REV CASPER J HUTH

MEVIS 
SECKER 
ZENGERLE

Rev. Casper J. HUTH, the popular priest in charge of St. Charles Catholic church at Hampshire, Ill. was born in cologne, Germany, Sept. 22 1845, and with the family emigrated to America in 1855, leaving their home May 27, sailing from Antwerp June 1, and landing in New York June 17.  His father, Peter HUTH, was born in Cologne, Sept 15, 1819, and in his native country worked as a day laborer.  With a view of bettering his condition he came to the United States and settled in Freeport, Ill., where he made his home the remainder of his life, with the exception of a short time spent with our subject in Hampshire.  Shortley before his death he returned to Freeport and died at the residence of his daughter, Jan 29, 1898.  On coming to this country he secured work with the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railroad, in whose services he remained for many years, filling various positions, and for a number of years before retiring had charge of the roundhouse at Freeport.  His life thought an uneventful one, he so lived as to merit the confidence and esteem of his fellow men.  In his native city he married Cecelia MEVIS, who became the mother of four children as follows:  Caspar J, our subject;  Mary, who died at the age of 11 years;  Clara, who married John ZENGERLE of Stillwater, Minn.; and Theresa wife of Charles SECKER, of Freeport, Ill. with whom the father made his home at the time of his death.
	
While yet residing in Germany, our subject attended the parochial schools, which he also attended after coming to Freeport, and which was supplemented by attendance in the public schools of Freeport.  He began his theological studies in the University of St. Louis, at St. Louis, MO., and later attended St. Mary's of the Lake, at Chicago, ILL., where he remained 7 years, and was then a short time at St. FRancis College, Milwaukee, where he was ordained to the priesthood Jan 29, 1869.  
	
Father HUTH's ministry has been an unusual one in the length of time which he served at his various stations.  His first charge was at Somonauk, DeKalb Co., Ill., where he remained fifteen and a half years, then took a vacation for 6 months, at the expiration of which time he was assigned to St. Charles Church in Hampshire.  This was in the spring of 1885, since which time he has ministered to the spiritual wants of the congregation of that village, in sickness and in health, at the bridal alter, and at the bier.  He is a man of energy and strong mental vigor, and is greatly esteemed by Catholics and Protestants alike.  One of his most pleasant recollections, is that of a visit while at Somonauk, of Archbishop, now Cardinal, Gibbons, who was visiting Bishop Froley, of Chicago.  Many years after, at a large gathering of clergyment, at which the Cardinal was present, the latter recalled the visit and asked if the young priest who had officiated at Somonauk was present, and when he was presented to him, gave the Father HUTH a most cordial greeting.
	
After an absence of more than forty years from his native land, Father HUTH now contemplates a trip abroad to revisit the place of his birth and greet his kindred whom he has not seen since childhood.  His many friends in Kane and DeKalb counties will wish him a pleasant journey and a safe return to take up the workof ministering to fallen humanity.


The Biographical Record of Kane Co., Ill.  1898
pg 27

Transcribed by Cynthia Nelson who has no further information on the above
parties.

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