USA > Indiana > History of the Catholic church in Indiana, Volume II > Part 77
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H UGH REYNOLDS, a respected Catholic resident of St. Pat- rick's parish, Indianapolis, was born in county Roscommon, Ireland, in the year 1824. When an infant he was bereft by death of his father, and when eight years of age his mother brought her family to America. She settled in Hamilton, Ohio, where three of her seven children were called from earth to join their father in the regions above, and where, about the year 1856, her own death took place, having been, in the meantime, most filially cared for by our subject and her three other surviving children.
Hugh Reynolds was united in marriage, September 11, 1851, with Miss Ellen Hangley, who was born February, 1834, also in Roscommon county, Ireland, and who was likewise early bereft of her parents and when a child came to America with her brothers and sisters, and grew to womanhood in Hamilton, Ohio. From Hamilton Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds removed to Cambridge City, Ind., where they resided a few years, and then, in 1874, came to Indianapolis, where they still reside, respected by all who know them. To their marriage have been born five sons and four daugh- ters-Thomas, Beatrice, Owen C., Mary, Hugh B., George J., John F., Catherine and Gertrude. The family have their home at No. 1202 Hoyt avenue, where they are respected as being among the earnest and active workers in the interests of St. Patrick's parish. Mr. Reynolds learned the trade of cooper, which he fol- lowed through life, and for many years was foreman in the shops of the Standard Oil company. He now lives a retired life.
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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
J
OHN RING, who resides with his wife at No. 829 Dougherty street, Indianapolis, Ind., dates his residence in this city from 1865. Mr. Ring was born in county Cork, Ireland, January 6, 1830, and in that county lived until he was twenty-four years of age. In 1854 he came to the United States, landing in New York and going thence directly to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was mar- ried August 22, 1858, to Miss Julia Hennessy, also a native of county Cork, and who came to this country when fifteen years of age.
On the 29th of April, 1864, Mr. and Mrs. Ring arrived in Indianapolis, at a time when St. John's and St. Mary's parishes were the only ones established in the city. They have always been active church members, liberal in its support, and are well and widely known. Mr. Ring has four sisters in the United States, viz: Mary, of Indianapolis; Bridget, now Sister Cornelia, of St. Mary's of the Woods; Joanna, wife of David Gleason, of Mulberry street, Indianapolis, and Margaret, wife of Daniel Lyons, of Penn- sylvania street, of the same city.
Mr. and Mrs. Ring have had no children. They have a pleas- ant home, and are enjoying the declining years of their lives in the consciousness of duty well and faithfully performed, and in the hope of a better life in the world to come.
D ENNIS RIORDAN, junior member of the extensive grocery firm of Creahan & Riordan, LaFayette, Ind., was born in county Limerick, Ireland, February 17, 1846, a son of Dennis and Bridget (O'Donnell) Riordan, who were born, reared and mar- ried in the same county, where the father died in January. 1866, a sincere Catholic and highly respected gentleman. In 1868 the widowed mother brought her family of eight children to America, and of these, Catherine, who was a Sister of the Good Shepherd, died in the performance of her office of mercy and charity during the cholera epidemic in Memphis, Tenn., in 1878; Ellen resides in Chicago, Ill .; Johanna, Mary and Jerry live in St. Louis, Mo .; Dennis is the subject of this notice; Michael died in 1889, and (1194)
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
John is also a resident of St. Louis. The beloved mother of this family was called away in 1873, dying a consistent member of St. Mary's church, in LaFayette.
Dennis Riordan attended a parochial school in his native land until fourteen years old and then worked on the home farm until the family emigrated to America and settled in LaFayette. He here went to work as a laborer on the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific railroad for one season, and was then employed as baggage master for the Monon route for eighteen years, or until 1888, when he formed a partnership with Robert S. McMillan in the retail grocery trade; in 1890 he sold his interest in this, and made a trip to Ire- land; shortly afterward he returned, went to Los Angeles, Cal., where he passed a year, and next lived a year and a half in Sacra- mento, and then seven months in San Diego, whence he went to the Columbian exposition, or world's fair, in Chicago, III., and thence went to San Antonio, Tex., but in 1893 returned to LaFay- ette, Ind., and purchased a half-interest in the wholesale and retail grocery firm now so well known as Creahan & Riordan, at Nos. 100 and 102 Columbia street. In politics Mr. Riordan is a demo- crat, but has never been an office seeker. He is a member of St. Mary's congregation, and is faithful to his duty and a liberal con- tributor to his church. As a citizen he is greatly respected, and as a business man his name stands without reproach.
N [ICHOLAS ROEDER, the enterprising grocer and agent for the Pabst Brewing company of Milwaukee, Wis., has his business place at the northwest corner of Fourth and Walnut streets, Madi- son, Ind., and also conducts a grocery and bakery in Carrollton, Ky. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, November 17, 1860, and is a son of Nicholas and Catherine (Spang) Roeder, natives of Prussia, who came to the United States early in life and were mar- ried in Philadelphia, Pa. From the Quaker city Mr. and Mrs. Roeder moved to Cincinnati, but a few years later returned to Philadelphia, where the mother passed away, leaving six children, of whom three are still living, viz: Catherine, Nicholas (subject) and Josephine.
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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
After the death of his first wife, Nicholas Roeder, the father, returned to Cincinnati, and was married a second time, but this wife died within a year of her wedding-day, childless, and Mr. Roeder then came to Madison and here married Mary Schwab, a native of this city. To this union have been born three children- Peter, Charles and Jacob E. Mr. Roeder still resides here, fol- lowing his trade of cabinetmaker, and is a respected member of St. Mary's church.
Nicholas Roeder, whose name opens this article, was about six years of age when brought to Madison by his father. He was educated in St. Mary's school, after which he was first employed in a saddle factory, and at the age of nineteen began learning cabinet- making, at which he worked in Madison, in Jeffersonville, and in Carrollton, Ky. In March, 1888, he established his present grocery and liquor trade, and since 1893 has been the agent for the Pabst Brewing company.
Mr. Roeder is united in marriage with Miss Helena La Fon- taine, who was born in Carrollton, Ky., and this union has resulted in the birth of two children, of whom one, Helen, is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Roeder are members of St. Mary's church, and Mr. Roeder is also a member of St. Peter's society. In politics he is a democrat, and for three years has represented his party, from the Second ward, as a member of the city council. He is a wide- awake business man, began life with no pecuniary means, but to-day owns his business property in Madison, beside his grocery and bakery in Carrollton, Ky., and well deserves the high esteem in which he is held by all who know him.
M RS. MARY ANN RITCHIE, who resides at No. 1523 East Washington street, Indianapolis, Ind., is a representative of an early Catholic family of the state of Indiana. She is a daugh- ter of Michael McGrath, who died in 1852, when she was still a mere child. Her mother's maiden name was Catherine Kavanagh, a native of county Wexford, Ireland, and a member of an excellent and well known family. In her old age she is now being kindly
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CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
cared for by her daughter, Mrs. Mary Ann Ritchie, at the home of the latter. Mrs. Ritchie was born in Madison, Ind., where she grew to womanhood and where she married Samuel Ritchie, a native of Pennsylvania.
Samuel Ritchie, at twenty-one years of age, enlisted in a Pennsylvania regiment, which fought to put down the Rebellion against the government of the United States, and served his coun- try faithfully three years, and it is altogether likely that his life was shortened by the exposures to which he was subject during that time. By trade and occupation he was a machinist and engineer, and he died at Tarentum, Pa., February 18, 1886. Though not a Catholic, yet he was a man of character, and was highly respected, was a kind husband and father, and at his death left his widow with five young children, the youngest being at the time but two years old. The names of these children are as fol- lows: Eloisia, at home; Samuel, at Eaton, Colo., a plumber by trade; Catherine, wife of William Jahn, and a graduate of the North side high school of Indianapolis; Rachael Agnes, and Anna, living at home.
Soon after the death of her husband, Mrs. Ritchie moved to Indianapolis, and ever since her bereavement has labored faith- fully to rear her children in such a manner as to make them good and respectable citizens when the duties of citizenship shall devolve upon them. She is a worthy and faithful member of the parish of the Holy Cross, of which the Rev. Father McCabe is the beloved pastor. It is worthy of remark that the Rev. Father Dupontavice, who united Mr. and Mrs. Ritchie in marriage, performed the same important ceremony in the case of her parents, and administered the ordinance of holy baptism to Mrs. Ritchie's two eldest children. It is indeed a great pleasure to the publishers of this work to record an account, brief though it may be, of the many virtues of a woman like Mrs. Ritchie, who swerves not from the true course of recti- tude and who seeks not charity, but who is setting before her chil- dren an example which in their future lives, in looking back upon it, will for all time influence them to live as their mother has done, and as she will continue to do until called to a higher sphere of existence.
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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
H J ENRY ROELL, the well-known merchant of Morris, Ripley
county, Ind., was born in Bavaria, Germany, May 13, 1835. a son of Adam and Margretha Roell, parents of eight children, of whom five are still living. The father died at Oldenburg, Ind., in 1887, the mother having died in 1859 in her native town.
Henry Roell was educated in the common schools of his native land, was apprenticed when a mere lad to a weaver, and worked at this trade until twenty years of age. He came to America in 1854, settled in Dearborn county, Ind., and engaged in farming until 1857, and then engaged in the brewing business, at first in St. Peter's and afterward at Oldenburg, Ind., which he followed until 1867, and then, for three years, again engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1870 he embarked in mercantile trade, in conjunction with coopering, and is now one of the leading business men of Morris.
Mr. Roell was first united in marriage January 21, 1862, with Miss Catherine, daughter of Jacob Schachere, of France, the marriage resulting in the birth of twelve children, viz: Philip; Frank A., a priest at Aurora, Ind .; Henry J., who died in 1867; Henry J., Lizzie E., Mary, Mary C. (dead), John, Peter, Alois, Gregor and Anthony. Mrs. Catherine Roell died a sincere Catholic January 4, 1890, and the second marriage of Henry Roell took place July 29, 1891, to Mrs. H. Fesse, and this marriage has been blessed with one daughter, Philomena. The family are members of St. Anthony's church, at Morris, and stand very high in the esteem of the public.
Mr. Roell is very practical in business affairs and has been, in consequence, very successful in all his undertakings. Always inflexible in his integrity, he has won the esteem not only of tlie general public but of all business men with whom he has had transactions, and his name stands without a blemish in business as well as social circles.
C APT. JOHN H. ROHAN, foreman of the finishing depart- ment of the Fort Wayne Organ & Piano company, was born in county Clare, Ireland, June 25, 1839, son of John and Bridget (1198)
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
(Costello) Rohan, with whom he came to America in 1845. The family, consisting of father, mother and three children, first located at Burlington, Vt., but, three years later, removed to Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
In early manhood Capt. Rohan learned the trade of a finisher of wood, which he followed in Milwaukee until 1859, and after- ward at Buffalo, N. Y. In July, 1862, he entered in company D, One Hundred and Sixteenth New York volunteer infantry, and served until the close of the war. He was successively promoted from private to sergeant, first sergeant, second lieutenant, first lieutenant, and in April, 1864, he was commissioned captain and served as such with company G, of the same regiment, until the close of the war. He commanded his company in the battles of Port Hudson, Pleasant Hill, Bayou Teche, Sabine Cross Roads, Cedar Creek, Opequan Creek, Fisher's Hill and in numerous skir- mishes. He received a flesh wound in the left side at the battle of Pleasant Hill, and a scalp wound in the battle of Cedar Creek, but fortunately neither proved serious. He was mustered out at Washington, D. C., June 25, 1865. Returning to Milwaukee, he engaged in the grocery business. Two years later he removed to Chicago, and, until the great fire in 1871, worked at his trade in the factory of the Burdett Organ company. After the fire he came to Fort Wayne, and has ever since held his present position.
Capt. Rohan was married, May 28, 1868, to Miss Mary Ann Theressa O'Brien. They have had nine children, of whom Lor- etta J., William H., Frank, Edwin G. and Agnes are living, and Mida, Theressa, Maggie and Walter are deceased. Mr. Rohan and family are members of St. Patrick's Catholic church. He is a member of the uniform rank of the Catholic legion, the National Union, and the U. V. L. In politics he is a democrat. Capt. Rohan was formerly captain of the veteran organization of the state militia and was promoted to the rank of major and finally to lieutenant-colonel of the Second district battalion, and still serves in the latter rank. Capt. Rohan is very liberal in his contribu- tions to the support of his church, and he and family are punctnal in their attendance at service, and all are highly esteemed for their lives of rectitude and usefulness.
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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
JOHN HENRY ROHE was born in Oldenburg, Germany, Jan-
J ary 1, 1818, and is a son of John Henry and Beudena (Mayer Rohe, both parents natives of the same country. The father was born in Oldenburg in the year 1766, and died there in 1841; the mother's birth occurred in 1788, and she departed this life in her native country in the year 1844. The subject of this sketch was educated in the schools of Oldenburg, which he attended until his fourteenth year, when he began working for himself on a farm, which occupation he followed for a period of six years. In the meantime he decided to come to the United States, and in 1838 carried out his intentions, landing on the second day of June, that year, in Baltimore, Md., proceeding thence to Cumberland, that state, where for one year he found employment on the Cumber- land canal. During the ten years from 1839 to 1849 he followed the pursuit of agriculture in Washington county, Md., and in April of the latter year he became a citizen of Indiana, locating in Center township, Wayne county, where he purchased a farm which has since been his home.
Mr. Rohe was married in Hagerstown, Md., December 2, 1845, to Miss Anna Wyland, Father Myer officiating, to which union five children have been born, viz: Mary Ann, wife of Frank Blemer, of Richmond; Sarah, wife of Bernard Bimer, of Wayne township; Margaret J., wife of William Puthoff, of the same town- ship; Casper Henry, a resident of Center township, and Anna, wife of Phillip Batter, who resides in the township of Wayne. The inother of these children, a most faithful and devoted Christian woman, died in the triumph of a living faith January 12, 1892, and was laid to rest in St. Andrew's cemetery. She was a mem- ber of St. Andrew's parish, as are also her husband and family, Mr. Rohe having served for a number of years as a trustee of the church.
OSEPH J. ROMARY, of the firm of Romary, Goeglein & Co., J hardware merchants, of Fort Wayne, is one of eight children born to John J. and Modest (Prayleur) Romary, natives of France. The father, who was born in 1806, came to the United States in
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CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
1854 and located in Allen county, where he engaged in farming, and here died in 1878.
Joseph J. Romary was born in France, March 27, 1842, and was brought to America by his parents. He attended the common schools during his youthful years, then engaged in clerking, and in 1896 formed the above firm, who carry a stock valued at $7,000.
Mr. Romary was married, in 1865, to Miss Frances Henry, a daughter of . Peter Henry, of Allen county, and this marriage has been blessed with ten children, eight still living: Joseph A., Eugenia, Charles A., Clara, Elnora, Julian, George and Frederick. All of these are members of the Cathedral congregation, and Mr. Romary is a member of the Catholic Knights of America and the St. Joseph society. In politics he is a democrat, but business has occupied has occupied his attention more than party affairs, and he now stands at the head of one of the leading firms of Fort Wayne, and also stands high in the esteem of the community as a useful and honored citizen. The family resides at No. 128 Erie street, where Mr. Romary owns a handsome property.
W ILLIAM ROSENBAUM, a prominent Catholic citizen of Indianapolis, who resides at No. 717 Beaty street with his family, was born of Protestant parents in Westphalia, Germany, in 1839. His parents still remain in Germany. Christopher Rosenbaum, a brother of the subject, came to the United States in 1856, located in Indianapolis, being quite an early settler of this city. His death occurred in Indianapolis, in August, 1894, where his family still reside. Two other members of the family emigrated to the United States, a brother and a half-brother of the subject, but neither of them ever resided in Indianapolis.
William Rosenbaum was married May 2, 1870, in Indianap- olis, to Miss Ellen A. Lawler, a native of Queen's county, Ireland, daughter of John Lawler and his wife, the latter of whom died when Mrs. Rosenbaum was a child of but three years of age. Two years afterward, when she was five years of age, John Lawler brought his children to the United States, and they all lived in the
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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
state of New Jersey for several years, and when Mrs. Rosenbaum was about ten years old they all removed to Indianapolis. Will- iam Lawler, the eldest of the children, is a resident of Indianap- olis; Mary married John Moore, and died several years ago; Anna became Mrs. Golden, and has been dead several years; Elizabeth is now Mrs. Farrell, of Indianapolis; Ellen A., wife of the subject, is next in order of birth; James is a resident of Muncie, Ind. ; John, the youngest of the children, died in 1883, leaving a son and daughter, William and Mary. Mrs. Lawler is a most worthy woman, is devoted to the Catholic church, and strives to live in such a manner as to merit the commendation of all good people, and especially in accordance with the principles and precepts of the church in which she was born and reared.
William Rosenbaum is a man of correct habits and principles, and is a Lutheran by birth and education. He and his wife have two children, William F. and John A. They lost their only daughter, Etta, when she was eleven years of age.
JOHN ROSENSTEIN, shoemaker at No. 720 South Capitol avenue, Indianapolis, Ind., was born in Austria, Germany, in April, 1853. He is a son of Joseph and Anna (Vratana) Rosen- stein, both natives of Austria, in which country they both died. Three of their sons and two of their daughters are still living, while two of their sons and one daughter have died, and lie buried in Austria.
John Rosenstein, the subject of this sketch, came to the United States, by way of Canada, reaching Canada September 23, 1890, and locating in Indianapolis in March, 1891. He married while yet in his native country Miss Maria Stemple, a native of Austria. To this marriage there have been born three children: Frank, fifteen years of age; Anthony, ten years old, and Veronica, two years. Mr. Rosenstein learned the shoemaker's trade in his native country, and has ever since then worked on the bench, giving his attention mostly to repairing. He is an industrious, honest, hard- working man, having been continuously at work since his fourteenth
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CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
year. He and his family are devoted members of St. Mary's Catholic church, of which the Rev. Father Scheideler is pastor, and the children are attending St. Mary's school.
Mr. Rosenstein is a naturalized citizen of the United States, having taken out his papers as soon as the law permitted after reaching this country. Politically he is a democrat, but is not desirous of official position, and he is not a member of any society or secret order. His general character and conduct in life are so well known that he is highly respected as a man and citizen by all that know him, and it is this class of foreigners that all parties in the United States extend a hearty welcome to when they reach American shores.
DEV. PATRICK ROWAN, pastor of St. Peter's church, at Montgomery, Ind., is a native of the city of Madison, Ind., was born March 14, 1859, and was the third in a family of six children born to Jeremiah and Sabina (Hughes) Rowan. At pres- ent there are only four of the children living.
The educational career of the Rev. Father was begun at the famous Benedictine college of St. Meinrad of Spencer county, Ind., and at this well-known Catholic college he received a classical edu- cation. In October, 1878, he visited Rome, Italy, with the full expectation of taking a full course in philosophy and theology, but after spending two and a half years in the Eternal city, he was taken sick with the Roman fever, and was forced to come back to America. After returning to his native country he was delayed in the prosecution of his studies on account of prolonged illness, but in due course of time he entered St. Mary's college at Baltimore, Md., and was there ordained as priest by Cardinal Gibbons May 30, 1885. After his ordination he was appointed assistant pastor to Father McBarron, at Evansville, Ind., in the church of the Assumption, and there remained for ten years. June 29, 1895, he was appointed pastor of St. Peter's church, at Montgomery, Ind., and has been arduously and actively engaged in the pastoral work of his church since that date. His predecessor was Father Piers, who spent his priesthood in this charge.
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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
Beside his congregation at St. Peters, Father Rowan has a mission at Cannelburg, which is an appendix to St. Peter's church, and is known as a chapel of Ease, and is a frame structure. The parochial school which comes under the care of Father Rowan, is presided over by four sisters of Providence, three as teachers and one as music teacher, besides whom, another is employed as cook and attendant. The school numbers about 140 pupils, and the course of instruction is very thorough.
Father Rowan is a gentleman who is held in high regard and reverence by his people, and is an indefatigable worker. His scho- lastic attainments are of a high character and his oratory pleasing and effective. He and his sister reside in an elegant brick dwell- ing of a modern style of architecture, which is fitted up in a style which is befitting a gentleman of his position. The dwelling was erected but a short time ago at a cost of about $6,000. In Vol. I are given the facts relative to the history of the church.
ISADORE V. ROY, assistant superintendent of the Dodge Pulley I works, of Mishawaka, Ind., is a native of Quebec, Canada, born April 7, 1849, and is a son of John V. and Scholastique (Choin- nard) Roy, natives of the same city, born in 1824 and 1821, respect- ively, and married in St. Rock's church in 1845, the union result- ing in the birth of three children, viz: Isadore, Julius and Mary S .- the last named being the wife of Leander Poulin, of South Bend, Ind.
John V. Roy was educated in the parochial schools of Quebec until twelve years of age, and was then apprenticed to cabinet- making, a trade he followed in Canada until 1865, when he removed to New York city, where he lived four years, and then came to Indiana, and for six years was a contractor for the Singer Sewing Machine company, at South Bend-from June 19, 1869, until April, 1875. He then went to Grand Rapids, Mich., where he was con- nected with cabinet work until 1882, when he went to Pullman, Cook county, Ill., and worked in the car shops until 1887, when he returned to Indiana and settled in Mishawaka, where he has since been employed in the Dodge Pulley works. Here he lost his beloved wife, who died a devoted Catholic June 22, 1895.
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