My Genealogy Hound

REV. CHARLES FREDERICK LIEBE, the minister in charge of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church at Wine Hill, is a native of Loessnitz, kingdom of Saxony, Germany, where he was born September 30, 1842. He is the third in the family of four children born to Charles F. and Emily (Herman) Liebe, natives of Saxony. His paternal grandfather also bore the name of Charles F., making three generations of the same name.

Between the years of six and fourteen the subject of this sketch attended the parochial schools of his native city, and at the age of fifteen became a pupil in the technical school at Loessnitz, remaining four years in that institution. When twenty-one years of age he became a student of the seminary at Steden, province of Nassau, where he continued for one year. At the expiration of that time he came to America and entered the Lutheran Concordia Seminary, on Jefferson Street, St. Louis, where he completed his studies. In August, 1865, he entered upon his ministerial career as a missionary preacher, laboring in Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska, all of which country was at that time very new and undeveloped. Many a trip of thirty or forty miles was accomplished without seeing a house.

November 27, 1867, Rev. Mr. Liebe reached the city of New Orleans, where he received his first charge, being sent to the congregation of St. John’s Church, on Prieur Street, to which he ministered until July 4, 1873. After visiting a few months with relatives of his wife in Benton County, Mo., he was assigned to St. Paul’s Church of Wine Hill, Ill., arriving here November 7, and being duly installed two days later. In this parish he has continued to the present time.

The lady who March 8, 1868, became the wife of Rev. Mr. Liebe, bore the maiden name of Mary Wege, and was born near Lake Creek, Benton County, Mo., January 30, 1847, being the second in order of birth in a family of six children, five of whom survive. Her father, Moritz Wege, was a native of Lauban, Upper Lausitz, Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Liebe were the parents of eleven children, of whom Mary, Celestina and Paul are deceased. The eight who survive are: Emily A. M., Frieda A. M., Frederick C. T., Martin H. W., Adolph W. A., Agnes D. A. S., Selma E. C. C. and Paula M.

In political matters Mr. Liebe usually votes the Democratic ticket, although he is not so partisan as to vote it straight, but gives his support to the most worthy man, irrespective of party ties. In everything that pertains to the spiritual welfare of his flock he is deeply interested. His long pastorate, covering a period of more than twenty years, bespeaks the esteem in which he is held by his parishioners at Wine Hill. The home, presided over by Mrs. Liebe, is a quiet retreat for her husband in his studious moods and a hospitable place for their visiting friends, of whom there are as many as know the pastor and his worthy wife. That he may long remain with them is the earnest wish of the enlightened congregation of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.