USA > Michigan > Monroe County > History of Monroe County, Michigan > Part 89
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ST. MARY'S SEMINARY.
In the history of St. Mary's Academy, dating back for nearly half a century, we find a chap- ter full of interest. Looking at the commu- nity of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, such as it was in 1845, it would require a prophet to tell that there was for it any future. Then, two sisters only were en
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
gaged in teaching the parochial school attached to St. Mary's Church, under the direction of the Redemptionist Fathers; to-day, the com- munity numbers nearly two hundred members.
The log house in which the sisters first dwelt was removed, and a large frame building ereeted, which later was replaced by the beau- tiful building (part of which is to be seen in the sketch), that is now nearing its comple- tion.
The academy is situated on the north side of the River Raisin in one of the most beautiful localities of the city. It is spacious, well-ven- tilated, and furnished with all modern improve- ments. The study halls, class rooms, dining rooms, sleeping apartments and recreation halls, are commodious and capable of giving accom- modation to one hundred or one hundred and fifty resident pupiis.
The grounds surrounding the academy are extensive and handsomely laid out in walks and groves.
The island, a short distance west of the Academy, has been purchased and fitted up as a pleasure ground in which the pupils spend the greater part of their recreation hours.
While the institution has attained the well- carned reputation of a first class academy, and is pronounced by all who visit it as being one of the finest in our State, it cannot fail to be appreciated by parents who have at heart the education of their children; for the discip- linary government is mild, yet sufficiently energetic to preserve order and regularity.
The morals and general deportment of the pupils are assidiously watched by the sisters, who, while forming their hearts to virtue and their minds to the usages of refined society, give every attention to their advancement in the different sciences, and their comforts and personal habits receive the same attention as if they were in the bosom of their own families.
Attached to the convent is an orphan asy- lum which the community has maintained since 1859. It is a private orphanage, and supports ordinarily about fifteen children, mostly from the city and its vicinity. Nor is the work of the sisters confined to the academy and schools of this city. They are engaged in teaching in nearly all the leading cities in the State, having under their charge over six thousand pupils.
This academy being at the head of a chain of similar institutions, over which it has a
supervisor, with Monsigneur Joos as Chief Superior, who with much ability has advanced the interests of this institution and contributed to its success.
REVEREND FATHER BERNARD GODFREID SOFFERS
Is a native of Ginneken, near Breda, in the Province of North Brabant, Holland, where he was born March 16, 1826, his parents being Peter and Adrianne (Balmakers) Soffers. His early education in his native tongue and the French language was received in the schools of his own native village, after which he pursued a French course in the Preparatory Seminary at Hoostraeten, Belgium, his classics in Ouden- bosch, and his theological course in Hoeven, Province of North Brabant, Holland, where he was ordained to the priesthood May 25, 1850, and appointed assistant pastor in the Diocese of Breda, Holland. His first charge as priest was when he was sent to Halsteren, and from there to Rozendaal, in which places he remained for about three years, until October, 1853, he came to America and was sent to the old St. Anne's Church, in Detroit (where for sometime Father Joos was his assistant). After a few months as assistant he had full charge as pas- tor, and in connection with that parish the mis- sion at Grosse Point, until Father F. J. DeBroux was appointed the first resident priest at that place. During his pastorate in St. Anne's he held services in the Belgium and Hollandisch lan- guages, and had charge of the first colored Catholic congregation in Detroit, and was the spiritual adviser of the St. Augustine School, on the corner of Larned and Antoine streets. His arduous duties in connection with these charges during the nineteen years of his pas- torate in St. Anne's, drew heavily on a nat- urally strong constitution, and in 1872 he was relieved by the bishop, and after passing a year in Europe for the benefit of his health, again reported for duty, and was assigned to St. Mary's Parish, in Monroe, in which field his labors began July 5, 1873, and ten years later Father DeBroux was sent to his assistance there, including the missions at New Boston and Rockwood, the congregations numbering a bout five hundred families.
NEW YORK LIC LIBRARY,
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
Eng 2 by J.L. Phillips, N.Y.
MUNSELLA.I.NY.
521
THE CHURCHES OF MONROE COUNTY.
ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH
Was organized in 1855, by Rev. Fr. Kronen- berg, Redemptorist. Soon after the organiza- tion it purchased the residence and premises in the First Ward, on Front Street, from George B. Harleston.
The residence being quite spacious, was con- verted into a church (now used for school purposes), which gave place to the large brick church, 145 x60 feet, in 1867. The two-story brick pastoral residence, 32 x 28 feet, was con- structed in 1873.
Rev. Father Kronenberg was succeeded by Fathers Majesky, Wehrle and Stengel, until July 24, 1863, when the present pastor, Rev. Father Benjamin D. Schmittdiel assumed the charge, and is the present pastor. July 24, 1888, Father Schmittdiel celebrated the twenty- fifth anniversary of his charge of St. Michael's Parish. The Parochial School connected with this church has an attendance of one hundred and sixty scholars, and the number of com- municants, seven hundred and fifty.
REV. FATHER BENJAMIN D. SCHMITTDIEL
Was born of German parents, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, August 31, 1834. When but three years of age he went with his parents, Henry A. and Theresa Schmittdiel, to Detroit. When but eight years old he conceived the idea of entering the priesthood, but was un- successful at several times, until between the ages of fourteen and seventeen years he learned the trade of a shoemaker, and when in his twentieth year he had a dream which awakened the old desire in his heart. The dream was vividly impressed upon his mind, more especially as it was almost literally ful- filled the next day. His dream was, that while he was working at his bench in the shoemaker's shop, a carriage drove up, and a priest, alight- ing, entered the shop and asked, "Do you want to be a priest ?" " Yes, if I can succeed." " Come with me." Immediately he followed, and on awakening, the dream was so vivid be- fore his mind's eye that he could not get rid of the thought that if such a dream could come true, the height of his ambitions would be realized. That afternoon his dream was made reality, and he remained with the priest for about three months, when he entered the Sem-
inary of St. Thomas, near Beardstown, Ken- tucky, where he studied classies and philoso- phy, and after finishing his course there he was sent by Right Reverend P. P. Lefevre, Bishop of Detroit, to Milwaukee, for the study of theology. Finishing his course July 19, 1863, he was ordained priest and appointed to Monroe in charge of St. Michael's, where he commenced his pastorate July 24, 1863. A sketch of the life of Father Schmittdiel would hardly be complete without a mention of St. Michael's. In 1843 there were only three Ger- man Catholic families in the city of Monroe. Their number gradually increased, so that in 1845 Rev. Peter Kronenberg, of the congrega- tion of the Most HIoly Redeemer, or Order of Redemptorists (C. S. S. R.), found fourteen families in the city, and undertook to unite them and form a Catholic congregation. A committee was chosen consisting of Joseph Schaub, George Steiner, Anthony Westerman, Andrew Kirschner, and Joseph Billman, who, within the year, purchased the grounds of the present St Michael's Church, with the excep- tion of the corner lot, for the sum of $2,000. On the grounds there was a private building, the present school house, although it has been some considerably changed from the original structure. They immediately paid five hundred dollars on the property, the balance paid in in- stallments during six years, and at once the house on the grounds was, at an expense of five hundred dollars, converted into a church. On the Feast of St. Michael, Archangel, Sep- tember 29, 1845, the church was blessed by the Very Reverend Father Bernard, provincial of the C. S. S. R., and the Rev. Peter Kronen- berg appointed the first pastor. But the Re- demptorist Fathers in 1850 totally abandoned the Monroe missions, and the Rev. John Van- Gepnip was sent by the bishop to succeed the Rev. Peter Kronenberg in the care of St. Mi- chael's congregation, continuing about four years, and though being a Hollander he spoke German but imperfectly, still he was very much beloved by the people under his charge. The Right Reverend P. P. Lefevre transferred him to the mission of Dexter, Washtenaw county, Michigan, and in his place sent Rev. M. P. Wehrle to attend St. Michael's; he re- mained about a year and was succeeded by Rev. Julius Macjoski, but the latter was sickly and about a year after died at St. Mary's Hos-
34
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
pital, in Detroit. In 1862 the bishop sent Rev. Peter Stenzel to Monroe. Up to this time the material condition had remained unchanged for several years with a debt of about three hundred dollars; but Rev. Father Stenzel gave a new impulse to the congregation, and made a collection by which the debt was paid. He, however, remained but a few years, and was succeeded July 24, 1863, by Rev. Benja- min D. Schmittdiel. At that time the only building on the premises was the dwelling of George B. Harleston, which had been purchased at the organization of the parish and converted into a church, and used as church, school and pastoral residence since the coming of Rev. John VanGenipp, in 1850, until 1866. As soon as the Rev. Peter Kronenberg, C. S. S. R., be- came pastor he founded a German Catholic School, which has always been in good running order with great benefit to the congregation, and under charge of the following teachers : In 1852, John Young; 1853, M. Schellhorn ; 1854, Jacob Bauer; 1858, Peter Grimm; 1860, J. P. Jaminet; 1861, the sisters; 1863, F. X. Leib; 1869 to the present time the school has been in charge of two sisters and one lay teacher, and starting with about forty pupils now has an average of about one hundred and sixty in attendance. In 1865 the lot on the adjoining corner was purchased for the sum of five hundred dollars, and the following year the erection of the present St. Michael's Church on Front street, 60 x 145, was begun, and completed in 1867 at a cost, exclusive of the tower and bells, of about $30,000; and the original church converted into and is now used for a school building. In 1883 the tower and steeple was added at a cost of $6,000, and the next year three bells were added at an ex- pense of about $4,000. In 1874 the present parochial residence, a two-story brick, 32 x 28, and in 1886 the school building was completely renovated and enlarged, and July 24, 1888, Father Schmittdiel celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of his charge of St. Michael's Parish.
ST. JOHN'S CHURCH.
The first effort to organize a separate Cath- olic Church for the English speaking people was in 1834, which proved ineffectual, and in 1852 the effort to accomplish the same purpose resulted in the purchase of lots on the Navarre
plat, in the third ward of the city, and laying a stone foundation therefor ; but further effort was abandoned until 1872, when Father Maes was appointed pastor. Through his exertions and instrumentality a more eligible lot was pur- chased on Monroe street. The corner stone to the church was laid in 1874, and a spacious and creditable brick church, 113 x 52, was com- pleted and blessed in 1877. Father Maes, now Bishop of Covington, Kentucky, having been appointed (much to the regret of his congrega- tion) secretary to Bishop Borges, retired there- from in 1878. A bell was added in 1879. The cost of the church, independent of the parson . age (a two-story frame building) on Washing- ton street, was $10,000.
Rev. William A. Nevin succeeded Father Maes on the 15th of March, 1880, and re. mained in charge until July 21, 1881, when the Rev. P. Leavy succeeded him.
The congregation under his charge numbered one hundred and twenty families, with an average of five to a family, making a congre- gation of six hundred. Father P. Leavy was highly esteemed, and in the discharge of his pastoral duties in 1889 was exposed in visiting a case of smallpox, contracted the disease and died. He was succeeded by Father Kelley, subsequently by Father Socklain, who is the present pastor.
ST. MARY'S CHURCH, OF ROCKWOOD,
Near the northern boundary line of the county, though not within Monroe county, is largely composed of members from the north- ern part of the county, and with its mission numbers four hundred and fifty families.
ST. CHARLES BORROMEO CHURCH
Was organized in July, 1853. The following priests have officiated in succession in this parish, viz. : Revs. J. V. Van Geunip, C. L. Lemagie, D. Callaert, R. Vanderheyden, G. V. Gerard, A. de Montanbrieg, Charles J. Mangin, M. H. Schaeken; F. Hendrick, P. J. Desmedt, E. M. Dekiere, E. Maesfrancx, F. Gauthier, George Langel and L. J. Brancheau, the last mentioned being the present pastor in charge. The corner stone of the present new church was laid April 22, 1882, and completed in 1889; built of red brick, trimmed with white brick and artificial stone, one hundred and twenty by fifty feet, about fifty feet high, with steeple one
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THE CHURCHES OF MONROE COUNTY.
hundred feet high, with stained glass windows. The church has seven hundred communicants and is in a prosperous condition.
ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH, ERIE.
The first church building, erected in 1819, was built of logs, roofed with bark of trees, in the vicinity of the railroad depot, which gave place in 1826 to a frame building, both built by the French from Canada. The third church building was erected in the years 1851 and 1852 in Vienna (now Erie) ; brick walls, one hundred and eleven feet long by forty-seven feet wide. The church is in a flourishing con- dition, containing two hundred French families, and free from debt.
From the year 1819, when the society was organized, it was very irregularly visited by Father Richard, of Detroit, seldom by any · other priest until 1825. From 1825 to 1833 the church was supplied by priests from Monroe ; from 1825 to 1828, by Rev. Bellamy ; from 1828 to 1831, Rev. Stephen Badin ; from 1831 to 1833, Rev. T. Carabin ; from 1833 to 1835, Rev. J. Bruyn, who was the first resident pastor; from 1835 to 1836, Rev. J. F. Terrso- ren, second resident pastor ; from 1836 to 1852, Rev. T. Warlop, third resident pastor; from 1852 to 1856, Rev. H. Rievers, fourth resident pastor; March, 1856, to May, 1856, Rev. L. Lionnet ; from July, 1856, to the present time, the Rev. Father Charles Thomas has been the resident pastor, and occupies the two-story brick parsonage built on a part of the Francis Cousino farm in the vicinity of the church.
ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH OF EXETER.
The first assembly in the town of Exeter of members of the Catholic Church was held at the log house of James Donohoe in 1834. At this time the township was covered by a dense forest, interspersed with swamps, marshes and creeks, with here and there a log cabin of the early settlers, shaded by lofty trees, not con- nected by roads, but by paths and Indian trails, which often led the early missionaries astray and compelled them to seek their night's repose beneath the forests. The inhabitants were few in number and poor. The mission was from time to time visited by priests, mainly from St. Mary's Church of Monroe. From 1838 to 1843 Father Carabin attended the mission and had stations, and said mass in the
log cabins of Philip Flood, Peter Burns, Michael Fagan, John Murphy and Luke Dunn. After a number of ineffectual efforts, finally succeeded in 1847 in constructing a log church, Father Simons officiating at first mass held therein. The log church in 1861 gave place to the large brick church, 40x80. The corner stone was laid in 1860, and completed in 1861 by the contractor, Wm. Gilmore, and conse- crated July 2, 1861. It has now a fine parochial residence connected therewith. The present number of communicants is , and scholars in parochial school number
Father James Ronayne, with residence at Stony Creek, officiates at the three mission stations- Maybee, Exeter and Stony Creek. The three missions consist of three hundred and twenty families. P. O. address, Athlone. Location of church, section 25, town 5 south, range 8 east.
SOCIETIES CONNECTED WITH THE CATHOLIC CHURCHES.
St. Joseph's Society, organized February 12, 1851. The officers thereof in 1889 were : Michael Deigert, president ; Frank Schwingschlegl, secretary ; A. Egl, treasurer. Present men- bership, sixty.
This society was organized for benevolent purposes, the by-laws requiring a payment of one dollar and a half per week to members while sick, and an assessment of fifty cents upon every member when death occurs of one of the members.
THE MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, Organized from the different Catholic parishes April 17, 1881. Present membership, sixty- three ; charter members of branch, thirteen. John P. Jaminet, president ; Frank Schwing- schlegl, vice president; C. Heck, second vice president; Patrick Matthews, secretary ; J. L. Hoffman, assistant secretary ; Charles A. Golden, financial secretary ; Sebastian Laner, treasurer ; A. Westerman, jr., marshal; J. Baier, guard ; F. R. Seib, M. Zeller and Joseph Golden, trustees ; Rev. Benjamin Schmittdiel, spiritual adviser.
Present officers: F. K. Seib, president ; J. Abraham, first vice-president ; Thomas Kee- gan, second vice-president ; Charles Maurer, recording secretary ; James Garvey, assistant secretary ; Frank Schwingschlegl, financial secretary ; Sebastian Lauer, treasurer ; J. Baier, marshal; H. Maurer, guard.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
OUR SCHOOLS.
Nº 0 county in the State has better schools than Monroe county. Her name and fame in connection with her schools have be- come familiar to every resident of Southern Michigan, and the city has been the incentive of the county. The course of study has always been fully up to the requirements of the State University, and the high standing of its hun- dreds of graduates who have entered nearly every walk of life, speaks volumes for those who have had the educational interests of the city in their care. They are found in nearly every branch of mercantile business ; some are occu- pying the pulpit and some the bench, while others have made their mark in mining, rail- roading, civil engineering, and in the practice of medicine and of law. One of the best text books in physics at present in use was written by a graduate of this school. The western traveler as he nears the summit of vast ranges, admires the boldness and originality of the railroad engineering of Monroe boys and gradu- ates of our school. The miner's pick and shovel are directed in their safe and unfailing course by others, and among the best underground engineers of the West are Monroe educated.
The corner stone of the Monroe Union School was laid with Masonic ceremonies June 24, 1858. This structure, known as the "old building," is still standing. The edifice was three stories high, and formed at that time the most imposing architectural monument in the county. The accommodations furnished by this house were then among the best in the State. In 1888 the building took fire, the upper story being burned off. The school board at once took measures for rebuilding. The house was made two stories higher, and all the modern improvements in heating and ven- tilation were added.
In 1884 the school board thought to relieve the crowded condition of the school-room by building a fine house in the Third ward. This
answered the purpose for a year or two; but in 1887 it was found necessary to have more room, and the board began the erection on the grounds near the older structure of the new high school building. This is, without doubt, one of the finest houses in . the State, being heated, ventilated and seated in the best modern style.
Thus Monroe has met the growth of popula- tion by a corresponding increase of the means and opportunities of education. But not only has it been the policy adopted to provide the material conditions, but also it has been the constant aim of the school board to place over the scholars the very best teachers attainable.
School was opened in the old (then new) school building, in April, 1859, with Mr. George W. Perry as superintendent. Nearly all the subsequent superintendents have been gradu- ates of the University of Michigan, and have steadily pursued the policy of keeping our schools in the van of educational progress. Among the well known gentlemen who have been superintendents of these schools may be mentioned Lewis McLouth, at present presi- dent of the Agricultural College of North Dakota; Hon. Edwin Willitts, assistant Secre- tary of Agriculture; Lester Goddard, a rail- road official in the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad at Chicago, Illinois ; Charles Harris, at present a successful merchant in Minnesota ; Judge Rufus Finney, deceased ; and John A. Stewart, superintendent of schools in Port Huron, this State. W. N. Honey, the present superintendent, is a gentleman of ad- vanced ideas, fine executive ability, and a thorough scholar, who has a sincere love for his chosen profession. He has made the course of study very thorough and complete. All grades of the school can enter the State Uni- versity on diploma, on all the four courses pur- sued at Ann Arbor. Constant effort is being made to provide the best facilities. The labor-
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OUR SCHOOLS.
atory has been extensively improved during the past two years in the lines of chemistry and physics. The English course has also been greatly improved and strengthened, and the aim of the school is to supply the necessary equipment, both for those who intend taking a further course, and for those who must enter upon the active duties of life at graduation or before.
An organization of the graduates of the Union School has recently been effected, en- titled the Alumni of the Monroe Union School, and in addition to the catalogue usually issued, the society purpose giving sketches and bi- ographies of those who have attained promi- nence as business men, in mercantile life, in railroading, civil engineering, in educational institutions, in the pulpit and in the legal pro- fession.
LIBRARIES.
I infer from an examination of the old village records, that as early as the year 1828 the vil- lage library was under the supervision of the village couneil, who raised moneys from time to time to sustain a public library ; that a small library was under the charge of the village clerk, but the records thereof are so meagre that nothing satisfactory can be obtained. When the City of Monroe was incorporated in 1837, the remnants of the old library were transferred to the city, but a very limited number of volumes remained, hardly worthy of the name of a library, and was under the control of the common council and school inspectors, the city elerk acting as librarian. In 1866, the library room adjoining the common council room was en- larged and a catalogue made of the works on hand, and quite an addition made thereto under an appropriation by the conneil of one hundred and sixty dollars for new books.
In 1873, under an act of the legislature, the city library was transferred from the common council to the board of education, and continues under the charge and control of said board. There are two thousand four hundred and fifty- nine volumes at this time in the library, and the annual circulation is over five thousand. When it is taken into consideration that the library contains a large number of publie docu- ments, the circulation is large. The last appro- priation in 1885, of four hundred dollars, expended with good judgment, has greatly in-
creased the interest of the public. Suitable rooms have been procured under a permanent lease of the second story of the brick building owned by the estate of the late Dr. Charles T. Southworth, adjoining the First National Bank on Washington street, that are comfortably warmed and lighted every afternoon and even-
ing during the winter months, and one day in the week during the summer months, and prove a pleasant resort for those who desire to peruse the books and popular magazines of the day. The apartments are presided; over by Miss Auna Yardley, an accomplished and well posted librarian. appointed by the board of education.
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