MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN
(Sorin -- Moreau, November 17, 1845) "Received visit of Bishop of Milwaukee who came to get Brothers for his diocese. Had to refuse."
"One of the most important cities in the West. Today almost 40,000. For beauty, health, it has no equal beyond the Lakes. Five hours from Chicago, eight hours from Notre Dame, German predominate, although English speaking population numerous.
"Brother's school founded at request of Bishop Henni himself, and the basement of the old Cathedral is used for the English-speaking students. Germans having for the time excellent lay schools. Only 2 Brothers with 50 pupils, but of all the foundations of the Society in the United States, this one is one of the most hopeful since the Diocese is more Catholic and since Catholicism flourished there better than anywhere else in the United States. There seems no doubt that this school will succeed and procure vocations."
-- Sorin Chronicles
"St. Peter's School. Three English Brothers of Holy Cross."
-- Dunnigan's Catholic Almanac, (1856)
The same as above. Dunnigan's Catholic Almanac, (1858)
"Cathedral Male School, attended by the Brothers of Holy Cross. Brothers Camillus, Daniel and David." (1874)
"St. John's Cathedral School for Boys. Rev. J. J. Keogh, Director. Brother Camillus and four others of the Order of Holy Cross, teachers." (1874)
"St. John's. Brother Gabriel, Principal. 4 Brothers, 256 pupils." (1875)
"363 pupils. (1880)
"Four Brothers, 350 pupils. The boys of the primary department are taught by the Sisters." Dunnigan's Catholic Almanac, (1889)
"St. Peter's School, Jefferson Street; this school is for boys under the charge of the Brothers of St. Joseph from Notre Dame, Indiana."
-- Dunnigan's Catholic Almanac, (1857 & on)
(Brother Benjamin -- Sorin) "The Right Reverend Bishop has appointed a young clergyman, lately ordained to take care of the school."
-- Provincial Archives , December 7, 1857)
"This clergyman has nothing more to do than go around every day collecting all the boys he can find and send them to our school. These generally have no books, therefore his Reverence requests us to take the boys into school for four or five days, and maybe longer, at the end of which he says he will dismiss them if they do not get books. I have refused him on account of the disorder. Imagine15 or 20 boys of this kind in the school, and what kind of order we could keep....
"Brother Philemon, Director, Brother Florian, Brother Cyprian.: (1884)
(St. John's Cathedral School ... Rev. P. J. Donahoe -- Sorin, June 23, 1856) "The School has done very well under the charge of the present Brothers, whom we all like, and the children also like. Now if changes are made, I fear the school will not do so well. I hope you will leave us our present teachers. And if they have to go home now, we will dismiss the school for 2, 3 or 4 weeks, as you think proper..."
-- Provincial Archives, June 23, 1856
"A letter from the School Committee of the Cathedral , Milwaukee was read requesting that Brothers be sent to take charge of the school. As none were now available, the application is referred to the Provincial Chapter."
-- Provincial Council, October 20, 1872
(Bishop Henni -- Sorin, July 9, 1858) "As much as I regret it I have to close the Brothers' school, for awhile at least. I must say that the various circumstances compel me to do so. Even if I would not consider the heavy expenses which rested on my shoulders alone, we cannot compete with the other schools. The Irish either in their pride (illegible) will not send all their children, especially having their free schools with Catholic teachers, which makes it the more plausible in sending their children there in order to save a trifle of expenses.
"The balance due you for the Brothers I hope to forward you as soon as possible. I have to settle the bill first for the Brothers' board." -- (Bishop Henni's writing is extremely illegible. Some of it I couldn't make out.)
-- Provincial Archives July 9, 1858
"Milwaukee school suspended indefinitely in agreement with Bishop Henni because of lack of suitable local support.
-- Sorin Chronicles (1858 or 1859)
"Milwaukee...St. John's School, 1881: Brothers Philemon, Justinian, Florian.
-- Provincial Archives (1881)
"Milwaukee...St. John's School, 1883: Brothers Philemon, Justinian, Florian.
-- Provincial Archives (1883)
"St. John's School ... Milwaukee. Founded in 1873. Brother Camillus, Director. Three other Brothers. Pupils came from all parts of the city. A sort of central grade school. Brother Gabriel, superior in 1875. Then a graded course of studies adopted such as was pursued in the public schools of the city.
"1879 an academy was opened. It proved successful and soon the reputation of the school was made and the standard raised. It was an inducement for the larger boys to remain in school, and it often happened that when pupils had finished the grades they came to receive an advanced course from the Brothers. When the Jesuits built Marquette College soon after, the majority of the Academy pupils went there, because, like all other boys of their age, they loved dearly to be know as 'college boys'.
"In 1879 Brother Philemon was superior. Under him the academy was closed in 1882."
"Graduates of the grade school excelled all others in the city inasmuch as they alone were admitted to the Public High School without an examination."
"Brother Cyprian O'Hara, superior in 1888. He performed his duties in a manner that elicited the praise and admiration of all. His discipline was highly commended and during his administration the school reached its highest degree of excellence. His skill in training boys for entertainment was astonishing. He remained superior till 1894. Brother Ephrem succeeded him. The three assistants 1895 were: Brothers Florian, Francis Carraciolo and Mansuetus. There were six grades and 300 pupils."
See also, "Foundations -- 1858-58".
(Brother Camillus -- Sorin, 1874) "It is true we had to suffer this little and overcome many difficulties, but evidently God blesses us, from the fact that those who opposed and ridiculed us at the beginning are now our warmest friends. Again, those who scorned the idea of sending their children to us in September and sent them to the Jesuit's school have just made an agreement with us to send them next quarter...."
-- Provincial Archives (1874)
"Brother Philemon, Director, 3 Brothers. Pupils, 156." (1885)
(Father Martin Kundig, V.G. -- Sorin, 1874) "Father Granger, no doubt, has acquainted you with the arrangement he has entered into of sending Brothers to take charge of the parochial boy's school of our Catholic Congregations.
"Father Granger assured us that he would take as much interest as ourselves in our parochial school, which gives us great consolation and courage. We stand in need of good teachers to come up with our common schools, and to gain the boys who are in great danger of being lost." Provincial Archives (1874)
(St. John's School, 1878) "The Catholic School had been under the administration of our Brothers some twenty years ago. It was taken again in 1874. Three Brothers are there. Brother Gabriel is Director. 140 boys are enrolled. The school is in a prosperous condition, although there has been some misunderstanding between the Superior and the principal (priests) charged to oversee it . Formerly there were four Brothers attached to it, but since last year the primer Class has been given to the Sisters of Charity."
"Brother's school founded by Bishop Henni in basement of Cathedral. 2 Brothers. 50 boys. Very Promising. Notre Dame
(Cathedral School...1888) "1st Class, 24 -- Brother Cyprian, Superior; 2nd Class, 44 -- Bro. Raymond; 3rd Class, 60 -- Brother Ambrose; 4th Class, 65 -- Brother Florian. Total: 193."