History of the Catholic church in Indiana, Volume II, Part 33

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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Peter R. McCarthy was twelve years of age when brought to America by his father, but prior to that time had received a good common education. His early life was passed as a locomotive engineer, and for eight years he was an employee as such on the O. & M. road. He next had charge of the fire engine of Vincennes, which position he held nine years, and while filling this posi- tion was elected city treasurer of Vincennes, and re-elected, his two terms constituting the limit of the law. During his incum- bency of the treasurer's office he established his present business, which now receives his undivided attention and in which he employs from fifteen to twenty-five men and does a business of $50,000 per annum. He makes a specialty of galvanized cornices and roofing, has done much creditable work in several states, and (554)

P. R. MCCARTHY.

CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.

has just filled a large contract at Decatur, Ala., and finished one on the court house at Robinson, Ill.

Mr. McCarthy was married in Vincennes, April 4, 1871, to Miss Mary O. Dubois, who was then a Protestant in religion, but has since been converted to Catholicismn. The Dubois family is one of the oldest in the state, and Mrs. McCarthy is a niece of Jesse K. Dubois, who was state auditor of Indiana for eight years, and is also a cousin of Senator Dubois of Utah. The marriage of Mr. McCarthy has been blessed with nine children, of whom two are deceased, the survivors being Ellen, Mary, John, Bridget Lydia, Alice, Francis Patrick and Gaddis Monroe. Of these, John is a graduate of St. Mary's college, Kans., and is now employed in his father's business; Ellen is a graduate from St. Mary's of the Woods, Terre Haute, Ind., and Mary is a graduate from St. Rose's college of Vincennes, while the other children are still at school, receiving excellent educations.

Mr. McCarthy is a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic con- gregation, to which his whole family are also attached. He is president of branch No. 256, Catholic Knights of America, at Vin- cennes, and is president of the Catholic Knights of Indiana, having been elected to the latter office in the convention held at Colum- bus, Ind., in August, 1896; is chief mustering officer of the U. R., C. K. of A., and has been a trustee of St. Frances Xavier cathe- dral for more than fifteen years. As a democrat he is very prom- inent and has served four years as chairman of the democratic county committee; in 1892, he was doorkeeper at the convention which nominated Cleveland for the presidency of the United States, and he has never missed a democratic state convention since he became a voter. A business man of inflexible integrity and an open-hearted, liberal gentleman as well as a useful citizen, Mr. McCarthy is well deserving notice among the worthy patrons of this work.

M ICHAEL FOX, the well-known dealer in boots and shoes, in Seymour, Jackson county, Ind., was born in Prussia, March 8, 1845, a son of Jacob and Mary ( Huffman) Fox, who were the

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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,

parents of six children, of whom the elder three were born in Europe and the younger three were born in America, and in order of birth were named Matthias, Nicholas, Michael, Peter, Jacob and Hugo.

The parents and the three European- born children came to the United States in 1847 and settled in Jennings county, Ind., where they bought a farm in the wilderness, from which the timber had to be cleared in order to make room for a log cabin. There, also, the father followed his trade of shoemaking, and there the mother died in 1853, the chil- dren then being all under twelve years of age. The father next married Mary Blaze, a native of Germany, and to this union were born three children, viz: Mary (now the wife of George Hessel- denze, of Martinsville, Ind.), and Maggie and George, both deceased. The father died in 1868, a devout Catholic and a respected citizen.

Of the six children born to Jacob and Mary (Huffman) Fox, Matthias, born June 11, 1842, married, in 1871, Maggie Cracken- berger, by whom he became the father of six children, viz: Peter, who died in infancy; Anna, married to Frederick Hodap, and residing in Seymour; William, Jennie, Ambrose and Fred. Mat- thias Fox is a shoemaker, has lived in Seymour thirteen years, and is now working for his brother Michael, our subject. Nicholas, the second son of Jacob and Mary Fox, is a wagonmaker by trade, is married to Louise Oliger, and lives in North Vernon, Ind .; Michael will be further spoken of; Peter, a wagonmaker and mar- ried to Elizabeth Kirsh, resides in Indianapolis; Jacob, also of Indianapolis, is a stationary engineer and is married to Lena Rutz; Hugo, who was reared a shoemaker, is married to Mary Moore, and is at present in the liquor business in Seymour.

The paternal grandparents of this family, Nicholas and Eliza- beth Fox, came to the United States, with all the other members of the Fox family, in the year 1847, and were among the pioneers of Jennings county, Ind., and, being devout Catholics, assisted in building one of the first church-edifices consecrated to that faith in the county. Nicholas, the grandfather, and Jacob, his eldest son. (father of Michael, our subject), had been soldiers in the German army, although Nicholas was an only son. Of the other eight chil .--

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CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.

dren born to Nicholas and Elizabeth Fox, beside Jacob, of whom mention has already been fully made, Michael is a shoemaker of North Madison, Ind. ; Lena is married to Peter Robineus, of Mad- ison; Hugo is in Nemaha county, Kans .; Nicholas died in Jennings county, Ind. ; Elizabeth is married to Gregor Kline, of Madison; Susan is the wife of John Augustine, of the same city; Peter, a shoemaker, died in Vernon, Ind., and Mary, who was married to John Kirsh, died in Jennings county in 1868.

Michael Fox, the subject proper of this memoir, remained on the home farm until his father's death in 1868, in the meanwhile attending school and learning the shoemaker's trade. In 1872, he was united in marriage, at St. James' church (Buena Vista), Rev. Father Merz officiating, with Miss Ella Gallagher, daughter of John and Mary (Griffin) Gallagher. Mr. and Mrs. Gallagher were natives of Ireland, but were married in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1845, and moved to Jennings county, Ind., in 1851, where Mr. Gallagher was a contractor on the B. & O. railroad, and where he died in 1863, his widow surviving until 1881. Of their eleven children, the following grew to maturity: John, in Cincinnati, Ohio; Ella, now Mrs. Fox; Jennie, wife of Wendell Baker, of Evansville, Ind .; George, in Cincinnati, and James and Patrick, both deceased, leaving families. To Mr. and Mrs. Fox have been born nine chil- dren, in the following order: Rose E., who is married to J. W. Driscoll, of Seymour, and has one son, Leo; Charles A .; Alice M .; Flora B., George J., Nellie A., Leo. M., Esther M. and May Edna, the three last named being deceased. With the exception of Rose E., all the survivors are still under the parental roof.

Soon after his marriage, Mr. Fox settled in Seymour, although he had, as far back as 1863, made his home in this town, remaining a few years. On permanently settling here, Mr. Fox worked as a journeyman for Joseph Geiger a short time, and then began busi- ness, in a small way, on his own account; he gradually added to his stock of boots and shoes, and being an excellent salesman as well as shoemaker, and, moreover, a strictly honest man, his trade soon began to increase, and he now has a superior stock of footwear on hand and is the second oldest business man in Seymour. For many years he has been a trustee of St. Ambrose church, is an

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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,

active member of St. Ambrose Benevolent society, and has been a city commissioner the past eight years. He built and owns his brick block, which comprises his dwelling, store and workshop- all under one roof. He and family are highly respected in both church and society circles, and are well known as among the most liberal supporters of the Catholic church and its work in Seymour.

OHN H. McMORROW, real estate and insurance agent and a J well-known Catholic citizen of Indianapolis, was born at Cohoes, Albany county, N. Y., December 9, 1859. His father, Francis McMorrow, died when the subject of this sketch was in his infancy. His mother, who before her marriage was Miss Mary McCusker, was born in Dublin, Ireland, and came to the United States in her youth.

John H. McMorrow attended the public schools and also the parochial schools of his parish in his early youth, securing an edu- cation such as would tend to fit him for an active business life. In 1889 he went west, locating in Minneapolis, Minn., and in 1890 he finally located in Indianapolis, to take charge of the carpet house of W. H. Rowls. Still later he purchased the insurance and real estate business of Powell & Prather, which he has since conducted with success. He is a man possessing fine business qualifications, and is highly esteemed as a man and citizen.

Mr. McMorrow was married June 22, 1892, to Miss Mary L. G. McKernan, daughter of David S. McKernan, and granddaughter of James and Susan McKernan, who were among the earlier and more prominent Catholic settlers of Indianapolis. Mrs. McMorrow was born at Kentland, Ind., and by her marriage to Mr. McMor- row she is the mother of three daughters, viz: Marie, Francis Lucile and Rose Mary.

Mr. McMorrow is a member of Brownson council, No. 272, Young Men's institute, and has served as grand vice-president of the Indiana jurisdiction of that order. He is held in high esteem by all his neighbors and friends, and has a large circle of acquaint- ances in the city of Indianapolis and the state of Indiana. The

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Exmomorrow

CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.

family are members of Sts. Peter and Paul's church, and reside at No. 120 New Nineteenth street; his office is suite No. 2, Thorpe block, and his specialty is that of fire and accident insurance.

F ERDINAND J. FRALICH, the well-known lumber merchant of Tipton, Ind., was born near Greenville, Darke county, Ohio, March 28, 1854, a son of Jacob and Sofia (Caron) Fralich, both natives of Germany, but who came to the United States in early life and were married in Ohio, where the mother died in 1865, leaving four children, viz: Ferdinand J .; Jacob, who resides in Fayette county, Ill .; Peter, who died in Sheridan county, Kans. ; and Veronica, wife of William Ashman, who resides near Green- ville, Ohio. Jacob Fralich, the father, is now a retired farmer of Fayette county, Ill., and by a second marriage has had born to him four children, named Ella, Charles, Emma and Mary.

Ferdinand J. Fralich was reared on the home farm until thir- teen years of age, receiving a limited education in the parochial schools-partly in Darke county, Ohio, and partly in Fayette county, Ill. At the age mentioned, young Fralich left the Illinois farm and returned to Ohio and lived with his maternal uncle, Ferdinand Caron, a farmer of Darke county, until nineteen years old. He then worked a year in a furniture factory at Greenville, Ohio, and then in a sash and door factory in Union City, Ind., and there became acquainted with Miss Catherine Kuntz, a native of Darke county, Ohio, and a daughter of Martin and Hetwick Kuntz, to whom he was united in marriage by Rev. Jeremiah Quin- lin, in November, 1875. This congenial union has been blessed with ten children, viz: Peter J., Lewis M., Mary V., Charles F., Clara J., Anna and Joseph, all living, and Rosa, George and Agnes, deceased.

After his marriage Mr. Fralich established a lumber yard in Union City, but a year later removed to Bradford Junction, Miami county, Ohio, where he was engaged in the same line of business seven years; he next removed to Piqua, and for seven years was there also engaged in the lumber trade, and then came to Tipton,

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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,

purchased ground, built his lumber plant, and erected a handsome residence on Mill street. He also has yards in Kempton, Tipton county, and in Atlanta, Hamilton county, Ind., as well as real estate of much value in both of these towns, and in the city of Tipton. Mr. Fralich is likewise a stockholder in the Citizens' Natural Gas company, of Tipton, of which he was one of the organ- izers, and of which he is now serving his third term as as presi- dent. He has made his own way through the world, and his great success is due solely to his business sagacity and admirable management.

Mr. Fralich has served several years as trustee of St. John the Baptist church, at which he and family all worship, and to the support of which he is very generous in his contributions, and he is also an active member of St. John's Benevolent society. He is numbered among the most substantial business men of Tipton, and among the most respected and useful citizens, and well deserves the high esteem in which he is universally held.

JOHN FREEL, a well-known member of St. Patrick's parish, Terre Haute, and a trustee of the church, was born in county Donegal, Ireland, August 15, 1845, and is a son of Patrick and Margaret (Mahan) Freel, both parents natives of the Emerald isle.

The subject remained in his native land until 1868, at which time he came to the United States, landing at Castle Garden, New York, in August of that year, and proceeding thence to Terre Haute, Ind., where his elder brother, Edward, had for some time been residing. Mr. Freel's first employment in the new country was peddling, which he followed until March, 1872, when he began working in the Terre Haute Car works, beginning as a laborer in the lumber yard, and later took charge of the measuring depart- ment, which he still continues He has been a trusted employee, ever alive to the interests of the firm with which he is identified, and enjoys the esteem and confidence of a large circle of friends and acquaintances in his adopted city.

On the 22nd day of October, 1874, the marriage of Mr. Freel (564)

CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.

and Annie Hagerty, a native of Donegal, Ireland, was duly sol- emnized according to the solemn form of the holy Catholic church, a union severed by the death of Mrs. A. Freel in 1886. She left two sons, Patrick, born December 7, 1875, and John, whose birth occurred September 16, 1880.

On the 27th day of February, 1889, Mr. Freel entered into the marriage relation with Ella C. Burns, who was born in the city of Terre Haute, December 24, 1853, a daughter of John Burns, a native of Ireland. John Burns became a resident of Terre Haute in 1851, served in the late Rebellion, and died in 1877 in the National Soldiers' home, Dayton, Ohio.

Mr. Freel's second marriage has been blessed with two chil- dren, viz: Mary, born December 8, 1889, and Robert Burns, July 31, 1893. Mr. Freel was reared in the Mother church and has never departed from the faith of his childhood. He and family belong to St. Patrick's parish, of which they are valued members, and he is an active worker in the total abstinence society connected with the church.

IGNATIUS FREIBURGER, foreman of the White Fruit house I of Fort Wayne, Ind., is a native of France, was born Septem- ber 16, 1854, and is a son of Ignatius and Theressa (Gerardin) Freiburger, who were born, respectively, in 1816 and 1819, became the parents of ten children, came to the United States in 1857, and settled on a farm in Pleasant township, Allen county, Ind., but in 1885 retired to Fort Wayne.

Ignatius Freiburger, the subject, spent his childhood days on his father's farm, attended the public schools until fourteen years old, and then became a clerk for Gerardin Bros., with whom he remained five years, attending a commercial school in the mean- while. He next entered the employ of J. B. White, proprietor of the famous Fort Wayne Fruit house, and in a very few years attained the responsible position of foreman, which he has since retained. August 30, 1881, Mr. Freiburger was united in mar- riage with Miss Mary Schweiters, who was born in Allen county in 1859, a daughter of Hermann and Catherine Schweiters, and

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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,

to this happy marriage have been born six children, viz: Frank L., Marcellus J., Amelia May, Clarence H. and Lawrence I. (twins) and Helen. The family are members of St. Paul's Catholic church. Mr. Freiburger is a member of the Catholic Knights of America, branch No. 103. and is the present vice-president of the state organization. In politics Mr. Freiburger is a sound demo- crat, but has never sought public office, being content to pursue the routine of his business life, watching the interests of the firm by which he is employed and faithfully attending to the duties of the responsible position which he has attained through his personal merits and adherence to duty.

J FREMONT FREY, foreman of the stereotyping department of the Indianapolis Journal, and a well-known and highly esteemed Catholic citizen of Indianapolis, resides with his family at No. 806 East Eleventh street. Mr. Frey is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, was born September 6, 1862, and his father, Adolph Frey, is also a native of Cincinnati, but now a resident of Indianapolis. His mother is now deceased.

J. Fremont Frey has been a resident of Indianapolis since he was six years of age. He attended school from the time he was six years of age until he was twelve, at which time he began to take care of himself. For a number of years he was page of the superior court, presided over by Judge Horatio C. Newcomb and later by Judge D. W. Howe. Since 1878 Mr. Frey has been connected with the Indianapolis Journal, and since 1880 he has had charge of the stereotyping department. Although his earlier advantages for securing an education were limited, yet he has, by wide and constant reading, become a man of much information and culture, and has in this way made good and compensated for his earlier deprivations in this direction.

January 30, 1882, Mr. Frey was married to Miss Mary Behmer, daughter of Augustus and Marie J. (Fleury) Behmer, the former of whom is a German by birth, and the latter a native of that part of Switzerland bordering on France. Coming to the United States

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CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.

in early life, they were married in Cincinnati, and Mr. Behmer is at the present time a resident of Indianapolis, to which place the family removed in 1865. The mother of Mrs. Frey is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Frey have had six children, three of whom are still living, viz: Mary F., Lillian H. A. and Herman A. The children that have died were named Fremont E., Vivian M. and Joseph N.

While Mr. Frey was not of Catholic parentage, yet he is now a Catholic, having received the holy ordinance of baptism on Jan- uary 30, 1882, which was administered by the Rev. Father Aler- ding. Mr. Frey has given much attention to the study of music, and the success with which he met in this respect is due in no small degree to his excellent wife, who in her youth was finely educated in this art. Mr. Frey has written a number of scores and excels in performing on the zither. For five years both Mr. and Mrs. Frey were members of the choir of St. Joseph's parish, and Mr. Frey is a member of the Young Men's institute, council No. 272. Taking all things into consideration, it is not too much to say that Mr. and Mrs. Frey are among the best and most useful members of general society and have the esteem of all that know them.

JOSEPH A. FRIES, a well-known miller and hardware mer- chant of Brookville, Franklin county, Ind., was born ten miles from Frankfort, Germany, March 19, 1831, a son of Michael and Barbara (Summer) Fries.

Michael Fries was born in the city of Frankfort in 1802, was a surveyor by profession and followed that calling for nearly twenty- five years, and then lived on a farm until 1837, when he brought his family to America, landing in Boston, Mass., whence he came, via the Cumberland canal and Ohio river to Cincinnati and across the country to St. Peter's, Franklin county, Ind., and settled on a farm on Blue creek, where his wife died in 1863. The following year he retired from active business and expired in the faith of the Catholic church in 1889. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Fries, which took place about 1824, there were born eight children, viz: Peter, deceased; Tony, living in Cincinnati; Michael J. and George

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THE CLERGY AND DONGREGATIONS.

A. in Brock: D .: Barbara, widow of Benedict Hedrick. f Har- risoa Olla: Mary, wife of Bernard Bennessa. of Brookville: Bar- bara. wife of William Blockman, of LaFayette Ind .. and Joseph A .. the subject.

Joseph A Fries was but six years of age when brought to America by Sis parents. He was edacated in St. Peters parochial school, and was reared te manhood on his father's farm. where he remained anti about the year 1860. February 11, 1861. he was posted in marnage by the Rev. Father Longegenburry at St. Perer s. with Miss Mary Kahen, and this union has been blessed with six children. wir J hn. deceased Maggie, deceased wife of Henry G. Schmitt. and Anna, Katie Charles and Anita. all four still at home In 1800. M :. Fries engaged in the milling business in Brookville, and also embarked in the hardware trade, and has prospered. He and the entire family are active members of St. Michael's church, of which Mr. Fries was elected a trustee in 188 ;. He is also a member of St. Joseph society. and Mrs. Fries is a member pi St Mary's Ladies society, and both are liberal in their contributions to the support of the church and are prompt in their aid tu any movement designed for the good of the parish They are highly respected in social circles and are in every sense most exemplary citizens.

J OSEPH FRISZ a well known citizen of Terre Haute and prom- ment member of the parish of St. Benedict, is a native of Lor- raine. France, and was born on the asth day of September. 1843. His father was Jeseph Frisz, als a native of Lorraine, who left the old country in 1846, and, with his family, emigrated to the United States. landing at New Orleans after an ocean voyage on a salling vessel of sixty-two days, and. proceeding at once up the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, located in Jennings county. Ind. not far from the city of Madison There the family resided until the death of the parents. the father dying in 1864 and the mother following him to the grave four years later. both having reached the age of sixty-eight years

The family of Joseph Frsz consisted of nine children, six of

whom are still lining namely Jacob Jennings con 11

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in Terre Haute, and Tosepm the s. Joseph Fraz was at

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was an exemplary Christian woman devoted to the coures faith of which she departed this .de on the nih day of Man leaving a family of seren Dining chilired. twee haring preceded ber to the realms of the jost. The following are the cames : living Lena M wide of Isbn E Cox. 6 Terre Haute- Tarde N

THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,

residing in Los Angeles, Cal .; Margaret K., George B., Joseph A., Clara M. and Fred J.

Mr. Frisz is active in church work, being at this time presi- dent of the St. Francis Benevolent society; he has served as alder- man from his ward, is now city commissioner, and is identified with a number of secular institutions, among which are the Ger- man Mutual Savings association of Terre Haute, and the Mutual Fire Insurance company of the city, of which he is a director.

P ATRICK H. McNELIS, the genial and popular proprietor of the Occidental hotel, at Indianapolis, was born at Summit Hill, Carbon county, Pa., March 10, 1846, and was there reared to manhood. At the early age of eight years he began work- ing in the coal mines of his native county, acquiring his educa- tion in the common school of his then backwoods district. On attaining his majority he came west, making his first stop at Mor- ris, Ill., whence he went to Omaha, Denver and Cheyenne, making a short stay at each place, then worked awhile in the quartz-mills at Blackhawk, Gilpin county, Colo., after which he returned to Denver and entered the employ of the Union Pacific railroad company, with which he remained until August, 1869. In April, 1871, he settled in Indianapolis, and for four years was engaged in various kinds of labor, and then began business on his own account. In October, 1896, he became proprietor of the Occi- dental hotel, which he has placed upon a sound footing and ren- dered one of the most favorite resorts for travelers, as well as an. abiding place for many permanent residents of the city.

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History of the Catholic church in Indiana, Volume II, Part 33

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