History of the Catholic church in Indiana, Volume II, Part 6

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 6

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Peter Berens, father of subject, was born in Prussia and set- tled in Washington, Ind., in 1852. Here he engaged in the boot and shoe trade until 1886, when he opened a meat market, which he continued until his death, which occurred November 11, 1889, in the faith of the Catholic church, he being a member of St. Simon's parish. His wife, who belonged to the same parish, was called to rest in 1878, but their six children still survive and are named: Mary, Charles J., Rose, Peter J., Catherine and Thomas F.

Charles J. Berens, the subject of this memoir, attended the parochial school until sixteen years of age, and then assisted his father in the meat market, or until the death of the latter, when the three brothers, Charles J .. Peter J. and Thomas F., formed a partnership and acted together until August, 1895, when the young- est brother, Thomas F., withdrew and opened a shop on his own account. Charles J. and Peter J. continued till October, 1897,

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when C. J. became sole proprietor. The Temple Court meat market is 24x75 feet, and a local journal remarks of the former firm: "The Berenses are expert judges of meat, and they buy and kill their own cattle and cure and smoke their own hams and bacon. Their shop is most elegantly fitted up and presents a clean and delightful appearance. Their meats after being killed are held in cold storage for a length of time, sufficient to make it suitable for use. Consequently, such a thing as tough beef steak does not come from Berens' Temple Court meat market. They put up a high grade lard, on which they enjoy a large patronage." These remarks are equally forcible as applied to the present proprietor.

Charles J. Berens was united in marriage, June 21, 1893, with Miss Anna Miller, a native of Washington, Ind., and a daughter of Jacob and Eva Miller, deceased, of whom a biography is given on another page, and this marriage has been blessed with two chil- dren-Carl M. and Walter E. Mr. and Mrs. Berens are now mem- bers of St. Simon's church, but prior to marriage Mr. Berens was a member of St. Mary's and also a member of its choir. Mr. Berens owns his residence in the city and also thirty acres of good land in the county, and is a substantial citizen, highly respected both as a business man and as a member of society.

P ETER J. BERENS, proprietor of the meat market, at No. 324 Main street, Washington, Daviess county. Ind., was born in Washington, June 20, 1861, and is a younger brother of Charles J. Berens, whose biography appears above. He was educated in the parochial school of St. Simon, which he attended until fifteen years old, when he engaged in butcher work, finally becoming the partner of his brothers, as detailed in the memoir of Charles J., and in October, 1897, engaged in business alone.

October 15, 1895, Peter J. Berens was married, in Vincennes, Ind., to Miss Fannie Beckman, a native of that city and a daugh- ter of Henry Beckman, to which union has been born one child- John L. Mr. and Mrs. Berens are members of St. Simon's church and conscientiously live in accordance with the teachings of the

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CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.

Catholic faith. They are highly esteemed by a large circle of friends and acquaintances, and Mr. Berens is quite prominent as a member of the Young Men's institute. He is liberal and public spirited, and as a citizen is well worthy of the high regard in which he is held by the public in general.

R' EV. JOHN B. BERG, the accomplished young pastor of St. John the Evangelist's church at Remington, Jasper county, Ind., was born in the diocese of Trier, Germany, August 20, 1864, and is a son of Peter and Magdaline ( June) Berg. He came to America September 2, 1880, located in Schererville, Lake county, Ind., and was educated at St. Lawrence college at Mount Calvary, Wis., then at St. Francis college, Milwaukee, at St. Vincent col- lege, Westmoreland county, Pa., and was ordained priest June 15. 1889, at Fort Wayne, Ind., by Bishop Dwenger-his first charge being that of Reynolds, White county, Ind., where his ministra- tions were so satisfactory to his superiors and his congregation, that he was retained in this position three years and ten months, when a broader scope for the exercise of his ministerial talents and administrative ability was found for him in Remington, in 1893. In this charge Father Berg has faithfully labored over six years, has accomplished much good, and the field for the accomplishment of much more still lies before him. He is eloquent and devout, is conscientious and faithful in the discharge of his clerical duties, and well deserves the affection and high esteem in which he is held by his flock in Remington, as well as by many friends, with whom he has no church affiliation.

R EV. A. M. BUCHHEIT, the present accomplished pastor of St. Anthony de Padua church at Klaasville, Lake county, Ind., was born in Decatur, Adams county, Ind.,. October 25, 1861, a son of Adam and Elizabeth (Weber) Buchheit, natives of Germany. He attended St. Paul's parochial school, Fort Wayne, under the

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Rev. E. Koenig now deceased), until thirteen years of age, and then began his studies in Latin, at Hesse Cassel, near Fort Wayne, under Father Nussbaum. A year and a half later he entered Cal- vary college, in Fond du Lac county, Wis., where he finished his classical studies in 1883, and then entered the seminary of St. Francis, there completed his philosophical and theological studies, and was ordained priest by Bishop Dwenger June 29, 1887, at Fort Wayne. He was first assigned as supply priest at St. Paul's, Fort Wayne, for six weeks; was next at Chesterton, Ind., two weeks; then at LaGro, Ind., eight weeks, and was then appointed to his first regular charge, Goshen, Elkhart county, with Ligonier and Millersburg as missions. In this pastorate he labored zealously and arduously for two and three-quarters years, when he was allowed a vacation of seven months. He was then appointed assistant to Rev. J. H. Hueser, pastor of SS. Peter and Paul's church at Huntington, Ind., with whom he remained six years, and then, July 29, 1895, was appointed to his present responsible pas- torate at Klaasville, where his many amiable qualities have endeared him to his flock and the public at large.

A NTON WILLIAM BEY, senior member of the firm of Bey Bros., general merchants of Vincennes, Ind., was born in this city December 8, 1857, and was educated in St. John's German Catholic school and the public schools of the city.

Joseph Bey, father of subject, was born near Strasbourg, in France, July 10, 1834, came to Vincennes, Ind., when a lad of twelve years, learned the cooper's trade, rose to considerable prom- inence. and at his death, which resulted from hemorrhage of the lungs, February 17, 1875, was a member of the Vincennes city council, and a member of St. John's church. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Josephine Kennel, was born in New Orleans, La., May 4, 1836, and was of German descent, although her parents were born in Alsace, France, this nation having time and again held control of both Strasbourg and Alsace. Joseph and Josephine Bey were married in November, 1856, in St. John's Catholic church

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CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.

in Vincennes, Ind., and, in the faith of this church, after twenty- eight years of membership, she died January 10, 1894. The six children, still living, born to Joseph and Josephine Bey, were edu- cated in St. John's parochial school, received communion under the late Rev. Father Merz, and were christened, in order of birth: Anton William, John N., William J., Lawrence A., Sophia W. and Elizabeth. Of these, Anton W. married, February 16, 1897, Miss Annie Drulinger, a native of Vincennes and a daughter of Andrew Drulinger, a native of Alsace, and for the past twenty-six years a watchman in the B. & O. freight office; Lawrence A. married Miss Mary Fritch, daughter of Benjamin Fritch, of Vincennes, while the other brothers and sisters of subject remain unmarried.

The early business years of Anton W. Bey were passed as a traveling salesman, first for a Quincy, Ill., house, for which he can- vassed southern lowa and northern Michigan, and then for a St. Louis firm throughout the south and north from New Orleans to St. Paul, working for six years, about equally divided between the two firms. This road experience of course gave him a keen insight into mercantile affairs, which has been brought to bear in the man- agement of his present firm. In 1890 the firm of Bey Bros. was established at the corner of Main and Seventh streets, Vincennes, and April 12, 1894, the firm of A. W. Bey & Bros. was founded at No. 120 Main street, of which the subject has the entire charge, and which carries a full line of groceries, shoes, notions, etc., mak- ing one of the best displays in the city. The two firms give em- ployment to seven clerks, and the four brothers themselves have but little time to spare from attending to their numerous custom- ers. The brothers rank among the most substantial business men of Vincennes and this position has been reached through their personal efforts, as they inherited nothing that is invested in their enterprises, but earned their capital through early diligence and industry.

Anton W. Bey and wife are members of St. John's German Catholic church, to which the remainder of the Bey family also belong, and all stand high in the esteem of the social circles of the city. The sisters, who are still single, are housekeepers for the unmarried brothers.

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J OSEPH BEYER, a prominent farmer of Shelby county, Ind., was born in Alsace, France (now a province of Germany), No- vember 20, 1832, a son of Anthony and Magdalene (Staup) Beyer, the former of whom was a farmer by occupation. Subject attended the parochial schools of his native country until twenty-two years of age, when he came to the United States, landing in New Or- leans in 1854, whence he came to Indiana, and was employed in brickmaking and farming until 1870, when he came to Shelby county and purchased eighty acres of the farni on which he at pres- ent resides, and to which he has since added 171 acres. March 19, 1858, he married, in Dearborn county, Miss Anna Walliser, a native of that county, born June 6, 1839, and this union has been blessed with eight children, viz: Mary, at home; Louise, deceased; Josephina, wife of J. Leppert; Joseph, who married Lena Fass- binder; Frank, of Indianapolis; Agnes, at home; Mary Louisa, deceased; and Maximilian, of Chicago, Ill. Mr. Beyer and his family are devout Catholics, those residing in Shelby county being members of St. Vincent's congregation, of which Mr. Beyer has long been an official, and was chairman of the building committee when the new church-edifice was erected. For fifteen years, Mr. Beyer has been engaged in the manufacture of tiles, but he is, beside, a successful farmer and stockraiser. He owns stock in the Farmers' National bank of Shelbyville, has been very fortunate in his undertakings, and stands high in the esteem of the residents of Shelby county.

OSEPH BEYER, JR., of Shelby county, was born in Dearborn J county, Ind., January 31, 1864, and is a son of Joseph and Anna Beyer, whose biography is given in full in the preceding sketch. He attended the parochial schools until fifteen years of age, and then assisted his father on the home farm until he reached the age of twenty-four, when, February 7, 1888, he was united in marriage with Miss Lena Fassbinder, who was born in Franklin county, Ind., December 25, 1871, a daughter of William and Anna (Hav- erkus) Fassbinder, and this union has been blessed with five chil- dren, viz: Maximilian, John, Leo, Frank and Nicholas. Imme- (94)

CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.

diately after marriage, Mr. Beyer settled on one of his father's farms, and here has made his home ever since, engaged in general farming and in raising fine stock. He and family are members of St. Vincent's congregation, and in this church Mr. Beyer was for thirteen years an assistant of the officiating clergyman. He is the present supervisor of his township, and his social relations are of the most pleasant description, as he stands very high in the esteem of the community.

R EV. BALTHASAR BIEGEL, pastor of St. Joseph's church, at Elwood, Madison county, Ind., was born in Lake county August 6, 1866, and is a son of Peter and Theresa Biegel, natives of Hess Darmstadt, Germany.

Rev. B. Biegel attended the public schools of Lake county until fifteen years of age, meanwhile taking private lessions in Latin and Greek from Rev. William Berg, and then entered St. Lawrence college, at Mount Calvary, Fond du Lac county, Wis., from which he graduated four years later, June 25, 1885, and then entered St. Francis seminary, Milwaukee, where he studied philosophy and theology until ordained June 15, 1889, by Bishop Dwenger, of Fort Wayne. He was at once assigned to Elwood as its first re- sident pastor, the congregation, at that time, being attened as a mission of Anderson, and comprising twenty-five families only, but now this number has largly increased.

R EV. CHARLES F. BILGER, pastor of St. Peter Coelestin's church at Celestine, Dubois county, Ind., was born October 15. 1857, in Baden, Germany, and is the seventh of the ten chil- dren (eight of whom are still living) that have blessed the marriage of Vincent and Caroline (Frietsch) Bilger.

Vincent Bilger, a well educated gentleman, was for many years in the employ of the German government as collector of rey- enues on the river Rhine, and later was appointed treasurer. In 1876 he came to America, with the object in view of having his

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son, Charles F., prepared for the priesthood at St. Meinrad's college, and passed the remainder of his life with his son, dying a sincere Catholic, in 1892, at the advanced age of eighty-two years.

Rev. Charles F. Bilger received his preparatory education in the high school and gymnasium at Freiberg, in his native land, and at the age of nineteen years was well qualified for entrance into the Benedictine college at St. Meinrad, Spencer county, Ind., although his knowledge of the English language embraced three words only; yet he was proficient in several other tongues. Having completed his studies in philosophy and theology at St. Meinrad's, he was ordained priest at Indianapolis, July 18, 1880, by Bishop Chatard, and his first pastoral work was begun August 21, 1880. in the parish of St. Croix, Perry county, Ind., where there was a small log church-building with a clapboard roof. After having attended to the spiritual needs of his flock, he set himself vigorously to work to raise the necessary funds for the erection of a new church. The task was an arduous one, but was crowned with success. The corner-stone for the edifice was laid June 26, 1861. and a stone building, 36 x 75 feet, with a spire seventy-six feet high, completed within a remarkably short space of time, at a cost of $3,000, and was finally dedicated by Bishop Chatard May 3, 1885. Father Bilger also succeeded in erecting a comfortable parsonage, which he commenced in August, 1884, and completed in December of the same year. The valuation of the church prop- erty of St. Croix is now placed at $8,000, and the accumulation of this valuable property must be accredited to the indefatigabilty of Father Bilger, as the congregation was in somewhat impor- erished circumstances when he assumed the pastorate. Beside doing all this noble work for St. Croix parish, Father Bilger was called upon to perform other duties, and among these was the charge of the French mission, known as Frenchtown, Harrison county, which for a short time had been vacated by the Rev. F. X. Seegmuller. Subsequently he attended Siberia. Perry county, from September, 1881, until September, 1883, doing good and faithful work.

February 3, 1891, Father Bilger was appointed to the pas-

July Hours Henry S. Canthin

CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.

torate of St. Peter Coelestin's, at Celestine, to succeed Rev. Father Fleischman. He found this congregation to be in debt for $1,720, but still in a healthy condition. This sum Father Bilger soon succeeded in liquidating, and then set energetically to work to raise the funds necessary to build a new church, and the history of the church, to be found elsewhere, will show with what success.

Father Bilger is a gentleman by birth and education, refined and erudite, and is cordial and genial to all. As a clergyman he is pious, sincere and untiring in the performance of his duties, having at heart the welfare of his parishioners, whose spiritual and temporal needs are his constant study, and by whom he is most sincerely beloved.

H ON. HENRY S. CAUTHORN, one of the oldest and most prominent attorneys at law, Vincennes, Ind., was born in this city February 23, 1828. His father, Gabriel T. Cauthorn, was a native of Virginia, was able to trace his ancestry in that state for a period of more than 200 years, and by profession was a physician.

Susan Cauthorn, mother of Hon. Henry S., was a daughter of Elihu Stout, who came to Vincennes from Kentucky, and, July 4. 1804, issued the Sun, the first newspaper in the northwest, and the second published west of the Alleghany mountains. Mr. Stout, in many and various ways, added materially to the growth and prosperity of the city. He edited the Sun for more than forty years, and in 1845 was appointed postmaster by President Polk. He was the first grand master of the Masonic grand lodge of the state of Indiana, held many city and county offices, and the people regarded him as one of the fathers of the city.

Henry S. Cauthorn attended the public schools, and in 1844 entered the Asbury university at Greencastle, Ind., from which he was graduated in 1848. He immediately commenced the study of law in the office of Hon. Benjamin M. Thomas, United States dis- trict attorney at the time and one of the most prominent attorneys of the state, and was admitted to the bar in 1853. He immedi- ately commenced the duties of his profession, which he still con-

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tinues, having built up a practice second to none in this portion of the state, and to-day he is regarded as one of the leading attorneys of the Knox county bar. In 1854 he was elected, as a democrat, prosecuting attorney of the district comprising Knox, Daviess, Martin and Pike counties, and in 1855 was elected city attorney, which position he held until 1858. In 1859 he was elected clerk of the Knox circuit court and again elected in 1863. In the fall of 1870 he was elected representative from Knox county, and was re-elected in the fall of 1872, and again in 1878 and in 1880. During the session of the legislature in 1878 and in 1879 he was elected speaker of the house of representatives, and for the judicious, able and gentlemanly manner in which he discharged the onerous duties of the office, he had the warmest commendations from members of both political parties, not only doing great credit to himself, but the state at large. He has been chairman of the democratic cen- tral committee, and has always taken great interest in political matters. He is a member of the Catholic church, and is one of the trustees of St. Francis Xavier cathedral of Vincennes.

Mr. Cauthorn was married October 15, 1868, to Miss Marga- ret C. Bayard, daughter of John F. Bayard, a well-known mer- chant of Vincennes. Mr. Bayard had three sons, two of whom have reached prominent positions, and are to-day presidents of national banks at Evansville and Vincennes; one son is deceased. Mr. Cauthorn is the father of ten children, seven of whom, three sons and four daughters, are now living. He has been closely identified with the welfare and growth of Vincennes and is held in high esteem as one of the most useful and industrious citizens.

JOSEPH BIRK, the popular proprietor of the livery, feed and J sale stable at Huntingburg, Dubois county, is a son of Felix and Emily (Eckert) Birk. Both parents were from Germany, and both died in America. Joseph Birk was born December 15, 1852, was reared in Dubois county, attended the common schools, and remained on a farm until 1890. He then bought and began his present business. He was married to Miss Eliza Hawkins, a (100)

CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.

daughter of Robert Hawkins, of Dubois county. Mr. Birk is a strict member of the St. Mary's church, but Mrs. Birk does not attend. He has a fine stock of about $7,000, and owns, beside, several farms, as well as a number of lots in the city. He has a handsome residence, is a liberal Catholic and loyal to the church, and is highly respected both as a business man and a citizen.

JOHN BLANK, proprietor of the Jacob Blank, Jr., Manufactur- J ing company of Batesville, Ind., is one of ten children born to Jacob and Martha Blank, the former of whom was from France and the latter from Germany.

John Blank was born January 6, 1848, in Indiana. He at- tended the common schools, at the age of twenty-one years learned his present trade, that of cabinetmaker, and with his three brothers started the present factory in 1876. Mr. Blank was married to Miss Gertie Krieg, daughter of Henry Krieg, of Cincinnati, and now has a family of twelve children, viz: Alice, Rosie, Harry, Flora, Albert, Edward, Louis, Anna, Matt, Francis, Anthony and Gertie. The family are devoted members of St. Louis church, and in politics Mr. Blank is a democrat. He and his family are highly respected in Batesville, and Mr. Blank is especially esteemed for his many excellent qualities of mind and heart.

R EV. JOHN BLECKMANN, pastor of Immaculate Conception church, Michigan City, Laporte county, Ind., was born in Cin- cinnati, Ohio, April 5, 1846, where his preparatory and classical studies were completed in 1866. He then attended Notre Dame college, Ind., from which he graduated in 1867. His theological studies were pursued at Mount St. Mary's seminary, Cincinnati, from which he was graduated in 1870, and April 27 of the same year was ordained priest by Bishop Luers, for the diocese of Fort Wayne. He held pastorates at various places until 1885, when he was appointed to his present charge at Michigan City. Under his

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energetic efforts there have been manifold changes in the way of improvements, both in church management and in additions to the church property, among the latter being that of a pipe organ and new side altars. A new school-building, with a Sisters' residence, has also been erected, at a cost of $20,000. Numerous new socie- ties have been formed, and those already established have been maintained with ever-increasing zeal. The present church is no longer adequate for the congregation, and it is to be enlarged by an addition and a new tower.

St. Mary's academy is an admirably conducted institution, un- der the direct personal supervision of Father Bleckmann. It oc- cupies a beautiful building, arranged with all conveniences, and having all the appurtenances of a first-class school, especial atten- tion having been given to sanitation. There are eight grades, in which over 321 pupils are enrolled.

Father Bleckmann is yet in the prime of life, but he has ac- complished a vast amount of good work, and many years of useful- ness lie before him, with the blessing of God. He is large hearted and broad minded, is vigorous of body and strong of intellect, is pious, eloquent and scholarly, is the idol of his congregation, and is devoted to the good of the Catholic church. The school is in charge of the Sisters of Notre Dame, there being eight teachers and the Mother Pacifica. There are now nearly 400 families in this parish, of mixed nationalities. Father Bleckmann also has charge of the Catholic inmates of the state prison, where he reads mass once each month. The church is 135 x 54 feet, with a seating capacity of 500, and is valued at $40,000, including residence; the school value is $30,000.

M RS. HELEN F. BLOOM, widow of August Bloom, who died in 1882, is a daughter of Dr. Oscar and Ferdinand ( Wiede) Hunger, the former of whom died in November, 1895, leaving his widow with six children. Mrs. Helen F. Bloom was born in Dear- born county, Ind., and was married to Mr. Bloom February 16, 1870, and is the mother of five living children, viz: Elizabeth, Al- mer, Carolina, Irene and Oscar.

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CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.

Mr. Bloom was a groceryman in Aurora and continued in that business from his young days up to the time of his death. He served in the Thirty-second regiment, Indiana volunteer infantry, and was wounded in the battle of Chickamauga. He came home in 1865, after the war, and resumed the grocery business, which he followed, as stated, until death.

Miss Elizabeth Bloom is a first-class musician and has taught music of a high order in Cincinnati as well as at home. She is not strong, however, and, being yet very young, has preferred to teach at home. Mrs. Bloom owns property in Aurora valued at some $5,000, and the old homestead commands a view of the finest scenery of Aurora, looking up and down the great Ohio river for miles and miles. All of the family are members of the St. Mary's church.

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History of the Catholic church in Indiana, Volume II, Part 6

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