Ferdinand Distinguished Citizens

FATHER JOSEPH KUNDEK

Father Kundek was first Distinguished citizen of Ferdinand, Indiana to be selected to start the Comer of Distinguished Citizens in the Ferdinand Library.

He was born 24 August, 1810 in Ivanich, Crotia (then Astro-Hungary) now Yugoslavia. His father died when he was one year of age. He and his brother were raised by his mother. In school/seminary he learned German, French and English. After his ordination, through the Leopoldine Society, a generous contributor toward missions in the USA, he became acquainted with missionary work in this country. He was accepted into the Diocese of Vincennes, Indiana by Bishop Rt Rev Simon Gabrial Brute.

In 1838 he was sent to Jasper, Indiana where he founded St. Joseph's Catholic Church. In 1840 he founded Ferdinand; in 1843 he founded Celestine, Ind. and 1847 he founded St. Pius in Troy, Indiana and Fulda, Indiana in 1848. History tells us that he bought the land in Ferdinand and sold only to Catholics who he, at first convinced to come to settle in the area.

Early Immigrants (in Cincinnati, Ohio) worked to buy land to settle in Indiana. These
and other immigrants took boats on Ohio river to Troy, Indiana and then north to Jasper, Indiana, going through the area of Ferdinand. Those who came by way of New Orleans came to Troy by boat up Mississippi and Ohio River- Evansville on west and St. Mary's of Knobs on east. During his travels he conceived the idea of establishing two rest stations (Catholic towns) along the bumpy and lonely road between Jasper and Troy, a distance of 30 miles. One station was in the area of Fulda (9 miles north of Troy) and the second station in Ferdinand (12 miles south of Jasper).

George R. Wilson, historian in Dubois County considered "Father Kundek, probably
the most remarkable man that ever had lived and died in Dubois County."

In 1853, Indiana law, authorizing Board of County Commissioners of each County to
appoint 1-3 school examiners. Father was appointed for Dubois County.

He was instrumental in getting Benedictions in Switzerland to settle and set up Seminary to train men for the priesthood (now Saint Meinrad Archabbey).

He was instrumental in rebuilding the County Courthouse in Jasper, Ind in 1844 after
the original structure was destroyed by fire.

Another display of Father's Slavonic love of bright colors and pomp of ceremony,
combined with the German liking for Military display for song and voice and of trumpet.
Also for children clad in white produced scenes that gladdened the hearts. 4th of July
celebrating, escorting arrival of celebrities: Corpus Christi celebrations: processing
through town. He was involved in forming of church in St. Meinrad (along with the Monastery breaking from St. Ferdinand at this time).

In 1988, the Ferdinand Historical Society and town officials arranged to have 9th
street from Main St. east to church steps named Kundek Street in honor of Father
Kundek. A Kundek marker was installed on corner of Kundek and Main Street. It was
designed by Alice Kemper. Wayne Seufert and Association donated the land and
Landscaping. The marker was part-donated by Schum Monuments of Dale, Indiana; Albert Hassfurther donated welding of steel supports.

In 1989, Town plats of Original that Father Kundek took to Europe to entice immigrants
(german speaking) to settle in Ferdinand, Indiana, was prepared for sale. He
bought the land around Ferdinand — sold land to only Catholics.

Leading up to Sesquicentennial celebration in Ferdinand in 1990, Ferdinand Historical
Society set up September 10, 1989 as "Kundek Sunday" recognizing Ferdinand as location of settlement for his Flock of German Immigrants. He laid out the town on Plat, nailed a sign "Ferdinand Stadt" to a tree in area ofKundek and Main Street and advertised his "New Town" in papers in Europe, the first step in long, hard journey in settling the area of Southern Indiana. Kundek Sunday included activities open to the public. President of Town Board, Charles Schuler, proclaimed Kundek Sunday at 2:00 PM following 11:30 AM luncheon at the Ferdinand American Legion Home. An interesting, informative and enjoyable slide show (funded by Indiana Commission for the Humanities) was presented for those present.

Father Kundek died March 1857 and is buried in Jasper, Indiana.

One hundred years after his death throughout the USA and Europe, the Kundek Centennial was proclaimed. The religious celebration of Kundek Centennial was observed on Feast of Immaculate Conception on December 9,1957.

Ferdinand Historical Society: L-R-PhyIlis Johanneman, President, Joan Quante, Treasurer, Pat Backer, Joe Gogel, Ralph Johanneman, Sr. M. Kenneth Scheessele, Sr. Ruth Ellen Doane. Sr. Angela Sasse, Marge Backer, Secretary. Not shown: Fr. John Schipp, Diane Stipp, and Tracey Uebelhor.