Peter Leithauser Visits the Old Country, 1900

When looking for a family's ancestral village, some of the best sources are immigration, naturalization and travel records (passports).  Peter Leithauser, according to his passport, came with his father to America in 1859 when Peter was eleven years old.  Peter was born in Stemwenden, Bavaria on October 31, 1847.  The passport below also includes a description of Peter, as he described himself.  

On the passport, Peter indicated his intention to visit Germany with Gust Gartner.  Peter took on the role of "special correspondent" for the Defiance Weekly Express, writing a summary of his trip for the newspaper.  The article appeared on July 19, 1900.

"FATHERLAND

ADAMS TOWNSHIP MAN WRITES OF HIS TRAVELS.

MUHLENRENTE, JULY 4, 1900

While leaving Defiance, you expressed your wishes that I might write you a few lines about my journey.  We left New York May 9 at 12 o'clock, noon.  Passed Sandy Hook at 2 o'clock.  We sailed on with good weather, but very cold.  The sea was rough, but no storm of note.

On June 18, 9:45 a.m., we passed the Bishop light house, the southwest point of England.  We landed on the 19th at 6 p.m. at Antwerpen.  There I stopped overnight.

Cathedral dome at Cologne

Next morning I boarded the train for Cologne.  Remained there over night and took in the sights of the city and the cathedral, the dome of which is the most astonishing thing I have ever seen.  Also saw the River Rhine for the first time and a German torpedo boat. 

From there I went on to Binger Bridge where we could see the German National monument.  From there I went to Kaiserlautern.  Visited the city and went on to Lansthuhl, from there on to Steinwenden.  Arrived May 23 where I was born. 

 A half brother of mine is living there yet.  He is the father of Peter Doneyer, barber in East Defiance.  My coming was a surprise to my brother.  He knew I was coming that week,but he did not know me.  I was very warmly received.  There I visited the relatives and old friends. Left there June 2.

Munster clock

Went to Bexbach and called on my cousin, Jacob Denhard, and had a good old time with him and family.  Left there June 5, took the train to Saargemund from there to Strassburg, where staid one day and two nights.  There I met an old friend who was partner with me in my stateroom on the Friesland.  He showed me all over the city, which is very nice, but above all is that clock in the Munster church.

 When it strikes 12, the 12 apostles appear one after the other and salute Jesus in going by.  The rooster will crow three times.  There is a ball with map of the world which turns once in a year.  There is a model of the moon which appears at certain times, turns as noted in the almanac; it turns the same as the moon does.  The men who strikes the quarters and half hours appear one after the other.  On strikes the 1/4, the other 1/2, the other 3/4, the other four quarters.  That clock is the most wonderful thing I ever saw, and I don't think there is another man on earth now who could build a clock like that.  Every day at 12 o'clock the church is crowded with strangers.

From Strassburg I went to Basel where my niece, Stephania Cordelier is living.  She will be in mind of a number of persons in Defiance and about there.  She worked for Dr. Berchtold before his death.  Was well received at her house and felt myself at home.  She has been married for over a year and has a baby boy 6 weeks old.  She has a very good husband.  Left there after an 8 day stay and went to Constanz.  There I took a ship to Friedrichshafen; from there the train to Ravensburg.

And then I went in search of the relatives of my wife.  I found one sister and one brother and a number of cousins.  With one of these cousins I made my home.  His name was Joseph Muller.  He is a wealthy farmer with 150 acres of good land; has four horses and lots of nice cattle.  Am writing at his home.  I have still better times, have a horse and buggy when needed and my cousin went with me all over the country.  Here I have two nice rooms, a good bed with blanket covers.  I say this because all over Europe, they have their feather beds to cover, which I don't like.

Castle Waldburg

I have seen a good deal since I left home, and I think I have got the worth of my money.  I saw the falls of the Rhine, where the Rhine goes through a narrow space of rocks about twenty feet wide.  All along from Cologne, as far as I went, I saw nice country.  The finest sight in the country I had was the Castle Waldburg.

My cousin and I went there June 24th.  There they have a big field glass on the top of a building.  The view was grand.  We could see as far as Bavaria; almost all the snow capped mountains in Switzerland, the Bodensee and a lot of towns.

My eye is getting better now.  I went to the eye doctor yesterday again and he said there was no more danger and that I could leave, but my cousin would not take me to the city; he said I had to stay with him at least another day, and so I will leave tomorrow and go to Switzerland.  I will visit Mrs. Berchtold if I can find her.  

Peter Leithauser

On July 17 I expect to arrive at Basel again, and on the 23rd, I think I will start for Paris enroute home. I expect to go from Paris to Havre, from there to Southampton and London and after that I will board the St. Paul, August 4, at noon for New York.  From New York, I expect to visit cities in the United States enroute home.  I expect to be in Defiance, August 15th, if possible.

Please ask Dr. Westrick how he is coming on with the ten pills I sent him.

Yours truly,

PETER LEITHAUSER"

 

Dedication of St. Michael's Catholic Church - September, 1903

"DEDICATION OF ST. MICHAEL'S 

New Catholic Church at North Ridge Tuesday.

IT IS A MAGNIFICENT EDIFICE.

A Veritable Monument to the Zeal and Devotion of the Congregation.

Complete Report of The Ceremonies and a Short History of the Parish.

The magnificent new church of St. Michael's in Adams township was dedicated Tuesday.  The event was a triumphant festival of faith.  Its joy and glory were not confined to Adams township, nor to one faith, but was shared by a vast multitude from Defiance and Henry counties.  The event marked an epoch in the history of Catholicism in Defiance county, but especially in Adams township, which will be remembered by every resident and told to the generations to follow.

No less than twelve hundred people were present to witness the sacred ceremonies.  Some began arriving as early as six o'clock and all remained until Father Gloden pronounced benediction just before the noon hour.

DESCRIPTION OF CHURCH

The new church is located near the center of Adams township and just a little west of the ridge road.  For miles this magnificent church is clearly outlined against the sky, and from nearer approaches, its grandeur fills one with awe as it lifts itself clear of the surroundings, so insignificant in comparison.  This house of worship is well proportioned, the dimensions being 120 feet by 54 feet and 28 feet high with the spire towering 148 feet in the heavens.

 The church is wrought in stone till above the basement and completed with pressed brick with trimmings in stone.  The large slate roof is broken with four dormer windows on each side, making an exceedingly handsome appearance.  Situated as it is, in the heart of a most prosperous farming community, with all other buildings seeming like miniature play houses, it towers high toward the Lord's domain to express the congregation's aspirings and is recognized as a universal type of the churchly and the devotional architectural incarnation of the Catholic spirit.

THE INTERIOR

The dignity of the exterior hardly prepares one for the beauty of the interior.  The first effect is almost dazzling.  The impression is both of color and of light.  It has evidently been the aim of the decorators to reproduce the natural glow of the outer sunlight in the marble wainscoating, in the terra cotta and gold of the frescoes, in the blue filling of the upper arches and in the predominance of gold tints in the transept and sanctuary windows.  The main altar is of Italian marble with onyx columns.

 The side altars are of marble.  The pews and pulpit are of oak in a natural finish.  The windows are of stained glass, all donated by members of the congregation.  The seating capacity is about seven hundred.  In the gallery there is commodious quarters for a large choir and the new pipe-organ, costing nearly $2000, sounded its first joyful notes at the dedication yesterday.

THE CEREMONIES

At 9:30 o'clock, the ceremonies were opened by an imposing procession about the church, which included cross bearer, Father J. B. Bell of Collingwood, Cleveland; the acolytes; Master of Ceremonies, Father G. C. Schoeneman of Canton; assistant priests, Father Zinsmayer of Landeck, Father M. Puetz of Napoleon, Father J. P. Gloden of Defiance, Father L. Heiland of New Bavaria, Father J. H. Muehlenbeck of Toledo, Father J. B. Heiland of North Ridge, Father A. I. Hoeffel of Delphos and Mgr. Thorpe of Cleveland.  

Next followed the blessing of the outer and inner walls with chanting the 'Miserere' on the outside and the 'Litany of the Saints' on the inside. 

Mgr. Thorpe then delivered a sermon in English outlining the duties of a Catholic and then congratulated the rector, Father J. B. Heiland, and the congregation on the handsome edifice that day dedicated.  He spoke of his presence here at the time the cornerstone was laid in June of 1902.  He also congratulated them on dedicating their house of worship on the Feast of St. Michael, the patron saint of the congregation, their parish house and their homes.  Mgr. Thorpe's address was a masterful one and was received with the closest attention.

 After this address, the Pontifical mass began, Father J. P. Gloden was celebrant with Father Muehlenbeck - deacon, Father Bell - sub-deacon and Father Schoeneman, master of ceremonies.  Fathers Hoeffel and L. Heiland were deacons of honor.  During the services, the choir, all young members of the congregation, rendered the mass of St. Michael.  The singing was excellent.

Father Muehlenbeck addressed those present in German.  He opened his sermon by congratulating the pastor and congregation and spoke of the time he served St. Michael's congregation as its pastor.  He had formed ideas of a new church, but was removed before he could begin action.  He told his congregation a new school was needed to educate their children and ended his talk with remarks directed to the young people and imploring them to live upright as true Catholics...

HISTORICAL

St. Michael's congregation was founded about 1860 with Rev. A. I. Hoeffel as first resident pastor, with about 20 families among whom were John Coressel Sr., John Coressel, Jr., Michael Sheets, Peter Leithauser, Peter Lenhart, Michael Lutz, Michael Costello, Adam Clemens, John Rauth, John Donler, Nicholas Clemens, Christian Seibert, Michael Turner, Wm. Zeller, Peter Clemens, Lawrence Rumbaugh, James Cronin, Peter Smith, Joseph Fronk who came in 1862, and Frank Sommers, Sr. who located in 1864.  These with two exceptions have passed to the great beyond.

In 1862, under the direction of Father Maloney, old St. Michael's was erected, all the labor necessary being performed by the members of the congregation.  As nearly as could be ascertained without referring to the church records, Father Carroll succeeded Father Maloney who was was succeeded by Father Hannin.

The next pastor was Father Machenhahn, who remained but a short time.  Next in order of succession was Father O'Kief, who remained about a year.  In 1870, Father Drackenholz was assigned to the parish and remained but a few months.  Father Ellert followed and remained a couple of years.  During his pastorate, the first parochial resident was built.

Father Conway was next and also remained but a few months and was followed by Father Blosser, who came in 1875, serving the congregation for about 2 years.

Frs. Sproull and McCarty were the next rectors within a year and a half.  Father Jacob Christophory came in June of 1878 and under his direction, the parochial schools were established.  Father J. H. Muehlenbeck took charge in 1881 and during his charge, the present brick school house was erected in 1882 and the old church was enlarged.  During his residence, the parsonage was burned in the spring of 1886.

Fr. Schoeneman came to North Ridge in 1886, and during his stay, the present parsonage was built.  He remained as pastor for three years.  Father Schoeneman left in February, 1890, the church being without a pastor until Father Kress came in 1891, who remained during the summer.  In the fall of 1891, Father Bell was assigned to the charge who remained about two yearsa nd was succeeded by Father J. B. Heiland, the present pastor, under whose guidance and persevering effort, the magnificent structure dedicated Tuesday was made possible.  Father Heiland and his congregation deserve the congratulations of everyone in the county.

The ladies of the congregation deserve unlimited praise in the manner in which they fed the great crowd present.  The dining tables were in the old church, seating about a 100 at a time.  Not a thing to appease the hunger and delight, the palates of mankind were not lacking.  And there was plenty for all.  It is estimaged that the receipts from the dinner and ice cream stands will foot up nearly $500."

From the Defiance Crescent News, September 30, 1903.