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continued...
Gerhard Wengler,
a native of Germany, who emigrated from that country to New Castle,
Penn., in May, 1854, and in the following December took up his
residence in Sharon, where he yet lives [1888]; Peter Froelig and John Muck, two Germans, who
arrived in the borough about 1854-55, having come for the purpose of
securing employment from the old Sharon Iron Company; Patrick Kane and his two sons, John and Patrick, who began
working in the steel mill in 1856, having arrived but a short time
previous; Terrence O'Hare,
a brother of Charles,
who, with his family, emigrated from Ireland to the Big Bend in 1851,
and eight years later removed to Sharon, where he yet resides [1888]; John Thornton, a leading dry
goods merchant of the borough, who, in November, 1848, arrived in
Mercer County, having emigrated a few months before from Ireland, and
began working in the Clay Furnace, in Jefferson Township, removing to
the vicinity of Sharon, where he now resides [1888], in the fall of
1860; Jacob Huether, a
German, who located a short distance east of Sharon about 1858, and
opened a shoe shop, which he subsequently removed to the borough, and
conducted it until his death in 1876; Nicholas
Wiesen, a German, whose residence in Sharon dates back to
the fall of 1860; Hon.
Norman Hall,
the present [1888] member of Congress from this district, who located
near the borough in 1862; Edward M.
McGillin, who arrived in Sharon from Philadelphia in 1883,
and his brother William,
accompanied by their mother and sister, one year later; and John Sullivan, Patrick Fettigan
and wife, Bernard Brennan
and Lawrence Clifford,
the latter of whom, as also Mrs.
Fettigan, yet resides in the town [1888].
The first Catholic settlers in Sharon attended
services at Mercer, and subsequently at Hickory Corners, and the
priests who had charge of the latter session held an occasional service
in Sharon. Father Gobbels
came more frequent than any of his predecessors, and is therefore best
remembered. He celebrated mass at the houses of Peter Froelig, John Muck, Charles O'Hare,
Bernard Brennan and other early Catholic
families. In 1859, he was succeeded by Rev. F. J. Hartmann, now pastor
of the St. Rose Church in Hickory Corners [1888]. Father Hartmann had charge of
the Sharon Mission until the coming of Rev.
John J. O'Keeffe,
the first resident pastor of Sharon. The latter held services
in
the houses of members until he erected the present [1888] pastoral
residence south of the church, and a room in that building was
then utilized. In 1864, the cornerstone of the Sacred Heart
Church was laid with appropriate ceremonies, on a lot donated by Mr. J. M. Irvine, on the corner
of State Street and Irvine Avenue, and as soon as the basement was
ready for occupancy it was used for a school-room ever since the
parochial schools were established. Both the residence and
church were commenced and finished under Father
O'Keeffe's pastorate, though a very large debt was hanging
over the property when, in 1872, Rev.
Kearn O'Branigan succeeded him as pastor. This
debt has been paid off, and a fund commenced by the late Father O'Branigan toward
securing a larger parochial school property in the near future.
The growth of
the Sacred Heart congregation is a fair illustration of the parable of
the mustard seed. Forty years ago [in 1848] there was not a
single Catholic family in Sharon, and when the [Civil] war broke out
less than a dozen families comprised the full strength of the faith
inside the borough limits. Within the last quarter of a
century Sacred Heart Church has had a remarkable growth, and embraces
membership of about 200 families. It supports a flourishing
parochial school, established by Father
O'Keeffe, which is under the efficient charge of the
Sisters of Mary. The usual branches taught in the public
schools comprises the curriculum of the Sacred Heart school, but here
is also imparted daily religious instruction in the fundamental
doctrines of the Christian faith. The old Sacred Heart
Cemetery was located on east hill, but the growth of the borough
necessitated its abandonment. The present grave-yard lies
immediately northwest of Sharon, and is a very suitable resting place
for those who have "fallen asleep in the Lord." The ground
was purchased by Father O'Keeffe,
but paid for by the late pastor [Father
O'Branigan]. While giving to Father O'Keeffe
full credit for the work he accomplished during this pastorate, it is
nevertheless true that to the earnest labors of Father O'Branigan is largely
due the present prosperity of Sacred Heart Parish, and his death, which
occurred on August 7, 1888, was a severe loss to the congregation.
History of Mercer County,
1888, pages 390 - 391.
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