Rev. Edward M. Fierek Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1145 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	REV. EDWARD M. FIEREK, the able and popular priest in charge of 
St. Leo's Catholic church in Tyndall, Bon Homme county, is a native of 
the state of Wisconsin, having been born in Stevens Point, Portage 
county, on the 13th of October, 1874, a son of August and Johanna 
(Kropidlowski) Fierek, both of whom were born in Poland, where they were 
reared and educated, having come thence to the United States about 1873, 
locating in Wisconsin, where their marriage was solemnized. August 
Fierek rendered valiant service in the Franco-Prussian war, and he came 
to America shortly after the expiration of his term of service. After 
his arrival in Wisconsin he was for a short time engaged in farm work, 
after which he became identified with railroad work, in which he 
continued, in various capacities, until about 1898, when he met with an 
accident which necessitated the amputation of his right leg, and since 
that time he has lived retired, maintaining his home in Ironwood, 
Michigan, and still having the companionship of his devoted wife, both 
being communicants and zealous workers in the Catholic church. 

	Rev. Father Fierek passed his boyhood days in his native state of 
Wisconsin, and his early education was secured in the parochial schools 
of Stevens Point, after which he took a classical and philosophical 
course of study in St. Joseph's College, at Dubuque, Iowa. Thereafter 
his studies were interrupted for an interval of about three years, at 
the expiration of which he was enabled to carry forward his long 
cherished plans of preparing himself for the priesthood, entering St. 
Mary's Seminary, in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he completed his theological 
course, being graduated in June, 1901, and in September of the same year 
he was ordained to the priesthood, at Sioux Falls, South Dakota, under 
the episcopal offices of Bishop O'Gorman. Soon after his ordination 
Father Fierek was assigned to the parish of Sts. Peter and Paul church, 
in Pierre, as assistant to Father John J. O'Neill, and there he remained 
until June 15, 1902, when he was sent to his present charge, where he 
has gained the affectionate regard of his parishioners and the high 
esteem of all who know him. Father Fierek is a young man of genial and 
gracious personality, earnest in the work to which he has consecrated 
his life, kindly and tolerant in his judgment, and one well adapted to 
the noble calling to which he has given himself in the fullness of faith 
and self-abnegating humility.