USA > Indiana > St Joseph County > A history of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Volume 1 > Part 93
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FATHER JOSEPH SCHERER, C. S. C., pastor of St. Mary's church in South Bend, was born in Zunsweir, Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany, July 15, 1850. When but five years of age he came with his parents to the United States, the family first locating in Pennsyl- vania, but in 1866 moved to Portsmouth, Ohio, and in June, 1873, the son Joseph came to Notre Dame to pursue his studies. His work therein was pursued thoroughly and diligently, and on the 21st of June, 1875, he entered the novitiate, but just one year later, on the 23d of June, 1876, he became a pro- fessor of the college. In 1880, by Rt. Rev. Dwenger. Father Scherer was ordained to the ministry, and from that time until 1887 served as president of St. Isidor's College at New Orleans. In that year he was made pastor of the Sacred Heart church, New Or- leans, Louisiana, and in 1890 was called to St. Mary's Academy as its chaplain. In 1897 Father Scherer was transferred to Notre Dame as assistant superior of the community house and pastor of the congregation, but in the following year he was sent to Cincinnati, Ohio, as president of St. Joseph College. Re- turning again to Notre Dame in 1904, Father Scherer was appointed superior of the com- munity house, and upon the death of Rev. Father Johannes, C. S. C., was appointed his suecessor at St. Mary's church, where he has since been active in the continuance of the work to which he dedicated his life when in the prime of his early manhood. His influ- ence has been far-reaching and beneficial, his power in his holy office having been exerted in a spirit of deepest human sympathy and tender solicitude and his efforts have been abundantly blessed.
REV. A. M. JUST, C. S. C., pastor of the Sacred Heart church of South Bend, was born in Harlange, Grand Duchy of Luxem- berg, May 27, 1880. His elementary eduea- tion was received in the Atheneum of Luxem- berg, but when fifteen years of age, in 1895, he went to Paris, France, and studied in the University of Angers. In 1902 he began his travels over the eastern country, visiting Rome, Bengal, where he remained for two years, and other points in Asia. On aecount of ill health he then came to America, where
he entered the Washington Catholic Universi- ty, and was ordained priest on the 2d of Angust, 1906. On the 6th of October, 1906, Father Just was appointed the successor of Rev. P. P. Klein as pastor of the Sacred Heart church of South Bend, where he min- isters to a congregation of one hundred and five families.
REV. A. ZUBOWICZ, C. S. C. For many years Rev. Zubowiez has been one of the most efficient laborers in the cause of Christianity, and, a strong and forcible speaker, earnest and eloquent in the presentation of the truth, his efforts have been abundantly blessed. He was born in Poland March 4, 1860, and in his native country received an excellent academic and classical education. After coming to America in 1882 he still continued his search for knowledge by his matriculation in Notre Dame University, where he was subsequently graduated. For a time thereafter he was as- sistant pastor at St. Hedwig's and had charge of the schools for twelve years. He was in- strumental in the building of the St. Casimir church and school, but subsequently left that charge and assumed the directorship of the St. Hedwig's school, where he remained until 1902. In that year he was called baek to his former charge at St. Casimir, where he has ever since been the loved pastor. He organ- ized the parish and all the societies connected with the church, and was also special mis- sionary to the Tarakopa congregation at Roll- ing Prairie, Indiana. Rev. Zubowicz has been an indefatigable worker in the interests of his people, and in addition to the building up of his own charge he was also instrumental in the organization of the St. Casimir parish in South Bend, which under his able ministra- tions has increased from a population of two hundred and eighty families to five hundred and twenty-five families. He is a member of the C. S. C. order. He is thoroughly earnest and sineere in all his thoughts, words and deeds, and his noble, manly life has proved an inspiration to many of his associates.
REV. SAMUEL BECK. During many years Rev. Beck has been an efficient laborer in the cause of Christianity in northern Indiana in the Methodist Episcopal church, and has the honor of having served in its conference more years than any minister now living in the county. His birth occurred in Wayne county, Indiana, November 3. 1832, a son of William Beck, who was born in Darke county, Ohio, in 1809. His father was Samuel Beck, a na-
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tive of the Old Dominion state of Virginia and of German descent, and in a very early day he removed with his family to Wayne county, Indiana, becoming a resident of the commonwealth ere its admittance to state- hood. His son William was but a lad at the time of the removal of the family to Wayne county, receiving his education in its primi- tive pioneer schools, and in later life became a prosperous and well known farmer. In 1849 he removed to Putnam county, Indiana, where he devoted the remainder of his life to agricultural pursuits and died at the age of sixty-four years. Mr. Beck married Cath- erine Nethercutt, a native of Virginia and the daughter of Moses and Christena Nethercutt. who in a very early day moved from the Old Dominion on horseback to Ohio, carrying their little daughter in their laps. Later they con- tinued the journey to Wayne county, Indiana, where Mrs. Beck grew to years of maturity, and subsequently the family moved to Put- nam county. There, on November 26, 1858, and at the age of forty-five years, she died. The Nethercutt family was of German and English descent. Mr. and Mrs. Beck became the parents of nine children, but only three are now living, namely : M. M., who served as captain of the Eighteenth Indiana Battery during the Civil war, and is now editor of the Holton County Recorder and Tribune at Hol- ton, Kansas; Samuel, whose name introduces this review, and David D., who is now serving as postmaster at Scott, Kansas. He was also a member of the Eighteenth Indiana Battery during the Civil war.
The boyhood days of Rev. Samuel Beck were spent on a farm in Wayne county, In- diana, where he attended its common schools during the fall and winter seasons, and when sixteen years of age went to Putnam county, this state, with his parents, but previous to this time he had taught one term of school in Wayne county. During the winter of 1849- 50 he taught in the schools of Putnam county. continuing the dual occupation of teaching and farming for twelve years. From his youth Rev. Beck possesed a deeply religious nature, and as he grew older the meaning and responsibilities of life wore a yet graver aspect for him, finally leading him into the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church in 1858, while in 1864 he entered the North- west Indiana Conference, his first appoint- ment being at Covington, Indiana. During his subsequent years in the ministry he was
stationed at Attica, Crawfordsville, Green Castle, Florenton, Terre Haute and Brazil, and at this time was made a presiding elder of the Frankfort district, thus continuing for four years. During the following three years he was stationed at Asbury, Terre Haute, after which he served six years in the La Porte district. residing at South Bend. In- diana. Subsequently for a similar period he served as the presiding elder of the Valparaiso district, closing his term of service there in 1902, and was then appointed corresponding secretary of the Preachers' Aid Society, while in addition and by request of the Quarterly Conference he is serving as associate pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal church of South Bend. He has for a number of years been permanently located in this city, where he owns his own pleasant residence and other property, including four houses which he rents.
On November 18, 1854, Rev. Beck was united in marriage to Elizabeth Adair, of Put- nam county, Indiana, and they were the par- ents of four children, three of whom are now living : Emma, the wife of Rev. J. W. Walker, D. D., presiding elder of the Green Castle district; James Watson, M. D., a practicing physician of Des Moines, Iowa; Lillian, the deceased wife of Daniel Rich, a member of the firm of Rich & Rich, prominent attorneys of South Bend; and Bertha E., the wife of Horace Zimmerman, circulating manager for the South Bend Times. The mother of these children died in Green Castle, Indiana, in 1875, and in 1876 Rev. Beck married Harriet N. Dunlap, of Perrysville, Indiana, and their only child, Hubert, died at the age of two years. During his work in the ministry Rev. Beck has filled many pastorates, for many years labored as a presiding elder, and has served more years in the Methodist confer- ence than anyone now living in the county. A strong and forcible speaker, earnest in the presentation of the truth, his efforts have been abundantly blessed, and although he has practically retired from the active ministry, he yet earnestly continues the work to which he devoted his life when in the prime of his early manhood.
REV. FATHER CHARLES L. STUER, pastor of St. Bavo's Catholic church, Mishawaka, was born at St. Gilles, East Flanders, Belgium, on the 11th of September, 1876. He was reared and educated in his fatherland, pur- suing a course of six years at St. Anthony
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College, Renaix, Belgium. after which he en- tered the College of Philosophy at St. Nich- olas, a town situated a few miles southwest of Antwerp. He remained at that institution for about two years, after which he attended the seminary at Ghent, Belgium, until June 10, 1900, upon which date he was ordained priest of the diocese of Ghent. Following his first mass he became preceptor in a noble Belgian family, and at a still later date pro- fessor of French, Flemish and Commerce in St. Joseph Institute, at St. Nicholas. While he was thus engaged he received a visit from Bishop Theophile Meerschaert, of Guthrie, Oklahoma, who was so attracted to the per- sonality of the priest that he urged him to come to the United States, but his own bishop prevailed on him to remain another year in Belgium. during which time he held the po- sition of assistant at Wieze. During this year Father Oechtering of Mishawka inter- ceded through Father Stuer's bishop at home in Belgium, for a priest to be sent here, and Father Stuer was thus prevailed on to come to Mishawaka instead of Oklahoma. His la- bors here have been such as to receive only words of praise from all denominations.
FATHER ROMAN MARCINIAK, C. S. C. One of the well known and most generally loved Polish citizens of South Bend is Father Ro- man Marciniak, pastor of St. Stanislaus church. He was born in the city of New York January 17, 1873, and was but a small boy when he came to South Bend, receiving his elementary education in the parochial school of St. Hedwig, after which he entered Notre Dame University and later the Wash- ington Catholic University, remaining in the last named institution for two years. He was ordained at Notre Dame on the 12th of Sep- tember, 1897. and was made assistant pastor at St. Hedwig's for one year, while during the following two years he served in the same ca- pacity at the Holy Trinity Polish church in Chicago, Illinois. At the end of that time he was made pastor of St. Stanislaus church, entering upon his duties in this charge in 1900. His parish consists of three hundred and sixty families, with a fine brick church and residence, while in 1903 he was instru- mental in the erection of a school house in connection with the church. Father Mar- ciniak is an efficient laborer in the cause of Christianity, and is proving a light to guide many to the better way.
REV. JOHN F. DE GROOTE, C. S. C. It is of distinct value to the thoughtful reader to be able to sean the life history of one who not only has progressed through the unaided force of his own personality, but has achieved suc- cess according to a wisely matured plan in which the details seem to have been nicely calculated, each with reference to the other. As a noteworthy example of this rare and strong type of manhood is presented the hon- ored subject named above.
The Rev. John Francis De Groote, pastor of St. Patrick's church of South Bend, is one of the most esteemed and able pastors the city has ever had. In seeking for the causes which have contributed to his success, they may be summed up by saying: The dignity of a moral leader, the literary ability of a teacher and the eloquence of an orator-a combination of qualities which are bound to produce highest results. It is no very rare thing for a poor boy in our country to be- come a prosperous man or occupy a com- manding position in the world, but many who fought their way from poverty to wealth, from obscurity to prominence, retain some scars and marks of the conflict. They are apt to be narrow and grasping, even if not sordid and unscrupulous. Father De Groote, however, is an instance of a man who has achieved success without paying the price at which it is so often bought, for his prom- inence has not removed him farther from his fellow men, but has brought him into closer and more intimate relations with them; the more success he has had, the more he has done for those around him, for his congregation and city, and he is now numbered among its most prominent citizens. He is a native of Indiana, born in Mishawaka August 27, 1866, a son of Benjamin De Groote, a native of Belgium, and Catherine Woods, who was a native of Ireland. His father immigrated to America and became a prosperous farmer of St. Joseph county. Until he was fourteen years of age Father De Groote lived at Mish- awaka and attended the parochial schools of his native city. In 1881 he entered Notre Dame University and worked his way through the preparatory courses, afterwards taking a classical course, with a view of preparing for the priesthood. He graduated from that famous institution with high honors in 1887. He later went to Austin, Texas, as prefect of discipline at St. Edward's College, where he remained one year, when he was called
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to New Orleans, Louisiana. as prefeet of discipline at the Holy Cross College in the Crescent City. Here he remained four years. Father De Groote was ordained to the priest- hood in 1893 at Notre Dame, by Bishop Rade- macher, of Ft. Wayne. While in New Or- leans he was assistant pastor of the Sacred Heart church. In March. 1899, Father De Groote was called to South Bend as pastor of St. Patrick's church, to succeed the late Father Clark. Under his careful and intelli- gent pastorate the church has advanced in usefulness, and Father De Groote has given to his charge his earnest thoughts and un- selfish labor. Each day witnesses the com- pletion, as far as lies in his power. of the tasks assigned him. He does all things well and in perfect order, realizing that a power higher than his measures the extent of his work. He is a man of rare mental graces. a deep thinker, and forcible speaker, whose sil- very, poetic eloquence voices eternal truths and points the way to practical, useful citi- zenship. Father De Groote is loved by all who know him, regardless of church ties.
REV. TRAUGOTT THIEME. For many years an effective laborer in the cause of Christian- ity, Rev. Traugott Thieme has spent eighteen and a half years of his life as the loved pas- tor of the St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran church of South Bend. He was born in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, October 27. 1857, a son of J. G. and Sophia (Bleeke) Thieme. the for- mer a native of Saxony, Germany. and the latter of Prussia. In about 1847 the father left his native land for the United States, lo- cating in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, where he was engaged in the clothing business for fifty years, and his death occured when he had reached the seventy-eighth milestone on the journey of life. The mother was but thirteen years of age when she left her German home, and she is yet living, having attained the ripe old age of seventy-seven years. In their family were seven children. two sons and five daughters. all of whom grew to years of ma- turity.
Rev. Traugott Thieme. the eldest son and fourth child in order of birth, spent the early years of his life in his native city of Ft. Wayne, and for six years he was a student in the Concordia College of that city, pur- suing the study of languages. In 1877 he matriculated in a college in St. Louis, Mis- souri. in which he was graduated in 1880, and immediately thereafter he took up his abode
at Tuscumbia, Colbert county, Alabama, where he remained for two years and four months, returning thence to Columbia City, Whitley county, Indiana. For six years he there labored as a minister of the gospel, and at the close of the period. in 1889, came to South Bend and has since been the loved pastor of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran church. A strong and forcible speaker. ear- nest and eloquent in the presentation of the truth. his efforts have been abundantly blessed, for during his pastorate the church membership has doubled in numbers, the church now containing five hundred and thir- ty members. In connection with the church is a school, where all branches are taught as well as the Bible, and the pupils from this institution can enter the eighth grade of the public schools. The school is under the super- vision of two competent teachers, and the teaching is performed in German and Eng- lish, but mostly English.
In 1881 Rev. Thieme was united in mar- riage to Anna Roemer, who was born and reared in St. Louis, Missouri, the daughter of J. C. D. Roemer, a prominent merchant of that city. Six children have blessed this union : Rev. Traugott Thieme, Jr., a minister in the German Lutheran church of Saskatoon, Canada, and he is also a missionary ; Anna, the wife of Oscar Roeder, of Bremen, In- diana; and Hattie, Beata and Martin. One little son, Otto, died at the age of four years. Rev. Thieme is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio and other states, and in its central district he is the visitator of its congregation and pastors.
REV. PETER LAUTH. C. S. C., pastor of the St. Joseph church of South Bend. was born at the bend of the Mosel river in Luxemburg, Germany, May 24, 1834. but just twenty years later, in 1854, he bade adieu to his boy- hood's home and friends and came to the United States, landing in New York city on the 9th of May following. For a few years thereafter he was a resident of Illinois, and in 1859-60 was a student in St. Mary's Col- lege of Chicago, while on the 7th of Septem- ber, 1861, he came to Notre Dame. On the 7th of March. 1869, he was ordained to the priesthood. and for a time thereafter served as assistant priest to Father P. P. Cooney. of St. Patrick's church in South Bend, going thence to the St. Joseph church, where he served as its pastor from 1872 until 1876. During the following year he served as presi-
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dent of the St. Joseph College of Cincinnati, during the following three years was engaged in missionary work with his former pastor, Father Cooney, and from 1887 to 1881 was the pastor of St. Patrick's church of Sonth Bend. Going thence to California, Rev. Lauth then spent one year among the Indians there, from whence he journeyed to Austin, Texas. and after a pastorate in that city of sixteen years, went to New Orleans and served as pastor of the Sacred Heart church for one year. He then returned to Notre Dame, where for a similar period he served as pastor of the Sacred Heart church there. after which he again embraced the mission- ary work with Father Klein, and since the 5th of April, 1902. he has served as the loved pastor of the St. Joseph church of South Bend. Rev. Lauth has devoted himself with- out ceasing to the interests of humanity and to the furtherance of all good works, and there has not been denied him the full har- vest nor the aftermath whose garnering shall bring the full reward in the words of com- mendation, " Well done."'
REV. MARTIN GOFFENEY is one of the best and most generally loved citizens of South Bend, many years of whose life have been passed in this eity as pastor of the Zion Evan- gelical church, located at 235 South St. Peter street. He was born in France, July 11, 1858, but when seventeen years of age he went to Basel, Switzerland, and for six years was a student in a missionary college there. On the expiration of that period he was sent to Western Africa, on the Atlantic coast, where as a missionary and teacher he labored until the climate of that locality so impaired his health that a change became necessary. Com- ing to America in the fall of 1883. Rev. Gof- feney's first field of labor was at Sand Lake. on the Hudson river, where he remained for six years or until 1888, when he was called to South Bend. He entered upon his minis- terial labors in this eity in the Dutch Re- formed church, with thirty families under his charge, but in the year following the Zion church was built. and in 1890 a school-house erected. During all this time, under his ef- feetive ministrations his congregation had in- ereased rapidly in numbers, until in 1896 the church had to be enlarged to adequately ae- commodate its growing membership, but pre- vious to this time, in 1894, a parsonage had also been built. The membership of the Zion church now contains two hundred and fifty
families. Rev. Goffeney has led a life of great activity in his holy calling, and to his uneeasing labors are due the many improve- ments which have been instituted in the Zion church. He is thoroughly sineere in all his deeds, and his noble, manly life has proved an inspiration to many of his associates.
In 1886 Rev. Goffeney was united in mar- riage to Caroline Schnell, who was born in Stuttgart, Germany, and they have four chil- dren, Otto, Herbert, Waldemar and Irene. Rev. Goffeney is identified with many of the religious organizations of South Bend, and is an active and efficient worker in the cause of his Master.
REV. LOUIS A. MOENCH. Very few of the Roman Catholic clergy of the Ft. Wayne dio- cese are better known or more highly esteemed than Rev. Louis Aloysius Moench, irremov- able rector of St. Joseph's church, Misha- waka, Indiana.
Father Moench is a native of Germany. He was born in the beautiful little village of Freudenberg. Baden. January 25, 1853, on the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, who has ever been his inspiration and his model : and rarely does he ascend the pulpit without some loving reference to the "Apostle of the Gentiles." His early education was obtained in the schools of his native town, and under the wise instruction and counsel of the pas- tor of the parish church he gained the im- pulse to follow in the steps of his Divine Master. With this end in view, when but fourteen years of age, he came to the United States and took up his residence with Rev. D. Duehmig at Avilla, Indiana, whom he ever regarded with filial affection. In 1869 he entered St. Francis Seminary, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he went through a thor- ough theological course. On the 10th of June, 1876, he was ordained priest for the diocese of Ft. Wayne by Rt. Rev. Joseph Dwenger. and at once began his labors as assistant pas- tor to Father Duehmig at Avilla.
Shortly afterward he was assigned to the cathedral in Ft. Wayne as assistant pastor. and in 1879 was sent to Lebanon, Boone county. In 1881 he returned to Ft. Wayne and took up the work of assistant at St. Mary's church, and in February, 1883, he was asked to go to Plymouth to fill the va- eancy caused by the death of the good priest who had been pastor there for fourteen years. With trembling heart but with unbounded trust in the Providence of God, the young
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Levite took up the responsibilities and eares that ever fall to the lot of those who will accept them. At Plymouth he spent the very flower of his life. He found the church sadly in debt, the school not up to the standard, and the congregation in tears. He set himself the task, with never wearying zeal, of giving his people a standing in the community. He taught them by precept and by example (and as a teacher he has few equals) the truths of their holy religion, and knew no rest until the work of the parish sehool had attained a high degree of excellence. Under his direction St. Michael's Academy came to be one of the strongest educational factors in the dioeese. His maxim, "The best is not too good for my people," bore exeellent fruit in the schools; and above all, his towering faith attracted many outsiders who came, through him, to find their true home. His sixteen years of devoted, persistent work in Plym- outh is best illustrated in the intelligence, loyalty and zeal of the people of St. Michael's parish as Catholics.
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