Rev. Francis H. Zabel, D. D., one of the most
distinguished members of the Catholic clergy in the Alton Diocese, Illinois,
dean of that body, and for the past 24 years the beloved and reverenced
pastor of the Catholic Church at Bunker Hill, Macoupin County, was born
February 9, 1839, at Erbeviller, Lorraine, France. He is a son of the late
Francis Stephen and Mary (Midon) Zabel.
Father Zabel comes of Swiss
ancestry, the founder of the family having located in Lorraine at the time
the province had been desolated by war and pestilence, and, although a poor
watchmaker, he was thus enabled to secure a very large tract of land which
in later days became very valuable: Both the Zabels and Midons have been
consistent Catholics. The Midon family, especially, has contributed many
faithful sons to the service of the church. Joseph Zabel, the grandfather of
Father Zabel, was wounded while serving in the army at the siege of Mainz,
and two of his brothers perished during the disastrous campaign of Napoleon
in Russia. Fair Lorraine has figured so conspicuously in the various wars on
the Continent, that its dwellers have been called upon to bear many
hardships arid their various experiences were often tragic. Father Zabel's
maternal grandfather was the mayor of Eulmont at the time of Napoleon's
invasion and was the only man who remained at his post of duty in the hour
of danger. At this time the mother of Father Zabel was but a little maid of
seven years, but the impressions made then were never forgotten by her. She
died in her old home, in 1896, at the age of 89 years. She was a woman of
great force of character, a most admirable wife and mother, and a deeply
devout member of the Catholic Church. The father of Father Zabel was born
August 24, 1807, in the same house which was his son's birthplace 32 years
later, and there his useful, worthy, virtuous life ended on June 1, 1884.
His pursuits had been entirely agricultural and he owned a large estate
which is now managed by his youngest son, Charles A., who is an educated man
and a practical farmer. The family consisted of but three sons. Father Zabel
being the second in order of birth. The eldest. Rev. Joseph Zabel, is a
Catholic priest now in charge of a church at Maron near Nancy, Lorraine.
Until he was 19 years of age, Rev. Father Zabel remained in his native
place, attending the municipal schools until the age of 11 years, having
private instruction for one year and then was placed by his devout father in
the seminary at Pont-a-Mousson, where he continued the study of Latin, and
where he remained for seven years, completing the classical and scientific
courses. Thus prepared, he was accepted as a student in the great seminary
at Nancy, where he was grounded in philosophy for one year. Leaving France,
he went to Ireland, and at All-Hallows College, in Dublin, spent two years
in the study of philosophy and theology, going thence to Rome. There two
years were passed in the Roman College in the study of theology and the
Roman University for the study of canon law, and graduated at both
institutions in 1862.
In America Father Zabel sought a field of
usefulness. The way was opened to a Western diocese and in November, 1862,
he reached Alton, Illinois, and in May, 1863, was appointed to a charge at
Springfield. In July, 1864, he was transferred to East St. Louis and given
charge of St Patrick's Church, where he remained until December 1, 1873,
when he took charge of St. Patrick's Church at Cairo, Illinois, where he was
continued until November, 1869, when he came to Bunker Hill.
Father
Zabel's long pastorate has been productive of great results, his efforts not
only resulting in the erection of convents and church additions and adding
to the financial prosperity of his various charges by good business
management, but also in spiritual things. During all these years he has gone
in and out among his people, administering to all alike in brotherly love,
and showing forth on many occasions the same spirit which so recently
excited the admiration of the country, when a prelate of his church risked
his life offering Catholic consolation to perishing creatures hemmed in by
fire. Such was the brave attitude of Rev. Father Zabel during the fearful
epidemic of yellow fever, in Cairo, in 1878, when, regardless of self, his
services were given to all who suffered.
On various occasions. Rev.
Father Zabel has been honored by his church. He represented the Alton
Diocese in the Baltimore Council, taking the place of the bishop of the
diocese, the latter being sick. He is a member of the board of examiners of
the clergy and counsellor to the bishop and is censor of books. In addition
to his clerical labors and priestly offices, he is one of the church
historians and his work issued in April, 1900, is a complete history of the
Alton Diocese, including all bishops, congregations and all matters
pertaining to this diocese.
At Bunker Hill where he is so well known
and where the result of his labors is so apparent, few men are held in
higher esteem. By education admirably fitted for his work, he possesses also
all the attributes which go to fill up the ideal of a true pastor. The
energies of his life and the gifts of his intellect have been given to his
fellow men, and that many more years may be added to his beneficent life is
the sincere wish of all who know him.
Extracted 2018 May 07 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 192-193.
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