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 24
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Two of the things most marked in the life of Mr. Kirschner are his prefectship of the Men's Sodality of the Blessed Virgin, and his great influence with the young men of St. Mary's parish, which, of course, implies his devotion to their best interests. He never obtrudes hackneyed good advice in out-of-the-way places or at times inopportune. He is a young man himself while among them, entering into their sports and games and seemingly most desirous that they should enjoy themselves. In this way he has gained their confidence and respect, and by his own life they get practical illustration of what they, too, can accomplish by industry, honesty, and correct principles.
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MR. PHILIP KLAUS.
Modesty and simplicity are often as potent factors of publicity and prominence as are self-assertion and pompousness. In the former case the popularity thus begotten is lasting and honorable. while in the latter it is usually ephemeral. its short-livedness being accounted for on the ground of the dislike men have for all forms of empty assumption and deceit. No better illustration of these truths can be found than that based on the personality and record of plain Philip Klaus, of Lima, Ohio, who, for the past forty-seven years, has been a model citizen, husband, and father in that very important and thriving city.
He is a native of Germany, having been born at Nassau. August 26, 1833. His father's Christian name, like his own, was Philip, and the maiden name of his mother was Miss Mary Ger- trude Hoffmann. He left his home for this country when he was. in his twentieth year, and he celebrated his birthday on shipboard, it being one of the forty-five days of his tedious voyage across the Atlantic. Landing in New York City, September 10, 1853, he at once pushed on westward and took up his abode in Richland county, Ohio, where for about six months he was employed as a laborer. He then removed to Lima, and found employment as a laborer in the great work of building the P .. F. W. & C. R. R. He continued to toil on the railroad for one year, after which he engaged in the butchering business, in which he vet continues. Prosperity attended his efforts from the beginning. and at this writing he is ranked among the wealthy men of Lima.
October 22, 1857. he was married by the late Father Meyer in the town of Fryburg. in Auglaize county, Ohio, to Miss Elizabeth Roth, a native of that county. She was a noble Christian woman. noted for her domestic traits and for unswerving devotion to her husband and family. She died February 17, 1895. the recipient of all the consolations of religion.
The twelve children born to Mr. and Mrs. Klaus are: Cath- erine, who is Mrs. Stelcer, of Bodkins, in Shelby county. Ohio: Clara, who continues to abide in the home of her father : Joseph J .. who is engaged in farming pursuits in Indiana : Edward, who lives at Portland, Indiana, and follows the vocation of his father ; Frank
MR. PHILIP KLAUS
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THE REV. JOHN H. KLEEKAMP.
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and Albert, who live with their father and are engaged with him in business; Gertrude, who is the wife of Mr. Edward Schneider, a farmer in Indiana : Veronica, who is Mrs. Peter Eischen, an Indiana farmer; Elizabeth, who died in 1878, when less than three years old, also Elizabeth II, who was the next born, and who lives at home, the companion of her next youngest sister, Matilda. The twelfth child was named Margaret. She passed away in her ninth year.
When Mr. Klaus came to Lima there was no Catholic church in the town. He helped build the first, St. Rose's, and yet remains a member of the congregation. He has been constant in the per- formance of his religious duties and has ever been generous in support of religion and education. Only as a contributor and as a regular attendant at Mass has he been prominent, his retiring disposition forbidding him from taking an active part in the tem- poral affairs of the parish. He has no taste and no time for com- mittee work, either as a leader or follower.
While always a staunch Democrat. he could not bring himself to do more than make his contribution to his party and vote. The one exception was his nomination, in his absence, by his fellow citi- zens for the office of township trustec. Not only was he elected. but he received a larger vote than any other candidate for any other office on the ticket.
Mr. Philip Klaus' character is such that he has never had to exert himself to keep up appearances. He is the same at home as in public, in business as in retirement. His characteristics of honesty, simplicity of life, and plainness of speech are the test.
THE REV. JOHN H. KLEEKAMP.
The records show that the Rev. John H. Kleckamp is the pastor of the Church of St. Wendelin, Fostoria, Ohio :* that after a five years' Seminary course in Cleveland he was ordained priest by Bishop Gilmour, July 2, 1881; that his first mission was at West Brookfield, 1881-1883. where he paid off the parish debt and improved the church property ; that his second appointment was at
*Since this sketch was in type Father Kleekamp was appointed pastor of St. Rose's Church. Perrysburg, July 7, 1901.
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Edgerton, Williams county, 1883-1887, where he built and paid for an $8,000 church at Blakeslee (Florence), there being at the time but thirty-six Catholic families in the place; that his third charge was at Bucyrus, 1887-1891, where he reduced the parish debt from $11,000 to $5,000. In 1891 his fourth removal placed him in charge of the Immaculate Conception Church, at Raab, Lucas county, otherwise known as "Six-Mile Woods," from which he was advanced to his present position December 3, 1899.
Father Kleekamp is a native of Germany and is about middle life, having been born at Voerden, Hanover, February 20, 1856. In 1870, when a mere youth, he emigrated to the United States. After several years spent in private study, he completed the classical course at Mt. St. Mary's Seminary, Cincinnati, and then began his divinity studies at St. Mary's Theological Seminary, Cleveland, which he finished in 1881. Being robust, both mentally and physically, his nearly twenty years on the mission have not been without results. Considering the fields of his labors it would be safe to say that he has not been an unprofitable .servant. Touching temporalities it is easy to make measurements, but in the realm of the spiritual it is not only different but more difficult. The character of Father Kleekamp, however, settles that, for he is zealous, practical, and capable.
At no time has the subject of this biography, either as a priest or as a man, been unmindful of the great fact that the sphere of the Catholic Church and its ministers is in the domain of the spiritual rather than the material. His record is proof that while the tangi- bilities may appeal to the senses, the conscience deals with spiritual things. The heart and the head stake out the life-path of the practical Catholic, and it is with this path and with those who will tread it that such men as he have to deal. To enable inen to profit by the truth, through a knowledge of the truth, is the mission of the priest to his flock; and here it is but just to say that he is not wanting cither in philosophical or theological science, nor in the art of teaching the truths of such sciences.
The temperament of Father Kleekamp is befitting his calling. and fortunately it has been well suited to his environments. The predominance of the phlegmatic makes him self-possessed and at the same time not hasty in deciding matters. A result of this is
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THE REV. JOHN W. KLUTE
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that his parishioners have always been as one in their undertakings, and that harmony has characterized their efforts everywhere, emphasizing the truth that it is good for brethren to dwell together in unity and peace.
Rev. John H. Kleckamp is a man of parts. He has always found time for study, even during his busiest years on the mission. Besides his classical attainments, he is a fine English scholar and preaches in that language as readily as he does in his native tongue. He knows where to find authority for what he would decide and teach, and therefore he can be said to be a man cleverly prepared for nearly every emergency. Having just crossed the ridge of life, and being in the enjoyment of vigor and health, his years of usefulness may be presumed to yet be many. And being simple and genial of manner-humble as a servant of the Master-he may hope to crown a life of great usefulness with a ripe old age.
THE REV. JOHN W. KLUTE.
October 17, 1847, in the town of Westerholt, Westphalia, Diocese of Münster, was born the reverend gentleman who is now (1900) the esteemed pastor of St. Joseph's Church, Youngstown, Ohio. His parents were Henry and Gertrude (Schmitz) Klute, who died in their native country, the latter in 1875 and the former in 1882 ..... From his carliest years the boy Klute was robust both mentally and physically. He gave such promise during his pre- paratory studies that it was deemed advisable to afford him the advantages of a higher training, looking to an ecclesiastical career. Accordingly he was sent to the college, at Recklinghausen, where he graduated with high honors in the classics in the twenty-second year of his age.
November, 1869, Bishop Rappe, of Cleveland, Ohio, passed through that part of Germany on his way to Rome. The truth is the good bishop while journeying toward the "Eternal City" had his eye about him for acceptable young men for the priesthood in his diocese. John W. Klute, then a young man fresh from college, with the ink scarcely dry on his well-earned diploma, was presented to the American bishop and was forthwith adopted by him for his
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beloved diocese. May 19th, of the following year, 1870, in com- pany with the late Father Westerholt, of St. Peter's Church, Cleve- land, he bade farewell to parents, friends and home and took up his long journey to America. Arriving in Cleveland, Ohio, he was sent to Louisville College, in Stark county, for a few months, to study English. On the opening of the diocesan seminary for the September term, 1870, he entered that institution, took a four years' course, and was ordained priest by Bishop Gilmour, August 8, 1874, in the chapel of St. Mary's Academy, Notre Dame, Indiana, where the bishop was then convalescing after a protracted and serious illness.
Returning to Cleveland, Father Klute celebrated his first Mass in St. Peter's Church the following morning. Having received his appointment as pastor of St. Mary's Church, Antwerp, in Paulding county, he set out at once for the field of his future labors. It may rightly be spoken of as a field-a wide one, too, for besides his parish church at Antwerp he was also given charge of the mission or station churches at Cecil, Emerald, Flat Rock, The Junction and Delaware Bend. But being zealous and physically strong, he was able to endure the hard work required of him. He began the erection of the pastoral residence, at Antwerp. in 1875, and January 3rd of the following year he was transferred to become pastor of St. Patrick's Church, Elmore, Ottawa county, with charge also of the mission or station churches at Genoa, Oak Harbor, Rocky Ridge, Millbury, Woodville, Hessville and Webb Station. During four years and four months he did excellent work, not the least of which, and indeed the primary purpose of his being sent there, was the saving of the church property at Genoa.
May 22, 1880, he was commissioned as pastor of St. Patrick's Church, at Hubbard, with the Church of St. Joseph, at Vienna, as a mission. He remained there until August 11, 1853, when, at the urgent request of Bishop Gilmour, he accepted his present charge, St. Joseph's Church. Youngstown. During his more than seven- teen years in that city he has acquired the fine property upon which St. Joseph's parochial school and pastoral residence have been erected, which property and improvements represent an outlay of over $31,000.
In 1887 he began to preach regular sermons in English at
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the carly Mass each Sunday. This he did to keep abreast of the times and to encourage his young people to know the language of the country. He was, in fact, the first priest in the diocese to practice this so-called innovation, preaching in English to a German congregation, and was accordingly styled the German- Irish priest by many who have since adopted the practice, and who have found it to be most commendable. In that year also, 1887, he was one of the originators of the Catholic reading circle, the object of which is to instruct the young in the necessary truths of religion and to make them good, intelligent, patriotic. loyal American citizens.
In August, 1899. Reverend John W. Klute celebrated his silver jubilee in the priesthood. There was a very large attendance of his brother priests, including the Rt. Rev. Bishop Horstmann. who generously gave the pastor of St. Joseph's a well earned vacation. Father Klute accepted the offer, accompanied as it was by a well-filled purse from his congregation. He visited his native land after an absence of twenty-nine years, and traveled also through Italy, France, England, and Ireland. returning with the conviction, which he boldly declared, that the land of his adoption, beloved America, has not an equal in the world.
From this short outline of his career, which is also a hint as to his character, it can be seen that the Rev. John W. Klute is a priest of many labors, and a man of endurance, persistence, and great capacity. He has proven himself the savior of St. Joseph's. both temporally and spiritually, just as he was the savior of the church, at Genoa, in 1876. He is progressive and leads and directs with great success and without trouble or disorder of any character. In dealing with his people he is kind but firm. tempering zeal with prudence. He is an eloquent and convincing preacher and is a platform speaker of great popularity. Beginning to study English on entering the Seminary, he has been preaching and teaching in that language, as also in his native German tongue, ever since his ordination. He has an excellent command of both languages, possesses an intensely logical and philosophical mind, and is blessed with a physique sufficiently robust to enable him to make good use of his noted oratorical and linguistic talents. That he has the will to thus exert himself requires no proof. His activity is the evidence.
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MR. CHARLES J. KNAPP.
A gentleman in every way worthy of recognition in this work, a sterling Catholic, is Mr. Charles J. Knapp, of Akron, Ohio, a Knight of Columbus and a member of other prominent Catholic organizations. He was born in that city February 27, 1857, and there also he acquired his common but practical education. When a youth he began to learn the trade of a carriage blacksmith with his father. He yet continues in that calling, having mastered it in all its details. For seventeen years he has been connected with the Selle Gear Works, at Akron, and during the past fourteen years he has held the responsible position of superintendent of that important enterprise.
He is the oldest of a family of nine born to Michael and Catherine (Keller) Knapp. The other members of the family are : Eugenie, who is Mrs. Joseph Winum, of Akron ; Annic H., Matilda M., Louisa M., and Marie. The other three were boys who passed away in early childhood. Their names were William, John, and Michael.
Mr. and Mrs. Knapp are natives of Alsace, France. Early in life each emigrated to the United States, and, having met in the usual way, were married in New Orleans in 1854. Since 1856 they have been residents of Akron, where all their children were born. The elder Knapp is now in his sixty-eighth year and is well preserved. He insists on continuing to perform his daily work at his calling, and is the equal in skill and endurance of many who are his juniors.
Mr. Charles J. Knapp appears to act more like a brother than a son to his father. They counsel together, are a unit in main- taining the family, and in keeping its members together. In consequence the home life of the Knapps, while simple and unostentatious, is yet an ideal and happy one. Theirs might be pointed to as an example of the blessing of members of a house- hold dwelling together in unity and peace. Religion inspires and fosters such desirable domestic relations, and they are maintained best where inherited good qualities respond promptly and readily to its refining influence. The subject of this sketch is blessed in this respect both morally and mentally. His is a well-balanced
MR. CHARLES J. KNAPP
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temperament, which is an aid to, if not the basis of, his recognized executive ability.
In his social and fraternal relations Mr. Charles J. Knapp is both happy and well respected. He has hosts of friends. Although a man of few words, and noted more for excellence of judgment than for aggressiveness, yet his influence is far greater than is that of many who are his opposite in manner and temperament. He loves order, admires honesty of purpose and effort, and cheerfully accords to every man the credit that is his due. Because of his native honesty he is slow to believe others dishonest. He would rather hide his neighbor's faults than expose them to no good purpose. In consequence he is free from the charge of lack of charity, and is never called on to retract any of his sayings.
Trained by his good Christian parents at home, where he always had opportunity of witnessing good example : taught also in the Sunday schools of his parish church, where his pastor failed not to impress him with the fundamental truths of religion; and having always the good sense to choose good companions in his youth, it is readily seen that he owes the glory of his Christian man- hood and his excellent character to his parents and teachers, and to the pure environments which were his in his youth. Having been taught the beauties of right living, and having been blessed with a mind and a heart capable of receiving and retaining those . lessons, he is now reaping the harvest of good seed sown in rich soil. Even in a worldly sense he is the richer because of his train- ing and good Catholic life.
From this reference to some of Mr. Knapp's qualities it must not be inferred that the aim of this mention is to present him as a paragon of perfection. This is not the intention. He is simply a plain, every-day Catholic man, but the reader may safely conclude that while his pretentions are few his merits are many.
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THE REV. JOSEPH M. KOUDELKA.
Among the comparatively few priests of the Diocese of Cleve- land who in their day were ready for ordination before attaining the canonical age, there is probably no one more distinguished for brilliancy of intellect, literary and art culture, linguistic talent and practicability, than the Rev. Joseph M. Koudelka, pastor of St. Michael's (German) Church, Cleveland, Ohio.
Father Koudelka was born in the village of Chlistovo, Bohemia, Diocese of Budweiss, December 8, 1852. His father was Marcus Koudelka, and the maiden name of his mother was Anna Janauschek. They were zealous for the moral and intellectual advancement of their talented son, and were rewarded by seeing him daily grow in grace and mental culture. Ile began his. classical studies in the gymnasium at Klattau, Bohemia. They were interrupted, in 1868, by his being taken by his parents to the United States, the family locating in the Diocese of Green Bay, Wisconsin. Shortly after his arrival he entered the College, at Mt. Calvary, in that State, where he completed his course, and the following year was received into the St. Francis' Seminary, near Milwaukee, as an ecclesiastical student. Always among the first. he finished his theology in 1874, and received minor orders at the hands of Archbishop Henni, February Sth, of that year, when he was just twenty-one years and two months old. He had to await either an addition to his years or a dispensation from Rome before he could be ordained priest. .
By special request of Bishop Gilmour he was sent from Milwaukee to Cleveland, where he entered St. Mary's Theological Seminary. He remained there until the 23rd of February, 1875. when sub-deaconship and, the following day, deaconship were conferred on him by Bishop Dwenger, the Cleveland Ordinary being absent from his diocese through illness. As deacon he was at once sent -- an extraordinary thing-to St. Procop's (Bohemian) parish, Cleveland, where he taught the parish school, baptized, preached, and collected money to pay off the debt on the church. So effective were his ministrations, especially touching the schools, that the large attendance of pupils almost depopulated the public schools in the neighborhood. On this and other accounts he was
أبو حته ٢ مظاهر تا المكانة زهراء عالمالمالى
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THE REV. JOSEPH M. KOUDELKA
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derisively spoken of as the "half-priest" by the local anti-Catholic press. October 8, 1875, he was ordained priest in the chapel of the seminary, Cleveland, by Bishop Mullen, of Erie, Pennsylvania.
No longer a "half-priest," he became pastor of St. Procop's Church, and continued as such for seven years, 1875-1882. During his pastorate he furnished the church, built the school and parish house. and purchased the two lots upon which the present new church stands. Besides the current expenses and the large outlay for building and furnishing the church he also paid the debt. which amounted to $9.000, leaving no debt for his successor. While thus actively engaged he found time to write for the Bohe- mian papers, and to have published his series of Catholic school books for Bohemians, which are now in general use throughout the country.
Father Koudelka's great ability as a writer, orator, and linguist having become generally known, a petition from the Bohemian clergy of the country was presented to Bishop Gilmour of Cleve land requesting him, for the good of religion, to permit Father Koudelka to go to St. Louis, Missouri, to become the editor of the Hlas (Voice), the only Catholic Bohemian publication in the United States equal to combatting the power of the infidel Bohemian press that, up to that time, had demoralized the people and beslimed religion. The bishop consented. on condition that the Bohemian clergy furnish a substitute to continue the work which Father Koudelka had been carrying on so successfully. The substitute came, and Father Koudelka went to St. Louis as the editorial champion of the faith. His writing's had two good effects -the paper became very powerful and prosperous, and the Bohemian Catholics were preserved from the wolves who would scatter and tear them to pieces. Unfortunately, in one sense, but very fortunately in another, the substitute did not come up to the requirements, and Bishop Gilmour recalled Father Koudelka. On his return, July, 1883; he was commissioned to perfect the organi- zation of the new parish in what is known as the "South Side." in Cleveland. He did so, and the result of his work is the parish of St. Michael, which has the finest church building in Ohio.
In 1SS6 Bishop Gilmour required him to go to Toledo tem- porarily and heal the wounds left by the unfortunate riot which
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destroyed the church and parish buildings and disorganized the Polish congregation there. He went at once, and in four months he rebuilt the church. the school and pastoral residence, and reunited the people. Besides being able to minister to Germans, Bohemians and Poles, preaching to each in their own language, Father Koudelka is also acquainted with the Slovak, French and English tongues, and, of course, with the language of the Church, the Latin. He is therefore a noted linguist, and is a scholar in the broadest sense of the term. He brings to the discharge of his priestly duties splendid abilities and a zeal that recalls the devotion of the first ages of the Church. In recognition of these he was appointed Episcopal Notary by Bishop Gilmour, and was reappointed to the same office by Bishop Horstmann. In temporalities he is active, and manifests an executiveness that only the practical can truly appreciate. The story of the growth of St. Procop's parish under his administration, and of St. Michael's during the nearly eighteen years of his pastorate thus far (1900) is the evidence.
Among Father Koudelka's accomplishments may be cited his by no means slight acquaintance with art. The Cleveland Press of March 12, 1900, has this to say of him :
"Rev. Father Jos. M. Koudelka, pastor of St. Michael's Church, Scranton and Clark avenues, is one of the best amateur artists in the city. He owns a choice collection, and his spare time is all spent in the pursuit of his hobby. Father Koudelka is a decorator of ability, nearly all of the fine decorations for which St. Michael's is noted having been done by himself."
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