Steinbrecher, Reverend Francis Xavier

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 4430
• Religious Vows: Abt Sep 1880
• Ordained: 12 Mar 1888, Innsbruck, , Tirol, Austria
• Stationed at: 25 Jan 1897, St. Mary Catholic Church, Kaukauna, Outagamie, Wisconsin, USA; Pastor for 27 years
• Biography: 1911; History of Outagamie County, Wisconsin Page 1099
• Stationed at: Abt 1922, New Holstein, Calumet, Wisconsin, USA
• Retired: Abt 1923; Due to ill health went to Holy Family Hospital in Manitowoc
• Biography: 1926; From Homecoming of St. Mary's Congregation
• Obituary: 2 Sep 1927; Appleton Post Crescent

Notes:

Biography:
REV. FRANCIS XAVIER STEINBRECHER, pastor of St. Mary's Roman Catholic church, is descended on his mother's side from pioneer Wisconsin people. He was born at Cooperstown, Manitowoc county, Wisconsin, June 3, 1865, a son of Charles and Mathilda (Kirscher) Steinbrecher, who were natives of Germany and Wisconsin, respectively. The mother's family located in Manitowoc county at the early period of 1847 and became prominent in that locality. Charles Steinbrecher settled there in 1860. He was a teacher, farmer and owner of a saw-mill, and was a man of wide experience and practical knowledge. As a boy Father Steinbrecher attended the public schools until the age of fourteen years, and from 1880 to 1884 was a student at St. Francis Seminary. He then attended the University of Salzburg, Austria, two years, and completed his schooling at the University of Innsbruck, Tyrol, from which he was graduated in 1888. Since 1888, with the exception of three years spent as secretary to Bishops Katzer and Messmer, at Green Bay, Father Steinbrecher has been a parish priest. In January, 1897 he was appointed pastor of St. Mary's Roman Catholic church, at Kaukauna, which charge he has since held.

Biography:
born at Cooperstown, Manitowoc County, Wis., on June 3, 1865. After taking private lessons in Latin, Greek, and the higher mathematics from the resident pastor of his parish, he entered St. Francis Seminary in September, 1880. In 1884, he went to Salsburg, Austria, to continue his studies, and two years later to Innbruck, Tyrol, where be was ordained to the priesthood on March 12, 1888. He returned to the United States in June of the same year. His first appointment was to the Sacred Heart Church at Shawano, from which place he attended the missions of Gresham, (?), and Cecil. He acted as Indian agent for the Menominee Reservation from August until December, 1890. He was then appointed secretary of the Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Katzer, which position he held until November 1, 1891. After one year as pastor at Montello, he was again assigned the position as secretary of the Bishop, at this time the Rt. Rev. S. Messmer. In January, 1893, he was appointed pastor at Sevastapol with the missions of Egg Harbor, Jacksonport, and the scattering Catholic families in Door county. From here he was transferred in November, 1893, to Lebanon with its missions at Waupaca, Northport, Manawa, and Weyauwega. Having erected a church and rectory at Manawa, he was appointed pastor of the latter in 1895. Here he remained until his appointment to St. Mary's at Kaukauna, January 25, 1897. A breakdown in health after twenty-seven years of strenuous labor in this parish, forced him to resign. He was given an easier charge at New Holstein where he now resides.