By Debbie Blau
Following is taken from my research book of over 169 pages, which as of July 2023, is not yet finished. The book about Laurer's life includes his family tree in Bavaria, Germany (including church documents), his siblings and ancestors, Osterhofen and the churches he attended, schooling in Passau and Straubing, his emigration to America, priest studies in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, his ordination, parishes he served in Wisconsin, and much more.
Reverend John Laurer was born on September 10, 1861, at Osterhofen in the Diocese of Passau, Germany. His birth name was Johann Nepomuk Lauerer, son of Johann Lauerer and Maria Schall. His last name was spelled both Lauerer and Laurer and sometimes misspelled as Lauer. After he was ordained as a Catholic priest in La Crosse, Wisconsin, in 1887, he was known as Rev. John Gotthard Laurer.
Rev. Laurer was pastor of St. Luke's Catholic parish in Plain, Sauk County, Wisconsin, from June 1896 to August 26, 1907. At the same time, he also served the parish of St. John the Evangelist in Spring Green, Wisconsin. He is credited with writing the history of the parish of St. Luke in Plain. His handwritten manuscript, in German language, was titled, "Geschichte der kath. Gemeinde des hl. Lukas zu Plain, Wis." which translates to "History of the Catholic Parish of Saint Luke at Plain, Wisconsin."
In his manuscript, he wrote the names and dates of early German emigrants who settled in the Plain area and details of the first three Catholic churches built in Plain. The manuscript was not signed but ended with history until the date when Laurer left Plain in August 1907. Laurer wrote, "Of greatest importance to this village was a large immigration from the region of Waldmünchen in the Oberpfalz in Bavaria." In 1906, he visited Waldmünchen. He wrote, "Between the years 1857 and the dedication of the new church, a great number of immigrants came from Waldmünchen, Oberpfalz, Bavaria to Plain. Thus, Plain can be considered a seedling in American soil of the Waldmünchen area in the United States. The twig grew and developed into a strong tree." It would be 115 years later when a formal city sister agreement would take place between Plain and Waldmünchen, on December 13, 2022.
Laurer's manuscript was rewritten two times by another person, perhaps his long-time housekeeper, Theresa Dietl. It was the rewritten manuscript which was discovered in the vault of St. Luke's parish and was transcribed separately by two people: Kevin McManamy who worked on a Historic Preservation Research Project for the State Historical Society in Madison, Wisconsin, completed his transcription in 1995. Georg J. Blau of Hoechstaedt-Donau completed his transcription in 1997 and he also created a name and place index. It was the version by Blau which was transcribed to English by Karl and Hermine Schwab Hausner with assistance from Edith Alt and published in 1999.
The original manuscript in Laurer's own handwriting was found years later in a parish book on pages 80 to 101. The original has also been transcribed by Georg J. Blau.
In 2003, the Hausner Foundation published an addition to the 1999 version as a fundraiser for St. Luke's Parish and the Kraemer Library. It had 86 numbered pages with the same title as the 1999 book, "The History of St. Luke's Parish, The Town of Franklin, The Village of Plain, in the County of Sauk, State of Wisconsin, United States of America. By Reverend Johann G. Laurer." The book was professionally bound. The cover was the same as the 1999 cover with sketches by Jan Biggers depicting St. Luke's school, the 5th church, and rectory; however, the background was a plain white. The book began with an "Editor's Note" dated 2003 and a Table of Contents on the same page.
The Wisconsin Historical Society in Madison has a copy of the transcribed book.
In the 2003 book with translations to English, pages were renumbered. English translation began on page 4 rather than on page 1. This renumbering threw off the 1999 index by 3 pages. For example, in the 1997 Blau version, the "Ortsregister" (place index) lists Augsburg on page 51 of the Laurer manuscript. In the 2003 version, the "Index of Places" lists Augsburg on page 11; however, Augsburg actually appears on page 14. Unfortunately, when publishing the 2003 version, someone did not account for the front pages, and so for every page referenced in the English index, the reader needs to add 3 pages to find the text in the English translation.
In the 2003 version, the Hausners added several additional pages that tells the story of the Hausner and Schwab families having been expelled from their homeland in Sudetenland (now Czech Republic) in 1945-1946. The additional pages contain photos and other history related to Plain. This book was published by the Hausner Foundation, 28 Concord Drive, Oak Brook, Illinois 60523-1767. ISBN 0-9726775-3-4.
The translated book originally sold for $6 payable to the St. Anne Council 4419, Knights of Columbus. In 2003, the price was listed at $12 with one half of the profits to be donated to St. Luke's church and the other half to be donated to Kraemer Library.
If you would like to read this book, it is available for viewing at the Old Franklin Township Historical Society in Plain. To purchase the book, contact St. Luke's parish to see if they still have copies for sale.
Following are some details about the life of Rev. John Gotthard Laurer.
Johann Nepomuk Lauerer baptism record, born September 10, 1861
Namen des Kindes: Joannes Nep.
Art der Geburt, todt oder lebendig, mit dem Namen der Hebamme: " [Anna Wolf, verpfl. Stadt hebamme]
Namen des Vaters, dessen Geschlechtsname: Johann Lauerer
Stand des Vaters, Religion: Kleingütler
Landgericht Aufenthaltsort, Nummer des Hauses: " [Osterhofen]
Namen der Mutter, Vor- und Geschlechtsname: Maria Schall
Stand der Mutter, Religion: uxor
Landgericht Aufenthaltsort, Nummer des Hauses: ejus [Osterhofen]
Zeit der Geburt, Woche des Monats, Jahr und Stunde: 10ten Sept 1 Uhr Nachm. [Nachmittag]
Tauftag, Ort der Taufe, Landgericht: 11ten Sept. 1861
Pfarrer oder dessen Stellvertreter: [blank]
Taufzeugen, /: Taufpathen:/ Vor- und Geschlechts Name, Stand, Aufenthaltsort: Hr. [Herr] Simon Maier, kgl. [königlicher] Tuchmacher v. [von] hier, vert. [vertretet] durch sine Ehegattin Maria Maier.
Stellvertreter derselben, Vor- und Geschlechts- Name, Stand, Aufenthaltsort: [blank]
Translation
Name of child: Johann Nep. [Nepomuk]
Type of birth, deceased or living, with the name of the midwife: " [Anna Wolf; city midwife]
Name of the father, his last name: Johann Laurer
Occupation of the father, Religion: small farmer
District court residence, number of the house: " [Osterhofen]
Name of the mother, first and last name: Maria Schall
Occupation of the mother, Religion: wife
District court residence, number of the house: his [Osterhofen]
Time of birth, week of the month, year and hour: 10 September 1 [1861] o'clock afternoon
Baptism day, place of baptism, District Court: 11 September 1861
Priest or his proxy: [blank. Priest listed in records on the same page was J. Epple, Expositor]
Baptism sponsors (God parents) first and last name, occupation, residence: Mr. Simon Maier, royal clothier from here, represented by his wife Maria Maier.
Proxy of the same [sponsors], first and last name, occupation, residence: [blank]
Baptism record from the parish of Osterhofen, Diocese of Passau, Taufbuch 002, page 147, #42:
https://data.matricula-online.eu/de/deutschland/passau/osterhofen/002/?pg=148
Transcription by Georg Blau, March 14, 2021.
Timeline - Rev. John Laurer
Biographies
Following is taken from my research book of over 169 pages, which as of July 2023, is not yet finished. The book about Laurer's life includes his family tree in Bavaria, Germany (including church documents), his siblings and ancestors, Osterhofen and the churches he attended, schooling in Passau and Straubing, his emigration to America, priest studies in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, his ordination, parishes he served in Wisconsin, and much more.
Reverend John Laurer was born on September 10, 1861, at Osterhofen in the Diocese of Passau, Germany. His birth name was Johann Nepomuk Lauerer, son of Johann Lauerer and Maria Schall. His last name was spelled both Lauerer and Laurer and sometimes misspelled as Lauer. After he was ordained as a Catholic priest in La Crosse, Wisconsin, in 1887, he was known as Rev. John Gotthard Laurer.
Rev. Laurer was pastor of St. Luke's Catholic parish in Plain, Sauk County, Wisconsin, from June 1896 to August 26, 1907. At the same time, he also served the parish of St. John the Evangelist in Spring Green, Wisconsin. He is credited with writing the history of the parish of St. Luke in Plain. His handwritten manuscript, in German language, was titled, "Geschichte der kath. Gemeinde des hl. Lukas zu Plain, Wis." which translates to "History of the Catholic Parish of Saint Luke at Plain, Wisconsin."
In his manuscript, he wrote the names and dates of early German emigrants who settled in the Plain area and details of the first three Catholic churches built in Plain. The manuscript was not signed but ended with history until the date when Laurer left Plain in August 1907. Laurer wrote, "Of greatest importance to this village was a large immigration from the region of Waldmünchen in the Oberpfalz in Bavaria." In 1906, he visited Waldmünchen. He wrote, "Between the years 1857 and the dedication of the new church, a great number of immigrants came from Waldmünchen, Oberpfalz, Bavaria to Plain. Thus, Plain can be considered a seedling in American soil of the Waldmünchen area in the United States. The twig grew and developed into a strong tree." It would be 115 years later when a formal city sister agreement would take place between Plain and Waldmünchen, on December 13, 2022.
Laurer's manuscript was rewritten two times by another person, perhaps his long-time housekeeper, Theresa Dietl. It was the rewritten manuscript which was discovered in the vault of St. Luke's parish and was transcribed separately by two people: Kevin McManamy who worked on a Historic Preservation Research Project for the State Historical Society in Madison, Wisconsin, completed his transcription in 1995. Georg J. Blau of Hoechstaedt-Donau completed his transcription in 1997 and he also created a name and place index. It was the version by Blau which was transcribed to English by Karl and Hermine Schwab Hausner with assistance from Edith Alt and published in 1999.
The original manuscript in Laurer's own handwriting was found years later in a parish book on pages 80 to 101. The original has also been transcribed by Georg J. Blau.
In 2003, the Hausner Foundation published an addition to the 1999 version as a fundraiser for St. Luke's Parish and the Kraemer Library. It had 86 numbered pages with the same title as the 1999 book, "The History of St. Luke's Parish, The Town of Franklin, The Village of Plain, in the County of Sauk, State of Wisconsin, United States of America. By Reverend Johann G. Laurer." The book was professionally bound. The cover was the same as the 1999 cover with sketches by Jan Biggers depicting St. Luke's school, the 5th church, and rectory; however, the background was a plain white. The book began with an "Editor's Note" dated 2003 and a Table of Contents on the same page.
The Wisconsin Historical Society in Madison has a copy of the transcribed book.
In the 2003 book with translations to English, pages were renumbered. English translation began on page 4 rather than on page 1. This renumbering threw off the 1999 index by 3 pages. For example, in the 1997 Blau version, the "Ortsregister" (place index) lists Augsburg on page 51 of the Laurer manuscript. In the 2003 version, the "Index of Places" lists Augsburg on page 11; however, Augsburg actually appears on page 14. Unfortunately, when publishing the 2003 version, someone did not account for the front pages, and so for every page referenced in the English index, the reader needs to add 3 pages to find the text in the English translation.
In the 2003 version, the Hausners added several additional pages that tells the story of the Hausner and Schwab families having been expelled from their homeland in Sudetenland (now Czech Republic) in 1945-1946. The additional pages contain photos and other history related to Plain. This book was published by the Hausner Foundation, 28 Concord Drive, Oak Brook, Illinois 60523-1767. ISBN 0-9726775-3-4.
The translated book originally sold for $6 payable to the St. Anne Council 4419, Knights of Columbus. In 2003, the price was listed at $12 with one half of the profits to be donated to St. Luke's church and the other half to be donated to Kraemer Library.
If you would like to read this book, it is available for viewing at the Old Franklin Township Historical Society in Plain. To purchase the book, contact St. Luke's parish to see if they still have copies for sale.
Following are some details about the life of Rev. John Gotthard Laurer.
Johann Nepomuk Lauerer baptism record, born September 10, 1861
Namen des Kindes: Joannes Nep.
Art der Geburt, todt oder lebendig, mit dem Namen der Hebamme: " [Anna Wolf, verpfl. Stadt hebamme]
Namen des Vaters, dessen Geschlechtsname: Johann Lauerer
Stand des Vaters, Religion: Kleingütler
Landgericht Aufenthaltsort, Nummer des Hauses: " [Osterhofen]
Namen der Mutter, Vor- und Geschlechtsname: Maria Schall
Stand der Mutter, Religion: uxor
Landgericht Aufenthaltsort, Nummer des Hauses: ejus [Osterhofen]
Zeit der Geburt, Woche des Monats, Jahr und Stunde: 10ten Sept 1 Uhr Nachm. [Nachmittag]
Tauftag, Ort der Taufe, Landgericht: 11ten Sept. 1861
Pfarrer oder dessen Stellvertreter: [blank]
Taufzeugen, /: Taufpathen:/ Vor- und Geschlechts Name, Stand, Aufenthaltsort: Hr. [Herr] Simon Maier, kgl. [königlicher] Tuchmacher v. [von] hier, vert. [vertretet] durch sine Ehegattin Maria Maier.
Stellvertreter derselben, Vor- und Geschlechts- Name, Stand, Aufenthaltsort: [blank]
Translation
Name of child: Johann Nep. [Nepomuk]
Type of birth, deceased or living, with the name of the midwife: " [Anna Wolf; city midwife]
Name of the father, his last name: Johann Laurer
Occupation of the father, Religion: small farmer
District court residence, number of the house: " [Osterhofen]
Name of the mother, first and last name: Maria Schall
Occupation of the mother, Religion: wife
District court residence, number of the house: his [Osterhofen]
Time of birth, week of the month, year and hour: 10 September 1 [1861] o'clock afternoon
Baptism day, place of baptism, District Court: 11 September 1861
Priest or his proxy: [blank. Priest listed in records on the same page was J. Epple, Expositor]
Baptism sponsors (God parents) first and last name, occupation, residence: Mr. Simon Maier, royal clothier from here, represented by his wife Maria Maier.
Proxy of the same [sponsors], first and last name, occupation, residence: [blank]
Baptism record from the parish of Osterhofen, Diocese of Passau, Taufbuch 002, page 147, #42:
https://data.matricula-online.eu/de/deutschland/passau/osterhofen/002/?pg=148
Transcription by Georg Blau, March 14, 2021.
Timeline - Rev. John Laurer
- 1861 September 10: Johann Nepomuk Lauerer was born at Osterhofen, District Deggendorf, Niederbayern, Bavaria, Germany, to Johann Nepomuk Lauerer and Anna Maria Schall.
- 1861 September 11: Baptism in the church at Osterhofen or Altenmarkt (Osterhofen parish).
- 1874-1882: Classical studies at Passau and Straubing (1879-1881) in Germany.
- 1882 December 2: Immigration to America on the ship S.S. City of Montreal from Liverpool and Queenstown, arriving in New York. His destination was Pennsylvania.
- 1882 December to fall 1883: He studied at St. Vincent's College of Pennsylvania in Latrobe, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.
- 1883 Sept. 4 to Spring 1887: Finished philosophical and theological studies at St. Francis Seminary, Saint Francis, Wisconsin. Assigned to Diocese of La Crosse.
- 1885: Census, Rev. Laurer was studying at St. Francis at this time.
- 1887 June 24: Ordained as a priest by Bishop Kilian Flasch at La Crosse, La Crosse, Wisconsin
- 1887 July 3: First Mass celebrated at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Fountain City, Buffalo County, Wisconsin.
- 1887 July to 1894 July: Pastor at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church (also known as St. Mary's Church) in the community of Saint Mary's Ridge (also known as Saint Marys) in Jefferson Township, Monroe County, Wisconsin. Pastor of mission at St. Patrick's Church in Clinton Township, Bad Axe County (now Vernon County), Wisconsin. The Bloomer Advance (Bloomer, Wisconsin), July 4, 1912, said Laurer attended missions at Bad Axe and Hoffman's Corners, the latter was not found in the Catholic Directory. Laurer remained at St. Mary's Ridge for 7 years and built a new schoolhouse.
- 1889 December 29: Rev. Laurer arranged a Passion Play viewing at the Post opera house in Spring Green.
- 1890 January 24: His mother, Maria Schall Laurer, died at Osterhofen, Bavaria, Germany
- 1891 October 21: Rev. Laurer's father, Johann Lauerer, emigrated from Osterhofen, Germany, to New York. Father and son lived together in Wisconsin.
- 1894 July: Rev. Laurer and his father left Monroe, Wisconsin
- 1894 July to 1896: Pastor at St. Mary Catholic Church in Keyesville, Richland, Wisconsin, with mission at St. Kilian in Bear Valley. Laurer's housekeeper from his days at Keyesville through Bloomer was Theresa Dietl.
- 1894: The parsonage at Keyesville burned in the night; Laurer narrowly escaped.
- 1895: Census, Rev. Laurer was pastor at St. Mary Catholic Church in Keyesville in Richland County, Wisconsin, but his name was on a census at Ithaca, Richland Co, Wis, 5 miles west.
- 1895: "The Catholic Church in Wisconsin" by Harry H. Heming in English included a biography and photo of Rev. Laurer. A German translated version, Geschichte der Katholischen Kirche in Wisconsin, by Johann Haug in 1898 also had a photo and biography.
- 1896 January 25: A tramp stole money from Rev. J. G. Laurer at Keyesville.
- 1896 June to 1907 August: Pastor at St. Luke Catholic Church in Plain, Sauk County, Wisconsin, with mission at St. John Evangelical church in Spring Green, Wisconsin. Laurer replaced Rev. Ernst Constantin August Maria Baron von Droste zu Huelshoff (pastor at Plain from Oct. 6, 1895, to June 1, 1896). Laurer built new churches in Spring Green (1900) and in Plain (1904).
- 1896: Around August 1896, Rev. Constantine Frydrychowicz filled in as pastor at St. Luke while Rev. Laurer was hospitalized for several months due to an illness.
- 1900 June: Census, Franklin Township, Sauk County, Wisconsin. He resided with his father John Laurer (occupation "coachman") and housekeeper Theresa Dietl (occupation "servant").
- 1900 July 26: Rev. Felix Byrne was pastor in the absence of Rev. Laurer at Plain and Loreto.
- 1900 November: A new church was built at the parish of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Spring Green "due to the untiring energy and zeal of Rev. Father Laurer." Laurer also donated a stained-glass window. (November 29, 1900, Weekly Home News)
- 1900: St. Luke's parish had over 180 families. The second St. Luke's church (built in 1885) was too small even after an addition was built in 1893. The parish had to decide whether to add on again or build a larger, new church. They chose to build new.
- 1902: Rev. Laurer sought input from parish members about building a new church at Plain.
- 1902 October 3: Rev. Laurer attended the cornerstone laying at the new Catholic church in Reedsburg.
- 1903 July 21: Fr. Laurer witnessed the ordination of a large class of Dominican sisters in Racine.
- 1903 September 16: Rev. Laurer visited churches in East Bristol in Dane County and in Milwaukee to get ideas for a new church at Plain, Wisconsin.
- 1903 to 1904: A new (third) St. Luke church was built in Plain by Cramer Brothers beginning Jan. 1, 1903. The exterior, made of brick, was Gothic style with tall, pointed steeple and bell tower, while the interior had the rounded ceiling of the Romanesque style.
- 1903 September 27: The cornerstone was laid at the third St Luke church.
- 1904 April 3: First Mass in the new third St. Luke church was celebrated.
- 1904 June 1: St. Luke third church was dedicated.
- 1904 August: Rev. Laurer was in Ladysmith to look for land to colonize 80 Catholic families.
- 1905 May 5: His father, John Laurer, died at age 69 at Plain of stomach cancer after a six-month illness.
- 1905 May 8: A large funeral was held for Rev. Laurer's father at St. Luke Catholic Church in Plain.
- 1905 June: Census, Franklin Township, Sauk County, Wisconsin. Housekeeper Theresa Dietl.
- 1906 April 10: Passport applied for by Rev. John G. Laurer.
- 1906 April 10: Naturalization card. Rev. John G. Laurer of Milwaukee, born 1862 in Germany. Arrived in US in Dec. 1882 at New York. Naturalization date April 10, 1906. Witnesses: Louis Schuerbrock and Edward A. Raggeler.
- 1906 June to October 8: European trip. Returned on S.S. Main on Sept. 27, 1906, from Bremen and arrived Oct. 8, 1906 at New York. Rev. Franz Sales Lang and Rev. Franz X. Marchl substituted at St. Luke and St. Patrick in Loreto for Rev. Laurer.
- 1906 October 18: Back in Plain, Rev. Laurer administered the Papal Blessing to his parishioners.
- 1906 November 14: Rev. Laurer gave an English sermon on the second Sunday of each month.
- 1907 June 16: Rev. Laurer presided over the First Holy Communion Mass at St. Luke, a class of fourteen girls and nine boys.
- 1907 July 11: A new altar arrived at St. Luke church.
- 1907 August 26: Rev. John Laurer completed his handwritten manuscripts (48 pages and 68 pages), Geschichte der kath. Gemeinde des hl. Lukas zu Plain, Wis. (History of the Catholic parish of Saint Luke at Plain, Wisconsin). He resigned from the parish of St. Luke at Plain.
- 1907 August 30 to 1909: Pastor at St. Paul Catholic Church in Mosinee, Marathon County, Wisconsin, with mission at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Halder in Emmet Township in Marathon County.
- 1909 to Oct. 1921: Pastor at St. Paul Catholic Church in Bloomer, Chippewa County, Wisconsin, with mission at St. Catherine Catholic Church at Brush Prairie in Chippewa County.
- 1910: Census, Bloomer, Chippewa, Wisconsin. Housekeeper Theresa Dietl.
- 1919: Biography of Rev. John Laurer in History of Chippewa County Wisconsin Past and Present: a Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Volumes II. J. Clarke Publishing Company, Chicago, 1913. Page 291
- 1915 circa: Rev. Laurer planned a new school and convent at St. Paul's parish in Bloomer.
- 1918 May 21: The third church at Plain which was built when Rev. Laurer was pastor was destroyed by a cyclone with only the steeple remaining. Dynamite was used to knock over the steeple and bell tower on April 5, 1919. The 2022 address of the former church property is 1600 St. Luke's Avenue. A ranch style house was built on the location. A piece of the retaining wall of the church property can be seen behind the house.
- 1918 August 25: Rev. Laurer of Wausau [Bloomer] assisted with services at St. Luke in Plain.
- 1920: Census, Bloomer, Chippewa County, Wisconsin. Housekeeper Theresa Dietl.
- 1921 October: Rev. Laurer suffered a stroke and resigned as pastor at Bloomer.
- 1921 September: Rev. Laurer was involved in a court case versus Joseph Hetzel and son at Chippewa County.
- 1922 January 7: Rev. Laurer of Bloomer wrote a Last Will.
- 1922 February 21: Rev. Laurer, age 60, died of valvular heart disease at St. Joseph Hospital in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.
- 1922 February 24: Funeral Mass in Bloomer, after which the body was taken to Plain for burial.
- 1922 February 28: Burial at St. Luke new Catholic cemetery, Plain, Sauk, Wisconsin. Since his father was buried in 1905 at the old cemetery, the father's body may have been moved to the new cemetery where there is a tombstone for both father and son.
- 1929 June 18-27, August 22: Probate at Chippewa Falls, Chippewa County, Wisconsin
Biographies
- The Catholic Church in Wisconsin by Harry H. Heming, 1895, in English included a photo.
- Geschichte der Katholischen Kirche in Wisconsin, by Johann Haug in 1898, German translation of the English version, included a photo.
- History of Chippewa County Wisconsin Past and Present: a Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Volumes II. J. Clarke Publishing Company, Chicago, 1913. Page 291.
- Pastors Who Served St. Luke's Parish, 1857-2007 Phyllis Liegel Dearborn for the 150th anniversary of St. Luke's parish in Plain, Wisconsin, page 16. Summarized from an obituary and Hildegard Thering's 1982 book, The History of Plain, Wisconsin.
- The Life of Rev. John Gotthard Laurer. Debra Blau, 2023. Unpublished research document to be donated to Old Franklin Township Historical Society in Plain, Wisconsin. Over 169 pages.