The list of names given in this chapter presents, in alphabetical order, the names of priests, who have performed pastoral functions in this diocese, from about 1669, till the present time: covering a period of fully two and one-third centuries.  The diocesan clergy is numerically the strongest, but there are also many members of the C. S. C., the C. PP. S., the O. F. M., the O. S. B., and the S. J.  A considerable number of these, both diocesan and regular, were transient only, but their names must not be omitted from the role of honor though, in a number of cases, the names could not be traced beyond a mere mention; and these will be found, in their order, in the index for reference.

     For obvious reasons, these biographical sketches are brief.  What is beyond the full name, the place and time of birth, the studies, the ordinations, the various appointments, under the heads of parishes, to which they were assigned.  Some estimate of the character and labors of deceased priests facts are simply stated without comment.  God alone can judge and weigh the life of a priest, in the many details of multifarious duties, at the altar, in the pulpit, in the confessional, in the baptistry, at the bedside of the dying, in the school, in manifold spiritual ministrations in the church, in his own house, in the homes of his parishoners; not to mention the most arduous task of regulating the finances of the church property, with all that this duty implies, of collecting and administering the offerings of the faithful, in the interests of the parish.

     We have before us three letters of the Rev. Stephen Theodore Badin, addressed to the "Right Rev. Doctor Purcell, Athenaeum, Cincinnati."  They illustrate forcibly the labors incident to a pastoral and missionary life, and coming from the first priest ordained in the United States, will serve as introductory to the biographies here presented. [65]

     "Two months have elapsed since I left the Indian Village, having been detained here by various causes, bad weather, the infirmities of old age, pastoral avocations, and the various affairs incident to the building of a chapel at this place, procuring a piece of land for the honor of God etc.  Meanwhile I have been informed that there is a number of Catholics towards the N. W. corner of your diocese, destitute of the benefits of the Church, and assailed by Methodist and Baptist preachers.  I am apprehensive that they are very ignorant etc, and consequently much exposed to be perverted.  There is a Baptist mission for the Ottawa Indians in the same parts, wherein they have enticed some Catholics.

     "I avail myself of the present opportunity, to enclose $10 for four subscriptions to the Catholic Telegraph, namely Francis Comparet, Esq. Fort Wayne--Messrs. Aughinbaugh and Dubois, Fort Wayne, Inda., Mrs. Coquillard, South Bend, St. Joseph Cty., Inda., and Mr. D. Burr, P. M., Treaty Ground, Wabash Cty., Inda.  Mr. Burr is pursuaded in his mind of the Catholic truths, and I hope that he will become a member and a benefactor of the Church."

     Father Badin quotes from the letter of one of the two "Charity Sisters" in the Indian Village on the St. Joseph river:  "My dear Father, I am quite glad to inform you that we are so happy that we would not exchange our station for anything.  Eliza Jackson."

     This first letter is signed:  S. T. Badin, V. G. of Bardst.

    "Your favor of Feb. 25, was received a few days ago, owing to my various excursions and to the known neglect of postmasters.  I sincerely condole with you on the embarrassments in which you have found your Diocese  *   *   *  But we must consider that nothing happens without the Divine permission, be resigned, bear patiently all afflictions (which are not rare in the holy ministry) and apply by humble, fervent and repeated prayers to the sovereign pastor of souls, who can alone supply our wants.  In my little sphere I meet with difficulties little expected:  I will not expatiate on this topic; but would beg your advice, if we could have this summer a confidential interview A. M. D. G.  I must soon go to Fort Wayne, thence visit [66] the forks of the Wabash, where many Irish and German Catholics have been expecting me, who are employed in digging a canal, and are desirous of building a chapel.  Thence I should go to Logansport eighty or ninety miles west of Fort Wayne.  I am besides engaged in making a new establishment near this place for an orphan house, and I must begin with erecting a chapel.  You may perceive that at the age of 66 I have a sufficient share of toils.  I would wish rather to enjoy solitude and retirement, in order to prepare for my fast approaching dissolution.  *   *   *  It is true, we have books enough to defend our holy religion, but they are not, or but little read by the generality of men, whereas a public, authoritative declaration of the American Bishops, which would be inserted in many American papers, would excite attention.   *   *   *"

     This second letter is signed:  Stephen Theod. Badin.

     "The date of this letter reminds me that this day 42 years ago, the 1st Bishop of Baltimore ordained the first sub-deacon of his Diocese, and gave the tonsure and minor orders to 3 or 4 ordinandi.--Time has brought many changes and ameliorations, or rather the Divine Pastor has given an incalculable increase to the sheep and lambs.  There were then about 30 priests in the U. S.   *   *   *   My intention, when I left home 12 days ago, was to answer the honor of your invitation.  But first, we have many sick people along the canal lines.  Second, when I am in Logansport at the mouth of Eel river (into the Wabash) the shortest road to Louisville, where my own affairs call me, will be by Indianapolis.  Third, I have been informed by the Catholic Herald that the consecration of the excellent Bishop of Vincennes is to take place on the first Sunday of October in Bardstown, where most probably I will have the opportunity of seeing you.  In fine I may return by Cincinnati-for I have not money for traveling expenses.

     "In consequence of more than one considerable wrong done me I am reduced to distress, am in debt, received no salary, and withal have spent considerable sums to establish the Church in these backwoods.  I speak not of labors, privations.  My trust is in Divine Providence, which fails not.   *   *   *

     "to serve you it would be gratifying to me to extend my labors to the N. W. of your diocese, but the above date of my ordination has already informed you that I am more than 66 years of age, and considering that I do ride almost incessantly to attend 5 congregations on three lines of about 80 miles each, it would prove a deception and a presumption to attempt more than I do at present.  Indeed I am compelled from debility to use many precautions, which I disregarded in former periods of life.

     "It may happen that Divine providence will not permit me to see the Angel of Vincennes.  I had intended to write to congratulate him and his Diocese on his promotion, which has filled me with consolations; but having been made uncertain of the place and time where and when he was to be consecrated, and being often destitute either of time or even of conveniences in the miserable, crowded cabins where I must lodge in traveling, feeling also frequent fatigues, I have not yet satisfied my heart in presenting him my best respects, and in assuring him in my readiness to cooperate with and assist him in his exertions to establish and extend the kingdom of God in his new Diocese; wherefor I beg of you the favor to communicate these lines to him."

     Having mentioned the Irish, the Canadians and the French, Father Badin continues:  "As to the Indians, the greater number of them being Christians, are on the boarders of Michigan, under the direction of the excellent priest, Mons. de Seille.  He made this summer two excursions among the Pottawottamies of Tippecanoe river and baptised 76 of them the first Sunday of May, and 60 more the first Sunday of this month.  The Pottawottamies of Michigan have sold all their land, and must emigrate within two years, but those of Tippecanoe have retained their Reserves of land, and may form a Catholic mission in the Diocese of Vincennes.  The Indians are our best congregations.--Town lots have been procured in five or six different places, viz.  South Bend (one and a half miles from my establishment on St. Joseph river), Fort Wayne, Huntington, Wabash and Logansport.  Three years ago I obtained also of Judge Hood two acres in the town of Peru, and prevailed on him to make his offer to Bishop Flaget; but as he did not answer the polite letter, and lots have become very valuable at Peru, there will perhaps be a demur.  I caused the lot of Huntington to [68] be deeded to Bishop Flaget--but the donor of eleven acres in Wabash, being a friend of mine, preferred to give me his obligation for the same and I did not insist otherwise from motives of politeness and prudence.

     "Our resources must be in the education of youth.  Mr. Comparet estimates that the congregation in and about Fort Wayne must amount to 100 families.  Prevailing sickness and mortality, the absence of pastor and poverty have prevented the forwarding of church affairs.  No time should be lost in forwarding the erection of chapels along the canal line, because as soon as the work is done in one section of the country the Catholic hands move to another section, and the prospect of such erections diminishes or vanishes.--This has been evidenced in Fort Wayne:  the timber alone has been secured.  There should be two priests riding constantly every week along a line of 80 miles.  They should be active, pious, learned and disinterested, courageous and mortified.   *   *   *"

     This third letter is signed:  S. T. Badin, Protosa. Baltim.