was also
the beneficiary of his priestly minis-
trations, yea, most of the incipient
towns where Catholics were known to
reside, were included in Father
Lefevre's itinerary. He was hailed
with unfeigned joy and delight where-
ever his coming was heralded by the
orphaned Catholic people. This genial
man of true apostolic spirit was a
native of Belgium, born at Roulers, in
Flanders, April 30, 1804, ordained a
priest at the Seminary of Cape Girar-
deau, Mo., under Bishop Rosati of
St. Louis, July 17, 1831, and conse-
crated a bishop November 21, 1841.
He died March 4, 1869.
Bishop Lefevre was never actually
Bishop of Detroit. He was made a
titular Bishop of Zela i. p. i., Coad-
jutor Administrator of Detroit then
embracing all Michigan and Wiscon-
sin and acted as such during the
mental incapacity of Bishop Frederick
Rese, first Bishop of Detroit, who
died December 29, 1871, surviving his
Coadjutor and Diocesan Administra-
tor. R. I. P.
V. REV. P. NICHOLAS LEONARD, 0. F. M.
"At each shrine, O Mother of Mercy!
Let still more of thy love be given,
Till I kneel at the last and brightest
The Throne of the Queen of Heaven".
One day, in August, 1900, a tragic
accident happened on the streets of
Omaha, Neb. Whilst alighting from
a street car and in the act of cross-
ing the street a priest was run down
by a car coming from an opposite di-
rection, he was knocked down by the
fender, the wheels passing over his
right leg crushing and mangling it
so that amputation of the injured
mem'ber was at once declared impera-
tive so that the crippled man's life at
least be saved. This awful mis-
fortune overtook Father Nicholas, the
Rector of St. Francis Solanus College
of Quincy, who had arrived in the
Western city that morning for the
purpose of giving the annual retreat
to a community of Sisters. As a true
priest and model religious he bore
this infliction resignedly, he almost
considered it a visitation sent by Al-
mighty God in order to chasten,
strengthen and purify him in the cru-
cible of such calamitous adversity.
Father Nicholas had been Rector of
the Quincy College since 1892. Dur-
ing the eight years of his administra-
tion the institution signally grew and
expanded in influence and importance
new life seemed to have pulsated
through its halls and class rooms
whilst the number of scholars in-
creased from year to year. New
buildings and additions to old ones
were put up, renovations in various
departments made, so that St. Francis
had become a keen competitor with
any institution in the state. In
enumerating and lauding the merits
of Father Nicholas as Rector of the
College, it is far from us to detract
from or minimize the grand achieve-
ments attained or the invaluable
services -rendered that seat of learn-
ing by its veteran president, Father
Anselm, who for more than forty
years put forth his best efforts in be-
half of the College/ Though our
stricken priest survived the terrible
ordeal and was restored somewhat
to his former usefulness yet the
shock to his system had been such
that within a few years thereafter
the good man suffered a complete
break-down, physical and mental.
Death came to his relief at St.
Anthony's monastery of St. Louis,
March 17, 1903.
Father Nicholas was an unusually
scholarly bright man of rare talents
and attainments, a splendid college
professor and amiable companion to
his confreres. No one received a
heartier welcome by the secular cler-
gy than he, hence his misfortune and
subsequent death elicited universal
sorrow and sympathy.
V. Rev. Nicholas Leonard, O. F. M.,
was a native of Alsace, born in the
town of Kerprich, April 23, 1853, at-
tended St. Joseph's College of Teu-
topolis, entered the Order of Friars
Minor June 13, 1870, and was raised
to the priesthood February 1, 1877
at St. Louis. His life was conse-
Page Seventy-Five
crated to the education of young men
in which he achieved great results,
both at St. Joseph's College of Teu-
topolis as well as at St. Francis
Solanus of Q'liincy.
REV. HERMANN LIERMANN.
"When the sunset came in glory
And the toil of day was o'er".
But few details are known of the
life and personality of Rev. Hermann
Liermann, and that what is known of
him may be summarized in a few
lines. He hailed from the diocese of
Osnabrueck in the former Kingdom
of Hanover. Coming to this country
he affiliated with the diocese of Chi-
cago and was appointed in 1851, pas-
tor of Centerville, and form thence
sent to Teutopolis, where he stayed
from 1856-'57, becoming the success-
or to Rev. Father Frauenhofer, who
had in the meantime taken up his
domicile in Green Creek. From 1857-
1860, Father Liermann became pastor
of St. Peter's church, Chicago, one
of the two oldest German parishes of
that city. From 1861-March 1865, he
is pastor of McHenry, and became in
1865-1879, pastor of St. Nicolas' parish
of Aurora. His last charge was at
Rock Island, where he was given the
pastorate of St. Mary's congregation
in 1880, exchanging places with Father
Schnuekel. Eight years of faithful
service marks his life at Rock Island,
where in 1888, he died. R. I. P.
REV. PAUL LIMACHER.
' 'Thy treasures wait thee in the far-off skies
And death will give them all to thee".
A man of forcefulness of character,
a wise and prudent pastor, was Father
Limacher of St. Peter and Paul's
parish of Waterloo. He enjoyed the
unlimited confidence of his people,
while the public at large paid homage
to his rare qualities of mind and heart.
Success attended his every undertak-
Page Seventy-Six
ing though often beset by serious
difficulties and outspoken opposition
as is frequently the case when at-
tempts at reformation are inaugurated
and the judgment of the pastor is to
prevail. He ripened in the school of
such varied experiences whilst pastor
of seditious Highland from August,
1851-September, 1861. After the latter
date his transfer to the prominent
parish of Waterloo took place, where
his unselfish labors were properly ap-
preciated by an ever grateful congre-
gation and where his memory will
forever be held in benediction. For
39 years Father Limacher acted the
zealous pastor of his Waterloo flock
until June 11, 1899, when the weary
soul of this venerable priest leaped
forth to meet his maker.
Rev. Paul Limacher was born June
26, 1826, at Fluehelen, in the Canton
Luzern, Switzerland. He studied at
Luzern four years, at Solothurn two
years and thereafter four years at
the University of St. Mary's of the
Lake, Chicago He had come to this
country May 1, 1847. On July 3, 1851,
our future diocesan priest was or-
dained to the priesthood by the second
Bishop of Chicago, Rt. Rev. Jarmes
Oliver Vandevelde, at Florissant, Mo.
He was at once assigned to the
parish of Highland to succeed the
Rev. Charles Joseph Count von
Morogna, then pastor of Shoal Creek
(now Germantown) who had looked
after the spiritual interests of that
parish since 1849. He became the first
resident pastor of St. Paul's of High-
land. Father Paul Limacher was
buried at Waterloo. R. I. P.
REV. JOSEPH LOCHER.
The average American priest does
not attain the age of sixty. He passes
away within the decade of the fifties.
Such is the conclusion at which one
arrived after many years of careful in-
vestigation and close observation. By
naturally be justified to still expect
great things from them.
Rev. Joseph Locher was one of
those who prematurely sank into an
early grave. Of vigorous constitution,
yea, the very embodiment of rugged
far the greatest number of those
whom we accompanied to their last
resting places in the cemeteries have
been called from hence before enter-
ing their sixties. Whether there are
statistics to prove or disprove this
assertion we know not; however, cer-
tain it is that of our own diocesan
clergy at least, the greater percentage
died when still in the prime of man-
hood, at a time when one would
health and well-being, he had all rea-
son to confidently look forward to yet
many years of active life and the re-
alization of many fond dreams and
cherished hopes. But "in the midst
of life we are surrounded by death."
This passage of Holy Scripture be-
came true with a shocking and start-
ling reality on December 10th, 1904,
when the mournful news of Rev.
Father Locher's untimely death was
Page Seventy-Sev
heralded to the vast number of friends
and parishioners. Such was the case.
St. Mary's of Quincy had lost her pas-
tor, a short, brief illness had felled the
strong and vigorous man in the midst
of his labors when apparently in the
bloom and ripeness of manhood, in the
zenith of priestly activity. But though
his life was of comparatively short
duration, our deceased was but in his
54th year yet he could exclaim in the
hour of his last summons with St.
Paul: "I have fought a good fight, I
have finished my course, I have kept
my faith. As to the rest, there is
laid up for me a crown of justice,
which the Lord, the just judge, will
render to me in that day; and not to
me alone, but to them also that love
His coming."
When on April the 2nd, 1895, Rev.
Gerard Mirbach had answered the
final roll call, it was an easy matter
for the bishop to find a ready and wil-
ling successor to this eminent pastor
of St. Mary's. The parish in all its
appointments was now perfected and
complete, it ranked high among the
parishes of the diocese, some of the
very best men had given it tone and
prestige, the community spirit was a
good one, generous and of sacrifice, no
dissensions nor any opposition parties
to the pastor had ever stigmatized the
conduct of her exemplary members,
and the finances were in fairly good
condition; all things then considered
the orphaned congregation at this
time was quite a desirable one for any
priest to covet. The man to fill the
vacancy, however, was near at hand,
he had lived for several years a quasi-
retired life in a cottage build for him-
self on Locust Street, on property
bought from St. Vincent's Home. It
was Rev. Joseph Locher, for many
years, from 1874-1890, pastor of St.
Joseph's Church of Mt. Sterling, and
at the time of his appointment to the
pastorate of St. Mary's a chaplain as-
signed to the needs and ministrations
of the Catholic inmates of the Sol-
diers' Home. On leaving Mt. Sterling
our subject seriously considered em-
bracing monastic life in the Capu-
chine Order at Dertoit, Mich. It so
happened, however, that at this very
time when he had planned to execute
his intention, the Rev. Francis Ostrop
of Carlinville, was about to leave for
Europe. His choice of substitute dur-
ing the six months absence fell upon
Father Locher, who accepted at once
' the profered position. From Carlin-
ville he removed on Rev. Ostrop's re-
turn, to Quincy. In doing so he
yielded to the importunities of his
clerical friend, Rev. Jos. Still, of St.
John's Church.
Every one was highly elated when
it became known that Father Locher
was the newly chosen pastor of St.
Mary's; even that younger priest
whom Father Mirbach had repeatedly
petitioned the Bishop, in 1894, to ap-
point as assisstant "cum jure succes-
sionis" to him, felt equally pleased
and reconciled at this appointment.
Nine and one half years Father
Locher presided over the destinies of
St. Mary's. A brilliant German scholar
he soon paved his way into public
esteem and regard by his acknow-
ledged erudition, culture and learning.
As pulpit speaker he is even today yet
referred to as having been most elo-
quent and convincing. In his dealings
with others he was always kind, char-
itable and proved himself a true friend
and sympathizer of people in need
and distress. He lived for St. Mary's.
To advance her interests was his
one great thought. That he at times
would encounter some petty difficul-
ties or caused differences of opinion
to arise which were calculated to up-
set some pet schemes or frustrate
plans and hopes is but natural to ex-
pect, esp. of a somewhat high minded
man of Rev. Locher's temperament
whose disposition it was, as quite re-
cently a good friend of his expressed
himself, to become at times a little
"hitzig und blitzig." When it became
known however, that good Father
Locher had died after but a few days
illness occasioned by pneumonia,
mourning and grief were deep and sin-
cere, every one of his numerous friends
felt he had sustained a keen personal
loss.
Page Seventy-Eighl
His funeral was solemn and impres-
sive, attended by the Bishop and the
majority of the diocesan clergy, to-
gether with a vast concourse of peo-
ple.
Rev. Joseph Locher was a native of
Wuertenberg, a "Swab," as the say-
ing goes, born January 22nd, 1851, at
Aulendorf, near Rottenburg, the old-
est son in the family of three chil-
dren. After finishing his classical stu-
dies at Ellwangen he entered upon a
university course at Insbruck, and
later on at Munich, graduating there-
from with honors and distinction in
1872. Deciding to study for the priest-
hood and to devote and consecrate
his life to foreign missions, he came
to America in September, 1873, and
entered Mt. St. Mary's College, Cin-
cinnati, Ohio. In September of the
following year he was raised to the
priesthood at Alton, 111., by the Bishop
of the diocese, the Rt. Rev. P. J.
Bates.
His untimely demise o ecu red
December 10th, 1904. He was buried
in St. Boniface cemetery of that city.
R. I. P.
REV. FREDERICK LOHMANN.
"Laetentur
Domine".
omnes qui sperant in Te
A meritorious veteran priest went to
his eternal reward February 10, 1917,
one who had performed hard and
laborious work from 1869 1876 at
Hillsboro, Taylorville, Morrissonville,
Raymond, Staunton, New Douglas
and Pana, it was the Rev. Frederick
Lohman, since 1876 till the day of
death pastor of Aviston, 111. (Belle-
ville) Father F. Lohman was born
at Drensteinfurt, Westfalia, April 24.
1842, studied theology at the Col-
legium American in Muenster and
was ordained to the priesthood May
8, 1869, (together with Fathers Jos.
Meckel and H. Eggenstein.)
His funeral occured at Aviston, 111.
February 15, attended by a vast con-
course of sympathizing fellow priests
and sorrowing parishioners.
REV. PETER JOSEPH MACKIN.
Old St. Patrick's of Decatur, was
in deep mourning. Wierdly and sad-
ly her tolling bells had announced
to an apprehensive congregation the
passing of their beloved pastor, Rev.
Peter Joseph Mackin. The expected
had happened, death had invaded the
rectory and deprived the loyal faith-
ful parishioners of their worthy pas-
tor. The intelligence of his demise
was received with expressions of pro-
foundest regret not .n'y by his own
devoted people but throughout the
diocese and bevoncl. Cut the people
of St. Patrick's whom he had so ably
served were the >:h'.ef sufferers. Cinef
stricken they bowed their heads in
sorrow and will long continue to
mourn their great loss. They will
continue to pay tribute to the charac-
ter, the priestly virtues, the ability
and thei service of their departed pas-
tor whose death, caused by intense
rheumatic affections, called all too
soon from hence. The grim reaper
mowed down his victim on March 26,
1898, in the 51st year of his life. Our
defunct then stood on the high pla-
teau of middle life, in that serene at-
mosphere where conditions are most
favorable for noble enduring achieve-
ments.
Page Seventy-Nine
Father Mackin was a big man in
every sense, big in stature, big in
heart and sympathy, big in ideas and
of unflinching fortitude. He was em-
inently a man of character, a man
whose life was regulated by principles
of the noblest type. He was widely
read in many branches and on useful
topics. His taste was cultured and re-
fined, he abhorred show. His orator-
ical abilities, which were known far
and wide, were devoid of artifice.
He was not a posturer nor phrase-
monger, for he was too intense, too
earnest, to employ the cheap and pal-
try decorations of discourse.
Father Mackin strove to implant
big ideals in the minds of his young
men as they should be the guiding
and animating force in the life of
every Catholic young man without
which his life is dull and common-
place. Ideals of manhood, achieve-
ment and service should mark every
one. He was more-over a great pro-
moter of Catholic Education which he
deemed the essential and all-vital re-
quisite for the present day. Judged
by the severest tests of human worth
we must confess that Father Mackin
was a great man. This is the verdict
of those who lived with him on terms
of intimacy and of his wide circle of
admirers amongst the clergy and lai-
ay throughout this and adjacent dio-
ceses. By way of passing, we may
add that Father Mackin was great and
lavish in hospitality and was more-
over a great story teller. In his
priestly functions and administrations
of parochial temporal affairs our de-
cedent was punctual and exact. St.
Patrick's blossomed and prospered
under his guiding influence. He threw
concentrated energy into all parish
work, hence great results were
achieved not only in Decatur but in
all other parishes where Father Mack-
it was called to preside over. No
wonder then that sorrow was so uni-
versal when it became known that
this ideal man and ideal priest had
been beckoned by the palled messen-
ger with the inverted torch to depart.
Though dead and gone, Father Mack-
in continues to live in the hearts and
memories of his numerous friends
and faithful people.
' 'You may break, you may shatter
The vase, if you will,
But the scent of the roses
Will hang around still' 1 .
If it be true that "death loves a
shining mark," it may surely be said
that calumny, slander and ignorance
always turn their attention in the same
brilliant direction. They are the or-
dinary weapons of warfare employed
to undermine and ruin a good man's
character. Father Mackin was not
exempted from the attacks of the foul
and loathsome creatures who crawl
about the footsteps of so many illus-
trious men, especially the servants of
God's holy altar. The injured priest
however was vindicated. The unpleas-
ant and painful incident occasioned
his transfer from Jacksonville to Ed-
wardsville and from thence ot Deca-
tur.
Rev. Peter Joseph Mackin was
born in 1847 in Xewtown, Hamilton
County, Armagh, Ireland. When
about 16 years old he began to study
for the ministry at All Hallows Col-
lege, Dublin. During his college life
he distinguished himself in his studies
Page Eighty
standing at the head of his classes
and carrying off many of the first
prizes. When twenty-three years of
age he was ordained to the priest-
hood June 25, 1870 by Rt. Rev. Bishop
Woodlock, who sent him to Alton
diocese with encouraging words as to
the success of his ministry. His first
work was assistant to Fr. Walsh, but
he was sent after a short time as
pastor to Carrollton, where he re-
mained two years. Next Father
Mackin was appointed to Our Sav-
ior's parish of Jacksonville, where he
worked well for six years, going from
thence to Edwardsville. On October
31, 1878, he was installed in St. Pat-
rick's Decatur, succeeding Father
Timothy Hickey. Here he was made
an irremovable rector and a dean of
the district. The good he has ac-
complished in Decatur and elsewhere
need not be detailed here. In sum-
ming up Father Mackin's activity in
Decatur, the "Review" of that city
said of him: "The Catholics of Deca-
tur and all good citizens have reason
to be thankful to him."
When Henry Ward Beecher was in
Decatur one Sunday, he attended
Father Mackin's church. On his re-
turn to Brooklyn at the first sermon
to his congregation, he spoke of the
sermon of Father Mackin and eulo-
gized him highly.
When approaching death threw its
shadows over the life of Father
Mackin, he was attended by his
brother, the late Father M. T.
Mackin, of St. Brandon's church, Chi-
cago and Father Alois Teppe, of De-
catur. He was conscious to the last
and his passing away was easy. He
died in his arm chair fully prepared
to meet his Lord and God. R. I. P.
REV. THOMAS F. MANGAN.
"The lone churchyard is dark and dim
And the mourners raise a funeral hymn".
A fearless champion of the church
and her teachings, a man of trans-
parent honesty and purpose and 11 p-
rightness, one who combined in his
person the characteristics of a true
disciple of the Master, was Father
Thomas F. Mangan. None was ever
more beloved and liked by his parish-
ioners in the various parishes than he.
His personality was majestic, hence
his great influence for good. Among
all creeds he stood out as a shining
light. In all public affairs Father
Mangan took an active interest and
was always intimately connected with
all that tended toward the uplift of
humanity.
Under his management the incipi-
ent parish of Jerseyville, which had
constructed a small frame church in
1857, the year previous to his coming
there, began to feel self-assertive.
During the three years of his stay at
Jerseyville, from the time of his ordi-
nation in February, 1858 January 19,
1861, our young, vigorous pastor laid
the foundation for that congregation's
subseq'iient strength and power.
From here he attended to Carroll-
ton's spiritual wants and at times
sought out the scattered Catholic
families in the surrounding counties.
From Jerseyville he was sent in
1861 to Jacksonville and thence to
Alton, where for some time he acted
as rector of the Cathedral. In June,
Page Eighty-One
1863, the aged Father Thomas Ryan
had died at Mattoon. Who was to
fill the vacancy at this already im-
portant Catholic centre? Father
Mangan. And with his coming the
young and energetic priest infused
new life into the affairs of that parish
At once he started with the erection
of a priest's residence, which was
afterwards used as a Sisters' convent
Then he added to the church a sanc-
tuary, sacristies and gallery. To-
wards the close of his stay, he bought
the ground on which the present St.
Joseph's school stands and built a
two-story school house at his own ex-
pense, which outlay, however, the
parish re-imbursed. He called the
Ursuline Sisters to teach the schools.
His success in the cause of education
was remarkable and the temperance
cause which he valiantly espoused in
those days, owes him a debt of grati-
tude. In 1870 Father Mangan relin-
quished his charge of Mattoon,
severed his connection with the dio-
cese of Alton and was received into
the Chicago diocese where he died
full of honors, years and merit as
dean of Joliet, February 5, 1898.
The Joliet Daily News spoke of our
subject thus:
"There is probably no clergyman
in Joliet the news of whose demise
would cause more widespread sorrow
through the city and surrounding
country than Father Mangan. The
decade which he has spent as a priest
of St. Mary's parish has been the
brightest in the history of the Church
and the entire city has been benefitted
by his pure influence.
Intensely pivblic spirited, he took
the keenest interest in all matters of
importance to the community in
which he lived and his counsel has
been sought most eagerly on many
occasions. His kindness of heart and
his greatness of sympathy were pro-
verbial among those who knew him
and while no person was a more
thorough Catholic than he, he was
always willing to lend his assistance
to the work of Protestant or secular
organizations which he thought like-
ly to prove of benefit to the com-
munity. His payment of $50.00 for a
street car ride between Joliet and
Lockport last summer when the ladies
were running the cars for the benefit
of the Silver Cross Hospital, was a
good example of his feeling toward
agencies for good, whether or not
they were conducted by the Church
of which he was an honored light.
Numbers of similar instances of his
kindly feeling could be related. He
had the warmest affection of his
parishioners and the hearty esteem
of all with whom he came in contact.
His sermons were full of the most
inspiring advice and exhortations] and
he was one of the finest pulpit orators
who has ever been heard in Joliet.
Although he was a magnificent
preacher it was as a pastor that he did
the greatest good. His kindly advice
and wise counsel have aided many of
his parishioners in times of difficulty
and trial and to no priest more than
to him does the term "Father" seem
more appropriate.
"Thomas Francis Mangan was a
native of County Clare, Ireland, and
came to America when 18 years of
age. He received his education at
Ottawa, Canada, and at once began
studying for the priesthood. He was
ordained in St. Louis in 1858, and has
been continually a Catholic pastor
since that time. Among the cities in
which he held charges were Jersey-
ville, Alton, Jacksonville, Mattoon,
Macomb and Freeport, and in 1897
came to Joliet from the last named
place. Shortly after his arrival here
he was made a dean and has been
honored in other ways by the officials
of his Church." R. I. P.
Page Eighty-Two
REV. CHARLES. MANUEL.
It was a crisp and sunny fall day,
that 25th day of September, 1901
when the bells of St. Mary's Church
of Illiopolis, mournfully tolled the
sad and distressing news that Rev.
Charles Manuel, the all-beloved pas-
tor of the parish, had answered the
last summons. It is not easy to ex-
press the heart-pain felt by the peo-
ple of the parish and the clergy of
the diocese when it became known
that this great good man had been
called by death and passed from this
world. We all who heard of this sad
tolling either by wire or mail felt a
keen personal loss by his passing.
And yet death came to him as a bless-
ing. Many long months Father
Manuel had suffered excruciating
pain and intense suffering, occa-
sioned by an abcess on the lungs.
Medical treatment had been sought
in vain, repeated operations proverl
fruitless, institutional care in the
Sisters' hospital at Colorado Springs
availed but little, on the contrary
the ailment became aggravated and
attained such acute stage that the
precious life of our subject soon be-
came a forfeited one. With almost
super-human strength and courage he
bore this terrible infliction heroically
resignedly to God's holy will for
weeks and months, never complaining
never murmuring against the designs
of divine Providence. Father Manuel
as a true priest of God looked upon
his suffering as upon a purifying and
chastening process preparatory to his
entering into glory. And when the
end approached he was ready to re-
spond with Samuel in the temple:
"Ecce adsum Domine," "Lord here I
am," Peacefully he sank into the last
long slumber from which he was to
awaken on the shores of eternity.
Strengthened for the final journey by
the Sacraments of Holy Church, sur-
rounded in his last moments by a
prayerful community of good Sisters
and the hospital chaplain, Rev. Aug.
Happe, he expired at Colorado
Springs on above mentioned date.
The emaciated and shrunken body
was shipped back to Illiopolis for
burial. There it was placed before
the altar where so often the dead
priest had raised hands ana heart to
Almighty God in holy prayer and
pious supplication for his parishion-
ers and himself. He was placed on
the bier that his loved ones might
cast a last glance upon those well-
known and benevolent features which
alas! were now distorted and dis-
figured by death. Those sacred walls
which erstwhile rang with solemn
chant and inspiring music now re-
echoed the sorrowful strains of tlie
"Dies Irae" and the wail of the "De
Profundis."
The life of Father Manuel was con-
sumed in the exercise of his holy
ministry. Nothing was nearer and
dearer to his heart than his St. Mary's
parish of Illiopolis, together with its
two affiliated parishes of Niantic and
Buffalo. For N the welfare of these he
lived, and we may add for them he
died, for he fell a victim of his assid-
uous labors which his position en-
tailed.
His spotless priestly life was unto
all a shining pattern and bright ex-
ample. Whenever a pastoral visit or
a sick call ushered him into the homes
Page Eighty-Three
of his parishioners, Father Manuel
would invariably before leave-taking
kneel down with his people in short
prayer and impart them his priestly
blessing. His familiar and customary
good-bye to a friend would be couch-
ed in the additional expression "God
bless you," which had become so well
known that one of his personal
friends in a jocular vein dubbed him
"the father God bless you," undc r
which epithet he is at times alluded
to this very day yet. Of his parish-
ioners he was want to call them usual-
ly by their given names which was so
expressive of that bond of familiarity
and intimacy as existed between pas-
tor and flock, father and children.
For the needy and destitute he always
had an open hand and a warm sym-
pathetic heart. At all hours of day or
night he was ready to respond to any
call, be it of sickness or distress.
There is no one of 'us who does not
recognize the great task set before
us in meeting our responsibilities for
the religious life of our people.
Parishes must be organized, churches
and schools are to be built, orphans
and wayward ones to be looked after.
Father Manuel in all instances rose
to the occasion. The beautiful Gothic
church of Illiopolis, built in 1895-96,
over which the genial Father J. C.
Daw presides at present, whose
pointed spire with golden cross over-
looks many miles of Sangamon's fer-
tile fields and happy rural homes is
among many other notable achieve-
ments an eloquent testimonial of his
burning zeal for the honor and glory
of the Eucharistic God, it will con-
tinue to enshrine his memory in the
hearts of all who had the good fort-
une to know him and will carry his
name to future generations as that of
a mighty figure in the history of the
Alton diocese. The good Franciscan
Sisters of the St. John's Hospital of
Springfield will never forget him,
they will forever recall his many
blessed deeds of kindness and charity
he so generously lavished upon them.
During all the years of his pastoral
activity at Illiopolis Father Manuel,
regular as a clock would once a week
on a specified day enter the Commun-
ity Confessional and there sit for
many weary hours hearing confes-
sions. It was done with a readiness
and cheerfulness that demanded hom-
age and grateful recognition.
His was a loveable character, up-
right and sincere, always serene and
joviable. To know him was to love
him. God's holy angel, so we trust
and hope, has recorded Father Man-
uel's name and accumulated merits
upon the pages of the Book of Life,
The autumn leaves commenced to sear
And flowers drooped their head
It seemed as though they mourned too,
That Father Manuel was dead.
The bell tolled forth at early morn
His span of life was run
But with a martyr's spirit he said:
"Oh Lord, Thy will be done I"
Rev. Charles Manuel died at Colo-
rado Springs, Sept. 25, 1901. He was
born at Etteln, in the Diocese of
Paderborn, Germany, where his father
held the position of Burgomaster, on
May 25th, 1853, studied classics at
Paderborn, philosophy in the Ameri-
can Colleges at Louvain, Belgium,
and Theology in the Grand Seminary
at Montreal, under the Sulpician
Fathers. On December 23d, 1877,
Father Manuel was raised to the
priesthood at Alton by the late
Bishop P. J. Baltes, D. D., who as-
signed the neopresbyter at once as
pastor to the St. Mary's church, Illi-
opolis, 111. R. I. P.
Page Eighty-Four
REV. JOHN A. MARK.
"My heart is no longer restless".
This priest hailed from Wuerzburg
in Bavaria, where he was born April
3, 1827, was ordained there August
6, 1859, and came to this country the
following year. He acted in our dio-
cese at Brussels, in Calhoun county,
from 1865-'67, at Marshall from April,
1867-Oct. 72, at Beardstown from
1875-76, and then a short while at
Edwardsville, succeeding Father Rus-
tige, first at St. Mary's then at St.
Boniface, where he was succeeded by
Father Chas. Kuhlmann. After his
removal from St. Boniface it seems
that Father Mark joined the Fort
Wayne diocese, where he was ap-
pointed to the parish of Hammond,
Ind. Here he built a frame church in
spite of the advise of wiser men, on
a lot undermined by a coal mine. The
ground settled, the church was
wrecked the debts remained. He
then was removed to Hessen Cassel,
near Fort Wayne, where he died in
1897. R. I. P.
REV. CHARLES JOSEPH COUNT VON MAROGNA.
"Pause where the Pilgrim's day is done
Where scrip and staff aside are laid".
Charles Joseph Marogna, a scion of
an old illustrious Catholic family, was
born September 17, 1802 in the an-
cestral castle of Villa Lagrima, near
Trent in the Tyrol. While yet very
young he was ordered to repair to the
Court of Florence to act as page, and
there had an opportunity of seeing
Pope Pius VII on his way to Pisa.
After completing his classical course
he was sent to Mayence, where he
studied Theology under the famous
Liebermann. Raised to the priest-
hood March 30, 1824, he worked first
as an assistant and then as parish
priest at Algaeu, diocese of Augsburg,
till 1846, at which time he had deter-
mined to devote the remainder of his
lift to the promotion of the material
and spiritual welfare of the immigrants
in America. In due time he reached
Chicago where for two years he faith-
fully worked in St. Joseph's parish.
Thence he was sent to Germantown
and Highland in 1840. The Father
seems to have spent much of his time
at Highland in the early part of 1840,
after which he left for Germany,
whither he repaired in quest of alms
for his poor congregation and where
he spent six months. On his return
he supplied his church with plate and
vestments thus obtained, spending the
cash in improving the church and se-
curing forty acres of land for burial
purposes.
At that time the political convul-
sions of Europe brought an increased
number of immigrants, Highland re-
ceiving its share of them. Father
Marogna persuaded Bishop Van de
Velde to send to Highland a perma-
nent pastor. In consequence Father
Paul Limacher was appointed pastor
whilst Father Marogna went to St.
Vincent's Pa., there to enter the
Benedictine Order. In 1852 he was
admitted into the Order and on
Page Eighty-Five
August 21, 1853, he made the pro-
fession of solemn vows, receiving the
name of Demetrius. For awhile he
was employed as professor and prior.
Later on, at the request of the Bishop
of St. Paul, Minn., he was sent to the
Northwest to start an institution of
the Benedictine Order which after-
wards became St. John's Abbey.
Father Marogna died March 27, 1860,
at St. Paul, Minn., and was buried in
the cemetery belonging to the Abbey.
R. I. P.
REV. J. V. MARTIN.
"Toward the West I turn my weary spirit".
The parishes of Shipman, Neoga,
Arcola, Shelbyville and Bethany, will
for many years to come, remember
the ministrations of Father J. V. Mar-
tin. He served them in succession
from the time of ordination until
called by his heavenly Master. With
earnest endeavor he tried to shepherd
them into the ways of godliness him-
self setting a bright example.
Father Martin was a man of stu-
dious habits a ripe scholar, modest
and unobtrusive. The welfare of his
various parishes constituted his chief
concern. And success attended his
efforts. Wherever he had labored,
there he left imprints of his unselfish
endeavors, hence his death appeared
all too untimely. He was taken away
when in the zenith of usefulness and
virile strength, both intellectual and
physical.
Father Martin was the son of John
Martin and Mary Kelly, born at
Champlain, Minnesota, November 27,
1857, and ordained by Archbishop
Edward Fabre in the Grand Seminary
chapel at Miontreal, Dec. 18, 1886.
His remains were buried at Beth-
any.
REV. JOSEPH MASQUELET.
"The Past's bright diadem had paled before
The starry crown, the glorious Present
wore".
One of the oldest parishes of the
diocese, next to Quincy and Ste. Ma-
rie, is Teutopolis. Its history dates
back to 1833. An organized body of
Catholic Cincinnatians, who had been
prospecting out west, had started a
colony there in 1837. They purchased
a tract of land comprising 10,000
acres at $1.25 per acre. With the first
settlers came a priest by the name of
Rev. Joseph Masquelet, a native of
Elsace. The first divine service was
held in this new settlement towards
the end of November, 1839. The fol-
lowing year, 1840, a small log church
was built, 32x28, and dedicated to St.
Peter. Frictions and dissensions,
however, soon broke forth which in-
duced the pastor to build a second
log church at a distance of 1^ miles
from the former. It was built on his
own land, on "Masquelet Place."
The internal parish dissensions were,
however, not allayed, on the contra-
ry, they continued to grow for many
a year, causing much discomfiture and
annoyance to the various pastors, and
making the parish rather notorious
for its stubborn opposition to the ef-
forts of the clergy. Father Masque-
let, tired of the ill-feeling and oppo-
sition manifested toward him, left
Teutopolis in 1842 for New Orleans.
There he was assigned a parish and
built a fine church. Twice he re-
turned on a visit to Teutopolis, in
November, 1855, and again in the sev-
enties, when he donated a set of cost-
ly vestments to the parish. After his
last visit he returned to his native
land, where he soon died. R. I. P.
Page Eighty-Six
REV. JOSEPH MAURER.
"Fret not when grievous woes annoy,
Who sow in tears shall reap in joy".
A precious life was snuffed out at
St. Anthony's Hospital, of Effingham,
on Monday, March 20, 1916, when the
captive spirit of Rev. Jos. Maurer
broke forth from its temporary prison
cell and winged its flight to God's
holy throne. Deceased could join in
the simple and pathetic words of
Moses concerning his lonesome jour-
ney in Egypt: "I have been a stran-
ger in a strange land." Shakespeare
says of a certain king that in his very
look was writ a tragic volume. As
much may be said of our departed
one. His whole life seemed to have
been a continued tragedy caused by
self-imposed austerities and abnega-
tions, mortifications and penances,
especially, however, when we con-
sider it towards its close. The intens-
ity of suffering occasioned by the in-
'"iction of an incurable ailment, can-
cer of the throat, must have often
re-awakened in his heart an echo of
the words of world-weary St. Paul
who longed and prayed to be dis-
solved from "the body of this death."
This frightful affliction our subject
carried with him for months patient-
ly and submissively to God's in-
scrutable, holy will. For him it
meant a final God-given process of
purification ere entering the portals
of eternity. Days and nights of untold
misery and agony had been his por-
tion, for there seemed neither cure
nor relief for him anywhere, neither
north in Wisconsin's invigorating
clime, nor south in Texas, nor in
sunny California. Feeling the near-
ness of death he rallied in last effort
his waning strength that he might die
among friends. On the brink of utter
collapse he arrived from his long tire-
some California journey at the St.
Anthony's Hospital in Effingham. All
that the care of loving hands of the
good Sisters could do, was lavished
on him. Some of his clerical friends
and the community of Sisters knelt
in prayer around the bedside when
the end came, and the spirit of this
truly suffering Job was released from
captivity. Cardinal Newman's poetic
composition had often been his
prayer:
"Lead, Kindly Light, amid encircling gloom
Lead Thou me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home
Lead Thou me on"!
This beautiful poem our friend had
always much admired and was often
heard to hum it to himself.
And sure, God's grace and power
had blest and upheld him during the
36 years of his priestly life and con-
tinued to uphold him now and lead
him on during the most critical of
all moments till the black night was
gone, and with the morn sweet angel
faces smiled upon him. Truly with
the peaceful passing of Father Maurer
we all had reason to exclaim: "Pre-
tiosa in conspectu Domini, mors sanc-
torum."
Fidelity to his priestly duties at all
times, in season and out of season,
characterized the otherwise uneventful
life of our departed one. Wherever
he displayed his sacerdotal functions
or acted as pastor over a parish, he
was unto all a source of edification.
His unselfishness had become rather
extreme. Hence he died as poor as
the proverbial church mouse, scarcely
having a dollar to his name. Our de-
Page Eighty-Seven
funct was a bright scholar and was
possessed of great retentive mental
power.
Rev. Joseph Maurer was born at
Rauenberg in the Archdiocese of
Freiburg, Baden, February 12, 1858,
studied at the American College of
Louvain and was ordained to the
priesthood at Utrecht, Holland, Aug.
15, 1880. He landed on the American
shores Oct. 16, 1880, and. at once en-
tered upon his priestly duties, first
as assistant at St. Peter's church,
Belleville, and then for a short time
as pastor of St. Francisville. For up-
wards of 24 years he presided as pas-
tor over St. Stanislaus parish of
Macon, with Oconee and Moweaqua
as out-missions attached, which posi-
tions he reluctantly relinquished when
ordered to the rectorship of St.
Mary's of Quincy, January 1, 1905-
May 1906. Owing to impaired health
Father Maurer was successively as-
signed to the parishes of Brussels,
Brigton, Lillyville and Marine.
Solemn obsequies were held March
23, 1916, at St. Anthony's church of
Effingham, after which his remains
were escorted to St. Anthony's ceme-
tery, followed by 40 of his confreres
and a great concourse of sympathiz-
ing, sorrowing friends and former
parishioners. R. I. P.
REV. PATRICK McCABE.
''My God, I thank Thee, that my pain
Of day by day, and year by year,
Has not been suffered all in vain".
Adelaide Procter.
The galaxy of heroic missionary
priests of early days who labored so
disinterestedly in planting the seeds
of religion on the virgin prairie soil
of Illinois would remain incomplete
were the name of Father McCabe
omitted. This true old soggarth,
born, raised and ordained in Ireland
had come to Chicago when that dio-
cese was still in its formative process
He was one of the thirty-two priests
present when Bishop Quarter con-
vened the first synod on April 18,
1847. Three years later, in 1850,
Father McCabe was sent as pastor to
Shawneetown, and from 1852-'54 to
Mt. Sterling. Whilst he had charge
of this parish our veteran priest had
likewise charge of the parishes of
Pittsfield, Jacksonville and Beards-
town, to all of which he devoted most
conscientiously his best efforts. The
results soon became apparent as the
history of these missions show.
Father McCabe had popularized him-
self in the minds and the hearts of his
grateful people. At this time Cairo,
at the confluence of the Mississippi
and Ohio rivers, promised to become
a populous center. Church and pastor
were needed for the growing spiritual
demands. Father McCabe was sent
to Cairo. He set to work and built
Page Eighty-Eight
St. Patrick's church. Had the sun
been shining heretofore on the zeal-
ous priest's endeavors, now dark
clouds were to gather on the horizon
around him, pathetic were the years
to come. Out of all the difficulties,
false accusations and petty persecu-
tions which were let loose against
him, Father McCabe emerged a
broken-down man. Father Larmer,
writing of this episode in the poor
priest's life, says: "St. Paul labored
at tent-making to earn his own ne-
cessaries. Father McCabe worked as
common laborer on the railroads for
seventy-five cents a day, paid in
orders or store truck and said Mass
on Sundays for the few Catholics.
Jeans were his clothing, corn bread,
badly baked in the ashes and badly
cured hog meat, his food, for such
was the living in those days in
Southern Illinois. His niece, a bounc-
ing, vigorous Irish girl, started a re-
spectable boarding house , and for
three or four years after, while Father
McCabe lived, kept him in comfort he
never knew in the active life of a
priest."
Whole-souled, big hearted Father
McCabe, whose name was one to con-
jure by in every Irish cabin and
wherever he was known, died at Cape
Girardeau, in 1863.
The same historian, quoted above,
continued to say: "Illinois can be
proud of such an apostle. In zeal,
sufferings, labor and charity unseen.
Father McCabe has not been excelled
by anyone."
May his soul rest in peace.
REV. JAMES j. MCCARTHY.
Meeting instantaneous death by be-
ing ground under the wheels of a
fast speeding railway train, what
tragic, horrible ending for a talented
zealous, bright young priest! And
yet, such was the deplorable fate
which lurked in quest of Rev. James
J. McCarthy, when one rain-soaked
September day in 1915, he in company
with a good loyal parishioner crossed
the railway tracks near Paris, 111., in
a closed automobile. A thrill of
horror seized all when the news of
this terrible double accident became
known. Sorrow and grief entered
many a home, especially in old Ire-
land, where at Youghal, in County
Cork, the bereaved parents and rela-
tives of the 'unfortunate young priest
reside, and where he was ushered in-
to the world July 11, 1884.
When the day of the funeral ar-
rived, Friday, September 17, St.
Mary's Church of Paris, 111., was un-
able to accommodate the thousands
of Catholic and non-Catholic laity
who sought admission to the obse-
quies. All felt that in the death of
Father McCarthy they had lost a
distinguished young priest who had
endeared himself to them by his kind
and amiable qualities. Men, women
and children gathered sadly around
his bier and offered fervent prayers
for their stricken priest and friend
who was ever ready with a helping
hand in the face of trials and diffi-
culties. Xot the least conspicuous
among the mourners were his St.
John's sacerdotal friends and fellow
students of college days at Water-
ford, Ireland. The celebrant of the
Requiem Mass was the pastor of the
parish, Rev. Patrick Fallen, Paris;
deacon the Rev. J. Mee, of Jersey-
ville; sub-deacon, the Rev. B. Man-
ning, of Alton, and the Rev. W.
O'Sullivan of Marshall, master of
ceremonies.
In an eloquent sermon, Rev. W.
Costello, of Charleston, touched on
the brilliant student career of the de-
ceased young priest and his remark-
able achievements in his first and
only charge as assisstant pastor of St.
Mary's church, Paris. Many things
conspired, he said, to enthrone him
in the hearts of the people of Paris
his Irish wit, his fluent oratory and
amiability, but these were only inci-
dental to the sacred character of the
priesthood since it was the duty of
the priest to become all things to all
men, etc. The following beautiful
poem "In Loving Memory," was
composed by (Mrs.) Isabel Burke, of
Page Eighty-Nine
Rocksavage, Cork, and published in
one of our Catholic papers:
That ever-smiling face is gone
To dwell where angels tread,
A sainted priest, a cherished one
Now mingles with the dead.
To do his Master's will,
Those soulful eyes are closed for aye,
That voice forever still.
Sudden the call, God loved him so,
This blossom passing sweet,
Too fair to bloom on earth, must go
To grace the Savior's feet.
Surely a touch of Heaven's Lord
Dwelt in that pure young heart,
His was the kind and soothing word
Why? Ahl So soon to part.
Far from his Emerald Isle he lies
Wrapt in the silent clay ;
Hearts o'er the sea 'neath Erin's skies
Mourn for that dead and pray.
Come! Twine the Shamrocks oe'r his grave,
Shamrocks of Erin blest ;
May the dear Lord Who died to save
Grant him eternal rest I
REV. PATRICK J. McELHERNE.
Arrtong the young cleric who were
elevated to the prieshood by the first
Bishop of Chicago, Rt. Rev. Wm.
Quarter, was Patrick J. McElherne.
The day on which he received Holy
Orders was June 8, 1845. At the first
diocesan synod, held in the chapel
of the "Holy Name," Nov. , 10, 1847,
Father MsElherne took prominent
part. Thirty-two priests were present
Among this number we meet with
sonne whose names have become
familiar in the history of the Alton
diocese: Revs. Brickwedde, Fort-
mann, Carroll, Prendergast, Hamil-
ton, Kuenster and McCabe. On
April 10, 1848, a great calamity over-
whelmed the young and prosperous
diocese of Chicago in the death of
Bishop Quarter. The Bishop had de-
livered a course of lectures during the
Lenten season, and on Passion Sun-
day, after a powerful discourse on
the Church, his whole frame visibly
trembled, his voice gave out, but not
until he said: "On next Sunday I
will conclude." Alas! that voice was
hushed in death on the following Sun-
day.
Shortly before three o'clock on the
morning of the 10th of April, Father
McElherne, who was pastor of old
St. Mary's and resided with the
Bishop, was awakened by loud moans.
He hastened to the sufferer's room,
where he found him sitting on the
side of the bed pressing his head with
his hands. He soon grew worse and
signs of immediate dissolution mani-
fested themselves so rapidly that
Father McElherne administered the
Sacrament of Extreme Unction;
which was no sooner done than the
soul of the zealous, pious and disin-
teresited Bishop took its flight to
heaven, there to receive the merited
reward for his many achievements in
behalf of Holy Church in the State
of Illinois and the city of Chicago.
He expired in Father McElherne's
arms.
Under the second Bishop, Oliver
Van de Valde, Father McElherne was
transferred from Galena, where he
had built a church, St. Michael's to
St. Lawrence congregation of Quincj
(St. Peter's), as successor to Rev. 'F,
Derwin, who had been there from
1846 Dec. 1848, following Father
Tucker. Father McElherne served
the Quincy parish from 1849 Oct.
1852. During his pastorate he did a
great deal in pacifying a censorious
clement which had gained the uppei
hand in that city, and proved him-
self a true brother and counsellor to
Father Brickwedde. He became the
first resident pastor of Jacksonville.
Later on, from Oct. 1857 May 1862.
Father McElherne served the Quincy
parish a second time. Trouble had
likewise arisen in St. Lawrence church
Bishop O'Regan deemed him the
proper priest to straighten out the
difficulties as he was best acquainted
with existing conditions. He came
to Quincy from Springfield, where, in
1856, he had been pastor of the Im-
maculate Conception church. Father
McElherne filled the office of Admin-
istrator during the interregnum be-
ween the second and third Bishops of
Chicago. Larmer says of him: "His
personal dignity was inimitable, and
I had the greatest respect for him
and his acquirements. He was a
scholar of the old school. The ancient
Page Ninety
classics, French and the standard
writings, both of prose and poetry,
were ready on his tongue. Having
served the principal churches in his
time in Illinois, it was his custom to
write every sermon so that it was a
literary treat to hear them, although
his eloquence was not of the finest
sort. He could be exceedingly sar-
castic and was not always over civil."
From Quincy, Father McElherne
was appointed to the Rock Island
parish, 1862-1868. He died about 1870
at Apple Creek, Illinois. R. I. P.
REV. PETER McGIRR.
"Then as daylight slowly vanished
And the evening mists grew dim,
Solemnly from distant voices
Rose a vesper hymn".
A most worthy man whose name
and memory remains in benediction
with the parishioners of St. Peter's
parish of Quincy, was Father McGirr.
For upwards of thirty-one years he
was the shepherd and guide of that
community. None more revered than
he has ever been at the head of that
congregation. Father McGirr's name
today is still a house-hold word with
the older Irish people of St. Peter's,
and many are the humorous stories
and well-intentioned puns and jokes
they delight in telling about him.
He had captured the hearts of his
people in an uncommon degree. The
trust and confidence they reposed so
entirely in his prudence and good
judgment was never known to have
been misplaced, as Father McGirr
was first, last and all the time watch-
ing over the spiritual and material
welfare of his parochial subjects.
Under his pastorate the parish rapid-
ly developed, its present status, finan-
cial and otherwise, is mainly due to
his continued efforts and unselfish
exertions. He was yet one of the
old school, sturdy, blunt and honest,
a rare type of those whole souled
Irish pioneer workers of whom we
occasionally read or hear spoken of
by older people, by those who have
still known the old silk-hatted "Sog-
garths" as they travelled about either
afoot, on horseback or on handcar.
That class of men is no more nor
ever will return as conditions have
changed since then, and the quondam
obligatory "silk tile" has been rele-
gated to the garret.
Well, our subject, Rev. Peter Mc-
Girr was born June 29, 1833, in Fan-
tona, diocese of Clogher, Ireland. In
1848 he and his brothers emigrated
to America, settling in Massachusetts.
Having determined to study for the
priesthood, our future Quincy pastor
entered Holy Cross College for the
classical course of studies and later
the Grand Seminary of Montreal.
Bishop Juncker ordained Father Mc-
Girr to the priesthood on April 22,
1862. Pittsfield, in Pike county, was
his first charge, but here he stayed
but a few months, till the following
October, when he was appointed to
the pastorate of St. Lawrence church
of Quincy. But is there a St. Law-
rence parish at Quincy? No, not any
more, for the original St. Lawrence
church was changed into that of St.
Peter's at the time when Father Mc-
Girr had the present structure erected.
Page Ninety-One
His first care was to open a school in
a room rented for this purpose.
Afterwards a new two story brick
building, which still serves its purpose
was constructed, adjacent to and
south of the church. Sisters of Notre
Dame from St. Mary's Academy
were engaged as teachers. The paro-
chial school at once grew into promi-
nence for within a few years after
its opening there were as many as 250
children enrolled as pupils. The next
step he took was to purchase a house
for parochial residence, after which
came the greatest of all propositions,
a new church. In this he encountered
however, much opposition from his
people. The pastor thought the build-
ing too old and dilapidated to serve
its purpose much longer, hence to
radically end the subsequent heated
controversy he ordered the old shack
to be torn down on Easter Monday,
1868. The new structure to be erected
a $70,000 one is the present St.
Peter's. As the people were neither
numerous nor rich, it is much to the
credit of Father McGirr that in spite
of vehement opposition he succeeded
to build and pay for such a costly
building. This shows the man's great
influence over the masses as such, his
determination and indomitable will
power.
Father McGirr passed away in
March, 1893. For many years he had
been a sufferer from acute rheumatic
afflictions occasioned by the constant
dampness of his residence. As soon
as the financial conditions of the
parish permitted it he built a new and
elegant rectorate which he did not
live long to enjoy. His remains were
interred at Bloomfield, where many
of his friends and relatives were then
residing. R. I. P.
REV. EDWARD McGOWAN.
"Here, now, it is required among the dis-
pensers that a man be found faithful''. 1
Cor. 4, 2.
Father E. McGowan's pastoral life
was a busy and industrious one. He
never let an opportunity of doing
good pass by. Ever cheerful under
often trying conditions, he won the
love and veneration of his devoted
people, the well-wishes of superior
and fellow-priests. He found relaxa-
tion in work, and hard-telling strokes
he delivered during his long priestly
career in the various parishes over
which he was called to preside. Re-
sults are the best gauge by which
man's worth in the various walks of
life is measured. The work accom-
plished by Father McGowan testify to
his determined and resolute activity
in attaining results. Churches and
rectories in various parishes o-we
their existence to this indefatigable
priest. His first mission where he
displayed his industriousness and re-
sourcefulness was that of St. Patrick's
at Grafton. To this charge he was
appointed when first coming from
Ireland. He worked for his Grafton
people from Oct. 18, 1872-November
18, 1875, when the Ordinary, recog-
Page Ninety-Two
nizing the merits and ability of our
subject, assigned him to St. Stanis-
laus of Macon, where he labored
equally well from 1875-1883. A new
congregation was to be started at that
time at Dalton City. Father Mc-
Gowan was' chosen to do it and he
did it. How success crowned his ef-
forts is manifested by the pretty
church and rectory which, during the
nine years of his incumbency, he
erected there, (1883-'92). When this
new parish had been placed on solid
footing and become prosperous and
self-sustaining, our good man was
transferred to the neighboring con-
gregation of Bethany, where his stay
lasted from 1892-'97. Here he was
not less active than he had been in
previous places, for St. Cokimkill's
church of Sullivan is built and Father
McGowan ministers to the little flock
on alternative Sundays. Next he is
made pastor of Pittsfield, which he
soon exchanges, however, for the
parish of Murrayville, January 1, 1900.
How well this zealous pastor acquit-
ted himself of the various duties
which he performed to the very last
is known to everyone. When death
claimed him at Our Savior's hospital
of Jacksonville, the fruits of his active
and industrious life were ripe.
Peacefully he slept away June 26,
1905. His bier was surrounded by
Bishop, priests and people, all sorrow-
ing over the passage of God's good
and faithful steward. He was buried
at Murrayville, June 29, Father
McGowan was born at Ballinascreen,
County Derry, Ireland, March 9, 1842,
and was ordained at All Hallows
June 24, 1872. May he rest in peace.
REV. WILLIAM McGUIRE.
Farewell friends 1 Yet, not farewell!
Where I am, ye too, shall dwell.
I am gone before your face,
A moment's time, a little space.
Germantown, Pa., a part of greater
Philadelphia, was the birthplace of
Rev. William McGuire, whose loss in
1914, the diocese, Bishop and priests,
greatly deplored. Deceased was born
in 1858 and had completed his studies
at Niagara and Allegheny. On the
feast of Corpus Christi, June 20, 1889
he was raised to the priesthood in the
Franciscan Seminary chapel of Alle-
gheny for the diocese of Alton and
at once assumed charge of his ap-
pointment as assistant to Rev. P. J.
Mackin of St. Patrick's church of De-
catur. Two years he was at Decatur
and thence was transferred for a year
to Virden. In 1892 Father McGuire
acted as assistant priest to Rev. Peter
McGirr of St. Peter's congregation
of Quincy, whence in 1894, he as-
sumed charge of St. Augustine's of
Ashland. Sickness and misfortune
the burning of the parochial residence
overtook him here. Having suffici-
ently recuperated after some months'
vacation which he spent in Eastern
watering places, decedent was ap-
pointed to the Parish of Franklin in
1898, where after years of fruitful
labor he passed away in 1914. His
remains were interred in the Catho-
lic cemetery of Franklin.
Of the worth and character of our
departed confrere, a friend wrote the
press of Decatur.
"Biographers and historians may
venture estimates of the truly good
and great but these estimates are
personal and inadequate. Righteous
living has many attainable degrees to
which all are invited and to which all
are welcome. Thus it follows that
we find around us so many good peo-
ple in every calling no matter how
sublime or how humble, living right-
eously, striving to make themselves
more perfect and to make the beauti-
ful, world even more beautiful Thrice
blessed is that country whose people
live righteously, for in it we find
peace, liberty and security. The
righteous die, but their deeds are
more enduring than time itself. Ever
increasing, ever expanding and always
advancing, righteous living blesses
every human being, and the best
civilization that ever existed or will
exist is its fruitage.
"Just what degree of excellency
Father McGuire reached in righteous-
ness, I do not know, but it is certain
that his was a most beautiful charac-
ter admired and beloved by everybody.
For more than a quarter of a century
he labored in the Alton diocese, caring
little for himself, but intensily inter-
ested in the welfare of others. His
kind cheering greetings his generous
deeds and exemplary life weje steps
that lead to the throne of his Divine
Master. God knows the worth of a
righteous life and I do hope and pray
that Father McGuire now wears the
crown of eternal life." R. I. P.
Page Ninety-Three
REV. FRANCIS McVEIGH.
"Hush! for the ages call
The Love of God lives through eternity
And conquers all!"
He was an ex-religious who had
spent the greater part of his priestly
life in the Chinese missions. He came
to the diocese in 1899, and was as-
signed to Bloomfield with St. Joseph's
on Columbus road and St. Edward's
of Mendon, as out-missions. Shortly
after he changed his habitat from
Blooomfield to St. Joseph's, erecting
there a neat and comfortable resi-
dence. Serious sickness overtook him
in the summer of 1906; he entered St.
Elizabeth's Hospital, Chicago, where
he died in the fall of that year. R.
I. P.
REV. JOHN JOSEPH MENGE.
"... and the fire had died away".
When Rev. Damian Juncker, of
Dayton, Ohio, was chosen by the
Holy See first Bishop of the new dio-
cese of Alton, in 1857, he selected the
Rev. John Joseph Menge, a priest of
Cincinnati, to act as first Cathedral
rector and chancellor of the diocese.
The latter accompanied the former
on his advent to Alton. Father Menge
filled the office of pastor and chancel-
lor till October 2, 1862, with great
credit and ability. Whilst thus em-
ployed he still found time to look
after the spiritual needs of the Ger-
man Catholics in and around Alton,
who then numbered some twenty-five
families. He organized them into a
parish, started a Ladies' Altar Society
and said Holy Mass for them on Sun-
days in a small rented house. These
few families formed the nucleus of the
present strong St. Mary's congrega-
tion of Alton. Their first resident
pastor was Father Ostrop in 1858.
Father Menge was recalled by his
Ordinary in October, 1862, back to
Cincinnati to 'become pastor of St.
Francis de Sales parish of that city
whilst the office of chancellor was
conferred upon Rev. John Janssen,
who subsequently became the first
Bishop of Belleville, and Rev. T. F.
Mangan was made rector of the
Cathedral.
Rev. John Joseph Menge was born
at Osnabrueck, Hanover, July 12,
1829, ordained to the priesthood Octo-
ber 18, 1854, and died in the early
seventies in Cincinnati. R. I. P.
REV. G. MEITTINGER.
"Et dixit ad eum ;
Ingredere in requiem meam".
When on February 1, 1866, the
priests of St. John's church of Spring-
field had discontinued to attend the
parish at New Berlin, it received its
first resident pastor in the person of
Rev. Gustavus Meittinger. He stayed
at New Berlin until July 18, 1867,
when he was relieved of his charge
by Rev. Francis Schreiber. Little is
known of this priest beyond the fact
that he died as pastor of St. Ann's
parish at Holstein, Calumet county,
Wisconsin, in 1867. R. I. P.
Page Ninety-Four
REV. FREDERICK METZGER.D. D.
"While I live a wretched beggar,
One bright hope my lot can cheer;
Soon, soon thou shalt have thy kingdom,
Brighter hours are drawing near".
Far removed from his colleagues
and friends and parishioners, sepa-
rated by world-wide distance from the
scenes of his eminently successful
priestly endeavors and enterprises,
Rev. Frederick Metzger, one of God's
noblemen, respected and beloved by
all, was suddenly summoned by death
in far away Bavaria, on Friday, Oct.
25, 1895. It was but few weeks prior
to this that decedent had been ap-
pointed pastor of St. Anthony's parish
of Effingham, and dean of that dean-
ery. Before assuming vigorous hold
of the reins of that parish, he was
advised by medical authority and in-
sistent friends, to first go in quest of
health and strength in order to quali-
fy himself for the impending onerous
duties and responsibilities which
awaited him in the newly appointed
charge of Effingham. With the
Bishop's approval -and endorsement
and the many well-wishes for a bon
voyage, he sailed for his native land,
Bavaria, among attractive home en-
vironments to fully recuperate
from a general collapse occasioned
by many years of unremitting, stren-
uous work and worry. This, in time,
had brought on chronic heart trouble.
In the meridian of life he became a
premature victim of his calling.
There are no words too extravagant
or too effusive to be said in behalf
of Father Metzger, as hosts of friends
and admirers, both Catholic and Prot-
estant, will testify to. When the
cable then flashed the news of his
untoward demise, genuine heartfelt
sorrow became universal in places
which had known him. Expressions
of sincerest sympathy were but poor
symbols of expressions when a man
of Father Metzger's mold was the
themie, a gentleman and priest of
flawless type and character. Death
overtook him when visiting at the
house of a clerical friend, some twenty
miles distant from his own home.
The Pike County Democrat in its
edition of Wednesday, Oct. 30, 1895,
said of the departed:
"Dean Metzger while rigid in his
church views and strict in the faith-
ful performance of all duties that
pertained to his priestly office, yet so
lived and moved among his fellow-
citizens as to command their esteem
and respect and caused them' to re-
gret his removal from their midst.
By the very large body of parish-
ioners over whom he was set as their
spiritual guide and counsellor he will
ever be remembered as one well
worthy of their warmest feelings of
affection and his memory be long
cherished in their hearts."
Rev. Frederick Metzger was born at
Waldmohn, Rheinpfalz, Bavaria, Sept.
22, 1843. From early boyhood days
he longed to dedicate himself to God's
service, to become a priest and work
for the spiritual good of man-kind.
Since, however, young Metzger dis-
played great aptitude for mechanical
skill his parents placed him at an
early date in a cabinet factory, where
at the age of sixteen he had already
advanced to the position of foreman.
He couldn't be idle. To make, build
Page Ninety-Five
or construct something was his de-
light; this trait accompanied him into
the priesthood. The profession which
his parents seemed to have chosen
for himi did not satisfy our subject's
yearning, he aspired to become one
of God's anointed. To attain this end
he set out for America. At the St.
Francis Seminary, near Milwaukee,
the future Dean of Effingham com-
pleted his classical course and like-
wise took up the study of Philosophy
and Theology. His fondest desire,
nurtured since childhood days, be-
came satisfied when on Dec. 23, 1872,
Bishop Baltes raised him to the
priesthood.
At Mishawaka, Ind., the young neo-
presbyter celebrated his first holy
Mass two days later, namely, on
Christmas morning, 1872. Now he
was ready for work, however ardu-
ous it might be. Accordingly the
Bishop appointed him; to Kaskaskia
in "Egypt," one of the oldest Catho-
lic settlements in the entire Mississip-
pi valley. Here he remained eight
years doing such noble service that
even today yet his name need only be
mentioned and it awakens grateful
and loving sentiments in the hearts of
the KasLaskians.
On Dec. 9, 1880, Father Metzger
was transferred to Pittsfield. Fifteen
years of strenuous work and worry
broke down his former robust con-
stitution and caused chronic heart
trouble. He was sent abroad, travel-
led from place to place, consulted the
famous Father Kneipp at Woerish-
ofen, rested among the peaceful sur-
roundings of his home, and early boy-
hood scenes, received the most kind
and tender care of his nearest rela-
tives and yet all this proved ulti-
mately of little or no avail. At the
home of a clerical friend at Reifen-
berg, where he happened to be a
chance visitor, Father Metzger
breathed forth his spirit in peace on
Oct. 25, 1895.
Before leaving in quest of strength
and health we know that our de-
cedent had been appointed to the
parish of Effingham. On leaving
Pittsfield for his new mission field,
everyone Catholic and Protestant
alike, seemed to have sustained a
great personal loss, they all revered
and loved him tenderly.
Besides the pastoral and parochial
work which our subject discharged
with conscientious exactitude, he
opened up in the fall of 1882 a paro-
chial school which he maintained for
more than six years, when finally
owing to a lack of children he was
obliged to discontinue same. His
hospitality knew no limits. At times
he invited poor seminarians to come
and spend their summer vacations
with him at Pittsfield; his doors were
always wide open to receive friends
and callers, and many there were who
journeyed thither in order to enjoy
his magnanimous and liberal hospital-
ity.
I said that Father Metzger had
great aptitude and talent for mechan-
ical work. How true that is he
showed in the building and construct-
ing of church .pipe organs. It is
justly astounding and wonderful how
he excelled in this amateur occupa-
tion installing a fine pipe organ which
is still in use at Kaskaskia, his first
mission; another pipe organ he in-
stalled in his own church at Pittsfield,
and yet another one he constructed
for the St. Francis College chapel of
Quincy. Mt. Sterling and Springfield
churches likewise proclaim the merits
of Father Metzger's fine pipe organs.
And withal he was humility personi-
fied.
Thus did this splendid worker of
the Alton clergy lead an active, edify-
ing, priestly life. By word and ex-
ample he scattered the seeds of his
holy calling promiscuously about;
how much good they effected is
known to God alone. May the
crown of eternal glory be his reward.
Page Ninety-Six
REV. GERARD MIRBACH.
Rev. G. Mirbach, the "grand old
man" and second pastor of St.
Mary's, was a splendid type of man,
strong, high-minded and of noble pur-
poses, a man of tact and refinement,
of erudition and learning. In ap-
pearance he was of rather striking
personality, patriarchal and venerable
looking, earnest and severe of mien
and countenance which but seldom
was lit up by hearty laugh or mirth-
ful smile. Long gray whiskers added
to his impressive and somber bearing.
And yet, withal, he was a man of
tender sympathies and magnanimous
disposition, kind and generous to a
fault. His highest ambitions culmin-
ated in promoting the interests of St.
Mary's, spiritual and material. Hence
it is, in a marvelous degree all clung
to him in good and evil days seeking
advice and counsel, strength and com-
fort with a confidence and assurance
that eloquently proclaimed the har-
monious and intimate bond and union
between pastor and people as it ex-
ists between father and children. And
today no name stands forth in such
vivid relief before the people of St.
Mary's and no former pastor's mem-
ory commands such universal love
and grateful veneration after almost d
quarter century than Father Mirbach
does. And well he deserved the peo-
ples homage and confidence, for he
was surely a worthy and exemplary
priest of God and a great benefactor
of man.
Having come to America at the age
of 32 years, at a time of life when the
acquisition of a foreign language is
by no means as easy a task as it is
in earlier years, and owing to the
fact, moreover, that the various
charges over which he presided were
almost exclusively all German it is
easy to explain why Fr. Mirbach
greatly lacked in the use and know-
ledge of the English language. Hence
his official communications and cor-
respondences with the Diocesan Chan-
cery and even with the Bishop were
mostly carried on in German. On
the other hand, however, we find him
to be a tine Latin scholar; in that
language he excelled, he wrote and
he composed in it with remarkable
facility, ease and fluency, of which
some still extant manuscripts bear
ample testimony. As an example of
his choice latinity I may allude to the
beautiful address which he as the
Senior of the Quincy clergy was
asked to draft on the accession of our
present Bishop to the See of Alton.
For many years Rev. Mirbach suf-
fered from acute rheumatism, he be-
came practically an invalid and was
necessitated to accept aid from the
Franciscan Monastery and College on
Sundays and Holy days for a number
of years until in November, 1893, the
Bishop sent a young assistant priest
to St. Mary's. It was the newly or-
dained Rev. John Wand. Already in
1880 Fr. Mirbach had sought relief
from this painful malady by under-
taking a trip to Europe, there to make
use of the world-renowned Sulphur
Springs of Germany; again in 1886
he was most urgently induced by his
Bishop, Rt. Rev. P. J. Baltes, to try
a several week's course of mineral
baths at Hot Springs, Ark., which the
Bishop described to him as the best
baths known anywhere in the world
for their wonderful curative qualities.
Again we find our rheumatic sufferer
Page Ninety-Seven
a patient at the Sisters' Sanitarium
in Milwaukee. All these trials brought
only temporary relief but effected no
cure.
Of all the tests, trials and afflictions
which good Father Mirbach had to
undergo during the 21 years of his
pastoral life at St. Mary's, none was
so acute and severe, however, as was
the mental strain endured on the
night of February the 2nd, 1891, when
proud, noble, beautiful St. Mary's fell
prey to fire and flame and was reduced
in a short time to a smouldering heap
of ruins. Poor man how we pitied him
when this sad story of St. Mary's mis-
fortune was made known next day by
the papers. The strong minded pas-
tor, however, soon rose to the occa-
sion, and like a phoenix from the
ashes, thus did stricken St. Mary's
under the undaunted leadership of
Father Mirbach arise to vigorous new
life and activity, and soon a beautiful
structure arose, more handsome and
more queenly than the former one
had been.
Rev. Gerard Mirbach was born
September 8th, 1832, at Gerderhahn,
near Aachen; he finished his higher
classical studies in 1856 at Neus and
then for three years went to the Uni-
versity of Bonn to prepare himself by
the study of philosophy and theology
for his chosen vocation, the priest-
hood. On September the 3rd, 1860, he
was ordained by the Auxiliary Bishop
of Cologne, Msgr. Baudri, and in
October of that year sent as Vicar to
Raeren, where he stayed 'till he emi-
grated to America, May 8, 1869. Ar-
rived at Alton, where he presented
himself to Bishop Baltes, he was at
once assigned to the parish of Fayette-
ville, 111. In 1874 Rev. Theodore Brue-
ner, then pastor of our St. Mary's
parish, accepted the position as Rector
of the Pio Nono College, a normal
school for the training of Catholic
teachers and organists, situated at St.
Francis, Wis., near Milwaukee. St.
Mary's therefore, became vacant. The
right man for the position was found
when the Bishop's choice fell on
Father Mirbach. For and with St.
Mary's people he worked with singu-
lar devotion for 21 years, from 1874-
1895, when on April the 2nd, 1895, he
was summoned by the Master whom
he had served so faithfully and so
well throughout the years of his ex-
emplary life to receive the promised
reward. May he rest in peace!
REV. LEOPOLD MOCZYGEMBA, 0. M. C.
"Then I heard a strain of music
So mighty, so pure and so clear".
In the latter part of the sixties, a
member of the Order of the Conven-
tual Franciscans, a native of Selesia,
came to the diocese and was given
charge of the parish of Carrollton.
He had been for some time an English
Confessor at St. Peter's, Rome.
From Carrollton Father Leopold was
assigned to St. Mary's of Litchfield,
where he remained about four years.
This was in 1869. The diocese of
Chicago holding out probably better
prospects to our secularized Fran-
ciscan Father, he moved to that city
in 1873, where on April 15, 1892, he
died.
When Father Leopold cam, e to
Litchfield he lost no time in opening
a school. On one side of the old rec-
tory he put up school rooms, on the
other he built spacious apartments
for a convent and academy for the
use of the Ursuline Sisters coming
from the Motherhouse of Alton. His
zeal and successful labors, which he
displayed in Litchfield, are still vivid-
ly remembered and often spoken of
by the older members of the parish.
R. I. P.
Page Ninety-Eight
REV. JOHN F. MOHR.
"The shadows grew longer and longer
The evening wind passed by;
And the purple splendor of sunset
Was flooding the western sky".
Thirty-five years pastor of one and
the same parish is a record seldom at-
tained and hardly ever surpassed by
any priest. Looking over the list of
departed mem'bers of our diocesan
clergy we find but very few instances
Where priests assigned to pastoral
work in congregations have uninter-
ruptedly retained their charges for
such length of time. True, we met
with some who not only equalled but
even out-distanced this record, but
they prove to have been rare excep-
tions. Various reasons may be ad-
duced why pastors are more or less
shifted about, be it from a rural to a.
city parish or vice versa. Conditions,
environments, personal traits and
characteristics, constructive parochial
work and many other factors may en-
ter into the consideration of appoint-
ments, changes or removals from one
place to another; it is left to and de-
termined by the Bishop's wise discre-
tion and stern authority. The one
who with few exceptions seemed to
be immune from experimental tests
and changes was our suave and amia-
ble Father John F Mohr, of New Ber-
lin, 111.
Possessed of personal charm and
magnetism combined with child-like
disposition whom no one who ever
met the kind-hearted and generous
minded man could withstand, he
counted his friends and loyal adhe-
rents by hundreds. Wherever he went
Father Mohr made conquests winning
over to him new friends and admirers.
"Papa Mohr" his clerical friends were
pleased to call him, to which appel-
lation he offered no serious objection.
No one was a more welcome visitor
to the home of friends or parishion-
ers than he. A humorous vein was
his. Commanding an inexhaustible
fund of anecdotes and catchy little
stories which, by the way, he was at
times guilty of repetition a circle of
expectant listeners would gather
around .him to enjoy the good man's
company and liberally applaud his in-
nocent sayings. He loved the plain
people. How much sunshine did he
cast into gloomy corners thereby dis-
pelling depression, \yorry and anxiety
from so many minds and hearts.
A model of a worthy, pious and
zealous priest was he, admired and
worshipped by his time-honored con-
freres and subjects for his spotless
priestly life and gentlemanly bearing
always trying to be all unto all
omne omni. Punctuality and scrupu-
lous exactitude in the performance of
parochial ministrations, at the altar
or the recitation of divine office, in
the confessional or on sick calls char-
acterized his beautiful life. In out-
ward personal appearance Fr. Mohr
was a pattern of neatness, which is
not to say, however, that he was a
stylish dresser; far from it, for our
good man would make a collar, shirt
or suit last just as long as decency
and propriety would permit. He loved
out-door exercise, to roam in the
woods or with fishing-pole sit for
Page Ninety-Nine
hours on the banks of creek or pond
and watch the cork usually without
result.
To make private home life interest-
ing every man must have a hobby.
Father Mohr had his. And what was
it? Collecting and sacredly storing
away old newspapers and magazines,
ordos and breviaries, scrap-books and
tickets, etc., for if anything he was a
man of great economic, conservative
habits, a survivor of the old school,
clinging to customs and traditions.
An accumulation of odds and ends
was found among his modest in-
ventory, a great deal of which served
as fuel for a bon-fire by an injudicious
temporary and hasty substitute.
Rev. John Francis Mohr, a dean of
the Springfield deanery, was born at
Minster, Ohio, on February 2, 1839,
At the age of 23 years he was raised
to the priesthood in the Alton Cathe-
dral by the first Bishop of the dio-
cese, Rt. Rev. Damian Juncker, D. D.
After filling minor charges, Father
Mohr was appointed in 1870, pastor
of the Cathedral parish. He acted
successfully as such for nearly three
years, when the Bishop saw fit to
place him at the head of that ill-
starred Diocesan College of Ruma,
111. now the convent-home of the
"Sisters of the Precious Blood." After
the short incumbency at Ruma he
was assigned to St. Mary's church of
New Berlin, 111., in January, 1873.
His death occured at the St. John's
Hospital, Springfield, on Holy Thurs-
day, April 16, 1908. La Grippe, super-
induced by paralysis carried him off.
The solemn obsequies were had the
following Tuesday. The Rt. Rev. Or-
dinary of the diocese together with
64 members of the clergy were there
to pay their last tribute of love and
respect to him whose memory will
continue to live enshrined in the
hearts of all who knew him. On this
funeral occasion the Solemn Requiem
was said by the Rt. Rev. Bishop
James Ryan, D. D., assisted by Rev.
P. Anselm Mueller, O. F. M., the then
venerable and popular rector of St.
Francis College of Quincy, as deacon
and Dean Michael Weis, of Quincy,
as sub-deacon, whilst Revs. Francis
Zabell, D. D., of Bunker Hill and
Ferdinand Stick of Highland, acted as
assistants to the celebrant. Very Rev.
Timothy Hickey, V. G., of St. Mary's
Springfield, delivered a pathetic
funeral oration on the life and labors
of our departed one, whose body was
bedded in the little parish cemetery
of New Berlin, 111. R. I. P.
REV. JOHN MOLITOR.
Cold is the hearth when the last spark dies,
And empty and lone are the western skies
When the red sun sinks in. his cloudy bed;
And cold are our hearts, for the priest is
dead.
In the cemetery of quiet and peace-
ful Brussels in Calhoun county, we
come upon a small weather-beaten
headstone which 'bears the inscrip-
tion: "Sacred to the Memory of Rev.
John Molitor." He who sleeps be-
neath the grassy plot and whose
name is recalled by the humble mon-
ument was the first resident priest of
that parish. A fellow-student of the
late Bishop Baltes, he was raised to
the priesthood together with him at
the Grand Seminary of Montreal on
May 21, 1853. He was at once ap-
pointed to the St. Mary's congrega-
tion of Brussels. Father Molitor was
a native of Belgium and in memory
of him the village was named Brus-
sels. His time of labor, however, was
very short, for after some three
months it was already rudely inter-
rupted by death. He died at a lone
farm house after a very brief illness.
R. I. P.
Page One Hundred
REV. JOHN MOLITOR, R. D.
There's no place like "Home".
Forty years pastor of one and the
same parish is indeed a remarkable
occurrance and seldom equalled in
this Diocese. Such extraordinary rec-
ord stands to the credit of Reverened
John Moliter, late pastor of Sewton
ord stands to the credit of Father
and Dean of the Effingham Deanery
Quiet and unostentatious in the
daily discharge of his duties, during
all these years he earned the respect
and well-wishes of all, both of the
clergy and laity. The high regard
with which his Ordinary looked upon
his systematic and fruitful labors
caused his appointment as District
Dean and well did Father Miolitor
merit such distinction from above.
Everyone heartily seconded the un-
sought promotion. True to his God,
he was at all times equally true to
his Bishop and Confreres. Zeal and
devotedness characterized his long
pastorate. The parishioners clung to
him as children would to their father.
His dictum, was decisive, his words
conveyed authority. Keen, therefore,
was the pain and deep the wound
caused by his death which occurred
January 17, 1917. A great out-pouring
of sorrowing people on the day of
funeral attested the universal love
and esteem the departed enjoyed at
Newton and surroundings.
Father John Molitor was born at
Germantown, 111., Dec. 6, 1845 and
ordained to the priesthood March 25,
1874, by the late Bishop Baltes. His
was the distinction of being the first
native diocesan priest ordained for
the diocese of Alton. R. I. P.
REV. VINCENT NAGLER.
"Sitivit in Te anima Mea".
Whilst his predecessor's tenure of
office lasted but from September, 1872
to May, 1873, Father Nagler served
St. Mary's parish of Alton likewise
but one year, from May, 1873 till
May 15, 1874, the date of his death.
Father Nagler was of frail body and
poor health, nearly always sick and
unable to perform his manifold duties,
although over-anxious to comply
with them. Dropsy caused his death.
He lies buried at Alton. May God
rest his soul.
REV. WM. NEIL.
(P. Longinus, O. S. B.)
"Karth and heaven tell of rest that shall not
cease ;
Where the cold world's farewell
Fades into endless peace".
In exchange for Rev. Theodore
Bruener, who on leaving St. Mary's
parish of Quincy, in 1874, had ac-
cepted the rectorship of the Pio Nono
Normal School of St. Francis, Wis.,
the Archbishop of Milwaukee permit-
ted Rev. Wm. Neu to come to our
diocese. He was appointed to Bun-
ker Hill in May, 1874. The new pas-
tor was a born pedagogue and his
best exertions were used in that di-
rection. This was evidenced by the
flourishing parochial school which at
once he opened. He also embellisher!
the church and reformed the choir ac-
cording to the Cecilian idea. In 1878
Rev. Wm Neu undertook the build-
ing of a small church at Gillispie
Page One Hundred and Ore
large enough to accommodate the
small congregation. To raise the
means sufficient and necessary to
carry out this plan, our gifted priest
delivered a series of lectures in
neighboring places. In 1879 Father
Neu returned to Wisconsin to relieve
Father Bruener of his duties at the
Normal. In 1889 our subject became
a Religious. He joined the Benedic-
tine Order at Atchison, Kansas, and
was henceforth known to the world
as P. Longinus, O. S. B.
As such he acted as assistant at the
Abbey church till 1891, was pastor
of St. Peter's church at Council Bluffs
Iowa, July, 1892-97. From January,
1898-'99, Father Longinus presided as
pastor over the Abbey church of At-
chison. On the 3d day of March,
1899, good Father Neu died at St.'
Vincent's Hospital, Birmingham, Ala-
bama, and was buried in the Abbey
cemetery at Atchison, March 7, 1899.
He was born at Bocholt, in the
Diocese of Muenster, July 23, 1846,
emigrated with his parents to Ameri-
ca in December, I860, and was or-
dained to the priesthood by Bishop
Henni of Milwaukee, at St. Francis
Seminary December 21, 1871. R. I. P.
REV. JOHN NEUHAUS.
"Labia mea laudabunt Te".
Practically the whole priestly
career of our subject was spent in the
southern part of the state, now the
Belleville Diocese, with the exception
of four months, when he acted as
pastor of St. Boniface congregation
of Edwardsville, and attended St.
Michael's parish of Staunton, which
was then affiliated to St. Boniface of
Edwardsville.
Rev. John Neuhaus was born Feb-
ruary 13, 1844, at Coesfeld in West-
falia; studied in his native city and
at Muenster and was ordained a priest
by the Auxiliary Bishop of Muenster,
Rt. Rev. John Bossman, on June 21,
1870. He became stationed at Red
Bud, October 29, 1870-A u g u s t 14.
1871; at Belle Prairie from August 15,
1871-March 17, 1875, and attended the
missions of McLeansboro, Mt. Ver-
non, Enfield, Carmi and Flora. At
Edwardsville from March 19, 1875-
July 6, 1875, after which he was
ordered to act as chaplain of the Sis-
ters of the Precious Blood of Ruma.
and attended from there Glasgow
City, now Renault. This young Sis-
terhood is greatly indebted to his pru-
dent management for its spiritual and
material advancement.
Father John Neuhaus died at
Ruma, February 22, 1905, and lies
buried in the parish cemetery. R. I
P.
Page One Hundred and Tico
REV. WIMAR OBERDOERSTER.
"Dust thou art, and 'into dust thou shalt
return". Gen. 3, 19.
In the fall of 1888 a talented and
promising young priest arrived in the
diocese from Germany. But shortly
previous thereto he had been ordained
to the priesthood at the American
College of Louvain, in Belgium. It
was Rev. Wimar Oberdoerster. Born
March 17th. 1860, at Lenhof near
Seelscheidt in the Archdiocese of
Cologne, he finished his classical stu-
dies in the schools of his native place,
whilst for the completion of the Sem-
inary course, Philosophy and Theo-
logy, he was directed to the American
College of Louvain, because of his
decision to spend his future priestly
life in the American missions. When
the time for ordination drew near, he
applied for admission into the Alton
diocese, where he was readily ac-
cepted. On June 24. 1888, the class of
young clerics to which Father Ober-
doerster belonged, was raised to the
priesthood. A few weeks later we ex-
tended a hearty welcome to the genial
young man, who was introduced to
us as the newly appointed assistant to
St. Paul's of Highland. During the
lengthy absence of the pastor. Rev.
Jos. Meckel. who in company with
the present Vicar-General of Belle-
ville had started that fall on a Euro-
pean journey which was to include
a trip to the Holy Land, the young
assistant was given charge of the
parish affairs until the return of the
pastor the next summer. How well
he carried out his responsible obliga-
tions is attested to by the fact that
immediately on the return of the pas-
tor to Highland the young man was
appointed to the parishes of Troy
and Black Jack. Here he performed
good work and won the love and
esteem of every one in a marked de-
gree. After several years of fruitful
labor the Ordinary saw fit to trans-
fer Father Oberdoerster to the pros-
pering young parish of Pierron, which
had been founded only a few years
before 'by the energetic Father Fut-
terer, whilst stationed at Grant Fork
and who had become its first pastor.
The Bishop at that time was in quest
of a talented and bright young priest
to send to the Catholic University at
Washington, to be the beneficiary of a
scholarship which had been founded
there for the Alton diocese. His
choice fell upon the pastor of Pierron.
Father Futterer. In consequence
Father Oberdoerster was transferred
from Troy and given the rectorship
of Pierron. Here he completed and
embellished what his predecessor had
to leave in rather unfinished condition,
church, house and cemetery. Hence
the Pierron parish under his prudent
management signally developed, both
materially and spiritually, it grew in
numbers and waxed strong, so that in
a few years it favorably compared
with the best rural congregations of
the diocese, thanks to the good men
who successively guided its destiny.
How often, however, does man ex-
perience the truth of Holy Writ:
"Meda vita in morte sumus," "in the
midst of life we are surrounded by
death."
Father Oberdoerster had now been
a priest for upwards of nine years.
His light-heartedness and sunny dis-
Page One Hundred and Three
position, his enthusiastic endeavors
and continued good health were to
the average observer a guarantee of
many more years of precious useful-
ness in the Master's cause. The career
of our estimable friend of Pierron
augured so well. Sickness, however,
dreaded pneumonia overtook him and
ended the precious life and valued
services suddenly, on Friday, July 30,
1897, at a St. Louis hospital.
He was buried August 1, in the
Catholic cemetery of Pierron, fol-
lowed thither by a vast concourse of
people from, his own as well as neigh-
boring parishes and many of his de-
voted friends and admirers of the
clergy.
"His race was run, his crown is won
The goal is reached in heaven,
He fought the fight, he kept the Faith
For which that crown is given".
REV. CHARLES OBERPRANTACHER.
"And leaving all behind,
Come forth alone,
To join the chosen band
Around the throne".
In an interesting historical souve-
nir-edition of St. Paul's parish of
Highland, issued September, 1896, the
author, Rev. Jos. Meckel, devotes a
brief chapter (page 94) on his worthy
and distinguished predecessor, Rev.
Charles Oberprantacher. By the
transfer of Rev. P. Peters to St.
Mary's, Alton, he was appointed to
succeed him as pastor of St. Paul's.
Prior to this he had been pastor of
the parish at Millstadt from August,
1866-August, 1868, where he suc-
ceeded in erecting a $4,000 school
house; from 1868-73, pastor at Free-
burg, and from Novemiber 73-August,
74 at Edwardsville. At the time when
this change of pastors was made,
Highland was not a desirable place for
any priest to covet. Repeated disturb-
ances which had occured under
Fathers Limacher, Bartels and Peters,
had given that congregation "a black
eye," each one of these able and effici-
ent men had left without regret. Father
O'berprantacher, says our historian,
was eminently a man of peace, a paci-
fist and with his coming an era of
peace seemed to have dawned upon
that fractious parish. The tomahawk
was buried and the future promised
bright. At once the new incumbent
proceeded to make some necessary re-
pairs and purchased two lots adjoining
the church property. New spiritual life-
began to awaken in the parishioners
and the schools soon flourished. All
this, however, was to be of but short
duration for within less than two
years Father Oberprantacher sent his
resignation as pastor of Highland
and asked the Bishop that he not only
be relieved of his charge but be per-
mitted to return to his native land,
mountainous, beautiful Tyrol. At the
end of May, 1876, he left Highland
and sailed for Europe, never to re-
turn.
Rev. Charles Oberprantacher was
born March 19. 1829, at Biffian in the
Tyrolean Alps. He was ordained at
Brixen, July 15, 1855, and came to
America in July, 1866. After his re-
turn to Europe he was assigned a
large parish in his native country. We
are not in position to state when
and where our former diocesan priest
died nor where he was buried. R.
I. P.
Page One Hundred and Four
V. REV. P. J. O'HALLORAN, V. G.
''The sun shone bright again
When slowly up the highway
Came a long funeral train".
This popular priest, for more than
25 years pastor of St. Patrick's of
East St. Louis, was one of the most
prominent clergymen of the state. He
was born August 15, 1830, in Bluff,
County, Limerick, Ireland. At the age
of 1C 1 years he was brought to this
country by his parents, who settled
in Cincinnati, Ohio. He received his
education at Bardstown Seminar}',
Kentucky, and was finally graduated
from Mount St. Mary's, Cincinnati.
Raised to the priesthood in 1862,
Father O'Halloran held successively
the pastorate of Jacksonville, Bunker
Hill and Cairo, in each of the places
building a church. During his incum-
bency at Bunker Hill he erected also
St. Michael's church of Staunton in
1873, and greatly distinguished him-
self for his financial ability in church
matters and was made Vicar General
of the diocese. He built a parochial
residence and the convent at East St
Louis and moreover purchased the
present Mount Carmel cemetery for
$12,000. Furthermore Father O'Hal-
loran organized a building and loan
association that has built 72 homes
for its members. He died, greatly re-
gretted, December 29, 1898, and was
buried in Mt. Carmel cemetery of East
St. Louis. R. 1. P.
REV. FRANCIS AUGUSTIN OSTROP.
Beyond life's stormy seas of woe
There is a happy shore,
Where tears of sorrow never flow,
And trials are no more.
Rev. Francis Augustine O s t r o p
was born at Dorsten in Westfalia,
September 1, 1823. From his earliest
years he exhibited an ardent desire to
enter the holy ministry, but his
parents were too poor to enable him
to accomplish it For seven years he
worked as painter and cabinet maker.
At the age of twenty-one he began
the study of classics in his native
place, but a few months afterwards
removed to Coesfeld. Such was his
diligence and application to study
that in three years he made double
time and went through six classes. At
the same time, as a means of support.
he gave private lessons to less ad-
vanced students. After graduating he
repaired to Muenster, there to study
Philosophy and Theology. On leav-
ing Muenster he became for awhile
a tutor in the family of Count
Schmiesing-Kerstenbrock, whereupon
for two years he acted as teacher at
the Osnabrueck High school, giving
popular lectures on astronomy. After-
wards for five years he had charge of
the Ibbenbueren High school.
When, in 1857, Bishop Juncker went
to Westfalia to recruit subjects for
his diocese, Francis Ostrop offered
his services, which were gladly ac-
cepted. He reached Alton, November
11, was sent to the Carondelet Semin-
ary, of St. Louis, and ordained
May 1, 1858. His first appointment
was to St. Mary's church of Alton. He
found a two-story building, erected
the previous year by Rev. John
Menge, with the help of the eight
families constituting the congregaton
and serving for church, school and
rectory, with a debt of $3,OCO. On
Trinity Sunday, 1860, a tornado de-
stroyed the building, burying in its
ruins priest and housekeeper: both,
however, were safely extricated from
their perilous plight. He was anxious
II,,, Hundred and Fit
to build anew, but the debt, how-
ever, had first to be liquidated. Un-
able to find sufficient help at home he
obtained permission to seek it abroad.
He went, in turn, to Cincinnati, Cov-
ington, St. Louis, Quincy; Belleville,
and was thus enabled to begin the
building of the church, 110x50, with
steeple 100 feet high. He also built
a rectory which for a time was partly
used for a boys' school, the girls
attending the Ursuline Academy. In
1869 he built a High School at the
cost of $11,000.
In September, 1872, he was ap-
pointed pastor of St. Boniface parish
of Quincy. There he soon erected a
school, at the time one of the finest
parochial school buildings in the
West, purchased property and was
resolved on building a $100,000
church, which no doubt he would have
accomplished had not the debt of
$82,CCO alarmed the less sanguine
hopes of the Bishop and aroused op-
position- and protest from the mem-
bers. Hence his plan failed.
On September 1, 1887, he was trans-
ferred to Carlinville, there to become
the rector of St. Joseph's parish. The
congregation had but forty families
and the overhanging debt amounted
to $10,000. The condition of affairs
seemed desperate. The new rector
in no way dismayed, went to work
with all energy, started four associa-
tions, to take in all the members, the
receipts going to the benefit of the
church. He soon paid the whole debt,
built a becoming school for which he
purchased ground, bought a rectory
for $2,200 and put an addition 30x35
to the sanctuary at a cost of $4,000.
In 1891 his health was failing fast.
He, nevertheless, during the winter
1891-92 attended to his duties with
the occasional help of neighboring
priests. His condition continued to
grow worse. Father Ostrop realized
the nearness of the last summons and
duly prepared himself for the last
call. He piously died on June 26,
1892. His funeral was held June 30,
attended by the Bishop, forty priests
and a vast concourse of people.
Father Ostrop was a wonderful
man, an enthusiast about his work
and had the peculiar talent of spread-
ing the sacred fire around him. Plain
and simple in his way of living, he
was always very kind and hospitable.
In him the poor and afflicted found
a friend never failing, education a
warm champion, science an ardent de-
votee.
Have you ever observed that quad-
rangular glass enclosure on top of
St. Boniface school building? It was
Father Ostrop's observatory, where
he loved to spend many an hour dur-
ing clear, bright nights, with his large
adjustable telescope, studying the
constellations in the starry heavens
above.
His voluminous library which filled
two large rooms, was probably one of
the choicest and most valuable in the
possession of any private individual.
What has become of that splendid
library with its many valuable books,
charts and manuscripts? Scattered
here, there, or everywhere. Some
were sold for a song, others given
away. Too bad, indeed, for such loss
to the diocese would seem well nigh
irreparable.
Page One Hundred and Six
Father Ostrop was loved and ad-
mired by all that knew him. Peace
to his noble soul. R. I. P.
P. S. For a detailed account of
the life of Father Ostrop, see his ex-
haustive biography written in 1894 by
Rev. B. Hartmann.
REV. ADAM J. PENNARTZ.
"Dirigatur, Domine, oratio mea
Sicut incensum in conspectu tuo".
To the inscrutable designs of Divine
Providence it seemed good to call
from hence on November 10. 1917, the
Rev. Adam J. Pennartz, pastor of St.
Michael's parish of Sigel, 111., dean of
the Effingham district and member of
the board of diocese examiners.
With his passing a prominent
priest and eminent man has passed
away, one who, as it were, towered
above his fellow-priests by a certain
air and semblance of superiority,
whose opinion and judgment in mat-
ters ecclesiastical and profane carried
weight and conviction, in whose com-
pany it was a pleasure to be. Of him
it was pertinently said at the obse-
quies: ''He was every inch a gentle-
man, every inch a priest." To his
parishioners Father Pennartz proved
at all times a wise and prudent coun-
sellor, a true father and friend. In
the performance of sacred functions
no one was more exact and conscien-
tious than he. Great were the results
he achieved during the 44 years of
ministry. The various parishes over
which he was placed to preside give
eloquent testimony of his unflagging
zeal and devotion to his holy calling,
Arcola, Paris, Ste Marie, particularly
however, Assumption (1881-'88) with
Taylorville as mission where he con-
structed the present church edifice, and
Springfield (1888-'96.) Here St. Peter
and Paul's substantial parochial school
building stands a lasting monument
to his earnest advocacy of things
educational. The splendid condition
of St. Michael's congregation of Sigel,
both spiritual and material, is pre-
eminently due to the efforts of its now
fallen leader.
The joyous strains of the Golden
Jubilee celebration of his beloved
Sigel parish were still vibrating on
the air when the heralds of the ap-
proaching pale messenger announced
themselves to him under the guise of
vehement heart-attacks which medi-
cal authority atonce declared serious
with probably early fatal ending. The
prediction proved, alas, too true, for
death claimed the good, valiant man
scarcely a week later at St. Anthony's
Hospital of Effingham whither the
suffering patient had been brought
for treatment and rest. When on the
evening of November 10, towards mid-
night the nursing Sister approached
the patient's bedside to administer a
cordial, good Father Pennartz had
peacefully slumbered away.
Our departed was born July 7,
1850 at Trevern in the Archdiocese of
Cologne, studied at the American Col-
lege of Louvain and was ordained a
priest at Brussels in Belgium July 27,
1873, coming to this country and the
Alton Diocese in October of that
same year. May heaven be his reward!
Page One Hundred and Set-en
REV. PETER PETERS.
"How peaceful and how powerful is the
grave ! ' '
We turn our spirit-gaze to the con-
secrated little mound in Alton's Cath-
olic cemetery, beneath which lie en-
tombed the ashes of Rev. Peter
Peters, one of the diocese's illustrious
dead. Born in the town of Keppelen
in Rhenish Province, near the border
of Holland, on April 15, 1833, he
pursued a course in classics in his
home town, thereupon entering the
Academy of Emmerich for the study
of Philosophy and Theology. After
two years of close application to his
studies in the Academy the young
aspirant emigrated to the United
States, landing at Alton in 1859.
Shortly after his arrival, at the solici-
tation of Bishop Juncker, who had
been consecrated first Bishop of the
Alton diocese but a short time previ-
ously, he embarked for Cape Girar-
deau, Mo., and completed his theo-
logical course in the Seminary of that
place. On April 21, 1861, the ambiti-
ous young cleric was ordained to the
Priesthood by Bishop Juncker, cele-
brated his first Holy Mass at SS.
Peter and Paul's church of Spring-
field, where Father John Janssen,
afterwards Bishop of Belleville, a
countryman of his. was pastor.
Page One Hundred and Eight
Father Peter's first appointment was
to St. Mary's of Edwardsville. After
two years service at Edwardsville,
during which time he erected a sub-
stantial residence and started a paro-
chial school, Bishop Juncker sent him
to Highland, that there in the roll of
peacemaker he might succeed in con-
ciliating opposing and warring fac-
tions which until then had caused the
lives of resident pastors to become
miserable. His transfer to Highland
was in 1863 and lasted eleven years
till 1874. During all these years he
ministered faithfully not only to the
spiritual needs of his Highland people
but likewise to those of the neighbor-
ing St. Elizabeth's parish of Marine.
At this latter place he was instru-
mental in having a parochial residence
built. He labored most zealously for
the good of his congregation, yet
periodical squabbles were want to
turn up, for the fighting spirit and
antagonism to priestly authority was
peculiar to the Highlanders. Father
Peter's firmness of character, how-
ever, together with his model priestly
bearing, gradually subdued the bel-
ligerence of the malcontents; it almost
disappeared under the suave and leni-
ent rule of his successor, Rev. Father
Joseph Meckel, who was appointed
pastor of St. Paul's of Highland,
while our Father Peters was trans-
ferred to St. Mary's of Alton, which
parish had become vacant by the
transfer of Rev. Francis Ostrop to
St. Boniface of Quincy, 111. Rev.
August Schlegel (the sledgehammer
priest) muzzled the rest of the kickers
when he became their pastor. Today
Highland again ranks with the fore-
most parishes of the diocese, its can-
tankerous spirit is subdued, the paro-
chial prize-fighters are either dead or
gone. Father Peters took charge of
St. Mary's of Alton in 1874. He was
a man who for all time left a lasting
impress upon affairs ecclesiastical of
Alton. Soon after coming to his new
parish the zealous priest worked with
might and main to further the status
of St. Mary's parochial school then
as now under the efficient manage-
ment of the Xotre Dame Sisters.
With the combined efforts of priest
and teachers, great results were ob-
tained so that today St. Mary's school
ranks with the best in that city.
Father Peters, moreover, was a man
of distinct business qualifications.
Prudence and sagacity advised the
purchase of adjoining property; thus
it was that in a quiet and undemon-
strative way lot after lot and house
after house passed into the ownership
of St. Mary's, so that before long the
parish commanded the whole block.
And he it was who rested not until
the present splendid $60,CCO church
was erected, a monument which for
all time will continue to proclaim the
untiring zest and zeal of Rev. Peter
Peters. And when the day of its
consecration came, the climax of hap-
piness and joy to the then aging man,
his countenance was beaming with
happy contentment, it seemed that he
had no more desire or need of any
new measure to be filled. The con-
secrating Bishops on this occasion
were the Right Revs. James Ryan of
Alton and John Janssen of Belle-
ville, whilst the pastor, Father Peters,
sang the Solemn Mass at which the
Very Rev. Michael Richard O. F. M.,
delivered a grand and powerful ser-
mon. Father Peters took delight in
showing the occasioned caller his
newly-purchased additional property.
He would don an old overcoat over
his cassock, be it winter or summer,
perch a biretta upon his head, light an
old, time-honored, long meerschaum
pipe and ready he was for the trip
around his property. This perform-
ance the good old man repeated as
often as a visitor would call on him.
Quietly and peacefully without
making any noise or stir, he lived a
most useful life in Alton, and just as
quietly and peacefully was his passing
away on March 5th, 1896. His mem-
ory we all affectionately love and
cherish. His body sleeps in the grave
but his spirit rests in Paradise with
God.
In the demise of Father Peters, Al-
ton had sustained a great loss.
A man of fine natural gifts and high
accomplishments his departure not
only affected St. Mary's of Alton but
was keenly felt by the diocese at large.
May this worthy priest of God who
so insessantly worked in the cause of
Holy Church rest forever in God's
Holy peace.
REV. MICHAEL PRENDERGAST.
Owing to the early period when he
worked in this portion of the vin-
yard of the Lord, the Rev. Michael
Prendergast should not be passed
over in silence. Father Prendergast
was born at New Park, County Wex-
ford, Ireland in the year 1810. He
studied for the priesthood at Carlow
College. There he was ordained for
the Archdiocese of Dublin. For some
time he was in the mission of Ank-
low, County Wicklow. After spend-
ing ten years on the mission in Ire-
land, he came to the United States,
affiliating himself with the diocese of
Chicago, and was sent at once as' an
assistant to Rev. M. Carroll of Alton.
This was in 1853. In the following
year, 1854, Rev. M. Prendergast was
sent to Decatur to 'become the first
resident rector of St. Patrick's. He
Page One Hundred and Nine
remained two years at Decatur, from
where he attended Winchester, Pitts-
field and other places, till replaced by
Rev. Thomas Cusack. Next we find
him starting the congregation of
Winona, Minn. In 1868 he was at
Danville, 111., which he left to take
charge of Batavia, attending at same
time Geneva and St. Charles. He
died at Batavia, March 3, 1875 and
REV. THOMAS
Rev. Thomas Quigley was ordained
in 1849 by Archbishop Kenrick of St.
Louis. He was a subject of the
Bishop of Chicago, in whose diocese
he spent almost his entire priestly
life. Whilst the Illinois Central R.
R., was being constructed, Rev. Quig-
ley made many trips along that line
and his success with the poor fellows
is said to have been marvelous. In
1855 he came to Springfield as pastor
of the old St. John's church. He
soon formed the design of erecting a
was buried in Calvary Cemetery,
Chicago.
Being a man of considerable means
he left a goodly portion to relatives
living near Xew Douglas, devoted
larger sums to charitable purposes
and bequeathed the remainder to
Bishop Foley of Chicago for diocesan
uses. R. I. P.
QUIGLEY, D. D.
new building and placing it under the
patronage of the Immaculate Concep-
tion B. V. M. Dr Q'uigley built the
foundation but did not remain to com-
plete the work. When leaving he was
replaced by Father P. McElherne,
whilst he assumed charge of parish
work in the northern (Chicago and
Peoria) part of the state.
Rev. Thomas Quigley was known
in literary circles as a writer of some
note. R. I. P.
REV. LONGINUS QUITTER.
"Justum deduxit Dominus per vias rectas".
For many years, from 1866-1891, a
quarter century, this humble priest of
God exercised his sacerdotal func-
tions with promptness and alacrity,
retiring from active service only
which compelled by bodily infirmities,
leaving an honorable record wherever
the call of duty had summoned him.
Rev. Longinus Quitter was born
Fe'bruary 26, 1830, at Daseburg, West-
falia, studied classics at Rietberg and
Warendorf, philosophy at Muenster.
He came to this country in 1863, en-
tered the Seminary of St. Joseph's
College Teutopolis and was elevated
to the priesthood vy Bishop Juncker
at Alton.
Aug. 8, 1865. His first assignment
was to St. Marie, Jasper county, as
assistant from 1856-67; then 'became
rector of Mt. Carmel, 1867-1872, of
Westwood 1872-1874, of Paderborn
1874-1876, at Aviston, an assistant at
Quincy 1876-1878, rector of Vandalia
1878-1882 (during which incumbency
he built St. Lawrence church of
Greenville in 1878) Madonnaville,
1882-1886, of Lively Grove in 1886, till
his retirement on account of pro-
tracted illness to St. Mary's hospital,
East St. Louis, a short time previous
to his death, December 5, 1891. He
lies buried at Lively Grove. R. I. P.
Page One Hundred and Ten
REV. J. B. RAHO, C. M.
"And thou shall stand where
Winged Archangels worship,
And trembling bow before thee".
The Lazarist Fathers of Cape
Girardeau, Mo., were among the first
priests who performed heroic, lasting
missionary work in Illinois. These
veterans in the field were inured and
hardened to fatigue and privations,
they all had graduated from the
school of experience, they were rug-
ged men of deep learning and saint-
ly lives. Wherever these sons of St.
Vincent of Paul put forth their lofty
aims and tireless labors forgetful of
self, they changed dreary prairie spots
into fragrant flower gardens, built
churches, schools and charitable in-
stitutions in communities which'
seemed not only barren and hopeless
of higher spiritual life and ideal, nay
proved even inimical to any attempt
to plant God's blessed church in their
midst. Wonderful has been the suc-
cess of these Mission priests whose
eminent qualifications as Missionaries
achieved such marvellous results
wherever the voice of obedience
called them. Some of their achieve-
ments in Illinois form bright pages
in the annals of the Order. What's
now a large part of the Alton diocese,
was an outmission of the C. M.
Fathers in the latter part of the
thirties. The facile and gifted pen of
Father Thomas Shaw, C. M., has
saved the doings and operations of
these Missionary priests on the prair-
ies of Illinois from falling into ob-
livion, he has given us the "Story of
the La Salle Mission," by which the
learned Father has earned the lasting
gratitude of every lover and student
of the history of the Catholic Church
in Illinois.
Among the priests who traversed
the broad acres of Illinois late in the
thirties and early in the forties, his
splendid narrative cites men for
whom the clergy and people of the
Alton diocese have more than pass-
ing interest, because of their mission-
ary activity and ministrations in cities
and towns now incorporated in our
own diocese. Fathers J. B. Raho,
Parodi and Orlando, and others, all
members of the order of St. Vincent
of Paul, or C. M.'s as they are called
for brevity's sake. The most con-
spicuous of these Mission Fathers
portrayed on the pages of the "Story
of the La Salle Mission" was unques-
tionably Father J. B. Raho, the
Superior.
These Lazarist Fathers (so-called
from their first Community House
dedicated to St. Lazarus and given
over to works of charity in Paris)
sailing for first time the Illinois river
on their way from St. Louis to La
Salle, arrived at the latter place
March 29, 1838. At once they entered
upon the work mapped out for them
by Bishop Rosati and Father Timon,
their Superior, with Father Raho as
their guiding genius.
"The old pioneers of the Sanctu-
ary," says Father Shaw, "had great
provisional gifts and fertile brains,
excellent tact, wonderful qualities of
adaptation, and happy dispositions.
As the Israelites in the desert carried
and located the ark wherever they
roamed, so the Missioner carried and
built the altar wheresoever in the
valley or on the prairie he would pass
the night. The tail of a wagon, the
box of a buggy or now the table of
the family of the host served as a
stand; the saddle-bags contained all
the requisites in altar stone, vest-
ments, linens, etc., for the due cele-
bration of the divine mysteries. In
the largest room of the cabin the
temporary altar was erected and
everything for the holy sacrifice was
in readiness."
Of Father Raho's strenuous exer-
tions in behalf of the scattered Cath-
olic population in the counties of
Sangamon, Cass, Macoupin and Mor-
gan the Superior of the Lazarists,
Father Timon afterwards Bishop of
Buffalo wrote to the Superior Gen-
eral Xozo, at Paris:
"I received a letter from Msgr. Ro-^
sati, who missioned one of the Fathers
to visit another congregation 180
miles from La Salle. From a careful
Page One Hundred and Eleven
perusal of the book of expenditures
and a letter which will be found in
records, the people requested to visit,
were in Morgan and Cass counties,
covering an area of 60 miles, and
embracing the towns of Beardstown,
Meredosia, Virginia and the capital
of the State of Illinois, Springfield.
The Northern Cross railroad was
then in course of building and there,
too, were gathered a congregation of
the children of the Faith. In the
opening of June, the indefatigable
Missionary takes the St. Louis boat,
and arrives after a day's sail at
Beardstown on the Illinois river. He
will describe the town in which as in
a mirror he closely denned the zeal
and resignation so worthy a son of
St. Vincent de Paul:
"I discovered about 200 Catholics
scattered over 60 miles. For the
space of a month I exercised among
them the holy ministry, almost al-
ways traveled on foot, carrying on my
shoulders saddle-bags containing
altar necessaries, and in my hand a
carpet-bag, in open air and into the
night hearing Confessions, in the day
time occupied teaching the children
the catechism.
I was amazed at the work of grace
and at the eagerness with which
these poor people rushed to hear the
instructions I gave, flinging aside for
this purpose hours of sleep and
nourishment."
Father Raho, Superior of the La
Salle Mission, on his return home
writes of his labors in Southern Illi-
La Salle. La Salle Co., 111.
June 21, 1838.
Dear Sir: On last Saturday I ar-
rived here. My health is at present
tolerably well. The success of my
mission eight miles from Beardstown
has been, that a small church is to
be built there, and five children were
baptized, of whom one was of Catho-
lic parents, two of parents one Cath-
.olic and the other Protestant, and
the other of Protestant parents.
That church is located in the town
of Virginia, ten miles from Beards-
town, on the road to Springfield, and
chief town or county seat of the new
county of Cass, being the county oi
Morgan divided into two, Morgan
and Cass. I have no time to write
longer. I shall do so another time.
Your most obedient servant in
Domino.
J. B. Raho, P. of Cong, of Missions.
Rev. Father Raho and his valiant
band of Missionary confreres, who
worked so well in parts of our pres-
ent diocese and the heroic Jesuit
Father Quickenborne, of St. Louis,
who ministered to the Catholics of
Beardstown as early as 1833 enjoy
the compensation which God has
promised to the workers in his em-
ploy.
For information as to the subse-
quent career and life of Father Raho
we are indebted to the pains-taking
researches of the Very Rev. Theodore
Arentz, ex-provincial O. F. M., of
Santa Barbara, California. It runs
thuswise: With the creation of the
Diocese of Chicago, the larger num-
ber of Lazarist Fathers who were
connected with the La Salle Mission
were withdrawn from Illinois. Rev.
Raho was one of these. Being re-
called by his Superior he was made
President of the St. Louis Theologi-
cal Seminary, replacing the Rev.
Thaddeus Amat, C. M., who was ap-
pointed to the headship of St. Mary's
Seminary (Barrens) in Perry county.
Mo. Father Raho remained Superior
of the Seminary till 1847, when he
was ordered to New Orleans to as-
sume a professorship in the St. Vin-
cent of Paul Seminary. With the
exception of two years, from 1848-'5i
when he acted as Cathedral pastor at
Natchez, our learned and talented
professor retained his position in New
Orleans till 1855. At this time, Nov.
23, 1855, his friend and confrere, Rev.
Thaddeus Amat, who on March 12,
1854 had been consecrated at Rome
as Bishop of Monterey, persuaded our
subject to accompary him to sunny
California. Father Raho accepted
and forever proved himself most valu-
able and loyal to his episcopal friend
and superior. It happened that whilst
Page One Hundred and Twelv
making a visitation of the diocese.
Bishop Amat came to the "Old Mis-
sion" of Santa Barbara. He was so
favorably impressed wi*h the town
and surroundings that temporarily, at
least, Santa Barbara becarre. the
Bishop's residential city. Thr Fran-
ciscan Fathers weic in charge of the
cny parish. He induced them to ex-
change their 'foldings for die "Old
Mission" place. It was no sooner
said than, done. This was in 1856
Father Raho was appointed pastor
of the city parish of Santa Barbara,
which pastorate he retained till the
summer of 1857, when the Bishop
sent him in similar capacity to the
"Plaza Church" of Los Angeles.
In 1858 Father Raho became the
Vicar General of the diocese. After
three more years of strenuous life
our former active and pious Illinois
pioneer priest answered the final
summons. He died a well prepared,
edifying death at Los Angeles, Dec.
11, 1862.
The diocese of Chicago, Alton and
Peoria should forever keep the mem-
ory of this good man in grateful,
sacred benediction. R. I. P.
REV. A. RATTE.
"Then lead him through this desert
Back to Thy Holy Land".
He was an assistant at St. Boni-
face, Quincy, under its pastor, Father
John Reis in 1857-'58, and acted as
pastor of the parish a few months till
the coming of Father Shaefermeyer.
Rev. A. Ratte thereupon went to
Cincinnati, and later returned to his
native country, Germany. He is said
to have been a fine pulpit speaker.
REV. CHARLES RAPHAEL.
"Hush! was that some one passing,
Who paused before the door?"'
Our subject was a native of Luxem-
burg, born at La Rochette, Nov. 3,
1826, came to America in 1853 and
was ordained to the priesthood very
likely at the Seminary of Our Lady
of the Lake, by Bishop Oliver Van
de Velde on June 10, 1854. After
his ordination Father Raphael was at
once assigned to the parish of Teu-
topolis, where he stayed from July,
1854-Xov. 1856, becoming a success-
or to Rev. Joseph F. Zoegel. His next
appointments were those of Millstadt
and Mascoutah. In 1859 he succeeded
the pastor of St. Mary's parish of
Brussels, Rev. John Regal. Father
Raphael commenced the erection of
a commodiou.s two-story residence
for the rector; it was completed in
1862. He occupied it. The following
year the present church was com-
menced and rendered ready for divine
service. Father Raphael was, how-
ever, too soon removed to accomplish
all his designs. Whilst he was pastor
of Brussels he succeeded in building
the first log church six miles above
Hardin, now called Michael. Later
on, in 1866 he was in charge of Sum-
mit Springs, Butler county, Pa., and
at the time of his death, which oc-
cured in 1900, he was a chaplain in the
Convent of the Good Shepherd in
Milwaukee.
I
Page One Hundred and Thirteen
REV. FRANCIS N. RECOUVREUR.
"No grief, though loud and deep
Could 1 stir that sleep".
Sad and tragic was the ending of a
very industrious and useful life of one
of the diocese's most venerable priests,
that of Rev. Francis N. Recouvreur.
Deceased had attained the age of 75
years. He had retired from active
service and intended to spend the re-
mainder of his declining days in well
merited rest and repose with a niece
in Kirkwood, Mo. To this end he re-
linquished the parish of New Douglas
and moved into his prepared quarters
near St. Louis. It was the custom of
deceased to retire every evening at
7 o'clock. It was on a Saturday
night, October 24, 1908, that his rela-
tive was awakened by the smell of
gas. She investigated and discovered
that the fumes came from her uncle's
rooms. A new gas stove had recent-
ly been placed in his room. It is
supposed that the aged priest went to
sleep in his arm-chair which stood
in front of the gas stove and thus be-
came asphyxiated.
The funeral took place from St.
Malachy's church, St. Louis, and was
attended by many of the clergy who
had come to pay their last tribute of
respect and pray for the soul of their
esteemed venerable confrere.
Solemn High Mlass was celebrated
by Rev. F. X. Zabell, D. D., a coun-
tryman and former fellow student of
deceased, with Rev. C. L. Souvay, C.
M., as deacon and Rev. Wm Michael
of Pieron, as sub-deacon, whilst V.
Rev. E. Spalding of Alton, delivered
the funeral sermon touching on the
long and useful career of the de-
parted and his many noble traits of
character.
Father Recouvreur was known as a
great organizer and church builder.
Almost in every parish over which he
presided during his long priestly life
he left some memento of his zeal and
labor. In the dioceses of Alton and
Peoria this good man's name will re-
main a benediction. In looKing over
the long record of his accomplish-
ments we find him to have 'been ac-
tive at Assumption in 1865, Pittsfield
where he erected a church and frame
rectory in 1867 and opened a school
in 1870, Edwardsville, 1872, from
which place he attended Taylorville,
where he built a substantial parson-
age and bought some choice lots for
a new church, Carrollton, 1873-77,
where he built a schoolhouse. After
this he displayed his activities in the
Peoria diocese, at Clinton, 1S79-'80,
Campus, 1881 -'82, Dwight, 1882-'85,
Delavan, 1887, and L'Erable, 1887-'90.
At this juncture Father Recouvreur
returned to the Alton diocese and was
assigned to St. Ubaldus parish of New
Douglas, where at once he com-
menced to erect a parish house in
which he lived nine years from 1890-
'99, the time of his retirement to
Kirkwood, Mo.
Father Francis Nicholas Recouv-
reur was a native of La Belle France,
born in the Diocese of Nancy, Jan-
uary 23, 1833, was raised to the priest-
hood by Bishop Juncker in the Alton
Cathedral, August 4, 1859, and died
as stated, Oct. 24, 1908.
May God rest and crown the soul
of this persistent worker in his vin-
yard.
Page One Hundred and Fourtett
REV. JOHN REGAL.
" God knows I did it for the best".
The second resident pastor of
Brussels. He was .a native of Nancy,
France, and governed the parish of
Brussels from 1853-1859. He was the
rirst priest to conduct divine services
in private houses above Hardin. R.
I. P.
REV. FRANCIS REINHARDT.
Rev. Francis Reinhardt, the organ-
izer of St. Mary's Parish and superin-
tendent of the construction of the first
St. Mary's church building of Quincy,
was at the time of his assignment to
the. cause of the newly formed con-
gregation an assistant priest to the
Rev. Herman Schaefermeyer, then
pastor of St. Boniface parish. In like
capacity he acted 1876-1877, under
Rev. Francis Ostrop, who, after Rev.
Schaefermeyer had donned the Fran-
ciscan habit in 1872 (to be known
from thenceforth as P. laborious) suc-
ceeded to the pastorate of St. Boni-
face. It was Father Reinhardt who
suggested name and title of the newly
planned parish. Commissioned by the
Bishop to promote and further the
initial interests of St. Mary's congre-
gation, this good man at once put
forth his best endeavors to accom-
plish what seemed to many an almost
impossible task, hopeless of tiltimate
success. And how he worked and
labored day after day and week after
week incessantly and cheerfully for
and with the Catholic people of the
South Side, of all this we read on the
pages of Father Bruener's meritorious
and exhaustive work entitled ''Kir-
chengeschichte Quincy's" p. 285.
Suffice it to say that Rev. Rein-
hardt had the happiness to see his
persistent endeavors crowned with
unqualified success and that the
united efforts of promising St. Mary's
had succeeded to erect a most beau-
tiful Gothic edifice was formally de-
dicated to its lofty end and purpose
on December 8, 1867. A sore disap-
pointment, however, was in store for
our indefatigable worker, a disappoint-
ment over which he justly grieved
very much and which grief was uni-
versally shared by all parishioners of
St. Mary's, viz: that after accom-
plishing this great task at the sacri-
fice of thousands of personal con-
veniences not he but someone else
should 'be assigned as pastor to the
new parish. This disappointment was
seemingly a hard and cruel one, but
Father Reinhardt knew how to bear
it humbly and submissively. He re-
turned to the labors of an assistant
priest of St. Boniface until shortly
after the voice of his superior called
him to another field of labor.
The subject of this biographical
sketch was born April 20, 1834 at
Fulda in Hessia. a place forever hal-
lowed by the life and death of Ger-
many's great apostle, St. Boniface.
Ordained to the priesthood on St.
Joseph's day, March 19, 1859 by the
Bishop of that city and diocese, our
young levite exercised his priestly
functions in his native land until the
year 1864, when, encouraged by the
example of so many zealous mission-
aries and the appeal for priests by
Page One Hundred and Fifteen
our American Bishops, young Father
Reinhardt determined to devote the
remainder of his life to the American
missions. Invited by Bishop Damian
Juncker, he came to the Alton Diocese
where the sturdy, rugged young man
son found abundant opportunities for
the display of his zeal and talents.
Thus it is that our subject was suc-
cessively appointed to positions at
Quincy with Revs. H. Schaefermeyer
and Francis Ostrop, to Breese, as as-
sistant to Rev. Reineke, to Highland
with Rev. Jos. M e c k e 1, to West
Woods, Taylorville and the chaplain-
cy at St. John's Hospital of Spring-
field, where at that time the energetic
Superioress, Ven. Sr. Ulrica, O. S. F.,
was erecting the fine chapel building.
Here I had the good fortune of meet-
ing the quondam organizer of our St.
Mary's congregaton. On conversing
with him on a numlber of topics and
various timely subjects 1 found him
a man of erudition and mature judg-
ment though oftentimes of rather
straightforward and blunt expression,
one who was very unassuming and
modest in appearance, an humble and
unselfish priest of God and sympa-
thetic friend of man.
It seems that in the latter part of
the eighties his health became seri-
ously impaired; to seek relief for a
shattered and broken down constitu-
tion, Father Reinhardt obtained per-
mission from his Ordinary to return
to his native country, to beautiful
Hessia, where after some few years
of lingering sickness, he expired on
August 25, 1892, at the village of
Lettgenbrunn near the city of Fulda.
There he has found his last resting
place. May this good man, to whose
untiring efforts Quincy owes so much,
forever rest in God's holy peace!
REV. JOHN REIS.
"Per aspera ad astra".
When Rev. Father Kuenster, pas-
tor of St. Boniface, Quincy, had died,
Sept. 15, 1857, Bishop Juncker as-
signed a successor in the person of
Father J. Reis. This priest had come
from Missouri, where at Merrimac,
St. Louis county, he had acted as pas-
tor of St. Mary's parish. He was frail
and sickly; foreseeing the work which
awaited him at Quincy, the appointee
refused to accept the proffered posi-
tion, but finally yielded to his superi-
ors insistence. However, Father Reis
was compelled the next August to
resign the pastorate of St. Boniface,
as his impaired health threatened to
break down under the weight of
manifold daily duties. He retired
from active pastoral life and died a
few years afterward.
REV. J. W. REPIS.
The first resident pastor of SS.
Peter and Paul's congregation 01
Collinsville, was Rev. W. J. Repis.
He was a Bohemian by birth and was
sent to this parish in 1857. During his
stay he performed excellent work till
the fall of 1858. At this time he re-
solved to go South to Tennessee,
and was admitted into the diocese
of Nashville, where in that city he
was given charge of St. Mary's parish.
Page One Hundred and Sixteen
REV. P. MICHAEL RICHARD, 0. F. M.
"Creative Lord Incarnate, let me lean
Myself on Thee;
Xor let my utter weakness come between
Thy strength and me."
B. H. Benson.
The Franciscan Order sustained a
severe loss when on June 8, 1916 the
Very Rev. P. Michael Richard, O. F.
M. died. A man of extraordinary
mental endowment and great moral
force had passed away. A brilliant
pulpit orator, deep theologian, an
ideal retreat master, and above all a
sincere pious and unaffected follower
of St. Francis, is mourned not only
by the regular but likewise by the
secular clergy of this and many other
dioceses. Wherever Father Michael
was known, there he was honored, re-
spected and loved. The impressions
he created are to be lasting. The
Alton Diocese is particularly affected
by his demise, for it was at Teutopolis
and Quincy that for many years he
was successfully active not only as
College Rector and Convent Guardian
but likewise pastor of various parishes
such as Antonius, St. Joseph and Al-
tamont.
Father Michael's personality was
one of striking physique and com-
manding appearance. Mis strong-
voice in pulpit discourses and ser-
mons was audible for blocks and as
a Franciscan said he caused the pul-
pit to shake and tremble. As mission-
ary and retreat master Father Michael
was known from New York to San
Francisco. Twice his brothers voted
him a Provincial of their Order 1891-
'97. In 1895 he became a delegate to
the ''Congregatio Intermedia" which
on Pentecost Sunday of that year as-
sembled at Assisi, Italy; the birth-
place of their holy founder, St. Fran-
cis.
When the health of the good aged
Father began to fail, he was retired
to the Convent of Santa Barbara in
sunny California, where on above
mentioned date he calmly and peace-
fully expired at the age of 72 years.
Father Michael was born Sept. 25,
1844 at Effelder near Muehlhausen in
the Province of Saxony, studied at
Heiligenstadt and entered the Fran-
ciscan Order at Warendorf in 1861.
Having completed the theological
studies, his superiors sent him to their
American Missions in 1867. The
following year, Dec. 4, 1868 our
young Franciscan Friar received Holy
Orders from Archbishop Kenrick in
St. John's Church, St. Louis.
May this true, intrepid and loyal
champion of God's Holy Church rest
in peace.
Page One Hundred and Seventeen
REV. A. B. RINKES.
"Grant him rest where never sorrow
Enters more, nor pain nor foe ;
Grant him light that neither morrow,
Night, nor yesterday shall know;
Joy that ever shall increase,
Light perpetual, rest in peace'".
Among the teaching staff of pro-
fessors of the former College of Ruma
we find the name of Rev. A. B.
Rinkes enumerated. Before he took
up college work he had been actively
engaged in parish work at various
places in the diocese. In scanning
over the different congregations, we
meet him as pastor of St. Mary's
parish of Pittsfield from 1861-'62. It
was he who shortly after coming to
that place laid the foundation to the
present solid brick structure in 1862
which was however, not completed
till 1864 when on Christmas morning
the first Holy Mass was celebrated
in it. The next two years from 1862-
'64 we find our subject installed as
pastor of Mt. Sterling, from which
place he was transferred to Bunker
Hill when he built the church of the
"Annunciation B. V. M. His stay
here lasted also but two years. From
1865-'66 he served Marshall. From
Marshall it seems that Father Rinkes
was called to the newly created Ger-
man parish of East St. Lo'uis which
at the time became a factor inde-
pendent of St. Patrick's. He was still
young and energetic. Twenty-five
adults represented the full parish.
Father Rinkes assembled the children
for daily instructions and thus soon
established the first parish school.
Next he purchased ^ building site,
and the erection of a two-story frame
building was 'begun in which the
school occupied the first and the
church the second floor. The young
parish was placed under the protec-
tion of St. Henry. At this time Father
Rinkes took sick. He left East St.
Louis March 9, 1867 and went to
Ruma to accept a position as college
professor. He died a priest of the
Green Bay diocese. R. I. P.
REV. PROF. ANTHONY ROETTGER.
In Te Domine Speravi,
Non Confundarin Aeternum.
It is but meet and just that deserved
tribute be paid to the moral intellec-
tual and spiritual excellence and
power of a good man, and that his
name be perpetuated and his memory
be preserved from oblivion and de-
cay. The honorable record of our
subject's priestly life, the accomplish-
ments as teacher in the class-rooms,
the loveafole disposition toward his
fellow-confreres, all unite in demand-
ing that mention be made of Father
A. Roettger.
Whilst professor at the College of
Ruma and again at the Salesianum
near Milwaukee where he occupied the
chair of philosophy he had shown his
great capacity for the excellent per-
formance of vocational duty and
loyal devotion to the interests of
these institutions. They were worthy
of the highest encomium. The kind-
ly nature of the man, the strength of
character which distinguished^ him,
and his agreeable ways won for him
a multitude of friends and admirers,
especially among the student body.
He passed away at a time whilst on
Page One Hundred and Eighteen
a visit at the rectory of Highland
when the powers of his mind were
attaining their greatest strength, and
the largest opportunities were offered
him for their exercise.
His reputation was that of genero'iis
faithful and conscientious priest, less
qualified, however for parochial work
than for a professorial chair. The
pale messenger approached Father
Roettger under the guise of a sun-
stroke, within 48 hours he was a
corpse.
Particulars of his death and funeral
may be culled from the entry made in
the church records of the Highland
parish by his friend Rev. Jos. Meckel
the pastor. It reads as follows,
"Die 15 m. Julii 1878 sepultus est
Reverendus Antonius Roettger, Pro-
fessor Philosophiae in Seminario Sti.
Francisci Salesii, prope Milwaukee,
qui recreationis causa hue venerat die
12 h. m; bona, ut apparebit, vale-
tudine gaudens. Die 13 Missa in hon.
B. V. M. celebrata, horis p. m. de
aegritudine qua laboraret conquereba-
tur; cuius periculosa conditio die se-
quenti, Dominica V. p. Pent hora 8
p. m. apparuit, qua hora in Domino
obiit, Sacramento Extremae Unctionis
recepto. Die 15 hora 5 p. m. sepultus
est optimus meus amicus, cuius mem-
oria cordi meo impressa remanebit.
Reverendus Dom. W. Cluse lugubri
sermone dolorem patefecit, quern
morte amici sui concipiebat. Officium
defunctorum peregerunt Revdi.
Domini G. Cluse, Wm. Neu. Fr.
Reinhart, Th. Kamann, H-uckestein
and H. Eggenstein."
Rt. Rev. Mgr W. Cluse of Okaw-
ville who calls the deceased "a noble
priest, a noble scholar and a noble de-
voted friend" thus outlined the life
and activity of our subject:
Rev. Anthony Roettger was born at
Velen, Westfalia in 1850, made his
classical studies at Cosfeld, studied
philosophy and theology at the uni-
versity of Muenster and at Cincin-
nati, Ohio. After having been or-
dained a priest in 1874 at Alton he
was appointed a professor of philoso-
phy at the Sacred Heart College of
Ruma, 111., where he taught for two
years during which time he also acted
as rector of St. Boniface parish of
Edwardsville, 111. From 1876-78 he
taught philosophy at the theological
Seminary of St. Francis de Sales
near Milwaukee, Wise. Father Roett-
ger was admired for his proficiency
in scholastic philosophy and theolo-
gy, -unusual for so young a priest.
His piety, zeal, and cheerful character
endeared him to his fellow-pro-
fessors, priests, students and ac-
quaintances. Great was their grief
when the telegraph flashed the news
that he had died July 18, 1878, after
but one days illness at the residence
of his clerical friend at Highland
where he intended to spend a part of
his summer vacation. R. I. P.
REV. BERNARD ROSSMOELLER.
Born at Muenster, in Westfalia, he
was raised to the priesthood in the
venerable Cathedral of his native city
in 1868. Coming to this country soon
after the young priest was assigned
to Rev. H. Schaefermeyer of Qoiincy,
Oct. 5, 1868-Jan. 22, '69. In 1874 he
was appointed to Fayetteville, a year
later to Lebanon, in 1876 to Marine,
from 1878-1884 to Grafton and from
Oct. 1884-Aug. '87, to Smithon. At
this time Father Rossmoeller peti-
tioned the Bishop for permission to
return to his native country. There
he died April 10, 1891.
Page One Hundred and Nineteen
REV. ANTHONY RUSTIGE.
"Who in the Savior's footsteps tread
Up to the world above are led. '
St. Mary's parish of Edwardsville
had continued from 1844-1869 the one
and only parish of that place. Trans-
ient as well as permanent pastors
had looked after the congregation's
interests. The English and German
speaking Catholics had so far wor-
shipped at the same altar and jointly
borne the expenses of the erection
and maintenance of church, school
and parochial residence of St. Mary's.
The teutonic forces of the parish
growing stronger and more numerous
however, the partition of the parish
together with the building of a new
church for a separate German congre-
gation seemed 'both feasible and desir-
able. This plan, already inaugurated
in 1867 under Rev. Father Kuchen-
buch, the pastor of St. Mary's, was
consummated under Rev. Anthony
Rustige in 1869. He is looked upon
as the actual organizer and founder
of St. Boniface parish.
Who was Father Rustige and
whence did he come? At the time
when starting the new parish, he was
a young man of about 28 years of
age. His native country was West-
falia, where he was born near the city
of Paderborn in 1841. In the latter
city he completed his classical studies
prepared himself at the American
College of Muenster for the priest-
hood and was ordained at Teutopolis
by Bishop Juncker for the Alton dio-
cese in 1866. By his Ordinary he
was assigned as assistant to St.
Patrick's of East St. Louis, and as
such had charge of the congregations
of Collinsville and Lebanon from
1866-'6S. In the latter part of Dec-
ember, 1868, he succeeded the Rev.
William Kuchenbuch as pastor of St.
Mary's of Edwardsville. When St.
Boniface parish of that city was
started he relinquished his prior
charge, handing it over to the Rev.
D. Burne. Incessantly he planned
and worked for the good of the new-
parish some six years, till his frail
constitution yielded to undue pressure
and collapsed under the continued
strain of mental and physical exer-
tion. His physician advised the young
priest to seek repose and rest at the
St. Mary's hospital of St. Louis.
All medical skill and human efforts,
however, proved futile. Father Rus-
tige had done his work at the ex-
pense of his health. Consumption had
set in, which claimed the good and
zealous worker when but thirty-three
years old, Sept. 8, 1874. In the death
of Father Anthony Rustige the dio-
cese mourned the loss of one of her
most exemplary priests. He was
buried in Edwardsville. R. I. P.
REV. DANIEL J. RYAN.
"Thy will, O God, be done".
A man of effable and sunny disposi-
tion, efficient and thorough in all un-
dertakings, popular with clergy and
laity, such was Father Daniel Ryan
the lamented late pastor of St. Mary's
parish of Mt. Sterling. He was the
son of William Ryan and Margaret
nee Kough, born at Kickapoo, 111.,
August 3, 1852, and ordained at the
Alton Cathedral by Bishop Baltes,
June 29, 1876. His first appointment
was to Grafton from October, 1876-
'77, whence he was assigned to Virden
where he remained from 1877-'81. At
this time it happened that Rev.
Manasses Kane, founder and builder
of St. Joseph's church, Springfield,
was induced to resign. No one was
thought a more capable man to handle
the entangled affairs of that parish
than Father Ryan, who during the
next fifteen years proved his un-
questioned ability as a wise and pru-
dent pastor and capable administra-
tor. He overcame the difficulties in
reducing heavy debt, built a commo-
dious parochial residence and sup-
plied the church with a splendid pipe
organ. Father Ryan's heart and mind
were justly centered in the affairs of
his beloved St. Joseph's, which in-
Page One Hundred and Twenty
creased and developed under his un-
flagging care and devotion steadily
and constantly. In 1895 our Spring-
field priest was requested to exchange
places with Rev. M. Clifford of St.
Mary's parish, Alt. Sterling. Father
Ryan continued his priestly activity
with the same eagerness and zeal in
the new parish as he was wont to do
at Springfield. For three years he
successfully directed the destinies of
the Mt. Sterling charge, when, on
November 23, 1899, he met with a
serious accident which, alas, was to
cause his premature death. On that
day the parochial residence burned
down. In his efforts to extinguish
the fire and save his home, Father
Ryan sustained injuries which ulti-
mately proved to be fatal. With the
house he lost his library and all the
church records. The badly burned
pastor was rushed to Our Savior's
Hospital at Jacksonville, where the
best of medical treatment was given
him. For awhile our patient seemed
to 'be on the road to recovery. But
this was delusive. He lingered till
July, 1900, when he had to yield to the
inevitable.
Father Daniel Ryan's remains were
buried in the Catholic cemetery of
Jacksonville. R. I. P.
REV. MICHAEL RYAN.
' 'And Heaven awaits thee
And fills thy spirit with delight".
A good natured and always jovial
man was the late pastor of Virginia,
Father Michael Ryan. Tall of sta-
ture, habitually wearing a silk hat, he
towered above his confreres where-
ever assembled. St. Luke's of Virgin-
ia, held out but precarious emolu-
ments to its pastor, and yet he seemed
the exemplification of contentment
which is best demonstrated by the
sixteen long years which he spent in
this poor mission without ever in-
sisting on a change for the better.
And Father Ryan's memory remains
deeply engraven on the hearts of the
grateful parishioners of Virginia to
this day. Rev. Michael Ryan, son of
Michael Ryan and Mary Finnally, was
placed in the arms of his parents a
Christmas gift, 1850. He hailed from
Kil Macow, Ireland, and was ordained
to the priesthood at All Hallows on
June 24, 1875. From 1876-'92, the
year of his death, he proved himself
a persistent and faithful worker at
Virginia. R. I. P.
Page One Hundred and Tvtcnty-One
REV. THOMAS RYAN.
"Long ago Time's mighty billows
Swept your footsteps from the sand".
About the year 1852, Rev. Thomas
Ryan was appointed a missionary
priest of Central Illinois. His terri-
tory extended nearly all over the big
prairies. Nine counties he covered in
his ministry. Edgar, Vermillion,
Champaign, Douglas, Clark, Cumber-
land, Coles, Shelby, Moultrie and part
of Macon county. The principal ob-
ject of his appointment was to look
after the religious welfare of those
employed in the construction of the
Illinois Central Railroad. Shortly
after his appointment Father Ryan
undertook the erection of a brick
church at Urt>ana, (Champaign')
which, however, was blown down toy
a prairie cyclone just as the men were
preparing to put on the roof. In
1853, when he lived in Baldwinville,
(North Arm), he is known to have
attended Arcola. Some years later, in
1856, Mattoon was organized as a
station. Father Thomas Ryan was
appointed its pastor by the Chicago
Bishop and he at once located there.
In 1858 our pioneer priest commenced
the first church building in that thrifty
town, which, however, was not
finished till the following year, when
it was dedicated 'by Bishop Juncker.
The number of resident Catholic
families at that time were 'but eight.
The visits made by Father Ryan over
his extensive territory were neither
frequent nor regular. When pastor
of Mattoon he lived in a small house,
and in it he died in June, 1863.
The body of this pioneer of religion
in the West lies in the little village
churchyard of St. Mary's of the
Woods, Indiana.
One day, Father Ryan was visited
by a young priest, newly ordained,
and just starting out on the mission.
"When you go back to Alton, tell the
Bishop to leave you here with me. I
am too old and feeble to attend sick
calls. The people don't mind me any
more. My pews are rented to them
for $2.50 a year, and the blackguards
wont pay me." The young priest
would have been delighted to help old
Father Tom, but the Bishop could not
spare him.
Whatever Father Ryan may have
been intellectually, physically he was
a tall, fine looking old gentleman. He
had overflowing Irish wit and
shrewdness under his jokes and funny
ghost stories, few gave him credit for.
Like Father Alleman in Northern
Illinois, Father Ryan travelled mostly
on foot from mission to mission. His
historian vouches for the fact that
during retreat time he kept his fellow-
priests laughing by his funny stories.
That Father Ryan was a zealous
priest and founder of future churches
in Eastern Illinois, no one can dis-
pute. That he made light and merry
of his hardships was to his credit as
a representative of the 'buoyancy and
cheerfulness of his race,
May God rest the soul of old
Father Tom Ryan.
Page One Hundred and Twenty-Two
REV. IRENAEUS ST. CYR.
"And earth and heaven tell of rest that shall
not cease,
Where the cold world's farewell fades into
endless peace".
Among the first priests known to
have ministered to the Catholics in
the then sparsely settled places now
comprised within the confines of the
Alton diocese, was Rev. Paul Lefevre,
who subsequently became Bishop of
Detroit. In his wake came Father
Irenaeus St. Cyr, rightly styled the
Apostle of Chicago. He was sent
thither by Bishop Rosatn, of St.
Louis, at the instance of an urgent
petition signed by the first Catholic
settlers of that nascent city:
The following is Bishop Rosatti's
letter appointing Father St. Cyr to
the Chicago mission: It is of more
than passing interest to the priests oi
the Alton Diocese, hence we append
it in full. It read as follows:
Joseph Rosatti of the Congregation of
Missouri by the Grace of God and
the Apostolic See to the Rev. John
Irenaeus St. Cyr, Driest of Our Di-
ocese, Health in the Lord:
Dear Sir Whereas, not few Catho-
lic men inhabiting the town common-
ly called Chicago, and its vicinage, in
the state of Illinois, have laid before
me that they are deprived of all spirit-
ual consolation and vehemently desire
that I should send thither a priest,
who by the exercise of his pastoral
gifts should supply to them the means
of performing the offices of the
Christian religion and providing for
their eternal salvation. Wishing, as
far as in me lies to satisfy a desire
at once so pious and praiseworthy, by
virtue of the power of Vicar-General
granted to me by the Bishop of
Bardstown, Ky., I depute you to the
mission of Chicago and the adjoining
regions within the state of Illinois, all
of which have been hitherto under the
spiritual administration of the said
Most Illustrious and Most Reverend
Bishop of Bardstown, grant you un-
til revoked, all the powers as de-
scribed in the next page, with this
condition, however, that as soon as
soever it shall be known to you that
a new Episcopal See shall have been
elected and established by the Holy
and Apostolic See from the territory
of other Sees now existing, to that
Bishop within the limits of whose dio-
cese the aforesaid Chicago mission is
included, you shall render an account
of all things which shall have been
transacted by you, and surrender the
place to such priest as shall be by
him deputed to the same mission and
you with God's favor shall return to
our diocese from which we declare
you to be by no means separated by
this present mission.
Given at St. Louis from the Episcopal
Building the 17th day of April, 1833.
JOSEPH, Bishop of St. Louis.
After a hard, tedious journey Father
St. Cyr arrived in Chicago on the 3rd
of May, and received a most cordial
greeting from the people of Chicago.
Father St. Cyr, with the hearty sup-
port of both Catholics and Protest-
ants, commenced the erection of a
frame church on a lot donated by
the Beaubien family, situated on the
southwest corner of State and Lake
streets. The location was near the
fort, where Father St. Cyr obtained
hospitable quarters with Major Whist-
ler until his house of logs was built
and sufficiently out of town.
He dedicated it to the Blessed Vir-
gin Mary. This was in 1834. Under
Page One Hundred and Twenty-Three
date of January 11, of that same year
he reports to his Ordinary of St.
Louis, that he had visited Sugar
Creek, Bear Creek, Springfield and
other missions."
From June 12, 1837-May 1839,
Father St. Cyr periodically visited
Quincy and the outlying missions in
Missouri and Iowa, having St. Aug-
gustine in Fulton county as head-
quarters. He looked av:er tne spirit-
ual needs of the English speaking
people of Quincy till relieved by the
advent of Father Tucker.
The life of Father St. Cyr was
naturally' an eventful and self-sacri-
ficing one. The manifold hardships
he underwent in those now distant
pioneer days, are almost beyond be-
lief, and yet he but did what almost
any one priest had to do in those early
years, building rough log churches
for the growing flocks, gathering the
scattered members into congrega-
tions, riding for months from one
town and village to another, fording
streams, driving over impossible
roads, often sleeping on saddle-bags
or wrapped in a blanket seeking a
night's rest under some protecting
tree, sharing with the poor settlers
their scanty meals which mostly con-
sisted of but rancid bacon and hard
corn bread, etc. And yet our sub-
ject bore all such hardships and pri-
vations cheerfully whilst we in our
day and generation would soon des-
pair of such missionary efforts. His
visits were always looked forward to
by the Catholic people with eager
anticipation.
He was accustomed to travel the
prairie of Illinois on a little white
horse, says Larmer, and when he was
expected it was the custom of the
Catholics to look out for him as he
could be seen and known from great
distance from the upland prairies.
On one occasion a prairie cyclone
arose and the Catholics were looking
out for the priest. Father St. Cyr
came near one of the settlers cabins
as the wind increased in fury and the
people fearing he and his horse would
be blown away, a tall herculean Ken-
tucky Catholic ran and lifted Father
St. Cyr and his little white horse into
a cellar and saved both. It was after-
wards a common joke to point to the
man who had lifted alone a little
French priest and his little white
steed into a cellar and saved both
from destruction by the cyclone.
After Father St. Cyr was removed
from Chicago he devoted his life en-
tirely to the missions, principally to
those of Central Illinois. He at-
tended the French Socialists at War-
saw, who had abandoned the Socialist
colony of the Icarians founded by
Etienne Cabet at Nauvoo, in 1848,
after the Mormon exodus from that
place, and succeeded in bringing most
of them back to the Catholic Church.
After years of toil and extraordi-
nary zeal in Northern Missouri and
the prairie of Illinois, Father St. Cyr
was retired as a chaplain to a Con-
vent at Carondolet, St. Louis, where
he died at the ripe old age of more
than eighty years, in 1882.
Father St. Cyr had the reputation
of a mild and scholarly priest. His
simplicity of character and refined
manners were often a source of mer-
riment to the big earnest and honest
but rough Kentucky Catholics who
had settled Central Illinois. But he
inspired all with respect and venera-
tion for him.
Our pioneer priest of the present
Alton territory was a native of Lyons,
France, where he was born January
2, 1804. He was ordained to the
priesthood at St. Louis by Bishop
Rosatti, April 6, 1833.
May he rest in peace.
Page One Hundred and Twenty-Four
REV. JOHN SANDROCK.
"Rest to the weary spirit
Peace to the quiet dead".
When, in September, 1872, Rev.
Francis Ostrop was transferred from
St. Mary's parish of Alton to assume
the rectorship of St. Boniface congre-
gation of Quincy, Bishop Baltes ap-
pointed Rev. John Sandrock, at the
time pastor of St. Marie, in Jasper
County, to become his successor at
Alton. He was a picture of robust
health. Though his priestly life of
some fourteen years had been spent in
hard work, accompanied by many
hardships and trials. A pioneer priest
he had been inured to these many au-
sterities and self-denials. Before long
he was enthroned in the hearts of the
people of Alton. By his earnestness
of demeanor, genuine piety and elo-
quent sermons, he soon gained their
respect and affection in an uncom-
mon degree. His countrymen, the
people from the Eichsfeld, were just-
ly proud of him. But his administra-
tion of the affairs of St. Mary's was
to be rudely interrupted by premature
cruel death. It was during the small-
pox epidemic in 1873 that he caught
the contagious disease while attend-
ing some of these small-pox sufferers.
He exposed himself to its violent con-
tagion more than proper caution
would have warranted. The stricken
priest, forsaken and alone, died with-
out the consolation of his church, on
May 10, 1873. His remains were in-
terred in the Catholic cemetery of
Alton.
Rev. John Sandrock was born near
Paderborn in Westfalia, on Nov. 4,
1833, emigrated to this country Aug.
4, 1858, and became ordained to the
priesthood November 19, 1858. From
March 1, 1859, till his transfer to
Alton in 1872, he acted a= pastor of
St. Marie.
Almost as short as Father Sand-
rock's career at St. Mary's, proved
that of his successor, Rev. Vincent
Xagler.
VERY REV. HERMAN JOSEPH SCHAEFER
MEYER, V. G.
"He hath holier and nobler fame
By poor men's hearths, who love and bless
the name
Of a kind friend; and in low tones today
Speak tenderly of him who passed away '.
Whilst Rev. A. F. Brickwedde, the
founder and first pastor of St. Boni-
face congregation of Quincy, was
visiting in Europe, he succeeded in in-
ducing several young clergymen to
espouse the cause of the American
missions and to accompany or follow
him across the ocean and here work
in the Lord's vineyard where a scarc-
ity of priestly laborers was keenly
felt. Less defections from the faitli
would have taken place and less leak-
ages been chronicled, had there been
a sufficiency of priests at the time
when town and hamlets sprung up
over night like mushrooms after a
warm summer-day's shower and the
fame of the California goldfields had
lured thousands of people thither,
when the best of farm lands were of-
fered to the homeseekers for a song.
a mere pittance. In those days, in the
fifties of the last century our young
diocese hailed amongst others the ad-
vent of a loyal, true and self-sacrific-
ing priest, one who had already
labored with apostolic zeal for more
than fifteen years in the fatherland,
it was Rev. Herman J. Schaefer-
meyer. Highly recommended for effi-
ciency and priestly virtues by his own
Ordinary, the new-comer from Europe
was cordially welcomed by the Bishop
of Alton, and at once assigned to the
pastorate of St. Boniface of Quincy,
the incumbency of which was vacant,
there being an inter-regnum since the
death of Father Kuenster from 1857-
58. On December 18, of the last named
year, the new pastor formally took
charge of its parochial affairs. The
loyal people of the parish at once
stood by their pastor, seconded his
views and helped to carry out his far-
reaching plans. And in fact. Father
Schaefermeyer was just the man these
Page One Hundred and Ticenty-Five
people needed, kind but firm and ener-
getic. Reforms were inaugurated and
soon new life began to course through
the veins of the parish, the obstreper-
ous spirit of former days became sub-
dued and began to fade and vanish.
St. Boniface was on the eve of an era
of prosperity and progress.
It was at this juncture that Father
Schaefermeyer suggested to the
Bishop that he extend an invitation to
the German Franciscans to come and
locate in the diocese. In 1859 they
came to Quincy, as did likewise the
Sisters de Notre Dame. On June 12,
1860, Bishop Damian Junker ap-
pointed him a Vicar General, which
appointment was later re-affirmed by
his successor, Bishop Baltes. Be-
tween the years 1859 and 1867, Father
Schaefermeyer lent a helping hand in
the founding of St. Francis College,
St. Mary's Hospital and St. Mary's
Academy; likewise do St. Antonius
parish of Melrose, St. Joseph's on
Columbus Road and St. Mary's parish
of Quincy, owe him a debt of grati-
tude for the interest he took in their
beginning and subsequent develop-
ment.
The great work he accomplished at
St. Boniface during the fourteen years
of incumbency has been eloquently
told by Father Bruener in his ''His-
tory of the Catholic Church of Quin-
cy." For a long time it had been
Father Schaefermeyer's desire to re-
tire from the turmoil of the world into
the seclusion of the cloister. Now
his work of reformation in St. Boni-
face parish had been accomplished,
his cherished wish assumed tangible
form and on September 23, 1872, he
quietly slipped away from Quincy to
join the Carmelite Order of Scipio,
Kansas. After some months of proba-
tion, however, he decided to exchange
the Carmelite habit for that of the
Franciscans. He entered the Francis-
can Monastery at Teutopolis where
from thenceforth he became known to
the world as Father Liborius, O. F.
M.
Father Herman Joseph Schaefer-
meyer was born July 18, 1818, at Boke,
near Paderborn, Germany. He was
elevated to the priesthood August 14,
1843, and worked with great fervor
in the parish of Neiderwernger until
setting sail for America. He arrived
on our shores September 14, 1858.
After donning the Franciscan habit he
labored at Chicago, 1876-79, St. Louis
1879-'82, then at Joliet, returning to
Quincy November 19, 1886, where,
after a long and patiently borne ill-
ness, he died at St. Francis Monastery
May 10, 1887, and was buried on the
13th from St. Francis church. His re-
mains were deposited in St. Boniface
cemetery of Quincy. May God grant
him eternal rest. R. I. P.
Page One Hundred and Twenty-Six
REV. WILLIAM SCHAMONI.
"Twilight's mystery is so sweet and holy
Just because it ends in starry night".
Among the number of assistant
priests who served St. Boniface parish
of Quincy, we find the name of Rev.
Wm. Schamonie enrolled. He proved
to be an efficient helper to the pastor,
Rev. H. Schaefermeyer. His stay
there, however, lasted only from April
19-Oct. 25, 1868, when he was trans-
ferred to East St. Louis to assume
temporary charge of St. Henry's con-
gregation, succeeding the Rev. Ger-
hard Leve, who had been ordered to
Mascoutah. When, on January 26,
1869, Rev. Christopher Koenig was
appointed pastor of St. Henry's,
Father Schamonie was assigned to the
parish of Red Bud, in Randolph
county. We next find him presiding
as pastor over the parish at Lourdes,
and later on, in 1877 at Henry and
Metamora inthe diocese of Peoria,
where he became favorably known to
Bishop and priests, for his talents and
energies were such that success at-
tended his every undertaking. This
was forcibly put forth by Bishop
Spalding, for when Father Schamonie
had died at Henry in 1882, the learned
and eloquent Bishop delivered a most
impressive funeral sermon in the
course of which he paid unstinted
praise to the efforts and priestly
virtues of the deceased.
Father Wm. Schamoni was a na-
tive of Germany, born at Holinghau-
sen, Westfalia, in 1835; studied at Teu-
topolis and Montreal. At the latter
place he was ordained in April, 1868.
R. I. P.
REV. AUGUSTINE SCHLEGEL.
"For soon the ashes of the day
Are gathered in the west,
And one by one we lay us down
Forever more to rest".
Sublime in moral courage and ex-
alted in ambition, strictly honorable
in all actions and true in all friend-
ships, Father Schlegel combined in
his character a multitude of virtues
which elevated him far above the
average man. By his forcefulness of
character and indomitable will power
he succeeded where others had signal-
ly failed, he was a martinet who
fearlessly carried out his plans once
they seemed plausible and advantage-
ous to the interests of religion in
general and his parish is particular.
Little did he care for public opinion
and he spurned the plaudits of men.
Plain and outspoken, he never tried
to hide the meaning of his sayings
by equivocal and ambiguous language
he never minced words but called "a
spade" by its proper name. Castigat-
ing, for instance, the stubbornness
of his own country people, those hail-
ing from Baden, he hesitated not to
call them at times "Badische Kuh-
hoerner," a well known appellation
not very flattering and yet seemingly
not hurting the feelings of his listen-
ers to any appreciable degree. Both
in private and public utterances he
held to his opinions and followed his
convictions. The height of his ambi-
tion was to do his duty well. He
loved his church and his country with
equal intensity. Beneath an often
blunt and harsh exterior there pu'
sated a sott and tender heart full of
sympathy and pity for his fellow men
the needy and destitute. His exalted
character, his intellectual powers, his
extensive and varied learning were
united with steady industrious and
economic habits. To all these gifts
may be ascribed the large measure of
success which he attained in the vari-
ous parishes over which he was sent
to preside, Mt. Carmel, Edwards-
ville and Highland. In a brief historic
sketch of the St. Boniface congrega-
tion of Edwardsville, he is spoken of
as "the second founder" of that
parish.
Rev. Augustine Schlegel was born
August 30, 1851, at Allmansdorf, in
Baden, and came to this country
when he had finished his classical
studies. Here St. Francis Seminary
near Milwaukee became his Alma
Mater. And when the theological
Page One Hundred and Twenty-Sevtn
studies were ended, he received ordi-
nation from Bishop Baltes in the
private chapel at Alton, June 24, 1877.
Father Schlegel's first appointment
was to Mt. Carmel (now Belleville
diocese), where he worked splendidly
for some four years at the end of
which by mutual agreement he ex-
changed places with Rev. Father
Gerard Janssen, then pastor of St.
Boniface parish of Edwardsville. His
stay here dates from 1877 till July 15,
1896. Here he is styled as already
mentioned "the second founder" of
the parish, because it was he who
brought order out of chaos, introduced
a number of necessary reforms and
caused many improvements to be
made. Thus in 1882 a new school
building was erected, in 1889 the leaky
church roof covered with slate shin-
gles, in 1890 new altars purchased, a
Sisters' residence constructed in 1892,
a new pipe organ installed in 1894,
and a new heating plant two years
later.
Father Schlegel had for awhile an
assistant in the person of REV. GER-
HARD H'OPPE, whose duty it was to
look after the parish of Staunton. This
Father Hoppe exiled himself to the
Trappist Monastery of Gethsemane,
Ky., joined the membership of the
Community, and died there some fif-
teen years ago as Father Leonhard.
Our zealous and untiring priest,
however, could not draw on his
strength supply indefinitely, his health
in meantime had become undermined
and a sick man, he was ordered to the
pastorate of St. Paul's of Highland,
whose pastor had been transferred to
St. Mary's of Alton. Father Schlegel
suffered of cancer of the stomach and
it was that painful affliction which
caused his death at the hospital of
Highland, September 24, 1903, at the
age of 52 years. At the solemn obse-
quies presided over by the Bishop in
the presence of scores of clerical
friends, Rev. Albin Breinlinger of
Millstadt, 111., a countryman and for-
mer schoolmate of departed, pro-
nounced a fine eulogy on the life and
character of our lamented friend, Rev.
Augustine Schlegel. His remains
bedded' in St. Paul's cemetery of
Highland, 111. R. I. P.
Page Ont Hundred and Tirenty-Eight
REV. ADOLF SCHNEIDER.
"Farewell for ever, now;
In peace we part:
Remember that I thank you from my heart".
A companionable and good-natured
man was Rev. Adolf Schneider, who,
after a brief illness of but few weeks,
was claimed by death at the rectory
of St. Ann's parish of Edgewood,
January 26, 1914. An abcess on the
brain had caused his early demise,
for when called our subject was but
40 years old. His birthplace was
Frankfort, in Germany.
An only child of his parents, our
defunct friend received a splendid edu-
cation. Desirous for a higher spiritual
life he decided to enter the services of
the Church. To that end he applied for
admission to the Seminary of Knecht-
stetten, conducted by the "Fathers of
the Holy Ghost," of which communi-
ty he soon became a member. Having
almost finished his theological course,
he decided on coming to America. At
St. Francis Seminary, Wisconsin, . he
completed his unfinished ecclesiastical
studies, was ordained by Bishop Eis,
in St. Peter's Cathedral, of Marquette,
June 1, 1901, whose diocese he had
joined, and was appointed to the
parish of Grand Marrais, Mich. Here
he remained several years. Xot being
accustomed nor acclimated, however,
to the severity of the long northern
winters and the keen, icy blasts that
sweep the northern lakes and im-
pelled moreover by rather more per-
sonal reasons, Father Schneider, with
his Bishop's permission, went to
Davenport, Iowa, to become an assist-
ant to the Jate Monsignor Xiermann.
After a stay of about one year in that
city, he drifted into the Alton diocese,
where at Collinsville and Quincy, (St.
Boniface and St. Mary's) he acted as
assistant and thereafter was sent as
pastor to Edgewood, where he was un-
expectedly summoned away .from the
field of his labors by death .
Funeral services were held at Car-
linville, where he had substituted for
awhile during the illness of the late
Father Ader. His remains were
buried in St. Joseph's cemetery of
that place. R. I. P.
REV. FRANCIS X. SCHREIBER.
''Death alone has strength to take me
Where my foe can never be".
A contributor to German papers
and a poet of some merit was Rev.
Francis Schreiber. His poetic ef-
fusions laid down in ''Amanda" are de-
scriptive of customs and traditions
and folk lore of his native land.
Among his English poems is that of
"Grace Darling", the railroad heroine
who in the nick of time saved a pas-
senger train from crossing a burning
bridge, the most popular. It was
copied by the press of the land.
Father Francis Xavier Schreiber
was born at Warsburg, in the diocese
of Paderborn, Dec. 16, 1834. He came
to this country Nov. 3, 1856, and re-
ceived Holy Orders from Archbishop
Kenrick at St. Louis, June 25, 1858,
ordained for the diocese of Alton.
During his activity in our midst we
meet him as pastor of St. Mary's
church of Carlinsville in 1861 and
later on July 18. 1857, he takes charge
of St. Mary's church of Xew Berlin.
The present handsome brick building
Page One Hundred and Tmenty-Nin
of that parish owes its existence to
the efforts of Father Schreiber. Here
he remained five years when circum-
stances compelled him to hand in his
resignation to the Bishop. Father
Schreiber's next place was Vandalia,
1872-73. From there he moved to
Henry, and then comes the important
charge of Bloomington, at St. Mary's,
where he became the first resident
rector of that parish from 1877-'81,
after which it went over into the
hands of the Franciscan Fathers. At
this juncture our subject retired from
active pastoral duty and lived the life
of seclusion at Havana, 111. When
sickness and the accompanying in-
firmities of old age crept upon him
he betook himself to the Ursuline con-
vent of St. Louis, where he peacefully
expired June 20, 1905. His remains
were interred at Arcadia, Mo.
Father Schreiber was the first priest
to offer holy Mass at Todt's school
house in the present parish of Ray-
mond, corning occasionally thither
when pastor of St. Mary's at Carlin-
ville. R. I. P.
REV. JOHN SHERIDAN.
' 'For what God designs to try with sorrow
He means not to decay tomorrow".
But meagre are the details known
its first resident rector, from 1864- '65,
succeeding Rev. A. Laurent. Father
Sheridan thereupon joined the Cleve-
of Father Sheridan. He was pastor of land diocese, where he died some years
St. John's church of Carrollton, and later.
REV. F. X. SMITH.
"Our feet are worn and weary
But we will not despair".
He was the son of William J. Smith
and Alice Wittaker, born Decemiber
9, 1869, and ordained at Mt. St. Mary's,
Cincinnati, by Archbishop Elder, on
June 21, 1893. Among the various
minor charges which he presided over
was that of Brighton from 1896- '99.
Sickness and conditions induced him
to repeatedly seek a change of climate,
but, nevertheless, the bright young
priest succumbed to an early death at
the Alton hospital November 28, 1905.
R. I. P.
REV. JAMES P. SMITH.
On July 31, 1880, the people of Ed-
wardsville, but more particularly the
members of St. Mary's congregation
became shocked when they learned
of Father Smith's tragic death. On
that morning when Mass time arrived
and the priest could nowhere be lo-
cated, upon investigation by the
alarmed parishioners poor Father
Smith's lifeless body was found in the
well adjoining his residence. It was
known that the good priest habitually
drew a bucket of water from the well
before retiring. This he did on the
fatal evening, for the lamp was still
found burning on his library table
next morning. Father Smith was a
very corpulent man, hence the suppo-
sition that when he was bending for-
ward over the open well he became
Page One Hundred and Thirty
overbalanced and thus met his cruel
fate.
To Father Smith's credit it can be
said that he again placed St. Mary's
of Edwardsville on a good footing.
During his administration ground was
bought and plans for a new church
were secured which were carried out
by his successor on a more conveni-
ent new site.
Rev. James Smith, son of Patrick
Smith and ?.!ary Galligan, was born
Aug. 15, 1848 at Grosser-Laugh, Ire-
land, and ordained a priest June 29,
1879, at the Alton Cathedral by
Bishop Baltes. He was buried at Ed-
wardsville. R. I. P.
REV. CLEMENT ALOYS SOMMER.
"Faithful soldier of the cross!
Peaceful be thy rest
On thy Savior's breast.
Gain is thine, though ours is loss!"
"God's finger touched him and he
slept." That which was mortal of
Rev. C. A. Sommer lapsed quietly
into death's embrace at St. Clara's
rectory of Altamont during the mid-
night hour on the day before Epipha-
ny, January 5, 1903. His death was
wholly unexpected by his parishioners
and confreres of the clergy to whom
the cruel news came with a force that
greatly saddened. Strengthened and
fortified by the last sacraments of his
church, consoled by the presence and
prayers of a brother priest, L. Lam-
mert, and a good Sister of Mercy who
knelt by the bedside when the end
came, he passed calmly and peaceful-
ly away. Dreaded pneumonia, con-
tracted during the previous Christ-
mas holidays caused his premature
demise. And no wonder. In a coun-
try parish a priest often has to com-
bine the office of pastor and sexton in
one person. Aside from long hours
in the Confessional and that not in-
frequently in a cold, damp and
draughty church, he trims the altars,
rings the Angelus bell and in early
morning hour kindles the fire in the
church stove for the comfort of his
people. And Father Sommer met in
the struggles of his priestly life such
multitudinous demands with unwav-
ering courage and unflagging devo-
tion, not only here at Altamont dur-
ing the three and one-half years of
service, but especially so during the
fourteen years' labor in isolated Cal-
houn county at Michaels, with Kamps-
ville and Hardin as missions attached
to his parish, in all of which places,
his name has become a house-
hold word. The good which he ac-
complished and the seeds he so gen-
erously has sown by word and ex-
ample and the sacrifices and priva-
Page One Hundred and Thirty-One
tions he so cheerfully shouldered dur-
ing the 26 years of priestly life will
surely have met at the hands of his
God with a generous response. Father
Sommer was a man of a retiring dis-
position, unostentatious and humble
in all his doings.
Born in Anfeld, Westfalia, July 26,
1852, he graduated in his classical
studies at Paderborn, became there-
upon an alumnus of the American
College of Muenster and received the
grace of Ordination in the venerable
Cathedral of Osnabrueck, May 2t>,
1877. Bishop Baltes directed the
young priest for one year ro May-
ncoth in Ireland, there to familiarize
himself with the English language ere
coming to America. For fourteen
years he labored in Calhoun county
with those two doughty pioneer
priests, Revs. Winterhalter and With-
out, and on the death of Fr. Ostrop
was transferred to Carlinville. There
as pastor of St. Joseph's parish he
worked nine years till his health
broke down and he was given the
smaller congregation of Altamont,
where after three and one-half years-
work conscientiously performed he
entered eternal rest. His remains
were interred in St. Anthony's ceme-
tery og Efifingham. R. I. P.
REV. JOSEPH SPAETH.
''The joys now seem so trivial
The griefs so poor and small".
The name of Father Jos. Spaeth
will forever remain linked with St.
James' parish of Decatur. The Ger-
man Catholics prior to 1877 had held
membership in St. Patrick's, but grow-
ing in number and influence Bishop
Baltes considered it opportune to
gather them into a separate parish.
This was done in 1877 with Father
Spaeth as organizer and builder.
Church, school and rectory were
erected and before long St. James
enjoyed progress and prosperity.
Rev. Joseph Spaeth was born at
Blitzenreuthe in the diocese of Rot-
tenburg in Wuertemburg, Germany,
February 20, 1849, came to this coun-
try May 5, 1867, studied Theology at
St. Francis Seminary, Milwaukee and
was ordained at Alton, June 24, 1877.
From Decatur our subject -.-.us trans-
ferred to Southern Illinois, became
Cathedral choir director at Belleville,
which position, however, he soon re-
linquished. Early in the nineties,
(1893) he joined the Detroit diocese,
where he displayed his talents to
great advantage. He died as pastor
of the German St. Joseph's parish of
Port Huron. Mich., April 19, 1913.
He was buried in Decatur. R. I. P.
REV. FERDINAND STICK.
"For thy Good Master thou hast daily
wrought,
Enfranchising the souls His blood hath
bought,
Directing them upon their heav'nward way,
Unto the dawn of Life, the 'Perfect Day'."
In these days when the church and
the world at large needs every voice
unpraised for high thinking and doing,
every hand armed to strike for right-
eousness, it is hard to see the gaps
death has caused in the ranks of our
clergy Of course, there always will
be new recruits to till the vacant
places, but just the same one can ill
afford to lose any of the true an.l
tried standard bearers, such as Father
Stick. His people's spiritual and tem-
poral welfare was the aim of his long
Page One Hundred and Thirty-Tuo
life-work, for our defunct had the sin-
gular privilege to commemorate the
fiftieth anniversary of his ordination
to the priesthood, his "Golden Jubilee
Day," December 6, 1913.
Advanced in years, yet young in
zeal for his Master's work. Father
Stick passed on to the higher re-
wards of faithful service.
A symphony of simplicity in
thought, speech and action was the
predominant note in the life of Rev.
F. Stick, pastor emeritus of St. Paul's
parish of Highland. In consequence
he left his stamp on the various com-
munities which witnessed his stay
among them, Alt. Sterling, Tiptown,
Mattoon, Madonnaville, Pana, Ray-
mond, Alorrisonville and Highland.
Father Stick was a man of many
hobbies. He would study Spanish
and Yiddish, turn to his flute, take up
history and delve into old musty vol-
umes. He had probably some of the
oldest codices on his library shelf to
be found in any priest's private libra-
ry, those ancient tomes bound with-
in worm-eaten wooden covers and
kept together with huge silver or
brass clasps. Truly it was interesting
to spend a few hours in his company,
or at his modest home.
With the passing of Father Stick,
the ranks of the diocesan clergy ex-
perienced a keen void, not that he
was one of the few Xestors who of
a by-gone generation still lingered
among -us, but more so of his general
great usefulness. Recognizing his
merits, the Bishop appointed him a
dean of the district, and later an ir-
removable rector of St. Paul's parish
of Highland. Father Stick's main
parochial achievements rest, however,
with the parish of Mattoon, where
his memory will not die until the old-
est member thereof has sunk into the
grave. The motives of the well-in-
tentioned man were at times miscon-
strued by evil-minded persons, such
as he experienced to his sorrow whilst
pastor of Pana.
Months prior to his demise, in
July, 1911, our departed one had re-
linquished parochial 'duties and had
retired, a patient to the hospital of
Highland, where he resignedly bore
his affliction, which ultimately culmi-
nated in death, dropsy. With a won-
derful buoyancy of spirit which never
left him, he submitted to God's holy
will and calmly awaited the day and
moment when the Angel of Death
was to beckon him from hence. Sur-
rounded by the Community of the
Good Sisters, Father Stick expired
Aoig. 22, 1914, attaining the age of 75
years and six months.
After the solemn obsequies which
were largely attended by Bishop,
clergy and laity, his mortal remains
were buried in St. Paul's cemetery of
Highland.
Rev. Ferdinand Stick was born at
Birkesdorf, in the Archdiocese of
Cologne, February 10, 1839. When
fifteen years of age he emigrated, with
his parents, to this country, landing
on our shores July 1, 1854, and set-
tling near Guttenberg, la. His early
classical education he received at the
College of Bardstown, Ky. Of his
first arrival at the college, he often
spoke. "When I presented myself
there," he related, "I was but a small
little chap and about as green as you
could make him. 1 wore my German
cap and carried my few belongings
wrapped up in a multicolored big
bandana. The rector and professors
were much amused at my appear-
ance."
Young Stick carved his way through
college and splendidly acquitted him-
self of his studies. Later on he was
sent to Teutopolis to finish the pre-
scribed courses in Philosophy and
Theology, at the end of which he was
ordained by Bishop Junker at Alton,
December 6, 1863. R. I. P.
Page One Hundred and Thirty -Three
REV. JOSEPH STILL.
"Rest now is yours, O noble priest,
Your work you've done, and well,
For truth you fought any always taught
As countless souls can tell".
It was on Easter-Tuesday morning,
April 3rd, 1907. Large crowds of peo-
ple wended their way to St. John's
church, of Quincy. Their features
bore the stamp of grief and mourning.
29. The solemn obsequies prior to
final interment were had that morning
at which Rev. P. Andrew, O. F. M.,
delivered the funeral oration.
The news of the death of this popu-
lar and beloved priest were every-
where received with expressions of
sympathy and sorrow, for to all, Cath-
Two Bishops Right Revs. Ryan and
Janssen followed by a long line of
surpliced clergy entered the sanctu-
ary and when there commenced the
recitation of the Office of the Dead.
Upon a raised dais surrounded by a
profusion of palms, flowers and burn-
ing candles, were catafalqued the re-
mains of the beloved pastor of the
parish. Rev. Father Joseph Still, who
after a long and painful illness borne
with heroic patience and resignation
to God's holy will had yielded to the
inevitable, dying on the Friday pre-
vious thereto Good Friday March
Page One Hundred and Thirty-Four
olics and Protestants alike, he had
proved a warm-hearted, loyal friend
and benefactor. Broad-minded, liberal
and kind frank and just, strong in
mind and strong in character, such
were the traits of Father Still. All
who knew him respected him, anrt
those who knew him well loved him.
Father Still was a plain man, he
was an ordinary man to meet, he was
a commoner easy to approach and
easy to understand. He was plain
spoken and outspoken, a man who
gained one's respect from the start
and held it. It was his frankness that
was captivating, his sincerety that was
fascinating. He was a power for good,
a leader among men and his life was
an example to follow.
Father Still was undaunted by re-
verses. When in February, 1891, St.
Mary's church was reduced to ashes
he came to the rescue with his money,
his advice and his hands. While the
embers were still smouldering, he was
working with hammer, saw and
hatchet, helping to erect a temporary
structure to keep the congregation to-
gether, which answered its purpose
while the present beautiful house of
worship was being constructed. Out
on Xorth Tenth street stand -a num-
ber of monuments which will perpet-
uate his memory, St. John's church,
school, rectory and St. Vincent's
Home.
In his passing the congregation lost
the pastor who started it in 1880, the
man who loved the people of it and
the friend of all who lived within it.
Hence the universal grief and sorrow
on the day of his funeral.
Father Still was born in Uerdingen,
Germany, May 25, 1849, being scarcely
fifty-eight years of age when death
summoned him. He made his philo-
sophical and theological studies at the
American College of St. Mauritz,
Muenster, and was ordained to the
priesthood May 22, 1875, for the dio-
cese of Alton. He landed in New
York, Sept. 8, 1875, and journeyed at
once to Alton, where he received the
appointment of assistant to Father
Bartels of Germantown, which posi-
tion he held until transferred to
Quincy, May 22, 1880. Being told to
start there the contemplated new St.
John's parish, young Father Still flung
himself with great ardor and enthusi-
asm into the projected work with the
remarkable result already mentioned.
His last achievement shortly before
his death, was the purchase jointly
with the St. Francis Parish of that
fine tract of land, now Calvary ceme-
tery, on which he was to find his last
resting place. R. 1. P.
REV. JOHN STORP.
On Westphalia's heathered soil,
made famous by song and story, there
stands a quaint village with ancient
gabled houses whose red-tiled roofs
are seen from afar. It is Schapdetten,
the birthplace of one of our disting-
uished priests and yeomen workers.
Rev. John Storp. July 6, 1850 was his
natal day. On May 22, 1875, he was
raised to the priesthood in the vener-
able St. Ludger Cathedral of Munster
and landed in America on Sept. 20 of
the same year.
The first charge assigned to our
young Levite was that of St. Patrick's
of Pana. Rev. F. Lohmann, then
stationed at Hillsboro, to which this
place was affiliated, had just pur-
chased a residence there to be used
as rectory. Father Storp then be-
came the first resident pastor of Pana,
1875-77, whereupon he was transferred
to Shelbyville, where during four
years of unremittent work he wrought
a wonderful change, erecting the pres-
ent brick church at a cost of $6,000
and a handsome brick residence at a
cost of $2,000, causing Shelbyville to
Page One Hundred and Thirty-Five
become an independent ana self-sus-
taining congregation.
In 1831 the indefatigable priest was
assigned to St. Agnes' of Hillsboro to
which Nokomis belonged as out-mis-
sion. Giving for some years to both
places undivided attention, he con-
cluded that in order to achieve lasting
results, the promising and ever-grow-
ing St. Louis' Parish of Xokomis
should and ought to have its own per-
manent pastor. With the sanction of
the Bishop, Father Storp, in 1834. pur-
chased a modest dwelling house and
took up his residence in Nokomis,
thus becoming its first resident pastor.
Truly, he was a great man, his capa-
bilities were second to none.
His fellow students of the Ameri-
can College of Munster (St. Mauritz)
which has since ceased to exist as
such are nearly all dead. They com-
posed a notable class of young eccle-
siastics, each and every one perform-
ing in after life good service in their
future mission fields across the At-
lantic. Among those who were his
associates and life-long friends and
admirers we may mention the Revs.
A. Wenker of Xaperville, 111., H.
Schrage and B. Stempker of St. Louis,
Mo., A. Pieke, Macoutah, Emmerich
Weber, Chicago, B. Hasse Mt. Ster-
ling, B. Ahne, Bayonne, N. J., and
others equally distinguished for their
merits.
Our decedent commanded a wide
range of information and knowledge,
being thoroughly familiar with all
leading questions of the day. He was
unquestionably an eminent scholar in
Theology and History, both ancient
and modern. An independent think-
er, free from bias and prejudice,
Father Storp's judgment had the
weight of mature reasoning, his argu-
ments brought conviction. Once de-
termined upon a plan he would set
every wheel in motion to carry it out,
and this was done in a quiet, un-
heralded way, it was the "Storp way."
Hence his success in the various mis-
sion fields over which he was called
to preside. He was a lover of nature.
Cheerfully, therefore, he acceded to
the Bishop's appointment which in
1893 called him away from Xokomis
to the pastorate of Green Creek, a
parish located amid the waving corn
and teeming wheat fields of Effing-
ham county, several miles off the
railroad. Whilst others had refused,
he was ready to accept. The Francis-
can Fathers of Teutopolis had re-
linquished the charge, he then was to
become its first resident pastor. Our
subject at once proceeded with the
construction of a commodious, splen-
did two-story bric'< residence. The
good farmers were equally proud of
their zealous, democratic pastor and
helped him in every way tD accom-
plish his purpose. He had but to ex-
press his wish and they cheerfully
complied with its execution, for they
soon had learned to love and respect
their unpretentious good priest whose
modest demands never exceeded the
bounds of reasonable necessity.
Father Storp was a man of the peo-
ple. He felt with and for them, liv-
ing their own simple, frugal lives.
And yet, withal, that priestly with-
drawal and reserve which was charac-
teristic of a fine spun sensitive nature
never left him. An interesting con-
versationalist, jovial, kind and gener-
ous, the Green Creek pastor dispensed
indiscriminate hospitality and many
a one journeyed thither to enjoy a few
hours of his benevolent company.
Lillyville, five miles distant, was at-
tended from Green Creek. It had like-
wise been relinquished by the Fran-
ciscan Fathers and our good Father
John attended it not only on Sundays,
but likewise often on week days, say-
ing Mass at an early hour. Xot
wishing to inconvenience the farmers
in furnishing him a team, especially
when the busy season was on, he
would walk the distance afoot. On
warm summer mornings when the dew
drops still sparkled on ferns and
grasses, he would pull off his boots
and socks, sling them over his
shoulders on some hickory sapling
and make for Lillyville, saying his
prayers and meditations on the way.
Such was Father John Storp with that
little black chin whiskers and rather
Page One. Hundred and Thirty- Si*
pronounced Semitic cast of counten-
ance, the scholarly priest and exem-
plary man, pattern of zeal and piety,
uncompromising of principle but ready
to respect opinions of others though
they widely differed from his own.
A violent attack of pneumonia, con-
tracted in a drafty railroad car when
coming from a visit to St. Marie,
ended the precious life and useful ca-
reer of one of the peers of the Alton
diocese on February 8, 1902. He
sleeps within the shadow of the cross
in the little cemetery adjoining the
church in Green Creek. The congre-
gation he loved so well together with
his clerical friends deeply mourn his
untimely departure.
Let me adapt the following beauti-
ful lines to our departed friend,
Father John Storp:
Sleep, gentle priest, the way was long and
sad
y mark of pain rests on thy marble brow;
Tlly shadowy form in priestly vestments clad
Unsoiled by thee. Death was a sweet release
Slumber in peace!
Closed is thy book of life, .never again
To ope. And tho' its leaves were not a few
Each page is fair without a blot or stain
To mar its sheen. Death was a sweet release.
Slumber in peace!
Sleep on, O priest of God! thy cross laid
down
A brilliant trophy at thy Master's feet;
He will reward thee with a saintly crown
Death was to thee nought but a sweet release.
Slumber in peace !
REV. JAMES STREMLER, D.D., LL.D.
"The way is long and dreary,
The path is bleak and bare' 1 .
In the latter part of the sixties the
Cleveland Diocesan Seminary was
presided over by a brilliant, gifted
man, he was Rev. Dr. J. Stremler. In
1870, however, this same Seminary
Rector offered his services to our
diocese. They were promptly ac-
cepted and Father Stremler was en-
trusted with the care of the parish
of Mattoon, which just then had 'been
made vacant by the resignation ot
Father Mangan. About one year he
managed the temporal and spiritual
affairs of Mattoon, when on Dec. 11,
1870, the Bishop appointed him pastor
of the Vandalia parish, which place he
held till July, 1872. Further particu-
lars of our Doctor are lacking.
REV. JOHN H. STUEBE.
"This life is worth but little save
To gain a home beyond the grave."
Secluded Okawville, in Washington
county, has in recent years sprung in-
to public notice from the fact that its
humble young pastor was selected by
the Holy See to occupy the episcopal
chair of the Diocese of Belleville,
made vacant by the death of Bishop
Janssen. Okawville is s o m e w h a t
known to the surrounding counties for
its health-giving springs, producing a
mineral water that is said to be a sure
cure for gout and rheumatism. This
same Okawville, which gave a Bishop
to Belleville, has likewise given a
priest to Alton, Rev. John H. Stuebe,
late pastor of St. Clare's parish of
Altamont.
Deceased was the eldest son of
Christian Stuebe and his wife Eliza-
beth, nee Bergkoetter. He was ush-
ered into the world March 6. 1873.
When eighteen years old he entered
St. Francis College of Quincy, for he
had determined to dedicate his life
to God and his fellow-men. Since
early childhood the thought of becom-
ing a priest had been uppermost in
his mind. Finishing the prescribed
classical course at St. Francis Col-
lege, young Stuebe thereupon became
an alumnus of St. Mary's Seminary,
(Price Hill) Cincinnati. March 2,
Page One Hundred and Thirty-Seven
1901, our young candidate for Holy
Orders saw his fondest hopes realized,
for on that day he was ordained a
priest by Rt. Rev. Camillus Maes in
the Cathedral of Covington, Ky.
Having filled various appointments
as an assistant priest, such as St.
Patrick's, Decatur, St. John's Hospi-
tal of Springfield, and St. Mary's of
Quincy, Father Stuebe was appointed
to the charge of St. Charles' congre-
gation at Altamont, January 9, 1903.
During the nine years of splendid
pastoral work at Altamont he proved
himself a power for good and had
caused a new church to be built al
St. Elmo, a mission attached to the
jurisdiction of the pastor of Alta-
mont. In the midst of his active and
fruitful life, however, our hard-work-
ing young pastor was suddenly strick-
en with appendicitis, was at once
rushed to St. Anthony's Hospital of
Effingham and there underwent a
surgical operation from the effects
and shock of which he soon expired,
June 2, 1912. After solemn funeral
services his remains were interred in
St. Barbara's cemetery of Okawville,
his native town. R. I. P.
REV. JOHN SULLIVAN.
' 'Yearning for a deeper peace, not known
before.' '
He was a native of County Limer-
ick, Ireland, and a subject of Arch-
bishop Kenrick of St. Louis. The
erection of the present spacious St.
Malachy's church of St. Louis, is the
result of Father Sullivan's efforts
while pastor of that congregation.
Coming to the Alton diocese in 1865,
he was appointed to Marshall and
some time later to the charge of
Paris in April 1866-April 1867. Whilst
at Marshall and Paris he looked like-
wise after the spiritual interests of
the Catholics who lived in and around
Charleston. In 1867-'68 Father Sulli-
van acted as rector of St. Francis
Xavier's church of Jerseyville. During
his incumbency he started the build-
ing of the present church, a large and
solid structure. Before he saw it com-
pleted, however, he became involved
in financial difficulties from which the
young struggling parish knew not how
to free itself. His successor, Father
Harty, proved himself the man of the
hour. Father Sullivan was sent to
Springfield as pastor of the Immacu-
late Conception church. He suc-
ceeded Father Louis Hinssen. The
newly appointed pastor enjoyed his
stay at Springfield but a short while,
for in the following year, 1869, Father
Sullivan died. He was buried in the
Springfield cemetery. R. I. P.
REV. FRANCIS TECKLENBURG.
Every thought was full of grace,
Pure and true ;
And a heavenly radiance bright,
From the soul's reflected light
Shining through.
God in His infinite wisdom and
mercy saw fit to call from hence a
promising young priest in the flowery
springtime of his sacerdotal career. It
was the end of May, 1879, when Rev.
Francis Tecklenburg succumbed to the
oppressive heat of the season and
after a few days' sickness died a well
prepared death. Parishioners of two
congregations which the departed had
served so well, namely, Bethalto and
Mitchell, knelt in deep sorrow over
the untimely death of their beloved
young pastor around his bier and of-
fered fervent prayers for the repose
of his soul. To all, clergy and laity,
this tragic event was an eloquent
"Memento Mori." How deeply the
young priest had endeared himself in
the affections of the people is shown
by the fact that today after so many
years his memory is still kept alive
and many of the older people love to
recount his kindly acts.
Rev. Francis Tecklenburg was a
native of Germany, born in May, 1851,
at Auenshausen, Westfalia. His clas-
sical studies the young student pur-
sued partly at Warburg and partly at
Paderborn, graduating in 1873, Having
determined upon the vocation that
Page One Hundred and Thirty-Eight
ultimately leads to the steps of the
altar, the talented young aspirant
matriculated the following year at
the University of Muenster and a year
later at that of Wuerzburg. For the
theological studies and the more im-
mediate preparation for Holy Orders
he became an alumnus of the Ameri-
can College of Louvain, at the con-
clusion of which he was ordained in
the Cathedral of Malines, May 27,
1877. In September of that year the
young priest landed at Alton and was
assigned at once to the parish of
Bethalto where soon he erected a
parochial residence, thus becoming
the first resident pastor of the place.
Mitchell was then affiliated to Bethal-
to and depended on his services.
After less than two years faithful labor
young Father Tecklenburg was sum-
moned by death. He lies buried in
St. Mary's cemetery of Alton. R. I. P.
REV. DENIS TIERNEY.
"Jesu, Tibi sit Gloria".
He was the first pastor of the young
congregation of Charleston in 1865.
Soon after his arrival the congrega-
tion purchased an edifice, used as a
Christian church, for hitherto Mass
had been said in a private house.
Father Tierney remained in Charles-
ton till 1868, when the church was con-
sumed by fire. We next find him,
from 1869-70, pastor of the parish of
Virden, after which further informa-
tion fails.
REV. AUGUSTINE TOLTON.
"Back, ye Phantoms, leave
O leave me
To my new and happy lot'".
The unique and enviable distinction
of having had within the ranks and
membership of her diocesan clergy
the first colored priest in the United
States, belongs to the diocese of
Alton. Of this fact the credit of
whose accomplishment primarily be-
longs to the efforts of Rev. P. Michael
Richard, O. F. M., and the late Father
McGirr, of St. Peter's church of
Quincy, we all have reason to be
proud. He who thus successfully
emerged from the lowly condition of
the black man, who had been born and
raised in bondage and slavery under
most trying and adverse conditions,
became an ornament to his priestly
vocation, winning his way to the
hearts of the Catholic people and gain-
ing the esteem and benevolence of all
by his unassuming manner and humble
and devout bearing. He cared not
what people, white or black, might
think of him; he knew his duty as
priest and hence could not be swerved
from its path by any considerations of
popular favor or disfavor. All liked
and loved him. The services were at
all times well patronized not only by
his own colored people but also large-
ly by whites, so much so that this
even aroused a bit of jealousy and
envy in the neighborhood. The little
frame church, St. Joseph's, on 7th and
Jersey streets, now a tinner's shop,
had risen in popular favor through-
out Quincy, It received generous
support and assistance from clergy
Page One Hundred and Thirty-Nine
and laity and the good colored priest
was forever grateful for the aid thus
rendered his poor people and congre-
gation.
Father Augustine Tolton, for such
was our distinguished colored priest's
name, was a man of education and di-
verse rare attainments, speaking be-
sides his own language, Latin, Ger-
man and Italian. After graduating
from St. Peter's parochial school and
St. Francis College with honors, the
Franciscan Fathers, through the good
offices of their Superior General in
Rome, obtained for our poor negro
aspirant a place at the Propaganda.
They had perceived the latent fine
talents and qualities which the young
man possessed. Here in Rome, the
fountain head of Catholicity and the
seat of learning, our Propaganda
student prosecuted his theological
studies with great diligence and appli-
cation, evidencing the fact that where
a proper share of attention is cen-
tered upon the education of the
colored people, they can soon be
lifted to a high plane of intelligence
and responsibility. Some of our best
missionary talent trained for the
specific purpose in the newly founded
"Josephite House" of Baltimore, is ex-
clusively devoted to the cause of the
American negro. One can point with
justifiable pride to many illustrious
men who have gone forth from the
lowly ranks of the colored people, the
greatest of whom was undoubtedly
the late Booker Washington, a man
of national repute, a great educator
and leader of his people, born and
raised a poor, despised negro. When
given proper attention and placed
amid wholesome influences and moral
surroundings, the colored people are
able to compete with their more for-
tunate white brethern in the attain-
ment of honor and distinction. Father
Tolton has demonstrated this fact
whilst studying for the priesthood in
Rome, and subsequently as priest of
Quincy and Chicago. His studies
completed, Father Tolton was or-
dained a priest by His Eminence,
Cardinal Parochi, April 24, 1886. The
first colored young man of the United
States out of ten million negroes, a
priest. What a joyous and happy
event for the Diocese whose product
he was, what a memorable and im-
portant fact in the history of the
Church in these United States which
had worked among the colored race
with but varied success.
Father Tolton at once came back to
Quincy, where he said his first Holy
Mass at St: Boniface church, July 18,
1886, and was given charge of the
small negro parish, the history of
which is briefly told as follows:
After the Civil War (1861-1865)
many former negro slaves, a number
of whom were Catholics, settled in
Quincy. To prevent their drifting
away from the church, the Rev.
Michael Richard, O. F. M., undertook
to collect the scattered sheep, if
possible, into a separate parish. The
pastor of St. Boniface, Rev. John
Janssen, placed a former small pro-
testant church on Seventh and Jersey
streets, purchased in 1866 by Father
Schaefermeyer for $7,000, which was
temporarily used for school purposes
but vacant at the time, at P. Michael's
Page One Hundred and Forty
disposal. A Sunday school was be-
gun Oct. 21, 1877. The attendance
was good and kept on increasing.
Ven. Sister Herline of St. Mary's
Academy, on February 11, 1878,
opened a day school with 21 pupils.
This number increased to 60. The
baptism of seven negro children April
22, following, caused a protest by
Methodists and Baptists. No stone
was left unturned to prevent the negro
children from attending, many of
whom stayed away Several of the
priests, such as Bruener, Hoffman and
Samuel Macke, kept up the good work
until the coming of Father Tolton
from Rome in 1886. How successful
this colored priest worked among the
members of his own race and among
the white people likewise has been
stated. His services were in demand
everywhere, even Cardinal Gibbons
summoned him repeatedly to Balti-
more, there to preach and minister
to the numerous colored population.
He was a great lover of his snuff-
box. In Chicago a philanthropic
wealthy lady, Mrs Anne O'Neil, es-
tablished a $10,000 fund for the found-
ing of a church, St. Monica's, for the
use of .the colored people. Nobody,
however, would do but Father Tol-
ton. In consequence the Archbishop
requisitioned his services, Bishop
Ryan consented to his transfer to
Chicago and "Father Gus" as he was
familiarly styled by m any of his
clerical friends moved to that Babel
by the Lake Shore, on Nov. 28, 1889.
Everything went well with new St.
Monica's. The parish was in a fair
way of developing when our dusky
Reverend friend took sick and soon
afterwards died July 9, 1897, a sun-
stroke claimed him. Father Tolton's
remains were brought back to Quincy
and buried in the Priest's lot in St.
Peter's cemetery. He attained the
age of but 43 years having been born
at Brush Creek, Rails county, Mo., on
April 1, 1854. His parents were
Peter Tolton and Martha Chisely,
they moved to Quincy in 1861.
What became of St. Joseph's colored
parish of Quincy after the transfer
of its pastor to Chicago? The shep-
herd being gone and none to replace
him, it died of inanition. Many of the
Catholic negroes moved away, others
returned to the Methodists and Bap-
tists, the church edifice was sold and
serves today as tin-shop. There are
not a half dozen colored Catholics, if
any, left in Quincy, out of a popula-
tion of about 3,000 or more. Sad in-
deed! God speed the day when again
a colored Catholic parish shall be-
come an actuality in Quincy.
REV. FRANCIS TROJAN.
"Within thy Savior's Heart,
Place all thy care,
And learn, O weary soul,
Thy Best is there' 1 .
Rev. Francis Trojan was born and
ordained a priest in Europe. He was
a Bohemian by birth and hence his
first appointment was that of assistant
to the pastor of St. John' Nepomuk
church, St. Louis, a Bohemian parish
From St. Louis our deceased priest
came to the Alton Diocese and was
assigned to Paderborn in 1864, Free-
burg 1865-'68, Millstadt 1868-71 and
to Collinsville 1871-79, after which he
was transferred to Lebanon, leaving
the field to his successor, Rev. H.
Degenhardt.
At Lebanon Father Trojan's life
came to an end in 1881. He was
buried in the parish cemetery of Le-
banon. Defunct is known to have
been a fine musician. R. I. P.
Page One Hundred and_Forty-On
REV. HILARY TUCKER.
After having been attended as one
flock by Father Lefevre, the future
Bishop of Detroit, from 1833-1837, the
Catholics of Quincy found themselves
divided, the German speaking under
their resident pastor, Rev. A. Brick-
wedde, and the English speaking
under Rev. Irenaeus St. Cyr, residing
at St. Louis and afterwards at St.
Augustine. In 1839 Rev. Hilary
Tucker, a native Missourian, who had
been sent together with Rev. Geo. A.
Hamilton, by Bishop Rosatti to Rome,
there to prepare themselves for the
priesthood, became the resident priest
of the English speaking people of
Quincy. This was his first appoint-
ment since ordination. Soon after his
arrival Father Tucker succeeded in
collecting the sum of $2,000 in cash,
obtaining from Mr. Whitney, a con-
vert, a corner lot for building pur-
poses, erected a church under the
patronage of St. Lawrence, with the
hope of having it ready for divine
services by the feast of the Assump-
tion. Unfortunately the Northern
Cross railroad for the construction of
which many Irish laborers had gath-
ered at Qunicy, became bankrupt and
with it the building of the church.
The same was sold under the hammer
before its completion, but afterwards
secured for the use of the congrega-
tion.
Father Hilary Tucker remained in
Quincy for seven yeears, from 1839-
1846, then for some years went to
Chicago and Batavia, and ultimately
he and Father G. A. Hamilton, whose
headquarters were then at Springfield,
both left for the East, joining the
clergy of the Boston diocese. Father
Tucker died at Boston as pastor of
one of that city's parishes and there
he found his last resting place. R. I. P.
REV. JULIAN TURMEL.
"And angel voices
Shall ring in heavenly chant
Upon thine ear".
When Father Turmel was privi-
leged to look back upon a long, well-
spent life as priest in God's vineyard,
he retired from active work to spend
some time in the seclusion of St.
John's Hospital, Springfield, after
which he wended his steps westward
to seek the invigorating climate
among the Colorado Rockies. There
his eventful career came to an end
on January 12, 1910.
Father Turmel assumed charge of
the rectorship of the Shelbyville con-
gregation in 1865, becoming thereby
its first resident pastor. From 1870-
73 he is made rector of the Pana
parish, by which he likewise became
the first resident priest of that place.
Whilst stationed at Pana, he under-
took the extension of the church
building, constructed a room in con-
junction with the church where he
lived and even for short while opened
a school. During the Pana pastorate
he turned his attention to promising
Xokomis, where in 1871, the people
had resolved on building a church
and had the work actually done that
same year. St. Louis, King of France,
became the patron of the mission, no
doubt from the fact that Fatner Julian
Turmel, the pastor of the church was
a native of Brittany, France. As the
people were mostly from Ireland, "a
tempest in a tea-kettle" arose on that
score. The Bishop was repeatedly
petitioned that he take St. Louis off
the Nokomis pedestal and have him
superceded by St. Patrick. Their
singular request, however, was
promptly turned down. In 1874
Father Turmel was transferred to the
parish of Winchester, where in a
quiet, unostentatious manner he con-
tinued his good offices for thirteen
years, till 1887, at the expiration of
which time he petitioned for permis-
sion to retire from pastoral duty,
which request was graciously acceded
to.
It was a pleasure to meet Father
Turmel; his personality was magnetic,
his ways simple and unaffected, hence
a host of friends surrounded him.
R. I. P.
Page One Hundred and Forty- TV
REV. ALBERT A. ULRICH.
' 'Who this life for Jesus give
Through eternity shall live".
Within the space of few years pro-
saic Calhoun county sustained in
rather rapid succession the loss of
some of her eminent priests. To.
those who were claimed by inexorable
death must be added the name of one
who at all times has proved himself
a valiant champion of the cross, who
was an able and ardent exponent of
the faith, a zealous priest and ripe
scholar; it is the name of Rev. Albert
A. Ulrich, the quondam pastor of St.
Anselm's church. In this country
parish, our subject felt rather handi-
capped from being unable to properly
utilize his accumulated store of
knowledge or to accomplish results
for which he was eminently qualified.
Proof of his abilities and brilliant at-
tainments is couched in the fact that
prior to his advent into our diocese,
Father Ulrich had been for years pro-
fessor of sciences at the Jesuit Col-
lege of Woodstock, where most suc-
cessfully he occupied the chair of
chemistry. In the pulpit he was most
eloquent, hence his superiors had sent
him frequently as missionary into
various eastern cities to conduct mis-
sions and give retreats to large com-
munities of men and women. In this
connection it is pertinent to state that
our deceased priest had for many
years been a member of the Society
of Jesus, which, however, he had left
shortly before joining the clergy force
of Alton. He was of a very sunny
disposition, full of amiability and good
cheer, a splendid conversationalist and
a man of mature judgment. Having
acted for awhile as assistant to the
pastor of Marshall, the Bishop soon
appointed him pastor to Rampsville,
made vacant by the transfer of Rev.
J. A. Duval to Staunton.
Rev. Father Albert A. Ulrich was a
native of Breslau, Germany, born
March 1, 1858. His classical studies
finished, he came to America to enter
the Novitiate of the Jesuit Order at
Woodstock, Maryland, where in due
course of time he was ordained priest
June 26, 1885. He proved himself a
valuable member of the community,
success attending his strenuous ef-
forts in the various fields of labor and
usefulness to which the voice of his
superiors called him. In 1902 Father
Ulrich severed connection with the
Order, came west and was admitted
into the Alton Diocese, where he
worked most zealously for souls for
more than six years, especially as
pastor of Kampsville and the out-
mission Belleview. The latter place
he attended faithfully once a month,
making a drive of 16 miles Sunday
mornings after having said early Mass
at Kampsville. Finally succumbing
to a very painful, lingering disease,
he died well prepared, at St. Anthony's
hospital of St. Louis, Wednesday,
March 24, 1909. The funeral took
place at Kampsville the following
Monday, March 29, at which his suc-
cessor in office, Rev. Father Neveling
was celebrant of the Mass, assisted
by Revs. A. Schockaert. of Grafton,
and Joseph Kopp, of Hardin, whilst
Revs. J. Duval, of Staunton and J. B.
Wand, of Meppen, delivered the Eng-
lish resp. German funeral orations.
R. I. P.
Page One Hundred and Foryt-Three
REV. JOSEPH VAHEY.
"In life and death we call on the Star of the
Sea' '.
An intellectual man of great literary
attainments, a known writer of ability,
.whose name had become familiar to
the world of letters and education was
Father Valey. His treatise on "Men-
tal Philosophy" had given him a wide
reputation. He occupied some of the
foremost parishes in Wisconsin,
among them Madison, and built St.
Patrick's church of Milwaukee.
Father Valey was for some years
a missionary priest in Iowa and Cen-
tral Illinois, and amongst other places
he occupied in this state and diocese
were that of Paris in 1862 and Van-
dalia from April 12, 1863-December 3,
1866.
When the evening of life had set
in, Father Vahey retired to Elkhorn
Wisconsin. There he peacefully ex-
pired and his remains were buried
there. Whilst defunct was located at
Paris he built a plain frame church
and cottage along the railroad track
and west of the town, too far away
to be comfortable and convenient of
access. R. I. P.
REV. ANTHONY VOGT.
"The precious souls for whom his life was
spent,
The souls he sought and 1 warred for night
and day,
Now sheltered in the everlasting arms.
Ah! this his crown exceeding great shall be
Throughout the cycles of eternity."
St. Patrick's of Decatur owes to a
great extent its present flourishing
condition to the disinterested and un-
selfish labors of Rev. Anthony Vogt,
who ruled over that parish from
1857-70. Not minimizing nor de-
tracting from the merits and achieve-
ments of his successors such as
Fathers Hickey, Mackin and espe-
cially the wonderful progress made
under its present pastor, Rev. J.
Murphy, yet it remains true that all
this advancement was built more or
less upon that solid foundation which
was placed there during eleven years
faithful service by deceased. A neo-
presbyster he was sent thither. His
heart was aglow with that divine ar-
dor and holy enthusiasm of a young
priest who counts obstacles and re-
verses as insignificant. Ceaselessly he
planned and worked out the prob-
lems which confronted him. And
success crowned his efforts. The
small church which had been built in
the early days of the existence of
the congregation by Father Cusack,
was soon replaced by a substantial
brick church with residence adjoining.
From St. Patrick's as center, radiated
Father Vogt's activities in many direc-
tions. All surrounding towns and
hamlets experienced his priestly func-
Page One Hundred and Forty-Four
tions and ministrations. He attended
the missions of Shelbyvilje, Macon,
Marrowbone, Moweaqua and Bement,
Ivesdale, Monticello, Cerro-Gordo,
Illiopolis, Buffalo, Blue Mound and
Stonington. In 1870 he was replaced
by Father R. Welsh (who died in
1874.) He was appointed pastor of
Macon, where in 1867, he had erected
a church in honor of St. Stanislaus.
This church was blown down by a
cyclone. Father Vogt went again to
work, this time putting up a brick
church. It was no sooner built than
it too was destroyed by a cyclone.
Without losing courage, however, he
set to work a third time to build a
church in his Macon parish. This
church stands to the present day, al-
though somewhat enlarged, to ac-
commodate the growing members of
the parish by the late Father Maurer.
From Macon he moved to Litchfield
in 1873, where his stay lasted but one
year, till 1874. Ruma was the next
parish. Here deceased was its pastor
for almost 20 years until his transfer
to the Glen Addie Orphanage near
Belleville, some few months previous
to his death, May 25, 1903.
Rev. Anthony Vogt was born
November 29, 1832, at Lohne in Olden-
burg, studied at Notre Dame, Ind.,
St. Thomas, Ky., and Mt. St. Mary's
Cincinnati, and was raised to the
priesthood by Bishop Juncker at
Alton, May 3, 1859. R. I. P.
REV. SYLVESTER WEGENER.
During the years when priestly fer-
vor animated the action of Rev. S.
Wegener, they were productive of
good results, Collinsville (1867-77),
Paris (1871-73) St. Marie (1873-74)
Beardstown (1876-77,) testify to his
zeal. After his ordination in 1866,
being stationed in East St. Louis, he
attended Collinsville as out-mission
for awhile. It was during this period
that he purchased there a residence
adjoining the church with a large plot
of ground for the sum of $3,000.
Whilst at Paris he built a church at
Charlestovvn, in 1872.
Rev. Sylvester Wegener was born
at Paderborn, April 29, 1833; ordained
to the priesthood, November 22, 1864,
having come to this country in 1856.
He died in Chicago. R. I. P.
REV. ROMAN WEINZAEPFLE.
"My fate is in Thy hands,
Whatever it may be
Pleasant or painful, bright or dark,
As best may seem to Thee 1 '.
With what diabolical rage and fury
Knownothingism assailed the church,
her institutions and clergy, about the
middle of the last century, is well
known. Its history among the vic-
tims against whom the venemous
darts and false accusations were direc-
ted reached its climax in one who was
hounded until the prison doors closea
behind him, namely, Rev. K o m a n
Weinzaefel. Though entirely ignorant
and innocent of a crime they had ac-
cused him of, nevertheless, this worthy
young priest had to wear the convict's
garb for five years at the Jefferson-
ville, Ind., state prison, until pardoned
by President Polk. He was a priest of
the Vincennes diocese, and as such
was sent to Teutopolis in 1845, where
he performed his duties in most ex-
cellent and praiseworthy manner.
Shortly after his release he entered
the Benedictine Order, celebrated his
Golden Jubilee in 1890, and died a
pious death in 1895.
Rev. Roman Weinzaefel was a
native of Strassburg in Elsace, born
April 15, 1813, and ordained to the
priesthood April 5, 1840. R. I. P.
REV. MICHAEL WEIS.
"How many a tranquil soul has passed away
Fled gladly from fierce pain and pleasures
dim
To the eternal splendor of the day;
And many a troubled heart still calls for
him :
'The Angel Death'."
An informal gathering of Church
trustees and choir members took
place at the St. Boniface rectory on
the evening of November 10, 1887,
occasioned by the pastor's namesday,
Rev. Theodore Bruener. Whilst the
generous host entertained his visitors
he made known to them his future
intentions, namely; that he was to
leave them even that very evening
for the purpose of joining the Fran-
ciscan Order at Teutopolis, at same
time introducing the new pastor to
them, Rev. Michael Weis, who had
arrived in the meantime. Father
Bruener set out that very night for
Teutopolis, assumed the habit of St.
Francis and was henceforth known
as Father Leo, O. F. M.
Father Weis, the seventh pastor of
St. Boniface, was born in Bavaria, in
the town of Nuerbach, June 8, 1838,
the oldest of nine children, seven
boys and two girls. At the age of
thirteen the family came to America,
landing in New York. For the first
five years Mrchael was employed as
a farm hand near New York, when
the family moved to Teutopolis, where
he continued to follow the same oc-
cupation at the same time devoting
all his spare moments to useful study.
After a short time he was engaged
as teacher in the public school of Teu-
topolis and after one year he took a
similar position in St. Mary's Catholic
school of Edwardsville, remaining two
years. Believing himself called to the
sacred ministry, he entered St.
Page One Hundred and Forty-Five
Joseph's College of Teutopolis, where
he pursued his studies for three years
and later entered the Grand Seminary
turned after some time to become
chancellor of the diocese, which posi-
tion he held till January 1, 1880, when
of Montreal. He was ordained to the
priesthood at Alton, April 4, 1868, and
at once assigned to the parish of Van-
dalia, where he labored one year and
seven months. He was next trans-
ferred to Marine and a short time later
to Effingham, where he remained five
years and constructed the present
handsome parish church, St. Antho-
ny's. In 1877 ill health compelled him
to seek relief in California, but he re-
at his own request, he was sent to
Grant Fork, and afterwards to Litch-
field and Springfield, whence on No-
vember 10, 1887, he came to Qiiincy
as pastor of St. Boniface and Dean of
the district, which double position he
very creditably filled until his death,
which occured November 9, 1909. R.
I. P. (Extract from Diamond Jubilee
Souvenir of St. Boniface Congrega-
tion, 1912.)
f\S
Page One Hundred and Forty-Six
REV. EDWARD WELSH.
"O, may God grant that you may be
As noble and as good as he
As gentle and as brave".
A noble and talented young priest
was Rev. Edward Welsh. Alas! he
was called away all too soon. But
three years of priestly life and the
Master summoned him to Himself.
His career, though short, was exem-
plary and edifying. Of a sunny dispo-
sition, kind and forebearing, young
Father Welsh had a host of friends
and admirers. His confreres of the
clergy regarded their young colleague
highly. His earnestness, talents and
unfeigned piety, all combined to make
his career a promising one; hence his
premature loss was a doubly keen one.
Rev. E. Welsh was born at Litch-
field, 111., October 1, 1863, and was the
son of Lawrence Welsh and his wife
Catherine, nee McNamara. After his
preparatory studies he entered St.
Francis Seminary, Milwaukee, but be-
fore his course was half completed,
Bishop Baltes recognizing the quali-
ties of the unusually bright student,
sent him to the American College of
Rome. There, in the Eternal City, he
was elevated to the priesthood on
June 26. 1888. Returning to the United
States, young Father Welsh was as-
signed as assistant to the Cathedral
of Alton, where he worked with great
zeal. There he died on July 11, 1891.
His remains were forwarded to Litch-
field, where they were interred in the
parish cemetery on July 15.
May the soul of dear Father Welsh
rest in God's holy peace.
REV. RICHARD WELSH.
A native of Ireland, he was or-
dained t All Hallows on June 24,
1864. In 1870 he became the pastor of
St. Patrick's Decatur, where he per-
formed good services during the four
years of incumbency. He died there
in 1874. R. I. P.
REV. BLASIUS WINTERHALTER.
' 'It is easy to die
When one's work is done
To pass from the earth
Like a harvest day's sun,
After opening the flowers and ripening the
grain,
Round the homes and the scenes where our
Friends remain".
Calhoun County, yea the "Kingdom
of Calhoun," as the long, narrow fer-
tile strip of land is sometimes called,
which lies between the waters of two
of America's foremost rivers, viz:
the imperial and majestic Mississippi,
and beautiful Illinois, extends from
Pike county north down to the con-
fluence of these rivers at Grafton
above Alton south.
Here then in Calhoun county two
venerable, apostolic men have de-
ployed their physical and spiritual
energies for the benefit of their fellow-
men; they have left a lasting impress
not only upon their own parishes of
Brussels and Meppen, nay all Cal-
houn county felt the beneficial influ-
ences which emenated from the un-
selfish lives of these worthy disciples
of Christ, I refer to the Revs. Blasius
Page One Hundred and Forty-Seven
Winterhalter and Francis E. Without,
both of whom departed this life in
close succession a few years ago. Such
staunch, rugged and loyal men as
these, following quietly and cheerfully
in the footprints of their divine Lord
and Master, were building better than
they knew. And if ever a marble shaft
were to be erected as a monument
and token to the heroic deeds of any
of our Diocesan pioneer priests, I
would know of none worthier or more
deserving of such honor than these
two rugged men of Calhoun county,
Revs. Winterhalter and Without, the
former remaining 36 years uninter-
rupted at his post of duty and the
latter 38 years.
May these two grand old men who
forever will be looked up to as bright
and shining models of priestly sacri-
fices and self denials by their surviv-
ing confreres rest in God's holy peace.
Rev. Blasius Winterhalter, a native
of Baden, was born at St. Peter in
the Archdiocese of Freiburg on the
29th day of January, 1833. Having
made a splendid course of classical
studies in his native land, he emigra-
ted at the age of 20 years to America,
landing on our shores June 15th,
1853. Eleven years later, April 17th,
1864, he was elevated to the priest-
hood in the Cathedral church of Cin-
cinnati, Ohio, and was assigned at
once as assistant priest to SS. Peter
and Paul's church of Springfield. One
year our decedent stayed there. His
fidelity and prompt response to duty
together with an earnest effort to
comply with the manifold demands of
his sacred calling, soon gained him
the affection and unqualified confi-
dence of the people, and well was
(heir confidence placed, not only here,
but likewise in the other charges over
which he presided.
His was an adamantine character,
firm and deeply rooted in all his ac-
tions by power of conviction. He
was of that rugged honesty which
never fails to convince. It is but
natural then that he soon forged
ahead, became popular and beloved,
and soon attracted the attention of the
Ordinary upon his fruitful labors with
the results that Father Winterhalter
was transferred to Piopolis, "Belle
Prairie" as it was called in those days
and thence to Columbia. In these
two places he stayed about six years
after which he was appointed to St.
Mary's parish of Brussels, Calhoun
county.
In the latter part of the sixties.
Father Winterhalter made a trip to
the old country. Whilst there he was
successful in inducing a number of
Sisters of the Precious Blood to ac-
company him to his American home
in Belle Prairie in the Alton diocese
and be active as teachers in our paro-
chial schools. Of those who accom-
panied him across the sea were the
Sisters Albertine, (Superioress), Phil-
ippine, Benedicta, Mechtildis and Clo-
tilde, some of whom are still living
in retirement at the Mother House of
O'Fallon, Mo., and Ruma, 111. The
Sisterhood soon grew and expanded
as all Sisterhoods do. Piopolis soon
Page One Hundred and Forly-Eighl
had become too small and insignifi-
cant, hence a change of location was
desired and looked for. Ruma, with
its former Diocesan College, was the
place. Whilst some of the members
of this community settled down at
Ruma, others had crossed the river
into Missouri where they located at
O'Fallon, some 40 miles west of St.
Lotus. Both branches of this same
congregation seem to flourish. They
are doing well in Quincy at St. Mary's,
the only place they retain in the Dio-
cese. (These above mentioned Sis-
ters must not be confounded with
others of the same name who in more
recent years settled at Alton, 111.,
coming thither from Eastern Europe.)
Father Winterhalter's appointment
as pastor of St. Mary's of Brussels in
Calhoun county took place January 19,
1871. Here he rounded out a most ac-
tive life of rarest mold. He proved
himself a peerless man, leading others
with foresight and wisdom, with in-
vincible force of will power and the
strength of robust virtues. He and
his aged confrere, Without, may be
said ot have been two sturdy oaks,
planted and deeply rooted in Cal-
houn's fertile soil.
When he felt his strength waning
and infirmities increasing, he peti-
tioned the Bishop for permission to
resign and retire from active service.
His petition was granted ancr gootl
Father Winterhalter bid farewell to
his parishioners on February 18, 1907.
The whole parish was in mourning
and many a tear was shed over the
good pastor's leave taking. He re-
tired to St. Louis where on December
21, 1907 he died a peaceful death,
caused by his chronic malady, bron-
chitis. Solemn obsequies were held in
the Church of St. Mary of Perpetual
Help. Right Rev. Bishop Ryan pre-
siding over them.
Father Winterhalter attained the
biblical age. His remains were de-
posited in Calvary cemetery.
REV. FRANZ WITHOUT.
"Serve bone et fldelis,
Intra in gaudium Domini tui".
Rev. John Francis Eberhard With-
out, who at the time of Tils ueath was
the Nestor of the Diocesan clergy
(1864-1910), passed away at St. Mary's
hospital, Quincy, 111., on August 6,
1910, being then in his eightieth year
of life. He had lived with the good
Sisters in quiet, peaceful retirement
for upwards of eight years, relin-
quishing parochial work only when
necessitated by physical infirmities
superinduced by old age. Months prior
to his death he signally failed .from
day to day, his condition became such
that no hope for ultimate recovery
was any longer entertained. A para-
lytic stroke hastened the end.
For almost half a century Father
Without served his Master and the
Church, and thirty-eight years of
blessed ministrations were spent by
him as spiritual guide of St. Joseph's
congregation of Meppen, in Calhoun
county. Through all these years he
proved himself faithful and zealous in
the discharge of the duties of his
sacred calling. His long and useful
life was a beautiful exemplification of
priestly virtues, of holy zest and zeal
for God and the souls of men. Every
one liked him, by his humble, unob-
trusive manner he gained the esteem
and respect of all who came in con-
tact with him. Father Without was
a man of uncompromising principle;
he forgave all wrongs but demanded
and insisted on his rights from priest
or layman. Through his unrelaxed
efforts, aided by many personal sacri-
fices, the members of St. Joseph's
pride themselves of having one of the
best appointed country parishes of the
diocese, a substantial rock church
(1854) commodious rectory (1866)
and a flourishing parochial school
(1874), which was taught in former
years, 1865-74 by himself, then by lay
teachers, but more recently is in
charge of the Sisters of the Precious
Blood. Having been for so many
Page One Hundred and Forty-Nine
years practically isolated in peninsu-
lar Calhoun, and rarely come in
closer contact with the outer world
and its pulsating energies, good Father
Without looked upon modern insti-
Brussels, as deacon, and Rev. Joseph
Kopp, of Hardin, as sub-deacon, whilst
Rev. J. B. Wardein of Michaels who
later on succeeded J. B. Wand as pas-
tor of Meppen acted as master of
tutions, modern ideas and progress-
iveness rather askance and with sus-
picion, clinging to Msgr. Ollier's
maxim: "Nil innovetur nisi quod tra-
ditum," hence his whole line of
thought dwelt mainly upon his parish,
his dear Meppen. There he lies buried.
The solemn obsequies were had in his
beloved St. Joseph's church. Rev. J.
B. Wand, at that time pastor of the
parish, was celebrant of the Mass, as-
sisted by Rev. Dr. Hy. Becker of
ceremonies. TheG.erman sermon was
delivered by Rev. A. Zurbonsen, of
Quincy who had accompanied the
body and the English sermon by
Very Rev. Edw. Spalding of the Alton
Cathedral. Besides these there were in
attendance Revs. A. Schockaert, Graf-
ton; F. A. Marks, Jerseyville, and E.
D. Hickey, Kampsville.
Rev. Father Without was born at
Miste, a small town near raderborn
in Westphalia on July 24, 1831, and
was therefore aged 79 years, 6 months
and 12 days at the time of his death.
He was educated and prepared for
his holy calling in his native country,
landing here in October, 1863. Dur-
ing the following winter he completed
his studies and on April 17, 1864, was
ordained to the priesthood at St.
Mary's church, Springfield, III, by Rt.
Rev. H. D. Junker, D. D., first
Bishop of Alton. His first appoint-
ment was that of an assistant to Very
Rev. Herman Schaefermeyer, pastor
of St. Boniface church, Quincy, 111.
Page One Hundred and Fifty
Within less than a year our subject
was assigned as pastor of the young,
newly-founded parish of Meppen in
Calhoun county, where he labored so
persistently and successfully until
bodily infirmities and old age com-
pelled him to seek the quiet and peace-
ful asylum of St. Mary's hospital of
Quincy, 111.
REV. JOSEPH F. ZOEGEL.
"Pains and pleasures try the pilgrim
On his long and weary way".
After the transfer of Rev. Joseph
Kuenster from Teutopolis to Quincy,
in 1850, Bishop Van de Velde, of
Chicago, sent Rev. Joseph Zoegel to
be his successor. This priest had
lately arrived in the diocese from
Strassburg, Elsace. His appointment
to that parish was by no means an
enviable one, as strife, opposition and
dissensions had been of frequent oc-
currence and often embittered the
lives of the various pastors. With the
advent of Father Zoegel, things
seemed to take a different turn. In
his dealings with obstreperous char-
acters he remained firm and assertive
and succeeded in bringing many
around to espouse his viewpoint of
affairs ecclesiastical. Strongly he ad-
vocated the building of a large new
church, to which the people consen-
ted. In the selection of the site, how-
ever, serious contentions arose which
finally were adjusted by Bishop Van
de Velde. The cornerstone to this
(the present) church, was placed July
18, 1851 by the Chicago Bishop. Of
this ceremony, the Bishop's diary
contains the following account.
"The sixth Sunday after Pentecost
was a happy day for the Catholics of
Teutopolis. Early in the morning the
people began to arrive from the coun-
try. Bishop said Mass at 7 o'clock
and the procession was formed about
9; it was headed by the children of
the parish, these were followed t>y the
members of St. Peter's Society wear-
ing their badges, and the latter by
nearly the whole congregation, the
men preceding and the women follow-
ing the Bishop and his attendants.
The procession moved amid the dis-
charges of musktry from the old
church. The Bishop walked under a
canopy, vested in alb and cope, with
mitre, and crozier and was attended
by the Rev. Mr. Fisher, pastor of St.
Marie, in cope, Rev. J. Zoegel in
chasuble, and Rev. Father Busschots
in stole and surplice. The ceremonies
of laying the cornerstone were per-
formed with the usual solemnities,
during which the Bishop addressed the
people in English, after which Rev.
B'usschots delivered an appropriate
discourse in German on the text:
"Thou Art Peter." High Mass was
sung by Rev. Father Zoegel, at which
the Bishop assisted, attended by the
other two clergymen. All was joy and
happiness. At night the good people
of Teutopolis got up a torchlight pro-
cession and came to the priest's resi-
dence to thank the Bishop and his
attendants. Thus terminated the joy-
ful day which will long be remem-
bered by the members of the congre-
gation of Tetitopolis."
From Teutopolis Father Joseph F
Zoegel returned to Chicago in 1854.
In later years he joined the diocese
of Buffalo and became stationed in
1860 as pastor of Langford, N. Y.
R. I. P.
Page One Hundred and Fifly-Ont
REV. CHARLES T. ZUCKER.
On the 7th day of November, 1851,
Rev. Charles T. Zucker was ordained
to the priesthood by Bishop Oliver
Van de Velde, at St. Joseph's church,
Chicago. In 1857 he succeeded Rev.
Liermann as pastor of Teutopolis.
Conditions in that parish, however,
were not to his liking, wherefore,
after a few weeks stay he re-packed
his belongings and returned to Chi-
cago. On November 11, 1853 he was
appointed to SS. Peter and Paul's
congregation of Naperville. His stay
here was likewise of but short dura-
tion. Where and when Father Zucker
died, seems to be shrouded in mys-
tery, as years ago the late Father
Wenker, of 'Vaperviiie. about to com-
pile a history of the parish, made re-
peated futile attempts to learn par-
ticulars of his predecessor. R. 1. P
REV. CHALES ZWIESLER.
''How many souls dwell lonely and apart
Hiding from all but One above
The fragrance of their heart".
It is with keen sense of grateful
duty that among the biographical
sketches of our deceased priests we.
are permitted to say a few words in
recognition of the character and
merits of good Father Zwiesler. He
was practically the first diocesan
priest whom the writer had the good
fortune and privilege to meet, for
after his ordination, he was sent to
him to be introduced into the mys-
teries of the Bishops' dreaded Blue
Book ere being assigned to parish
work. Those four weeks spent in
Father Zwiesler's company have re-
mained indelibly imprinted on our
mind. He was a noble, beautiful
character, open and frank, affable and
pleasant, indulgent and forebearing.
Whatever tended to advance the cause
of his Cathedral parish, material and
spiritual, that at all hazzards he
sought to obtain. His administration
at Alton proved therefore highly
successful. Bishop Baltes placed im-
plicit confidence in the prudence,
sagacity, discreation and managerial
abilities of his Cathedral pastor, and
as results showed that trust and con-
fidence was well placed. Father
Zwiesler came to the Cathedral as
assistant pastor thereof the following
year, September, 1877. With undimin-
ished enthusiasm he remained its
pastor till April 19, 1888, to assume a
similiar position with the newly con-
secrated Bishop of Belleville. There
in that infant diocese the experienced
Cathedral pastor labored till Oct. 1,
1893, when ill health forced his retire-
ment to the rural parish of Fayette-
ville, which position he held till death,
May 4, 1889.
Father Charles Zwiesler was a
native of Dayton, Ohio, born August
2, 1853. He studied Classics and
Philosophy at St. Francis, Wis., The-
ology at Montreal and was raised to
the priesthood by Bishop Baltes at
the Alton Cathedral, June 29, 1876.
"He wore the white flower ot a spot-
less life." R. I. P.
Page One Hundred and t'ifty-Tu-o
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA
CLERICAL BEAD ROLL OF THE DIOCESE OF ALT
