Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, Part 28

Author: Bert S. Bartlow, W. H. Todhunter, Stephen D. Cone, Joseph J. Pater, Frederick Schneider, and others
Publication date: 1905
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1149

USA > Ohio > Butler County > Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio > Part 28

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).

The following pastors have been in charge of the congregation since 1848: Revs. T. Hallinan, Joseph Kearney. E. P. Corcoran. A. O. Walker, Charles F. Hone. M. L. Murphy, J. H. Bonner, P. A. Quinn. J. O'Donohue, Henry Anderson. Joseph Shea and M. J. Mulvihill.

ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCHI.

St. Joseph's Catholic church, situated on South Second street, between Washington and Hanover streets, was founded in 1865. As early as 1864 the Catholic families living in the southwestern portion of the city had started to agitate the question of building a church closer to the place of residence. In 1865 Rev. J. C. Albrinck, at that time pas- tor at Reading and afterwards vicar general of the diocese of Cincinnati, was appointed by Archbishop J. B. Purcell. of Cincinnati,

to inquire into the matter and see what could be done. At a meeting which he held in St. Stephen's school rooms, it was unani- mously decided to organize into a new par- ish under the title and patronage of St. Jo- seph, and to begin work immediately on the erection of a new church edifice. For this purpose Messrs. William Beckett. J. E. Owens, John M. Long and Robert Allstatter donated a plot of ground two hundred and fifty feet by two hundred and fifty feet on South Second street between Washington and Hanover streets. These gentlemen like- wise contributed two thousand five hundred dollars toward the building fund. In the spring of 1866 work began on the church and school buildings. In June of the same year the corner-stone was laid by Bishop Rosencrans, of Columbus, Ohio. The young congregation, consisting of but a few fam- ilies, had a very hard and trying struggle in the beginning, but by dint of hard work and noble generous sacrifice they managed to have the church finished by September, 1867. The church, a beautiful structure, sixty by one hundred and twenty-five feet, built in the Romanesque style, was dedicated Sunday, September 15, 1867, by Archbishop J. B. Purcell, of Cincinnati, assisted by Bishop A. M. Toebbe, of Covington, and a large number of priests. Even at this early day the members of the parish realized the great importance of having a parochial school where the knowledge of God and the doctrines of His church would be taught together with the secular knowledge. So they immediately set to work to erect a new school building. At first but two rooms were built, but when in 1867 the number of pupils grew to one hundred and forty they were compelled to enlarge the original

Digitized by Google

186

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF

structure by adding two more rooms. Whilst these buildings were in progress Rev. J. C. Albrinck was in charge. In May, 1867, Rev. George P. Steinlage took charge. and it was due to his able and energetic work that the buildings were completed. He remained until 1873, when Rev. Joseph Resch was appointed pastor. He remained until July, 1875, when the Franciscan fa- thers took charge, Rev. A. Beine, O. S. F., 1879-83; Rev. Clemens Steinkamp. O. S. F., 1883-7; Rev. Pacificus Winterheld. O. S. F., 1887-8. In November, 1879, the par- ish suffered a great loss. A tornado tore down the church steeple, wrecking in its fall the bells, the organ and roof of the church.

In 1888 the parish was again placed in charge of the diocesan priests, Rev. Francis Varelman being appointed pastor. Under his careful and able pastorship the new steeple and present magnificent rectory were erected. An addition to the school was also made under his direction. He left St. Jo- seph's to take charge of St. Elizabeth's church, Norwood, Ohio. In October, 1896, Rev. A. E. Druffner came to take charge until September, 1897. He was succeeded by Rev. J. H. Holthaus, its present able and beloved pastor.

In 1900 the parish had increased to such an extent and the work had grown so heavy, that it became necessary to have a resident assistant pastor. Rev. F. Veil, July 1, 1900, to September, 1900; Rev. H. Schuer. July 4, 1901, to May, 1902; Rev. C. Diener, July I, 1902, to June, 1903; Rev. Oscar William Gerhardus, July, 1904, the present assist- ant.

During the pastorship of Rev. J. H. Holthaus and under his prudent and kind. but firm, leadership, the parish has made

wonderful progress. A new life as it were has been infused into the congregation. When he came to take charge he found the church sadly in need of repairs, carrying a thirty-one-thousand-dollar debt. But he went to work with a will and undaunted. Since then he has practically remodeled and renovated the entire church building. The first and most needed repairs was the plac- ing of a new slate roof over the church, to- gether with a small tower to the rear of the church serving as an ornament and ventila- tor. Next he turned his attention to the interior. New stained glass windows (made by C. G. Reardon & Co., of Cincinnati), each of which is a work of art, were placed in the church. All these windows are dona- tions of individual members of the parish. Then came the interior decoration of the ceiling and walls. The entire interior is ar- tistically and beautifully painted in oil. The ceiling especially is noteworthy, being a master work (done by Gruber Bros. & C. Svendson, of Cincinnati). It has been pro- nounced by competent artists to be the fin- est interior church painting in southern Ohio, and it is estimated to have a value of eight thousand dollars. Hardly had the painting been completed when he started another regular series of improvements. Space allows us to mention but the princi- pal ones. The erection of a new baptistry. a small but ornate building adjoining the church and connecting it with the parson- age: rebuilding of the organ; securing a new pulpit ; two new confessionals: a new crib with figures; twenty new artistic stat- ues : a small but very handsome altar, en- shrining a copy of the miraculous picture of Our Lady of Perpetual Help: a hand- some new vestment case built of solid quar-

Digitized by Google

187

BUTLER COUNTY, OHIO.

ter-sawed oak, and the painting and gild- ing of all the altars; furnishing the church with a new steam heating system, and an electric light system consisting of more than seven hundred and fifty single lights. All in all, the improvements and repairs aggre- gate a value of more than eighteen thousand dollars. Besides this the debt was reduced from thirty-one thousand dollars to sixteen thousand dollars.

Nor has the spiritual welfare and prog- ress of the people been sacrificed for the sake of the material. The former has more than kept pace with the latter. From two thousand two hundred communions in a year the same has increased to nine thou- sand in a year. Various sodalities and soci- eties for the young men and young ladies have been founded. The membership in already existing societies has been more than doubled, so that now there is hardly one family that does not belong to at least one society.

The schools have also had its closest at- tention and care and are now in a flourish- ing condition. From two hundred and twenty-five children, they have increased to four hundred and twenty, divided into seven grades (with the eighth now forming) and employing seven sisters of Notre Dame as teachers. Plans and specifications for a new school building to cost forty thousand dollars are now in the hands of the pastor. If we consider this great progress, both of spiritual and material and accomplished in the remarkably short time of seven years, surely we can not but congratulate both pas- tor and congregation : pastor for having such a generous and willing flock ; congrega- tion for having such a prudent and self-sac-

rificing priest for pastor, through whose la- bor and efforts St. Joseph's has grown to- day what it is, one of the finest in southern Ohio.

ST. PETER'S CHURCH.

The prayers and hopes of a large fol- lowing among the Catholic laymen of the city of Hamilton, and especially in the first ward, found their realization in the beauti- ful edifice known as St. Peter's church, on Prospect Hill. The corner-stone was laid October 14, 1894, by the Very Rev. Vicar General J. C. Albrinck, and the dedication took place June 23, 1895. by the Most Rev. William Henry Elder. D. D., archbishop of Cincinnati.

The dimensions of the church building are fifty-nine feet and five inches by one hun- dred and five feet and eleven inches. The four class-rooms measure nineteen by thirty feet, and the tower has an altitude of ninety- two feet. The church is prominently located upon a beautiful eminence, and its spire at once catches the dawning glories of the ris- ing sun and reflects the mellowed splendors of the dying sunset.

With the recurrence of each anniver- sary a decided progress must be recorded in every branch of the workings of the church. An able and excellent staff of teachers is at the head of the schools, and well do the members appreciate and take advantage of this opportunity which they have of giving their children a thorough Christian educa- tion.

The various societies, both for the young and for the old, which are affiliated with the church, are constantly increasing in membership and are, indeed, proving them-

Digitized by Google

188

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF

selves to be the bulwarks of the congrega- tion. With that determination and good will so characteristic of that noble band of fifty-five sturdy men who knew no difficul- ties and who saved neither time, labor nor expense to found and to build up a church in the first ward, for which they and their venerable sires had wished and prayed for a score or more of years, the neat sum of twenty-five thousand dollars was contributed in less than nine years, so that at the present time the debt of St. Peter's church is re- duced to almost a minimum. Rev. Henry Proeppermann is the beloved pastor of the parish.

ST. VERONICA'S CHURCH, EAST HAMILTON.

In the year 1890 a land syndicate. called Improvement Syndicate of East Hamilton, was established, of which Messrs. L. Kahn. O. V. Parrish and M. Mosler were trustees. This syndicate was organized to make Ham- ilton greater, to draw outside factories and also families to East Hamilton. There were about fifteen Catholic families living in East Hamilton in 1894, the place was grow- ing and had good outlook to become a splen- did suburb of Hamilton. The Catholics at that time belonged to St. Joseph's parish. but for the most it was very inconvenient to attend to their religious duties in that church. The above-mentioned syndicate of- fered to Rev. Francis Varelman, pastor of St. Joseph's church, to Joseph J. Pater and other prominent Catholics of St. Joseph's congregation and to the Catholics in East Hamilton twelve lots situated on Shuler ave- nue west, and Kahn avenue east. between Beckett avenue north and Bender avenue south, under the condition that a church and other improvements of five thousand dollars' worth must be made thereon to be used for

Catholic religious purposes for twenty years, and after the elapse of this time the land, etc., should belong exclusively, to the future Catholic congregation in East Ham- ilton. This offer was accepted and the deed was recorded in January, 1894.

After several private meetings in St. Jo- seph's parsonage, a public meeting under the auspices of Rev. Francis Varelman,; Messrs. Joseph J. Pater, Bernard Pater, Ja- cob Martin, Fred J. Meyer, George J. Woel- fel and other prominent Catholics of St. Joseph's congregation, took place in Wab- beler's Hall, East Hamilton, on Sunday, January 28, 1894. Rev. F. Varelman opened the meeting and explained to those present the purpose of calling this meeting. viz .: to build a Catholic church in East Hamilton on the foresaid grounds. It was subsequently agreed upon that the follow- ing gentlemen, who were chosen in the first meeting January 28, 1894, to act as a build- ing committee, should remain in this office. viz: Messrs. Joseph J. Pater. George J. Woelfel, Philip Becht. Fred Mueller and Jacob Martin. The contract for excavating room for the cellar and for building the foundation for church and school was awarded to S. Wysong. Daugherty Bros. then built the church.

On Sunday, June 3. 1894. the founda- tion stone was laid by Rev. John Albrinck, vicar general. At the end of August, 1894. the building of church and school had made such progress that instruction to children could be given. Therefore the school started September 4, 1894. Two sisters of Notre Dame were teachers and started to instruct twenty-eight children in two rooms in the first floor of the building (the second floor was designated to be the church).

At a meeting Sunday, October 7, 1894.

Digitized by Google

189

BUTLER COUNTY, OHIO.

the following gentlemen were chosen first trustees pro tem : George J. Woelfel, Philip Becht and Fred Mueller. On the first Sun- day in Advent, December 2, 1894, the first holy sacrifice of mass was offered in St. Veronica church by the Rev. Henry Proep- permann. On May 5, 1895, the church was dedicated by the Most Rev. Archbishop William Henry Elder. At the solemn high mass coram episcopo the Very Rev. John Albrinck, V. G., was celebrant, Rev. Francis Varelman, deacon, Rev. Guido Stallo, O. F. M., subdeacon, and Rev. Henry Proep- permann was master of ceremonies. The cost of church and school complete with fur- niture, etc., was about five thousand two hundred dollars.

Rev. Francis Varelman is the founder of St. Veronica's congregation, who handed over its administration and affairs to Rev. Henry Proeppermann December 2, 1894. Rev. Henry Proeppermann remained pastor till July 13, 1895, and became the first pas- tor of St. Peter's church, West Hamilton, which congregation he had organized and built. July 13, 1895, Rev. George Franz was made pastor of St. Veronica church, and besides acted for about a year assistant pastor at St. Joseph's church, where he also boarded. Rev. George Franz left East Ham- ilton September 9, 1897, and became pastor of St. Anthony's church, Madisonville, Ohio, and on the same day Rev. George Geers took his place as pastor. He boarded for six months in St. Joseph's parsonage, but started building a house on the grounds of St. Veronica's property, northeast corner Beckett and Kahn avenues, at a cost of eigh- teen hundred dollars, which was completed and occupied in March, 1898, by Rev. George Geers. He left the congregation

October 26, 1899, being called to be pastor of the congregation "Mary of Perpetual Help," Sedamsville, Cincinnati, Ohio. On the same day Rev. Henry G. Kues was sent by the most reverend archbishop to be pas- tor of St. Veronica church.

In the year 1903 the church was en- larged, an addition of fifty-five feet was built to the old church, tower was raised twenty- six feet, and three new bells, twenty new painted windows, three new altars, two new school rooms, all at a cost of ten thousand dollars. April 1, 1903, this new addition was started and November 1, 1903, was dedicated by the Most Rev. Coadjutor Archbishop Henry Moeller.

ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, MIDDLETOWN.

St. John's Catholic church, Middletown, Ohio, was built in the year 1872. The first important meeting for this purpose was held in Theodore Ritter's harness store, No. 82 Third street, on the 28th day of January, 1872. In this meeting it was resolved by the German Catholics of Middletown, Ohio, to build a new church where the word of God would be preached to them in their mother tongue. The site chosen for the new church and school was the lot on Young street, a little below Third street, on which the present church and school stand. The lot was purchased from Mr. John Schafor for the sum of five hundred and fifty dollars.

The corner-stone was laid by the Most Rev. John B. Purcell, archbishop of Cin- cinnati, Ohio, on the 25th of August, 1872. Rev. John Mackey, at present writing the pastor of St. Peter's cathedral, Cincinnati, Ohio, preached the sermon on this occasion. A large concourse of people from Dayton,

Digitized by Google

190

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF

Hamilton, Miamisburg and the surrounding ing two large school rooms and a large hall country was present at this celebration.

Among those who served on different committees for the building of the church, the following were prominent : Messrs. Theodore Ritter, John Kaeser. John Ritter. Matthew Hepting, Frank Luibl, Peter Ger- ber. Nicolaus Graff, Philip Lindauer, Rob- ert Weishaar and John Stricker. Matthew Hepting presided over the first meetings. with Theodore Ritter as secretary.

The new congregation was placed in charge of the Franciscan fathers and Father Leitner, O. F. M., acted as first pastor of St. John's church. Fathers Jerome, Daniel. Carl Schoeppner. Stanislaus and Gabriel Lipps, all Franciscans, attended to the spir- itual wants of the new parish and also to the Catholic congregation at Trenton, Ohio.

St. John's church. Middletown. was only a mission. The priest did not live there. His home was in Hamilton, from where he came at stated times to visit his parish. A house in the rear of the church lot. which served the double purpose of parsonage and school, was built by Father Carl Schoepp- ner, O. F. M .. a short time after the church was finished.

Father Stanislaus, O. F. M., first brought the sisters of St. Francis from Old- enburg, Indiana, to take charge of the pa- rochial school in the year 1880.

Before Father Gabriel Lipps took charge of the congregation, several Franciscan fa- thers attended to the place during the short interval, namely. Fathers Heitman, Haver- tepe, Kreke, Angelus and Hoelscher. In the year 1882 Father Gabriel Lipps took charge. He remained as pastor for ten years and did a great deal to build up the congregation. He enlarged the school, add-

with stage for entertainments. He also added another room to the sacristy which he used as his office and sleeping room whenever he was obliged to stay over night. He was well liked by all and many regretted his leaving Middletown.

With him the charge of St. John's church passed from the Franciscan fathers into the hands of the secular clergy in 1892. The Most Rev. Archbishop William H. El- der appointed Rev. F. H. Bene as his suc- cessor, who then became the first resident pastor of St. John's church. His rooms were the two sacristies in the rear of the church.

The question of a suitable parsonage at once presented. It was debated "pro" and "con" for a time until, after mature deliber- ation, the congregation decided to purchase the adjoining property, which was the large and beautiful estate of Edward Jones, for eleven thousand and fifty dollars. A great venture it was, to load down a small con- gregation, which was still in debt to the amount of two thousand five hundred dol- lars with an additional burden of over eleven thousand dollars. The keen foresight of Father Bene proved correct in the end. To- day (1904) the congregation is receiving the congratulations of friends for their beau- tiful church property and also that they have paid their debts in full.

In the fall of 1896 Father Bene was suc- ceeded by Rev. A. M. Gerdes, who had for nine years been assistant to the Rev. Augustine M. Quatman, of St. Francis de Sales church, East Walnut Hills, Cincin- nati, Ohio. With patience and good will to all, he tried to win over the people and to wake up the dormant powers of the con-

Digitized by Google

191

BUTLER COUNTY, OHIO.

gregation. How well he succeeded is shown in the facts that the congregation has nearly doubled the number of its communicants, the debts that so heavily weighed on the congregation have now been entirely oblit- erated and instead there is now a handsome fund which forms a nucleus for a new school. During his regime ( 1897) the con- gregation celebrated its silver jubilee with great pomp in the presence of the Most Rev. Archbishop William H. Elder, prominent clergy and city and county officials. In Oc- tober. 1902. the church was frescoed and many articles were bought to beautify the church and make it as much as circum- stances would allow. a fit abode for the liv-

ing God. The beautiful and spacious lawn surrounding the church makes this church property one of which not merely members of the congregation but also every citizen of Middletown may be justly proud.

Some facts : First baptism-Anna Kel- ly, daughter of Cornelius Kelly and Apo- lonis Luibl. born February 4, 1874, baptized April 26, 1874. by Father Leitner, O. F. M. First marriage-Frank Waller and Mary Kaeser, married February 26, 1878, in church, Father Carl Schoeppner. O. F. M. First funeral-Maxmillian Pale. age forty- six years, husband of Elizabeth Pale (nee Gross), buried October 12. 1875 .- FATHER CARL SCHOEPPNER. O. F. M.

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.

Prior to 1802 Butler county had no resi- dent physicians. The first one to locate in the county was Dr. Squire Little, a native of New Jersey, who, after fitting himself for the practice of medicine. emigrated to the Northwest Territory about 1800 and lo- cated in Cincinnati. A year or two later he removed to Butler county, and located at Trenton, then called Bloomfield, where he practiced until some time in the forties.

About the same time a Dr. Sloan came to Fairfield township and boarded with the parents of Celedon Symmes. It is not known how long he practiced here, nor is it known where he located after leaving this section.

The first physician to locate at Hamilton was Dr. Jacob Lewis, also a native of New Jersey, who came here about 1802. He never practiced much, and in later years re- moved to his farm, where he died in 1851 of apoplexy.

Another early Hamilton physician was Dr. Lanier. He came here in 1805, and re- mained only a short time.

The first regular physician to practice in Hamilton for a long period was Dr. Daniel Millikin. He visited Hamilton in 1804 and in April, 1807, he and his two brothers, John and Samuel, left their home in Washing- ton county, Pennsylvania, and departed for Hamilton, where they arrived May 7, 1807. Here Dr. Millikin, located and soon acquired an extensive practice, which continued for nearly forty years. His professional career was not only protracted, but it was exces-

sively laborious and severe. As there were but few physicians, Dr. Millikin had an ex- tensive practice, that led into the adjoining counties. For continuous months his serv- ices were so much in demand that his aver- age imperfect rest did not exceed four or five hours out of the twenty-four. Besides he was subjected to great exposure, being

Digitized by Google

192

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF

obliged to travel over the bad roads on horseback, and in the most unpropitious weather. Dr. Millikin, however. was of a cheerful, genial temperament, and submit- ted to the hardships and discomforts of his professional life with but little complaint, though in his last years he suffered severely on account of the exposure endured in the earlier years of his practice. Dr. Robert B. Millikin, a brother of Dr. Daniel Millikin, commenced the practice of medicine in Ham- ilton about 1817 and devoted himself to it for many years. Afterward he engaged in the drug business in Rossville.

Dr. Slayback practiced in Hamilton for several years prior to 1818. Dr. Weily came here about 1819. Dr. Henry Baker and Dr. Samuel were here as partners in 1823. About 1822 or 1823 Dr. John C. Dunlevy came to Hamilton from Lebanon, Warren county. He was a very highly educated physician and occupied a leading place in the profession. He practiced at Hamilton until 1834, when he returned to Lebanon. Dr. Alexander Ramsey and Dr. Green lo- cated in Hamilton about 1819. Dr. L. W. Smith came in 1824, and about the same time Dr. Jeremiah Woolsey. In 1826 Dr. Loammi Rigdon, a native of Pennsylvania, and a graduate of the Transylvania Medical College, located in Hamilton, and became associated in the practice with Dr. Dunlevy. After the removal of Dr. Dunlevy to Leba- non, Dr. Rigdon took into partnership Dr. Cyrus Falconer.

Dr. Joab Hunt, of New Jersey, a gradu- ate of Jefferson Medical College, arrived in Hamilton in 1831 and for two years was the partner of Dr. R. B. Millikin, of Rossville, after which he removed to Mississippi. Just before the advent of Dr. Hunt, Dr. Rich-

mond Brownell, who had studied medicine with Dr. R. B. Millikin at the same time as Dr. Cyrus Falconer, removed to Paducah, Kentucky.

Dr. Jacob Hittell came to Butler county in 1839, and after spending three years in Trenton and Rossville, removed to Hamil- ton, where he practiced with great success until 1865, when he abandoned his profes- sion and moved back to his old home in Pennsylvania.

Dr. William Kelley, who had studied with Dr. R. B. Millikin, practiced several years, probably from 1834 to 1836, and then removed to Mississippi.

Dr. Loyal Fairman was a physician in Trenton about 1828, remaining there seven or eight years.

Dr. Luther Jewett, a native of New Eng- land, came to Trenton in 1834, and formed a partnership with Dr. Littell. Later he en- gaged in business on his own account. Dr. Schoenfield and Dr. James Graft are at president the resident physicians of Tren- ton.

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.

Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, Part 28

Author: Bert S. Bartlow, W. H. Todhunter, Stephen D. Cone, Joseph J. Pater, Frederick Schneider, and others Publication date: 1905 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1149

Author: Bert S. Bartlow, W. H. Todhunter, Stephen D. Cone, Joseph J. Pater, Frederick Schneider, and others
Publication date: 1905
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1149