[Page 46]
The Right Rev. Joseph Rademacher, the third
Bishop of Fort Wayne, was born in Westphalia, Clinton county, Michigan,
on December 3, 1840. His parents sent him to the Benedictine College,
near Latrobe, Pennsylvania, in 1855. Here he made his classical and
philosophical studies and also began the study of theology, which latter
however he completed in St. Michael's Seminary, in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.
Bishop Luers accepted him for the diocese of Fort Wayne, and ordained him
a priest on August 2, 1863.
His first field of labor was Attica and its
vicinity, of which place he was made the first resident pastor. He
also attended Covington and the entire country East and West, form Odell
to the Illinois State Line. He found the church and house devoid
of every convenience. The pews in the church were rough boards and
store boxes; but he provided an altar, new pews and a little reed organ.
The year 1865 became a memorable year, for in it, for the first time, a
first communion class was admitted in the month of May, and at the same
time Bishop Luers administered confirmation. It is well known, that
the congregation was small and poor, and that Father Rademacher had to
submit to many privations and hardships, but he never uttered a word of
complaint. In 1870, he was transferred to Columbia City. When,
in 1872, the pastorate of St. Mary's church, at Fort Wayne, became vacant,
he was appointed to succeed Rev. J. Weutz. He had for his assistant
the Rev. Charles Steurer. Having done faithful service here for seven
year, he was transferred to St. Mary's Church at Lafayette, in 1880, of
which he remained the pastor till June 24, 1883. He was noted for
zeal and prudence, and endearing himself to all, by his gentle and fatherly
disposition, he was familiarly known as Father Joseph. "Besides being
remarkable for his intellectual, social and religious qualities, Father
Rademacher was remarkable also for his devotion to literature, [47] not
only theological but general. He joined to his knowledge of men an
of affairs a close knowledge of books, and a memory which retained every
thing which his mind acquired. A proof of this was furnished the
writer one day in a singular manner. The writer had closely examined,
only a few hours before, the early history of France. Entering into
discourse with Father Rademacher, the conversation turned on this early
history, and especially the significance of the battle of Soissonnes, as
one of the decisive battles of Europe. As to this significance, the
writer was giving his ideas. That was in the year 486, interposed
the pastor. Continued the interlocutor, yes, the king of the Franks
had no ordinary antagonist. Syagrius, the Roman governor, again interposed
the pastor. His interlocutor paused for a moment in wonder, and then
put the question: Tell me, pray, Father Rademacher, how did you happen
to know so exactly this date and this name? Ah! he responded, I have
read the history of those times."
The See of Nashville, Tennessee, having become
vacant upon the translation of Bishop Feehan to Chicago, in April, 1883,
Father Rademacher was appointed his successor, and was consecrated Bishop
of Nashville on June 24th of that same year. His Vicar General and
intimate friend, Rev. P. J. Gleeson, in reply to an inquiry, writes:
"It gives me pleasure to do anything to honor the memory of Bishop Rademacher.
When he took charge the diocese of Nashville was still suffering from the
effects of the yellow-fever in Memphis, where so many priests and religious
had fallen victims to that dreaded scourge. His humble, hard-working
zeal in meeting the peculiar conditions that confronted him, his readiness
to do missionary work, and help even the humblest in preaching, hearing
confessions, attending sick-calls, even taking the place of his priests
who might be absent on a much needed rest, soon won for the Bishop the
affection and the esteem of priests and people. This bond of affection
between Bishop Rademacher and the priests and people of his diocese grew
and deepened with the years, as his amiable, modest character became known:
so that one and all instinctively called him GOOD Bishop Rademacher.
The peculiar circumstances following the yellow fever, coupled with the
financial conditions then prevailing throughout the country, did not allow
his zeal to find expression [48] in the erection of church buildings.
But his holy life, good example, his kindness to priests laboring in small
and scattered missions, his patience and forbearance with all who came
in contact with him, have built up a spiritual edifice in which the name
of GOOD Bishop Rademacher is enshrined, and which will last as long as
the generation that knew him lives. All honor to his memory."
On January 22, 1893, Bishop Dwenger was called
to his reward. To the great joy of the clergy and laity of the diocese,
Pope Leo XIII, by letters dated July 14, 1893, transferred Bishop Rademacher
from Nashville to Fort Wayne. Having endeared himself to all, during
his former residence among them, the entire population turned out to give
him welcome, when on October 3, 1893, his solemn installation in the Cathedral
at Fort Wayne took place. Father Brammer, Administrator of the diocese,
addressing the Bishop at the entrance to the Cathedral said, among other
things: "Ever since the death of Bishop Dwenger, it has been the
earnest wish of every Catholic in this diocese, that you would be made
its Bishop. For this reason, an because we love and respect you,
our welcome is all the heartier." A most impressive reception took
place on the evening of October 4th, but on the day following, the solemn
installation and Pontifical Mass was celebrated at 9:30, with Bishop Rademacher
as Celebrant, Very Rev. Joseph Brammer assistant priest, Revs. E. P. Walter
and E. Koenig deacons of honor, Rev. John R. Quinlan deacon and Rev. C.
B. Guendling subdeacon of the Mass, Rev. W. J. Quinlan, master of ceremonies,
and Very Rev. William Corby, C. S. C., Rev. A. B. Oechtering, chaplains
to Archbishop Elder. The Bulls of Pope Leo XIII were read by Rev.
J. H. Huester, D. D., after which the Archbishop escorted the Bishop to
the throne. After this, each priest of the diocese in turn knelt
before the Bishop, in token of submission kissing the Bishop's ring.
The sermon on this occasion was preached by Bishop Foley of Detroit, whose
text was: "You have not chosen me, but I you. Go forth, therefore,
into the world, teaching all men in my name, for lo, I am with you even
unto the consummation of the world." The prelates honoring the occasion
with their presence were: Archbishop Katzer of Milwaukee, Archbishop
Elder of Cincinnati, Bishop Maes of Covington, [49] Bishop Watterson of
Columbus, Bishop Foley of Detroit, Bishop Horstmann of Cleveland, Bishop
McCloskey of Louisville, Bishop Richter of Grand Rapids, Bishop Janssen
of Belleville, Mgr. Thorpe V. G. of Cleveland, Mgr. Joos V. G. of Detroit
and Mgr. Windthorst of Chillicothe, Ohio the Vicars General Scheidler of
Indianapolis and Albrinck of Cincinnati, Rev. G. F. Houck Chancellor of
Cleveland, the Provincials Englert, O. F. M., Corby, C. S. C., Drees, C.
PP. S. and Very Rev. Patrick Gleeson, Administrator of the diocese of Nashville.
After the ceremonies, the clergy attended a banquet served in Library Hall.
For five years, until the close of 1898, the
diocese of Fort Wayne continued to flourish, under the gentle yet efficient
administration of Bishop Rademacher. Most conscientious in the discharge
of duty, and realizing fully the great responsibility resting upon him,
he did not lose sight of a single important interest of the diocese.
The happiness of his priests, and the welfare of the parishes, were uppermost
in his mind and heart. It is noteworthy, that often times he had
to undergo a severe struggle, when his gentle disposition on the one hand
and imperative duty on the other, coming in conflict, demanded a decision.
It was then, that Bishop Rademacher experienced more suffering and greater
concern, than those immediately concerned.
Churches multiplied, church properties improved,
schools increased in number, and the work of education progressed most
satisfactorily. He never failed to be present where his presence
was required, and everywhere, all over the diocese, his influence for good
was felt. It is to be regretted, that a beneficent administration
like his was cut short, when human expectations were highest. It
is needless, and altogether painful to record the circumstances under which
the poor Bishop spent the last year of his life. The daily press
at the time had this to say substantially on January 18, 1900: The
Bishop's illness dates back something over a year. On returning from
a visit at South Bend, the Bishop appeared worn and ill, and in a short
time it became apparent, that he was bordering on a state of mental collapse.
The physical break down followed, and within a few months, the once robust
frame of the Bishop was but a sad reminder of the past. The patient
was removed [50] to St. Joseph's Hospital, at Fort Wayne, where he remained
for several months; after which he was taken to Chicago, and placed under
the care of a specialist, for four months, at St. Elizabeth's hospital.
When it was found that he was incurable, he was removed to Fort Wayne.
It was on January 12th, at 11:25 A. M., when Bishop Rademacher yielded
up his spirit to his Creator. The news of his death was received
with universal sadness, for the good Bishop had been well beloved by his
people and esteemed and respected by all. The solemn funeral services
took place on January 16th, and were participated in, by not only the clergy
of the diocese, but also by the clergy from other parts, swelling the number
of priests in attendance to fully three hundred. The church dignitaries,
who by their presence gave testimony of their esteem for the deceased Bishop
were: Archbishop Elder of Cincinnati, Archbishop Katzer of Milwaukee,
Bishop Byrne of Nashville, Bishop Chatard of Indianapolis, Bishop Foley
of Detroit, Bishop Horstmann of Cleveland, Bishop Janssen of Belleville,
Bishop Maes of Covington, Bishop Richter of Grand Rapids, Bishop Scannell
of Omaha, Archabbot Leander Schnerr, O. S. B., Abbot Edmund Obrecht, O.
C. R., Abbot Athanasius Schmidt, O. S. B., Very Rev. M. J. Marseile, C.
S. V., Very Rev. John B. Murray, President Mt. St. Mary's Seminary, Very
Rev. Joseph Rainer, President St. Francis' Seminary, Very Rev. F. J. Baumgartner,
V. G., Very Rev. D. O'Donaghue, V. G. After the recitation of the
Office for the dead, by the assembled clergy at nine o'clock, the Pontifical
Mass of Requiem was celebrated with Archbishop Elder as celebrant, Very
Rev. John H. Guendling as Assistant Priest, Rev. John Bleckmann Deacon,
Rev. John H. Bathe Subdeacon of the Mass, Rev. A. J. Morrissey and Rev.
J. F. Delaney Deacons of Honor, Rev. W. J. Quinlan, Rev. C. B. Guendling
and Rev. John Durham Masters of Ceremonies, Rev. P. J. O'Reilley and Rev.
F. X. Labonte Acolytes, Rev. John F. Noll Book-bearer, Rev. P. J. Crawley
Candle-bearer, Rev. A. E. Lafontaine Mitre-bearer, Rev. T. Mungovan Censer-bearer
and Rev. J. C. Keller the Gremiale. The sermon was preached by Bishop
Horstmann of Cleveland, an intimate friend of the deceased. His text
was "My soul doth magnify the Lord and my spirit doth rejoice in God, my
Saviour. He that is mighty hath done great things in me and [51]
holy is His name. And His mercy is from generation to generation
to them that fear Him. He hath received Israel His servant, being
mindful of His mercy." --Luke I. The sermon was a thoughtful tribute
to the memory of the dead Bishop, and an earnest request for the prayers
of the faithful, especially of those who had been benefited by the life
and labor of the third Bishop of the diocese of Fort Wayne.
After the solemn absolution the remains were
enclosed in a vault beneath the sanctuary of the Cathedral.
The following touching tribute is quoted as
characteristic: "Bishop Rademacher, when a priest, was sent to the
little parish at Attica after his ordination, and also served the small
missions Covington and Marshfield near by. The Covington church was
the result of his personal work among the people, and in no less degree
of his own sacrifices, for the Catholics thereabouts had little to give.
The congregation was very small, and, much as they loved him for his humility
and self sacrifice, they could not requite him properly in a money way.
Whenever he announced that his salary was due, he would add, in almost
the same breath, that if they needed this money for the necessaries of
life not to worry about him he would try to get along as best he could.
When he met with the poor he gave his last penny. One day a man came
to him and said he was a painter, and if he only had a few dollars he could
buy paint and brushes and thus get a job and escape starvation. Father
Joseph had only two dollars which he handed the man, and, seeing that he
was in need of a coat, gave him one of the two in his possession.
Next day he found out that the man was a vagrant by choice and had imposed
upon him. But Father Joseph was so honest and pure minded, said the
witness of this scene, that he could not think otherwise of any man.
"At the time Father Joseph was in Attica,
the section boss of the Wabash railroad invited the priest to a Christmas
dinner, and both the host and hostess observed, that their guest kept trying
to hide his shoes, or they thought he did so. Watching him more closely
the hostess noticed, that he had hardly any shoes at all on his feet.
She said to her husband: They are only pieces and scraps of shoes
tied and sewed together. Before the Father's departure his host gave
him ten dollars, on condition that he should spend it on himself for [52]
necessary clothing. They learned later, that he had given nearly
all of his little store of clothing to a poor family, in which there were
many children, and he thought their need was greater than his. Orphans,
by the way, were his particular weakness, and long after his elevation
to the Bishop's throne, he went among them with the simplicity of a parish
priest.
"He was a man of exquisite courtesy, so studiously
careful of the feelings of others, that he made it the matter of conscience
as important as his religious duties. No matter how much work he
had to do, or how worried he was, he never was ill-humored. His people
always rejoiced when they met him, or he came to their homes, for he was
ever cheerful and had a wonderful smile for everyone. And he never
wanted anyone to bother or worry about him.
"What an epitaph for this prince of the church,
whose tremendous activities were graced by so much simple gentleness."
The Diocese of Fort Wayne, 1857--September 22--1907, A Book
of Historical Reference, 1669-1907. By the Rt. Rev. H. J. Alerding.
Fort Wayne: The Archer Printing Co. 1907. ----- + TABLE
OF CONTENTS + -----
PAGE
CHAPTER III.
The Right Rev. John Henry Luers, D.D. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . 30-37
The First Bishop of Fort Wayne. CHAPTER
IV. The Right Rev. Joseph Dwenger, C. PP. S., D.D. . . . . .
. . . . . . . 38-45
The Second Bishop of Fort Wayne. CHAPTER
V. The Right Rev. Joseph Rademacher, D.D. . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
The Third Bishop of Fort Wayne. CHAPTER VI. The Right Rev. Herman Joseph Alerding, D.D.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
The Fourth Bishop of Fort Wayne.