USA > Indiana > History of the Catholic church in Indiana, Volume II > Part 9
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John Louis Bouvy was educated in the parochial schools of St. Patrick's (then St. Peter's) parish, and the public schools of Indianapolis, and then served his apprenticeship in his father's shop. January 15, 1880, he married Miss Johanna Sullivan, a native of Bellefontaine, Ohio, born January 12, 1860, a daughter Daniel and Johanna (Malvey) Sullivan, natives of Ireland, proba- bly of county Kerry, of which county it is sure her mother was a native. Of the family of two sons and three daughters born to Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan, only two of the latter are now living- Mrs. Bouvy and Mrs. Julia Gregg. Mr. Sullivan died many years ago, after which event Mrs. Sullivan was married to a Mr. Hayes, but is again a widow, and, at the age of about seventy years, resides at the old home in Bellefontaine, where her daughter, Mrs. Gregg, also makes her home.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Bouvy took place in St. John's church, and the ceremony was performed by the Very Rev. Father (134)
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Bessonies. Six children have resulted from this union, viz: Marie Eugenia, born May 6, 1882-died July 18, 1888; Leona Josephine, born June 12, 1885-died June 2, 1887; Elizabeth Lorena, born October 4, 1887; Mary Madalene, born October 22, 1890; Jose- phine, born August 31, 1893, and one who died in infancy.
Mr. Bouvy is a master of his trade, and has had an extended experience, as is shown by the following record: In 1873, on leaving the parental roof, he entered the employ of the Bee Line Railway company and did the tin and copper work on the engines and cars until 1875; then for three or four years was employed at the Atlas works, both at Indianapolis and at Anderson, Ind. ; from March 22, 1881, until August 22, he worked for the 1., D. & S. Railway company, and for the following ten years was foreman of the tin and copper work of the L. & N. Railroad company at Louis- ville, Ky., and was then transferred to Birmingham, Ala .; in 1893 he brought his family again to Indianapolis, and has since had charge of the tin and copper shops of the Big Four company on Dillon street.
Mr. Bouvy and family are members of St. Patrick's con- gregation, the children also attending its parochial schools, while Mr. Bouvy is member of the Young Men's institute. In the fall of 1882 he became a member of the Catholic Knights of America, in which he held the offices of vice-president and trustee, and he is altogether useful and highly respected citizen.
AMES R. BRADLEY, formerly a member of St. Peter's con_ J gregation at Montgomery, but now a prominent member of St. Patrick's church, is a native of Daviess county, Ind., was born July 22, 1855, and is a son of Francis and Ann (Kelly) Bradley, who were natives of Ireland, but are now deceased. They settled in Daviess county about 1843 and had a family of three sons and five daughters, all of whom were confirmed by Bishop de St. Palais, but of whom there are only five now surviving.
James R. Bradley was reared on his father's farin in Daviess county and was confirmed at the age of fifteen years. He has
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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
given a great deal of attention to stock-raising as well as farming, his homestead comprising 100 acres of excellent land in Barr town- ship, and has been very successful in all his undertakings. He is a stanch democrat in politics and cast his first presidential vote for Samuel J. Tilden in 1876, but has never himself been a seeker after public office of any sort. As a member of St. Patrick's church he is free in his contributions toward its support and faithful to his religious duties. As a citizen he is public-spirited, is highly respected. and is classed among the well-to-do residents of his township.
W ILLIAM BRADLEY .- Few, if any, of the citizens of Indian- apolis are more worthy of a place in a work of this kind than is the subject of this sketch. An honest and industrious man, he is favorably thought of by all, and he is perhaps at the present time the oldest Catholic resident of the parish of St. Patrick, for he came here in 1855. He resides with his family at No. 609 Buchanan street, where he located in 1868. He was born in the village of Waterville, county Kerry, Ireland, June 28, 1828. His father died many years ago, and his mother survived until Decem- ber 7, 1896, when she expired at the advanced age of one hundred years and nine months.
William Bradley and his youngest brother, John, who lives in Australia, are the only surviving members of the family. The former came to the United States from his native country when he was about twenty-four years of age, went first to the state of Con- necticut, and shortly afterward to Cayuga county, N. Y., where he worked on a farm and where he married Mary Sullivan, who was born in the village of Sneem, Kerry county, Ireland. On February 17, 1855, he and his wife arrived in Indianapolis. Mr. Bradley immediately engaging in farm work. Since 1862 he has been con- tinuously in the service of Smith's brewery and its successor, the Indianapolis Brewing company. The wife who came with him from the state of New York died in 1863. By her he had four children, only one of whom survives, three dying in early life. The one that still lives is named William. Six years after the (186)
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death of his first wife he married Julia Courtney, his present wife, by whom he has three children, viz: Michael Edward, George F. and Richard P. The entire family are consistent and faithful Catholics, and are good citizens. Michael Edward is a letter car- rier of the city of Indianapolis, and a member of the choir of St. Patrick's church. During his residence in Indianapolis of forty- three years Mr. Bradley has ever been regarded as an upright and worthy man and citizen.
P ATRICK BREEN, a familiar personage in the city of Vincennes, Ind., and a trusted watchman for the B. & O. S. W. Railroad company, has had a varied and interesting life's experience, and a record of twenty-two years active service in the United States army, a full recital of which and its countless attendant thrilling incidents would make in itself an interesting volume. He is an adopted son of the country in whose service he has endured so many hardships, being born in county Kerry, Ireland, February 20, 1840. When eleven years old he came to America, joining his parents at New York city, whither they had preceded him, and he was for some time employed as call-boy in a large metropolitan hotel. He after- ward worked as a farm hand, and in 1855 joined the United States army as a musician in general service, and was stationed at Gov- ernor's island. It may be said that our soldier was a great and a notable fifer. He was in the recruiting service at Trenton, N. J., and Syracuse, N. Y., for two years, and in 1859 was attached to company C, Second United States infantry, stationed at Fort Ripley. After a couple of years of frontier service this company was ordered to Chambersburg, Pa., to report to Gen. Patterson. Here he re-enlisted for five years. After the battle of Bull Run and actual warfare had begun he voluntarily requested to be relieved from musician's duty and to be given a musket. This request was granted, and he was appointed a non-commissioned officer in com- pany C, Second United States infantry. All of his Civil war expe- rience was with the army of the Potomac, and he was a participant in all the principal engagements of that illustrious army, beginning
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with Bull Run, then Yorktown, Gaines' Mills, Chickahominy Swamp, Malvern Hill, second Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville (where our soldier was color guard), Gettysburg, (where he was severely wounded), Rappahannock, the three days in the Wilderness, Spottsylvania and Cold Harbor. Here the regi- ment was so depleted that the remnant of the Second was consti- tuted headquarters guard of the Second division, serving in this capacity until December, 1864. It was then sent to Elmyra, N. Y., to guard the rebel prisoners, of whom there were ten thousand. Our veteran re-enlisted in 1864, and was made orderly-sergeant of his compaay, and after the close of the war was on guard duty at Rochester and Fort Hamilton until the fall of 1865, when he was sent to Louisville, Ky., on reconstructive service. He remained in Kentucky four years, election riots, moonshiners and the ku-klux requiring the presence of troops. In 1869 the Second was sent to Atlanta, Ga., for consolidation with the Sixteenth United States infantry, and our soldier's company was stationed at Montgomery, Ala., where he remained until 1871, when he was promoted to the office of ordnance sergeant, on the non-commissioned staff of the army. He was given charge of the ordnance supplies at Fort St. Philip, on the left bank of the Mississippi river, an onerous and responsible position. Here he remained several years, and then, feeling the weight of advancing years and the continual wear of twenty-two years of army service, resigned in 1877 and was dis- charged. In May of that year he located in Vincennes, coming up the river from New Orleans. Upon his arrival here Mr. Breen was employed by the O. & M. Railway company as night watch- man with police powers. For twelve years he held this position and for the past eight years has occupied the position he now holds. He is an ardent republican and takes a great interest in local poli- tics, frequently holding precinct offices. He is a member of Jeff C. Davis post, G. A. R., of which he is past post commander. Though deprived of early educational advantages, Mr. Breen has been a close observer and constant reader, and is clearly and intel- ligently posted on current affairs.
Mr. Breen was married in Louisville, Ky., January 10, 1865, to Miss Mary Charlotte Fine, a native of St. Louis, who followed (138)
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CATHOLIC CHURCH OF IND. ANA.
him through all the changes and vicissitudes of camp life. Their first child, Mary Rosanna (Mrs. F. M. Smith, of Indianapolis), was born at Montgomery, Ala. ; Walter Patrick, now a clerk in the office of the C. &. N. W. Ry., at Chicago, was born at Atlanta, Ga. ; John J., a prominent attorney at Vincennes, was born at Fort St. Philip, La .; Margaret, born in the same place, died in infancy; Clara Frances and Harry J., students in the city high school, were born in Vincennes. Mr. Breen's family is warmly attached to the Catholic church, and during his army life he was zealous in his labors for Christianity, and was often instrumental in securing religious services in the field where a man of less zeal would have despaired of accomplishing this good.
R )EV. C. J. CONRAD, pastor of St. Ambrose's church, at Sey- mour, Ind., is one of five childern born to Bernard Conrad and Scholastica (Keller) Conrad, natives of Germany, who immigrated separately to this country and were married at Louisville, Ky., in 1852. Rev. C. J. Conrad was born in Nashville, Tenn., November 19, 1855, and at the age of fourteen began to study for the min- istry; after having completed his classical, philosophical and theo- logical courses, involving a term of nine years' duration, he was elevated to the priesthood September 22, 1878, by Bishop Chatard, and said his first mass in North Madison, Ind., October 6, 1878. He was first placed in charge in Warrick county, Ind., embracing the three missions of St. John, Newburg and Booneville, at which latter place he erected a handsome brick church at a cost of $6,000, free of all indebtedness, the congregation numbering only fifteen fam- ilies. He remained at that point nine years, after which he was transferred to his present congregation in Seymour, taking charge November 10, 1887, and this consists of over 140 families.
JOHN BRANNON, general grocer, at Aurora, Dearborn county, Ind., is a son of Julius and Mary (Maloney) Brannon, natives of Ireland, who came to the United States in 1852. The father is living, but the mother died in October, 1892.
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John Brannon, the subject, was born in Aurora June 7, 1858, attended the common schools until eighteen years old, and then learned the molder's trade, at which he worked for five years. He then went into the grocery business, in which he has continued ever since, and carries a stock valued at $1, 500 or $2,000. Mr. Brannon was married May 9, 1882, by Rev. Father Hunt, to Anna C. Karrigan, a daughter of Thomas Karrigan, of Aurora, and both are members of St. Mary's church. Mr. Brannon is a member of a Knights of Pythias lodge, having secured the permission of Bishop Chatard to become a member of this order. Mr. Brannon has made a suc- cess of life, and to-day stands with the foremost of the retail gro- cers of America.
W ILLIAM P. BREEN, an eminent lawyer of Fort Wayne, Ind., was born in Terre Haute, in the same state, February 13, 1859, the only child of James and Margaret (Dunne) Breen, natives of Ireland, the former of whom was born in 1820, and the latter in 1818. The parents came to the United States in 1840, remained five years in one of the eastern states, then came to Indiana, lived in Terre Haute until 1865, when they came to Fort Wayne, where the father built up a successful mercantile trade and became an influential citizen. For several years he was a member of the city council, and at the time of his death, which occurred in 1883, was a member of the board of waterworks trustees. The widow survived five years longer, and both died sincere Catholics.
William P. Breen acquired his preliminary education in the school maintained in Fort Wayne by the Brothers of the Roman Catholic church, and supplemented this by entering the univer- sity of Notre Dame, near South Bend, from which he graduated in 1877. He had in the meantime determined upon the vocation which he should follow as his life work-the profession of law- and in order to fit himself for his calling entered, in the fall of the same year, the office of Coombs, Morris & Bell, at that time one of the leading law firms in Fort Wayne, and in May, 1879, secured admission to the bar. In September of the same year he entered upon the practice of his profession, being only twenty (142)
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
years of age at the time. From the start he was associated with Judge Warren H. Withers, and this partnership continued without interruption until the death of the latter, on the 15th of November, 1882. After the death of Judge Withers, Mr. Breen continued an individual practice until 1893, when a copartner- ship was formed between himself and John Morris, Jr., an able young attorney and the son of Hon. Judge John Morris, one of the most venerable and most distinguished members of the Indiana bar. and one who has for many years been an honored resident of Fort Wayne.
In active practice Mr. Breen is eminently a man of resources. Always a student, careful in the preparation of cases, and always quick to see and to anticipate difficulties which are or may be encountered, he has been enabled to so shape his cause as to avoid them. Strong and forceful in his presentation of his cases, he has gained the good will and commendation of both his confreres and the public, retaining his reputation among men for integrity and high character and never losing that true dignity which is the birthright of a gentleman.
In his political adherency Mr. Breen is actively identified with the democratic party, of whose principles and policies he is an earnest advocate, though never a seeker for political prefer- ment. In religion he clings to the faith of his fathers and is a devoted communicant of the Roman Catholic church.
The marriage of Mr. Breen was solemnized on the 27th of May, 1884. when he was united to Miss Odelia Phillips, of Fort Wayne. She was born March 13, 1859, a daughter of Bernard Phillips, who was long a respected resident of this city.
M ICHAEL W. BREGER, president of the common council of Evansville, Ind., was born in this city September 9, 1861, and is a son of John and Rosine Breger, natives of Alsace-Lor- raine, Germany. He was educated in the parochial school of the Holy Trinity church of Evansville, and still lives at the same city in which he was born, at No. 19 East Delaware street. Mr. Breger
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early shifted for himself, and, without the advantages enjoyed by some, forged his way forward, year by year, until he became fore- man and designer for the Evansville Furniture company. He held that important position for ten years, at the end of which time he had saved enough of his earnings to take an interest in a similar business himself. In 1890, five employees of the above company organized under the name of the Specialty Furniture company. With their practical knowledge, in addition to careful management, they have built up a handsome trade, occupying a large two-story brick building on Walker street. Mr. Breger is president of the company. He is a man of fine judgment, quick to appreciate and direct affairs through any emergency. These are the qualities which largely make up the leader and which have brought Mr. Breger to the front.
October 16, 1887, Mr. Breger married Miss Elizabeth Stein- hauser, who was born in Jasper, Ind., September 6, 1864, a daugh- ter of Anton and Mary Steinhauser, and this happy union has been blessed with two children-Michael and William. The family are members of St. Anthony's church, and fraternally Mr. Breger is a member of the Men's society of the parish, and was a charter mem- ber of the first commandery of the Knights of St. John of Evans- ville, and, with his family, is a true Catholic.
Politically Mr. Breger is prominent as a democrat, and has been successful in three, out of four, races for membership of the city council. the result being that he is now its president. He has also served frequently as president, or secretary, of the democratic clubs of his ward, and in every position he has filled has given the utmost satisfaction to all concerned.
C HARLES A. BREHMER, a well-known architect of South Bend, Ind., was born in Glencoe, Cook county, Ill., Septem- ber 23, 1860, a son of Charles A. and Mary A. (Uthe) Brehmer. Charles A. Brehmer, Sr., was manager for an eastern syndicate of capitalists, who were handling lumber, etc., in northern Michigan, and in 1862 Mr. Brehmer removed from Glencoe, Ill., to Bay City, Mich., where he resided until death.
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Charles A. Brehmer attended the public schools of Bay City until sixteen years of age, then came to Indiana and entered the university of Notre Dame, in St. Joseph county, where he pursued his studies until he reached his majority, including a course in the Industrial school. After graduation he returned to Bay City, where he was employed as general manager for James Scherer, capital- ist, with whom he remained two years, and in 1883 returned to Indiana, located in South Bend, and for three years was engaged in contracting, when he opened an office on his own account, which he conducted until 1894, when he went to Evansville, Ind., and entered into partnership with Clifford Shopbell, for the purpose of designing, drafting and doing general architectural work until November 1, 1897, when he returned to South Bend, Ind., and opened an office for the practice of architecture in all its branches.
Mr. Brehmer was united in marriage, at South Bend, January 16, 1882, with Miss Mary A. Reiley, who was born in that city July 12, 1863, and to this union have been born ten children, viz: Charles E., Gertrude Mary, Olivia Mary, Mary, Louis J., John B., Genevieve, Francis (deceased), Marguerite and Catherine. The family are members of the St. Joseph church, and Mr. Brehmer is very active in promoting its good work. He is a member of the Young Men's institute, No. 466; is a member of the Knights of St. John and is post commander of the Knights of Maccabees. Mr. Brehmer is very liberal in his donations to the parish, and stands very high in the esteem of the general public. He owns residence property in the city of South Bend, and other real estate, and has been prosperous in his profession, making a specialty of churches, schools and buildings for religious purposes, for which his natural gifts and education so well qualify him.
H ENRY HERMAN BREMERKAMP was born December 30, 1853, in Decatur, Ind., a son of John Henry and Magdaline Bremerkamp. The father was born in 1803 in Oldenburg, Ger- many, and there learned the tailor's trade, which he followed in his native country and for some time after becoming a citizen of
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TR .: CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
the United States. He came to America in 1839, landing in New Orleans, and proceeded thence to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained several years. In 1848 he became a resident of Decatur, Ind., which city he made his home the rest of his life, dying here November 11, 1868. He was married April 5, 1853, to Mrs. Mag- daline (Hartman) Klaphake, a native of Hanover, Germany, born in Aulgramisson parish, December 17, 1822. Mrs. Bremerkamp was brought to the United States by her parents when fourteen years of age and spent the fourteen succeeding years in the city of New York. She came to Decatur, Ind., in 1849, and is still mak- ing this city her home. She was first married in New York city, in 1838, to Garret Klaphake, by whom she had the following chil- dren: Henry, deceased; Alpheus, deceased; Joseph, deceased, and Mary, who married Jacob Fullenkamp, of Decatur. By her marriage with John Henry Bremerkamp she had three children: Henry Herman, Magdaline, wife of Ulrich Dinninger, and Cath- erine, who became the wife of E. X. Ehinger.
John Henry Bremerkamp, was one of the early Catholics of Decatur and took an active interest in the church, contributing liberally of his means to promote the same and donating the lot upon which the first house of worship was erected. He lived a life of faith, never swerved in his loyalty to the church, and did much in a quiet way to advance the material welfare of the com- munity in which he resided.
Henry Herman Bremerkamp, the leading facts of whose life are here set forth, was educated in public and parochial schools of Decatur and St. Vincent's college, Westmoreland county, Pa. By reason of the death of his father, he was obliged to discontinue his studies and assist his mother in the store, where he remained until 1871, and then engaged in business for himself, handling but- ter, eggs and general produce, for a period of about three years. In 1874 he engaged in business on his own account in Decatur, buying grain and seeds for the eastern markets, and followed the same until 1881, when he again entered his mother's store, and for three years assisted her in carrying on her business. In 1884 he purchased the Fornax Buhr mills, which he has since operated, manufacturing flour for the local and general trades, and is doing
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a very satisfactory business. Mr. Bremerkamp has been six times elected treasurer of Decatur, which fact demostrates his popularity with the people of the city. He is a charter member of St. Aloy- sius society, belongs to the C. B. L., also to the Knights of St. John, and for several years he has served as trustee of St. Mary's church, of which he is a devoted member.
January 9, 1879, in Decatur, Ind., was solemnized the mar- riage of Mr. Bremerkamp and Barbara Klueber, the ceremony being performed by Father Wemhoff and Father Neusbaum. Mr. and Mrs. Bremerkamp have had a family of seven children, named as follows: Addie (deceased), Anselm A., Otto, Raymond, Stella Mary, Clarence and Eugene.
W TILLIAM HENRY BRENNAN, foreman for the Atkins Saw works of Indianapolis, is a native of Hamilton, Ohio, was born August 8, 1855, and is a son of Roger and Anna Brennan, natives of county Roscommon, Ireland, who came to America when single and were married in Hamilton, Ohio, 1850.
Roger Brennan is a contractor in hydraulic work, and has resided in Hamilton since 1847. To his marriage there have been born nine children, in the following order: Daniel, who is a rail- road employee, is unmarried, and resides in Indianapolis; William Henry is the subject of this notice; Mary, unmarried, lives in Dayton, Ohio; Luke is a constable of Hamilton; Anna also resides in Hamilton, and is unmarried; Roger, Jr., is a carpenter in Chicago, Ill .; John, of Hamilton, is a printer and is married; James, an iron-molder, lives in the same city, and Joseph, unmarried, is a machinist in Indianapolis. The father has been very successeful in life and has been very fortunate in rearing his family, all having escaped serious disease and the youngest being now twenty-five years of age.
William H. Brennan began his apprenticeship at saw making in his native city, but in 1872 the factory was removed to Cincin- nati, Mr. Brennan accompanying it, and there he remained until 1878, when he came to Indianapolis and entered the employ of E.
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