CHURCH: Benedictine Fathers, Part II, Cambria Co., PA - pp. 249-288
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THE BENEDICTINE FATHERS IN CAMBRIA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Part II
THE MISSIONS
1930
By THE REV. MODESTUS WIRTNER, O. S. B.
PERMISSU SUPERIORUM
CENTENARY OF ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH 249
PATTON, PA.
Long before a white man set foot in Cambria County, Patton had been the site of
an Indian town. The clear field extended from the present bridge, across Chest
Creek, to beyond the silk mill with a cemetery above the bridge on the opposite
side of the Creek on property now owned by John Bigos. The early settlers tell
of seeing the cornstubbles and large heaps of clams on both shores of the creek.
John McGuire built a grist mill for the Honorable John Buck in East Carroll
Township in 1848 and in the following year 1849 he built another mill here on
the Chest creek for himself. This place was then called McGuire's Mill until
sold to Ferdinand Marks when it became Marks town. Marks built an overflow to
his dam and when Squire Mellon saw it he objected to its location, claiming that
a heavy rain would wash away the Indian cemetery, which soon after happened
during the night washing a 16-20 feet hole in the opposite shore and removed all
the Indian graves and grave stones. The inhabitants of Marks town were Ferdinand
Marks, Henry Mellon, Simon Bortman, Augustine Burkey and Enoch Short.
In order to have better facilities for taking the coal from Hastings to the main
line George B. Roberts, President of the P. R. R., built the main stem of the
Cambria and Clearfield division from Garway through Marks town to Kaylor
station, now Ebensburg Junction, including the Susquehanna extension from
Bradley Junction to Spangler (and later to Cherry Tree in 1893) and put it into
service on August 1, 1892.
The Chest Creek Land and Improvement Co. of Curwensville, Clearfield County
surveyed and laid out the town of Patton, which increased so rapidly that
Patton, taken from Carroll, Chest, Clearfield and Elder Townships, by a decree
of the Court, dated September 4, 1893, was incorporated into a borough and named
after Governor John Patton of Curwensville.
The Rt. Rev. Archabbot Andrew Hintenach, O. S. B., on a visit to Carrolltown,
was informed of the necessity of building churches at Patton and Spangler. The
Rt. Rev. Archabbot placed the facts before the Rt. Rev. Richard
250 CENTENARY OF ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH
Phelan, D. D., Bishop of Pittsburgh, who approving the building of the churches
placed them in charge of the Benedictine Fathers. The Rt. Rev. Archabbot
requested Father Edwin O. S. B., to acquire a site for the church and to begin
building. Lots 1, 2, 3, in block 28, were bought on September 21, 1892, from the
Chest Creek Land and Improvement Co., and another parcel of land on September
29, 1892, from John Karlheim and wife. A meeting of all those interested in the
erection of a church was called, the present site chosen, a building committee
appointed to work under the direction of Father Edwin and finally the contract
for a frame building 35x55 feet, seating capacity 350 persons, was let to D. A.
Luther, a contractor of Carrolltown. The congregation took in all Catholic
families living within two or three miles from town.
The Rev. Macarius Schmitt, O. S. B., the first pastor, arriving at Carrolltown
in September, 1893, celebrated the first High Mass in the church, furnished with
an altar and benches for pews, on October 7, 1893, and on the next day a Requiem
High Mass. The choir of St. Boniface rendering the music and singing on both
days. The church was dedicated by the Very Rev. Vincent Huber, O. S. B., Prior
of St. Vincent Archabbey, on Sunday, November 5, 1893, in honor of the Blessed
Virgin of Perpetual Help. Mass was now celebrated every other Sunday until
September, 1897, when Father Isidore Fuesel, O. S. B., rented rooms from Mr.
John Yahner. May 29, 1894, four acres of land were purchased from L. B. and
George Cassidy for a cemetery.
The membership of the church growing so rapidly required a larger church, so
ground was broken for a new edifice. The ceremony of laying the Corner Stone was
held by the Very Rev. Michael Hoffmayr, O. S. B., Prior at Carrolltown, on March
22, 1898, assisted by the Rev. Francis X. McCarthy of St. Augustine, the
Benedictine Fathers Alto Herr and Maximillian Herr, of St. Boniface, Innocent
Andelfinger of Hastings, who preached the sermon, and Eusebius Geiger, the
pastor. The Rev. Edwin Pierron, O. S. B., took charge of the congregation in
August and in April, 1899 finished the church, made of stone and brick, 56x120
feet, seating about 800, in style of architecture Romanesque. The rectory was
now built and in September of the same year completed by William Herbert, the
contractor of the church.
CENTENARY OF ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH 251
Rt. Rev. Bishop Phelan, D. D., dedicated the church on Sunday, 23rd of April.
Quite a number of priests of the region attended, and the dedicatory sermon was
preached by the Rev. Edward Andelfinger, O. S. B., of St. Vincent College. The
sanctuary having been built in 1905 the church was then decorated.
In July 1912, two parcels of land, 100x140, were purchased from William H.
Sanford and H. C. Yeager for $4,000.00 On one of them a neat 12-roomed frame
residence had been erected some years before which was to serve as a convent for
the Sisters; on the other a two-story stone and brick parochial school was
erected in 1912, finished in August, 1913, and opened on September 8, with an
attendance of 210 children in charge of six Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of
Mary from Scranton, Pa.
This arrangement, as far as architectural style demands, brings the church,
rectory, school and convent in practical and convenient alignment with a
frontage of 300 feet on 5th Avenue, - thus making it for a small rural town of
3,000 population, one of the neatest church properties in the diocese of
Altoona.
The Rev. Edwin Pierron, O. S. B., born in Selonge, Belgium, December 25, 1846,
came to this country at an early age with his parents, who shortly after their
arrival, moved to St. Nicholas, Wisconsin. Father Edwin met a Benedictine Father
of St. Benedict College, Atchison, Kansas, who perceiving the budding vocation
induced him to become a Benedictine. He entered the Benedictine Order at St.
Vincent in 1869, and made his Simple Profession December 28, 1870, three years
later pronounced his Solemn Vows, and on December 14, 1874, was ordained to the
Holy Priesthood.
During his clericate years and the first few years of his sacerdotal life he was
professor of English and Latin at St. Vincent College. He also took quite an
interest in Botany and taught it at the College in the late seventies. In 1876
Father Edwin received the first prize for the largest and best arranged
Botanical collection at the Centennial Exposition held at Philadelphia. This
collection is now in the College Museum at St. Vincent.
Father Edwin was one of the pioneer Fathers of the Benedictine Monastry at
Belmont, N. C., where in 1878 he became the Director of the Belmont College
connected with
252 CENTENARY OF ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH
St. Mary's Church, Patton [photograph]
CENTENARY OF ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH 253
the Monastery. In 1881 he was appointed assistant pastor at Carrolltown, and in
February, 1890, was appointed pastor of St. Bernard's church, Hastings. In
September, 1897, he was appointed curate at St. Boniface church, N. S.,
Pittsburgh, and in July, 1898, was made Pastor of St. Benedict's church,
Baltimore, Md. Going to Baltimore he landed in the St. Agnes Hospital and on the
following week removing to Cambria County took charge of the congregation at
Patton. On July 11, 1922, he resigned his office as pastor here on account of
infirmities due to old age but remained here living in a home built for him by
Patton friends near the church, and was able to celebrate daily Mass until two
days before his death, January 30, 1930. He died as the oldest in rank in the
profession of his vows of the priests of St. Vincent Archabbey.
Father Edwin was an humble priest. He was offered the privilege of celebrating
his first Mass on the Sunday following his ordination in the Archabbey church,
but he celebrated a private Mass the day following his ordination. On the
occasion of his Silver Jubilee and again on his Golden Jubilee of the priesthood
friends requested him to celebrate the occasions, but he only said a private
Mass of thanksgiving to God for blessings received.
Perhaps no priest in Northern Cambria County was better known than was Father
Edwin. He was the beloved pastor of St. Mary's congregation from the time of its
inception, and his acquaintanceship in Patton covered practically everybody,
regardless of creed. Relatives of Father Edwin reside in St. Nicholas,
Wisconsin. He had two sacerdotal nephews who preceded him to their eternal
reward with five other sacerdotal nephews residing in the archdiocese of
Milwaukee.
Father Edwin, having resigned his pastorate in June, 1922, on account of
infirmities due to advanced age, the Rev. Henry Schwener, O. S. B., continued
the work for Father Edwin. Father Henry has placed a hard wood floor in the then
uneven floor of the sanctuary, a similar floor in the rectory to replace the
worn soft wood floor and had the walls of the church cleaned so that it now
appears to have been recently decorated.
254 CENTENARY OF, ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH
George Prindible is Knighted by Bishop McCort.
Patton, July 15, 1929. - St. Mary's church was crowded this afternoon by members
of the congregation, priests of the Altoona diocese and numerous business
associates of George E. Prindible; the occasion being the investure of this
prominent Patton manufacturer as a knight of the Order of St. Gregory, one of
the highest honors that can be bestowed upon a Catholic layman. The knighting of
Mr. Prindible was at the instance of Pops Pius XI, whose edict elevating the
Patton man to knighthood was read by the Rev. Father Henry O. S. B., pastor of
St. Mary's church.
The papal orders, in Latin, were read by Father Henry and the translation was
also given, following which Mr. Prindible entered the sanctuary and was declared
a Sir Knight of the Order of St. Gregory the Great by the Rt. Rev. John J.
McCort, D. D., Bishop of Altoona diocese. In honoring Mr. Prindible in
accordance with the papal edict, Bishop McCort spoke in glowing words of the
work of Catholic laymen of the type of George E. Prindible - and Dr. John B.
McAneny of Johnstown, also present, who likewise had been selected for
knighthood in the Order of St. Gregory.
The Bishop stated that while there are other Catholic men in the diocese
deserving of Knighthood, Sir Knight Prindible and Dr. McAaneny were chosen as
representatives of deserving men and for the manner in which they have for many
years championed worthwhile ideals, together with their expression of Christian
charity.
Bishop McCort gave Benediction with the Blessed Sacrament assisted by the Rev.
Father J. E. O'Connor, pastor of St. Edward's church, Barnesboro, and the Rev.
Father Alphonse, of the Holy Cross church, Spangler. Members of the Fourth
degree assembly, Knights of Columbus, were present in full regalia. Sr. Knight
Prindible is a member of Barnesboro Council Knights of Columbus.
Among the priests present were the Rt. Rev. Msgr. John N. Codori, LL. D., V. G.,
Johnstown; the Rev. Msgr. H. M. O'Neil, V. F., of Ebensburg; the Rev. James
Graven and Innocent Strittmatter, Cresson; Victor Francovsky, and P.
Trtztrzynski, Barnesboro; Pollard Farren, St. Augustine; James Padden, Chest
Springs; George Quinn, Spangler; William Griffin, John Sullivan, the Rev. Dr. J.
P. M. Doyle, T. O. R., Raphael Breheny, T. O. R., Loretto; Francis Smyth,
Charles Smyth, T. O. R., Barnesboro; the Very Rev.
CENTENARY OF ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH 255
Thomas Wolf, O. S. B., Raphael, O. S. B., Carrolltown; Modestus Wirtner, O. S.
B., St. Boniface; Marinus Ferg, O. S. B., Nicktown; Stephen Wieland, O. S. B.,
Hastings; Adrian O. S. B., Patton; Damien Whelan, O. S. B., St. Lawrence.
Among the laymen present were Dr. and Mrs. John Sagerson, Mrs. Mary S. Dillon,
Philip E. Caulfield, Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Cavenaugh and Attorney C. C. Greer,
Johnstown; I. E. Lewis and John Wolf, Ebensburg.
Although some families have left Patton during the administration of Father
Henry the Catholic societies have a large membership. The Rosary society heads
the list with 312 members; the Holy Name with 121; the Propagation of the Faith
with 112 members. The Irish Catholic Benevolent Union, organized in 1907 with 30
members has now over 124 members.
President Lucy Cooper
Vice-President Josephine Lilly
Treasurer Mary Fisher
Financial Secretary Jennie Sanker
Recording Secretary Mary Stoltz
The Catholic Knights of St. George was organized May 18, 1908, with 25 members
and now has 146 members.
1908 1930
Rudolph Gauntner President George Lehman
Sebastian J. Burley Vice-President Milton Stoltz
I. T. Long Recording Secretary Maximillian Gill
I. T. Long Treasurer Ted Yahner
The Ancient Order of Hibernians.
President Mark Brown
Vice-President Ronald Lamont
Secretary Treasurer H. S. Buck
256 CENTENARY OF ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH
St. George's Church, Patton [photograph]
CENTENARY OF ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH 257
S. George's Church, Patton, Pa.
The Slovaks of St. Mary's church from here and Thomas' Mill requested Father
Edwin to sell them the old frame church to be used as a church for the Slovaks.
Father Edwin replied the Bishop consenting that another church be established in
Patton, he would donate them the old St. Mary's church building provided that
they would remove it to the next lot, (on which later the house was built in
which Father Edwin died), and that the priest could then live in St. Mary's
rectory.
This state of affairs having been presented to the Rt. Rev. Eugene A. Garvey,
Bishop of Altoona, who requested the Rt. Rev. Andrew Hintenach, O. S. B.,
Archabbot of St. Vincent Archabbey, to take charge of the Slovak congregation,
the Rev. Francis Xavier Traxler, O. S. B., of Spangler, was placed in charge of
the new congregation. The Slovak families desiring to be away from St. Mary's
church so as to live near their church, bought the present site on Second
Avenue, then swampy ground for $400.00, built a stone wall foundation, tore down
the old church and rebuilt it on its present site with a seating capacity of 250
persons. The Rev. Father Rupert having installed a new altar in St. Nicholas
church, Nicktown, donated the old marble altar to the church. When completed the
church cost $3,561.17.
The Patton Courier, September 6, 1907 states: "A feature of Labor Day, Monday,
September 2, was the dedication of the new Slavish Roman Catholic church. The
different Hungarian and Polish societies marched from St. Mary's church to the
sacred edifice headed by the Patton Silver Cornet Band and made an imposing
appearance. The exercises were not conducted in English but were attentively
listened to by a large congregation." The Rev. Edwin Pieron, O. S. B., dedicated
the church in honor of St. George Martyr, assisted by the pastor Father Francis
Xavier Traxler, O. S. B., and the Rev. Wenceslaus Sholar, O. S. B., who
celebrated the High Mass and preached the dedicatory sermon, and the Rev.
Marcellus Rettger, O. S. B., of Carrolltown.
Father Mercellus held services for the next three weeks.
Father Francis Xavier, coming from Spangler, held services once a month
preaching his sermons in the langu-
258 CENTENARY OF ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH
age of the people, while the Rev. Ambrose Kohlbeck, O. S. B., coming from St.
Vincent Archabbey held the services on the other Sundays until February, 1908,
when the Rev. Clarence Kaiser, O. S. B., relieved him. However, the Rev. Albert
Huber, O. S. B., and Sylvester Schwab, O. S. B., were each here visiting on two
Sundays.
September, 1909, the Rev. Augustine Minkel, O. S. B., replaced Father Francis
Xavier, coming once a month until August, 1910. The Rev. Modestus Wirtner, 0. S.
B., relieved Father Clarence in November, 1909, and was succeeded by the Rev.
Herman Schorer, O. S. B., in January, 1910.
The Rev. Method Shestik, O. S. B., September, 1910, was the first resident
pastor. He bought an ostensorium and held also Sunday afternoon services every
Sunday, placed two side altars in the church with the Pieta statue, improved the
grounds to get rid of at least part of the swamp for a suitable place to erect a
rectory which he began to build the following year and on May 3, 1912, took
formal possessin of the same. During the same year in September he opened the
St. George Parochial School in the hall beneath the church. A depression in the
coal market made itself felt here and in the following year on the advice of
Bishop Garvey the school was discontinued. The teacher received $108.75 for his
term of teaching and the pastor $249.00 as his salary for the year.
The present rector, the Rev. Adrian Krakowski, O. S. B., took charge in
September, 1917. In removing the last vestiges of the swamp the rectory is now
surrounded by a beautiful lawn, lovely beds of flowers and a fertile garden.
Father Adrian has paid the debt on the church, painted and placed a new roof on
the church, bought an organ, frescoed and decorated the church, placed stained
glass in the windows, placed new altars in the church, added a new room to the
rectory, sold the picnic grounds and placed a heating plant in the church and
rectory. The congregation is not large, yet able to meet all expenses. The
Apostilship of Prayer has 96 members, the Holy Name Society 68, the Rosary
Society 45, the Children of Mary 40, the Altar Society 24, the Young Ladies
Sodality 23, the Ladies Aid 30, the Propagation of the Faith 32. The Catholic
Knights of St. George are affiliated with the society at St. Mary's church.
CENTENARY OF ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH 259
The Indian Pottery Works.
The Indian vilage has been noticed at Patton. To those Indians must be referred
the pottery works discovered about a fourth of a mile from here on Peter
Strittmatter's farm on the road to Carrolltown. Aloysius T. Strittmatter states
that when a boy of ten years his father while plowing the field along the road
turned up (about four rods from the road and the same distance from the
Carrolltown end of the woods) many pieces of nicely decorated Indian pottery.
The spot was about 5 by 10 feet where the pottery was found. Aloysius and his
brother Paul amused themselves smashing the pieces of pottery. Mr. Strittmatter
is able to locate the spot where the pottery was seen but the place suffered a
wash and it is about five feet of a dig to the bottom.
260 CENTENARY OF ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH
Holy Cross Church, Spangler [photograph]
CENTENARY OF ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH 261
HOLY CROSS CHURCH
SPANGLER, PA.
After starting a number of extensive coal mines in the vicinity of Hastings, the
Blubaker Coal Company extended their operations to another field along the
Susquehanna river, three miles due west from Hastings. Here they laid out
another town, taken from Barr Township and made a borough by a decree of the
Court dated November 13, 1893, and named in honor of Colonel J. L. Spangler. The
surrounding population, being likewise Catholic, a demand for a church might
reasonably be expected ere long. The facts having been placed before the Bishop,
Archabbot Andrew Hintenach, O. S. B., requested the Rev. Edwin Pierron, O. S.
B., to select a site for a church. Accordingly in April, 1892, he called a
meeting of all citizens interested in the prospective church, at which several
sites were proposed and their merits freely discussed. The location on which the
old church (now called St. Patrick's church) was finally selected, a building
commitee appointed, funds raised, a frame structure 35x55 feet built by William
Lantzy and furnished late in 1893 at a cost of about $2,500.00. The Rev. Norbert
Gerstl, O. S. B., appointed its first pastor, resided for a while at Carrolltown
and then roomed with Michael Kirsch of Spangler, until the ladies of the
congregation had placed furniture in the room in the basement of the church.
Later, some twenty families of Slovaks being members of the congregation, the
Rev. Francis Xavier Traxler, O. S. B., was placed in charge in March, 1895.
Three years later the church was too small. All the land between Spangler and
Barnesboro was laid out in lots and streets ran from Barnesboro past the lot
upon which now the new church was built. The new site was to be centrally
located between Spangler and Barnesboro where fifteen Catholic families lived.
The cemetery (so far all interments had been made in Carrolltown) was donated by
John G. C. Bearer, and the new church lots were bought from the Spangler
Improvement Co., 14th of October, 1899.
In the spring of 1889, ground was broken for the new church. On Sunday, June 11,
1899, at 4 P. M., after Vespers
262 CENTENARY OF ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH
the societies left the church and proceeded to the new site, where the Very Rev.
Michael Hoffmann, O. S. B., Prior at Carrolltown, blessed the Corner Stone and
preached the sermon; present were the Benedictine Fathers Alto Herr, Rupert
Tragesser, Innocent Andelfinger, Leonard Schlim, Othmar Knoll and the pastor.
Architect William East drew the plans and John S. Dumm built the church for
$1,000.00.
The Rt. Rev. Leander Schnerr, O. S. B., Archabbot of St. Vincent Archabbey,
Latrobe, Pa., dedicated the church in honor of the Holy Cross on Sunday,
December 17, 1899. A solemn High Mass was then celebrated by the Rev. Leonard
Schlim, assisted by the Rev. Edward Andelfinger, O. S. B., who preached an
elegant dedicatory sermon, and Aurelius Stehle, O. S. B., (later Archabbot) as
deacon and subdeacon with Father Francis Xavier the master of the ceremonies. At
four P. M., after Vespers the Rt. Rev. Arch-abbot blessed the bells. A couple of
years later Andrew Carnegie presented the church with a large organ which means
the congregation had to pay one half of the costs.
The expectations of Father Francis Xavier that the people would build upon the
higher grounds near the church were not realized because the Electric Trolley
Line began running on January 26, 1906, (abandoned August 1, 1926) over the old
Plank or River road and the new comers built along that road.
The Holy Cross parochial school building was erected in 1921-22 by the Rev.
Cornelius Enders, O. S. B., and blessed by the Rt. Rev. John J. McCort, D. D.,
on Labor Day, September 4, 1922. The dedicatory address was given by the Rev.
Urban J. Peters, a son of the parish. The school (with 96 children for the 1929-
30 term) was opened September 5, 1922, by four Sisters of Mercy who moved into
their convent on October 19, 1922. The first shovel of dirt making the beginning
of the convent was lifted by the Rev. James Spalding, O. S. B., on April 4,
1922. The Rev. Leopold Probst, O. S. B., D.Ph., the next pastor was instrumental
in receiving for the congregation a $250.00 ostensorium which is indeed a
wonderful piece of art. The reading of last year's statement by the Rev.
Alphonse Farley, O. S. B., showed that the congregation is working courageously
in harmony with the pastor in spite of the depression in the coal trade.
The report also shows that 130 members belong to the
CENTENARY OF ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH 263
Rosary Society, 60 to the Holy Name Society, 47 to the Children of Mary
Sodality, 45 to the Ladies Aid with a Catholic population of 475. The Borough
had a population of 3628 in 1920 which declined to 2985 in 1930.
Sixteen men of the congregation formed Branch No. 60 of the Catholic Knights of
St. George which was organizon October 23, 1905.
1905 1930
John McCormick President Francis Farrel
Peter Stoltz Vice-President Luke Kirsch
Anthony Schnabel Treasurer John Schisler
Anthony Schnabel Recording Secretary Joseph Kline
Francis Peters Marshal Nicholas Peters
An Indian Village.
Francis H. Bearer, son of J. G. C. Bearer states that an Indian cemetery was
located on the Dan. Heimbach (Andrew Eckenrode) farm west of his father's farm,
that about and before 1870 he oftentimes visited the cemetery and as fas as he
remembers there were a dozen or more Indian headstones to be seen in the place
among the trees. Sheriff Joseph Gray states that among those graves were buried
the 13-year-old son of Isaac Gifford of near Nicktown and a young man named
Barkstresser. With Sheriff Gray walked the writer to the place, N. E. of St.
Mary's Greek Catholic church, and found the place had been under cultivation for
some years and no sign of any tombstones. Daniel Garman relates that John Moore,
a half breed, from here led Zephania Weakland, whom he blindfolded, to a place
on the Moss Creek and showed him a deposit of lead in the creek.
264 CENTENARY OF ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH
RELIGIOUS CLERGY
Continuation of Page 147.
Carrolltown add:
The Rev. Michael Hlavcak, O. S. B., ordained July 2, 1916.
The Ven. Blase Strittmatter, O. S. B., professed July 2, 1926.
St. Lawrence:
The Rev. Joseph Eger, grandson of Jacob Gill, ordained 8th of July, 1886, is the
Permanent Rector of St. Joseph's church, Braddock, Pa.
St. Boniface:
The Rev. Maurus Hartman, O. S. B., ordained June 8, 1895, and on June 13, the
feast of Corpus Christi, celebrated his first Mass in St Boniface church. Father
Maurus, born 11th November, 1868, at Bally, Pa., came here in the following year
with his parents James Hartman and Barbara nee Angele and later made his higher
studies at St. Vincent College, Latrobe, Pa., where he entered the Benedictine
Order on July 11, 1890. Excepting one year at St. Anselm College, Manchester, N.
H., he spent the term of his priesthood at St. Vincent Archabbey first as a
professor then as the Procurator until the fall of 1911 when he was sent to St.
Mary's, Pa. In the following May he attended the clerical conference at Erie,
Pa., and was stricken with appendicitis which caused his death on the 17th of
May, 1912. Interment took place in the St. Vincent Archabbey cemetery.
The Rev. Thomas Ott, son of Thomas Ott and Mary nee Blum, born June 1, 1872,
baptized also by Father Michael Hofmayer, made his classical studies at St.
Vincent College, Latrobe, Pa., and the theological course at St. Bernard
College, St. Bernard, Alabama. Father Ott, ordained on the 25th of July, 1897 in
Covington, Ky., by the Rt. Rev. Camillus Paul Maes, D. D., for the diocese of
Covington,
CENTENARY OF ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH 265
Ky., celebrated his first Mass here in St. Boniface church on August the first.
Father Denis Stolz, who preached the sermon, and Father Maurus Hartman assisted
as deacon and subdeacon, Father Alphonse as assistant priest with Father Alto,
the pastor, as master of ceremonies. On the following Sunday he celebrated the
High Mass at St. Lawrence. Father Ott was stationed at Lexington, Ky., Newport,
Alexandria, Morning View and finally at St. John's Hill where he died on May 15,
1907. Interment took place in the family lot in St. Benedict's cemetery,
Carrolltown, Pa.
The Rev. Henry Becker, O. S. B., born August 10, 1876, son of Charles Becker and
Catharine nee Huber, baptized by Father Michael Hofmayr, O. S. B., made his
classical and philosophical course at St. Vincent College, Latrobe, Pa., and the
theological studies at St. Anselm College, Manchester, N. H. Having been
ordained to the priesthood on June 29, 1902, in the cathedral of Manchester by
the Rt. Rev. Denis M. Bradley, the first Bishop of Manchester, Father Henry
celebrated his first Mass on the following sixth of July at St. Boniface.
Fathers Anselm and Maurus were the deacon and subdeacon, Father Alphonse Heimler
the assistant priest, Father Vincent Huber the orator and Father Maximillian,
the pastor, master of the ceremonies. Father Henry labored as the curate of the
Sacred Heart Church, Elizabeth, N. J., from September 1902, to September, 1903;
curate of St. Benedict's church, Newark, to September, 1903; professor at St.
Benedict's College, Newark, to September, 1904; professor at St. Anselm College,
Manchester, N. H., to 1909; curate at the Sacred Heart church, Elizabeth, N. J.,
to 1910; professor at St. Benedict's College, Newark to 1912; curate at St.
Benedict's church, Newark, to 1927; rector of St. Raphael's church, Manchester,
N. H., to October, 1927, when he was appointed as the Very Rev. Prior of St.
Mary's Monastery, Delbarton, Morristown,, P. O., N. J.
The Rev. Placidus Rattenberger, O. S. B., although not born here, was ordained
to the holy priesthood on the 21st of December, 1918, and celebrated his first
Mass at St. Boniface on the next Sunday, December 22, 1918. Father Placidus is
at present a member of the faculty of St. Emma's Industrial and Agricultural
College, Rock Castle "Belmead," Powhatan County, Va.
266 CENTENARY OF ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH
[photograph]
BENEDICTINE FATHERS IN NORTHERN CAMBRIA COUNTY
First row, left to right—Stephen Wieland, Marinus Ferg,
Thomas Wolf, Modestus Wirtner, Berthold Neuhauser.
Second row, left to right—William Goetz, Damien Whelan,
Henry Schwener, Adrian Krakowski, Alphonse Farley, Kevin Lynsky.
CENTENARY OF ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH 267
The Rev. Brother Elijius Abel is with the Christian Brothers, San Francisco,
Cal.
Nicktown:
The Rev. Francis Pearns, an orphan boy, was sent by the pastor of St. Nicholas
church, to St. Vincent College, Latrobe, Pa., where he made all of his studies
for the priesthood. The Rt. Rev. Regis Canivin, D. D., ordained him for the
diocese of Pittsburgh and on Sunday, June 27, 1909, he celebrated his first Mass
in St. Nicholas church. Father Pearns is in charge of St. Joseph's church,
Roscoe, Washington County, Pa.
Hastings:
Rev. Bernard Weakland, baptized in St. Bernard's church, by the Rt. Rev. Eugene
A. Garvey, ordained May 13, 1917, said his first Mass in St. Patrick's church,
Spangler. He is listed in the Official Catholic Directory as stationed at
Denver, Colorado.
The Rev. Frederic Strittmatter, O. S. B., born in Hastings, October 25, 1894,
made his religious profession July 2, 1917, was ordained priest June 24, 1923,
and celebrated his first Mass on Sunday, July 1, at 8 A. M., in St. Bernard's
church. He was placed on the staff of professors at St. Vincent college and
given charge also of the Sacred Heart church at Youngstown, Pa. In the summer of
1929 he was appointed Director of St. Emma's Industrial and Agricultural
College, Belmead, Rock Castle, P. O., Powhatan Co., Va.
The Rev. Denis Strittmatter, O. S. B., born in Hastings, August 18, 1896, made
his religious profession July 2, 1917, raised to the priesthood June 24, 1923,
and on July 1, at 10:30 A. M., celebrated his first Mass, Father Luke
Eichenlaub, O. S. B., preaching the sermon. During the years of his priesthood
he was one of the Professors in St. Vincent College, curate in the Abbey church
for one year, then assistant pastor at the Sacred Heart church, at Jeannette,
Pa., finally curate at St. Mary's church, N. S., Pittsburgh, Pa. In 1929 he was
placed at the head of one of the departments in St. Emma's Industrial and
Agricultural College, Belmead, Va.
The Rev. Germane Anna, O. S. B., born at St. Boniface, March 25, 1898, made his
studies at St. Vincent College
268 CENTENARY OF ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH
where he entered the Order, making his profession July 2, 1920, and was ordained
to the priesthood June 13, 1926, celebrating his first Mass on the Sunday
following in St. Bernard's church. Father Germane was sent to St. Joseph's
church, Covington, Ky., as the assistant. In the following January his health
became impaired and he was ordered to St. Vincent Archabbey where he remained
until the anniversary of his first Mass when he died of pleurisy and
hemorrhages.
The Rev. John C. Gordon, a former resident of this place, a 1914 graduate from
the Hastings High school, made his theological studies at Mt. St. Mary's
Seminary, Md., was ordained Tuesday, June 12, 1928, and celebrated his first
Mass in St. Edward's church, Barnesboro.
The Rev. Innocent Strittmatter, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. T. Strittmatter, was
elevated to the priesthood in St. Leo's church, Altoona, by the Rt. Rev. John J.
McCort, D. D., on February 3, 1929. He celebrated his first solemn High Mass in
St. Bernard's church, Sunday, February 10, at 10:30 A. M. The text of the Rev.
Urban J. Peters was: "You have not chosen me; but I have chosen you; and have
appointed you, that you should go, and should bring forth fruit; and your fruit
should remain; that whatsoever you shall ask of the Father in My Name, he may
give you." (John XV 16-19.) He is the assistant at St. Francis church, Cresson,
Pa.
The Rev. Cyprian Yahner, son of Isidore P. Yahner and Mary L. nee Wilt, was born
at Hastings, December 28, 1902, made all his higher studies at St. Vincent
College where he was professed as a member of the Benedictine order on July 2,
1924. He was ordained on
Patton:
The Rev. Anthony Choby of St. George's church was ordained February 27, 1926,
celebrated his first holy Mass in St. George's church on Sunday, February 28. He
studied at St. Vincent and finished at St. Francis, Loretto, Pa. He is assistant
at St. Stephen's church, Johnstown, Pa.
The Rev. Jeremiah P. Flynn, son of Mrs. Ella Flynn and the late Jeremiah P.
Flynn, born here ____, received his early education in the parochial school
here, his higher studies in St. Francis college, was ordained by the Rt. Rev.
Bishop John J. McCort, D. D., February 3, 1929, for
CENTENARY OF ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH 269
the diocese of Altoona. Father Flynn celebrated his first Mass at St. Mary's
church, Sunday, February 10, at 10 A. M., with the Rev. Anthony Choby, a former
Patton young man of St. George's parish, now of Johnstown, as deacon of the
mass; the Rev. Joseph O'Leary, S. T. D., as subdeacon, the Rev. Father Henry, O.
S. B., rector of St. Mary's church, as the Archpriest. The Very Rev. John P. M.
Doyle, D. D., T. O. R., Rector of St. Francis Seminary preached the sermon.
Father Flynn is the assistant at St. John's church, Johnstown, Pa.
Spangler:
The Rev. Urban J. Peters, born here July 16, 1895, baptized July 21, 1895 by the
Rev. Francis Xavier Traxler, O. S. B., made his classical and theological
studies at old St. Vincent, Latrobe, Pa. The Rt. Rev. Eugene A. Garvey ordained
him a priest for the Diocese of Altoona on December 18, 1920, and on the
following day, December 19, celebrated his first holy Mass in the Holy Cross
Church. Beside doing parochial work Father Peters was the Diocesan
Superintendent of the Diocesan schools for several years, then was appointed
Diocesan Director of the Society of the Propagation of the Faith and Diocesan
Director of the Association of the Holy Childhood. His address is the Rev. Urban
J. Peters, 5536 Roselawn Avenue, Altoona, Pa.
The Venerable Patrick McKivigan, O. S. B., born in the Holy Cross parish on
February 3, 1907, made his classical studies at St. Vincent College, Latrobe,
Pa., entered the Benedictine Order and took his Solemn Vows on the second of
July, 1927, and is now engaged in his theological studies.
270 CENTENARY OF ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH
SISTERS OF THE PARISHES
Add to Page 148.
Carrolltown.
Sr. M. Margaret (Edna) Dunlap, O. S. B., St. Mary Convent, 4532 Perryville
Road, N. S. Pittsburgh, Pa.
Sr. M. Pauline (Rosemary) Stevens, O. S. B., St. Mary Convent, 4532
Perryville Road, N. S., Pittsburgh, Pa.
Sr. M. Norberta (Anna) Michrina, O. S. B., St. Mary Convent, 4532
Perryville Road, N. S., Pittsburgh, Pa.
Sr. M. Callista Grasberger, O. S. B., Philadelphia.
Sr. Mary of the Visitation Grasberger, Sister of St. Joseph.
Sr. M. Vincentia Volk, Sr. of Charity, Greensburg, Pa.
Sisters of the Good Shepherd are:
Sr. M. Augustine (Mary E.) Burne. Buffalo, N. Y.
Sr. M. Immaculata Kohler, Troy Hill, Pittsburgh, Pa.
St. Boniface.
Sr. M. Lucy (Rose) Becker, O. S. B., Elizabeth, N. J.
Sr. M. Josephine (Mary) Feldum, O. S. B., Cullman, Ala.
Sr. M. Scholastica (Eve) Feldum, O. S. B., Alabama.
Sr. M. Beatrice (Scholastica) Kline, O. S. B., Pittsburgh, Pa.
Sr. M. Thais Abel, Sr. of Mercy, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Sr. M. Apalonia Hahn, Sr. of St. Joseph, Baden, Pa.
Sr. M. Boniface (Adaline Catharine) Kirkpatrick, O. S. B., New Jersey.
Sr. M. Barbara (Helen) McMullen, O. S. B., Elizabeth, N. J.
St. Lawrence.
Sr. M. Dolores (Catharine) Baker, O. S. B., Elizabeth, N. J.
Sr. M. Martina (Annie) Baker, O. S. B., Elizabeth, N. J.
CENTENARY OF ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH 271
Sr. M. Philomena (Anna) Yahner, O. S. B., Pittsburgh, Pa.
Sr. M. Placida (Magdalin) Yahner, O. S. B., Pittsburgh, Pa.
Sr. M. Rita (Rose) Yahner, O. S. B., Pittsburgh, Pa.
Sr .M. Bertram (Catharine) Yahner, Sr. of Charity, Nazareth, Ky.
Sr. M. Ludwina (Helen) Yahner, Sr. of Charity, Nazareth, Ky.
Sr. Barbara Niebauer, Sr. of Mercy, Cresson, Pa.
Sr. Vincent de Paul (Mary) Baker, Sr. of Charity, Greensburg, Pa.
Nicktown.
Sr. M. (Mary) Wilson, O. S. B., St. Mary's Pa.
Sr. M. Bonaventure (Mary) Blobner, O. S. F., Glenriddle, Pa.
Sr. M. Martha (Hilda) Kirsch, O. S. F., Glenriddle, Pa.
Sr. M. Demetria (Mary) Kirsch, O. S. B., Glenriddle.
Sr. M. Agnes (Helen) Kirsch, Sr. of Charity, Philadelphia, Pa.
Sr. M. Balbina (Magdalin) Krumenacker, O. S. F., Glenriddle.
Sr. M. Marinus (Gertrude) Krumenacker, I. H. M., Scranton, Pa.
Sr. M. Martha (Martha) Nealen, O. S. F., Glenriddle.
Sr. M. Margaret (Margaret) Nealen, O. S. F., Buffalo, N. Y.
Sr. M. Barbara (Helen) Nealen, O. S. F., Arlington, Md.
Sr. M. Martha (Christina) Soisson, O. S. F., Lancaster, Pa.
Sr. M. Gervase (Mary) Springer, O. S. F., Glenriddle.
Sr. M. Cyrilla (Magdalin) Snyder, O. S. F., Glenriddle.
Sr. M. Alma (Alma) Soisson, Sr. of Mercy, Pittsburgh.
Sr. M. Consuella (Geraldine) Kirsch, Sr. of Mercy, Cresson, Pa.
Sr. M. Victoria (Clara) Smith, Sr. of Mercy, Cresson.
Sr. M. Berchmans (Margaret) Ager, Sr. of Mercy, Cresson.
272 CENTENARY OF ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH
Sr. M. Bernadine (Helen) Lieb, Sr. of Mercy, Cresson.
Sr. M. Ricarda (Calista) Parrish, Sr. of Mercy, Cresson.
Sr. M. Martha (Mary) Pfister, Sr. of Mercy, Cresson.
Sr. M. Anicetus (Mary) Ragley, Sr. of Mercy, Cresson.
Sr. M. Celine (Luella) Ragley, Sr. of Mercy, Cresson.
Sr. M. Gervase (Viola) Wyland, Sr. of Mercy, Cresson.
Sr. M. Ricarda (Lizzie) Kline, O. S. F., Trenton, Del.
Hastings.
Sr. M. Geraldine (____) Yahner, O. S. B., Pittsburgh.
Sr. M. Gervase (Frances) McMullen, O. S. B., Elizabeth, N. J.
Sr. M. Casilda (Mary) Yahner, O. S. B., Pittsburgh, Pa.
Sr. M. Frances (Rose) Huber, O. S. B., Pittsburgh, Pa.
Sr. M. Gertrude (Hilda) Holtz, O. S. B., Pittsburgh, Pa.
Sr. M. Eleanor (Philomena) Anna, Little Sr. of the Poor, New Haven, Conn.
Sr. M. Cyprian (Mary) Yahner, I. H. M., Scranton, Pa.
Sr. M. Cyrenus (Genevieve) Yahner, I. H. M., Scranton, Pa.
Sr. M. Clementine (Elizabeth) Gunther, I. H. M., Scranton, Pa.
Sr. M. Armilla (____) Nelson, I. H. M., Scranton, Pa.
Sr. M. Immaculata (Margaret) Yahner, I. H. M., died April 25, 1930.
Sr. M. Ferdinand (Olga) Gunther, Sr. of Mercy, Plainfield, N. J.
Spangler.
Sr. M. Louise (Hilda) Peters, Sr. of Mercy, Cresson.
Sr. M. Clotilda (Agnes) Binder, Sr. of Mercy, Cresson.
Sr. M. Boniface (Adelaide) Kirkpatrick, Sr. of Mercy, Cresson.
Sr. M. Christine (Olene) Dumm, Sr. of Mercy, Cresson.
Patton.
Sr. M. Rita (Ethel) Cunningham, O. S. B., St. Scholastica Convent, 7430
Ridge Ave., Chicago, Ill.
CENTENARY OF ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH 273
Sr. M. Joanna (Grace) Cunningham, O. S. B., St. Scholastic Convent, 7430
Ridge Ave., Chicago, Ill.
Sr. M. Collete (Pearl) Westrick, O. S. B., St. Scholastic Convent, 7430
Ridge Ave., Chicago, Ill.
Sr. M. Leonard (Jennie) Buck, Sr. of Mercy, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Sr. M. Edwin (Elenore) Deptula, I. H. M., Scranton, Pa.
Sr. M. Eymard (Helen) Dietrich, Sr. of Charity, Greensburg, Pa.
Sr. M. Kevin (Beatrice) Nagle, I. H. M., Scranton, Pa.
Sr. M. Aimee (Anna) Pinnacovich, I. H. M., Scranton.
274 CENTENARY OF ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH
THE DIAMOND JUBILEE
ST. BENEDICT'S CHURCH
The diamond jubilee celebration of St. Benedict's church proved a very
successful event. Not a hitch occurred to mar any part of the program arranged.
Large crowds attended the services Sunday morning and evening and Monday morning
when the celebration closed.
A procession consisting of the members of the Angels' Sodality, Holy Name, St.
John's Slavish Society and Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus and the Hastings
band marched to the Monastery at 10 o'clock Sunday morning where they met the
Rt. Rev. John J. McCort, D. D., Bishop of the Altoona diocese and clergy and
escorted them to the church.
At 10:30 a. m. a Solemn Pontifical Mass at which Rt. Rev. John J. McCort, D. D.,
was the Celebrant, Assistant Priest, Very Rev. H. M. O'Neil; First Deacon of
Honor, Rev. P. Aloysius, O. S. B.; Second Deacon of Honor, Rev. P. Stephen, O.
S. B.; Deacon of the Mass, Rev. P. Alto, O. S. B.; Subdeacon of the Mass, Rev.
P. Malachy, O. S. B.; Master of Ceremonies, Rev. P. Roger, O. S. B. Present in
the Sanctuary were the following: Rt. Rev. Aurelius Stehle, O. S. B., Archabbot
of St. Vincent; Chaplains to the Archabbot, Rev. James Graven and Rev. F. J.
Eger. The following were also present in the Sanctuary: Very Rev. B. Conley and
the Revs. Daniel Callahan, S. J., F. P. Corcoran, F. J. McCarthy, Leo Bailey, J.
Hickey, P. Bohan, J. H. Farran, P. Farran, P. Modestus, O. S. B., P. Henry, O.
S. B., P. Adrian, O. S. B., P. Stephen, O. S. B., P. Clarence, O. S. B.
Rev. P. Michael, O. S. B., delivered a very pleasing sermon, his language was
simple and easily understood. He spoke of the solemnity of the occasion of the
trials and sacrifices of the early settlers and the difficulties they had to
overcome. Bishop McCort in a few remarks congratulated the pastor and members of
the parish on the occasion and the success they made it.
At 7:00 p. m. Rt. Rev. Aurelius Stehle, O. S. B., was the celebrant at
Pontifical Vespers. Assistant Priest, Rev. P. Aloysius, O. S. B.; First Deacon
of Honor, Rev. P. Ste-
CENTENARY OF ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH 275
phen, O. S. B.; Second Deacon of Honor, Rev. P. Adrian, O. S. B.; Chanters,
Revs. P. Marinus, O. S. B., and P. Henry, O. S. B., Revs. P. Alto, O. S. B., and
P. Malachy, O. S. B.; Master of Ceremonies, Rev. Roger, O. S. B.
Vespers was followed by Benediction and Te Deum.
On Monday, July 12th, at 9 a. m. Pontifical Requiem Mass was celebrated with Rt.
Rev. Aurelius Stehle, O. S. B., as Celebrant; Assistant Priest, Rev. F. J. Eger;
First Deacon of Honor, Rev. P. Aloysius, O. S. B.; Second Deacon of Honor, Rev.
P. Alto, O. S. B.; Deacon of the Mass, Rev. P. Michael, O. S. B.; Subdeacon of
the Mass, Rev. P. Malachy, O. S. B.; Master of Ceremonies, Rev. P. Roger, O. S.
B.
The Mass was followed by procession of the Clergy and the members of the
congregation to the cemetery, where prayers were offered for the deceased
members of the congregation. This tribute to the dead ended the church services
of the Diamond Jubilee.
The church was beautifully decorated for the affair and a great many strangers
were present. The event will long be remembered by our people.
St. Benedict's church was dedicated December 25th, 1850, the celebration was
extended to the present on account of weather conditions during the winter
season.
The Ladies' of the Altar Society served dinner in the school hall which was
attended by several hundred people. —Carrolltown News, July 15, 1926.
Achsinnessink.
The name Achsinnessink was given by the Indians to noted places where they
placed a small rock, none others being in the neighborhood, to designate the
place of their meetings. Such a place was reported by John Wirtner who in 1850
worked for the Honorable John Buck, sawing logs when the season permitted or
otherwise working on the farm in East Carroll Township. When leaving the farm
for church at Carrolltown he went through the woods and William Cole's lane
passing an Indian planted stone, at the end of the lane, covered with various
hieroglyphics. The stone was on the lower part of the farm where the ravine coms
up from James Cain's to where the old road was
276 CENTENARY OF ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH
changed or in other words the spot is on the lower end of Otto Lauer's farm.
Stones being scarce here it was thought that Augustine Yost, after his dwelling
burnt, used it in the foundation of his new house or it may be in one of the
Cole's buildings. Many arrow points, skinning knives, etc., have been found on
that farm. The stone was seen by James Byrne, Augustine Yost, John Buck, William
Cole, Henry Bender, James and John Cain and others.
The Trappist Clear Field.
The Rev. Demetrius A., Prince Gallitzin, Pioneer Priest of Loretto and the
Allegheny Mountains, in 1814, sent some of his parishioners to accompany the
five Trappist Monks to their future Monastery at Carrolltown, where they located
in the forest, on a small Indian Clear Field, about the size of a large potato
field. The men helped the monks to build a wooden house. Augustine A. Lieb now
owns the place.
The Eckenrode Mill Village.
This Indian village is located by the cemetery, one fourth of a mile south of
Eckenrode's mill on the west side of the Chest creek. All traces of the
tombstones have been removed to make room for a baseball ground. Henry J. Link
states that when he moved, 1871, onto his farm he found rows of corn stubbles in
the dense forest of 40-50 feet tall pine trees, across the Chest creek east of
his farm and close to the Kuntzman farm. This would not be a quarter of a mile
south of the mill. About a mile south of the cemetery tradition says there was
lead ore deposited in Chest creek some distance north of the township road.
The Litzinger Cemetery or Indian Village.
This Indian cemetery, on the old Simon Litzinger farm, now owned by a Mr.
Bloomberg, is reached by leaving the H. J. Eckenrode mill, formerly the
Litzinger mill, for the north on the road leading to the Patton-Chest Springs
cement road and is about a mile and a half distant in a bee line from the mill.
Mr. Bloomberg states that there are 17 graves there on the high ground and
located by four locust trees but all the stone markers were removed. According
to one authority some of the graves are those of white people.
CENTENARY OF ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH 277
An Indian encampment was reported by James Douglas as having been located on his
farm through which the Kittanning Trail passed. There was seen there where
several very old and tall locust trees stand a grave in former days but the head
stone is now missing.
278 CENTENARY OF ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH
HASTINGS, PENNA.
(Continued from page 247)
Holy Name Society.
President I. P. Yahner
Vice-President Alvin Dillon
Secretary E. R. Holtz
Treasurer Bert Buck
The society has a membership of 254 members.
Rosary Society.
President I. L. Binder
Vice-President Paul Strittmatter
Secretary Mrs. Vincent Link
Irish Catholic Benevolent Union.
President Mrs. Paul Holtz
Vice-President Mrs. Ed Cassidy
Financial-Secretary Mrs. Wilfred Yaeger
Recording-Secretary Mrs. Harry Kelly
Treasurer Mrs. Vincent Link
Catholic Knights of St. George.
President W. B. Dillon
Vice-President A. F. Baker
Recorder Charles Yahner
Financial Secretary Edwin A. Holtz
Trustee John A. Bearer
Trustee A. F. Baker
Trustee Albert Gill
Marshall John A. Bearer
Auditor James Labell
Auditor Frank Gill
Auditor John Kovoch
CENTENARY OF ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH 279
WORLD WAR SERVICE MEN
Names of World War Service Men previously reported to this collection and not
appearing on list reported on page 153.
St Benedict's Parish, Carrolltown, Pa.
Mannion, Henry Trexler, Francis
Bakerton. Mission of Carrolltown, Pa.
Beattie, Jos. G. McNally, Richard
Bender, Leo (Died) McNulty, Richard
Bonjovanno, Frank Nedimyer, Vincent
Cath, Edward (Wounded) Mitchell, Albert
Delaney, Bernard Patterson, William
Germain, Joseph Quinn, John
Grey, Caleb Schilling, John
Grillo, Michael Sikorsky, Anyon
Henry, Robert M. Sponsky, Bernard (Died)
Kapello, Luis Tekluisky, Frank
McCormick, James F. Veneskey, John
McDermott, Jos. A. Visnesky, Clement
McNally, John V. Zadai, John (Died)
McNally, Joseph
St. Bernard, Hastings, Pa.
Abel, Henry Bobal, John
Abel, John Bobal, Michael
Adamovitch, Frank Borne, Raymond
Akens, Percy Brazilla, John
Anna, Henry Byrnes, Joseph
Anna, Maurus Ciccatelli, John
Anna, Wilfred Costello, Stephen
Becker, Anthony Cunningham, Simon
Bills, John Delso, Arthur
Bills, Paul Dillon, Alban
Binder, Oscar Dolgas, John
Bobal, George Dolgas, Joseph
280 CENTENARY OF ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH
Drass, Edward Murphy, John
Dubinski, Andrew Niebauer, Benjamin
Duygen, Ives Nimiec, Michael
Eckenrode, Elsworth Clesky, Pius
Endler, Francis Onella, Dominic
Fabian, Michael Ott, John
Fecko, Michael Overberger, Caspar
Fetsko, Steven Phillips, Alexander
Finet, George Rager, John
Forberger, Andrew Riordan, Patrick
Fuller, Joseph Roberts, Fred
Gray, Wm. Jr. Rolenitis, Jos.
Guetgen, Francis Rubus, Peter
Guetgen, Victor Rubus, Wm.
Hahn, Henry Rusnak, Stephen
Hricko, Victor Sani, Francis
Huber, Marie Semelsberger, Bernard
Huber, Wilfred Semelsberger, John
Klein, Raymond Semelsberger, Rudy
Kline, Isadore M. Shimp, D. F.
Koentz, Elmer Simon, Louis
Koval, Andrew Stitts, George
Koval, George Stitts, Joseph
Legross, Frank Stitts, Michael
Legross, Joseph Strassler, Elmer
McDermott, James Strittmatter, Amandus J.
McMullen, Cyril Strittmatter, Modestus
McQueeney, Jennings Udicious, Joseph
McTigue, James Udicious, Anthony
Madigan, Charles Valant, Anthony
Maggio, Pietro Waltz, Henry
Madison, George Waltz, Modestus
Malosky, Matten Warner, Herman Valentine
Martucci, Anthony Waxmunski, Jos.
Matsavage, Wm. Weakland, Edwin
Mikminetas, Joseph Weakland, Harry
Miller, Bernard Wolfe, James
Miller, Herman Yeager, Cora
Miller, Modestus Yeager, James
Mureaile, Frank Yeager, Oscar
Yeager, William
CENTENARY OF ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH 281
St. Nicholas, Nicktown, Pa.
Brickley, Wilmer Miller, Walter
Griscowish, John Natcher, Gilbert
Kirsch, Amandus Nealen, Andrew
Kirsch, Clemens Nealen, Gus
Kline, Joe Nealen, John
Klein, Urban Nealen, Rupoert
Kline, Wilfred Nealen, Urban
Kline, William Parish, Raymond
Krug, Gus Peters, Aloysius
Lieb, Earl Schlereth, Ben
Lieb, Raymond Sherry, Raymond
Lieb, Ruben Smith, Edwin
Luly, Nichol Soisson, Jos. Leo
McDermott, John E. Stolz, Rupert
St. Mary, Patton, Pa.
Adams, Charles Delozier, Joseph
Anna, Marcel Delozier, Peter G.
Antico, Angelo Denlinger, William
Barnwell, Edw. Dietrick, Irwin
Barnwell, Frank Deitrick, Wilfred
Barnwell, James Donahue, Edw.
Bearer, Paul Dunnigan, Harry
Brennan, Thomas Dunnegan, Howard
Brown, Clark A. Farabaugh, Cydie
Brown, James Farabaugh, Modestus
Brown, Paul Farare, Joseph
Buck, Thomas Fasco, Pietro
Burkey, Edwin Fisher, Cyril
Cairn, James Flanagan, Edw.
Callaghan, Frank Geralmino, Joseph
Callaghan, John Geralmino, Nocolo
Callaghan, Patrick Gill, Earl
Callaghan, William Gillen, Francis
Campolongo, Pietro Gudas, Anthony
Christoff, Louis Gudas, John
Collins, Edwin Gudas, Martin
Cooper, Edgar Hricko, Andrew
Cox, James Huber, Rudolph
Cozzitorto, Antonio Kaminski, Frank
Czepanzki, Thomas Karlheim, Amandus
De Capoli, Rafael Karlheim, Raymond
Delozier, George Kirkpatrick, Edwin
282 CENTENARY OF ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH
Lacava, Joseph Petrusky, John
Lamadue, Howard Quinn, Thomas
Link, Charles Radwilla, Andrew
McConnell, Albert Radwilla, Robert
McConnell, Charles Rennie, Hugh
McConnell, David Rennie, John
McConnell, James Saltzgiver, Dennis
McCoy, Walter Sheka, Andrew
McMuldrin, James Shordon, Edw.
Macalusa, Mike Short, Benjamin
Maklowski, John Short, Frank
Maurer, Fred Shuss, Albert
Maurer, Leo Shuss, Charles
Mittchell, Joseph Skwiras, Charles
Mittchell, Peter Squiras, Joseph
Mittchell, Philip Sunseri, Joseph
Mittchell, William Swope, Robert
Montanaro, Fred Swope, Walter
Mulligan, Charles Thomas, Leo J.
Mullin, Andrew Tobar, John
Noonan, Walter Tobar, Stanley
Novik, Joseph Vezza, Domenico
Overberger, Charles Weakland, Basil
Overberger, Edw. Welcher, Albert
Palcho, John Yahner, Anthony
Pandolfi, Domenic Yahner, Max
Peterino, Antonio Yeager, Alfred
Petrusky, Andrew Yerger, Snyder
Petroni, Luigi
St. George, Paton, Pa.
Chobey, John Goods, Stanley
Demjan, John J. Gorgica, Stanley
Dietrick, Alvin Jacobs, Andrew
Dietrick, Gilbert Jacobs, Michael
Drass, Meril Kayden, John
Drass, Thomas Kayden, Joseph
Dubransky, George Kayden, Stanley
Dubbin, Sylvester Kelly, Edward
George, John H. Kibler, Anselm
Gill, Leo Kibler, Henry
Gill, Vincent Kutruff, Leonard
Goods, Anthony Leiden, Cyril
Goods, John Lukash, John A.
Goods, Martin McConnel, August
CENTENARY OF ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH 283
MacInko, John Warner, George
Maskewicz, Stanley Warner, Herman
Shika, Joseph J. Warner, I. J.
Smith, Charles Warner, Joseph
Stasko, Steve Zahursky, John Jr.
Svapkovsky, Francis Zodal, John (Died)
Warner, F. C.
St. Boniface, St. Boniface
Anens, Joseph Gemet, John G. (Gernet)
Anna, Henry Hahn, Henry A.
Anna, Wilfrid Kazamaier, John
Becker, Anthony Kupera, John
Becker, Charles H. Kramer, T. J.
Burkhart, Thomas Long, Wm.
Cence, Earl G. Mullen, Harry
Cence, Raymond Nuger, Frank
Endler, Augustine Ott, Augustine
Endler, Edwin T. Ott, John E.
Endler, Frank Wm. Jr. Semelsberger, Rudolph
Thomas, Charles B.
Holy Cross, Spangler, Pa.
Binder, John McCombie, Herold
Brazilla, John J. McCombie, Raymond
Byrne, Edward R. McCormick, Charles R.
Carr, Peter McMullen, Pat.
Conrad, James I. Peters, A. R.
Conrad. Pius A. Peters, Nicholas J.
Euskaskus, William Peters, Theodore
Griffin, J. F. Schneider, Charles
Hartman. Leo E. Sexton, Louis T.
Hayes. Francis P. Shortencarrier, Bernard M.
Kline, Rupert H. Whalen, John
Lulay, Nicholas Whalen, Leo
284 CENTENARY OF ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH
SOLDIERS BURIED IN NORTHERN
CAMBRIA CEMETERIES
St. Benedict's, Carrolltown
Philip Anstead Daniel Sullivan
Andrew P. Baker Pat G. Shannon
Abraham A. Burkey John Saltsgiver
Jas. J. Thomas
John Boyd Henry Weakland
John Byrne Peter Weakland
Francis Byrne John B. Winsel
Elias Driscoll Richard Yost
Valentine Dumm William Gray
Geo. W. Easly Vincent Reig
Edward Ebig Charles Dunlap
Thomas Eckenrode George E. Meisel
A. C. Farren W. A. Fagan
Edward Gilespie Nicholas Ahles
John Himmel Charles Langbein
Patrick Kane John Deitrich
Peter Kaylor S. J. Luther
Michael Kaylor Peter Weymer
Jacob Koontz Gerald Fox
Frank Luther Vincent Miller
John Koonsman Irvin Campbell
Andrew Miller Joseph Zavatsky
George Miller Nicholas Luther
John W. Miller Walter Farabaugh
W. McCombie Leo Bender
Robert McCombie Edwin Stolz
Thos. E. Meisel Walter Eckenrode
Leo Parrish Irvin Weakland
John Stolz Michael Wirtner
St. Lawrence, St. Lawrence.
Joseph Bauman John Waltz
Martin Dietrick Francis Swam
Charles Dietrick Peter Swope
Michael Yahner John Kibler
Joseph Hipps Anthony Deitrich
Jacob Kruise John L. Zaday
Sebastian Kruise Jacob Kruise
Christopher Warner John Deitrich
Joseph Warner
CENTENARY OF ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH 285
St. Joseph's.
Ambrose Barnicle William Miller
William Gray Urban Weakland
St. Nicholas, Nicktown.
Thomas Dumm Stephen Lance
D. T. James Berney McGee
James Flannigan Anthony Mohler
James McDade Jos. Miller
John Steinbiser Al Steinbiser
John F. Nagle Gilbert Natscher
Chas. Farabaugh Augustine Wyland
Henry Dumm Wilmer Brickley
Joseph Rehr
St. Mary's Patton.
George Beck Thos. J. Gilbert
John Saltsgiver John Nagle
William E. Litzinger Patrick Donahue
Patrick Orr John Choby
Joseph Swope George Bott
Geo. Cassidy Howard Lumadue
Dr. Noonan Earl Campbell
Clark Brown
Holy Cross, Spangler
Mathias Shortencarrier John Griffin
James Schnabel Mike Griffin
James Dolan Lee Conrad
John Hubbard Jos. Baffino
St. Boniface, St. Boniface
John Cosgrove Frank Endler
Frank Yahner
St. Bernard's, Hastings
Patrick D. Reardon
286 CENTENARY OF ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH
CORRECTIONS
The typographical errors of the first part of this book are due to lack of
opportunity to read proof. The author being sick in the Mercy Hospital when it
was printed in 1926.
Page 11 line 33 read cabin near Bradley Junction . . . and now owned by James
and Augustine Hott. P. 13 line 28—to Conewago.
P. 27 line 13—a village school teacher. His grandfather and the old village
doctor lived with them. P. 28 line 28—history.
P. 33 line 41—with bag. P. 34 line 45—after death.
P. 42 line 35—none except. P. 43—Gualbert. P. 44 line 28—responded.
P. 46 line 2—from below—The Day book of.
P. 48 line 30—after 1839 for and line 34—bare footed.
P. 49 line 20—in the northern part of the county.
P. 51 line 5—in the Krise school house, omit down etc.
P. 52 line 47—dearth of German. P. 53 line 17—monastery.
P. 57 line 35—Martha Soisson. P. 59 line 6—pusillanimity.
P. 60 line 9—a petition to the Holy Father to have a Priory of St. Vincent
raised into an Abbey. Line 39—be he a
P. 65 line 21—held on. P. 72 line 5—from below—The next day.
P. 74 lower 13—oratory was. P. 76 line 20—Anselm.
P. 78 line 17—who began. P. 87 line 4—in St. Vincenz.
P. 88 line 4 from below—Cahokia or Monks Mounds.
P. 89 line 18—island near Pittsburgh below Grant Hill.
T. J. Chapman in "Old Pittsburgh" page 63 says: "Grant Hill overlooks Fort
Duquesne, and is scarcely a half mile from it. The hill was a rugged bluff with
a steep de-
CENTENARY OF ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH 287
scent towards the fort. It was much higher than at present and was cut across by
deep ravines." The deep ravines carried the waters from a pond to the Allegheny
and Monongahela rivers thus forming an island.
P. 94 lower 9—over the Galbreath Road (completed 1789) to Frankstown to Bedford.
P. 104 line 5—Jerome. P. 99 lower line 7—Lemke and Rattigan. P. 118 line
40—In 1861 ... Anthony Schnable.
P. 107 line 5—ciborium. P. 121 line 9—At 3 o'clock P. M., the . . . and line
16—Mary. Line 35—confessional.
P. 124 line 24—to the St. Joseph.
P. 127 line 24—contract of pointing the walls . . . with mortar
P. 128 lower 3 line—nee Flick. P. 131 line 24—Stratman.
P. 141 line 6—ought. P. 142 lower line 6—Anselm.
P. 145 after line 19 add—Andrew Zuchriegel, O. S. B., 1852-53.
P. 156 line 7—1524, also add—1551. The oldest university in America is the
Catholic University of St. Marc, Lima, Peru. Also read—1749. P. 158 line
13—in the north of the county.
P. 175 rearrange the lines at the bottom of the page thus, 6, 2, 1, 5, 4, 3.
P. 175 lower 4 line—James Yinger.
P. 20 line 30—compare. P. 35—the galary was built later.
288 CENTENARY OF ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH
CONTENTS
PART I
Church at:
Sportsman's Hall 14
Greensburg 14
Loretto 14
Ebensburg 16
Cameron's Bottom 22
Summit 51
Wilmore 50
St. Augustine 51
St. Lawrence 51, 106
Carrolltown 99
St. Boniface 114
Nicktown 57, 118
Hastings 127
Spangler 128
Patton, St. Mary's 128
Bakerton 131
PART II
Brubaker, the last Indian 247
Carrolltown 274
Elder, John 215
Encampments 198
Glen Connell 199
Hart, John 197
Hart's Sleeping Place 197
Hastings 241
Indian villages, etc. 275
Jefferson 189
Lead, Indian deposits of 238
Lemke, Rev. Henry 193
Loup 199
Nicktown 229
Patton 249
Pastors, St. Lawrence 211
Priests, native 264
Sisters, native 270
Spangler 261
ATTENTION!
Names of Patrons and Subscribers who made it possible to meet the expenses of
placing Part II before the public:
Barnesboro Hastings
M. J. Bacha I. L. Binder
Binder Bros. Hardware Co. Guy Commons
Citizens Bank John Dvorchak
First National Bank H. J. Easly
Hoffman Ice Cream Co. First National Bank
Louis Luxenberg Hastings Bottling Works
Smith's Theatre P. O. Holtz
Sharbaugh & Lieb Holtz Auto Co.
James McNelis
Carrolltown Strittmatter Bros.
First National Bank Hastings Mercantile Co.
D. A. Luther Hardware and B. J. Waltz
Furniture I. P. Yahner
C. A. Sharbaugh
J. Edw. Stevens Patton
Stolz Bros. R. D. Buck
P. J. Weber Cambria Wholesale Grocery
M. J. Farabaugh Co.
The Carrolltown News F. E. Farabaugh
Patton Clay Mfg. Co.
Nicktown Zahursky Meat Market
N. F. Lambour Cambria Clay Co.
A. Schlereth C. W. Foresberg
Stoltz Motor Company
St. Benedict
Central Trading Corporation
St. Lawrence
Spangler Leiden Bros.
E. F. Dumm
L. Klafter St. Boniface
John E. Riley Thomas Quinn
Read the book first and mention it when you patronize our advertisers. Remember,
you will find these places a good place to buy.