USA > Indiana > History of the Catholic church in Indiana, Volume II > Part 82
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
J
OHN P. SENEFELD, an ardent member of St. Patrick's church and residing at No. 1705 Fletcher avenue, Indianapolis, was born in Brookville, Franklin county, Ind., in 1848, and is a son of John and Eva Senefeld, the former of whom was born in Germany in November, 1826, and is still living in Brookville, but the latter of whom is deceased. Of the eight children born to these parents John P. is the eldest, the remaining seven having been born in the following order: Mary, Eva, Theressa, Michael, Barbara, Rev. Joseph Thomas (pastor of St. Michael's church, Bradford, Harrison county, Ind.) and Charles.
John P. Senefeld was reared to manhood and educated in his native village, and there married Miss Catherine Ryan, daughter
(1251)
THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
of Patrick and Mary Ryan, the former a native of county Limerick, and the latter of county Clare, Ireland, but now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Ryan were among the early Catholic settlers of Franklin county, Ind., and their children were six in number, born in the foflowing order: Catherine, Thomas, Daniel, Edward, Anna and Mary. Of these, Catherine is now Mrs. Senefeld and Mary is Mrs. Callahan, and both reside in Indianapolis. The second-born child, Thomas, died at the age of twenty-four years. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Senefeld has been blessed with three children-Irene, Albert and May, the eldest two of whom were born in Brookville, and the latter in Indianapolis The family are devout members of St. Patrick's congregation, contribute feeely to the support of the church, and are among the most respected residents of their parish. Mr. Senefeld is a salesman in a hardware store, a position he has held many years, his ability, diligence and devotion to the interests of his employers forming the tenure by which he has so long retained his situation.
JOHN A. SERMERSHEIM, Jasper, dealer in clothing, boots, J shoes, hats and caps, is a son of Joseph and Mary A. (Hurst) Serinersheim. Our subject was born in Dubois county, city of Jasper, on February 19, 1857, attended the common schools, and at the age of nineteen began clerking for his father, who died June 1, 1876, at Evansville. John A., the subject, continued the store, and in 1889 bought out his mother's interest, formed a partnership with August Sonderman and continued until August, 1892. At this time a change was made, and Mr. Sermersheim went into business by himself. He was married on the 14th of October. 1877, to Miss Mary A. K. Berger, of Louisville, Ky., and they have eight children, viz: Mary F., Anthony J., Alphonso J., Aloysius J., Augusta H., Olivia P., Herbert B. and Bernard G. The family are devout members of the St. Joseph church, to the support of which they liberally contribute of their means.
Socially Mr. Sermersheim is a member of the council, Y. M. I., and is its treasurer. Politically he is a democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for Gen. W. S. Hancock. His place of (1252)
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
business is a beautiful brick and stone, 100x 25 feet in the ground plan. Mr. and Mrs. Sermersheim were confirmed by Bishop Chatard. Mrs. Sermersheim was a member of the choir of St. Joseph's church for twenty-six years-longer than any member who ever sang in this body-having joined the choir at the age of twelve.
JACOB H. SENG, one of the leading laity of St. Peter's parish and the foremost merchant of Celestine, is a native of Dubois county, Ind., was born November 5, 1849, and is the eldest of the twelve children-seven sons and five daughters-that have blessed the marriage of Louis and Elizabeth (Huffman) Seng, natives of Germany, but who came to America while still young. Of this family the mother, at the age of seventy-two years, and seven of the children are yet living, and all reside in Dubois county, with the exception of one daughter, whose home is in Wabasha, Minnesota.
Jacob H. Seng was educated in an old-fashioned log school- house and was confirmed by Bishop de St. Palais in the old log church that was erected in 1844. In early manhood he learned blacksmithing, which trade he followed twelve years, but later relinquished it for merchandizing. In the meantime, he was united in marriage, May 5, 1874, at Celestine, by Rev. Father Bruning, to Miss Elizabeth Buchart, who was born October 13, 1852, and was confirmed by Bishop de St. Palais at the age of thirteen years. This marriage has been blessed with three sons and four daughters born in the following order: Katie M., who was confirmed at the age of fourteen by Bishop Chatard, has received a good common- school and musical education, and is a member of St. Rosa sodality of St. Peter's parish; John L., who was confirmed at fourteen years of age; Frank J., who was confirmed at sixteen, was educated at Jasper college, and is now an assistant to his father in business; Henry J., Alice R., Lorena C. and Minna M.
In 1874, Mr. Seng opened a blacksmith's shop in Celestine, which he successfully conducted until February, 1879, on the 10th day of which month he opened a general store, with a somewhat
(1253)
THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
limited capital, but he was attentive to his business, polite and obliging to his partons, sagacious in the use of his income, and strictly honest in his dealings, the consequence being that he is now one of the wealthy men of Celestine. He owns his store-building, which is 90 x 24 feet in dimensions, and which is supplied with a heavy stock of dry goods, hats, caps, boots, shoes, queensware, groceries, tobacco, cigars, and the innumerable minor articles usually carried in a first-class general store; he has also a large hall, 60x 40 feet, for balls, concerts, etc .; a bowling alley, 80 x 16 feet: a handsome residence, which was erected in 1881; about twenty-two fine building lots in the village, and several barns and structures of the same class; also a fine orchard, containing 170 trees, bearing the choicest of apples, peaches, pears, etc., and a two-acre tract north of his residence -the major part of this property having been acquired since his marriage.
In politics Mr. Seng is democrat and cast his first presidential vote for Horace Greeley. He takes much interest in the local affairs of his party, with which he is very popular, and in 1884 was elected trustee of Hall township, giving such satisfation that he was re-elected in 1886, thus serving two terms. Mr. and Mrs. Seng stand very high in society circles, and as members of St. Peter's church are extremely liberal in promoting the good work of the church, of which they are classed among the most prominent and useful members.
M ARTIN SERMERSHEIM, a thrifty farmer of Ireland parish, Dubois county, Ind., and a leading member of St. Joseph's church, was born here January 26, 1861, the second of the eleven children-six sons and five daughters- born to Edward and Kath- arine (Freitch) Sermersheim, all of whom were confirmed by Bishop Chatard, with the exception of one daughter-Sister Mary, a nun in the convent at Ferdinand.
Edward Sermersheim, a native of Germany, was brought to America at the age of seven years, and was reared to farming in Dubois county. He was educated in the common schools, is a strict Catholic, in which faith he has reared his children, and in
.(1254)
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
politics is a stanch democrat. Mrs. Katharine Sermersheim is also a native of Germany, but was a child when brought to America by her parents. Mr. Sermersheim is now sixty-five years of age, his wife is fifty-seven, and both are held in the highest esteem by the community with whom they have passed so many years of their useful life.
Martin Sermersheim received a good common-school educa- tion and was reared to manhood on his father's farm in Dubois county. He was first married to Miss Theresa Dischinger, by Rev. Father Fidelis, at Jasper, November 9, 1886, and to this union were born three children, all now deceased. Mrs. Theresa Ser- mersheim passed away in the Catholic faith July 6, 1890, and for his second wife Mr. Sermersheim chose Miss Mary Hurst, daughter of Edward and Paulina Hurst. She was confirmed in the Catholic faith at the age of thirteen years by Bishop Chatard, and was educated in the common schools. She was joined in wedlock to Mr. Sermersheim, at Ireland, by the Rev. Father Dominic, April 28, 1891, and this marriage has been blessed with four children, viz: Frank D., Robert, Celia and Rosa.
Mr. and Mrs. Sermersheim lead a consistent life in the Catholic faith and are liberal in their contribution to the support of the church at Ireland, of which Mr. Sermersheim was a trustee for two years. They own a fine farm of 105 acres within a mile of Ire- land, occupy a comfortable and substantial dwelling, and are industrious and prosperous. In politics Mr. Sermersheim is a democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for Grover Cleveland, but, although ardent in the support of his party, he has never sought official position. He and family are classed among the most respectable residents of Ireland parish and enjoy the unalloyed esteem of all their neighbors.
RS. JOHANNA SEXTON, who resides at No. 1507 Daloss
M A street, Indianapolis, was born in Ireland, and when she was a child of but four years came with her parents to the United .States. Her parents were James and Julia Barry, her mother's
61
(1255)
THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
maiden name having been Higgins. Upon arriving in this country the family first settled in Delaware, Ohio, and three years later removed to a farm near that place, where they passed the remainder of their lives. Of the several children born to them, Mrs. Sexton is the only one that arrived at mature years. She married John Sexton, a native of Ireland, like herself, who died at their home, in the state of Ohio, in 1875. At his death he left his wife and four children, three of whom are living, viz: James, a resident of Chicago; Thomas, living at home with his mother, and Mary A. There was also a son, John, who died when in his twen- ty-sixth year.
Mrs. Sexton is a most worthy Catholic woman, and lives in accordance with the teachings of the church as nearly as is prac- ticable, and is bringing up her children in a proper course of life. In this she is not only setting them, but all who may become cognizant of her conduct, a most worthy example, and deserves great credit for her fortitude and hopefulness in times of difficulty and trial.
P ETER SEXTON, a resident of Indianapolis, was born in county Clare, Ireland, where he was reared to maturity, but was still a young man when he came to America. For some years he resided in Painesville, Lake county, Ohio, but visited other parts of the country before settling in Indianapolis. April 28, 1878, he was united in marriage, in this city, at St. Patrick's church, by Rev. Father Fitzpatrick, with Miss Mary O'Neal, and this happy union has been blessed with five sons and four daugh- ters, viz: Timothy P., Michael F., Kate R., Thomas G., Mary C., Edward J., Nellie A., Bridget L. and Peter L.
Peter Sexton and his three brothers, Patrick, Michael and Timothy, were the only members of the Sexton family to come to America, and of these Michael returned to his native land, while Timothy, when last heard from, was in the semi-torrid zone of New Mexico, and Patrick in Mandan, N. Dak. Peter, however, has been content to remain in the temperate climate of Indianapolis, where he is employed by the Panhandle R. R. Co. He has been (1256)
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
a resident of St. Patrick's parish for many years, and he and family are among the most respected of the large Catholic popula- tion of the parish mentioned. He is faithful in attending to his religious duties, and all his family tread in his footsteps in this commendable practice. A democrat in politics, his vote is punctu- ally deposited each election day in support of his party. He is liberal in his contributions toward the support of the church, is surrounded by his happy family in his pleasant home, No. 1625 Hoyt avenue, and is altogether a highly respected citizen.
T "HEEDY SHANNON .- The family of this gentleman are among the prominent Catholics of St. Patrick's parish, Indi- anapolis, having lived herein for more than twenty years. Mr. Shannon is usually called Timothy, or Tim, Shannon, though the name, Theedy, was given him at the time of his christening. The home of Mr. Shannon is at No. 1804 Prospect street. He is a native of county Clare, Ireland, having been born in the parish of Miltown- molby, August 15, 1844. He is a son of Patrick and Margaret (Creghan) Shannon, who were the parents of nine children, five sons and four daughters, that grew to manhood and womanhood. Of these nine children, Theedy, Michael and Mary were all that came to the United States. Michael is a resident of. Johnson county, Ind., and Mary died several years ago in Illinois, leaving a family.
Theedy Shannon was twenty-eight years of age upon com- ing to this country in 1873. Landing in Boston, Mass., in April, he remained there until December, then removed to Acton, Ind., where he lived for some time, and finally settled in Indian - apolis, where he has since resided. Soon after reaching Indianap- olis, he entered the employ of the C., C., C. & St. L. Railway company, and has been in their employ continuously ever since, a fact which is indicative of conscientious attention to duty and a faithful performance of the work given him to do.
Mr. Shannon was married in St. Patrick's church, Indianap- olis, in April, 1875, to Miss Honora Fitzpatrick, a native of Ire-
(1257)
THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
land and a daughter of John and Mary Fitzpatrick, the maiden name of the latter having been Creghan. John Fitzpatrick died when Honora was but a child, and his widow married again, but never came to the United States. Mrs. Shannon was a member of a family of seven children that grew to mature years, and all of the seven came to this country, Mrs. Shannon's residence in Indian- apolis beginning in 1871, the same year in which she came to this country.
Mr. and Mrs. Shannon have two children, a son and daughter, viz: Michael and Maggie, and the family are looked upon as one of the reliable and consistent Catholic families of the parish in which they reside, faithful in their church obligations and true to all principles that should govern men and women in their social and political relations.
R' EV. JOHN H. BATHE, recently pastor of St. Bernard's church at Wabash, Ind., was born in the province of West- phalia, Germany, May 20, 1854, a son of John H. and Theresia (Sandbote) Bathe, and attended the parochial school of his district until thirteen years of age. He was subsequently prepared in a higher course by private tuition, and in 1870 entered Paderborn gymnasium, where he finished his studies of the classics in 1872. He then passed a year at the Diocesan academy in the study of philosophy and theology, and next attended the Royal academy at Muenster for a year and a half. In the spring of 1875 he came to America and finished his theological studies at St. Francis seminary, Milwaukee, Wis., was ordained priest at Fort Wayne, Ind., by Bishop Dwenger, February 16, 1877, and was first assigned to the pastorate at Schererville, Lake county, where he held charge until August, and then officiated at Klaasville until December 30, 1881, when he was placed in charge of St. Bernard's congregation at Wabash, where he did good, faithful and zealous work until May 16, 1898, when he was transferred to the very responsible pastorate of St. Paul's, Valparaiso, Porter county. On account of poor health, however, he was obliged to resign this new
(1258)
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
charge (at Valparaiso), and was appointed secretary of the right reverend bishop, and chancellor of the diocese, September 16, 1 898.
JOHN JOHNSON, deceased, was a native of Mitchelltown, county Cork, Ireland, and when about nine years of age was brought to America by his father, also named John, who settled in Burlington, Vt., where he was employed as a bookkeeper, and where he died, leaving a family of seven sons and one daughter.
John Johnson, the subject, learned the trade of machinist, for some years acted as engineer on a steamboat on Lake Champlain, and was a man of great physical strength and moral courage, as the following incident will illustrate: When the Vermont Central railway was being constructed, there were many Irishmen employed on the work, and during a certain local spring election, on the 17th day of March (St. Patrick's birthday), the whigs hanged the saint in effigy, which act aroused the ire of the Irish Catholics, and they made an attempt to hew down the staff on which the effigy was suspended, but the sheriff stepped forward with a loaded gun and threatened to shoot the first man that approached the staff. Nevertheless Mr. Johnson seized an ax, walked up to the flag-staff, and, remarking to the sheriff: "If you shoot, be sure you don't miss me, as I will not miss you with this ax," and proceeded to demolish the obnoxious pole.
In June, 1851, Mr. Johnson came to Indiana to superintend some hoisting machinery at the building of the White river bridge, and later was employed in running stationary engines, and still later engaged in quarrying stone. In 1878 he entered the fruit and confectionery trade at Bedford, in which he continued until his death, which occurred February 27, 1892, at his residence 'on the corner of J and Seventeenth streets. The first mass read in Bedford was at his residence, and his contributions to the support of the Catholic church were ever most liberal. His wife was also a very devout Catholic, and was suddenly called away in the faith, Janu- ary 29, 1897, having been sick but twenty minutes. They were the parents of thirteen children, of whom two sons and five daugh-
(1259)
THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
ters only reached years of maturity, viz: John, Jr., journalist, of Bedford; Maggie, wife of John Torphey; Ellen, Katie, Mary, Rose, and Francis X., manager of the opera house.
JOHN JOHNSON, JR., proprietor and editor of the Democrat,
and also postmaster of Bedford, was born in Burlington, Vt., September 18, 1850, a son of John Johnson (deceased), whose biography is given above, and his wife, Catherine (Murphy) John- son, and has lived in Bedford since infancy.
Mr. Johnson attended the public schools of Bedford until about sixteen years old, and then followed railroading for two years; he next entered a printing office, learned the trade, and all his time in this line, with the exception of one week, has been passed in Bedford. January 20, 1875, he issued the first number of the Bedford Star, owning his type but hiring his press-work done; in 1876, Rev. Father Henry Kessing advanced him $400, with which to purchase a Washington hand-press and a Gordon jobber, and other materials, and thus he was able to continue his publi- cation more economically; in 1885, he purchased the Banner, con- solidated the two papers, under the title of the Democrat, which he continued as a weekly until June, 1892, when the Daily Demo- crat made its appearance- the Democrat being the only journal, or organ, of the party bearing its name in Lawrence county.
Mr. Johnson was secretary of the democratic central county committee for years, then became its chairman, and under his skillful manupilation the republican majority in the county was reduced to a smaller figure than ever before; in 1889 he was elected roll-clerk of the lower house of the state legislature, in 1893 was re-elected without opposition, and in 1894 was appointed postmaster of Bedford.
Mr. Johnson has been twice married -- first, in 1875, to Miss Lou Fiddler, who died in April, 1877, leaving one son-Walter S .; secondly, in 1886, to Miss Ella Clare, of Marysville, Ky., and this union has been blessed with one child -- Colette. Mr. John- son has been energetic and industrious in his business, able and (1260)
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
efficient, and is now the owner of his residence property, while the family are also owners of considerable business property, and all are true Catholics.
M ICHAEL SHARKEY, a prominent citizen of Indianapolis, and a well-known and highly esteemed member of St. Patrick's parish, who resides with his family at No. 1433 English avenue, was born in county Roscommon, Ireland, about 1850. He is a son of John Sharkey, who died when Michael was about eighteen years of age, his wife having died several years previously. John Sharkey and his wife were the parents of three children, their names being John, Martin and Michael. After the death of the mother of these three sons, their father married again, and by his second marriage became the father of seven children.
Michael Sharkey, the subject of this sketch, when nineteen years of age, came to the United States, his two brothers having preceded him. They were at that time residents of Indiana, as is Martin at the present time, living. within the limits of St. John's parish, while John died in Greencastle in 1892. Upon reaching this country, Michael Sharkey came directly to Indiana, living for a time in Morristown, and then finally locating in Indianapolis. In 1879 he engaged in the business of boilermaking with the I., C. & St. L. Railway company, now popularly known as the Big Four, and is still employed by that company in the same capacity.
Mr. Sharkey was married in St. Joseph's church, Indianapolis, by Rev. Father Alerding, to Miss Mary Duffecy, who was born at College Corners, Ohio, near the Indiana state line. Her parents are Thomas and Catherine Duffecy, the maiden name of the latter having been Owens. They are natives of Ireland and now reside within the limits of the parish of the Holy Cross, Indianapolis. Mr. and Mrs. Sharkey have six children, two sons and four daugh- ters, as follows: John H., Mary T., Catherine C., Nellie, William and Bessie.
Mr. Sharkey descends from an ancient and honorable family, the traits of their character having descended to the subject of this
(1261)
THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
sketch, who enjoys the respect and esteem of his fellow-citizens in a marked degree. He is a member of the Ancient Order of Hiber- nians, and is a most worthy citizen in every respect.
THOMAS SHEA, who lives at No. 1525 East Market street, Indianapolis, Ind., was born in the parish of Drummond, county Kerry, Ireland, near Waterville, and about five miles from the birthplace of the great Irish patriot, Daniel O'Connell, Decem- ber 23, 1835. His mother died when he was quite young, but the father is still living, in Indianapolis, cared for by his sons. Thomas Shea came to the United States in 1864, landing in New York July 24:
Michael Shea is one of the most remarkable men living in this. or any other country, mainly perhaps on account of his great age. The date of his birth, which is well authenticated, was September 29, 1781, and hence at the present time, 1898, he is more than 1 16 years old. He was born in county Kerry, Ireland, and in his youth learned the trade of blacksmith; a trade followed by many of the male members of his family, both before him and after him. He was well acquainted with the patriot, Daniel O'Connell, being only six years his junior. Before he married he had passed the half century mark, and now is well preserved in health, being active on his feet, and possessing his sight, hearing and intellectual powers to a remarkable degree. The fact of his great age is in part explained by his being descended from ancestors famous for their longevity, his father living to be 104 years old, and his grandfather to be 114. His wife, Joanna Tehan, died in 1854. By her he had five children, viz: Thomas, Julia, Mary, Michael (deceased ), and James, the youngest of the family, who came to the United States with his father in 1864 and with whom the father resides.
Thomas Shea, the subject of this sketch, learned the trade of blacksmith from his father, and came to the United States with him in 1864, settling during the same year in Indianapolis. On Novem- ber 10, 1865, he was married to Miss Mary Kirby, who was born in county Kerry, and came to the United States in early life, (1262)
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
though her parents have never crossed the sea. Three sisters, cousins of Mrs. Shea, Kate, Mary and Bridget, consecrated their lives to the church, being at one time Sisters at the S. S. chapel in Indianapolis. Mary died there and was buried in the convent yard, the other two being still in the chapel.
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Shea have four children living and four dead. The living are as follows: Julia, Michael, Timothy and Mary. James died June 9, 1896, at the age of twenty-one years. He was a most worthy young man, and his loss was deeply left, not only by his family, but by all that knew him. Thomas and Joanna died in early life, and one died an infant.
Thomas Shea has been employed by the Pennsylvania Rail- way company as a blacksmith since 1877, and James is also in the employ of the same company. Both are excellent men, in every way worthy of confidence, and are held in high esteem by those that know them. Both brothers and their families are devout Catholics.
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.