The Weinzapfel Story 
The Weinzapfel Story
Born in UNGERSHEIM on 13 April 1813, deceased
at St MEINRAD on November 11, 1895, a strange history.
It studied theology with the great seminar in Strasbourg.
August 1839 emigrated to the "New World" from Le HAVRE (North of France) with the boat The REBUBLICAN
Ordered priest for the service of the diocese of VINCENNES (INDIANA) in 1840. It was charged with pastorale catholics of German language to EVANSVILLE. The presence of a priest in this area caused feelings anticatholic. NOVEL was wrongfully shown to have missed respect with a lady which was confessed to him. In 1842, a complaint is carried against him, it was condemned to 5 years of imprisonment in 1844. Its incarcération made great noise in the country. A petition of 3000 signatures with NON CATHOLIC mention was collected. The woman of president POLK interceded in father WEINZAPFEL Roman near governor WHITCOMB. In February 1845, the governor of INDIANA released it and rehabilitated it. In 1846, the bishop one charged it with the construction of vaults with St PHILIPS. Novel took again its sacerdotal ministry by creating the communities of St Wendel, St James, St Joseph, St Matthew.
In April 1848, it bought 80 bitter ground close to St Philips for its Michel. A first payment of 300$ was made, and signed a draft of 280$. A copy of the sale of its goods with UNGERSHEIM was found.
He is bured at the bénédictine abbey of St MEINRAD on December 8, 1874.
Michael at 27 year old, get a passport for "America" Jully 1847. He regularized the debt of 280$ on June 16, 1848 at Martin and Polly STINSON. Novel celebrated its marriage with Catherine HELFRICH 26 Septembre. Johann was born on March 23, 1850, it died 1 years later. August born 28 Aout 1851, his children emigrated in CHICAGO and TUCSON. Maria born on April 18, 1853. Frank born on February 11, 1856, Joseph born on April 18, 1863. Henry born on October 6, 1866 emigrated in TEXAS, his store on the passage of the cow-boys always exists. Other children did not marry, Odilia, Mary Catherine, Théresa, Marguaret. The couple celebrated their
Golden wedding in 1898, a photograph commemorates the event.
Michael, born in Ungersheim, june 2nd 1820, died in November 1902, Catherine in 1903.
Born on November 12, 1841 at
Ungersheim, Alsace, he died February 2, 1879 on abscee of lung in Galveston and
is buried near the altar in the Old Catholic Cemetery in Galveston TX.
He was ordained on november 4, 1866 by Bishop Dubuis at St Marie's Cathedral in
Galveston.
His assignments were : 1867 Austin; 1869 Houston- St Vincent; 1870 Bastrop; 1873 San Antonio-Saint
Joseph; 1874 D'Hanis; 1875 Brazoria; 1879 Galveston-St Joseph.
It also took part in the establishments of the 120 Alsatian secular priests of the catholic church in Americas of North in XIXème century.
There like other Alsatian families, Weinzaepflen left their native soil for the New World, thinking of finding a life better. Michel had a many descent which one finds today primarily in the States of Indiana and Texas, in all 12 states of the USA.