Rev. George Brohman

1849 - 1902  (53 years)

• Name	George Brohman
  Prefix	Rev.
  Born	13 Jan 1849	Maryhill (New Germany) Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario   [1]
  Gender	Male
  Birth	14 Jan 1849	Maryhill (New Germany) Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario   [2, 3, 4, 5]
  Residence	1861	Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [4]
  	Roman Catholic
  Residence	1871	Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [5]
  	Roman Catholic
  Occupation	1897	St. Clements, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  	Parish Priest - minister
  	The congregation was organized in 1847 by Father Funcken who was in charge until 1852 He was succeeded by the following Jesuit Priests: Fathers Fritsch, Caving, Sadler, Eoner, Fritzni, and Ritter. The first Parish Priest was Rev. Father Columban Messener,of the Capuchin order, who had charge of the son's of the parish from 1852 to 1866. He was a man of progressive ideas and it may be said to his credit that it was mainly through his instrumentality and forethought that the church was placed upon a more enduring foundation and given a position for increased strength. From October, 1866 to 1870, Father Elward Glomalski, C. R, was in charge. From August, 1870 to January, 1871, Father Elenar, CR presided. He was succeeded by Father Francis Breitkoft, C R, who had charge of the Parish from 1871 to 1881. From January, 1881 to 1897, Father Gehl was in charge. In September, 1897, Rev. Father George Brohman was transferred from Formosa and is at present the resident priest. Waterloo County Chronicle, 24 Nov 1898
  Occupation	1901	Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [3]
  	Priest
  Eby ID Number	Waterloo-47837
  Died	27 Nov 1902	St. Clements, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  	Cause: Heart Failure 3 hours
  Person ID	I47837	Generations
  Last Modified	6 Apr 2024

  
  

  Father	Franz Joseph "Joseph" Brohman,   b. 8 Apr 1807, , Germany ,   d. 8 Aug 1872, Maryhill (New Germany) Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario  (Age 65 years)
  Mother	Magdalena Schumann,   b. 29 Sep 1810, , Germany ,   d. 7 May 1886, Deemerton, Carrick Twp., Bruce Co., Ontario  (Age 75 years)
  Married	20 Feb 1838	St. Boniface Roman Catholic Church, Maryhill, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada   [6]
  Family ID	F8011	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Notes

  Rev. Father G. Brohmann Dies Unexpectedly in Berlin The relentless figure of Death carried off almost without any warning last Thursday a man who, in this county, as well as in the counties of Bruce and Grey, enjoyed, with few exceptions, the greatest number of acquaintances and a general popularity among all classes. Very Reverend George Brohmann, pastor of the Catholic congregation in St. Clements, died on Thursday at 11: 30 a.m. in the Catholic rectory here as a result of gallstones, connected with a heart-attack. Father Brohmann had already suffered from this ailment for some time, and as a result, had repeatedly suffered dreadful torments. Last winter, he had lain in bed for a week; as soon as he was relieved of the pain, however, he was immediately fresh and cheerful again. In the past week, he went about his priestly duties as usual. Tuesday he officiated at a wedding in St. Clements, and Wednesday, he came to Berlin, in order to attend a conference of the diocese in Guelph, the next day. On Wednesday afternoon, his old pain began, but a doctor was able to calm the pain. He suffered pain all night, and consequently, he was watched carefully. In the morning, he fell asleep. When the doctor arrived about 9 o'clock, he recognized that his slumber had become a lack of consciousness and the patient had declined near death. A second doctor verified this opinion, and therefore, the dying man was immediately given the last rites. The lack of consciousness lasted almost without interruption until Father Brohmann gently slept away half an hour before noon. The news of his death caused great dismay here in the town. Many who had seen the priest's powerful figure the day before; or had spoken with him, could not believe the bad news. It was the same in St. Clements and everywhere else. However, the verification could not be denied. Very Rev. W. Klöpfer, who took part in the meeting in Guelph was informed by telegram and returned home with the afternoon train. The Funeral Ceremonies On Friday morning at nine o'clock, the coffin with the body of the deceased was carried into the Catholic church here in a solemn procession, where the attending priests recited the office for the dead. This was followed by a solemn requiem mass in which Very Rev. J. Fehrenbach, as celebrant, Very Rev. M. Halm from Mildmay as deacon, Very Rev. W. V. Klöpfer as Assistant Deacon and Very Rev. A. Wachter functioned as Master of Ceremonies. The coffin was placed at the front of the church, and after the service, those present filed by, to have a last glance at the deceased. The coffin was then taken in a hearse to the church in St. Clements. Many parishioners immediately gathered there and several held an honours watch through the following night by their deceased pastor. At the funeral service on Saturday, there were present, along with many priests and relatives of the deceased, hundreds of his friends, many of whom were non-Catholics. At the funeral service, as the day before in Berlin, preceded by the mass for the dead, the celebrant was Very Rev. W. Klöpfer from Berlin; Very Rev. Clemens Brohmann of Walkerton was deacon, Very Rev. Jonas Lenhard of Galt was assisting deacon, and Very Rev. M. Halm of Mildmay, master of ceremonies. Bishop Dowling of Hamilton assisted at the funeral ceremony, accompanied by Very Rev. J. Gehl of Formosa and Very Rev. Dr. A. Walter of Hamilton. In addition, the following priests were present: Very Reverends J. Schweitzer, A. Wachter, Very Rev. Dr. A. Walter and A. Zinger of Berlin, H. Aeymans of St. Agatha, S. Förster and J. F. Wey of New Germany, R. Lehmann of Macton, J. Gnam of Hesson, W. Gehl of Caledonia, J.E. Wey of Carlsruhe, Brady of Hamilton and Burke of Toronto. Very Rev. J. Schweitzer, a fellow student of the deceased, delivered the funeral sermon. He stressed the latter's active life and loyal fulfillment of his duties and begged his listeners not to deny thanks to their pastor for his effectiveness among them and to preserve his memory always. After the service in the church, Bishop Dowling spoke a few words in English and expressed his sympathy to the congregation for their bitter loss. In addition, he announced, until the naming of a successor, the congregation would remain under the supervision of Very Rev. Father J. Schweitzer, of Berlin. Those present then filed past the coffin, after which the funeral procession formed and set off on the way to the final resting place. Eight priests carried the coffin out of the church, and from there to the cemetery, 24 members of the lodge of the Catholic Foresters and C.M.B.A. performed this service alternately. In the procession were school children, the C.M.B.A., and the Catholic Foresters of St. Clements, as well as many members of the congregation and many mourners. At the burial, which followed almost at the centre of the cemetery, Very Rev. S. Förster of New Germany presided. Of the family members of the deceased, six brothers and one sister still survive. From these, Mrs. John Wendling and family of Berlin, Alexander of Mildmay, John of New Germany and Frank of Glenmeyer attended the burial. The other remaining surviving brothers are Joseph and Wendel in Nebraska, and Ignatius in New Germany. Mr. Matthias Götz of Walkerton, Clerk of the Court, a bosom friend of the deceased also attended the burial. An Active Life Very Rev. George Brohmann was born in New Germany on Jan. 13, 1849 and attended St. Jerome's College in Berlin from 1869-1874, and then, in the seminary in Montreal. On July 8, 1877, he was ordained a priest and then spent two years as a chaplain in Formosa. Afterwards, he spent one year as pastor of the German Catholic church in Hamilton. Then, he spent 10 months travelling in Ireland, England, France, Italy, Germany, and Holland. After his return, he took over serving the Catholic congregation in Deemerton and Mildmay; which he led for 11 years, and by dint of building schools and other buildings, brought to a thriving state. After he had served six years successfully as a pastor, he came to St. Clements, where, last July, he celebrated his silver anniversary as a priest. Although the deceased had devoted himself to the priestly vocation he also possessed a sharp, active business head to which can be thanked the thriving state of the parishes entrusted to his care. Wherever Father Brohmann was active, there, good schools developed, the churches were improved, chapels were built and general prosperity was visible everywhere. Also in other respects the deceased was an alert businessman. He was interested in financial investments of different kinds, and acquired in recent years property in Berlin and Waterloo, which, through rental, brought him in a small supplementary income. This efficiency of the deceased sometimes led to disapproval among those of the opinion that a priest did not belong in the business world. Still, just these activities, which were necessary for him in his leisure hours, had a very noble purpose, as can be seen in his will. In it, he states namely that his property, after the withdrawal of bequests in the amount of $2000. for his relatives, should be used for the support of orphans, the poor, and students of the priesthood. $1000. are destined for the orphanage in St. Agatha, $1000. for St. Joseph's Hospital in Hamilton and $500. for the Old Age Home in Dundas. The remainder of the inheritance will go to Very Rev. W. Klöpfer here for the benefit of St. Jerome's College, to which the deceased was always a good friend and demonstrated his friendship through active assistance; the remainder of the inheritance will be used for the purpose of training of priests. The executors are: Very Rev. A. Weiler and Very Rev. J. Schweitzer, and Mr. W.J. Motz, of Berlin. A physically powerful figure of a marl; a man who had an interest for life around him; an open, friendly nature; respected by all with whom he came in contact; beloved by all his subordinates; a friend who proved his friendship through deeds, not only by empty words alone; loyal and selfless in his duties; a fatherly friend of the young and of students; a kind pastor and a preacher whose impressive sermons created a wide-spread reputation -that was Father Brohmann in life, and in death, his generous gifts will keep his memory alive for many years; that of a good father whose main thought with every action was the well-being of others and the betterment of his fellow-men. May he rest in peace! Translated by: Patricia J. Kauk _______________________ REV. GEO. BROHMAN. Last Thursday this entire section was shocked by the news that Rev. Father Brohman, Parish Priest at St. Clemens, had just died in Berlin. He left St. Clemens the previous afternoon for Berlin, apparently in the best of health, intending to spend Thursday attending a church meeting in Guelph. But during the night he was taken ill with an acute kidney trouble and in spite of all that could be done he only lived few hours. Father Brohman was in his 54th year. He was beloved by all who knew him, and his funeral at St. Clemens on Saturday was a most solemn and impressive one. Wellesley Maple Leaf, December 4, 1902 Obituary is supplied by the Wellesley Township Heritage and Historical Society Click here to go to their website. _______________________ Prior to 18.. - the St. Clements Parish belonged to the London Diocese, and included St. Jacobs, Heidelberg, Linwood, Crosshill and all those who lived in Wellesley township and Bamberg and also the church in Woolwich north of Elmira. The parish now exists under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Hamilton. The priests residence was erected in 1876 under the direction of Father Breitkoft, at a cost of $2,500 not in addition to a house for the Sisters who were employed as teachers for the parochial school. The congregation now comprises 145 families. The present church is a commodious brick structure, being 55x110 feet in dimensions and 28 feet to the ceiling. The interior is elegantly finished and fitted up. It is also furnished with the most modern appliances for supplying light, heat and other features to enhance the comfort and convenience of those who assemble to worship within its sacred walls. For these latter improvements Father Brohman must be duly credited as they were inaugurated almost immediately after he took charge of the Parish. An elaborate transformation in the basement is the result of his forethought. Two new hot air furnaces were put in which furnish abundance of heat for the entire building. One portion of the basement was also set apart for a spacious chapel which has been neatly fitted and appropriately furnished. It is also lighted by the acetylene gas process. Father Brohman, being a genial soul himself, is inclined to have his surroundings decidedly inviting to those who may have occasion to step across the threshold of his commodious domicile. The interior is very comfortably heated by hot water furnaces. In fact the reception room and his private studio are the most cozy and comfortable apartments I have had the privilege of entering since my sojourn in this vicinity. Herein the brilliant glare of the acetylene gas is a conspicuous feature. When the CHRONICLE scribe called he was most courteously received by the Reverend gentleman, whose jovial and good natured countenance at once makes the stranger feel at home. But when requested for a biographical interview he respectfully declined with the reply to the effect that his ambition for newspaper conspicuity was dormant. Be this as it may I do not consider it an act of indiscretion to offer a few personal remarks. He is a typical representative of the priesthood, as to ability and learning, but while he upholds the dignity of his exalted position, he displays very slight evidence of that solemnity and indifference which prevades the countenance of the average clergyman. For everyone with whom he may come in contact, it matters not to what sect they belong, he has a pleasant smile and a kind word, and all who meet him are at once favorably impressed. None of his predecessors have been more popular with the congregation. Physically, Father Brohman is a fine specimen of manhood, standing over 6 ft and tilts the beam at 215 lbs. He is also an enthusiastic admirer of harmless outdoor athletic sports, and is not adverse to hard work when it becomes necessary. He contemplates making other improvements to the church in the coming spring, the most important of which will be a new belfry and steeple. The members of the congregation have positive assurance of the latter improvement as the money necessary for the purpose is already in hand. This will certainly be a most satisfactory improvement to the edifice and its entire surroundings. The O. M. B. A, No. 11 is flourishing here, having a membership of over forty. It was organized about sixteen years ago. As many probably do not understand the purpose of this order which has branches throughout the Dominion of Canada and the United States, I will undertake to explain. It is in the nature of an auxiliary to the Catholic Church and has for its object charity, that is, for the caring of the widows and orphans of deceased or totally disabled members, and to uphold and maintain the sphere of influence of the Catholic denomination. Waterloo County Chronicle, 24 Nov 1898

  
  

• Sources

  [S7] News - ON, Waterloo, Kitchener - Berliner Journal (1859-1917), Obituary of John Brandel - 22 Nov 1900. [S131] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo Twp. - 1851, Div2 pg 91. [S160] Census - ON, Waterloo, Wellesley Twp. - 1901, Wellesley E-2 Page 19. [S1887] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo Twp. - 1861 (North Division), Div. 8 Page 58. [S514] Census - ON, Waterloo, Waterloo Twp. - 1871, Sect. 2 Page 5. [S91] Church Records - ON, Waterloo, Maryhill - St. Boniface Roman Catholic [found cited on various sources on the internet and family histories], Rev. Peter Schneider. 20 Feb 1838 Joseph Brohman s/o Joseph Brohman & Catharina Grunder to Madeline Schumman, d/o Daniel & Elisabeth Gunst. witnesses: Lucas Zettel & Gottleib Brohamn & Theobald Wadel & Nicholaus Mattell

  
  

• Event Map

  Born - 13 Jan 1849 - Maryhill (New Germany) Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario Birth - 14 Jan 1849 - Maryhill (New Germany) Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario Residence - Roman Catholic - 1861 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Residence - Roman Catholic - 1871 - Waterloo Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Parish Priest - minister - 1897 - St. Clements, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Occupation - Priest - 1901 - Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Died - Cause: Heart Failure 3 hours - 27 Nov 1902 - St. Clements, Wellesley Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  = Link to Google Earth