A history of northwest Missouri, Volume III, Part 101

Author: Williams, Walter, 1864-1935 editor
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 912

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"It is due to the age of the timbers and brick, with which our old church had been constructed, that served to countless worshipers, from the year 1847, to abandon it November 5, 1911. By request of the Rev. F. X. Hochgesang, the present pastor, to the Rt. Rev. M. F. Burke, bishop of the diocese, we held the solemn closing service on the evening of November 8, 1911. Father Hochgesang was assisted on the occasion by Rev. J. J. McLaughlin and Rev. P. Arensberg, both of whom had been pastors of this church in past years. The services in the evening consisted of solemn benediction with the most blessed sacrament and a most eloquent sermon by Rev. J. J. MeLaughlin, who spoke on the sub- ject : 'What a Church designates-its true members and the good results coming from those faithful to God in this world and their reward in the next world,' and conchiding his eloquence with God's blessing and the good will of the parishioners in erecting the new building.

"The following morning a high mass was sung by Rev. P. Arens- berg, assisted by the Rev. J. J. MeLaughlin as deacon and Rev. F. X. Hochgesang as subdeacon of the mass. This closed all services in the building, which had stood through the long years from 1844, at which time the erection was begun, until Thursday, November 9, 1911. Imme- diately after the solemnity began the work of moving into the school- hall nearby for the future services until the new and modern edifice will be completed.

"While parishioners and visitors are interested in watching the progress of the new church building, the minds and hearts of all-but especially those of the older members-will revert to the early days, when Holy Trinity parish was first established. As early as 1842 a Jesuit missionary, Rev. Father Eisvogel, who attended to the spir- itual wants of the Kickapoo Indians on the opposite side of the Mis- souri river, came at intervals to administer the rites of the church to members of the faith who resided here. At that time there was no church building, so mass was said at the home of Edward Diffley, a pioneer loghouse on Rock street. At this time Weston was in the Archdiocese of St. Louis, presided over by Bishop Kenrick, who was on a pastoral visit and a guest at the house of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Blanc- jour when he received word from Rome that he had been made Arch- bishop of St. Louis. Among the first of the new archbishop's duties was the establishing of a new parish at Weston and giving it the name Holy Trinity. He appointed Rev. Father Ruttkowski to take charge. He was a native of Poland, who with his parents had fled to France from his native land after the Polish insurrection against Russia in order to keep from being exiled to Siberia. Father Ruttkowski was the descendant of a noble family and held the rank of captain of cavalry in the French army before studying for the priesthood. He left parents

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and friends at Havre de Grace, France, and sailed to America, arriving at New Orleans. From there he proceeded by boat, the only means of travel in those days, up the Mississippi to St. Louis, and was soon sent on up the Missouri to the gateway of the West, at Weston, where he began his labors in the Master's vineyard. How well he laid the founda- tion is shown not only by the building which was torn down last fall, but also by the zeal and faithfulness shown in the building of the new. As in most pioneer towns, the people were poor, but willing, happy in working for the betterment of conditions for themselves and their descendants. As early as 1844 the site was purchased by the arch- bishop, excavating was begun, trees cut and hewed into timbers, bricks made during the summer time, the pastor living in a barn that was first put up for himself and team, the members dividing themselves into shifts in attending the kilns of burning brick. At last the little brick church of happy memory was completed in 1847, and the first baptism in it recorded October 3rd of that year. This Polish father so full of zeal for his people continued here until 1852, when he was succeeded by Rev. Mathew Dillon, an Irish priest, who continued the good work and was kindly remembered for his cheerfulness and his native music on the hornpipe.

"In 1854 Rev. William Fish took up the labor, and during his administration built the little brick parochial residence, in 1856. In 1857 Rev. Conrad Tintrup, whose death occurred in April, 1912, at Arcadia, Missouri, at the advanced age of eighty-one, took up the work and did faithful service for the next two years. At this time the Catholic school was in charge of several sisters of the Order of St. Joseph of Carondelet, near St. Louis, among whom Mother Justine and Mother Francis died the past year at the mother house. They always cherished fond memories for the years spent at Holy Trinity parish. In 1859 Rev. Francis Schreiber was given charge, and is yet kindly remembered by the older members. He was of a literary turn and was the author of several volumes. He was present at the celebration of the Golden Jubi- lee, in 1897, and celebrated the Requiem High Mass for the deceased members of the parish. In 1860 a Benedictine Rev. Father Severin came and remained one year, when another priest of the same order, Father Philip, was sent and stayed until the close of the Civil War, 1865. During that time Rev. Charles Linnenkamp, at present Vicar General of this diocese, came to inspire and edify, and by his untiring efforts gave an impetus not only to the parish at Weston, but also to the missions at Plattsburg and Easton, where he built churches, and also started the church at Platte City. In 1866 he built the brick school- house which is now serving as chapel during the erection of the new church. No other priest of the diocese is so familiar with the history of Holy Trinity parish as Monsignor Linnenkamp, for he is well acquainted with the humble beginning, the efforts of the first pastors, the trials and tribulations both priest and people endured, as well as the progress and successes the pastor and people now enjoy. In 1869 Father Linnenkamp was called to Immaculate Conception parish in St. Joseph, where he was made irremovable rector and where he erected one of the most handsome church edifices in the West several years ago. This is a grand monument to the life work of this noble priest. He holds various offices of honor in the diocese, being raised in 1900 by the Pope to the dignity of Monsignor; beside this he is vicar general, dio- cesan consultor, a judge of the ecclesiastical and canon law in matters pertaining to discipline, and also matrimony. He is now advanced in age, but his people pray that he may be spared many years, as his broad experience, combined with good mentality, continues to be a guiding lamp of usefulness.

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"For part of the year 1869 Father Philip was returned, and built the mission church now standing and still used at Platte City. Next came Rev. Joseph Seybolt, who baptised, taught and married many of the present congregation. In 1872 Father Fintan Mundweiler, O. S. B., sent from the mother house at St. Meinard, Indiana, took charge and continued two years, during which time he was prior of the order, after- wards being made abbot, the highest office of the order. A happy coincidence occurs right here, for when the present pastor of Trinity parish, Rev. F. X. Hochgesang, was a boy and living near St. Meinard's Abbey, Indiana, it was his delight to drive with the different abbots from place to place, and often went with this Abbot Mundweiler, little thinking that he himself would one day be pastor of the same church at Weston over which the good pastor had presided in previous years. He died in 1898.

"For the next few years the parish was presided over by another member of the Benedictine order, Rev. Francis Nigsch. In 1879 Rev. Beatus Ziswyler, Order of the Precious Blood, gave his earnest endeavors for the promotion of the faith through both school and church. From 1881 until 1883 Rev. L. M. Porta, the only Italian priest ever in charge of this parish, did much to promote the growth of Catho- licity by his kindness and his warm-heartedness. His next place was assistant to Right Reverend J. J. Hogan, but was given a parish at Springfield, Missouri, where he built a beautiful church, which became his sepulchre, as his remains now rest beneath the main altar.

"In 1883 Rev. P. J. Cullen, now of Marceline, was given Weston for his field of labor, and he is kindly remembered for his fine sentiment of feeling, his courteous treatment to all. Father Cullen is now author of many beautiful lyrics which show much delicacy in poetic power. Following Father Cullen came the big-hearted Father F. C. Becker, who had done so much missionary work in the far west and whose delight was to be among his non-Catholic friends. His last years were spent at the Soldiers' Home, at Leavenworth, where he was chaplain at the time of his death. For the next thirteen years the parish was directed by Rev. C. Schaaf, whose instructions in church music and in the more solemn ceremonies of the Catholic church, not often performed in small parishes on account of lack of essentials, were of much benefit to the congregation. Near the close of his administration, in 1897, the church observed its Fiftieth Anniversary, or Golden Jubilee, in a three-day observance, at which time a sermon in German was delivered by Mon- signor Linnenkamp, of St. Joseph, a sermon in English by Rev. Father Dalton, of Kansas City, and a sermon on the Congregation's Departed Ones by Father Schreiber, of Streator, Illinois.

"For a short time in 1893, during the pastor's absence in Mexico for his health, Father Boniface, O. S. B., of Atchison, was chosen spir- itual adviser of this parish. His appealing sermons on the Love of God were among the best ever delivered within the walls of the old church building. From 1898 to 1910 Rev. J. J. Mclaughlin gave the first dozen years of his pastoral duties to the congregation at Weston. The sim- plicity of his manner, the earnest sincerity of the man so impressed all with whom he came in contact, resulted in untold good for the uplift of the parish, which showed that his efforts were not in vain. His going away was regretted by both Catholics and non-Catholics. At present he is pastor of Holy Rosary Church at St. Joseph. In 1900 he replaced the little brick parish house by the present modern two-story building. His successor was Rev. P. Arensberg, who, for the following ten months, presented the truths of religion in his own pleasing, affable way, which holds the attention and convinces reason and intellect. At present he

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is pastor of the Cathedral at St. Joseph. Ash Wednesday, 1911, the present pastor, Rev. F. X. Hochgesang, began his service in Holy Trinity parish. He is full of zeal for the spiritual welfare of the parish, and his energy for the cause of the church knows no bounds, as is shown in the efficient manner in which he directs the erection of the new building and the active hand he takes personally in any part of the work. He is a living example of unselfishness which proves quite an inspiration to his followers. The handsome edifice now going up will long be a monument to his labors for the honor and glory of God."

The cornerstone of the edifice above referred to was laid May 30, 1912, and the structure was completed and dedicated October 27, 1912. The property includes a good-sized plot of ground on the north side of East Market Street, three blocks east of Main, high up on the slope of the Pinnacles. The land has been leveled and terraced and beautified by landscape gardening, and is one of the loveliest spots around Weston. From the churchyard one can see out over Weston and far up the river valley, and the view is grand in the extreme. The church building is a huge and beautiful structure of stone, with two tall spires, each of which is surmounted with a large gold cross. The interior is richly and exquisitely decorated and finished, and is lighted by large memorial windows of stained glass. The great altar was formerly used in the old church and was a memorial gift of Eberhard and Dora Bons, and cost $1,000. It is of Gothic design, with a central statue of the Holy Trinity in carved wood. On either side are statues of SS. Boniface and Eber- hard. Two angelic figures also adorn this altar. The two beautiful side altars were given by Mr. and Mrs. Winabald Rumpel, one in their own memory and the other as a memorial of their daughter, Pauline Rumpel Robbins. This couple also gave the statue of St. Anthony. The church has a nice set of stations, candelabra and other equipment necessary in the various ceremonies, many of which are personal gifts. Outside of the church building the parish owns a nice, modern frame parsonage and a brick school building. It also has a set of sweet-toned angelus bells. They were the gifts of Peter and Mary Blancjour, and hang in the church towers. The church has a large Ladies' Altar Society.

FREDERICK GOTTLIEB GRAF. The owner and editor of the Ravenswood Gazette, Frederick Gottlieb Graf, like many of his contemporaries of Northwest Missouri, began his connection with matters journalistic with an apprenticeship at the printer's trade. Gradually he has worked his way upward through the laborious stages that mark the career of the men upon whom the public depends for the distribution of the world's news, and today, when still in the prime of vigorons manhood and the ripeness of his powers, he is the managing head of a paper which is recognized as a distinct influence in the forming of pubic opinion in one of Missouri's most flourishing communities.

Mr. Graf was born at Frankfort-on-Main, Germany, December 7, 1872, and is a son of Gottlieb and Elizabeth (Hambrecht) Graf, the former of whom died at the age of forty-two years, in 1891, at Ottumwa, Iowa, where the latter still makes her home. Gottlieb Graf left the Fatherland alone in 1882 and upon his arrival in the United States took up his residence at Ottumwa, Iowa, where he established himself as an architect, a profession which he had learned in his native land, and designed several of the important buildings of Ottumwa. The mother and son followed the father to this country in 1883, and the latter, who had commenced his education in Germany, attended the Adams public school at Ottumwa, where within less than three months he gained a fair mastery of the English language. He began his career as a news-

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paper man in the shop of the Journal and Free Press of that place, and was with this paper for three years, a period which will aways remain in the memory of Mr. Graf, who for his first year received $1 per week wages, $2 a week the second year and $3 a week in the third year. In 1889 he began work as a compositor for the Omaha Bee, and subsequently was connected with the Chicago Tribune, following which he traveled as a journeyman printer, visiting all the important cities west of the Mississippi and eventually landing, in 1900, at Buffalo, Wyoming. Mr. Graf conducted a cafe for two years with such a measure of success that he was able to purchase a ranch of 380 acres, which he leased, and afterwards sold, and this was followed by the purchase of a dairy farm of 33 1-3 acres, which he operated successfully for two years. Mr. Graf entered the office of the Ravenwood Gazette as a compositor, and July 1, 1913, purchased the newspaper and entire plant from its former owner, Oliver F. Smith. This is now an independent newspaper, with a paid- up subscription of 520 readers, at $1.00 per annum, and the plant in- cludes a power press of Diamond manufacture and the most up-to-date equipment to be secured. In addition it has a well-equipped job office, which branch of the business is bringing excellent returns. Mr. Graf is giving the people of Ravenwood a well-printed, carefully-edited news- paper, which aims to print all the news all the time, unbiased and reliable. His cogent, well-written editorials have always supported the town's best interests, and in this way he has done much to advance the community's interests. In 1913 Mr. Graf was appointed city clerk of Ravenwood, a capacity in which he still acts. He is a splendid type of the energetic, wide-awake, pushing westerner, and has already gained a high place in the confidence of the people. He belongs to the North- west Missouri Press Association, Cost Congress and the Missouri State Press Association.

On December 16, 1893, Mr. Graf was married to Miss Minnie V. Peckham, daughter of Charles Peckham, who is now a successful farmer of Montana. Charles Peckham was born in Meigs County, Ohio, in 1843, a son of Joseph Peckham, a farmer of near Plymouth, Massa- chusetts, where his father had landed from England at an early day. Joseph Peckham was born in Massachusetts in 1811, and died in Lee County, Iowa, in 1900. Charles Peckham was nine years of age when he accompanied his parents to Lee County, Iowa, and there he grew to manhood and secured his education. The family subsequently came to Clark County, Missouri, locating near the Town of Revere, where Mr. Peckham homesteaded 120 acres of land and cultivated an excellent farm, which he is now renting to tenants. In 1909 he went to Fort Shaw, where he is serving in the capacity of postmaster. In 1865 Mr. Peckham enlisted in the Missouri State Militia, and was stationed at Hannibal, as a guard, being honorably discharged after three months of service. There have been five children in his family: Mrs. Graf, Mrs. Lenora M. Cutting, Mrs. Matilda Cutting, David and Bartlett. Mrs. Graf's mother bore the maiden name of Amelia Mauck, and was a daughter of David and Matilda (Philips) Mauck, her father being a soldier throughout the Civil war and a captain in command at the battle of Athens, Missouri.

Mrs. Graf is an active member of the Christian Church, and is well known in social circles of Ravenwood. She is a lady of superior attain- ments, having graduated from Kahoka Business College at the age of eighteen years, and taught one year at Kahoka, Clark County. an intermediate term. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Graf, namely : Beatrice Lenora, born February 7, 1895, who became the wife of Orvill F. Rule, a farmer of Bonaparte, Iowa, and has one daughter,

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Elizabeth Minnie; and Frederick LeRoy, born March 11, 1897, and a graduate of the Ravenwood High School.

MICHAEL NESTER. A short time before the war the Nester family became identified with Andrew County. The parents were thrifty and capable Irish people, were both from County Limerick, and the course of their destiny finally directed them to this section of North- west Missouri. For many years the Nester home in Lincoln Township has possessed the distinctions associated with upright and thrifty people, members of church, moral, law abiding members of the community, and people who have added something to the community in which they live.

The family was founded here by the late Patrick Nester, who was born in County Limerick, Ireland, a son of Patrick Nester. Patrick senior died in this country, while his wife subsequently returned and died in Ireland. Patrick junior was an only child. He learned the trade of shoemaker, though he never followed that to any extent. For several years he worked as a laborer in Washington, D. C., and while there in 1853 married Margaret Lysaught, who was born in County Limerick, August 15, 1835, and came to Washington, D. C., at the age of twelve years, with a younger sister Jane. Their mother had died and she and her sister came to this country to join an older brother, John Lysaught, who was at that time married and living in Washington. Patrick Nester during his residence in Washington was employed for the most part by a florist, and was a competent man in that business. He finally removed to Kansas City, Missouri, and there continued along the same line, then went up the river to St. Joseph, and a short time before the war located on Nodaway Island in Lincoln Township of An- drew County. That was the locality in which his business as a farmer was carried on until 1881, when the high waters in the Missouri Valley of that year almost completely destroyed his farm. He then bought a place away from the river, comprising 126 acres, and his wife bought forty acres more. By that time he and his wife had a family of vigor- ous young sons and daughters, and the management of the land was largely in the hands of the sons. In that home Patrick Nester died September 6, 1901. He was an active democrat, and a member of the Catholic Church. There was no church in his locality, but a priest came from St. Joseph once a month to hold services, and that custom has prevailed for thirty years or more. The Nester home is the center of worship for all the Catholic communicants residing in that vicinity. Patrick Nester and wife were the parents of nine children, only two of whom married. James, who was born in Washington, D. C., in 1856, and died at the age of seventeen in Andrew County; Patrick, who was born in 1858 in Kansas City and died on the home farm in Andrew County, June 4, 1911; Maggie, who is the wife of Frederick Wigham of St. Joseph ; Michael; William, who lives at home; John; Thomas; David; and Mary. Four of the children died in early childhood. Mrs. Patrick Nester is a daughter of Patrick and Johanna (Knurth) Lysaught, both of whom spent all their lives in County Limerick. There were three sons and eight daughters in the family, and they all came to the United States, their names being as follows: John, Michael, Patrick, Bridget, Johanna, Ellen, Ann, Kate, Honora, Jane and Margaret.

Michael Nester, whose fine farm home is located in section 17 of Lincoln Township, was born on the Nodaway Island farm of his father in 1867, and has lived in Andrew County all his life. After his mar- riage he began his independent efforts as a farm renter, continued in that way three years, and then bought sixty-eight acres where he now

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resides. The purchase price of this was $1,200, and he was able to pay only $400 down, and at once began the task of making a living and paying off the indebtedness. It was a place that had long been occupied, and the house and other improvements were old and in a poor condition. He bettered the improvements as rapidly as possible, paid off the debt, and with the surplus of his increasing prosperity invested in more land, until he now has 219 acres, all well improved. At one time Mr. Nester had sixty acres of apple orchard but has reduced this to about eighteen acres. The rest of his farm is devoted to grain and stock, and he is considered one of the most successful farmers in Lincoln Township. Politically he has always been identified with the democratic party. His mother is now living at Nodaway Station, and is about eighty years of age.

Michael Nester was married in 1891 to Ida Elizabeth Steeby, who was born in Lincoln Township, March 24, 1873, a daughter of Gottlieb and Mary (Moser) Steeby. Mr. Steeby was one of the fine old pioneer citizens of Andrew County, and a sketch of his career will be found on other pages of this publication. He died November 8, 1913, and his wife July 26, 1893. Mr. and Mrs. Nester lost six children in infancy and three still living are John Harold, Lola Margaret and Alex- ander W.

GOTTLIEB STEEBY. One of the rugged pioneer citizens of Andrew County passed away in death at his home on November 8, 1913. Gottlieb Steeby had a place of no small influence during his residence of sixty years in this county of Northwest Missouri. His life was marked by simplicity, by honest and industrious effort, capable dealings in a business way, and the utmost integrity in all his relations with society and his fellow men.

In Tuscarawas County, Ohio, February 17, 1834, he was born as the oldest of four children in the family of George and Mary (Schwendeman) Steeby. His father was of English stock and his mother of German descent, and both were born in Pennsylvania, the former on July 20, 1813, and the latter on July 25, 1807. They were married in their native state and at once removed to Ohio where they entered forty acres of raw land in Tuscarawas County. George Steeby in early life worked at the millwright's trade, but later was a furniture dealer in Ragersville, where he died in 1867. Throughout his life he voted consistently with the democratic party, and was a member of the Presbyterian Church. His wife survived him and was past eighty years of age at the time of her death.

Gottlieb Steeby grew up in a home of modest comfort and yet bis surroundings were such as to encourage his self reliance and his deter- mination to effect something in life. His education was that supplied by the country schools of his time and place, and at the age of sixteen he began learning the carpenter's trade and was employed in that line for three years in Ohio. It was in 1853 that he sought a home on the frontier, and on arriving in Savannah, Missouri, had only fifty cents and an extra suit of clothes. In a short time by his trade he was earning nine dollars a week, and continued industriously in that work in Savannah for three years. He then went to Nebraska Territory, but was satisfied to remain there only one year, after which he returned to Amazonia in Andrew County, and worked as a carpenter four years, part of the time in St. Joseph. In 1862 he bought forty acres of land near Amazonia, and attempted to divert his energies to farm- ing as a permanent occupation. He soon found that his farm was too small, and accordingly sold out in the fall of 1864 and in February

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A history of northwest Missouri, Volume III, Part 101

Author: Williams, Walter, 1864-1935 editor Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing company Number of Pages: 912

Author: Williams, Walter, 1864-1935 editor
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 912