Ignatius Frederick Horstmann

Ignatius Horstmann was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Frederick and Catherine (née Weber) Horstmann.[1] After graduating from Central High School, he attended St. Joseph's College and St. Charles Borromeo Seminary.[2] In 1860 he was sent to further his studies in Rome at the Pontifical North American College, where he was one of the first students.[1] While in Rome, Horstmann was ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal Costantino Patrizi Naro on June 10, 1865.[3] He earned his Doctor of Divinity degree the following year.[2]

Upon his return to Philadelphia, he became professor of philosophy, German, and Hebrew at St. Charles Seminary.[1] He was named pastor of St. Mary's Church in 1877, and chancellor of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in 1885.[2] He also served as assistant editor of the American Catholic Quarterly Review and president of the American Catholic Historical Society.[1]

On December 14, 1891, Horstmann was appointed the third Bishop of Cleveland, Ohio, by Pope Leo XIII.[3] He received his episcopal consecration on February 25, 1892 from Archbishop William Henry Elder, with Bishops William O'Hara and Silas Chatard serving as co-consecrators, at the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul.[3] During his tenure 16-year-long tenure, Horstmann erected 22 ethnic parishes, but faced opposition from nationalist schismatic groups, including the Polish National Catholic Church.[1] He founded Loyola High School in Cleveland (1902), St. John's College in Toledo (1898), St. Anthony Home for Working Boys, and Catherine Horstmann Home (named after his mother).[1] He encouraged the missionary movement, and established of the first band of missionaries (headed by Rev. Walter Elliott)[1] in any diocese of the United States.[2] He also expanded Catholic hospitals and orphanages, endorsed compulsory parochial schools, and served as a trustee of the Catholic University of America.[2]

Horstmann died from heart disease in Canton, aged 67.[2] He was described the Catholic Encyclopedia as "a zealous pastor of souls, a wise and prudent ruler, a fearless defender of truth."[2]