Thomas F. Stecher, D. D. Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1549-1550 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

	This file may be freely copied by individuals and non-profit 
	organizations for their private use. 

	Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval 
	system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other 
	means requires the written approval of the file's author.


	THOMAS F. STECHER, D. D., was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, December 20, 
1852, his parents being Thomas and Caroline Stecher. At an early age the 
subject was sent to the parochial school of his native city, where he 
was well grounded in the ancient classics and the humanities, after 
which he took a course in mechanical engineering, which he followed as 
an occupation until the completion of his twenty-fifth year. Having 
decided to take holy orders, he abandoned secular pursuits and entered 
earnestly upon his studies for the priesthood. Having finished his 
studies in Cincinnati, he came to Sioux Falls in July, 1901, where he 
received his subdeaconship August 15, 1901. After his ordination as 
priest in Jefferson, South Dakota, by Rt. Rev. Bishop M. Marty, November 
22, 1901, he was assigned to the Catholic congregation at Howard, of 
which he has since had charge. Under his pastorate and chiefly. owing to 
his energy and persistence, a beautiful church and pastorage have been 
erected. In addition to this, Father Stecher built churches at Carthage 
and Brisbine, of which he has pastoral supervision in connection with 
his duties at the county seat. When Father Stecher came to this section 
the Catholic communicants were comparatively few and the church 
accommodations quite limited. By his indefatigable efforts a pleasing 
change has been brought about and he now has seventy-five families under 
his ministrations. But the good, he has done in a public way is 
surpassed by his private services, his charities and his earnest work 
for every good cause. The needy never approach him in vain for help, the 
heavy-laden have their burdens lightened by his sympathetic advice and 
the despairing are braced for braver struggles with the worries of the 
world. Father Stecher's popularity is not confined to his own 
parishioners, but he enjoys the general good will and kindly 
consideration of all classes at Howard.