USA > Indiana > History of the Catholic church in Indiana, Volume II > Part 53
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97
Yours A. Richle
ST. MARY OF THE WOODS CHURCH, ST. MARY'S, IND.
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
of the holy church, popular with the parishioners, whose confi- dence he enjoys in a marked degree, and his work has been such as to meet the commendation of his superiors in the church; under his wise oversight and vigilant care, St. Mary's parish'has greatly prospered.
H ENRY LACOSTE was born November 29, 1854, two miles from Vincennes, Ind., his present place of residence, a son of Michael and Eleanor (Du Prees) Lacoste, both natives of America, though of French ancestry. The former was born in Illinois, a son of Andrew Lacoste, who was a ranger for three years in the Blackhawk war, during which he was wounded by the Indians. The mother was a daughter of Louis and Angelina Du Prees, natives. of Canada. Her parental grandfather died in Vincennes at the age of seventy-seven. He was engaged on the construction of the cathedral and the present brick church. She was one of a family of eleven children, but two of whom, beside herself, are now living.
Michael Lacoste, subject's father, was a farmer and mechanic and died in Vincennes in 1893. He was a soldier during the late war and received injuries which culminated in his death. He and wife were the parents of the following children: Louis, who died at the age of twelve years; Henry, our subject; Michael, a black- smith; Elizabeth, wife of John Piquette, lives at Cadillac, Mich .; Samuel, also a blacksmith, in partnership with his brother Michael on Broadway; William, a printer and until recently, and for four- teen years, foreman in the office of the Vincennes Sun, resides with. his mother at the corner of Fifth and Nicholas streets.
The first work of Henry Lacoste was that of farmer on the church farm near Vincennes, the property now owned by St. Fran- ces Xavier church. He then took up the blacksmith's trade and has worked at it ever since. Although he has been employed at his trade in Illinois, Ohio, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, and other parts of Indiana, he has always considered Vincennes his home, and has been located at his present place on Broadway for the past nine years.
Mr. Lacoste was married in Vincennes, February 10, 1879,
(853)
THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
to Miss Julia Baekman, daughter of William and Louisa Baekman, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Father Merz. To them seven children have been born, as follows: Louisa, Mabel, Ches- ter W., Etna, Blanche, Ferley, and Johnny, who died in infancy. Our subject is prominently identified with the C. K. of A., St. Francis branch, of which he was a former president, and he and his family are active members of St. Francis Xavier church. In his political views Mr. Lacoste had always been a democrat (con- trary to the political faith of his father, who was a strong repub- lican), until the recent free-silver plank was introduced into that party's platform, when he was compelled to change his faith and support republican measures.
A UGUST FREDERICK KULL, who resides at No. 428 Wal- cott street, Indianapolis, Ind., was born in Wurtemberg, Ger- many, February 1, 1839, of highly respectable Protestant parents. Emigrating to the United States, he landed in New York May 4, 1866, remaining in that city about one month, and then going to St. Louis, and finally locating in Indianapolis, January 27, 1867. On February I, following, he was married to Miss Magdalene Pfaff, a native of Baden, Germany, by Rev. Father Siegriest, the predecessor of the Rev. Father Scheideler. Mrs. Kull is just one month younger than her husband, and the two came to the United States at the same time, but in different ships, Mrs. Kull and a sis- ter, now living in Leavenworth, Kans., coming together. Mr. and Mrs. Kull have for twenty-four years been residents of St. Mary's parish. They have had seven children born to them, as follows: Charles John, Carrie, Frank Joseph, Emma Anna and Herman Henry, living, and Mary and Anna, deceased, each of whom died at the age of eight years.
Mr. Kull is a carpenter by trade and was employed five years by Mr. Dickman; but since 1871 he has been in the service of the Big Four Railway company, occupying at the present time the position of car inspector. He has always been an industrious and highly respected citizen and his family are all true and faithful
(854).
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
members of the Catholic church. The children are their parents' pride, and bid fair to be valuable citizens of the country chosen by their parents to be the home of themselves and of their descendants.
JOHN D. LACROIX, an extensive dealer in coal and ice, at No. 17 South Third street, Vincennes, Ind., is a native of this city, was born April 7, 1856, a son of Marcellus and Adele (Bay- ard) LaCroix, and descends from an old French family, which established itself in Vincennes over a century ago.
Marcellus LaCroix was born in Vincennes August 12, 1824, and received a classical education at a Catholic college in Canada. He was a dry-goods and general merchant through life, and of the six children born to his marriage with Miss Bayard, Mary, the eldest, died in childhood; John D. is the only son surviving; Annie is the wife of J. J. Price, an insurance agent, of Indianapolis; Adele, unmarried, lives with her mother; Earnest, the fifth born, died in infancy, and Helen, the youngest, also has her home with her mother. The father of this family was called away December 4, 1876.
John D. LaCroix was preliminarily educated in the parochial schools of his native city and received his first communion at about fourteen years of age. He then entered the public schools and completed the course at the high school. His first business venture was on Main street, between Third and Fourth, in part- nership with Hugh Bowen, in the grocery trade, but at the close of a year Mr. LaCroix purchased his partner's interest, and for twelve years successfully carried on the establishment alone. It was while thus engaged, however, that he became interested in the coal and ice trade, in consequence which he soon afterward disposed of his grocery stock and gave his exclusive attention to the new branch, which he has since continued to augment. He is a member of the East Lake Ice company, and in both ice and coal controls a large wholesale traffic, in which he is assisted by six or seven employees, who handle both commodities on his own premises.
(855)
THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
The marriage of Mr. LaCroix took place June 5, 1885, to Miss Mary Brackett, a native of St. Louis, Mo., and a daughter of G. W. Brackett, deputy United States marshal, of that city. Mrs. LaCroix is a highly accomplished lady, having received her educa- tion in one of the famous Catholic institutions of learning in her native city. No children, however, have come to bless this other- wise blessed union. Mr. and Mrs. LaCroix are members of St. Francis Xavier congregation, with which, as already intimated, both the LaCroix and Bayard families have been connected ever since the diocese of Vincennes was erected, over a hundred years ago. In politics, Mr. LaCroix is a democrat, having been indoctrinated in the principles of the party by his father, who was at one time a democratic commissioner of the county of Knox, and also for many years a member of the Vincennes city council. It were useless to waste words as to the social standing of a family so long established in Vincennes and which has been so promi- nently connected with the growth of Knox county.
M ICHAEL LAHEY, deceased, was born in county Kerry, Ire- land, in 1852, and came to the United States in his young manhood. On June 14, 1868, he was married at St. John's Cath- olic church, by Rev. Father Bessonies, to Miss Hannah Neenan, also a native of county Kerry, and a daughter of John and Mary (Davis) Neenan, both natives of the same county in which they lived and died, being at the time of their death about sixty years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Neenan were the parents of eight children: Bridget, wife of John Rice, residing in Indianapolis; Hannah, who married the subject of this sketch; Annie, widow of Patrick Cro- nin, who died of yellow fever, is now residing in Memphis, Tenn .; Margaret, wife of James Mahoney, still lives in Ireland, where she has a family of grown-up children; Nora, wife of Patrick Harvey, resides in Memphis, Tenn .; Timothy left Indianapolis about ten years ago and has not been since heard from; Bartholomew, who came from Ireland to the United States and located in Memphis, Tenn., with the view of locating there permanently, is unmarried.
(856)
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
Michael Lahey was a shoemaker by trade, and at this trade he worked from his manhood until his death, which event occurred in 1890. Timothy Lahey, a brother of the subject, and a laborer, now resides on Georgia street, in Indianapolis. Michael and Hannah Lahey were the parents of the following-named children, viz: Timothy, now employed at Kingan's packing house, and liv- ing with his mother; Mary, now Mrs. Wilbur Ryan, and living in Elmira, N. Y. ; Kate, living at home; Johnny died at the age of six years, and Johnny, the second, died at the age of nine months; Hannah, and Bridget, the latter deceased. The family has always been in Indianapolis, and most of the time of their residence here have been members of St. John's Catholic church, to the support of which, Mr. Lahey, while living, was a liberal contributor. He died as he had lived, a devout Catholic, and highly respected by all that knew him. While not a wealthy man at the time of his death, yet he left his family in comfortable circumstances. Mrs. Lahey and her children are all active workers in their church, and for the cause of Catholicism, she being a member of the Living Rosary society and of the Sacred Heart. Mr. Lahey was a member of St. Patrick's Total Abstinence society, and Timothy is a member of the Young Men's institute. Timothy Lahey is a young man of excellent character, industrious, frugal and studious, and, being the only son, it falls largely to his lot to care for the family, which he is doing in a most commendable manner so far as possi- ble, and thus is his mother's pride and his sisters' wise counsellor. Too much credit cannot be given him for the course of life he is pursuing and for the success with which he is meeting.
R EV. FRANCIS JOSEPH LAMBERT, pastor of St. Mary's church, Dunnington, Ind., was born in the diocese of Trier, Germany, February 14, 1857, and is a son of Peter and Christina (Snyder) Lambert. He was educated thoroughly at Trier and in the seminary of Lonvaine, and was ordained a priest on March 10, 1883. In May, of the same year, he came to America and first located at the Nix settlement, in Whitley county, Ind., and from
(857)
THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
there was transferred to St. Anthony's church in Benton county, where he remained from 1884 until May 10, 1888, when he was appointed to his present charge. He labored strenuously with his flock, and in 1892 began the erection of a new church building, which was completed in 1893, but was not dedicated until Septem- ber 27, 1896. Also in 1893 he established a school for the benefit of the young members of his flock, which is now attended by 110 pupils, under the supervision of the Sisters of St. Francis. The school holds its sessions in the old church building, which was remodeled for the purpose. A Sister's residence was also erected by Father Lambert in 1893, and in the development of this partic- ular part of his charge he has manifested the utmost interest and diligence, while his labors for the spiritual welfare of his flock have been equally successful and persistent. The congregation is com- posed of about 125 families of mixed nationalities.
The original church building of St. Mary's, which has been utilized by Father Lambert as a school-house, was begun in July, and completed in September, 1876, at a cost of $850. The present building, erected through the energy of Father Lambert, is of frame, is 125 x 52 feet, has a seating capacity of 600, and cost $12,000, the material for its construction having been hauled six miles from the railroad depot. It is elegantly decorated interiorly, is finished in antique oak and the altar and furnishings, grand in themselves, cost about $1, 300. Father Lambert has been a hard worker, as well as a pious and diligent pastor, and well deserves the fond affection with which he is regarded by his flock.
F ELIX LAMPERT, a trustee of St. Joseph church, of Jasper, Ind., and proprietor of the carriage and buggy works, is a son of Melchior and Rich (Dole) Lampert, was born March 19, 1836, in Baden, Germany, and was brought to the United States when he was three years of age, his parents locating in Dubois county, three miles east of Jasper. He was reared on a farm, attended the common schools, and at the age of seventeen years learned the carriage and buggy manufacturing business, and has continued
(858)
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
that trade ever since. Mr. Lampert was married, May 30, 1859, to Miss Helen Bretz, a daughter of William Bretz, of Dubois. county, and to them were born nine children, of whom eight are still living, viz: William J., Edwin, Isabella, Caroline, George, Frank, Otto and Flora. All of the children belong to St. Joseph's. church, Jasper, Ind., and Caroline is married to Joseph Fierste, of Jasper, a painter by trade. Mr. and Mrs. Lampert are very devout, and liberal in their contributions to the support of the church. Mr. Lampert has always been an industrious man, and has reared his family in respectability. Mr. Lampert is a member of the Catholic Knights, of Jasper, and is a democrat in politics.
J JOHN LANDWERLEN, a highly respectable farmer of Shelby county, Ind., is a native of Alsace, Germany, and was born October 28, 1830, a son of John M. and Mary A. (Grenginer). Landwerlen, who were well-to-do agriculturists and the parents of eleven children, of whom four reached the years of maturity.
September 5, 1853, the subject was united in marriage by Rev. John Foltz, in his native country, to Miss Mary A. Rudoff, a native of his own province, born February 9, 1838, a daughter of George Rudolf and sister of the Rev. Francis Joseph Rudolf, pastor of St. Gabriel's church, Connersville, Ind. In 1854, Mr. Landwerlen and his bride came to America, landing in New York, whence they came to Oldenburg, Ind., where for a year subject worked at common laboring, and then moved to Fort Atkinson, Iowa, where he bought a farm of ninety acres, which he cultiva- ted until 1864, when he sold, came to Shelby county, bought forty acres, and sold this also; he next bought his present farm of 128 acres in 1867, and here he has since made his home.
To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Landwerlen have been born ten children, viz: George A., of Oregon; Mary E., deceased; Catherine, wife of A. Renner, of Kansas; John M., of Shelby county; Joseph F., on the home place; Louis, in Indianapolis; Mary M., deceased; Vincent, of Indianapolis; Benedict and Lena, both at home. The Landwerlen family are all members of St.
(859)
THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
Joseph's church, and live strictly up to the teachings of their beloved pastor. Mr. Landwerlen is a first-class farmer, is the owner of some fine Holstein cattle, and conducts his work intelli- gently as well as industriously; he enjoys the good opinion of all his neighbors and is recognized as a good and useful citizen.
R EV. FRANK A. ROELL, pastor of the church of the Immac- ulate Conception, at Aurora, Dearborn county, Ind., is one of nine sons born to Henry and Catherine (Schacherer) Roell. The father was born in Bavaria, Germany, came to the United States in 1854, first located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and for several years was engaged in the brewery business; he next moved to Oldenburg, Ind., following the same business until 1867. He then disposed of his brewery, and located at Morris, Ind., where he conducts a hardware store and at the same time is connected with the Morris Cooperage Manufacturing company.
Rev. Frank A. Roell was born November 27, 1864, at Olden- burg, Ind., attended the parochial schools until thirteen years old, and then began to study for the priesthood at St. Meinrad's college. He was ordained May 26, 1888, by Bishop Chatard, and said his first mass June 13, following, at Morris. He was first stationed at St. Mark's (Tell City P. O.), where he officiated six months, and was then placed at New Albany to assist the Rev. Dean Faller, being the first assistant to receive a residence in St. Mary's parish. During his nine years' stay at New Albany, Father Roell was very zealous in the performance of his exacting duties, which included not only those pertaining to his position as assistant to Dean Fal- ler, but to the care of the missions at Charlestown and Lexington, fifteen and twenty-five miles distant, on the Baltimore & Ohio S. W. railroad, of which missions he had exclusive charge six years. At Lexington he first read mass in an old warehouse, but in the spring of 1892 Father Roell broached the subject of the erection of a church building, and this project was readily coincided in by the congregation. Ground was broken the same season, the church completed at a cost of $4,000, and, May 28, 1893, was dedicated
·(860)
Yours truly , Franck a. Quell
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH, AURORA, IND.
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
by Rt. Rev. Monsignor Bessonies, V. G., who stated in his dedica- tory address that, whilst he had been dedicating churches in Indi- ana for over fifty years, this was the first one he ever dedicated free from debt. The name selected was that of the Mother of God. Father Roell, in 1896, purchased a cemetery, and the first interment therein took place in January, 1897, the remains being those of William Braniff, the first Catholic settler in that part of the country.
December 1, 1897, Father Roell was appointed to succeed Rev. A. A. Schenk as pastor of St. Joseph's, Vanderburgh county, and there he brought to bear the same zeal and energy he exercised when attached to the pastorate at New Albany, and won the sin- cere esteem and affection of his congregation, which was most loth to part with him, when, in May, 1898, he was transferred to the church of the Immaculate Conception at Aurora, Dearborn county, Ind., to succeed Rev. J. J. Macke. Here Father Roell has worked as faithfully as he had done in his former charges. Father Roell is genial and cordial by nature, suave in manner, and a thoroughly accomplished gentlemen as well as a pious and zealous priest.
C . HARLES J. LANG, attorney at law and real estate agent, at Lawrenceburg, Ind., is a son of Francis X. and Catherine Lang. Francis X. Lang was born in Baden, Germany, June 3, 1838, and came to America at the age of eighteen, landed in New Orleans, and from there he went to Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1870 he located in Lawrenceburg, Ind., where he resided until his death, which occurred November 25, 1880. Catherine Lang was born in Dearborn county, Ind., and resides at Lawrenceburg.
Charles J. Lang was born in Dearborn county, Ind., Novem- ber 15, 1869, and is one of a family of six children, of whom four are living, viz: Mary E., wife of F. A. Glockner, of Portsmouth, Ohio; Ametia J .; Charles J. and Anna E , a teacher in the pub- lic schools. . He was educated in the parochial and public schools. which he attended until sixteen years of age and at St. Meinrad college. He then clerked in Cincinnati, Ohio, and next attended
40
(865)
THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
the Kentucky university, was graduated from the business depart - ment March 26, 1888, and also received his business training at Walter's Business college at Cincinnati, which he attended six months. He next engaged in the boot and shoe business with F. A. Glockner, in Lexington, Ky. He then attended the Cincinnati law school and was graduated May 25, 1892, and then returned to Lawrenceburg, Ind., and engaged in his present business, which his. superior abilities and education have enabled him to carry to the uttermost point of success.
JOSEPH LARBES, a well-known cabinetmaker of Richmond, J Ind., was born in Hanover, Germany, April 18, 1831, a son of John and Mary Larbes, the former of whom was born in 1800 and was reared to farming.
John Larbes was married at Hanover in 1820, to Mary Halker, who was born in 1803, and this union was blessed with four chil- dren, viz: Henry, of Cincinnati, Ohio; Benjamin, of Glendorf, Ohio; Lizzie, deceased, and Joseph. The father brought his- family to America in 1854, and landed in Baltimore, Md., May 10, whence he went direct to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he resided twelve years, and there lost his wife in 1860. From Cincinnati Mr. Larbes removed to Glendorf, Ohio, where he passed the remainder of his life, dying in 1871.
Joseph Larbes received a good common-school education in his native country, and after leaving his studies was employed in farming until he came to the United States with his parents. At Cincinnati he was apprenticed to the cabinetmaking trade, which he followed twelve years in that city, and then came to Richmond, Ind., where he is still engaged in the same line and doing an excellent business.
The marriage of Mr. Larbes took place at Cincinnati, Ohio, May 20, 1864, to Miss Mary Shonlaw, the ceremony being per- formed at St. John's church by Rev. Father Otto. This union has been blessed with four children, of whom three, however, have- passed away, viz: John, whose remains are interred in Cincinnati,. (¥66)
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
and Rosa and Iphemia, whose mortal parts are interred in Rich- mond. The fourth child, Flavian, is finishing his education at St. Francis convent, Cincinnati. Mr. and Mrs. Larbes are devout Catholic members of St. Andrew's church. Mr. Larbes is also a member of St. Joseph's society, and Mrs. Larbes of St. Ann's society, and are highly respected by all their neighbors.
T HE LARKIN BROTHERS, merchants of Loogootee, Ind., and doing the most extensive trade in the place, are the children of Patrick and Mary E. (Montgomery) Larkin and are both natives of the state of Indiana.
Patrick Larkin, the father of these two brothers, was born in county Kilkenny, Ireland, in 1809, and when a young man of twenty-one came to the United States and for several years was a cotton broker in New York. He married, in that city, a Miss Bowen, and a few years later came to Indiana and settled on a farm near Montgomery. Here his wife died in 1848, leaving three children, viz: Mary, who married Henry Campbell, but died in Loogootee, without issue; Elizabeth, who united with the Sisters of Providence, and is now known as Sister Mary Borgia, and Anna, who was married to James Adams, resides in Louisville, Ky., and is the mother of six children. In 1850 Mr. Larkin married, for his second wife, Miss Mary E. Montgomery, a native of Montgom- ery, Daviess county, Ind., and to this union were born six children, of whom two only reached the years of maturity-John L. and Patrick B., who constitute the firm of Larkin Brothers, as noted at the opening of this sketch. Mr. Larkin was called from earth April 27, 1867, a devoted member of the Catholic church, and his widow still makes her home on the old homestead of 400 acres, near Loogootee, on which the family settled in 1860.
John F. Larkin, the elder of the two surviving children of Patrick and Mary (Montgomery) Larkin, was born at Mount Pleas- ant, Martin county, Ind., July 29, 1858, was educated in the schools of Loogootee in the preparatory branches, and then passed two years in the university of Notre Dame. He remained on the
(867)
THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
home farm until 1882, when the firm of Larkin Brothers was established, and he still manages the homestead, without in any manner neglecting his mercantile interests. In May, 1881, he married Miss Ella Crane, a native of Washington, Ind., and a daughter of Patrick Crane, and this union of Mr. and Mrs. Larkin has been blessed with eight children, viz: Mary, William, Clara, Helen, Alice, Frank, Anna and Joseph.
Patrick B. Larkin, brother of John F., was born in Loogootee November 14, 1860, was educated in its parochial schools and at the university of Notre Dame, and for a year after leaving college worked on the home farm, and then joined his brother in 1882, as previously remarked, in mercantile trade. In 1885 he married Miss Anna Reynolds, who was born in Loogootee in 1866, a daughter of Thomas Reynolds, and this union has been blessed with two chil- dren, viz: Bernard, born December 19, 1886, and Earnest, born January 4, 1894.
The firm of Larkin Brothers has met with marked success; it began in a small way, but now owns a double store-building and car- ries the largest stock of general merchandise owned in the town of Loogootee. They are extremely popular young business men, being polite and attentive to their patrons, and their social standing is with the best people of the county.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.