History of Alabama and dictionary of Alabama biography, Volume II, Part 91

Author: Owen, Thomas McAdory, 1866-1920; Owen, Marie (Bankhead) Mrs. 1869-
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 724

USA > Alabama > History of Alabama and dictionary of Alabama biography, Volume II > Part 91

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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HISTORY OF ALABAMA

are the Merchants & Planters Bank (State), and the Roanoke Banking Co. (State). The Roanoke Leader, a Democratic weekly, es- tablished in September, 1892, is published there. Its industries are a cotton mill, a cot- tonseed oil mill, an acid plant, a guano fac- tory, a lumber mill, a gristmill, 3 cotton warehouses, marble works, a planing mill, an ice factory, and the public utilities men- tioned above.

It was settled in the early thirties and named High Pine because of its altitude and the pine forests surrounding it. In 1840 it was named Chulafinnee. A little later, it was re- named for the home of John Randolph "of Roanoke," the county being named in his honor. The first settlers were James and Hugh Hawthorne, James Scales, Wiley Mc- Clendon, and Joseph Baker. The village of "High Pine" was burned during the Creek Indian uprising in 1836.

REFERENCES .- Acts, 1900-1901, pp. 610-614; Brewer, Alabama (1872); Armes, Story of coal and iron in Alabama (1910), passim; Northern Alabama (1888), p. 155; Hodgson, Alabama manual (1869); Beauchamp "Chronicles of Barbour County," in Eufaula Times, circa, 1876; Alabama Official and Statistical Register, 1915.

ROANOKE NORMAL COLLEGE. A public school for the education of males and fe- males, located at Roanoke. "The establish- ment of the college was largely the result of the generosity and public enterprise of Col. W. A. Handly, united with an earnest desire on the part of the citizens of Roanoke and vicinity to have in their midst such an institution of learning as would afford to their children the highest educational advantages, convinced as they were that a community so famed for its intellectual and cultivated society, for its locality and environments, might be made one of the best institutions of the state." The first building was erected in 1874, and the school organized with Dr. J. P. Shaffer as president, and opened for the reception of students in 1875. By act of February 6, 1889, the school was chartered with W. A. Handly, G. W. Hill, Dr. W. E. White, H. M. Mickle, Thomas F. Pate, Samuel Faucett and D. Manley as a board of trustees. The school prospered and continued to grow until its destruction by fire in 1891. It was rebuilt by the generous towns folk under the leadership of Col. Handly in 1892, and now comprises part of the city school system of Roanoke. There are now two substantial brick buildings, located on a large campus. Formerly classical, literary and scientific courses were offered. The school now only maintains a high grade elementary course along with a high school department. There are good physical and chemical laboratories, and an excellent library.

Organizations .- Winnie Davis and the Ex- celsior Literary Societies.

Presidents .- J. P. Shaffer, 1875- ; George W. Stevens, 1889 -; R. M. Crawford, 1897- -; John T. Bowen, 1901-02; R. C. Little,

1903-04; J. L. Moulder, 1906-07; City board of education, 1901-12.

REFERENCES .- Catalogues, 1889-1912.

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. "The

Roman Catholic Church on the Alabama Gulf Coast dates from the coming of Iberville's colony in 1699. He was accompanied by Father Anastose Douay, who had once been an explorer with LaSalle. Catholic mission- aries were abroad in the Mississippi Valley prior to this date, and Biloxi had hardly been located when Father Antony Davion made his appearance. He and Father Douge min- istered to the spiritual wants of the colonists until 1704, and even after, but in this year came the induction, by Davion, of DeLa Vente as priest of a church formally set up at Fort Louis. This step was taken in con- sequence of the erection of Mobile into a canonical parish by the Bishop of Quebec. From this time on the church has a continu- ous history in Mobile. La Vente alternated with Alexander Huve, his assistant and until 1710, while the latter continued to about 1722. Father Joan Mattheu, of the Capuchin order, officiated at Mobile, 1721 to 1736; while Father Jean Francois and Father Fer- dinand, also Capuchins, as well as Jesuits, were here from 1836 to 1763. From time to time numbers of other names appear as off- ciating priests. The quaint manuscript rec- ords, showing births, deaths, marriages and baptisms, are preserved in the church archives at Mobile. Excellent summaries and details from these records are to be found in Peter J. Hamilton's Colonial Mobile (1897). After the occupation of Mobile by the Spanish in 1780 and the expulsion of the British, the church was called the Immaculate Concep- tion, a name it has since borne. After American occupation in 1812 for a number of years no substantial advance was made, and in 1825 when Bishop Portier entered upon his office the church in Mobile was the only one in Alabama and he was the only priest. The church building was burned in 1827.

"The early priests were zealous mission- aries, and with consecrated zeal they labored to bring the untutored child of the forest into the folds of the church. Father Davion, above mentioned, was first a missionary to the Tunicas. In 1709 churches were erected at Dauphin Island, and also ten miles ahove Mobile for a band of Apalache Indians, who had been earlier converted by Spanish mis- sionaries. Father Charles, a Carmelite, was a missionary among them in 1721. There were missions at Fort Toulouse and Fort Tombeche, and also at Chickasawhay. Father Michael Baudouin was for eighteen years among the Choctaws. These missions were largely abandoned after 1763 owing to Brit- ish occupation.

"Until 1722 the parish of Mobile was a part of the diocese of Quebec. In this year, with the sub-division of the Southern country for administrative purposes by Law's Com- pany, there was a parcelling out of assign-

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ment of the divisions to the different orders of the church. The Illinois country went to the Jesuits; New Orleans and west of the Mississippi, to the Capuchins; and the Mobile district, to the Barefoot Carmelites. In a very short time a change was made, and Mobile was given over to the Capuchins. During Spanish occupation Mobile was in the Diocese of Santiago de Cuba. Later the Northern part of the territory now embraced in the State was under the Archbishop of Baltimore; while the Southern was under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Louisiana and Florida. In 1825 the Vicarate Apostolic of Alabama and Florida was created and Rev. Michael Portier was appointed Bishop. He was consecrated Nov. 5, 1826. On May 15, 1839 the Diocese of Mobile was created embracing in its bounds West Florida and all of Alabama. Bishop Portier was con- tinued in his office, and served until his death in 1859." ( From Dr. T. M. Owen, Alabama, Catholic Encyclopedia.)

Rev. Father Abell, of Kentucky, before 1827, visited the scattered Catholic families at Florence, Huntsville and Tuscumbia. Father Constantine Maenhaut who was pastor at Mobile from 1823-26, and Father Ganilh, also stationed at Mobile, returned to the vicar- ate of New Orleans, to which they belonged, upon the arrival of Bishop Portier. The church in Mobile at this date was known as Notre Dame de Mobile and had the only congregation in the state while the Bishop was the only clergyman. The church build- ing was only 20 feet wide by 50 feet deep and it was in this modest building that the Bishop was enthroned. Nearby stood a two roomed frame house, the residence of the Bishop. Missionary work was undertaken by Bishop Portier who rode on horseback to Pensacola, Tallahassee, and St. Augustine. In 1829 Bishop Portier made a visit to Europe, returning with two priests, four subdeacons and two clerics. The following year, 1830, Father Loras and Father Gabriel Chalon, the latter the nephew of the Bishop, were sent out as missionaries. They visited Mont- gomery, Tuscaloosa, Huntsville, Washington and several other towns, gathering the Cath- olic families together and holding mass. The same year Father Bazin, a native of Lyons, France, came as a missionary to Mobile, and in this year the first Catholic educational institution for boys in the state, Spring Hill College, was opened under the care of Father Bazin and Father Loras. The opening of this college was soon followed by the opening of a convent and monastery by the Visitation Nuns, who came to Mobile at the request of the Bishop in 1832. During this period the growth of the church was slow. The few that came into the state were from Europe and often their stay was brief. By 1833 the Catholics in Montgomery who had before this time been dependent upon a missionary from Mobile, determined to build a church. A small frame building was erected on the site of the present St. Peters', and on April 25, 1834, was dedicated. The first pastor was Father Chalon.

On January 19, 1835, Bishop Portier as- sembled his clergy in a diocesan synod at Spring Hill at which the decrees of the two Councils of Baltimore and the Manual of Ceremonies were accepted and promulgated. Rules and regulations were made in regard to the administration of baptism, keeping of records of marriages, baptisms, and burials, the hearing of confession, etc., and a hishop's council to consist of the vicar-general and two priests was decided upon.

The first orphan asylum for girls and boys respectively, was opened in Mobile in 1842, by the Daughters of Charity of St. Vin- cent de Paul, who arrived in Mobile from Emmitsburg, Md., on December 16, 1841. On April 1, 1846, the Sisters of Charity were withdrawn from all male asylums by order of the mother superior. Five Brothers of the Sacred Heart came to Mobile from France in 1847, and took over the care of the orphan boys.

Missions and retreats were held in 1842 throughout the diocese in celebration of the jubilee granted by the Pope.

On January 23, 1845, at Tuscaloosa, then the capital of the state, a brick church was dedicated, and on August 23, of the same year, a brick church at the Visitation acad- emy, Summerfield, was also dedicated. Four fathers and a lay brother from the Society of Jesus, in the province of Lyons, arrived in Mobile in January, 1847, and took pos- session of Spring Hill College, which under their direction advanced rapidly.

Bishop Portier assisted by Rt. Rev. Drs. Rosati, Purcell, and Blanc, blessed the first stone of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on January 29, 1836, but it was not dedicated until December, 1850. It is one hundred and two feet in front by one hundred and sixty-two in depth, and cost more than $80,000. Rt. Rev. Ignatius A. Reynolds, Bishop of Charleston, officiated at the cere- mony. A pontifical high mass was offered by Bishop Portier after the dedication. Bishop Spalding, of Louisville, Archbishop Purcell, of Cincinnati, Archbishop Blanc of New Orleans, and Rt. Rev. De Lamy, vice-apostolic of New Mexico were also present.

About this time, mainly through the efforts of Very Rev. James McGarahan, the Provi- dence infirmary was built. It was placed in charge of the Sisters of Charity, and in this infirmary Bishops Portier, Mauncy, and O'Sul- livan breathed their last.

The First Provincial council was held in New Orleans in 1856. Bishop Portier deliv- ered the opening address. In 1858 the German Catholics in Mobile began the erec- tion of a church for their own use.

Upon the death of Bishop Portier, May 14, 1859, Archbishop Blanc, of New Orleans, assumed the administration of the diocese until the appointment of Rt. Rev. John Quin- lan who was consecrated on December 4, 1859, in St. Louis.

Bishop Quinlan after looking into the con- dition of his bishopric went to Europe and upon his return brought with him a number of pious young men who entered religious

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institutions as

candidates for priesthood.

Among these were Monsignor Dennis Savage, of Montgomery, and Very Rev. C. T. O'Calla- ghan, D. D., V. G., pastor of St. Vincent's Mobile, both faithful laborers for many years in this diocese. At this time there were 12 churches, 14 schools, and 8 secular priests and the Catholics numbered about 8,000.

The War of Secession crippled the activi- ties of the church to a great extent. Two military companies were formed at Spring Hill college and many of the Jesuits accom- panied the troops as chaplains. In Novem- ber, 1861, Bishop Quinlan convened a synod of his diocese at Spring Hill college and the Church of St. Joseph, which was attended by 12 priests. Six priests were prevented by canonical reasons from attending. Eight statutes bearing almost entirely on the ad- ministration of the sacraments were promul- gated.

In 1869, Spring Hill College and church were destroyed by fire. The cornerstone of the new college was laid April 25, of that year and in a short while the college was re- opened.

Ruined churches throughout the diocese were repaired, and the portico of the Mobile Cathedral was built. Churches were estab- lished at Huntsville, Decatur, Tuscumbia, Florence, Cullman, Birmingham; Whistler, and Toulminville, while St. Patrick's and St. Mary's, Mobile, were founded.

Upon the death of Bishop Quinlan, March 9, 1883, in Mobile, Bishop Dominic Manucy of the Diocese of Texas, was appointed to succeed him. He was transferred to the Diocese of Mobile, March 9, 1884, but on ac- count of ill health was forced to resign, dying on December 4, 1885. On September 20, 1885, in Baltimore, Rt. Rev. Jeremiah O'Sullivan, was consecrated bishop of the Diocese of Mobile, by Cardinal Gibbons.

During this period the financial status of the diocese was restored. Churches, chapels, and schools were established in many places and the towers of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception were built.

Bishop O'Sullivan died August 10, 1896, and on May 16, 1897, in Baltimore, Rt. Rev. Edward Patrick Allen was consecrated bishop of the Diocese of Mobile.

Increased interest has been shown in work among the negroes since 1897. The Jose- phite Fathers are doing a splendid work among these people. In 1901, just out of Montgomery, St. Joseph's college for negro catechists was established. A convent of the Blessed Sacrament and St. John the Baptist's church have also been erected in Montgom- ery. Josephite Fathers are also at Bir- mingham and Mobile and have numerous mission stations throughout the state. A col- ored fraternal organization was instituted in Mobile, in 1909.

There are now 128 priests in the diocese and 109 churches. Hospitals, schools, or- phanages, missions and churches have been established and erected and much property acquired during recent years.

The diocese has given to the church two

well known religious figures, Rt. Rev. An- thony D. Pellecier, first bishop of San Antonio, and Rt. Rev. John W. Shaw, pres- ent coadjutor of San Antonio, both being na- tives of this diocese, both pastors of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, and both consecrated in the Cathedral.

Religious Orders, Men .- Religious .com- munities of men are scattered throughout the state. The Benedictine Fathers are in charge of St. Bernard's College, Cullman, and have their abbey at that place, while they are also stationed at Brookside, Elberta, Flor- ence, Sheffield, St. Florian and Tuscumbia. The Jesuit Fathers are at Mobile, Selma, and are in charge of Spring Hill College. The Josephite Fathers are in Mobile, Birmingham, Chastang, Fish River, Mon Louis, and are in charge of St. Joseph's College for negro catechists, Montgomery. The Vincentian Fathers are found only at their abbey near Opelika. The Brothers of the Sacred Heart are in charge of St. Mary's industrial school and orphanage, Mobile, and St. Vincent's school, Birmingham.

Religious Orders, Women .- There are 12 Catholic religious orders of women in Ala- bama. The Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul have charge of the four hospitals, Providence infirmary and the City hospital, Mobile, St. Vincent's hospital, Birmingham, St. Margaret's hospital, Mont- gomery; one maternity hospital, Alabama ma- ternity hospital and infants' home, Mobile; and two orphan asylums, St. Mary's female orphan asylum, Mobile, and St. Edward's or- phan asylum, Birmingham. The Visitation Nuns have a convent and academy in Mobile. The Sisters of St. Joseph are in charge of St. Patrick's academy, Mobile. The Sisters of Mercy are in charge of the Convent and Novitiate of the Sisters of Mercy, Mobile, St. Mary's academy, Huntsville, and the Convent and academy of the Sisters of Mercy, Selma. The Little Sisters of the Poor are found in this diocese only in Mobile where they have a house. The Sisters of the Holy Ghost and Mary Immaculate have a Convent in Mobile. The Sisters of St. Benedict are in charge of Holy Angel's academy, Birmingham, and Sacred Heart academy and Mary Help novi- tiate, Cullman. The Sisters of Perpetual Adoration have at West End, Birmingham, the Convent of the Blessed Sacrament. In the Gadsden general hospital there are four sisters of Divine Providence. The Sisters of Loretto are in charge of St. Mary of Loretto academy, Montgomery, while the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament are in charge of the Convent of the Blessed Sacrament, at that place.

St. Mary of Loretto Academy .- A Catholic boarding school and day school for girls and young women, located in Montgomery. It was established in 1872 by a band of Sisters of Loretto from the mother house at Loretto, Marvin County, Ky. Primary, preparatory and academic courses are offered. The Cen- vent is housed in beautiful buildings on a high elevation. In 1919 this institution had 17 Sisters of Loretto and approximately 160

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students. Sister M. de Chantal is the su- perioress. A number of the Sisters of Loretto at St. Mary's academy also teach in St. Peter's parochial school for boys. The origi- nal boys' school house was in the church yard but in 1897 a large residence was pur- chased to be used for this purpose. In 1919 approximately 113 boys attended this school.

Visitation, Convent and Academy of .- A Catholic school for the education of girls and young women located at Mobile. On November 27, 1832, under the direction of Mother Mary Augustine D'Arreger, the first colony of Nuns from the Georgetown, D. C., Visitation Convent was sent out to Mobile. They arrived on December 31, 1832, and were housed in a country home until a build- ing could be erected. On March 24, 1840, the school was destroyed by a tornado, but was soon rebuilt. By act of March 1, 1848, it was incorporated under the name of "Sis- ters of Visitation." On May 8, 1854, the school was destroyed by fire but was again ready for use. The cornerstone of the chapel was laid in 1894 and the following year it was dedicated by the Rt. Rev. Bishop O'Sulli- van. The academy was rebuilt in 1885 and enlarged in 1902. Elementary, preparatory and classical courses are offered. In 1919 this institution had 42 Visitation Nuns, 5 novices and 61 students.

Spring Hill College .- A school of higher learning, at Spring Hill, founded by the Rt. Rev. Michael Portier, D. D., in 1830; in- corporated by act of the legislature January 9, 1836; and on August 20, 1840, em- powered by Pope Gregory XVI to grant degrees in philosophy and theology. Since 1847 it has been under the management of the Society of Jesus. It was burned to the ground February 4, 1869, but was immedi- ately rebuilt and reopened in December of that year. The seventy-fifth anniversary of the founding of the college, or the diamond jubilee was celebrated in 1905. On January 18, 1909, the chapel, auditorium, and the east end of the main building were destroyed by fire. A magnificent Gothic chapel was erected in the place of the destroyed one and the east wing was restored. For ninety years the college has never closed its doors although visited by devastating fires and suf- fering from the results of the War of Secession.

High school and college courses are offered. The high school offers a classical, scientific, and commercial course. The college is en- dowed with all the rights and privileges of a university and can grant both honorary and in course degrees. The college offers three courses: the classical, scientific, and commer- cial. The degree of Master of Arts or Master of Science are awarded after an additional year of philosophy, literature, or science, two years' study of a learned profession, or recognized standing in such a profession. A pre-medical course of two years is open to students who have completed high school.

A senior unit of Reserve Officers' Training Corps, under the direction of resident officers appointed by the War department has been

established by the government at Spring Hill.

In 1919 the student body numbered ap- proximately 324 while the faculty numbered 29.

Board of Trustees :-

Rev. Joseph C. Kearns, S. J., president.

Rev. John W. Hynes, S. J., vice-president.

Rev. Joseph W. Walsh, S. J., secretary.

Rev. Michael F. Cronin, S. J., treasurer.

Rev. Cyril Ruhlmann, S. J.

Presidents :- 1829-1919

Rev. Matthias Loras. .1829-32

Rev. John S. Bazin. . 1832-36

Rev. Peter Mauvernay 1836-39

Rev. John S. Bazin. . . 1839-40

Rev. D. Bach, S. P. M 1840-42

Rev. C. Rampon. 1842-44

Rev. J. P. Bellier 1844-45

Rev. A. Desgaultieres .1845-46

Rev. Francis Gautrelet, S. J. 1847-59

Rev. Antony Jourdant, S. J. 1859-62

Rev. Francis Gautrelet, S. J. . 1862-65

Rev. Aloysius Curioz, S. J. . .1865-68

Rev. John Montillot, S. J. 1868-75

Rev. Dominic Beaudequin, S. J. . 1875-80

Rev. John Downey, S. J. .1880-83

Rev. David McKiniry, S. J. 1883-87

Rev. James Lonergan, S. J. . 1887-96

Rev. Michael Moynihan, S. J. .1896-99

Rev. William Tyrrell, S. J. .1899-1907

Rev. F. X. Twellmeyer, S. J. . 1907-13

Rev. E. A. Cummings, S. J . 1913-19

Rev. J. C. Kearns, S. J. . .1919-

Saint Bernard College .- A school of higher learning founded by the Rt. Rev. Abbot Bene- dict Menges, O. S. B., in 1892, and chartered February 4, 1893, by an act of the Alabama legislature, under the name of "The Bene- dictine Society of Alabama," with the fol- lowing officers: Most Rev. Benedict Menges, president, Rev. F. Sevenie Laufenberg, treas- urer, and Rev. Theodore Osterrieder, secre- tary. The first trustees were: Rev. F. Urban Tracy, of Huntsville, Rev. Dennis Statty, of Tuscumbia, Rev. Fridalin Mayer, of St. Florian, Rev. Gambelbert Brunner, of Cull- man, Rev. Mariauns Beirel, of Decatur, and Most Rev. F. Benedict Menges, of Cullman.

The following courses are maintained: preparatory, academic, college, commercial, and a school of the sacred sciences.

Statistics: In 1919 there were 29 mem- bers of the faculty and 211 students.

Trustees .- Rt. Rev. Bernard Menges, O. S. B., Abbot, President; Rev. Boniface Seng, O. S. B., Vice-President; Rev. Charles Fries, O. S. B., Secretary and Treasurer; Very Rev. Severin Laufenberg, O. S. B .; Rev. Ignatius Mayer, O. S. B .; Rev. Benedict Oberdoerfer, O. S. B .; Rev. Edmund Ferstl, O. S. B .; Rev. Aloysius Menges, O. S. B .; Rev. Bede Knapke, O. S. B.

Officers .- Rt. Rev. Bernard Menges, O. S. B., Abbot, President; Rev. Boniface Seng, O. S. B., Vice-President and Director; Rev. Patrick O'Neill, O. S. B., Chaplain; Rev. Aloysius Menges, O. S. B., Prefect of Studies; Rev. Bede Knapke, O. S. B., Prefect of Dis- cipline; Rev. Jerome Lawrence, O. S. B., Prefect of St. John's Hall; Rev. Bonaventure

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HISTORY OF ALABAMA

Winklmann, O. S. B., Prefect of St. Aloysius' Hall; Rev. Andrew Capesius, O. S. B., Pre- fect of St. Mary's Hall; Fr. Benno Elwanger, O. S. B., Fr. Gilbert O'Neill, O. S. B., As- sistant Prefects.

Officers of the Ecclesiastical Department .- Rt. Rev. Bernard Menges, O. S. B .; Abbot, President; Rev. Edmund Ferstl, O. S. B., Director; Rev. Fidelis Meierl, O. S. B., As- sistant Prefect.

McGill Institute .- A free Catholic high school for boys, incorporated by an act of the legislature, December 9, 1896. The in- corporators were Rt. Rev. Jeremiah O'Sulli- van, Rt. Rev. Benedict Menges, president of St. Bernards college, Cullman, Rev. C. T. O'Callahan, pastor of the church of St. Vin- cent de Paul, Mobile, Rev. Michael Mayni- han, S. J., president of Spring Hill college, Rev. John W. Shaw, first assistant of the Cathedral, Felix McGill, John L. Rapier, Eu- gene P. Brown and George J. Sullivan. It was the intention of Arthur McGill, of Mobile, to found this institution, therefore after his death his brother, Felix McGill, furnished the site, erected the necessary buildings and provided the funds. The courses offered are literary, commercial, industrial and technical, and are supplemental to the educational facilities afforded by the Catholic parochial schools of the Mobile diocese. On account of an epidemic of yellow fever the opening was postponed from October to December, 1896. The first president was Rev. J. Daly.

In 1918 the Rev. William A. Kerrigan was rector, and Joseph Washichek, Bernard J. Eckenrode and Robert Waters were the professors. The pupils numbered approxi- mately one hundred.

Diocese of Mobile .- Officers:

Bishop-Right Rev. Edward P. Allen, D. D., Mobile.

Vicar-General-Very Rev. D. A. Brady, Mobile.

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History of Alabama and dictionary of Alabama biography, Volume II, Part 91

Author: Owen, Thomas McAdory, 1866-1920; Owen, Marie (Bankhead) Mrs. 1869- Publication date: 1921 Publisher: Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company Number of Pages: 724

Author: Owen, Thomas McAdory, 1866-1920; Owen, Marie (Bankhead) Mrs. 1869-
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 724