Barth, Rev. Ludwig (Sept. 10, 1853-April 25, 1907 –single –son of Frederick Barth –born Louisville, Kentucky –died at a rest home in Michigan – “From Louisville, Kentucky, Father Louis Barth came to St. Nazianz at the end of 1872. After preliminary training there, he attended St. Francis Seminary, and was ordained on June 27, 1880. His first Mass was in St. Gregory’s on July 4. After pastorates at Pine Bluff, Kieler, Waterloo, and Lancaster, he founded the St. Lawrence congregation in Milwaukee and built all the parish facilities in 1888.” –from the Centennial Book, p. 64 – “Father Barth was instrumental in building the new St. Lawrence Church in Milwaukee. The church was greatly damaged by fire and Father Barth was instrumental in its reconstruction. Several years later the church burned again. The mental strain took its toll on Father Barth. He was devastated by the fires. He resigned as pastor in August of 1906 and died in a rest home in Michigan on April 25, 1907.” –from the Kusterman Family Genealogy, p.89) –“Sad new reached here that Rev. Louis Barth has died in a sanitarium in Dearborn, Michigan, where he has been ill for several weeks.” –from obit –buried at St. Gregory Catholic Cemetery in St. Nazianz, Town of Eaton [buried in Section 1, Row 2, Lot 27] [death record in State of Michigan]
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(From the correspondent in St. Nazianz, 30 Apr.) Sad news reached here Friday that Rev. Louis Barth has died in a sanitarium in Dearborn, Michigan, where he has been ill for several weeks. Father Barth came here at age 19 with his mother and sisters from their former home of Louisville, Kentucky. Shortly after, he began his studies for the priesthood. He was ordained a priest on 27 June 1880 and spent about 20 years as Rector of St. Laurentius in Milwaukee… His body was shipped from Michigan to the St. Laurentius church in Milwaukee and yesterday was brought here to St. Nazianz. The large funeral procession was held today, Tuesday, with the Archbishop and 24 priests participating. The deceased reached the age of 54 and is survived by his sorrowing mother and 2 sisters –Mrs. J.C. Kustermann from here, and Mrs. Dr. L. Jermain of Milwaukee.
Der Nord Westen, 02 May 1907