Henry Wilson Storey's History of Cambria County, V.II, p.449

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History of Cambria County, V.2

HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 449

were pleasing to his father who admired his courage, but could not give him any assistance.”
In 1813, when Napoleon's line of continued successes seemed to be chilled with temporary reverses, and the prospects of his overthrow were growing brighter, young Lemke enlisted and served until the Emperor's career was closed at Waterloo. In his twenty-fourth year he finished his studies, passed the examination for the ministry, and returned to his birthplace, as was the custom, to preach his first sermon. He assisted his old pastor, but not having an appointment he engaged as a tutor. During the next four years he changed his faith, and on April 21, 1824, was formally received into the Catholic church. He came to Philadelphia in August, 1834, and remained there until October, when he started for the west, making visits to German settlements on the way. Intending to visit Rev. Gallitzin at Loretto, he arrived at Munster late in the evening and remained over night. On the following morning, with Thomas Collins as a guide, he started for Loretto. They had gone but a short distance when the youthful Tom, sighting an approaching traveler in a sled, exclaimed, “here comes the Priest.” Such was the formal meeting of the divines. The new pastor was made the assistant of Dr. Gallitzin. The later appointed him resident pastor of the congregation in Ebensburg, and made arrangements with John Ivory to give him a home. He assumed his new duties in December, 1834, and wrote to a friend describing that village.
“I am now since the 23d of December here in Ebensburg, which is the principal town of Cambria County. But lest you get a wrong impression of what is meant by the principal town, I must at once tell you that there is nothing to be seen here resembling a town except one large walled-up building with a tower, the courthouse of the county or circuit, and very few houses which resemble the dwellings of Europeans; but mostly log and clap-board houses. As to paved streets and such like it is not to be thought of here; but instead one is compelled evenings to feel his way with a stick in order not to break his neck by falling over stumps. Prior to twenty years ago all this country round about was woods, and if one will now go one thousand steps away he will find himself again in the primitive forest. For these reasons the place looks more like a bivouac than a town, as for example such things as kitchens, cellars and other rooms, and conveniences, which according to our ideas about human comforts are necessary, are not much to be thought of here and I am willing to bet that in this entire principal town.

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	HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.	449
were pleasing to his father who admired his courage, but could not give him any assistance.” In 1813, when Napoleon's line of continued successes seemed to be chilled with temporary reverses, and the prospects of his overthrow were growing brighter, young Lemke enlisted and served until the Emperor's career was closed at Waterloo. In his twenty-fourth year he finished his studies, passed the examination for the ministry, and returned to his birthplace, as was the custom, to preach his first sermon. He assisted his old pastor, but not having an appointment he engaged as a tutor. During the next four years he changed his faith, and on April 21, 1824, was formally received into the Catholic church. He came to Philadelphia in August, 1834, and remained there until October, when he started for the west, making visits to German settlements on the way. Intending to visit Rev. Gallitzin at Loretto, he arrived at Munster late in the evening and remained over night. On the following morning, with Thomas Collins as a guide, he started for Loretto. They had gone but a short distance when the youthful Tom, sighting an approaching traveler in a sled, exclaimed, “here comes the Priest.” Such was the formal meeting of the divines. The new pastor was made the assistant of Dr. Gallitzin. The later appointed him resident pastor of the congregation in Ebensburg, and made arrangements with John Ivory to give him a home. He assumed his new duties in December, 1834, and wrote to a friend describing that village. “I am now since the 23d of December here in Ebensburg, which is the principal town of Cambria County. But lest you get a wrong impression of what is meant by the principal town, I must at once tell you that there is nothing to be seen here resembling a town except one large walled-up building with a tower, the courthouse of the county or circuit, and very few houses which resemble the dwellings of Europeans; but mostly log and clap-board houses. As to paved streets and such like it is not to be thought of here; but instead one is compelled evenings to feel his way with a stick in order not to break his neck by falling over stumps. Prior to twenty years ago all this country round about was woods, and if one will now go one thousand steps away he will find himself again in the primitive forest. For these reasons the place looks more like a bivouac than a town, as for example such things as kitchens, cellars and other rooms, and conveniences, which according to our ideas about human comforts are necessary, are not much to be thought of here and I am willing to bet that in this entire principal town.