History of the Catholic church in Indiana, Volume II, Part 27

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

USA > Indiana > History of the Catholic church in Indiana, Volume II > Part 27

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Mr. Eagan was married in Indianapolis July 28, 1880, to Miss Mary Cecilia Higgins, a native of Edinburg, Ind., of Irish parent- age. This marriage has been blessed with five children, born in the following order: Katherine Anastatia, Thomas Gilbert, Mary Cecilia, Ellen Winifred and Dennis Edward-all attendants at St. Agnes school. Although a lad of but fifteen years of age, Thomas Gilbert is about to enter upon a course of scholastic and theolog- ical training at St. Mary's, Kans., and the other children are equally bright and intelligent. The family are members of Sts. (446)

CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.

Peter and Paul's church, under the ministration of Right Rev. Fran- cis Silas Chatard, D. D., and his able assistants, Right Rev. Mgr. August Bessonies, V. G., and Rev. Joseph Chartrand. Mr. Eagan is prominently associated with the order known as the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick; and also of the Young Men's institute, while Mrs. Eagan is an active and influential member of the Chapel club of Sts. Peter and Paul. The family are faithful to their church dnties and are always among the foremost to lend their aid in advancing any task that may promote the progress of church work and advance the welfare of the congregation, spiritually as well as temporally.

JOHN EBNER, at No. 304 West Washington street, Indianap- J olis, Ind., was born in Canton, Ohio, February 15, 1848. He is a son of Joseph and Catharine (Suter) Ebner, both natives of Baden, Germany, but who were married in Ohio. The former was a shoemaker, and died at Napoleon, Ind., in 1864, the latter dying at the same place in 1875. They were the parents of thir- teen children, eight of whom are still living, the subject being the sixth in order of birth. The children who did not die in childhood were named as follows: Mary, wife of George Gardner, and now living in Indianapolis; Harriet, now Mrs. Kohlmann, living on a farm near Napoleon, Ind .; Katie, wife of John Lustig, a farmer of Napoleon, Ind .; Joseph, a farmer of Napoleon, Ind., Eliza- beth, widow of George Bechtolt, living in Indianapolis; John, the subject of this sketch; Magdalena, widow of William Bresh, and now living in Illinois; Matthew, who died in middle life in Indi- anapolis; Nancy, now Mrs. Helm, and residing at Oden, Daviess county, Ind .; Andrew, who died at the age of fifteen; the other three died in early childhood.

The early life of the subject of this sketch was spent in farm- ing and in learning the shoemaker's trade, at which he worked for some years, or until he established himself in his present retail liquor business, removing in 1882 to Indianapolis from the vicinity of Napoleon, Ind., where he had previously lived. He was mar- ried at Napoleon, in 1879, in St. Mauritius church, to Miss Maggie

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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,

Federspill, a native of Luxemburg, Germany. To this mar- riage there have been born five children, viz: Matilda, Edna and Joseph, who are still living, and Edward and John, whose deaths occurred when they were two and two and a half years old, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Ebner and their children are members of St. Mary's church, of which the Rev. Father Scheideler is the pastor, and Mr. Ebner has been a member of St. Joseph's society for eleven years. Of this society he has been an officer seven years, and was its president one year. Mr. Ebner is more than usually active in both church and society work, and is a liberal contributor to the support of both. In business he has manifested great ability and has been successful, and in politics he is an uncompromising democrat, active in political affairs, and is an able and trusted counselor of his party. In all relations in life he has ever been true to principle, and is highly esteemed by all who know him.

Mr. Ebner's nephew, Rev. Father Adam Kohlmann, now of Evansville, Ind., was assistant rector of St. Mary's church in Indi- anapolis for four years. He is a scholarly gentlemen, and is as well liked in his pastorate in Evansville, as he was in his assistant pastorate in Indianapolis.

G ERHARD ITTENBACH, one of the most prominent and successful Catholic citizens of Indianapolis, settled here in the early days of the city's history. Few if any of this city's inhabitants are better known or more highly regarded than he. He was born at Koenigswinter, on the Rhine, Germany, March 28, 1828, and, after completing his education, served an appren- ticeship to the stonecutter's trade. In 1848, when but twenty years of age, he came to the United States, his object being to earn money to provide for the support of his parents in their declining years, as they were not in affluent circumstances, and this filial object he achieved, becoming able to make them annual remittances. For a few months after arriving he worked at his trade in the state of Virginia. Removing to Cincinnati, Ohio, he remained there some time and then went to Pittsburg, Pa. After (448)

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FRANK ITTENBACH

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GERHARD

G.L. ITTENBACH

J.B. ITTENBACH

GERHARD ITTENBACH AND SONS.

CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.

a short residence there he again went to Cincinnati, and then to. Madison, Ind., and at all of the places mentioned he worked at his trade. Residing in Madison, Ind., for about two years, he then came to Indianapolis in the interest of his employers, who sent him here to set the stone work in some of the important buildings of this place, among which, then in process of construc- tion, were the asylum for the deaf and dumb, the old Bates house, and the asylum for the blind. While thus engaged he formed a partnership with his brother, Frank, and J. C. Schmid, and this firm purchased the interest of the employer of Mr. Itten- bach and established a business of their own, under the firm name of Schmid, Ittenbach & Co. The business of this firm was quite small at first, but it has grown to be one of the most important business enterprises in the city. Up to the time mentioned the sawing of stone was accomplished by hand, but Mr. Ittenbach at once introduced machinery, and thus established the first steam stone saw-mill in the city, and this is now the most extensive in its line, not only in Indianapolis but in the state. The firm remained as above constituted until 1879, when Mr. Schmid withdrew, the company being then known as G. Ittenbach & Co., which name it retained until the death of the brother, Frank Ittenbach, in 1886, after which the subject of this sketch assumed entire control. In 1893 he was succeeded by his sons, Frank, Gerhard L. and John B., who conducted the business with success until May 25, 1898, when Gerhard L. retired, but the business is still carried on under the same firm style.

Mr. Ittenbach was married in 1853, in Indianapolis, by the Rev. Father Brandt, to Miss Frances Schumacher, who was born in the same town with her husband. Forty-four years of married bliss was their portion, when death claimed Mrs. Ittenbach, November 10, 1897, when she was in her seventy-second year. While Mr. Ittenbach has always been a most industrious man and has had the control of large and important interests, yet he has never been unmindful of the interests of general society or of the church, and he has been looked upon for many years as one of the pillars of St. Mary's parish, to which he and his family belong. Uniting with the church in its early infancy, he has ever been

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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,

ready to aid in its support and the advancement of its interests and its work, and he has lived to witness both the church and the city grow from small beginnings to their present size and importance.

Mr. and Mrs. Ittenbach have been blessed with seven chil- dren, six of whom are living, viz: The three sons already men- tioned; Mary, wife of Jacob Dux; Josephine, wife of George Wolf, and Frances, wife of Joseph Bauer-and all six being residents of Indianapolis. Frank Ittenbach, eldest of the sons, was born in 1859, married Miss Bertha Monninger, of Indianapolis, and has three children, Lillie, Cecilia and Elmer. Gerhard L. was born in 1860, married Lena Rickenbach, and has two children, Helen and Leo; John B., the third son, was born in 1863, married Mary Siersdorfer, of Indianapolis, and has two living children, Carl and Robert, Lawrence, their first born, dying in infancy.

The sons, who manage this important stone-sawing industry, like their father, are among the most highly esteemed citizens and business men in the city, being enterprising, honest and reliable in every way in which these qualities can be manifested.

OHN ECKERT, an old-time business man of Logansport and J a member of St. Joseph's Catholic church, was born in Doyles- town, Wayne county, Ohio, December 11, 1854, a son of Ignatius and Barbara (Koechler) Eckert, both natives of Bavaria, Ger- many, but who came to the United States in early life, the father in 1848, and the mother later, and were married in Massillon, Ohio, whence they later moved to Doylestown, where they resided until 1858, when they came to Indiana and located in Huntington, where Ignatius, who was a bricklayer, followed contracting and brickmaking, and for a number of years conducted a grocery busi- ness. In 1868 Mr. Eckert brought his family to Logansport and here engaged at his trade, bricklaying, plastering and contracting, for several years. He accumulated a competency and died August 16, 1896, at the age of sixty-nine years and a devout member of the Catholic church, holding membership with St. Joseph's con- gregation, to which his widow still belongs. Of the ten children

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CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.

born to Ignatius Eckert and wife, seven are still living, viz: Catherine, widow of George Schubach, of Logansport; John, whose name opens this notice; Christian, a blacksmith of Logansport; Julia, wife of R. L. Veirs, of Omaha, Nebr .; Ignatius, a painter, of Chicago, Ill .; Rose, wife of Martin Barshop, and Lizzie, mar- ried to Charles Wecht, both of Logansport.

John Eckert was educated in the parochial schools of Hunt- ington, Ind., and on coming to Logansport was first employed in a brickyard, but later learned the trade of plasterer. In 1875 he engaged in bartending, and August 13, 1881, began saloonkeeping on his own account, and now owns the well-appointed place on the northwest corner of Market and Third streets, which he pur- chased in 1884. June 30, 1881, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Schneeberger, a native of Logansport and a daugh- ter of Matthias Schneeberger, and this marriage was crowned with five children, of whom Rosa, the eldest, died in the fifth year of her age; the surviving four were born in the following order: William, February 20, 1884; Mamie, October 10, 1886; Agnes, August 11, 1889, and Lulu, April 2, 1892. Mrs. Elizabeth Eckert was early called from earth, dying a devout Catholic, December 7, 1896, at the age of thirty-six years. She had been an invalid for several years, but bore her sufferings with christian resignation and fortitude, augmented by her supreme reliance on the holy faith. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Father Koehne, of St. Joseph's church, to which congregation the family all belong, and of which Mrs. Eckert was a most devoted member.

The second marriage of Mr. Eckert took place November 23, 1897, at St. Joseph's church, Logansport, to Mrs. Eda M. E. Bucher, widow of Edward Bucher. She was born in this city July 27, 1863, a daughter of Joseph Seiter, and admitted to the Catholic church in 1886.

Mr. Eckert is a member of St. Joseph's Benevolent society, and of the Widows' and Orphans' branch; also of the American lay Knights of St. John, and of the Catholic Knights of America. In politics he is a democrat, but is no office seeker. He has made his own way through the world, as he commenced business, in 1881, with about $100, but now owns his business stand, his superb

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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,

residence at No. 224 Eel River avenue, and other city property, and one or more improved farms in Cass county. He is very popular with the public, and conducts one of the best-appointed and most orderly places of public resort in the city.

M ICHAEL L. JEFFERSON, deputy assessor of Center town- ship, Marion county, Ind., was born in New Paris, Ohio, January 13, 1864, a son of Michael and Mary (Quill) Jefferson, natives, respectively, of counties Mayo and Kerry, Ireland.

These parents came to America in their younger days and were married in Cincinnati, and after marriage lived for some years in Eaton, Ohio, whence they removed to New Paris, where the father, who was a farmer by occupation, died just prior to the birth of his sons, Michael L., and a twin brother, James. There were three children in the family, of whom the eldest, Anna Theresa, was a teacher in a parochial school and was a young lady of fine literary attaininents. She was not only a successful teacher, but a poetess of much more than local reputation, but was called from earth at the age of twenty-six years, dying in Indianapolis, January 28, 1887. James Jefferson, twin of Michael L., is a clerk in the office of the Indianapolis Gas company, is married, but has no children. Mrs. Jefferson, the mother, resides in Indianapolis at the home of our subject, and supervises his household.

Michael L. Jefferson was educated in New Paris and was married, June 1, 1892, by Rev. Father O'Donaghue, to Miss Josie Shields, a native of Indianapolis, and of whose family a full record is made in the biography of Mrs. Bridget Shields, to be found on another page of this volume. Mr. Jefferson has had the sad mis- fortune of losing his beloved wife, who was called away by death February 13, 1897, in the faith of the Catholic church. She left behind her, to mourn her loss, beside her devoted husband, two interesting and intelligent children-Fidelia, aged four years, and Thomas, aged two.

Mr. Jefferson was appointed deputy assessor of Center town- (454)

CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.

ship, April 1, 1886, and has continuously held the position eve since. In August he was advanced to the position of chief clerk in the office of the assessor. He has served under three different administrations, and at one time was the only republican holding office in the court house, and this fact alone gives ample evidence of his ability and trustworthiness. The family are members of St. Patrick's church, and Mr. Jefferson is a member of the Young Men's institute, a fraternal and benevolent order fully recognized by the church; he is likewise a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and has always an open hand and heart for the aid of the suffering and needy and for the support of his church. He is universally respected, regardless of politics or church membership, and is well deserving of the high esteem in which he is held throughout the city.

D OMINICK J. EGAN, a native of county Roscommon, Ireland, and son of Dominick and Mary (King) Egan, was born on the sixteenth day of October, 1831. The father, also a native of the aforesaid county and a farmer by occupation, died in the year 1848, and the mother departed this life in 1836. They were the parents of fourteen children, thirteen sons and one daughter, the subject of this sketch being the only survivor of this large family, of whom he was next to the youngest.

Dominick J. Egan was reared to manhood on his native heath and received his education in what was known as French Park school, a private institution, under church jurisdiction. While young, he served an apprenticeship to the grocery business in the town of Ballaghaderin, and at the age of twenty-nine emigrated to the United States, locating, for one year, in Cincinnati, Ohio. From that city he removed to Rushville, Ind., with the mercantile interests of which place he was identified for about thirty years, during which time he met with encouraging success in handling different lines of goods. In 1891 Mr. Egan removed the unsold portion of his stock to Haughville, a part of Indianapolis, and here he has since continued his life-work as a grocer and dealer in provisions.

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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,

Mr. Egan was married in county Mayo, Ireland, in the year 1853, to Miss Maria A. Hurst, who has borne him eleven children, six living, viz: Patrick John, the eldest, is engaged in mercantile pursuits in New York city; Michael H. is a traveling salesman, residing in Indianapolis; Thomas Joseph is employed in his father's store; Edward Joseph is a resident of North Dakota; Henry Francis is a partner with his father, the firm title being Egan & Son, and the daughter, Nora Ellen, is also employed in the store.

Mr. Egan has always been active and earnest in the uphold- ing of the church of his fathers; especially is this true of the church of the Immaculate Conception at Rushville. He was a member of the committee which purchased the grounds for the house of worship and cemetery, and also served on the building committee which constructed the building used for so many years by the con- gregation. A new church is now in process of construction on the site occupied by the original structure, and in order to perpetuate a deserving name and keep in memory the great interest he always manifested in the parish, it is proposed to pay Mr. Egan the grace- ful compliment of having his name cast in the bell, to be used in the new edifice.

Mr. Egan came to Haughville in time to assist materially in the organization of St. Anthony's parish, of which he is now one of the most substantial and devoted members, and to which his family also belong. He has been a life-long democrat, exercising an intelligent interest in the party's welfare, but has neither sought nor held official position outside of his church.

JEREMIAH EGAN, superintendent of Holy Cross cemetery,

J Indianapolis, has been a well-known and highly-respected citi- zen of this city for thirty years, or since 1868. He was born in county Cork, Ireland, in 1833, and comes of good old Irish stock, noted for its patriotism and enterprise. He is a son of Jeremiah Egan, who died when the subject of this sketch was fourteen years old. Mrs. Egan, the mother of the subject, survived her hus- (458)

CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.

band many years. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom only two survive, these two being Jeremiah and James, both residents of Indianapolis. Only one daughter belonging to this- family attained mature years, and she adopted a religious life. becoming a Sister and dying in a convent at Middleton, county Cork. Of the entire family only Jeremiah and James ever came. to the United States.

During the earlier years of his life Mr. Egan was engaged in various pursuits, but finally turned his attention to gardening, and was thus engaged for many years. Having decided to come to this country, he left Ireland in the spring of 1868, and in due time arrived at his destination, which was Indianapolis. It may be of interest to many to know just how this destination was determined upon. Mr. Egan met Dr. Fletcher, of Indianapolis, while the latter was traveling abroad, with his family, and in con- versation with him regarding America was favorably impressed with the doctor's remarks about this city, and this conversation fully determined Mr. Egan to come directly here, which plan he had previously had in mind. For a good many years after becoming a resident of Indianapolis, Mr. Egan was engaged in gardening, and for about twenty years he was employed at the Indianapolis gas works. The duties of his present position he has performed since June 13, 1892.

Holy Cross cemetery is beautifully situated on high ground in the south part of the city, between Meriden street and Bluff ave- nue. It comprises about thirty acres and adjoins the German Catholic burying ground, which is similarly situated.

Mrs. Egan was formerly Miss Nora Ervin, born and reared in the city of Cork. She and her husband now live at No. 1559 Market street, Indianapolis, and of the seven children born to bless their home, five are still living-four sons and one daughter. Jeremiah, the eldest, is a trustee of Holy Cross parish. The others are David, Edward, Ervin P. and Mary Margaret. Nicholas died at the age of twenty-two years and Veronica when in her sixteenth year. Mr. Egan is one of the leading members of the church to which he belongs and is held in high esteem by all, no matter of what religious denomination.

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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,

R EV. WILLIAM A. JOCHUM, pastor of St. Bernard's parish, Rockport. Spencer county, Ind., was born in Evansville, this state, June 30, 1873, the eldest of the three children born to Peter and Magdaline (Bengert) Jochum, natives of Germany, the former of whom died in Illinois in 1878.

Father Jochum attended the parochial schools of Evansville until 1887, after which he attended the famous educational insti- tutions at St. Meinrad's in Spencer county, Ind., where he was educated for the priesthood and was ordained by Bishop Francis Silas Chatard, June 8, 1897. June 20 he read his first mass in St. Boniface's church, Evansville. Immediately thereafter he was stationed at Henryville, Ind., and had charge of two missions beside-those of Lexington and St. Michael's. His zealous labors in behalf of the spiritual welfare of his charge and his excellent financial management soon secured the recognition of his supe- riors, who, March 4, 1898, appointed him to his present position .. upon the duties of which he has entered under the most auspicious circumstances, and in the incumbency of which his piety, zeal, scholarship and natural ability promise to redound, not only to his own credit, but to the glory of the church.

B DWARD X. EHINGER, assistant cashier of the Decatur National bank and a prominent member of St. Mary's church, is a native of Indiana, born February 22, 1861, in Columbia City, Whitley county. His ancestord, both paternal and maternal, were Germans, his father Florian Ehinger having been born in Singen, Baden, in the year 1835.

Florian Ehinger learned the tailor's trade in his native country, where he worked at the same until 1855, at which time he came to the United States, locating at Fort Wayne, Ind., where he secured employment for some time with Mr. Bostick. Subse- quently he embarked in the clothing and merchant tailoring busi- ness at Columbia City, where he continued until his removal, in 1865, to Independence, Mo., whence, in 1872, he returned to Indiana, locating in Decatur. He was married October 3, 1859,

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REV. W. A. JOCHUM.

ST. BERNARD'S CHURCH. ROCKPORT, IND.

CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.

to Elizabeth Schmith, who bore him the following children; Edward X., Charles P., Maggie (wife of J. H. Meyers), Robert A. and C. Otto.

The subject of this mention was educated at Independence, Mo., and Decatur, Ind., from 1871 to 1874, served as altar boy at St. Mary's church, and at the early age of fourteen accepted a clerical position in the Decatur post-office, the duties of which he discharged for a period of eight years. He then entered the employ of the Adams County bank, where he remained six years, when by reason of failing health he abandoned clerical work and took an extended trip to the Pacific coast.

Returning to Decatur, greatly improved, Mr. Ehinger engaged in the clothing business and merchant tailoring, under the firm name of Ehinger & Meyers, which partnership lasted until August 10, 1896, the subject retiring from mercantile pursuits at that time. At the present time he is filling, most acceptably, his former posi- tion in the bank, and his superior qualifications have won for him the unbounded confidence of the managers of that institution. Since 1893, Mr. Ehinger has served as treasurer of St. Mary's church, of which he is an active and most devoted member; and belongs to the St. Joseph society and the C. B. L. On the 13th of September, 1883, in St. Mary's church, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Ehinger and Miss Catherine E. Bremerkamp, Father Wilken officiating. Five children have been born to this union, viz: Thomas F., Edna E., Joseph Lawrence, Herbert H. and Leo. E.

DEV. THOMAS F. EISENRING, C. PP. S., chaplain of St. Joseph hospital, Broadway and Main streets, Fort Wayne, Ind., was born November 1, 1844, in Germany, a son of John and Mary A. (Haene) Eisenring, and came to the United States Novem- ber 1, 1866. He had attended the common schools in Europe, later attended and graduated from the seminary of Carthagena, Ohio, and was ordained August 15, 1873, under archbishop J. B. Purcell, of Cincinnati. He said his first mass at Minster, Ohio, was stationed at Celina for two years, then in New Riegel, diocese of

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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,

Cleveland, for three years; then went to Europe, was stationed at Schelbenberg, diocese of Loire, for four years, and on his return to America officiated one year at Winamac, Ind., then six years at Maria Stein, in Ohio. He came to his present position December 3, 1889, where he has charge of the hospital, where there is accom- modation for about 150 persons, and here has since filled the duties of his responsible position with ability and zeal.

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History of the Catholic church in Indiana, Volume II, Part 27

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