History of the Catholic church in Indiana, Volume II, Part 64

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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School facilities were not very good, there being but four rooms. The parochial school for boys was then taught by August Mayer, who was also the organist of St. Joseph's church, and a kindly though irritable man, a good teacher and musician. The school was taught in a brick building about 24 x 36, and into this were crowded from sixty to eighty boys of all grades and all ages. In 1870 he made his first communion, and the next year was con- firmed on the day of the laying of the corner-stone of the new St. Joseph's church. The following year, at the age thirteen, he entered the general store of Kuebler & Bretz as clerk, and remained with them five years. In 1876 he took up teaching and for eight years taught in the district schools of Bainbridge township, Dubois county. During several summers he served as clerk in I. Kahn's and also in S. Kuebler's general store. In 1883 he served as deputy assessor and in 1884 was elected assessor of Bainbridge township for the unexpired term of two years, occasioned by the death of his father, who had held the position for nineteen years. In 1886 he engaged in businees for himself, opening a small gro-

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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,

cery store on Newton and Eleventh streets. By the gradual addi- tion of a stock of dry goods, notions and shoes, the business was much enlarged. The store-building being old and inadequate, the lot adjoining in the rear was bought by him, and in 1896 he erected a neat and substantial two-story brick store-room, 24 x 64 feet, fronting on Main street, where he is doing an increased business. Promptitude, honesty and stability are the corner-stones on which his business has been built up. In 1892 he was elected member of the school board, and served three years, declining a re-election. In January, 1897, he was elected president of the Y. M. I.

November 22, 1881, Mr. Melchior was married to Catherine Jochim, daughter of Daniel Jochim and wife Christina, the widow of Christian Dupps, and whose maiden name was Ruschman. Mrs. Melchior was born near Jasper, August 8, 1862. After the death of her father she and her mother made their home with John Gramelspacher, husband of Frances Dupps, who is the daughter of Mrs. Jochim by a former marriage. Under the solic- itous care of her mother and the kind guidance of her sister, Mrs. Gramelspacher, she acquired those womanly graces so necessary to a happy home. This union has been blessed with three chil- dren: Robert, born October 15, 1882; Edward, born September 20, 1887, and Hugo, born May 2, 1890. All three are at present attending the parochial schools.

Peter Melchior, great-grandfather of John T., was born November 2, 1752, at Grossblittersdorf, Lorraine, Germany, and died there, November 4, 1822. He was married January 18, 1774, to Barbara Schilz, who was born in the same town July 13, 1753, died January 20,1841. They were the parents of Nicholas, born August 8, 1789. He was a soldier in the Russian campaign of 1812. He emigrated with his family in 1844, coming to Jasper, Ind. He was married, November 26, 1811, to Margaretha Karmann. She was the daughter of Peter Kar- mann and Katharina Becker, was born February 10, 1794, and died May 31, 1883, at Wapakoneta, Ohio. They had the following children: Peter, born December 12, 1814, died December 3, 1864, at Canton, Ohio; Marie Anna, born January 10, 1817; Catherine, born July 21, 1818; John B .; Margaretha, Sister Felicite, born (1024)

CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.

December 29, 1827, died May 7, 1889. She joined the Sisters of Providence at St. Mary's in September, 1847, and was noted for her great piety and many accomplishments. She lies buried in the Sisters' cemetery at St. Mary's. Magdalena, born March 19, 1830, was married to Miles Schuler, and died October 29, 1851; Rev. Nicholas Melchior, Jr., born August 7, 1832, died in 1860, and Theresia, born November 27. 1834, was married to Leopold Jacobs, and with her family resides at Wapakoneta, Ohio. The father of this family died in Jasper in 1865, and his remains lie interred in St. Joseph's cemetery.

John B. Melchior, father of J. T. Melchior, was born in Ger- many, June 8, 1823. After coming to America, in 1839, he learned the trade of cooper, at which he was a master workman. On August 9, 1861, he left with company K, Twenty-seventh Indiana volunteers, and fought in the campaign in Virginia. He partici- pated in the battles of Winchester and several others, and exactly one year later, in the battle of Cedar Mountain, was seriously wounded, being crippled for life. In 1864 he was elected town- ship assessor of Bainbridge township, Dubois county, which posi- tion he held until the time of his death, which took place July 13, I 883. He was an intelligent man and very popular with the old settlers. On August 30, 1849, he married Miss Anna Schuler, of Jasper. Their children surviving are Margaret, born July 20, 1850, who is one of the most successful teachers in the county. She was married to Mathew Gutgsell, and they have two sons, Edward, a machinist, and Andrew, a teacher in the public schools of Jasper. Melchior Nicholas, born January 29, 1852, has been in the brick business for many years; he married Elizabeth Mott, and they have one son, Harry, who is a clerk in his uncle's store. Theresia Mary, born August 27, 1853, was married to D. F. J. Miller, a machinist. Julia, born February 15, 1855, was for many years a popular teacher in this county, and is now living with her husband, Josiah Whitehead, at Portland, Ore. Henry, born March 27, 1856, was married to Catherine Wuetscher, has followed various vocations, and is now the overseer of the county poor farm. John T. is the subject of this sketch. Samuel, born February 8, 1866, married Theresia Horn, is a cabinetmaker by trade, and resides near Port-

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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,

land, Ore. Alice, born March 8, 1868, also was a successful teacher until married to William J. Lampert; her husband is in business with his father in the wagon works and implement busi- ness. William, born November 6, 1870, has served as clerk in various establishments and for several years past has been engaged in teaching.

Bartholomew Schuler, maternal grandfather of John T. Mel- chior, was born in Bohemia, Austria, in 1776. He served seven years in the Austrian army, and went to Switzerland about 1800. He emigrated to the United States in 1816, landing in Philadelphia, and the same year was married there to Rosina Schaller, who was a native of Switzerland. They later removed to Venango county, and from there to Loretto, Pa. In 1826 they came west, settling near Fayetteville, Brown county, Ohio. In 1836 Mr. Schuler, in company with Joseph Bareck (Birk) and Stephen Bauerntisch, went to the land office at Vincennes, and on August 8th entered land near Jasper. They were the first German Catholics to visit Jasper. They were followed by Joseph Gramelspacher, father of ex-Auditor John Gramelspacher, M. Burkhart and Pantaleon Berger, who entered land in September and October, of the same year. These pioneers all settled near Jasper during the year 1837, sixty years ago. Joseph Birk is believed to have been the first settler and Mathias Eberhard and Elizabeth Burkhart were the first couple married by a Catholic priest in Jasper. In the fall of 1837 Mr. Schuler and family arrived at Jasper, and here his death occurred September 15, 1854, at the age of seventy-eight years. His widow survived until December 13, 1866, when she died aged seventy- six years. Both lie buried in St. Joseph's cemetery.

Joseph Schuler, son of Bartholomew, was born in Loretto, Pa., February 14, 1821, and came to Jasper with his father's family in 1837. He and his sister, Anna Melchior, are probably the oldest Catholic pioneers of Dubois county now living. In 1850 Joseph Schuler was assessor of Patoka township under County Assessor Miles Schuler, and in 1876 was elected county commissioner, serv- ing three years. He has also been a trustee of St. Joseph's church for thirty years. Mr. Schuler, now seventy-six years of age, often assists his children in their farm work, not from necessity but from. (1026)

CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.

force of habit. In 1849 he married Elizabeth Schitter, who died in 1853, two sons being born to this union. The same year he married Maria Eva Boschart; of their family seven children survive, all living in Jasper and vicinity.

Miles Schuler was born at Loretto, Pa., in 1824, and came to Jasper in 1837. He worked as a carpenter until 1848, when he was elected county assessor of Dubois county. In 1850 he was county treasurer and school commissioner, and in 1861-2 he served as deputy county surveyor. In 1852 he married Catherine Lechner, and shortly thereafter built the saw and grist-mill, on Patoka river, near the railroad bridge. His early death took place September 16, 1862.

Anna Schuler, mother of J. T. Melchior, was born at Fayette- ville, Ohio, in the year 1828, and removed to Jasper in 1837, walk- ing a good part of the distance. After being grown she lived for several years at Louisville, where in 1849 she was married to John B. Melchior, and they shortly afterward moved to Jasper. She has been a dutiful wife and a good mother, rearing a large family, of whom nine survive. She is still in a fair state of health, living in the little cottage they built in 1851. She has seen the deep primeval forest turned into fruitful fields, and cheery homesteads, the straggling village growing into a busy town; the little frame house of worship on the banks of the Patoka has long since passed away; a large brick church becanie too small and has been super- seded by an imposing stone edifice, with magnificent marble altars.

St. Martin's council, No. 464, Y. M. I., was organized at Jas- per on January 31, 1897, with the initiation of fifteen members and election of temporary officers. On February I two additional members joined, and on February 17, when the charter was closed, thirty-four members took the obligation, making the total mem- bership fifty-one. At the same time the regular officers were duly installed by Grand President J. Lilly Clark, of Washington, assisted by Hubert Schonaker, of Indianapolis, as follows: President, John T. Melchior; first vice-president, Felix Schnieder; second vice- president, Albert Sonderman; recording secretary, Gust Gramel- spacher; corresponding secretary, Conrad Krempp; financial secre- tary, F. M. Mueller; treasurer, P. A. Guckes; marshal, Phil J.

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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,

Kunkel; inside sentinel, Leo Jahn; outside sentinel, Joseph Burke; chaplain, Father Martin Hoppenjahn; executive committee, J. A. Sermersheim, G. W. Gramelspacher, E. J. Kempf, A. F. Gntgsell and H. Pfan. The council now has fine quarters in the Sermers- heim block, consisting of council chamber, reading room and gymnasium. A sick benefit of $3 weekly is also one of the features. Owing to removals and other causes four members have taken withdrawal cards and ten have been expelled for non-payment of dues. During the month of November, 1897, the council experi- enced quite a revival, nineteen new members being initiated, mak- ing the total membership now sixty-five. This places the council on a firm basis, and by wise management the order may be pro- ductive of much good in the community. The Rev. Fathers of Jasper college have taken an active ineterst in the work, and much is due them for their assistance in building up the council. Beside Father Martin, the chaplain, Father Bernard, prefect of the col- lege, is an active member.

G EORGE T. MELLE, of Newcastle, Ind., was born in the par- ish of Muenster, Prussia, September 30, 1843, a son of George H. and Wilhelmina (Klodt ) Melle, and when two years of age was brought to the United States by his parents, who settled in Cincinnati, Ohio. He attended St. Mary's parochial school in the Queen City until fourteen years old, and then worked at any employment he could find until the breaking out of the Civil war in 1861, when he enlisted and was assigned to the quartermaster's department at Lexington, Ky., and Camp Nelson, Ky., and in this capacity served until November 1, 1864, when he was hon- orably discharged. He then came to Richmond. Ind., and for two years followed blacksmithing in Richmond, Wayne county, and in 1867 came to Newcastle, Henry county, and here engaged in general blacksmithing and the manufacture of farm wagons until 1895, when on account of failing health he sold out his fac- tory and shop, and retired from business.

The marriage of Mr. Melle took place, August 16, 1871, in (1028)

Poter Hryes f

CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.

Connersville, Ind., to Miss Louisa Connseller, who was born in Salem, N. J. April, 12, 1854, and was baptized in the Catholic faith on the morning of her wedding day. This marriage has been blessed with seven children, viz: Mary, wife of D. L. Mcveigh, of Andrews, Huntington county. Ind .; Annie, residing with her residing with her parents; Augustus and George, printers; Minnie, Edward and Louise. The family are all members of St. Ann's church, of which Mr. Melle served on the building committee, and was a trustee from its completion until 1895, and for eighteen years has been its organist. In politics a republican, he has served as a member of the city council twelve years, and has also served as superintendent of the water works. In fact, Mr. Melle has been prominent and active in the affairs of New Castle ever since he has made his home here, and his great usefulness is duly appreciated by his fellow-citizens, in whose esteem he stands deservedly high.

P ETER MEYER (deceased) was born in Bavaria December 11, 1844, the second of a family of ten children born to Peter and Margaret (December) Meyer, who came to America about 1853 and lived in Cincinnati, Ohio, until 1857, when they came to Fay- ette county, Ind., where the father is still engaged in farming, although his wife died March 13, 1894.

Peter Meyer, the subject proper of this biography, remained with his parents until about fourteen years of age, when he began to serve an apprenticeship at the mason's trade, and later learned to be a tailor. April 2, 1866, he married Miss Caroline Balle, a native of Germany, born November 2, 1846, and daughter of George and Anna Balle. Mrs. Meyer died August 15, 1882, the mother of seven children, viz: Mary C. and Josephine F., both deceased; Anna M., now Mrs. Heib; Catherine and George, also deceased; Frances, attending the Brothers' school, and Josephine H. The remains of Mrs. Meyer lie interred in St. Mary's cemetery, Cin- cinnati, in which city her death took place, Mr. Meyer being there engaged at the time in the tailoring business. The second mar- riage of Mr. Meyer was consummated March 8, 1886, by Rev.

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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,

Father Pacificus. in St. John's church, Cincinnati, with Miss Mary Matz, who was born in Alsace, Germany, January 30, 1855, a daughter of Nicholas and Anna Marie (Boul) Matz, who were the parents of fourteen children, one of whom is the Rt. Rev. N. C. Matz, D. D., who but recently resigned his position as bishop of the diocese of Denver. Mr. Meyer continued in the tailoring busi- ness in Cincinnati until 1892, when he settled in Connersville, and here expired, in the faith of the holy Catholic church, April 14, 1894. Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Meyer has con- tinued her residence in Connersville, and is here rearing her son and daughter in the true faith-the daughter, Josephine, being a member of the Sacred Heart league, and of the Children of Mary. The late Mr. Meyer was a deeply pious man and of unflinching integrity. He was industrious and careful of his earnings, and has left to the care of his widow three business rooms and four pieces of residence property in Connersville, and 160 acres of farming land in Fayette county, valued, in all, at about $25,000. Mrs. Meyer occupies a very fine residence on Fifth street hill, and is one of the most highly esteemed ladies of Connersville.

R ICHARD N. MILET, proprietor of the Bunker Hill Press, of Miami county, was born in Rush county, Ind., September 24, 1875, and was reared on his father's farm.

Patrick Milet, father of Richard N., was a native of Ireland, was a son of Richard and Mary Milet, and was six years of age when brought to the United States by his parents, who first located in Cincinnati, Ohio, but later removed to Rush county, Ind., and settled on a farm six miles west of Rushville, where Richard Milet died in 1875. His widow then came to Bunker Hill, Miami county, where her death occurred in 1894. Richard and Mary Milet were the parents of four children. viz: Patrick, father of sub- ject; John, a locomotive engineer at El Paso, Tex .; Thomas and Rosa, the last named being now the widow of Martin McCarty and also residing in El Paso. Patrick Milet grew to manhood in Rush county and there married Miss Ella Sullivan, a native of the county (1030)

CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.

and a daughter of Joseph and Mary Sullivan, and this marriage has been blessed with ten children, of whom eight are still living, viz: Richard N., John, Thomas, Joseph, William, Martin, Mary and Rose. In 1886 the parents came to Miami county and settled on a farm near Bunker Hill, where they still reside.

Richard N. Milet graduated from the high school at Bunker Hill in 1892, and for three years followed the vocation of school- teacher. June 1, 1896, he purchased the Press, which he has since conducted in a most masterly manner, and which is now in its twenty-fourth year of publication. It is a six-page, six-column weekly, is independent in politics, and is chiefly devoted to the promotion of the interests of Bunker Hill and surrounding country, and since Mr. Milet has had charge has grown in popularity with each passing week.

T THOMAS PETER MILLEA, the popular young proprietor of the leading livery establishment in South Bend, Ind., is a native of Ireland, and was born August 8, 1865, in county Kil- kenny, a son of William and Catherine (Glendon) Millea, who were also natives of county Kilkenny, born respectively in 1825 and 1831, and both of whom died in their native county in 1883. To their marriage, which took place in the parish of Lisdowney, in 1850, under the rites of the holy Catholic church, were born five children, viz: Margaret, wife of John Cole; Martin; Joseph; Anna, ·of Brooklyn, N. Y., and Thomas P., the subject of this bio- graphical notice.

Thomas P. Millea attended the parochial school of Lisdow- ney until twelve years of age, and lived with his parents until their death, and then, in 1883, came to America, landing in the city of New York, where he tarried about six months. He then went to Niles, Mich., whence he came to Indiana and for two years was employed at Notre Dame, and then came to South Bend; here he was employed in the livery business for nine years by Patrick Sheeky, and in 1894 commenced in the same line on his own account, and, being prompt in his attendance to the wants of his patrons, and being polite and accommodating and moderate in his

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TITRE FEBRES AND CONGREGATIONS,

harges, h los made a success : Mis undertaking and prospered Ina paar toyear_ _. t: We now has me of the best equipped and -tower establishments 0: it's kind in South Bend.

The marriage of Mr. Milles was si len n.zed in October. 1804. By Rer Futter C. k. @ St. Patrick's church. South Bend, with Miss Max. - Farrington. He and we are still faithful members of tills : __ ation, and are in no respert behindhand in their watribat. (s thwar support f the church end the pron stinn of is teresis the work of charity and well inin .. Mr. MIlea is allora sember of the Ancient Order of Hibe mans, has hosts of applepie at i was so lived as to win the respect of his neighbors and ibe pabile at large. dsl in particolar LE immediate society and church circles

H ESHY MILLER. a leading member of West Indianapolis garish ali gallant en .- s .. fler wi the late war. was born in L :- 1, Whi, May 17, 1543. His father. Henry M. C .. and his mother Mart Balganiste Miller, both natives of Germany, came tothe United States in cariy Wie, andi were in'ted in narrage at D'avion Obec Fr. that any they re ved t Linia, tilence. siter a limited perini went to Wanakumeto the same state, where thy res: led but .: ie4r. moving In that your te Braffetsvine. c anty uf Derke In the spring of webs they became residents of Helmond. Ind where the mother died January . her, the Wither departing this .ie September 2, of the sar e year. the atter Eget seventy-four and the formera year or two younger.

Mr. Miter. Sr . was a putter Dv trade and iron) ch \hund a analisi member ofthe l 's Eher _ his wife. als a deveted Cath- was a onian vi many excellent traits and spared nu pains to m: ress Upon the n. Us of her oni!dren the principles of the religion " which she was rear: 3 They had a lamy of six children. two wwwwww. dledin h . jwh'e the fa" iy resided in Darke county: The bal: dlugnter Mrs Mary Hildenbers ded in Indianapolis. in t!/c With. W. Marth. 15$2. leaving three children, two daughters maso. The subject of this sketchis the eldest of the family: Mary is the next John is a res. denf of R hn ond. Ind , and Lewis.

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ant home supplied with all the modeen oncheceedde: married August > 28-2 te Mois born : county Linerick, Ireland where bee der-de. Hled. Her belther. Patrick Fitzgeral ! was the nes: 0: :: to come to America he settled in Canada. where Mrs Morts. wert de der arrival. This brother is bum a resident - Pogled Ohio, where another brother and sister also Mine and st brother resides in the state :: F.r.i=

THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,

marriage was solemnized in St. Mary's church, Richmond, by Rev. Father Montre. They were among the early members of the west Indianapolis parish, and have always been loyal supporters of the church both by their moral influence and financial liberality. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have two sons living: John, born December 15, 1873, and Thomas, born September 17, 1875. One son, Edward, died in infancy.

M ICHAEL MILLER, a respected farmer of Washington town- ship, Adams county, Ind., was born in Monroeville, Huron county, Ohio, August 17, 1856, a son of Matthias and Barbara (Haine) Miller.

Matthias Miller was born in the parish of Bisten, Rhine prov- ince. Prussian Germany, June 28, 1821, and was a son of Peter and Margaret (Girard) Miller, the former of whom was born in 1769, and the latter in 1771, and who died in 1835 and 1828, respectively. To the marriage of Peter and Margaret Miller, which took place in 1790, were born eight children, of whom three came to America, viz: John, now deceased, and whose remains are interred in St. Mary's cemetery, Decatur, Ind .; Margaret. widow of Timothy Coffee, of Decatur, and Matthias. The last named was educated in his native province and at the age of thirteen years was apprenticed to the turner's trade for two years. In 1840 he came to the United States, landed in New Orleans, at once came to Indiana, and went to work on the farm of Timothy Coffee, three miles south of Decatur, on the Mud pike, where he remained until 1844, when he moved to Monroeville, Ohio, where he drove team for Louis Zeyen and James Hamilton for a period of seven years. He then returned to his native country, visited his friends for four months, brought back with him to America his fiancée, Miss Barbara Haine, and immediately on arrival in New York married her at the church of the Blessed Redeemer, October 13, 1851. Coming again to Indiana, he located on a farm three miles south of Decatur, lived there until 1853, and then again went to Monroeville, Ohio, drove team for four years, then returned to his farm south of Decatur, Ind., where he lived until 1862, when he [1034)

CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.

enlisted, at Decatur, in the Indiana volunteer infantry, under Capt. E. S. Metzger, and was mustered in at Indianapolis. In 1863 he was wounded at Pleasant Hill, La., and after recovering from his injury in the hospital at New Orleans, rejoined his command and took part in several important engagements in Mississippi and Tennessee, and was honorably discharged December 19, 1864, when he resumed his farming, which he followed until 1886, when he retired to Decatur. To his marriage with Miss Haine have been born seven children, viz: Margaret, wife of Charles Gerber, of Union township, Adams county, Ind .; Elizabeth, married to George Wilhelm, of Lima, Ohio; Michael, whose name opens this biography; Matthias, living on the old homestead; John B., a farmer six miles from Decatur; Mary and Barbara, both deceased and buried in St. Mary's cemetery, Decatur. Mr. Miller was one of the pioneer Catholic settlers of Adams county, the few who had settled here before his arrival having been the Messrs. Closs, Fitdiek, Dirkes, Holthouse, Will Krietsenkamp, Baker, Spooler, Meiber, Kohne, Joseph Gass, John P. Gass and Francis Gass. Mr. Miller has worked hard in the interest of the Catholic church, and in the early days greatly aided the priests who visited Decatur to celebrate mass and perform the other duties pertaining to their holy office.

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History of the Catholic church in Indiana, Volume II, Part 64

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