Rev. H. J. Hemesath is the second resident priest in charge of St. John’s Catholic Church at Arcadia. Rev. John B. Fendrick was the first, the church prior to his coming being in charge of Fathers J. Kempker, W. Pape, J. Urbany, J. B. Fendrick and M. C. Lenihan. Father Hemesath took charge of the church December 21, 1886, this being his first parish. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1857, and when a boy accompanied his parents to Iowa, they locating near Ossian, Winneshiek County. He was educated at St. Francis Seminary, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, St. Joseph’s College, Dubuque, and the Grand Seminary at Montreal, Canada, where he graduated. He was ordained at Dubuque, December 8, 1886. He is a good speaker, a hard worker, and has the prospect of a bright and useful career.

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