USA > Indiana > History of the Catholic church in Indiana, Volume II > Part 81
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97
60
(1239)
THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
J OHN CORNELIUS SCHMOLL, the junior member of the extensive grocery firm of Schmoll Bros., Peru, Ind., is also a native of this city and was born September 9, 1861, a son of Michael and Adeline (Speck) Schmoll, mentioned elsewhere in the biography of John Andrew Schmoll, elder brother of subject.
John C. Schmoll attended a public school until nine years old and then studied in private under Rev. Father Meissner until admitted into the Catholic church in July, 1873, after which he attended the parochial school until seventeen years old, and then he served an apprenticeship at the machinist's trade for three years and worked as a journeyman at the same calling for two years, when he formed a partnership with his brother in the present grocery and provision business.
January 24, 1886, Mr. Schmoll was united in marriage, at Indianapolis, Ind., with Miss Mary Clark, a native of that city and a daughter of Charles T. Clark. This union has been blessed with three children-Adelaine, Catherine and Charles, all of whom, with their parents, belong to St. Charles Borromeo congregation at Peru. Mr. Schmoll is a member of the Catholic Knights of Amer- ica, and Mrs. Schmoll is a member of the Altar society of the church. Both are active and prominent in church work, and socially are highly esteemed for their many good qualities of mind and heart.
R EV. JOHN B. SCHORNO, chaplain of the chapel of the Immac- ulate Conception, convent of the nuns of St. Benedict, at Ferdinand, Dubois county, Ind., is a native of the canton Schwytz, Switzerland, was born January 10, 1863, and is the third child in a family of six-four sons and two daughters-born to August and Regina (Schindler) Schorno.
The primary education of Father Schorno was finished in the parochial schools of his native canton, and he next entered the gymnasium at Einseldeln in 1876, and there finished his classical and philosophical course in 1883. He next entered the Theolog- ical seminary at Chur, Graubunden, Switzerland, in the fall of 1883. and graduated in 1886. He set sail from Havre, France, (1240)
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
September 17, 1887, and landed in New York, his objective point being the monastery of St. Meinrad, Ind., which place he entered as a novitiate and there was his established home. He was often called upon by the abbot to officiate in the outlying parishes, and in 1895 he was selected by the abbot to go to Devil's Lake, S. Dak., to open up the school at the new priory of St. Gaul's. This duty was an important one, but Father Schorno ably per- formed his part.
From 1890 to 1895 Father Schorno was selected by the abbot for the office of prefect of St. Meinrad's college. In June, 1897, he was placed in charge of the convent at Ferdinand, known as the Immaculate Conception, as chaplain, and is still the incumbent. This famous nunnery has an attendance of ninety-five inmates of the Benedictine order. June 28, 1898, Rev. Eberhardt Stadler, the jubilee priest in charge of Ferdinand parish, died, and Father Schorno was given the responsibility of the large congregation and the convent. He has two Benedictine assistants. His duties are many and arduous, but he is well qualified to perform the work. He is a scholar, and contributes to the leading Catholic period- icals. In his manner he is social, genial, cordial and agreeable to all, and is winning a high place in the hearts of his parishioners.
R EV. JOHN KILIAN SCHOTT, pastor of St. Anthony's church, Evansville, is a native of Germany, born in Potten- dorf, diocese of Wuerzburg, kingdom of Bavaria, May 6, 1861. His parents were Adam and Anna Marie Keller) Schott, natives of the same country, the father born in Pottendorf and the mother in the parish of Langfeld.
Father Schott attended the schools of his native country until fifteen years of age, and in August, 1876, came to the United States, locating first at the town of Newberg, on the Ohio river, with an aunt, Mrs. Michael Bush, who had preceded him to this country. He then entered St. Meinrad's Benedictine abbey, where he pursued his studies until completing the prescribed course, and where, on the nineteenth of June, 1886, he was solemnly ordained
(1241)
THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
to the priesthood by Rt. Rev. Bishop Chatard, of Vincennes. During the succeeding five and half years, Father Schott served as assistant to Rev. Scheideler, pastor of St. Mary's church, Indi- anapolis, and then became rector of St. Joseph's Hill, Clark county, where he exercised the duties of his holy office for four years and nine months. On November 7, 1896, he was transferred to Evansville as pastor of St. Anthony's, one of the largest par- ishes in the city, numbering at this time over 300 families and having one of the finest and most commodious temples of worship in western Indiana. The parochial school connected with the church is in a flourishing condition, with an attendance of about 360 pupils. Over this, as well as all the sodalities of St. Anthony's-the Young Ladies' sodality of the Blessed Virgin and Christian Mothers, Young Men's society, St. Anthony's society and and St. Agnes' Young Ladies' society-Father Schott exercises personal direction, and the success and efficiencies of these various adjuncts of the church are largely due to his earnest and untiring labors. Father Schott has been solicitous to do everything within his power to promote the best interests of his church and people, and how well he has succeeded is shown by the prosperous condi- tion which his parish now enjoys.
Kindly and sociable, with a nature overflowing with good will to all men, he is loved and respected, not only by the members of the church to which he so ably ministers, but by the citizens of the community, regardless of religious affiliation.
M RS. HENRY SCHNELL, of Schnellville, Ind., is a native of Hinfald, Germany, was born April 22, 1829, and is the sec- ond in a family of two sons and three daughters born to Andrew and Barbara Hilbert, of which family, however, there is but one, beside herself, still living.
Mrs. Schnell was confirmed in the Catholic faith at the age of twelve years, and in 1852 sailed from Bremen for the United States. After a voyage of three months' duration, she landed in New Orleans, whence she came to the vicinity of Celestine, Dubois (1242)
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
county, Ind., and June 24, 1852, was united in marriage with Henry Schnell, which union was blessed with six sons and six daughters, of whom six still survive, viz: Catherine, who was con- firmed at the age of twelve years and is now the wife of Joseph E. Buchhart, a leading merchant of Dubois county; Henry, who mar- ried Miss Otillia Schultz, is the father of three children, and is a business man of Crawford county; Peter, a business man of Ferdi- nand Station and married to Miss Oma Kinsler; Joseph, who mar- ried Miss Emma Bender, who, like himself, was confirmed by Bishop de St. Palais, and who has borne him one son and three daughters-Mr. Schnell being one of the proprietors of the flour- ing-mill at Schnellville; Mary, who for ten years has been a nun in the convent at Ferdinand; Theresa, wife of George Schaaf, a car- penter and joiner at Lincoln, Nebr., and the mother of two sons and one daughter.
At the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Schnell were the owners of forty acres of land only, which they were obliged to grub and clear, but, by industry and frugality, they acquired many hun- dreds of acres. Mr. Schnell was a wonderfully energetic man and farseeing. He was prominent in all the affairs of his township and county, was extremely popular, and was for eleven years township trustee, and also for many years township commissioner. He was the main factor in the founding of the Catholic church in Schnell- ville, donating the ten acres of land which constituted the church grounds. He was a true patriot and served three years in the Union army during the Civil war, taking part in several severe battles. He is now invalided and being treated at the Alexian Brothers' hospital at St. Louis.
Mrs. Schnell has a beautiful home in Schnellville, and still enjoys the society of many friends who have known her for nearly a half century, and where she is honored and respected by hundreds of others. She is kind and hospitable, is generous in her contribu- tions to support of the church of the Sacred Heart, of which she has been so long a devout member, but this is not alone the recip- ient of her bounty, as it is well known that she is munificent in her charities, notwithstanding the fact that she modestly endeavors to keep her good deeds to herself.
(1243)
THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
M RS. MAGDELINA SCHROEDER, the energetic lady engaged in the grocery business at Aurora, Dearborn county, Ind., is a daughter of J. Rief, of Germany. Her father came to the United States in 1854, and was a stonemason by trade, at which he worked many years, then kept hotel. His death occurred October 18, 1870, in Lawrenceburg. Magdelina was united in matrimony to Ernest Schroeder June 25, 1860, which union was blessed with ten children, six of them living, viz: Emma, now Mrs. Ferrin, of Cincinnati, her husband being a tinner; Henry E. resides in Cin- cinnati; Lena M., Gertrude E. and Amelia, wife of Fred Mountel, who is engaged in the livery and undertaking business with his father, and Clara R. The members of the family residing in Aurora belong to St. Mary's church, with the exception of Mr. Schroeder, who is not a Catholic.
J
JOHN GERHARD SCHWEGMAN, postmaster at Richmond, Ind., was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, March 25, 1843, a son of Christian and Mary Ann (Vosgroene) Schwegman.
Christian Schwegman was a native of Bremen city, province of Hanover, Germany, was born in 1812, was there reared to man- hood, and about the year 1840 came to the United States, landing in New York city with twenty-five cents in his pocket. From New York he came west as far as Cincinnati, Ohio, where he found employment as a gardener, and was married in that city in 1841. He then engaged in the grocery trade until 1845, when, on account of failing health, he came to the then frontier town of Richmond, Ind., bought forty acres of land south of and adjoining the town, and one acre within the town limits, on South Fifth street, where he resided until his death from cholera, August 27, 1849. He was one of the promoters of Catholicity in Richmond, and donated to St. Andrew's parish the old cemetery, south of town, and was also one of the church trustees. St. Andrew's congregation, number- ing eleven or twelve families, at first worshiped in a dwelling on South Fourth street which still remains opposite the site of the present St. John's Lutheran church until 1848, when the old St. Andrew's (1244)
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
church-building was erected, with a full seating capacity for 200 persons. It was from this church, before it had been completed, that the remains of Mr. Schwegman were conveyed to their last resting place. In April, 1860, the old structure was demolished, and the present house of worship erected.
To the marriage of Christian and Mary Ann Schwegman were born four children, viz: John Gerhard, Christian and Henry (both deceased) and Frank, a butcher and cold-storage warehouse pro- prietor, of Richmond. The mother of this family was called from earth in May. 1885, and her remains were interred, with those of the other deceased members of the family, in the new cemetery, on Liberty avenue, south of town. She was prominent in church circles, was a member of the Anna society of St. Andrew, and died a devout Catholic, in which faith she had reared all her children.
John Gerhard Schwegman, who was but four years of age when brought to Richmond, Ind., by his parents, attended St. Andrew's parochial school until fourteen years old, and then worked in a brickyard until 1859; he next clerked in a grocery store until 1867, when, under the firm name of Korthaus & Schwegman, or the Peoples' Ice company, he engaged in the ice business, in addi- tion to the grocery trade, Mr. Schwegman attending to the grocery and his parner to the ice department, until 1872, when it became apparent that the attention of both partners was required in the ice trade alone, and this was the industry to which their time was devoted until 1893, when the plant was sold to the Union Ice company, whose business Mr. Schwegman superintended one year, when he was appointed, January 8, 1894, under the Cleveland administration, postmaster of Richmond, taking charge Febru- ary 1, 1894. His corps of assistants is made up as follows: Deputy, Benjamin F. Wissler; general delivery clerk, Anna Gol- den; stamp clerk, Cornelius McDonald; directory clerk, Sarah Moorman; registry clerk, Fannie Bergan; mail clerks, Frank W. Wilson and John L. Lott; also eleven carriers and two substitute carriers-making thirteen carriers in all.
The marriage of Mr. Schwegman took place in Richmond, November 7, 1872, to Miss Mary Johannes, who was born in Cin-
(1245)
THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
cinnati, Ohio, in 1853, and this union has been blessed with twelve- children, born in the following order: Anna, deceased; Edward and George, with the Union Ice company; Lillie, at home; Harry, deceased; Albert, Joseph and Eugene, at home; Rosa, deceased; Clara, at home; Raymond, deceased, and Marguerite. The family are all members of St. Andrew's church, of which Mr. Schweg- man was for five years a trustee, and is now a member of the Men's society, while Mrs. Schwegman is a member of the Anna society. Mr. Schwegman has always been a moral and temperate man, a liberal contributor to the support of his church, and a gentleman of first-class business talents and urbane and courteous. deportment. He has a valuable residence within the city limits, his home is always bright and cheerful, and his domestic relations are of the most pleasant description. He is popular with the democratic party and is also a favorite with the general public, who fully appreciate his efforts to please, in the administration of his present responsible official duties.
PROF. DANIEL SCHWEGEL, at the Holy Family school, of Oldenburg, is one of four children born to Daniel and Cather- ine (Gies) Schwegel, both deceased. Daniel Schwegel, the sub- ject, was born March 27, 1852, in Germany, and came to the United States in 1872, landing in New York December 17. He began teaching on his arrival in Ohio in 1873, and continued until 1874. He then took charge of the Catholic schools at East Saginaw, Mich., and was there until 1875; was then in Nebraska for three years; in Miltensburg, Ohio, for one year; two years at North Madison, Ind .; at St. Michael, Cincinnati, Ohio, for one year; then for six years at St. Mary's of the Rock; then for five years had charge of the German department of St. John, the Evan- gelist, Delphos, Ohio; then assumed his present charge in July, 1893, and has about forty or fifty pupils in two high grades.
Prof. Schwegel was married January 8, 1878, to Miss Cather- ine Becker, a daughter of John Becker, of Cedar county, Nebr .; they have six children, viz: Charles, Frank, Anna, Lizzie, August (1246)
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
and Katie, all reared in the Catholic faith. Prof. Schwegel is a member of the C. K. A. and C. K. O., and in politics is a demo- crat. He is recognized as a talented educator and has made many friends since he came to Oldenburg, irrespective of creed or nationality.
E LLIS SEARLES, a rising young attorney of Huntington, Huntington county, Ind., is the second eldest child of Dr. Joseph D. and Lucinda (Ruggles) Searles, and was born in this county August 1, 1866.
Dr. Joseph D. Searles, a native of Philadelphia, Pa., came to Huntington county, Ind., in 1853, and has here been engaged in the practice of medicine up to the present time. Here, also, he married Miss Ruggles, a native of this county, and to this marriage were born six children-the mother passing away in October, 1893.
Ellis Searles attended the public schools of Huntington until twelve years of age, and then began an apprenticeship at printing in the office of the Lime City News, at Huntington, served two years, then changed to the office of the Huntington Democrat, where he worked four years, adding, continuously, to his knowledge of the typographical art, and he proved to be no " blacksmith." He then went to Fort Wayne, where he opened a job office on Har- rison street, which he sold out in 1888 and returned to Huntington, where he was employed until February, 1891, in reportorial work on the Democrat, when he accepted the position of city editor of the Indianapolis Sun, which position he held two years, and then again came back to Huntington and established the Sunday Morning News, which he sold in July, 1895. For a year thereafter he was city editor of the Fort Wayne Sentinel, and then once again returned to Huntington, as editor of the Morning News-which journal was later consolidated with the Democrat-which position he retained until November, 1897. During these years of journal- istic labor, however, Mr. Searles had been an assiduous student of law, and in June, 1897, was admitted to the bar of the Huntington . circuit court, and the practice of law has since been his chosen as well as remunerating profession.
(1247)
THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
The marriage of Mr. Searles took place January 24, 1891, to Miss Nellie Goring, who was born in Logansport,. Ind., March 15, 1870, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Pottmeyer) Goring, the result of the union being two bright children-Paul and Elizabeth. The family are members of St. Mary's congregation at Huntington, Mr. Searles having been converted to the Catholic faith in his adult years, and having been baptized by Rev. F. H. Gavisk, of St. John's church, Indianapolis, February 6, 1891. Mr. Searles is making as equally good progress in the legal as he did in the jour- nalistic profession, and stands very high in the esteem of the public. He has a a very pleasant home at No. 33 Roche street, and his law office is at No. 4 East Market street. Mr. Searles is a member of St. George's council, No. 87, Catholic Benevolent legion, and for several years he has been captain of St. George's commandery, No. 150, Knights of St. John.
T THOMAS SEARS, deceased, was one of the earlier Catholics who have performed their duties well, and have, as it is expressed in ecclesiastical language, gone to their reward. Mr. Sears was a native of Ireland, and when he was a small child was brought to the United States by his parents. Soon after arriving in the city of New York the mother died, and the father, thus bereft of his best companion, soon brought the remainder of his family to Indianapolis, where he placed his children in various families to be reared and educated. Thomas, the subject of this sketch, and a sister, went to live with a family in Greencastle, and there he grew to manhood, when he returned to Indianapolis and engaged with the Panhandle Railway company, and after being in the service of this company for some time, transferred his services to the Vandalia Railway company, with which company he con- tinued until his death, which occurred July 22, 1881. For a num- ber of years he occupied the position of yardmaster, was always known as a straightforward and honest man, and a faithful, con- sistent member of the Catholic church.
Soon after becoming a resident of Indianapolis Mr. Sears was
-(124%)
REV. H. J. SEIBERTZ. DECEASED.)
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
married in St. John's church, by Rev. Father Bessonies, to Miss Bridget O'Donald, who now resides with her children at No. 811 Fletcher avenue. Mrs. Sears was born in Ireland and came to the United States with a sister, who died many years ago at LaFayette, Ind. Mrs. Sears and another sister, Mrs. Rice, are the only living representatives of the family in the United States as far as known, as still another sister went to California many years ago and is supposed to be deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Sears were blessed with a family of eight chil- dren, four of whom are still living, viz: William, George, Cora and John. The two elder sons are in the employ of the Vandalia Railway company, with which their father was so long connected. John, the youngest son, is engaged as collector for a large business house. All the children live with their mother. Of the deceased four, Nora, who married James Considine, who died September 30, 1892, leaving two sons. Mr. Considine died many years before the death of his wife. Joseph died at home March 6, 1896, when nineteen years of age, and two others died in infancy. Mrs. Sears and her family at the present time reside in St. Patrick's parish, of which they are consistent and active members, though they for- merly resided in the parish of St. John.
R EV. HENRY J. SEIBERTZ, the recently deceased pastor of St. Andrew's church, of Richmond, Ind., was born at Ocken- fels, Rhine province, Germany, January 20, 1841, and was edu- cated in the classics and philosophy in his native country. June 20, 1862, he arrived in America, and continued his studies at Mount St. Mary's, Cincinnati, Ohio. He was ordained at Vin- cennes by Bishop de St. Palais, as follows: Tonsure and minor orders June 29, subdeacon December 8, deacon December 17, and priest December 21, 1864. His first charge was that of assistant at St. Mary's, Madison, Ind., then St. Magdalen, where he built a school-house. He also built a church near what is now known as China P. O., in Jefferson county. He was next transferred to Dover and Yorkville, Ind., and at Dover built a church, and built
(1249)
THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
a school-house at Yorkville, and labored arduously until appointed to succeed Rev. Ferdinand Hundt, as pastor of St. Andrew's church at Richmond, in August, 1877. Here, in 1878, he built an addi- tion to the school-house; in 1886 he erected a parsonage; in 1887 and 1888 frescoed the church, erected a high altar and later pro- vided a new communion railing, pews and organ, and faithfully performed his duties as pastor until stricken with paralysis, in the midst of his pious labors, from the effects of which he expired, in hospital, in Cincinnati, January 22, 1898. His mortal remains were interred at Richmond, and his funeral was attended by many of his sorrowing parishioners, and by several clergymen from dif- ferent parts of the state. The ceremonies were conducted by Right Rev. Francis S. Chatard, bishop of Vincennes, assisted by several of the visiting clergymen, were the most imposing and extensive of any heretofore held in Richmond, and it may truly be said that but few priests in Indiana were more sincerely honored than Rev. Henry J. Seibertz.
E DWARD WILLIAM SIEFERT, a native of Shelbyville, Ind., was born February 17, 1875, a son of Jacob and Mary (Fisse) Siefert, and, with the exception of a few months' absence, Shelby- ville has always been his home. He attended the parochial school here until thirteen years old, and then at the age of fifteen found employment in a hub and spoke, or bent wood factory, where he remained a year and a half, and then worked in a furniture factory for a short time; he next held a position as clerk for two years, following which he went to Indianapolis, where he was employed in a hotel for nine months.
Returning to Shelbyville after this brief absence, Mr. Siefert acted as clerk in a bakery until March 8, 1897, when he opened a bicycle salesroom and repair shop, and carries a good stock of wheels, many of which he rents out. He is well equipped for repair work, and his experience in bent-wood work well qualifies him for handling bikes and for repairing them. He is polite and accommodating and knows how to please his patrons, and that he
(1250)
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
does this is proven by his constantly increasing trade. He makes his home with his brother, Frank Siefert, and both are true Cath- olics and members of St. Joseph congregation, to the support of which they generously contribute of their means. Edward W. is also a Knight of St. John, and in politics is a democrat. He is very popular with the younger portion of the population of Shelby- ville, and his steady-going habits have won for him the respect of all his elders.
R EV. J. B. H. SEEPE, present pastor of St. Mary's German church at Madison, Jefferson county, Ind., was appointed by Bishop Chatard April 22, 1881, and took charge on May 5. He was born at Bersenbruch, Hanover, August 4, 1830, and emigrated to this country August 15, 1836. He was ordained by Bishop de St. Palais at Vincennes as follows: Tonsure, April 15, 1858; minor orders, November 21; subdeacon, November 30; deacon, December 3; priest, December 8, 1859. His missions were: Rich- mond, where he built St. Andrew's church and school, 1859 to 1868; St. James, Gibson county, 1868 to 1875; St. Nicholas, Ripley county, 1875 to 1876; and Connersville, 1876 to 1881, when he was appointed to St. Mary's.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.