USA > Indiana > Allen County > Fort Wayne > Valley of the upper Maumee River, with historical account of Allen County and the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Volume II > Part 52
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St. Joseph's Hospital .- In 1866, in behalf of Rt. Rev. Bishop Luers, Rev. E. Koenig wrote to his friend, the Vicar General Spaller, of the diocese of Paderborn, to interest himself toward obtaining a col- ony of sisters from Dernbach to establish a hospital in the prosperous little city of Fort Wayne. The effort was successful. Dernbach is a village romantically situated in the former district of Nassau, southern Germany, almost a day's journey from Coblentz, through the valley of the Lahn. Eight sisters were sent to the new mission in America, in the year 1868. Citizens of Fort Wayne took a lively interest in this matter of establishing a hospital in the future railway center, and were very generous in their contributions toward the enterprise. The Hotel Rockhill was purchased for $20,000, of which the mother convent at Dernbach temporarily supplied one-half the purchase price. Sister Rosa was the superior of the little band. She returned to Europe in 1872. The other sisters were Mary Eudoxia, who is now superior of St. Vincent's orphan asylum; Mary Hyacinthe, assistant superior of the hospital; Sis- ters Facunda, Henrica, Bella, Matrona and Remigia. They first settled, for a short time, in Hesse Cassel, eight miles from Fort Wayne, from which place three went to Chicago, to take charge of the orphan asylum at Rose Hill, of which they still retain the management. In May, 1869, the hospital was opened and the number of sisters was increased from Europe by seven. In 1884 the new convent with an elegant chapel, for the use of sisters and patients, was built at a cost of $33,000. The community is known as the Handmaids of Christ. The mother home of America is the convent in the city of Fort Wayne.
In 1887, at the invitation of Most Rev. Archbishop Feehan, of Chicago, these sisters began the erection of a large hospital in the city of Chicago, which is patronized to its fullest capacity. The total number of sisters belonging to the community in America is 154, and eighteen novices. Forty-six of these came from Europe, of whom seven died and four returned. The others are native Americans. The total number of patients in the hospital from May, 1869, to De- cember 31, 1888, was 4,145, of which 436 died. The number of patients nursed in private houses (in their homes) was 364. From the 29th of March to the 25th of April, 1881, and from the Ist of December, 1881, to the 6th of May, 1882, the sisters nursed seventy -. nine patients in the pest house, during the small-pox epidemic in Fort Wayne. The present superior is Mother Lecunda.
Rev. Julius Becks, the chaplain of St. Joseph's hospital, was born in Laer, Westphalia, October 8, 1836. He made his collegiate course in Munster, Germany. In 1858 he came to America, landing in New York, June 26. He entered upon his theological course in Mt. St. Mary's sem-
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inary, Cincinnati, and after about three years he was ordained to the priesthood, in the cathedral of Fort Wayne, by Rt. Rev. Bishop Luers, December 25, 1862. He was at once appointed pastor of Decatur, Adams county, and two years afterward he became pastor of Michigan City, where he remained for twenty-one years. During his administra- tion in Michigan City, he erected a large and beautiful church at a cost of $25,000. He built a pastoral residence and also purchased a grave yard, all of which are paid for. In February, 1885, Father Becks was appointed chaplain of St. Joseph's hospital, Fort Wayne, where he still labors in persevering energy and devotedness to duty.
ST. VINCENT'S ORPHAN ASYLUM.
The magnificent structure that crowns the elevation at the northern edge of the city limits is the diocesan orphan asylum for girls. The building has a frontage of 126 feet by too feet deep. It is four stories in height and is supplied with water, gas, steam heating and fire protec- tion, and will accommodate 300 children. There are three flights of stairs in the house. The school-rooms are commodious and well ventil- ated. The recreation halls are large and airy. The chapel is a gem of its kind. Twenty-five acres of ground, containing a large grove, belong to the building. The corner stone of the asylum was laid by Rt. Rev. Bishop Dwenger, July 4, 1886, and the building was by him dedicated September 27, 1887. The structure cost $49,289.37, of which amount $13,265.17 were derived from individual donations, $13,300 from other sources, $II,800 from sale of land at Rensselaer, and $2,130.SI from a special diocesan collection, making a total receipt of $40,495.98. The debt of $8,793.37 that remains upon the building is, however, no cause for uneasiness, nor will it hover over it for any great length of time. Children are admitted from any part of the diocese upon application to the bishop, who issues a permit to the pastor applying for the admission. The orphans are entrusted to the care of sisters of charity, known as Poor Handmaids of Christ. Sister Eudoxia, the superior, has eight sis- ters with her, some of whom look after the domestic affairs whilst others are engaged in teaching. There are about 100 children in the institu tion this year. Rev. B. T. Borg is the chaplain. The asylum is sup- ported by collections taken in every church of the diocese on Christmas day and forwarded to the bishop who disburses the moneys; occasionally, too, private contributions are offered. Two sewing societies are great auxiliaries of the asylum and are much appreciated by the sisters. One is known as the " Kraenschen " (a garland), and the other as L'orphelin (the orphan). They provide from their own treasury, the goods they make up, which together with their services are donated to the asylum. Aside from these, there are no organizations as yet, whose object is the support of the orphanage. Possibly, it is rather early to look to indi- viduals in this comparatively new section of country, for any great endowments, but in the course of time, as wealth is accumulated, charity
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will probably find its way to the support of benevolent institutions, such as orphan asylums and homes for the aged poor.
Very Rev. J. H. Brammer, V. G., was born in Hanover, Germany, October, 1839, of Lutheran parents, in whose faith he was reared. Dur- ing his early years he was apprenticed to learn the carpenter's trade, which he followed for some time subsequent to 1854, when he came to America and settled in St. Louis. While attending a series of lectures given by Jesuit fathers, the young man became interested in Catholicity and made it his study for a year or more, and was finally received into the churth, the 18th of September, 1859. About a year afterward he entered college to prepare for the priesthood. He attended the well known institution of St. Vincent's, and St. Michael's of Pittsburgh, Penn., finishing his theological course at Mount St. Mary's seminary, Cincinnati, as a student of the diocese of Fort Wayne. He was ordained a priest in the cathedral in this city, by Right Rev. Bishop Luers, May 11, 1868. His first appointment was assistant to Father Benoit, in the cathedral congregation. During the declining years of this venerable pastor, Father Brammer was appointed his successor, and has ever since worked in that capacity. In 1878 he visited Europe. Among other places of note he spent some time at Lourdes and Rome, where he met Leo XIII. In 1880 he began the erection of one of Fort Wanye's monuments, the beautiful edifice known as library hall. The corner stone was laid by Right Rev. Bishop Dwenger, and the sermon on the occasion was preached by Bishop Spalding, of Peoria, on the 3d of July, 1881. The building cost about $65,000. During Bishop Dwenger's absence in Rome, from March 4, 1885, to October of the same year, Father Bram- mer was administrator of the diocese. In 1886 Bishop Dwenger appointed him vicar general, to succeed the lamented Father Benoit. In 1888, during the absence of the bishop in Europe, Father Brammer was again administrator of the diocese. He still gives his services to the people of the cathedral, and from present indications, will continue to do so for many years to come.
CHURCHES IN THE TOWNSHIPS.
St. Leo's Church .- While Fort Wayne was still a village, though not without honest pretensions toward metropolitan prominence, a few sturdy families had formed a settlement in the wilderness on the romantic banks of the St. Joseph river, about fourteen miles to the north of Fort Wayne, and called the place Leo. The plat is designated on the record as " Hamilton," and if the writer is correctly informed, the record was never changed to Leo, though this is the only name by which the place is known in every-day life. Among the first Catholics were P. Sullivan, John Rogers, William Mueller, and one Lawler. In 1838 Rev. Mr. Mueller, of Fort Wayne, visited these people, said mass and preached, in the residence of Charles Nettelhorst. Rev. J. Benoit came a few times during the following decade of years. Rev. A. Bessonies in
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IS53 took an interest in these people. He went to them once a month, and after several visits succeeded in encouraging them to build a church. Two lots were purchased by the congregation, and two were bought by William Mueller, and donated to the church. After Father Bessonies' departure from Fort Wayne, Rev. E. Faller regularly attended Leo, and amid much difficulty succeeded in erecting the pres- ent church. It was dedicated by Rt. Rev. J. H. Luers, D. D. The name of the church is claimed by some to be St. Leo, whilst a few maintain that it is St. Mary. In the course of time Rev. Mr. Dechamps attended Leo from St. Vincent's church, at New France. It was next attended by Rev. Mr. Schaefer from Avilla. Rev. Mr. Holz was the first resident priest, and remained two years. Again the place was attended from Avilla, now by Rev. D. Duehmig. Rev. M. Zumbuelte then became resident pastor, and during his administration pews, a bell, and a grave-yard were secured for the church, and new life seemed to enter the congregation and the village as well. Rev. A. Young suc- ceeded to the place, and after him came Rev. P. Franzen. After a little time the church was given in charge by Bishop Dwenger, to a Father of the Holy Cross, Rev. Thomas Vagnier being appointed resident pastor. After eight years Father Vagnier was transferred to Benton county. Rev. M. J. Byrne, of the cathedral, attended Leo for several months, when it was again given in charge of Fathers of the Holy Cross, resid- ing in the settlement of New France, the Rev. M. Robinson devoting himself to the mission of Leo and the neighboring Pierr's settlement known as St. Michael's church.
Church of St. Louis. - The Catholics of Besancom, Jefferson town- ship, were visited by Rev. A. Bessonies, who was the first priest to hold services in the settlement. The first mass was offered in the house of Joseph Dodane, in 1853. Father Bessonies had charge of this place, which he visited from time to time from Fort Wayne, for one year dur- ing, which time he erected a frame church. He was succeeded in his visits by Rev. J. Benoit. In 1865 came Rev. Mr. Grevin, who erected a pastoral residence. He, after one year, was succeeded by Rev. J. C. Carrier, who is still living, in St. Lawrence college, near Montreal. Next came Rev. F. M. Ruiz, then Rev. A. de Montaubricq, and after him, for a few months, the Rev. A. J. M. Vandervennet. In 1869 Rev. A. Mignault had charge for three months. In 1870 Rev. A. Adam be- came the pastor and remained five years. During his administration the present elegant church was constructed at a cost of about $10,000. Father Adam went to France in 1875. Rev. G. Demers, of Notre Dame, took charge, and, after one year, was succeeded by Rev. C. Manjay, who remained two years. In 1880 Rev. Felix Veniard, of the Order of the Holy Cross, took charge. This good father succeeded in paying a debt of $3,000 that hung over the church. Father Veniard is still pastor of Besancom. He told the writer that the lamented Father Benoit contributed $500 to this church. There are about 100 families in the congregation. They are all, with very few exceptions, French
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people. From appearances one would judge them to be a thrifty and . prosperous class of farmers.
The tasty little "God's Acre," in close proximity to the church, is a model of devotion to the " departed " of the parish.
Rev. Felix Veniard, C. S. C., is a native of Normandie, France, born May 13, 1824. His preparatory studies and the greater portion of his theological course, were successfully passed in his native land. He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Bourget, of Montreal, in the church of St. Laurent, in the village of St. Laurent, near Montreal, on the 4th of December, 1853, for the Order of the Holy Cross. Father Veniard was the parish priest of this place until 1877, when he became pastor of St. Joseph's church, South Bend. The Catholic churches of South Bend are all in charge of the Fathers of Holy Cross. At the earnest appeal of Bishop Dwenger and Father Benoit after a few years at South Bend, the good Father took charge of the French congrega- tion, where to-day he is the idol of the people. Though nearly sixty- six years old he is still vigorous in the performance of his duties; his health is very good, as is proverbially the case with most men of his nationality at his advanced age.
St. Vincent's Church .- About 1840 a tew French families, chiefly from Franche Compte, formed a settlement about six miles north of Fort Wayne, and called it New France. In 1843, Rev. J. Benoit visited these families, and offered mass in the house of Isadore Pichon. Father Benoit continued to attend these families until 1853, when he was suc- ceeded, until 1854, by Rev. A. Bessonies. The first house of worship was erected in 1846. The first frame cottage for pastoral residence was built about 1855, when Rev. Mr. Dechamps became the first resi- dent pastor. Father Dechamps died in 1858. He was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Grevin. During this period the congregation had grown to about eighty families. In 1861 Rev. A. Adam became pastor. Dur- ing his administration a new church was built, which still serves its pur- pose. A new residence for the priest was constructed, and an academy of large proportions was erected for the education of young ladies. This educational institution was placed in charge of Sisters of the Holy Cross from Notre Dame, Ind. The school is prosperous. Mother Arsene is still the able superior of this school, which is known as the Academy of the Sacred Heart. In 1870, St. Vincent's church was placed in charge of a priest of the Holy Cross. The fathers of this community still continue to minister to the spiritual wants of the congre- gation. Rev. B. Roche, who for ten years gave his services to St. Vincent's, is at present laboring in the interests of religion in far off India, among the people of Bengal, whither he was sent by his superior. He was succeeded at St. Vincent's by Rev. P. J. Franciscus, who has since been appointed president of a college in the Eternal city -Rome. He in turn was followed by Rev. J. Lauth, the present incumbent, and Rev. Mr. Robinson who attends the neighboring churches of Leo and Pierr's settlement.
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Church of St. John the Baptist .- Rev. Mr. Botty visited the Cath- olic families of New Haven, and said mass in the house of N. Schuck- man, in the latter part of 1857. During this same year he organized the congregation. Among the original settlers and principal constituents were George Schlink, Herman Schnelker, N. Jostvert, N. Schuckman and B. Schnelker. The first "church council" was composed of H. Schnelker, B. Schlink and N. Jostvert. These men gave their individ- ual notes to Henry Burgess for the purchase price of the land bought for church purposes. Rev. Mr. Grevin came once a month to give ser- vices, and he also aided in pushing to completion the new church edifice, which was erected at a cost of $4,000. Rev. G. W. Giedel became the first resident pastor, taking charge of the church in 1861. About 1871 Father Giedel secured the services of Sisters of St. Agnes from Fond du Lac, Wis., for the parochial schools attached to his church. Sisters of this community still have charge of these schools, which are in excel- lent condition. The school buildings were erected in 1872 at a cost of $8,000. Rev. G. W. Giedel died in 1873, and was succeeded by the present incumbent, Rev. B. Wiedau. During the administration of Father Wiedau, a new and handsome house of worship has been erected at a cost of about $17,000. There is a small debt of $1,500 upon this entire church property. There are about ninety families, and about 540 souls in the congregation. Most of them are farmers, and all of them are enterprising and thrifty. One hundred and forty-seven children attended the parish schools in 1888 and 1889.
St. Joseph's Church .- As early as 1834, Peter and John Schmidt, Joseph Auth, John Sorg, John and Henry Herber, J. Ziegler and Mar- tin Klug, came with their families from Chur Hessen, Germany, and located upon their present possessions in Marion township. These were the first Catholics in the settlement. Rev. L. Mueller was the first to offer the sacrifice of mass for the settlers in this locality. His tempor- ary chapel was in the house of John Sorg, and he usually visited these people when on his way to preach to the Catholics of Decatur. Rev. J. Benoit succeeded him, and persuaded the few Catholics to erect a little church; they built a neat and roomy log cabin which served as a church for fifteen years or more. When Rev. Mr. Schulze became pastor of Decatur he took charge also of Hesse Cassel and visited the place once a month. Rev. Messrs. Rudolf and Force were also among the attending clergy. Rev. Jacob Mayer became the first resident pastor. He began the present brick church in 1862. At this time there were probably fifty-two families. The church cost a little more than $5,000. The log chapel then became the pastoral residence. Rev. Joseph Nussbaum was the next pastor. He built a brick residence. His successor was Rev. W. Woeste, who was succeeded by Rev. W. Geers. Rev. J. H. Hueser, D. D., was the next pastor. He built a brick school-house and sisters' residence, costing $3,000. In 1880 Rev. Dr. Hueser was succeeded by Rev. J. A. Mark, the present incumbent. Thus the settlement steadily grew from its quiet beginning to a congre-
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gation of sixty-three families and 471 souls, possessing beautiful church property without any incumbrance upon it. The congregation is com- posed of industrious and thrifty farmers and they are a united people.
Rev. J. A. Mark is a native of Wuerzburg, Bavaria. He was born April Ist, 1826. He made his college studies with the Benedictine Fathers in Vienna, his theological course at All Hollows college, in Ire- land, and was ordained to the priesthood, August 16th, in Nova Scotia by Most Rev. Archbishop Walsh. Father Mark served therefor six years and then joined the diocese of Alton, Ill., where he remained six- teen years. He came to the diocese of Fort Wayne in 1876 and labored in the missions of Attica and Covington. The Rev. Father was appointed pastor of St. Joseph's church, Hesse Cassel, in 1880.
St. Patrick's Church .- The early Catholic settlers of Arcola had their first visit of a priest about the year 1845. This priest was the same pioneer missionary that we meet with so frequently in the history of this county, Rev. Julian Benoit. He held services the first time in the house of Victor Muneir. Rev. Dr. Madden afterward visited these people at intervals for about one year. He was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Schaefer, of Columbia City, who built the little church that will probably be replaced ere long by a handsome edifice in keeping with the prosperity and growth of the congregation. The early settlers of the place were John Dougherty, John Owens, Thomas Brannan, Nicholas Eloph, Michael Donahoe, B. Mclaughlin, W. Brown and William Rawley. The first resident priest was Rev. Theodore Van der Pohl. He remained five years and was succeeded by Rev. H. T. Wil- kens whose successor, after eight years, was Rev. B. Hartman. After several years at Arcola, Father Hartman was succeeded by Rev. James Twigg, who after a few months' residence there, died. His successor was Rev. J. A. Werdein, who after two years was transferred to LaPorte county, and the present incumbent, Rev. W. J. Quinlan, became the pastor. There are about seventy-five families belonging to this church, and there is no indebtedness on their property. The ground upon which the school-house is built was donated by a Mr. Welsheimer, and the ground for the church was given by Patrick Ney.
Rev. W. J. Quinlan was born in Syracuse, N. Y., April 16, 1864. When William was four years old his parents moved to Valparaiso, Ind., where the boy received his school education. He made his collegiate studies and his course of philosophy and theology in St. Francis semin- inary, Milwaukee. Rev. Father Quinlan was ordained to the priesthood in the cathedral of Fort Wayne, by Rt. Rev. Bishop Dwenger, June 29, 1888. Almost immediately afterward the bishop appointed the Rev- erend Father pastor of St. Patrick's church, Arcola, where he still labors in the interest of the flock confided to his care.
Church of St. Rose of Lima .- Rev. J. Benoit visited Monroe- ville and ministered to the few Catholics as early as 1850. He said mass in the homes alternately, of one Jeffroy and of a family named Griffith. In the course of time, these visits were made at regular inter- XXVIII
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vals, by both Rev. J. Benoit and Rev. Mr. Madden. After a few visits, a room in the house of John Hayes was made a temporary chapel. In 1868, Rev. E. P. Walters came from Fort Wayne once a month to hold services. He erected a frame church 50x28, which served its purpose for nineteen years. A debt of $300 remained upon the building, which was paid during the administration of Rev. E. P. Walter's successor. The clergymen who next attended Monroeville were successively Revs. J. H. Brammer, J. M. Graham, A. M. Meili, A. Heitman, T. Hibbelen, J. Grogan, H. T. Wilken and B. Hartman. During Rev. H. T. Wil- ken's ministration, the congregation secured a cemetery. A pastoral residence was built in 1882, during Rev. B. Hartman's attendance. The two gentlemen last mentioned, attended Monroeville from Arcola, whilst formerly it had been attended from Fort Wayne. Rev. J. Gro- gan was appointed the first resident pastor, in 1884. He was succeeded in the same year by Rev. J. Hoss, who in 1887, was succeeded by Rev. B. Hartman, the present incumbent.
In October of the year just named, the church was destroyed by fire. A subscription of $4,500 was immediately raised, a handsome amount being contributed by the non-Catholic residents. The foundations were begun in the spring of 1888, and on the Ist of July, of the same year the cor- ner stone was laid by Bishop Dwenger. The new church is of brick, built in Gothic style. Its dimensions are 92x35 feet, with a spire of 102 feet. Its total cost is $9,500, and there is a comparatively small debt of $650 remaining. The edifice was dedicated May 12, 1889, by Rt. Rev. Joseph Dwenger, attended by Rev. B. Hartman, Very Rev. J. H. Bram- mer, Revs. H. T. Wilken, L. A. Moench and M. J. Byrne. A special train of fifteen coaches, packed with people, came from Fort Wayne. All the priests that attended Monroeville are still living except Fathers Benoit, Madden, Graham and Hoss.
Rev. B. Hartman, the present pastor at Monroeville, came to Amer- ica from Germany when a boy, and located at Alton, Ills. He graduated in theology at St. Francis seminary, Milwaukee, and was ordained to the priesthood by Rt. Rev. Bishop Dwenger, February 22, 1875, in the cathedral at Fort Wayne. His first appointment was to the chaplaincy and management of the orphan asylum at Rensselaer and afterward in the same position in St. Joseph's boys' orphan asylum at LaFayette. After some years he was appointed pastor of Arcola, and in 1887, became pastor of Monroeville.
St. Aloysius Church .- In the autumn of 1858, Rev. Jacob Mayer, of Decatur, visited the scattered Catholics living in Pleasant township. He held religious services at the residence of Frederick Weaver. This was the first time so far as is known that mass was offered in this neighbor- hood. The year following, the erection of a small church was agreed upon. The Miller and Harber families were the pioneers of the settle- ment, and principally constituted this new congregation. They took charge of building the new edifice, which was 29x36 feet. Christian . Miller donated three acres of land east of the so-called Bluffton plank
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road. An additional acre was purchased in 1878 for a cemetery. Mrs. Christian Miller, whose energetic services in the interest of the church were cheerfully recognized, was asked to select the name of a saint under whose tutelage the church should be dedicated to the worship of God. She selected the name "St. Aloysius." Rev. J. Mayer was suc- ceeded in his pastorate of this mission by Rev. M. Kink, and he by Rev. A. L. Meile, who attended the place from Hesse Cassel. They were succeeded by Revs. T. Hibbelen, W. Woeste and J. Nussbaum. Dur- ing the administration of the latter, the church was enlarged and a spire built at an expense of $1,500, leaving a debt of $400. The first resi- dent pastor was Rev. F. Koerdt, the present incumbent. He took charge July 30, 1876. There were then sixty-five families in the parish. Father Koerdt began at once to decorate the interior of the church, and to pay off the debt resting upon the building. October 17, 1876, he opened his new school, a little frame building, the first parochial school of this church, with thirty-eight pupils. In the year 1877 he had completed a pastoral residence at a cost of $4,000. In the interim of a year and a half the young pastor had been a guest of John Harber. In IS82 a commodious two-story brick school-house was erected at an expense of $4,000. The teachers who successively taught in this congregation were G. Smoll, Mr. Kenning, R. Gruber, and Miss Philomina Wolford. The pastor continually shared the labors, with few exceptions, of the two first named teachers. In 1883 two sisters of St. Agnes from Fond du Lac, Wis., took charge of the schools. They continue to give great satisfaction to pastor and people. No debt worth speaking of rests upon all this church property. The premises have been singularly beau- tified. The congregation is made up of sturdy people who have grown in wealth and education, and are strong in a commendable spirit of unity and peace among themselves, and with their pastor. There are now but forty-seven families in the congregation, numbering about 260 souls. There are fifty-four children attending the school.
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