My Genealogy Hound

REV. JOSEPH SCHNEIDER, Rector of St. Brunos Catholic Church of Pinckneyville, is a native of Germany, his birth having occurred in Bavaria, in 1852. His father, George Schneider, was a well-to-do German farmer. Joseph received his classical education in the city of Wurzburg, and then came to America, continuing his studies at St. Vincent College in Westmoreland County, Pa. There he studied philosophy and theology, and when his education was completed, he was ordained as a priest of the Catholic Church by Archbishop Kenrick in St. Louis for the diocese of Alton.

Father Schneider was then sent to Pinckneyville, Perry County, to act as a substitute for Father Krug, who was at that time traveling in Europe for his health. Father Krug did not improve as it was hoped he would do, and on his death our subject became his successor as Rector of St. Brunos Catholic Church. He is an untiring and indefatigable worker, and has done much to build up the church in this place. Since coming here he has established the school, which was started in 1887, and is under the direction of Sisters. A fine new parsonage has also been built. It is one of the very best residences in the city.

Aside from his church in Pinckneyville, Mr. Schneider has charge of a parish ten miles north of this place. There is a congregation of thirty families, and the little church is in working order. The church property in Pinckneyville is valued at $10,000, and the greater part of it was secured through the instrumentality of Father Schneider. He is a most agreeable gentleman, well informed on all general subjects. He has traveled extensively in foreign lands, and a retentive memory enables him to converse well on what he has seen. He has the respect and esteem of his parishioners, and is held in high regard throughout the entire community.