USA > Indiana > History of the Catholic church in Indiana, Volume II > Part 75
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one of the organizers of this parish, and also liberally contributed to the fund subscribed for the erection of the church-edifice, and is still generous in his donations to the support of the church and her institutions. In his political affiliations, the captain is a democrat. He is a quiet, law-abiding citizen, at peace with all mankind, never had a case at law, has never been intoxicated, and is ever ready and daring in the exercise of his duties as a fireman, regardless of peril. He and family have the genuine respect of the residents of their parish as well as that of many friends throughout the city, and their comfortable home at No. 524 West Twelfth street is the abode of true domestic bliss.
OHN QUILL, deceased, was for many years a resident of St. J Patrick's parish, Indianapolis, where he drew the last of life's breath July 14, 1891. He was a native of county Kerry, Ireland, but was quite young when his mother was called away. Subse- quently, the father, with his family, consisting of John, the only son, and two daughters, came to America and located in Washing- ton, D. C., but all of this family are now deceased. In 1870 John Quill came to Indianapolis, and here met and was married to Miss Mary Donahey, daughter of Daniel and Mary Donahey, all natives of Ireland, in which country Daniel Donahey passed away his life. After his death, his widow, with her five children, came to America, and for a time lived in Ohio, whence they came to Indianapolis, and here she was called to rest in the faith of the holy Catholic church, January 27, 1897, dying at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Mary Quill, when over eighty years of age. The five children of Mr. and Mrs. Donahey-one son and four daugh- ters-all reside in Indianapolis, with the exception of one daughter, who lives in Ohio.
The marriage of John and Mary (Donahey) Quill was blessed with seven children, but of these three only are now living- Thomas, John and Leonard. Of the deceased, Lizzie died at the age of nineteen years, Mary and Julia died in early infancy, and Edward at the age of four and a half years. Mrs. Quill and her three sons have their home at No. 630 East Louisiana street. (1170)
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
C ORNELIUS RADEMACKER, a member of St. Mary's parish, was born in Decatur, Ind., June 22, 1862, son of Cornelius and Elizabeth Rademacker. Cornelius Rademacker, Sr., was born and educated in Germany and there learned the trade of cabinetmaking, which he followed until immigrating to the United States in 1845. He located at Minster, Ohio, but subsequently moved to Decatur, Ind., where his death occur- red on September 23. 1890. Mr. Rademacker was twice mar- ried, his first wife living only one year. The second marriage was solemnized July 16, 1861, in St. Augustine church, with Eliz- abeth Imbush, Father Steafather performing the ceremony; the children born of this union are six in number, viz: Maggie, wife of John Gerrard; Anna, Anthony, Cornelius, William and Rose-the last two deceased.
After attending the parochial school of Decatur until his four- teenth year, the subject of this biography entered the employ of the Slack Barrel factory, Decatur, where he worked until twenty years of age, when he accepted a clerkship with John Voglewide, with whom he remained for a period of seven years. Since 1890 Mr. Rademacker has been proprietor of a sample room on Second street, where he has done a very successful business. He was united in the holy bonds of wedlock May 27, 1884, to Miss Lena Ardner, formerly of Fostoria, Ohio, the ceremony being solem- nized in St. Mary's church, Decatur, by its pastor, Father Wilken; this union has been blessed with six children, viz: Gertie, Mary, Agnes, Francis, Vero, and Lebolt, all of whom are still under the parental roof. Mr. Rademacker and family are parishioners of St. Mary's; he served at the altar of the church during the pastorates of Fathers Nessbaum and Wemhoff.
W ILLIAM RADICAN, operator of the Western Union Tele- graph company's office at Connersville, Fayette county, Ind., was born in Union county, this state, July 31, 1859, a son of James and Bridget (Bourke) Radican, who were natives of county Sligo, Ireland, but who were married in Cincinnati, Ohio,
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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
later removed to Brownsville, Ind., and there the father died in 1861, his widow surviving until October 5, 1897. They had a family of five children, as follows: Sarah, deceased; an infant, Sarah, also deceased; Mary, wife of M. Fager, of Connersville, Maggie and William, the subject.
William Radican was educated in the public schools of Browns- ville until about twelve years of age, when, in 1871, the widowed mother brought her surviving children to Connersville, where William attended school one term, and then engaged at general labor in factories, etc. In 1875, he began learning telegraphy, and in 1876 was placed in a position at Liberty, Ind., was shortly afterward transferred to College Corners, where he remained three years and was then stationed at Rushville, where he was manager for the Western Union Telegraph company from 1879 to 1883, when he was taken ill and for two years remained at home. In 1885 he worked six months in Cincinnati, and was then given charge of the Western Union office in Connersville, the duties of which position he has since performed in a most satisfactory man- ner. He has thriven well in his vocation, and owns a pleasant residence on Cromwell street. Like all the family, he is a devoted Catholic, and is a member of St. Gabriel's congregation; also of the Sacred Heart sodality and the St. Vincent de Paul Charitable society. In politics he is a democrat. He is affable and obliging in his disposition, and is very popular with the patrons of the tele- graplı company, while his many personal friends are warm and sincere.
OSEPH RAMLER, an enterprising druggist of Richmond, Ind.,. J was born in Loningen, Germany, in 1829, a son of Herman B. and Mary Elizabeth (Albers) Ramler, of whom the former died in Germany in 1832, and the latter in Cincinnati, Ohio, at the age of ninety-six years.
Joseph Ramler, the subject, came to the United States in . 1836, landed in New Orleans, and thence went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he attended St. Xavier college four years, and then learned and engaged in merchant tailoring nineteen years. In 1873 he (1172)
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
came to Richmond, Ind., where he has since been in the drug business, under the firm name of A. G. Luken & Co. In 1855 he married, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Miss Elizabeth Luken, Father Kuhr officiating. To this union have been born six children, of whom three are now deceased. The survivors are Charles and Edward, at home, and Josephine, who is married to Ferdinand Grothaus, of Richmond. Mr. Ramler has been a member of St. Andrew's parish ever since residing in Richmond, and for the past eighteen years has been a trustee of the church. The social standing of the family is quite elevated, and all enjoy a marked degree of respect in the community in which they live.
B ENJAMIN RAUPFER, of the firm of Walters & Raupfer, pro- prietors of the Columbia City (Ind. ) Brewery, was born in the grand duchy of Baden, Prussia, November 3, 1838, a son of Peter and Chrysantha (Fickle) Raupfer, who were natives of the same country and were born respectively in 1801 and 1812-the father being a farmer.
Benjamin. Raupfer attended the parochial school of his native parish until thirteen years of age, and in 1851, in which year his father died, went to Switzerland, where he was employed in gen- eral laboring and team-driving until 1865, when he came to Amer- ica, landing in New York city July 1, whence he came directly to Columbia City, and for three years was employed as an engineer in a distillery owned by William Walters, his present partner. From 1868 until 1879 he engaged in saloon-keeping, most of the time in Columbia City, and then entered into the brewing business, under the firm style of the Walters & Raupfer Brewing company, of company he is now the president.
Mr. Raupfer was united in marriage, in 1869, at Columbia City, by Rev. Father Schafer, with Miss Mary Myer, and to this union have been born nine children, of whom four are still living, viz: Joseph, who is the able accountant of the brewing company,. and William, Romey and John, at home with their parents. The family are all consistent members of the Catholic church at
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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
Columbia City, and are held in very high respect by the entire community.
The product of the Columbia City brewery is considered as the most superior of any in northeastern Indiana and finds a ready sale, not only in the city and in the state, but in many counties of adja- cent states. The proprietors of the brewery are both genial gen- tlemen and practical business men, and are fair and square in all their dealings. Mr. Raupfer is what is generally known as a self- made man, having all his life been industrious and thrifty in his habits, but is generous in his impulses and charitable in his dispo- sition, and is a liberal contributor to the support of the church, of which he is a faithful member.
P ATRICK READY, a well-known blacksmith of Connersville, Ind., was born in county Mayo, Ireland, July 24, 1846, a son of John and Mary (Maley) Ready. The father was a stonemason, and about 1850 brought his family to America, locating on Staten Island, N. Y., where he lived until about 1852, when he came to Indiana and located on a farm in Franklin county, where he had the misfortune to lose his wife in the fall of 1861. In 1862 he came to Fayette county and engaged in farming until 1877, when he retired to Connersville, where his death took place in January, 1892. Mr. and Mrs. Ready were the parents of seven children, viz: Kate, a sister in a Catholic order at Richmond, Ind .; Patrick, the subject of this memoir; William, of Connersville; Austin, a lumber merchant; Michael, of Indianapolis; Bodelia and Anna, who is deceased. The entire family were reared Catholics and the living members are true to the faith.
Patrick Ready was a mere babe when brought to America by his parents, and made his home, until he reached his majority, with his father, whom he greatly assisted in farm work. He then learned blacksmithing in Connersville, under Robert Marks, and later worked for Jacob Goodman-a period, in all, covering about sixteen years. In 1884 he began business on his own account, and has prospered well in his undertaking. In May, 1871, he .(1174)
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
married Miss Mary Brogen, a native of Ireland, and this union has been blessed with seven children, viz: William, John, Charles, Frank. Mary, Clarence and Anna. The family are devout and attentive to their religious duties, and Mr. Ready has been a trus- tee of his church, of which, also, Mrs. Ready is a member of the Altar society. He is a respected member of the Catholic Knights of America, is a democrat in politics, and is very highly esteemed for his sobriety and industry in his business affairs. He owns his residence in Connersville, and is otherwise in comfortable circum- stances.
D ANIEL E. REAGAN, general manager and treasurer of the firm of Blair & Failey, manufacturers of heading and hard wood lumber, of Terre Haute and Huntingburg, was born in the city of Indianapolis, March 10, 1861. His parents, Edward and Bridget (Curran) Reagan, natives respectively of Tipperary and Wexford, Ireland, came to the United States about the same time, 1846, and were married at Worcester, Mass. The following year, they moved to Indianapolis, Ind., where for over twenty years Edward Reagan was foreman of the Sinker & Davis boiler works. He engaged in the manufacture of boilers for himself in 1879, and continued the business until 1882, when he disposed of hi plant and retired from active life. He is a faithful member of the church, and has been all of his life, being, at this time, identified with the St. John's cathedral, Indianapolis.
The immediate subject of this sketch grew ;> manhood in Indianapolis, where he attended the parochial school, and later was graduated from the city high school, after which he became bookkeeper in his father's manufacturing establishment. While thus employed he learned the trade of boilermaking, and also became a proficient machinist, and in 1882 took the position of superintendent of the Phoenix Machine shops, which he filled satisfactorily for several years.
In 1889 Mr. Reagan became superintendent of the heading works of Henry Alfrey, Terre Haute, and continued in that ·capacity until 1897, the business being purchased in the meantime
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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
(1892) by Messrs. Blair & Failey. In 1897 Mr. Reagan bought an interest in the firm and became general manager and treasurer, both of which positions he still fills. This is one of the largest tight-barrel plants in the world, having a daily capacity of 5, 500 sets and a capacity of 12,000 cords of white oak timber per year. The two plants furnish employment for from 350 to 400 men, and the success of the enterprise is largely due to the supe- rior business sagacity of its manager.
Mr. Reagan was married in the Catholic church at Natchez, Miss., October 16, 1888, to Mary Virginia Wilds, the accomplished daughter of the Hon. Oliver M. Wilds, a well-known and influen- tial planter of that state. Mrs. Reagan was graduated from the Nazareth seminary, near Louisville, Ky., and is a lady of many noble qualities of mind and heart. Three sons and two daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Reagan, viz: Mary Wilds, Oliver Edward, Cecelia and Daniel, Jr., and John.
Mr. Reagan was baptized in the old church which formerly stood just south of the present cathedral, Indianapolis, and he has ever proved loyal to the faith in which he was reared by pious parents. He served as an acolyte during the ceremonies of laying the corner-stone of the cathedral. Since coming to Terre Haute he has been a member of St. Patrick's parish, of which he is a trustee; he also belongs to the Y. M. I., and takes an active inter- est in all movements having for their object the moral and relig- ious advancement of the community.
G ERHARD RECKER, the well-known and only manufacturer of temperance drinks in Vincennes, Ind., at the corner of Tenth and Vigo streets, was born in Hanover, Germany, Septem- ber 2, 1830, a son of Gerhard and Angela (Heckman) Recker.
Gerhard Recker attended school in his native land when young, receiving a solid education, and at , the age of eighteen years, in company with his brother George, came to the United States, locating in Vincennes, where he learned the blacksmith's trade and then went to St. Louis, Mo., where he worked about (1176)
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
fifteen years. While in that city he married, November 13, 1863, at St. Joseph's Catholic church, Miss Katharina Seivers, also a native of Hanover, and this marriage has been blessed with nine children, viz: John, who died in St. Louis, at the age of one year; Anna, who died in Vincennes when eighteen years old; Henry, a stoveinolder, of Vincennes, and married; Mary. Margaret and Liz- zie, unmarried; John, now aged twenty-one, assists his father in business; Celia is a student in the Terre Haute normal school; Agnes is a student in the Vincennes university, and an adopted daughter, Stella Glass, has also been reared by Mr. and Mrs. Recker.
The parents of Mr. Recker, Gerhard and Angela (Heckman) Recker, were also natives of Hanover, where the father died at the age of forty years, and the mother when sixty years old, the latter having re-married, Gerhard being the fourth in a family of six sons born to the first marriage, and the only survivor. Of the six, one died in Hanover, and four-Henry, Frank, George and August-died in this country. To the mother's second marriage there were born three sons and one daughter, and of these William is a resident of Vincennes, and Agnes of Hanover, the others hav- ing died in that country.
In 1867 Gerhard Recker, the subject, returned from St. Louis, Mo., to Vincennes, Ind., and engaged in his present business, making specialties in seltzer and. soda waters. He has occupied the same building since starting until the present time and has no reason to be displeased with the result of his labors. He and his family are all sincere Catholics and worship at St. John's German church, and in politics he has always been a democrat. He is very gentlemanly in his deportment and agreeable in his inter- course with his patrons and acquaintances, and is recognized as being among the most substantial business men of the city of Vincennes.
W TILLIAM F. RECKER, the enterprising young merchant at the corner of Fourth and Main streets, Vincennes, Ind., is a native of the city, was born September 16, 1862, and is a son
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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
of August and Elizabeth Recker, who were born in Germany, but were married in Vincennes.
August Recker was reared a mechanic and in early manhood came to America and at once made his home in Vincennes. He was thrice married, and to his three marriages were born nine chil- dren, William F., the subject, being the eldest, and the others being Gerhard R., of whom a biography is given in proximity with this notice; Herman, who died in infancy; August, a carpenter; John, a stove molder; Caroline, Benjamin, Lena and Corriene- The mother of the first family of three died October 16, 1886, and Mr. Recker next married Julia Hatzsk, who bore three children- Herman (deceased), August and John. The third marriage of Mr. Recker was with Catherine Frund, who bore Benjamin, Lena and Caroline, as above mentioned. The father died August 23, 1892, a devout Catholic.
William F. Recker was educated in St. John's parochial school and in the public schools of the city. He received his first communion at the age of thirteen years, and his first employment in business was as a confectioner, but all his mature years have been passed in mercantile pursuits. For eight years he was in partnership with William H. Vellmer in the wholesale and retail grocery and notion trade, but February 1, 1897, he purchased his partner's interest in the business and is now alone.
The marriage of Mr. Recker was solemnized November 24, 1891, at St. John's Catholic church, by Rev. Father Merz, with Mrs. Emma Heckman, a daughter of Herman Terhar, of Vin- cennes. By her first marriage, Mrs. Recker had one child-Charles Heckman-and to Mr. Recker she has borne a daughter, Corriene, now aged five years. The family belong to St. John's German Catholic congregation, and Mr. Recker is a member of St. John's Benevolent society, of which he is ex-secretary. In politics Mr. Recker is a democrat, but is not aggressive, being rather liberal in local affairs, as far as the party is concerned. He gives employ- ment to five assistants in his extensive business, which is well established, and he is greatly respected for his upright methods of conducting trade, and among business men, as well as in social relations, his name stands without blemish or flaw.
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CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
G ERHARD R. RECKER, of the well-known firm of Convery J & Recker, machinists, at Nos. 8 and 9 Hickman street, Vin- cennes, Ind .. is a native of this city, was born March 2, 1865, and is a son of August and Julia Recker, who were both born in Germany.
August Recker was a carpenter by trade, and after his arrival in America his first marriage took place, this union resulting in three children, viz: William F., Henry George and Gerhard R., the last named being the subject of this biographical notice. William F. Recker is now a grocer, at the corner of Fourth and Main streets, Vincennes, but Henry George died at the age of ten years. The mother of these children died when Gerhard R. Recker was a babe, and the father, by a second marriage, had born to him three children-August, John, and an infant that died unnamed. By a third marriage there were born to him four chil- dren-Caroline, Benjamin, Lena, and an infant who also died without being named, and the death of the father took place in August, 1891. He was, with his wives and children, a member of St. John's German Catholic church, and was punctual in his attendance to his religious duties.
Gerhard R. Recker was educated in St. John's parochial school, and later served an apprenticeship of three years at the machinist's trade, following which he was employed for three years as engineer at the Vincennes electric light station. In 1892 he formed his present partnership with Augustine Convery for the purpose of doing general repair work, building smoke-stacks, etc., but the firm is also well equipped for all kinds of work in their line.
The marriage of Mr. Recker took place February 7, 1886, at St. John's church, to Miss Ella Ritman, a native of Bridgeport, Ill., Rev. Father Merz performing the rites. Five children have blessed this union, of whom three are still living, viz: Raymond, Edmund and Anna Marie; the deceased were named Frankie and Ferdinand. The family are members of St. John's congregation, while Mr. Recker is a member of St. John's branch, C. K. of A., and of St. John's Benevolent society. He is a thriving young business man and is much esteemed for his industrious habits and correct manner of living.
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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
M ICHAEL REDINGTON, who resides at No. 412 West South street, Indianapolis, is among the well-known Catholic resi- dents of the city, having lived here more than a quarter of a cen- tury. Mr. Redington was born in county Galway, Ireland, about 1851, and is a son of Michael and Mary (Qualter, Redington, who never came across the sea. Michael and Mary Redington were the parents of six children, four of whom grew to mature years, and of these Michael and Owen are the only members of their father's family that ever came to the United States, and both live in Indi- anapolis.
Michael Redington, the subject of this sketch, came to this country when about twenty years of age, landing in New York. Going thence to Pittsburg, Pa., he remained there a short time and then came to Indianapolis, in 1873. October 9, 1883, he was married to Miss Mary Fitzgerald, the ceremony taking place in St. John's church. Mrs. Redington is a daughter of Michael and Fanny Fitzgerald, the former of whom was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion and was killed at Atlanta, Ga., July 4, 1864. Mrs. Fitzgerald afterward married John Garrity, of Indianapolis, a brief sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume, and in this sketch the reader may find a more extended mention of the family of Mrs. Redington. She was born in Boone county, Ind., April 18, 1859.
Mr. Redington is foreman for Kingan & Co., meat packers of Indianapolis, in whose employ he has been for twenty-four years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Redington are members of St. John's parish, and are among the more esteemed residents of the city of Indi- anapolis. They have a pleasant home at the location above given, but have had no children.
JOHN REDMOND, a highly respected resident of Vincennes, J Ind., was born in county Monaghan, Ireland, June 24, 1827, a son of Michael and Mary Redmond, the former of whom is still living, but of whom the latter died when subject was yet a child.
John Redmond worked on his native island and in the iron- mills of England until 1857, when he came to America and lived (1180)
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CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
in Baltimore, Md., until the spring of 1858, when he was employed by the United States government on the water works at Washington, D. C. He was a short time afterward employed on the Chesapeake & Ohio railroad in Virginia, then went to Tennessee, where he worked from October, 1859, until March, 1861, when, not being in sympathy with the secession movement, he came north to Indiana, first locating at Huron, and then at Washington, but finally, in March, 1866, settling in Vincennes, being, during the interval, employed by the O. & M. (now the B. & O.) railroad company, chiefly on track work, and continuing in the employ of the company in that and other work until 1891, when, on account of advancing years, and in recognition of his faithfulness, he was placed in charge of the lamps at the Union depot, in which position he has since exercised the care, punctu- ality and economy that have won for him the approbation of his employers.
The marriage of Mr. Redmond took place in Washington, Ind., in May, 1866, to Miss Mary Ann Scalley, a native of Madi- son, Ind., but who, sad to relate, has for the past fourteen years been a hopeless inmate of the Evansville insane asylum. She had, however, prior to her affliction, borne her husband five sons and one daughter, viz: Michael, John, Thomas, Patrick, James and Mary Ann. Of these, John and Patrick died in infancy; James, a bright and promising young man, died at the age of twenty-three years; Michael and Mary Ann are still at home with their father, while Thomas is employed in railroad work in Toledo, Ohio. The family in Vincennes are all devout Catholics and are members of St. Francis Xavier church.
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