USA > Indiana > History of the Catholic church in Indiana, Volume II > Part 39
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CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
respect to continuous service, in the company's employ, with possi- bly one exception.
Mr. Greenen was united in marriage, June 30, 1873, with Miss Ellen L. Coffield, daughter of Jeremiah Coffield, of Urbana, Ohio, and this union has been blessed with nine children, viz: Daisey M., Nettie F., Ignatius P., Regina A., Joseph W., Harry M., Albert J., Clementine, and Leo Francis. The family are highly respected members of St. Patrick's church and Mr. Greenen is a member of St. Patrick's branch, No. 563, Catholic Knights of America, and to Capital council, No. 276, Young Men's institute, and no family in the city is more respected than his.
P ATRICK E. GRANNAN, junior member of the hardware and agricultural implement firm of Fanning & Co., of Montgomery, Ind., is a native of Daviess county, was born January 28, 1858, and is a son of Patrick and Phœbe A. (Mullen) Grannan.
Patrick Grannan was born in Longford county, Ireland, Decem- ber 25, 1810. In 1840 he came to Daviess county, was here married to Miss Mullen, a native of the county, and lived a farmer until his death, November 1, 1894, a devoted Catholic and a mem- ber of St. Patrick's congregation. Mrs. Phoebe A. Grannan is still a resident of St. Patrick's parish and is a most devoted Catholic. The family born to Patrick Grannan and wife consisted of four sons and four daughters, of whom seven are still living, viz: Mary E., widow of Owen Clarke, and a resident of Loogootee; Bridget, wife of Michael Cahill, an undertaker in Montgomery; George, a farmer of St. Patrick's parish; Margaret, wife of John Fanning, hardware merchant of Montgomery; Patrick E., whose name opens this article; Peter J., a farmer in St. Patrick's parish, and Anna, wife of James Murphy, also of St. Patrick's parish.
Patrick E. Grannan was reared on his father's farm, and was educated in the common school of his district. He was confirmed in the first class of confirmation in the new church of St. Peter's at Montgomery, by Bishop de St. Palais, and was the youngest male member of that class. He commenced his business life in
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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
1883 as a farmer, and followed the vocation about twelve years, and met with very fair success. June 5, 1883, he married Miss Bridget Tucker, a native of Daviess county, and a daughter of William and Margaret (McDonald) Tucker. Mrs. Grannan was also confirmed by Bishop de St. Palais, and was the youngest female member of the class, the event taking place the same day her husband was confirmed, they being members of the class from St. Patrick's parish, but confirmed in St. Peter's church. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Grannan have been born eight children, all of whom still live to bless the household of the parents, viz: Leo, who received his confirmation from Bishop Chatard; Mary E., Clara M., George, William V., Anna B., Rose and Cleophas. In 1895 Mr. Grannan came to Montgomery and engaged in his pres- ent business with his brother-in-law, John Fanning, and toward the success of this firm he has proven to be a vital factor.
In politics Mr. Grannan is a firm democrat, and in 1896 and 1897 served his party as well as his fellow-citizens as treasurer of the town of Montgomery, the duties of which office he performed to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. In religion he is a devout Catholic, and he and family are among the prominent mem- bers of St. Peter's congregation, to which they contribute of their means very freely. Since the advent of Father Rowan, as pastor of this congregation, over three years ago, improvements have been made to the extent of nearly $11, 500, and toward the furnishing of this sum Mr. Grannan has not hesitated to contribute his quota. Mr. Grannan has an elegant home in Montgomery, and he and family are among the most highly respected citizens of the thriving little village.
T THOMAS A. GREENE, a veteran journalist, city circulator of
the News, and a representative of one of the earlier Catholic families of Indianapolis, residing at No. 1010 High street, within the limits of St. Patrick's parish, is a son of John and Barbara (Fitzpatrick) Greene, and was born in Hagerstown, Wayne county, Ind., August 30, 1853.
John Greene, now deceased, was a native of county Clare, (654)
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
Ireland, and when a young man came to the United States, in 1850, and at once became a resident of Indiana. December 10, 1852, he married Miss Fitzpatrick, who was also born in county Clare, Ireland, and had, in fact, been his schoolmate. In 1862 he first came to Indianapolis, but in 1865 he removed from this city to Franklin, Johnson county, Ind., where he was employed as a rail- road foreman, and continued a railroad employee at various places, until the family returned to Indianapolis in 1869, where, in the later years of his active life, he was engaged in contracting for city improvements, and here his lamented death occurred February 22, 1895, in the faith of the Catholic church, of which he had been a life-long member. He was an extensive reader and a man of much general information, and in every respect a most worthy citizen. His widow, who was born in 1820, is still a resident of this city, where five of her children also reside, viz: Thomas A., John N., Michael F., Ellen (wife of Charles McCarthy) and William A .; two others, Mary and Henry, have passed away.
Thomas A. Greene, the eldest of the seven children enumer- ated above, was about nine years of age when his parents first came to the Railroad city, as Indianapolis had been nicknamed, was educated in the public and parochial schools, and was confirmed in the Catholic faith in 1865. He is a veteran newspaper man, having been connected with the press since 1874, and since 1880 with the Indianapolis News company.
Mr. Greene was united in marriage, September 28, 1881, at St. Patrick's church, by Rev. Father McDermott, with Miss Anna F. Murphy, a native of Montour county, Pa., and a daughter of Michael and Bridget Murphy, who were born in county Sligo, Ire- land. Mr. Murphy was called from earth, in the faith of the Cath- olic church, in November, 1890; Mrs. Murphy now makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Greene, calmly awaiting the call to join her departed husband. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Greene has been blessed with eight children, of whom six still survive- John J., William, Joseph, Thomas, Henry and Edward-the deceased having been named Charles and Mary Margaret. The family is one of the most respected, as well as one of the oldest, of St. Patrick's parish.
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R EV. J. H. OECHTERING, the rector of St. Mary's church, was born December 23, 1845, in Lingen, Hanover, a son of Clement and Mary (Grotemeier) Oechtering. He attended the schools of his native city until twelve years of age, after which he spent one year at the gymnasium, a school for the higher branches of literature and science, in the same city of Lingen. In 1858 he was sent to college in Muenster and remained seven years, after which he spent two years at the university in the same city. In 1867 he entered the American college of Louvain, Belgium, as a candidate for the priesthood. He was ordained for the diocese of Fort Wayne, by the coadjutor archbishop of Malines, May 21, 1869. Father Oechtering came to America the same year, and was assigned to Elkhart, residing, however, at Mishawaka. He had charge of Elkhart one year, when he was transferred to St. Joseph's church at Laporte, where he remained ten years. July 14, 1880, he was appointed pastor of St. Mary's church, Fort Wayne. In 1888 he was named "immovable rector" of the same church. During his pastorate in Fort Wayne, Father Oech- tering published a pamplet on capital and labor which attracted favorable attention throughout the United States and in Europe.
JOHN GREENER, the accomplished tonsorial artist of Hunt- ingburg, Dubois county, Ind., and formerly one of the trustees of St. Mary's church, is a son of Joseph and Barbara (Witcher) Greener, was born near Huntingburg, May 16, 1869, and was reared on the farm of his parents, receiving his education at the common schools. As a boy, he represented the head of the fam- ily, the father's health being very poor. He served a full appren- ticeship at the barber's trade, and later has conducted a first-class shop. He was united in marriage, May 17, 1892, to Miss Joseph- ine M. Judy, born January 9, 1878, a daughter of J. F. Judy, of Jasper, Dubois county, but no children have been born to this mar- riage. Mr. Greener and his wife were confirmed by Bishop Cha- tard, and are both members of St. Mary's church, are faithful to their duties, and enjoy to a wide extent the respect of the com- (656)
J.l. Dukterin
MOTHER OF GOD CHURCH. FT. WAYNE, IND.
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
munity in which they live. Socially Mr. Greener is a member of the Y. M. I .; politically he is a democrat and cast his first presi- dential vote for Cleveland.
N TICHOLAS GRIBLING, the genial proprietor of the Gribling house, at LaFayette, Ind., was born in the province of Lorraine, France, December 6, 1833, a son of Nicholas and Mar- garet (Blaising) Gribling. He was taught the baker's trade when young, and in 1852 came to the United States, accompanied by four other boys about his own age, and landed in New Orleans, where he remained until 1854; he then came to LaFayette, via Cincinnati, and was employed as baker and pastry cook in differ- ent hotels until 1861, when he opened a restaurant, which he con- ducted until 1864, when he purchased the Gault house, which he successfully conducted until he built the St. Nicholas hotel, which he opened on Thanksgiving day, 1874, and which he inanaged until 1891, when he sold out and has since carried on his present popular hotel, the Gribling house.
The parents of Mr. Gribling came to the United States in 1854, and ended their days in LaFayette, where their sons, Chris- tian and Nicholas, still have their homes, and also one daughter, Kate, wife of Maple Long; Justine, another daughter, is the wife of John Elsenheimer and resides in Cincinnati.
Nicholas Gribling was united in marriage in 1856 to Miss Kate Hertzog, a native of Bavaria, Germany, and the union has been blessed with four children, viz: Edward, of Tampa, Fla .; Frank; Emanuel, who died November 14, 1894, at the age of twenty-two years, and Harry. Mr. Gribling is a very popular member of the. republican party, and has served three years as water works trustee and as a member of the city council twelve years. He has always been a good manager in business matters, and his fortune has been made through his individual efforts. As a landlord he is. genial, affable, polite and ever attentive to the wants of his patrons, who, once partaking of his hospitality, never fail to " call again" on revisiting the Star city.
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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
G EORGE O. GRIFFIN, deceased, was at one time numbered among the thrifty business men and Catholic citizens of Indianapolis. He was born in Madison, Ind., in 1839, his father, William Griffin, having been a native of county Tipperary, Ire- land, and one of the very earliest Catholic settlers of Madison. In that new place he was one of the most active and influential of those who organized and built up St. Michael's parish. He was in every way a most worthy citizen, and the father of a numerous family, of whom but one son, Gerald Griffin, of St. Louis, Mo., still survives.
George O. Griffin grew to manhood in his native city, his occupation there being that of a wholesale grocer and liquor dealer. In 1863 he was married to Miss Martha M. Bright, daughter of Michael G. and B. B. Bright, the maiden name of the latter having been Steele. The parents of Mrs. Griffin were natives of New York and Kentucky respectively, and were most excellent people in every way. In 1873 Mr. Griffin removed with his family to Indianapolis, where he engaged in his former business. In religion he was a most devout Catholic, and morally he was an honest and upright citizen. He died September 2, 1895, mourned by his family and a large circle of friends.
Mrs. Griffin and her children still reside in the city, her chil- dren comprising three sons and three daughters. The sons are William, George and Michael, and the daughters, Martha, Brooke and Mary. Mrs. Griffin, though not of Catholic parentage, is yet a devout adherent of the Catholic church, and is liberal in its sup- port. Her children have all been brought up in the same religion which she professes.
P ATRICK J. GRIFFIN, who lives at No. 1121 Hoyt avenue, Indianapolis, and is a stoker at the gas works, has been a resident of St. Patrick's parish since 1891. His birth took place in the village of Curragrague, near Tralee, the capitalcity of county Kerry, Ireland, November 17, 1866, and is the eldest of ten chil- dren born to Patrick and Ellen Griffin, who still reside in their native isle, although the father at one time made a trip to America, (662)
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
but after a short stay here returned to his home in Ireland. Of the ten children alluded to, Patrick J., John and Annie, all of Indianapolis, are the only representatives of the family in America.
Patrick J. Griffin was reared to farming, and in December, 1891, came to Indianapolis direct from the old country, having a number of relatives at that time living in this city. Here he was united in marriage, April 26, 1893, with Miss Kate O'Keefe, a native of Lyreaoune, in the parish of Rathmore, county Cork, Ireland, and one of a family of fourteen children, four of whom are deceased. She came to America in 1884, when fifteen years of age, but her parents still reside in the old country. The mar- riage of Mr. and Mrs. Griffin has been blessed with two children, Ellen Marie and Patrick Dominik. They are devout Catholics, and Mr. Griffin is secretary of division No. 3, Ancient Order of Hibernians, is a member of district of Marion county Hibernians, and also of Capital council, No. 279, Y. M. I., of which latter order his brother John, who came to America in 1896, is also a member. Mr. Griffin is a gentleman of more than ordinary acumen, and since making his residence in Indianapolis has made many warm friends. Mrs. Griffin is quite an accomplished lady and is an ornament to the society circle in which she and her hus- band pass their leisure hours. Their home is the abode of domes- tic felicity, and there is a still brighter future for Mr. and Mrs. Griffin in the land of their adoption.
J JOHN H. GRIMME, deceased merchant tailor, of Fort Wayne, was one of seven children born to John J. and Mary (Starman) Grimme. The father was born in Germany, December 8, 1797, came to the United States in 1848, and died June 2, 1889.
John H. Grimme was born in Hanover, Germany, August 4, 1822, attended the common schools and learned the tailor trade, beginning in 1837 in Germany, and at the age of seventeen years came to the United States. He lived in New York city about three years and there finished learning his trade. He then moved to Pittsburg, and later to Cleveland, and Cincinnati, Ohio, remaining
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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
a short time in each place, then moved to Dayton, Ky., where he lived for thirty years. In 1871, he came to Fort Wayne, and opened a tailoring establishment on West Wayne street, where the Louis Mohr building now stands. By hard and constant labor he built up a large business there and eventually retired in July, 1897, selling out to his son, Gerhardt B.
Mr. Grimme was married August 25, 1845, to a Miss Anna Rickers, whose father was from Germany, and to this union have been born eleven children, five of whom are living: John C., Ger- hardt B., Anna S., Elizabeth and Theresa.
During the late Civil war Mr. Grimme was faithful to the flag of his adopted country, and served as a soldier with the Union forces in Kentucky, and later became one of the most highly respected citizens of Fort Wayne, having long been connected with the busi- ness interests of the city and county. In the early part of 1897, he suffered a paralytic stroke, and about April 8, 1898, had another attack, which resulted fatally on the 15th, and three days later his mortal remains were interred in St. Paul's cemetery. The lamented deceased was a sincere Catholic, as are all the surviving members of his family, and no man stood higher in the esteem of the citizens of Fort Wayne.
G RINSTEINER BROTHERS .- Among the business establish- ments long existing in Indianapolis, is that of Grinsteiner Brothers, undertakers, whose business is located at No. 522 East Market street. This business was established by the father of the two gentlemen referred to, George Grinsteiner, who was born in Germany in 1819, there grew to manhood and obtained his early education, and for some time worked in a foundry. Upon coming to the United States, a young man, he located first in Cincinnati, Ohio, and was there married to Mary Ann Reed, who was born in Pennsylvania.
While Mr. Grinsteiner resided in Cincinnati, he was also engaged in a foundry. The undertaking business he established in Indianapolis was at first of modest dimensions and started on
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small capital, the city itself being then much smaller than now. Mr. Grinsteiner carried on this business with success until his death, May 3, 1889, when he was succeeded by his two sons, George W. and William H., they employing their elder brother, Joseph, in the business. George Grinsteiner was a man of charac- ter and ability, a good citizen and a consistent Catholic, and much esteemed by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
The firm of Grinsteiner Brothers has recently erected a. fine brick structure at the place already mentioned, No. 522 East Market street, almost precisely on the same spot where was located their father's business, which he carried on for so many years. They are well known to many people, and are well-informed as to modern methods pertaining to their business, and are highly esteemed members of St. Mary's church, of which the Rev. Father Scheideler is the pastor. Beside the three brothers mentioned above, there were three sisters in the family, two of whom still survive, and are respected equally with their brothers.
In January, 1896, Anthony Lauck became a partner in the firm, and he cares for a branch business located at No. 1312 Union street. George, the senior member of the Grinsteiner Brothers, was married in Indianapolis, November 14, 1883, in St. Mary's church, to Alice Schondorf. She was born in this city, and is a daughter of Nicholas Schondorf, and by this union four children have been born, viz: Gertrude, Herman, George and Alice, all members of St. Mary's church. Mr. Grinsteiner is also a member of St. Joseph, St. Boniface and St. Francis societies, and in politics is a democrat.
Wm. H. Grinsteiner, the junior member of the firm, is single and makes his home with his mother at old No. 87 North Noble street, and worships at St. Mary's church. He also is a member of St. Joseph's society, and is a democrat.
F ERDINAND GROTHAUS, a native of Richmond, Ind., where he still maintains his residence, was born April 1, 1856, and is a son of Gerard and Catherine Grothaus, the former of whom was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1822, of Catholic parents, was
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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
educated in a parochial school, and then trained to the trade of cabinetmaking.
After working some years at his trade in the old country, Gerard Grothaus came to America, landing in New Orleans, La., in 1848, from which city he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he worked at his trade until 1855. About this time Gerard Grothaus married Catherine Roenker, and soon afterward came to Rich- mond, Ind., where he employed himself at his trade until his death. September 10, 1893. To his marriage were born five chil- dren, of whom Ferdinand, the subject of this memoir, was the third in order of birth. Gerard Grothaus was a faithful Catholic and an ardent member of St. Andrew's church, of which he was at one time a trustee, and was also a charter member of St. Joseph's society. His wife, also a member of St. Andrew's and of St. Ann's society, died November 19, 1893, and the remains of both husband and wife rest in peace in St. Andrew's cemetery.
Ferdinand Grothaus received a good education in the paro- chial school, and this was supplemented by an attendance at the Richmond Business college, and after finishing his education he engaged with his father in the furniture business, in which he has since met with a most flattering success. He was married in St. Andrew's church, Richmond, by Rev. Father Seibertz, October 26, 1886, to Miss Josephine Ramler, and three children have blessed the union, viz: Mary, Agnes, and an infant not named at the present writing. The parents are devoted Catholics and belong to St. Andrew's church, to the support of which they liber- ally contribute, as well as to any enterprise that promises the pro- motion of the community in which they live. Mr. Grothaus has been a very industrious man and has led a temperate and moral life, and consequently enjoys the respect of all who know him, and this respect is shared by his amiable wife and young family.
A NTHONY GRUSENMEYER, ex-county treasurer of Cass county, Ind., has been a resident of Logansport since 1853, and for thirty-two years was engaged in the manufacture of car- riages, but is now retired. He was born in Alsace, May 27, 1832, (666)
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
a son of Valentine and Catherine (Schwartzman) Grusenmeyer, the former of whom died in his native country February 3, 1850. There were ten children in the family, three of whom died young, and of the survivors Michael and Catherine (wife of George Bisch). came to the United States in 1846.
Shortly after receiving the announcement of the death of the father Michael returned to his native land for the purpose of bring- ing over the mother and the remaining five children, and in August, 1850, the family bade farewell to their home. After a journey of two weeks' duration they reached Havre, September 11, and on the 13th sailed from that port for the land of promise. All things went well until October 13, when they were caught in a severe storm and the vessel dismasted. Two days later another vessel came to their rescue and towed them to St. Thomas, an island in the West Indies, belonging to Denmark, and there they remained from October 26 until December 6, the vessel in the meanwhile undergoing repairs. December 23 they arrived in New Orleans, and on the 25th started up the river for Cincinnati, where they arrived January 6, 1851 ; on the 8th they started for Dayton, Ohio, arrived on the 9th, and temporarily settled in that city. The mother, however, was soon called from earth, dying in the Catho- lic faith September 9, 1851. Of the children, Joseph, who was a blacksmith by trade, came to Logansport, realized a competency, on which he retired, and died a true Catholic January 29, 1896, at the age of eighty-two years, leaving four children: Catherine (Mrs. George Bisch) died in Dayton, Ohio, leaving five children; Michael resides on a farm near Dayton; Mary, wife of George Roth, resides in Montgomery county, Ohio; Anthony, the next in order of birth, is the subject of this biography; Magdalena, married to Philip Lefert, still lives in Dayton, and Casper died in Logansport, Ind., in 1852, leaving one child.
Anthony Grusenmeyer enjoyed excellent school advantages until thirteen years of age, and then worked on his father's farm until the latter's decease. While at Dayton, Ohio, he worked on the state repair-boat, on the canal; on coming to Logansport, he learned the blacksmith's trade with his brother Joseph, for whom he worked until 1862, when he engaged in business on his own
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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
account until 1884, when he was elected county treasurer, and re-elected, serving two terms, or until 1888, and then for four years conducted a grocery, which he later transferred to his son, Charles X., and retired to private life.
The marriage of Anthony Grusenmeyer took place in Logans- port, in 1857, to Miss Elizabeth Schockome, who was born in this city July 18, 1837, a daughter of Joseph and Catherine Schockome, natives of Bavaria, Germany, and to this happy union have been born nine children, of whom four, however, died in early child- hood, and one son, Joseph, was killed by a railroad train at the age of nine years. Of the surviving four, Mary C. is the wife of William C. Bronson, of Peru, Ind .; Frederick M. is a blacksmith at LaFayette, Ind. ; Charles X. is the successor to his father in the grocery trade at Logansport, and Elizabeth J. resides with her parents at their elegant home, No. 96 Eel River avenue.
In politics Mr. Grusenmeyer has always been a stanch demo- crat, and, prior to his election as county treasurer, had served as a member of the city council from 1872 to 1874. In religion a devout Catholic, he and family are members of St. Joseph's church, of which he has frequently been a trustee and always one of its close advisers, as well as one of the most liberal contributors to its support. He is a public-spirited citizen, and cheerfully aids in the promotion of all work designed for the public weal, and as a busi- ness man was ever upright and straightforward in all his dealings. He came to Logansport a poor young man, and at the date of his marriage was possessed of $20 only; he now owns five substantial residences in the city, including his valuable dwelling, and also sev- eral tracts of land adjoining the town, all of which have been earned through his energy and industry, as well as foresight, and he and family are among the most respected residents of Logans- port and of the county of Cass.
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