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1875 A. T. Andreas Atlas
1880 Dubuque County History
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Dickson Beatty
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Nancy R. Hill, M. D.
Asa Horr, M. D.
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Edward R. Jackson, M. D.
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Norton J. Loomis
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W. A. Manhart
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M. H. Martin
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Benjamin McCluer, M. D.
Susan Ann McCraney
A. S. McDermott
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Charles Miller
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Dorrance Dixon Myers
Nicholas P. Nicks
Frederick R. Nitzsche, M. D.
J. J. E. Norman
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Bernard J. O'Neill
John P. Page
Frank Paley
John Palmer
Rev. Frederick William Pape
Thomas Phillips
Joseph Platz
Andrew Rahe
Honorable James Rowan
Reverend Roger Ryan
George Salot
Colonel C. J. W. Saunders
John Sauser, Jr.
Joseph Schemmel
George Schmitt
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Ralph Spensley
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Oren Stuart, M. D.
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John Tibey
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William Watson, M. D.
F. W. Wieland
Louis Witter
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Reverend Frederick William Pape
Extracted from Portrait and Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties, Iowa, 1894 Reprinted by Higginson Book Co., Salem, Massachusetts, p. 155

REV. FREDERICK WILLIAM PAPE, inseparably associated with the religious history of New Vienna is the name of the rector of St. Boniface Church. A gentleman of the highest culture and loftiest principles, he bas been instrumental not only in promoting the spiritual welfare of his parishioners, but also in advancing- the religious progress of the community. Moreover it has been one of his chief ambitions in life to elevate and educate the people, but especially to aid young men in preparing for the priesthood and thus give to the people earnest, well-educated and consecrated Christian leaders.

The biography of a gentleman of so much prominence will contain for our readers more than ordinary interest. He is of German birth, the city of Buern, Westphalia, having been the place of his nativity, and January 27, 1844, and the date of his birth. The family of which he is a member consisted of four sons, and his mother by a previous marriage also had four sons. Of the latter, one is a retired farmer of Dyersville, another an extensive agriculturist of New Wine Township, the third, deceased, and the fourth, Rev. Aloisius Meis, a prominent Catholic priest. Our subject's own brothers are Herman, a farmer in Carroll County, Iowa; Henry, an agriculturist of Nebraska, and Conrad, of whom mention is made on another page of this volume. The father of this family, William Pape, came to America with limited means, but at the time of his death, in 1878, left a large estate.

In 1851 our subject accompanied his parents to the United States and with them settled on a half section of Government land near New Vienna, Iowa. His early years were spent on the home farm, and his time was devoted principally to agricultural work, though in the short intervals during the winter seasons he was a student in the neighboring school. This was a primitive building constructed of logs, and was utilized both as church and school. In 1858 he entered the employ of Moreland & Morrissy merchants at Dyersville, Iowa, and after serving a year’s apprenticeship with them, became their clerk, remaining thus engaged until 1861.

The death of his mother somewhat changed the course of our subject's life. The father, discouraged by the loss of his noble and devoted wife, resolved to retire from active business and to divide his property among the four sons still remaining at home. Frederick W. had promised to remain at the old homestead with his parents, but the death of his mother and the division of the estate left him free to choose for him. It had been with him a long cherished dream to travel and see the world of which he had heard and read so much. He was, however, detained a while from the consummation of his plans by the urgent request of his half-brother, Rev. Aloisius Meis, then pastor of St. Boniface Church at Lyons, Iowa, that he act as assistant, teacher in the newly organized parochial school of that congregation.

After spending a very pleasant year in that occupation, and Father Meis being now transferred to St. Mary's Church at Dubuque, our subject, in company with several friends, started on a tour of the east. After spending some time in New York he took passage on a steamer for Cuba, then went to Matamoras and other places in Mexico; from there he journeyed through Texas and along the Rio Grande to Bagdad, situated at the mouth of the river. After a six months' sojourn, he returned home via the gulf to New Orleans and thence by steamer up the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers to Cincinnati. At last he reached Lyons again, after an extensive tour that was of inestimable value to him in learning the character and habits of people and the contour of the country. At Lyons he engaged for a time in the general mercantile business, which in the year 1867 he sold to a brother, and settling all his business affairs prepared to enter the priesthood. Having thoroughly studied the subject and after thoughtful deliberation he resolved to devote the remainder of his life to tile service of God and the welfare of mankind. To this holy office he had been called in childhood, and his decision had been strengthened by personal experience, and especially by the wise counsel and good example of his brother, Father Meis.

In 1867 our subject commenced his studies at the University of Notre Dame, Ind., where he spent one year. He then entered St. Francis Seminary near Milwaukee, where he completed his studies. In that seminary, March 25,1874, he was ordained to the priesthood by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Henney, and was appointed to attend to the spiritual wants of Catholic settlers scattered over western Iowa. In that capacity he spent six years, which he looks back upon as among the most blessed and useful of his life. The position was by no means a sinecure. His duties were arduous and a severe tax upon his physical constitution. Having no home he traveled with satchel in hand, securing lodging and meals at private houses. During this time he organized and attended the charges at Hamburg, Shenandoah, Red Oak, Villisca, Malvin, Sidney, Nodaway, Blumer Settlement, Glenwood and Neola (all in Fremont and Page Counties), Mt. Carmel, Carroll, Rozell, Arcadia, Wall Lake, Odebolt and Ida Grove, in Ida County. He was the first priest who ever said mass in the county last named. Churches were built under his direction at Hamburg, Shenandoah, Red Oak, Villisca, Carroll, Breda, Wall Lake, Ida Grove, Odebolt, Blumer Settlement and Arcadia.

During 1880 Father Pape was called from the western part of the state to the east and appointed to the charge at Lansing, Iowa. Six months later he was sent by the Bishop to Dubuque to form the congregation in the north part of the city, where in 1881 the Church of the Sacred Heart was built. Later the pastor's residence was erected and the school organized. Father Pape's health being somewhat impaired he desired to be relieved from his charge in Dubuque, and was thereupon transferred to his former home in New Vienna. For twelve years he has had charge of the church at this place, and meantime has greatly promoted the welfare of the congregation. In addition to reorganizing and building up a large and flourishing school he was instrumental in securing the erection of the house of worship. This is a commodious stone structure, one of the finest edifices in the state. The interior decorations are beautiful and display the most refined taste on the part of Father Pape, who is one of the best art critics in the state.

New Vienna has been justly named the home of priests, for from that place sixteen young men have gone forth into active priesthood, and there are now ten students preparing for that holy office. By the Catholics of the state Father Pape is well known and highly esteemed for his devotion to duty and superior ability. By the people also, irrespective of denominational preferences, he is highly respected as a citizen of broad and noble spirit and liberal culture.

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