USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > A history of Catholicity in northern Ohio and in the diocese of Cleveland from 1749 to December 31, 1900, Volume II, pt1 > Part 16
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26
Aside from his classical acquirements, Dr. Gallagher takes great pleasure in the field of the diagnostician and also in the more exact and scientific domain of the surgeon. In the latter he has had considerable experience during the past few years and is reputed to possess a degree of skill which is much to his credit. His practice is by no means confined to his co-religionists or to Catholic institutions. All creeds and classes are represented among his patients. Being a native of Cleveland, he is well and favorably known to the great majority of the people, and his pro- fessional reputation has kept pace with his social popularity and his standing as a representative Catholic gentleman.
-
158
A HISTORY OF CATHOLICITY
THE REV. JOSEPH STEPIIEN AUGUST GERARDIN.
May 4, 1844, at Riche, Département de la Meurthe, France, was born to John Stephen and Teresa (Toussaint) Gerardin the youngest of their seven children, who is the subject of this bio- graphy, and who for the past twenty-two years, 1878-1900, has been the pastor of the Annunciation Church, Cleveland, Ohio. He began his Latin studies in the Petit Séminaire at Pont-à-Musson when he was thirteen years old, and continued them until April, 1864, a period of seven years.
The death of his parents-that of his mother, in 1863, and of his father, in 1861, just eight months apart -- was a severe blow to him in two ways; first, his great loss; and, secondly, the fact that, although but thirty miles distant, he was not informed of these sad events until after their burial. These so saddened the tender- hearted young man that he could not bring himself to return to his home-no longer a home to him, bereft of its loved ones. In con- sequence he joined a missionary band of seven young men who, in April, 1864, accompanied the late Father Hoffer to this country to become priests of the Diocese of Cleveland. He entered St. Mary's Theological Seminary on his arrival in the See city of the diocese, and after a three and one-half years' course, was ordained priest by Bishop Rappe, December 16, 1867.
Immediately after ordination, Father Gerardin was appointed chaplain of Charity Hospital. Cleveland, Ohio. He there exer- cised the functions of his holy office until April 14, 1868, a period of five months, when, having acquainted himself with the German language, he was sent to Upper Sandusky, Wyandot county, to temporarily take the place of the Rev. Father Reinhart, who had been accidentally killed on the railroad. The following September he was transferred to become the pastor of St. Joseph's parish, Galion, Crawford county, where he built St. Patrick's Church, which with other missions was also in his charge. He labored in that field until April 8, 1878, when he was advanced to his present station as pastor of the Annunciation Church, Cleveland. He built the present beautiful parish church, aided by a united congrega- tion, the great majority of whom were French, and to whom he preached in their language. Latterly such changes have taken
-
--------
-----------
IHS
--
--
---
THE REV. J. S. AUGUST GERARDIN.
--
159
-
IN NORTHERN OHIO.
place that the language of the parish is now English. However, by delivering occasional sermons in the French language, and being able to hear confessions in German, the reverend pastor is equal to accommodating himself to all the local requirements.
In 1885, after an absence in America of twenty-one years, he returned to France, saw again his birthplace, and visited the tomb of his parents. He experienced both gladness and sadness. Again, in 1899, the impaired condition of his health requiring it, he crossed the Atlantic and revisited the scenes of his childhood and young. manhood. Returning much improved, he continues his labors in the field in which he has been so long and faithfully exerting him- self in the interests of his flock, both spiritually and temporally.
Father Gerardin has not been spoiled, as some have, by his long residence in "This Country of Ours." He has lost nothing of the old spirit of Catholic France, nor have his amiableness and courteousness suffered by close contact with our comparatively "rude world." Naturally a man of refinement, his calling has en- nobled his fine qualities. The plain people have observed this and are wont to speak of this good priest as an approachable, genial, Christian gentleman, whose kindness of heart and whose readiness to oblige and serve have won the affections of all who know him. While the priestly character may stand independent of the man and may command respect and reverence because of itself, God- given as it is, yet when that Christ-like character becomes the man, fits him and ennobles him, even unbelievers are anxious to do him honor. Not one has yet been met with who, knowing him, does not love and reverence Father Gerardin both as a priest and as a man.
Touching his calling, then, and the religion which he teaches, the words of Greenwell are apropos: "It is among the ignorant, the out-of-the-way, the commonplace, that the Christian teach- er's daily lot is thrown; and their appeals are to him as sacred as those which come more seldom and with louder knocking at the gate. That Christianity should fit in with the ordinary and medi- ocre has always seemed a proof of its crowning excellence. 'A little child shall lead them.'"
-
160
A HISTORY OF CATHOLICITY
THE REV. HENRY J. GERHARDSTEIN.
The excellent engraving on the adjoining page is more expres- sive than words in indicating the characteristics of Rev. Henry J. Gerhardstein, pastor of SS. Philip and James' Church, Canal Fulton, Ohio .* Many pages would be required to tell what is there seen at a glance -- without study. The beholder almost instantly forms a comparatively correct estimate of the natural qualities and capacities of this good priest, perhaps without being able to tell how he does it.
At any rate, the reader will judge the original of the portrait to be a generous, tolerant, kind-hearted man; one who is not lacking in firmness, but who is more inclined to be lenient and merciful. He will declare him to be a lover of music, if not a musician-one whose spiritual and better nature is thrilled by the concord of sweet sounds. He will say that both the rational and the animal are well developed in him, but that the moral and intel- lectual faculties ever hold him with heaven-erected face. His self- esteem will be estimated as of like degree with his firmness, and therefore never in conflict with his respect for authority, his love of order and his spirit of resignation. His loyalty in friendships will be found on the same plane with his devotion to duty and his high sense of his obligations both in honor and conscience.
Agreeing with these observations, which both the reader and those who enjoy a personal acquaintance with him will testify to as generally true, a very good idea of the natural man having a spiritual mission may be had. Father Gerhardstein was born of German parents in the town of Sherman, Huron county, Ohio, July 4, 1859. His father, Mr. John Gerhardstein, passed away in 1889; and his mother, whose maiden name was Miss Catherine Host, went to her reward in 1890. When sufficiently advanced to take up his classics, young Gerhardstein was sent to the Canisius (Jesuit) College, at Buffalo, New York, where he gradu- ated with distinction in 1889. In the autumn of that year he entered St. Mary's Theological Seminary in Cleveland. He there
*June 30, 1901, after this sketch was in type, Father Gerhardstein was appointed to his former place as assistant to the rector of St. Peter's Church, Cleveland.
1
THIS
A
THE REV. HENRY J. GERHARDSTEIN
161
IN NORTHERN OHIO.
completed his divinity course in a little over three years, and was ordained priest by Bishop Horstmann, December 17, 1892.
His first appointment was as assistant priest at St. Peter's Church in the city of Cleveland. He labored there during six years with the late Father Westerholt, the veteran pastor of the congre- gation, and for six months additional with the succeeding rector, Father Pfeil. June 28, 1898, he was commissioned as pastor of SS. Philip and James' Church, Canal Fulton, Ohio, where he has accomplished much good.
Father Gerhardstein's musical capacity enables him to chant the public offices of religion in a pleasing and masterly way. His talent as a preacher in both German and English is quite pro- nounced, the matter of his sermons being in happy keeping with his fluency of speech and his graceful delivery.
Since taking charge of the church at Canal Fulton, he has been enabled, through the co-operation of the congregation, to pay off nearly all the parochial obligations, those of the church proper as well as those for the maintenance of the school. To him, as to all good priests, the church comes first, but since Christian educa- tion is the handmaid of religion, the church and the school are one to be supported, defended, and utilized for the betterment of the people. In this good work Father Gerhardstein has always exhibited both zeal and ability.
What has been said above will be taken amiss by the reader if the idea is not conveyed that Father Gerhardstein is a priest whose personality and efforts conduce to the removal of spiritual dryness, and the impressing on those among whom he labors of the infinite consolation and sweetness found by carefully weighing the meaning of the words, "the Divine Will." Aside from his sacred calling, his nature and personality, smacking of kindness, plainness, and gentleness, invite to higher things, and render well disposed those to whom he brings the message of peace and love. lí he is to be judged by the earnestness and success of his labors, the finding is already in his favor, for even his personality exer- cises a tonic influence for good.
YOL. II
162
A HISTORY OF CATHOLICITY
MR. FRANCIS J. GIEBEL.
A man is said to bear acquaintance well when he either holds or increases the esteem in which he was originally held by his neighbors and fellow citizens. When either of these stands to his credit he is generally regarded as the possessor of sterling qualities and an excellent character.
If the gentleman who is the subject of this mention be weighed in this balance he will not be found wanting, and, there- fore, it will not be an empty or unreasonable assertion to say that he justifies the judgment which would give him prominence in this work both as a citizen and as a practical Catholic.
The Giebel family has been favorably known in northern Ohio since the establishment of the Diocese of Cleveland. The elder Giebel, whose Christian names were given to his son, was a native of Hesse Cassel. He emigrated to the United States in 1847. His wife was a native of Bavaria, which country she left for America in 1839. Her maiden name was Miss Marie S. Duerr. Their son, here mentioned, was born to them in Fremont, Ohio, March 14, 1851. He was there educated in both the parochial and common schools, and there he began the indus- trious and successful career in which he still continues.
Positions of trust and responsibility appear to have had a great attraction for him. Hence, at the early age of eighteen he was a trusted clerk in the office of the treasurer of Sandusky county. From that preferment he passed to a like position in the auditor's office, and finally after four years of service the people elected him to the auditorship, and re-elected him. Later he filled by appointment an unexpired term as county treasurer. From the treasurership he stepped to the position of assistant cashier in the Farmers' Bank; then to assume a like responsibility, and later that of a director, in the First National Bank; and finally, in 1890, he became a director and the cashier of the Fre- mont Savings Bank, the duties of which he continues to discharge. In addition he held the office of city clerk, was a member of the city council two terms, and also a member of the educational board of the city of Fremont from 1885 to 1891. There are
.
-----
1
MR. FRANCIS H. GIEBEL
.
:
163
IN NORTHERN OHIO.
numerous other evidences of his activity and worth in official and business stations in his native city and county.
These facts are luminous in indicating the capability and character of Mr. Giebel. They tell of his reliability, his faithful- ness to his trusts, and also of the esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens, and especially by his neighbors who have known him since boyhood. He is honest by nature and through the teachings of the Catholic Church. He is capable through the cultivation and exercise of his faculties, and the laudable pride which is native to him impels him to be in reality what he is universally esteemed to be -- what he claims to be-and to do what he does in the best possible way.
Mr. Francis J. Giebel's temperament is happy and even, its phlegmatic nature smacking of the philosophic. He arrives at conclusions calmly and readily, but not so impulsively as to require reviewing to assure him of the correctness and soundness of his judgments. This characteristic is found to be a factor in all his relations-in business, in friendships, in domestic affairs, and, it might be said, in religion also. While faith is the basis of his Catholicity, it must be said that not a little of the logic of mathe- matics enters into it also. It is well that it is so, for Catholic teach- ing, in an intellectual sense, is nothing if not logical. Mr. Giebel is aware of this, hence he is what he is through faith and right reason, and through a guiding Providence that "shapes our ends, rough-hew them as we may."
The Rev. Dr. Bauer, rector of St. Joseph's Church and his pastor since Mr. Giebel's boyhood, has been kind enough, in response to questions by the writer, to thus express himself in point :
"Mr. F. J. Giebel has always been, and is now, one of the best members of my flock-St. Joseph's. He is a man of the stanchest Catholicity, loyal to the core, not only in a general way, but also in all particulars where the interests of religion, the claims of the Church, and the religious and moral behests of him- self and his family are concerned. There are many Catholics loyal in a general way, fewer so in a particular way; Mr. Giebel belongs to the latter class. He never shrank from his devotion to his reli- gious convictions in his public manifestations of the same, nor in his life as a public man. In elections and in office he was no time- server. Bigotry never scared him, nor did sacrifice deter him.
-
16-1
A HISTORY OF CATHOLICITY
He is honored today, even by the enemies of the Church, for his manly and robust churchism.
Mr. Giebel is born honesty. His word is his voucher, and his promise is his sign-manual, his handwriting. He is trusted by all. In St. Joseph's Church, his position is most enviable. He is the president of the St. Joseph's Society of men for Catholic interests, a society affiliated with the Roman society of the same name. He has been and is the right-hand man of the rector of St. Joseph's Church, on whom the rector leans in all troubles and in all undertakings. He is a pillar par excellence, kind, polite, religious, honorable, and true. Leaning on him, the rector cares little for the temporizing lukewarmness of others.
The members of Mr. Giebel's family pattern after their father; and, when his last hour strikes. he may say, in Schiller's words : 'No dear head is lost !' "
This tribute, by his pastor, is the justification of what the writer has attempted to say touching the character and career of Mr. Giebel. It is a confirmation of the high estimate of him, entertained not merely in his home city, but throughout northern Ohio. It also attests the truth of the averment that he is a representative Catholic gentleman, whose life and record reflect Christian teaching and are an honor to both his pastor and his co-religionists.
It is one of the purposes of these sketches of laymen, who have been selected for their excellent record, to bear testimony to the influence of Catholic teaching, and to indicate that true manhood and good citizenship are always conserved and advanced by the Catholic Church. The many samples of worthy laymen set forth in this work are the evidence of the potent influence of religion.
January 27, 1874, Mr. Francis J. Giebel was married to Miss Clara Ochs, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ambrose Ochs, of Fre- mont, Ohio .- Seven children were born to them, three having died in early infancy -- Arthur A., Irene E., and Walter J. Another, Urban A., the second oldest, passed away August 31, 1900. He was twenty-one years and nine months old, was educated in St. Ignatius College, Cleveland, was in the bank with his father, and was the hope and pride of his pastor and his parents. The others are: Hedwig, Estella R., and Olive A.
MR. AND MRS. JOHN A. GIEDEMANN.
١٥٠٠
٣٢/٣١٢٢٠
165
IN NORTHERN OHIO.
MR. JOHN A. GIEDEMANN.
Mr. John A. Giedemann of St. Mary's parish, Sandusky, Ohio, was born, December 24, 1850, at Kappel-am-Rhein, near Offen- burg, Baden, in one of the most beautiful and picturesque districts along Germany's most famous river, the Rhine. He is the only son of John Giedemann and Theresa Faist, and has but one sister, Mrs. Sophia Buerkle, of Sandusky, Ohio. When he was one year old, the Giedemann family regretfully left their native country for the United States, and took up their permanent residence at Sandusky. John A. Giedemann's father, a shoemaker by trade, served as a patriotic citizen in the U. S. Army during the Civil War, was honorably discharged at its close, and lived with his family, at Sandusky, till his death, September 27, 1882.
Mrs. Theresa Giedemann, John's mother, is yet living, a venerable lady of seventy-eight years. She, like her husband, is a pioneer of St. Mary's congregation and has at all times been an active and generous supporter of her church. She happily belongs to a numerous and thoroughly Catholic family, whose members always bore the highest reputation among their fellow citizens in the village of Kappel for the fidelity with which they clung to the principles of Catholicity, true piety, and self-respect. Mrs. Theresa Giedemann has three brothers and fifteen sisters. All of them are married and have proved themselves worthy children of noble parents. Four of her sisters live in Sandusky, Ohio, and are not only among the pioneers of St. Mary's, but also rank among the foremost benefactors of their parish church. Two of her sisters live in Chicago, whither their reputation as practical Catholics happily preceded them. Her brothers and other sisters remained in their native village of Kappel, Baden.
A pleasing trait in the character of Mrs. Theresa Giedemann, and the same must be said of her sisters, is her sunny and genial disposition, her deep piety and true matronly conduct. These qualities endear her to all with whom she comes in contact and command their esteem and respect.
Mr. John A. Giedemann was joined in wedlock to Miss Katharine Homegardner, in St. Mary's Church, Sandusky, Ohio, August 12, 1875. She was herself born at Sandusky, March 19,
1
166
A HISTORY OF CATHOLICITY
1851, and died there November 20, 1901. She was the daughter of John Homegardner and Mary Loeblein. Her father, a native of Switzerland, is one of the oldest pioneer Catholic settlers in Sandusky; her mother was born in Hanover. The Homegardner family have always been prominent in Catholic circles. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Giedemann was blessed with five children, of whom three are living, namely: Cora, aged twenty-two; Ida, eighteen ; Katie, fourteen.
At the carly age of twelve he commenced his business carcer as cash boy in the dry goods store of Converse & Son. When this firm was succeeded by Geo. Marsh & Bros. he remained as clerk for six years ; after the change of the firm to that of E. H. & R. M. Wilcox, he remained seven months. In 1871, he embarked in the shoe business as a partner with W. Koch & Co. and was connected with the house till 1878, when, in company with John Homegard- ner, Jr., his brother-in-law, he bought out the old firm and estab- lished the Giedemann & Homegardner shoe store. This business is still existing and is one of the most flourishing establishments in Sandusky. Mr. Giedemann is likewise connected with the follow- ing business enterprises: the Homegardner Sand Co., of which he is vice-president ; secretary and treasurer of the Co-operative Foundry, of Sandusky; director and appraiser of the Sandusky Building & Loan Association ; director of the Sandusky Telephone Co .; member of the Board of Means and Ways of the Chamber of Commerce; agent of the Teutonia Fire Insurance Co., of Dayton, Ohio; financial secretary of the C. M. B. A. No. 27; ex-treasurer of St. George Court C. O. F. He served one term as treasurer of the Sandusky Board of Education. He was elected councilman of St. Mary's Church in 1896, and has since served in that capacity to the full satisfaction of both the pastor and the congregation.
Personally Mr. John A. Gicdemann is a gentleman in the fullest sense of the word, a practical Catholic, and one of the honored citizens of Sandusky. IJis prudence, honesty, and thoughtfulness in business transactions have won for him the con- fidence of the people, and his kindness, generosity, and good- natured disposition, which he has inherited from his mother, have enabled him to hold a high position in the circle of his many friends and acquaintances.
-
MR. WILLIAM P. GINTHER
167
IN NORTHERN OHIO.
MR. WILLIAM P. GINTHER.
Church and school architecture in the Diocese of Cleveland, especially during the last decade. has shown a decided improve- ment in style and finish. The proportions, an essential in the Gothic, are more faithfully observed, and where the Romanesque or other styles are employed a degree of attention to detail is clearly evidenced.
During the past fifteen years it has been the ambition of the subject of this article to bring about such results. How well he has succeeded can be inferred from the number and character of the structures which are the work of his genius. In his own city, Akron. the new St. Bernard's Church is a sample, also St. Vincent de Paul's school. In Toledo, the new Church of the Good Shep- herd speaks his praise. So do St. Mary's Church, Norwalk; St. Columba's, Youngstown; St. John's, Defiance; Mother of Sorrows', Ashtabula; Sacred Heart, Shelby Settlement; and the Annunciation, Cleveland.
Outside the diocese beautiful examples may be found in such structures as St. John the Evangelist's Church, Columbus, Ohio; St. John's, Logan; Holy Name, Steubenville : St. Mary's of The Springs; St. Andrew's, Roanoke, Virginia; St. Mary's Church, McKee's Rocks, Pennsylvania; St. Philip's, Crafton, and St. Patrick's, Erie; when to these are added such educational institu- tions as St. Rose's parish school, Lima, Ohio; St. Joseph's, St. John's, and the chapel-school of the Immaculate Conception, Canton ; the Ursuline Academy. Tiffin, and the Ursuline Convent at Youngstown, the behokler who is a judge of architecture will recognize at once the great advances made.
The diocesan authorities and the clergy are well pleased with these improvements, a fact that must be a source of satisfaction to Mr. Ginther, whose skill in his calling is abreast of the best enlightenment of the day. He has been for a quarter of a century engaged in architectural pursuits, while the past fifteen years he has devoted to giving form and substance to his own conceptions. To better fit himself for his work he made a tour of Europe and the Continent, in 1889, and closely inspected the great architectural
1
-
168
· A HISTORY OF CATHOLICITY
piles in Rome, Milan, Venice, Cologne, Paris, London, Berlin, Vienna, and the other noted centers. The information acquired he has put to practical use, and in consequence he is credited with a degree of taste and skill which commends him to those charged with important building improvements:
Perhaps there is no temporality connected with religion that merits as much attention as does the work of designing and erect- ing houses of worship. These houses, besides their use as a convenience and a source of comfort to the people, have both an educational and an inspiring mission to perform. If the Catholic Church has been the mother and preserver of the arts, she surely is entitled to be honored by that which she has created and fostered. It, therefore, follows that her temples should be typical of the best in art, and that they should shadow forth, even in their exterior symmetry and grandeur, the completeness and importance of the mission and teaching of the Church. Consequently, to have men like Mr. Ginther devote their lives to giving concrete expres- sion to these things, entitles them to both honors and emoluments. They are teachers by their art-teachers whose lessons are very important and which can be enjoyed by taking the slight trouble of gazing on the more recent monuments erected to religion in the Diocese of Cleveland.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.