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Belgians in the Civil War

Emigrants arrival

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BELGIANS IN AMERICA:    Biographies of Belgian settlers  

The Rev. Father Vermeersch, a native of Belgium, was appointed Rector of St. Peter's Mission in 1863. It was through his influence and exertion that Saint Mary's Academy was established is 1864 by the Sisters of the Holy Names who came here from Portland. Little information is available about the events of the pastorate of Father Vermeersch or his immediate successors. Father Vermeersch was appointed pastor of the Umatilla Indian Mission October 30th.1865, and on November 26th Father L Dielman, a Belgian, who had recently arrived from Luvian succeeded him as pastor of The Dalles. A bell weighing 533 pounds and costing $400 was placed in the belfry by Father Dielmzn, December 27th, 1866, and an organ was installed about the same time. August 22nd, 1867, Father Dielman was transferred from the Dalles and Father Coso was in charge for a short time, being succeeded by Father Thibeau, who remained until March, 1868.

Source : O'Connor, Dominic, : A brief history of the Diocese of Baker City; Baker, Or.: Diocesan Chancery, 1930, 229 pgs.