The Catholics of Henry and vicinity have long been noted for
their religious zeal. About twenty-five years ago, recognizing
the importance of beginning an early training of their children
in the faith, they started schools in their behalf, at first
supporting small private schools in different localities of the
town. In 1859 Mr. Oner taught a select Catholic school in a
private house a few months and was succeeded by Mr. Hertzog, who
had a respectable and well attended gathering of Catholic pupils
in Weis' building, a few doors above Warren's grocery store.
In 1860 a frame building was put up near the German Catholic
Church and used for school purposes. The attendance was large
for some time, school was also taught in the church itself at
times. The frame building,
originally built as a stable, was used some time, xintil the
applicants became too numerous for its capacity, when the
project was started of erecting a fine Catholic primary school
which should be a credit to the place and accomodate that
portion of the rapidly increasing population holding to this
faith.
A large two-story brick structure was built near the Church,
dedicated to this purpose, and taken in charge by the sisters of
the Notre Dame Society of Milwaukee, who had conducted the
former schools in the old frame building. These zealous sisters
relinquished the charge to " The Sisters of the Precious Blood"
in 1871, who now manage the educational interests of the
Catholics in a highly creditable manner, the school being very
popular. The building is substantially built and well furnished,
costing about $5,000. The school is simply an elementary one,
where the rudiments of the English and German languages are
taught, the latter to such as wish it. It is patronized by about
ninety families, mainly the membership of the German Church, and
is under the general superentendence of Rev. Father Schamoni,
the resident priest. A neat and comfortable parsonage stands in
a large lot near the church and school.
Extracted from Records of the Olden Time, authored by Spencer Ellsworth, 1880, page 381
| Bureau | Putnam | |
| Stark |
 |
La Salle |
| Peoria | Woodford |
