Rev. F. M. Oberbroekling

OBERBROEKLING, HENNESSY

Posted By: Cheryl Moonen (email)
Date: 12/15/2012 at 11:09:20

REV. F.W. OBERBROEKLING In reviewing the career of Father Oberbroekling we find in him a remarkable and harmonious combination of all those qualities that go to make up a good pastor and priest. He has been a life long student a close observer self reliant without being rash honorable in his intercourse with all and withal possessing a gentle cheerful and dignified deportment eminently calculated to inspire confidence among his parishioners and to command respect among his fellow citizens. For more than twenty years, Father Oberbroeckling has been in charge of the church and school of the Luxemburg parish and his labors during that long period have been crowned with great success. His congregation numbers many families in the village and surrounding country and the school is also well attended. Soon after coming to this place he commenced the erection of a new edifice and under his personal supervision a substantial brick structure was built the dedicatory services being held July 11, 1875. A native of Prussia the subject of this notice was born in Delbrook Prussia December 10, 1844. He is the son of John Henry and Anna Maria Oberbroekling both of whom were born in Delbrook Prussia in the year 1801. In the spring of 1856 they sailed for America and having crossed the ocean spent a short time in the city of St. Louis, Mo. and from that place moved to New Vienna Dubuque County Iowa. Two of their sons John and J. H. remained in St. Louis a few months then joined their parents here purchasing two hundred acres of land near New Vienna. The father of our subject commenced its cultivation and so successful was he in his labors that he was afterward enabled to purchase an adjoining tract of one hundred and sixty acres. He was bereaved by the death of his wife March 3, 1876. He continued to reside upon the old homestead until his death which occurred December 26, 1884. They were the parents of eight children all of whom were sons and named as follows John, Henry a farmer residing on section 25 Liberty Township Dubuque County, Joseph and Ferdinand who are agriculturists in New Wine Township, George, Jodocus, Henry who has charge of the home farm in New Wine Township, John now in Watsonville, Cal who united with the St Francis Order at Quincy, ILL. in 1863 and is still connected with that organization, Gerhard now with the Union Trust Company Bank of Chicago and Frederick W. of this sketch. The last named was a lad of twelve years when he accompanied the family to America. From boyhood it was his ambition to become a priest and on the 22d of September 1861 he began his studies in St. Francis Solanus College at Quincy ILL. After one year in that institution he went to the St. Francis School in Milwaukee In that city he was ordained to the priesthood December 20, 1871. His entire life has been devoted to his chosen profession and he has met with more than ordinary success in increasing the membership and usefulness of the churches with which he has been associated. February 22, 1872 he located at Luxemburg and took charge of the Holy Trinity Church. As above stated he soon secured the erection of a new edifice which was dedicated with appropriate services by Archbishop Hennessy of Dubuque.