History of the Catholic church in Indiana, Volume II, Part 12

Author: Blanchard, Charles, fl. 1882-1900, ed
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: Logansport, Ind., A. W. Bowen & co.
Number of Pages: 1476

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Mr. Bultman was married on May 30, 1876, to Miss Annie C. Lauxterman, a native of Cincinnati. To them six children have been born, only two of whom-Bernard and Clara-remain, that dread visitant, malignant diphtheria, having taken away Clemen- tina, William, Annie and Freddie, the first of whom died in 1877, the second in 1879, and the last two in 1892. All the Bultmans are members of St. John's parish and are liberal contributors to the church. Our subject is a member of St. John's Benevolent society, and of the C. K. of A. Politically he is a democrat.

A NDREW BURKE, a son of Henry and Catherine (Doeoland) Burke, natives of Ireland, was born May 5, 1865, in Aurora, Ind., where he attended the common schools and later learned the the nailer's trade, at which he worked until he was twenty-two years of age in Aurora and other places. He then opened up a business of his own, and was married January 18, 1893, to Miss Matilda Hauck, a daughter of Julius Hauck, of Aurora, the cere- mony being solemnized by Rev. J. J. Macke in St. Mary's church, as it is usually termed, but which was consecrated under the name of the Church of the Immaculate Conception. Mr. Burke is a member of the Knights of St. John and of the Knights of St. George. He and his wife are members of St. Mary's church, and in politics he is a democrat.

Mr. Burke has been successful as a business man, being of a genial disposition, and having the faculty of winning friends, who ever stand by him. Although his marriage has been blessed with no children, he and wife enjoy their domestic life and are highly respected by all who know them.

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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,

V ERY REV. EDWARD M. FALLER, of New Albany, Ind., and dean of the New Albany district as well as rector of the Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary of New Albany, was born January 3, 1824, in Barr, province of Alsace, then a portion of France, but now under subjection to Germany, and descends from a family well endowed with this world's goods and who bequeathed him an ample competence. He attended school at Strasbourg until nearly sixteen years of age, and January 19, 1840, emigrated to the United States, landed in New Orleans April 11, and reached Vincennes, Ind., May 1, and after passing six years in the diocesan seminary, under Rev. Father Corbe, superior, was ordained priest, July 5, 1846, by Bishop Hailandiere.

Rev. Father Faller was appointed to the mission at Lanes- ville, Harrison county, July 7, 1846, where he zealously labored until October 12, when he was transferred to Fort Wayne, as assistant to Rev. Father Benoit, of St. Augustine's church (now the cathedral), and held the office until 1848, when his zeal and energy found vent in his establishing the Mother of God congre- gation, now the largest German Catholic body in the diocese of Fort Wayne. For this congregation he built a temporary brick church-edifice, a boys' school-house and a parsonage, and served as its pastor until March 3, 1857, when he was called to a larger field of labor, and left the Mother of God congregation free of debt.

At the date last mentioned, Father Faller came to New Alba- ny, to assume the care of the Annunciation congregation, and here built the main part of the church-building, at a cost of $20,000, every dollar of which he saw paid, and paid, beside, $2, 200 of a debt of $5,000, which had been incurred prior to his arrival, contributing for this purpose nearly $1,000 of his private means, and living on half his salary. April 3, 1867, he was called from this charge to that of St. Benedict's, at Terre Haute, and here he remodeled the parsonage, improved and added to the church grounds, and paid off a debt of $8,000, to which he contributed $4,000 of his per- sonal means. The next mission of Father Faller was at Cannel- ton, Perry county, where he was placed in charge of St. Michael's and St. Patrick's churches, the latter being his first English-speak-

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E. M. FALLER.

CHURCH OF THE ANNUNCIATION. NEW ALBANY, IND.

CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.

ing congregation, and of these he took charge March 3, 1871, the same day on which he left his church at Terre Haute. He found St. Michael's congregation (a very poor one) in debt $9,000, but of this he cleared off $4,000 in a very short time, and with $10,000 of his money built a commodious parsonage and improved the church-building. While at Cannelton. Father Faller also had charge, from March, 1877. to November. 1878, of St. Paul's church, at Tell City, and at the latter date went to that city to assume his sixth mission. There, also, he found his flock deeply in debt. But the benevolent and energetic pastor came none too soon to its relief. He paid for a school-building already contracted for, plastered and finished the church-edifice, which had been a bare inclosure only, built the two spires, put in the altars, stations of the cross, etc., erected a two-story brick school-house and par- sonage, amounting to a cost of $21,000, and paid the original indebtedness of $9,000 due from the congregation from his own pocket, but accepted no salary. The people of Tell City, appre- ciating this munificence on the part of the pastor, furnished the tower clock and bells as a matter of public improvement. Father Faller left Tell City March 12, 1882, and for three years officiated at St. Michael's church in Madison, and then, at his own request, was given charge of another parish, leaving Madison July 2, 1885, and entering upon the pastorate of St. Ann's, Jenning's county. Here the congregation had incurred a debt of $1, 100, of which he paid a part; also erected a brick school-building, 25 x 90 feet, enlarged the parish house to double its former dimensions, built the tower and spire of the church, in which he placed three good bells, and of the whole cost of $8,000, paid $7,000 from his own pocket. Here his devoted labors ended July 14, 1886.

The ninth and present charge of Father Faller began on the day he left St. Ann's, when he became rector of the Church of the Annunciation at New Albany. At the meeting of the fourth synod of the diocese of Vincennes, in November, 1886, he was, in his absence, appointed dean of the New Albany district, which includes the counties of Floyd, Clark, Harrison, Crawford, Washington and Scott. As rector of the Church of the Annunciation, he enlarged and improved the church-building, a work already begun by Father

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Klein (deceased), and finished it a cost of $35,000, of which amount he contributed the munificent sum of $13,000, from his private purse, and had the edifice ready for consecration December 12, 1886. During the years 1886 and 1887 he expended $5,000 for paintings, statues, organs, new pews, etc., and in 1888 built the new rectory, at a cost of $7,500. Although possessed of ample means through inheritance, Dean Faller has lived abstemi- ously and frugally, being wedded to his faith and preferring to give his means to the aid of his parishioners rather than to the vulgar display of his wealth or the gratification of selfish ambition. He is a true priest, and his record shows him to be above all the weak praise that could be bestowed upon him in a work like this. He will find a higher reward.

JAMES BURKE, at No. 704 West New York street, Indianapolis,

was born in county Galway, Ireland, in 1863, and is a son of Patrick and Mary (Hughes) Burke, also natives of county Galway, where they now live. There were of this family seven sons and nine daughters, twelve of whom are living, seven in America, viz: Martin and Michael, in Chicago; Patrick, in Kansas City, Mo .; Katherine, in Denver, Colo .; Mary, Bridget and James, living in Indianapolis. Mary is now Mrs. Michael Garvey, and Bridget is Mrs. Thos. Hogan. Nora became Mrs. Flisk, but died in this city August 2, 1897. Of the family in Ireland John, Margaret, Maria and Julia are still unmarried.

James Burke came to Indianapolis in the spring of 1882 and worked at the boilermaker's trade at the Atlas works for two years. He has been an extensive traveler through the United States, visiting Montana, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska and Califor- nia. He worked in Pueblo, Colo. (where he also served thirteen months on the police force), Cheyenne, Wyoming, Kansas City and other cities, and some ten years were spent in general travel. He returned to Indianapolis in 1889, but left again in 1890, going to the west. He also visited the world's fair at Chicago, where he was employed for a time, then returned here in 1893, and worked (186)

CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.

at the Atlas works until 1897, when he engaged in his present busi- ness. Mr. Burke is a member of St. John's church, Rev. Father Gavisk pastor, and also a member of the A. O. H. and Improved Order of Red Men. Politically he is a democrat. His place is very popular with the public, and is one of the best kept in the Railroad city.

P ETER J. BURKE, a foreman at the Perry, Matthews & Bus- kirk quarries at Bedford, Ind., was born in Washington county, Pa., June 9, 1856, a son of William and Mary (Shaughnasey) Burke, natives of county Galway, Ireland, who came to America when young and were married in Pennsylvania, whence they went to Virginia and later to Louisville, Ky., where they still reside. Of their eight children, seven lived to mature years, viz: Peter J., the subject of this biography; Mary, who is married to Patrick Hines and lives in Louisville; Michael and Anna, twins, the former of whom resides in Bedford, and the latter, who was the wife of Patrick Laven, died in Louisville; Ella is married to Nathaniel Knull, of Louisville, and Julia and John are at home with their parents. Two older brothers of Willianı Burke, who came with him to America and whose names are Michael and John, are also residents of Kentucky.

Peter J. Burke was educated in the parochial schools of Louisville, and at the early age of fourteen years became foreman over a gang of laboring men. In 1878 he married Catherine A. Taylor, who was born in Virginia December 1, 1855, a daughter of Michael and Magaret Taylor, and this marriage has been blessed with six children, viz: Margaret, born April 15, 1881-died Decem- ber 22, 1895; Anastatia, born November 4, 1883; William B., born September 3, 1885; Theresa, born October 5, 1887; Michael Law- rence, born January 12. 1893, and Francis Edward, born August 12, 1896.

Mr. Burke came to Bedford, Ind .. March 4, 1880, and here held the position of foreman for the Hallowell Stone company until January, 1896, for eleven years of this period being superintend- ent of the company's quarries-although, for a short time, he also

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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,

conducted a grocery, and at another time owned a quarter interest in a stone quarry. Mr. Burke has made what he possesses by his strict attention to his business and honest industry, and in 1887 erected his pleasent home at the corner of Tenth and N streets, and here he and family enjoy complete domestic felicity, the mother of Mrs. Burke being also a member of the family.

Michael Taylor, the father of Mrs. Burke, was a native of county Galway, Ireland, and married at Marietta, Ohio, in 1854, Miss Margaret Calehor, a native of the same county with himself, and who came to America with her father and his four daughters and one son, the remainder of his family of twelve, and settled in Kentucky, where the father's death occurred August 5, 1876. The family are all devout Catholics, and Mr. Burke has been a trustee of St. Vincent church for the past six years. Socially, the family stands very high.

PETER S. BURKHOLDER, chief clerk for Warren, Hill & Co., at Elkhart, Ind., was born in Labanon county, Pa., March 4, 1853, a son of David and Malinda (Levengood) Burk- holder, also natives of the Keystone state and parents of five children, viz: Peter S. (subject), William and Joseph (deceased), Sally, and Einma (the last named also deceased). The father was a carpenter by trade and followed his calling until 1890, when he retired from active labor. The family were all reared in the Lutheran faith, and the survivors are all members of the Evan- gelical association of Lebanon, with the exception of our subject.

Peter S. Burkholder attended the public school of his native city until eighteen years of age, and then clerked in a store in Myerstown, Pa., until 1870, when he went to Reading, in the same state, and clerked until 1876, and then came to Elkhart, Ind., where he has ever since held the position with Warren, Hill & Co., alluded to above. At Reading, Pa., he was united in marriage with Miss Anna Liederer, a native of that city and a daughter of Constantine and Margaret Liederer, and this union has been blessed with three children, viz: Catherine, Anna and John Paul.

Mr. Burkholder was converted to Catholicism, at Reading, (188)-

....

VISITATION OF THE B. V. M. CHURCH, HUNTINGBURG, IND.

CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.

Pa., in 1874, and is now a member of the Catholic Benevolent legion of Elkhart, while Mrs. Burkholder is a member of the Sacred Heart sodality. They worship at St. Vincent church, are punctual in their duty, and are liberal contributors to the church fund.

In politics Mr. Burkholder is a republican, but, although he has made many friends since he has resided in Elkhart, who respect him for his personal merits, he has never sought public office.

R EV. AUGUSTIN FALLEY, O. S. B., pastor of the Church of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Huntingburg, Dubois county, Ind., is a son of James B. and Susan (Kellogg) Falley, was born in Lafayette, Ind., September 21, 1852, and attended St. Benedict, Notre Dame and St. Meinrad schools. He was ordained September 22, 1878, was located in Spencer county, and taught school three years at St. Meinrad; then was sent to Fulda, in the same county, and remained there from September 9. 1881, to October 5, 1890. He was then given the pastorate at Huntingburg, and has remained here ever since. He then had IIO families, and has now about ninety-five. He is in charge of the school, which is taught by three Benedictine Sisters, who teach German and English to about 110 pupils. Father Falley has been very zealous in his work for the church and in promoting the spiritual and temporal welfare of his parishioners, and is greatly beloved by the latter for his piety and zeal.

M ATTHEW F. BURKE, president of the People's National bank, at Washington, Ind., is a native of Daviess county and was born December 8, 1855, a son of Michael F. and Honora (Brett) Burke.

Michael F. Burke, father of subject, was born in county Lim- erick, Ireland, March 10, 1828, and in 1848 came to America, joined a brother, who had preceded him, at Jeffersonville, Ind.,

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yet did not himself remain in that city any great length of time, but came to Washington, taught school, and studied law under Judge E. S. Terry; later, he entered the State university at Bloomington, Ind., from the law department of which he was graduated. He then entered upon the active practice of his profession in Washing- ton, securing a large clientage, who kept him busy until he was elected circuit judge in 1858, which office he most creditably filled until his death, May 22, 1864. He married, in Washington, Miss Honora Brett, who was born in Blackville, S. C., March 9, 1830, a daughter of Patrick and Mary (Lalor) Brett, natives of Ireland, but early pioneers of Indiana, and devout Catholics. To the mar- riage of Mr. and Mrs. Burke were born five children, viz: William P. (deceased), Matthew F. (our subject), John, Mary and Catherine E .- all three deceased-the remains of the father and the deceased children now lying interred in the Catholic cemetery in Washington. The venerable mother still survives and is being filialy cared for at the home of her son, Matthew F.

Matthew F. Burke received his preliminary education in the parochial schools of his native city, which he attended until twelve years of age, when he entered the college at Teutopolis, Ill., where he remained two years, and then went to the St. Louis university, from which he was graduated, in 1874, with the degree of A. B., thus finishing his classical education. Returning to Washington, Ind., he taught school one year, reading law the meanwhile, and in 1876 entered the Bloomington Law school, from which he grad- uated in 1877, and for six years practiced his profession alone in Washington, and then, until April, 1890, in partnership with J. W. Ogden. At the date last named he entered the People's National bank as assistant cashier, the duties of which position he filled in a most satisfactory manner up to August, 1897, when he was chosen president. This bank has a capital of $50,000, and is officered by M. F. Burke, president; E. L. Hatfield, vice-president; and R. C. Davis, cashier- the directory being composed of Messrs. M. F. Burke, E. L. Hatfield, R. C. Davis, J. W. Ogden, John Downey, A. F. Cabel and H. T. Trueblood-and is to-day one of the most solid financial institutions in Daviess county.

Mr. Burke was united in matrimony, in Paris, Ill., October (192)

CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.

26, 1881, with Miss Margaret V. Hunter, a native of that city and a daughter of S. K. and Amy (Williams) Hunter, who were of old colonial descent, but both now deceased. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Burke was blessed with four children, viz: Francis H., who is now taking the classical course in St. Mary's college, Kan- sas; Anna M. and Joseph M., attending the parochial school in Washington, Ind., and Catherine, at home with her father. The mother of these children was called to rest July 19, 1896, dying in the faith of the Catholic church, and an ardent member of St. Simon's congregation, of which she was a convert, and of which her husband is one of the trustees. Mr. Burke has long been con- nected with the Young Men's institute, of which he is the president, and as a democrat has served one term as councilman. He stands very high in the esteem of the public, and is a truly good citizen, well worthy the honors and trusts that have been reposed in him, and equally worthy of future recognition in the management of the affairs of his city and county.

JOHN BURNS, a popular and well-known young carpenter of Shelbyville, is a native of Shelby county, Ind., was born May 3, 1868, and is a son of James and Bridget (Moran) Burns, natives of Ireland, who came to the United States in 1851 or 1852, and for about three years lived in Ohio, from which state they came to Indiana in 1855, and here the father engaged in farming in Shelby township, Shelby county, until his death, April 19, 1889, when his widow retired to Shelbyville, where she still resides. They were the parents of seven children, born in the following order: Maggie, deceased; Anna, deceased; Charles, of South Dakota; Mary, Sarah, Catherine and John- all reared in the Catholic church, as were their parents.

John Burns, of Shelbyville, attended the St. Vincent parochial school until thirteen years of age, and then entered the public school of Shelby county, from which he graduated in 1884, when he was apprenticed to carpentering, which has ever since been his calling. He does considerable contracting and building, employ-

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ing constantly a force of five mnen, and his work is regarded as equal to that of any in Shelbyville, and in many respects better. He is a member of St. Joseph's congregation and of the Knights of St. John, of which he has served as vice-president, president, and as a member of the board of trustees. In politics he is a sound democrat and is quite active in forwarding the interests of his party, although he has never been an office seeker. He is active in church affairs and contributes liberally toward its sup- port, and is widely known as an honest and strictly conscientious business man, who never seeks to take an advantage over another in his dealings.

DEV. LAWRENCE FICHTER, pastor of St. Mary's church at Greensburg, Decatur county, Ind., was born in Buena Vista, Scioto county, Ohio, April 30, 1868, and is a son of Lawrence and Mary (Walters) Fichter, natives of Baden, Germany.

Rev. Lawrence Fichter received his primary education in a parochial school at Yorkville, Dearborn county, Ind., to which city his parents had removed when he was but a few years old, and at the age of thirteen he there took his first communion. He then entered St. Meinrad's college in Spencer county, Ind., where he pursued his studies until his ordination, March 18, 1892. He was then placed in charge of St. Mark's church, in Perry county, together with its inissions at Derby, Rome, St. John's and St. Joseph's, all in the same county, and faithfully labored for twenty- two months, when he was advanced to the pastorate at Shoals, Martin county, Ind., with its missions at French Lick Springs, Saiem and Mitchell, remaining in this pastorate two years. He next was given temporary charge of St. Henry's church in Dubois county, and three months later, March 17, 1897, was placed in his present responsible position. This church has a congregation of 150 families, and the school attendance numbers seventy-five pupils, under the instruction of two Sisters of St. Francis. The church-edifice, which is a very fine one, was erected at a cost of $18,000, and the parsonage and lot reached a further cost of (194)

ST. MARY'S CHURCH, GREENSBURG, IND.

CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA

$7,000, Father Fichter has labored faithfully and arduously to promote the spiritual and temporal welfare of his people and in return is by them greatly honored.

M ICHAEL J. BURNS, a former assistant street commissioner of Indianapolis, is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, is a son of Pat- rick and Sarah (Monahan) Burns, and was born March 15, 1850.

Patrick Burns and wife were both natives of county Galway, Ireland, came to America when young, and were married in Cin- cinnati, in fulfillment of vows plighted in their native country. Patrick was a contractor by calling, and soon after marriage removed from Cincinnati to Louisville, Ky., where he worked in the construction of the government canal, and also on the first water works introduced into the city; there Mrs. Burns died June 30, 1864, and his own death occurred August I, of the same year. Their family comprised three sons and two daughters, who all died in childhood, with the exception of Michael J., our subject. Left an orphan at the age of fourteen years, Michael J. Burns received but a limited education in his youth, and did not learn to write until after he had attained his majority. He was first employed to assist in building the fortifications near Louisville, the task occupying about two and a half years, and although too young for enlistment, even at its conclusion, he did all he could for the preservation of the Union. After the close of the Civil war he sold newspapers on the streets of the Falls city for several months, then returned to Cincinnati, and for three years made his home with the family of an uncle. In 1868 he came to Indiana, worked at railroad construction in North Vernon, Jennings county, until December 10 of the same year, when he came to Indianapolis. He was employed on different sections of the Indianapolis & St. Louis railway until 1872, when he permanently settled in this city Here he has since been variously employed. He has worked for the Sarven wheel works, has driven team on the street, has been a laborer at Kingan's packing house, and in 1877 entered the employ of the Citizens' Street Railway company as a laborer in

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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,

the stables, but rose to the position of assistant superintendent through his fidelity and attention to the interests of the company. This position he held until January, 1893, when he resigned to accept that of street commissioner, which he held five months and then returned to his former place with the street railroad company. Within a short time, however, Mr. Burns again resigned this position, and for two years was in the cigar and tobacco business, and while thus engaged was tendered the position of assistant street commissioner, which he accepted early in 1895, and in which he served till November 1, 1897, when he resigned.

Politically a democrat, Mr. Burns has always filled an active and influential place in the councils of his party. He has been elected to several offices of honor and trust, having served six years-from 1885 to 1891-as a member of the city council; June 13, 1896, he was elected to serve three years on the city board of education, being the second Catholic so honored since the organi- zation of the district, and July 5, 1897, was elected treasurer of the board.

Mr. Burns was first married April 29, 1879, to Miss Elizabeth A. Larnard, a native of Vermont, who died June 30, 1883, the mother of two children-Sarah and Mary. His second marriage took place October 7, 1884, to Miss Mary A. O'Connor, a native of Ireland, and this union has been blessed with eight children, viz: Michael, John, Margaret, Theressa, Edward, Walter (de- ceased), James and George. The older children were educated in St. John's academy, and the entire family are members of St. John's church. Mr. Burns is a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and was one of the committee who were sent to Washington, D. C., to present a donation of $50,000 to the Catholic university of that city, for the maintenance of a Gaelic chair in that institution of learning. He is also a charter member of Quigley council No. 439, Young Men's institute, and was also one of the organizers and the second chief sir knight of the Knights of Father Mathew, No. 1, the first organization of the kind insti- tuted in the state of Indiana. He has been very active in the cause of temperance, having been an absolute abstainer from the use of intoxicants since 1872, has been very liberal in his dona-

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History of the Catholic church in Indiana, Volume II, Part 12

Author: Blanchard, Charles, fl. 1882-1900, ed Publication date: 1898 Publisher: Logansport, Ind., A. W. Bowen & co. Number of Pages: 1476

Author: Blanchard, Charles, fl. 1882-1900, ed
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: Logansport, Ind., A. W. Bowen & co.
Number of Pages: 1476