Reverend Constantin Maria Baron von Droste zu Huelshoff

On this page you will find obituaries, prayer cards, certificate of death, probate records, and tombstone/grave marker pictures for Constantin and his family.

Obituaries for Constantin

"Information to the effect that the Rev. Fr. Von Droste, formerly pastor of St. Joseph's Church in this city, is dying in a hospital in La Crosse. Fr. Von Droste has many friends in this city among protestants as well Catholics, who most sincerely hope for his recovery."
Source: Rice Lake Leader (Rice Lake, Barron County, Wisconsin). January 2, 1902. page 5, column 3.

"Rev. Constantine Maria von Droste Huelshoff, son of Baron von Droste-Huelshoff of the diocese of Westphalen Ger., died at the St. Francis hospital in La Crosse. He gave up the life of a nobelman to enter the priesthood. He came to America 30 years ago and had lived in La Crosse for the past 15 years."
Source: Richland Rustic, Richland Center, Wisconsin. January 11, 1902, page 4, column 3.

"Nobelman Priest Dies, Rev. Von Droste-Huelshoff Expires at St. Francis"
Source: Daily Republican and Leader, LaCrosse, Wisconsin, December 31, 1901, page 2, column 4.

"Two Funerals Held To-Day, Impressive Ceremonies For Rev. Von Droste-Huelshoff. Services held in hospital Chapel and Bishop Schwebach officiates Funeral of Mrs. Boscheri . . Mrs. B. Iver, the deceased priest's housekeeper, from Menominee, was in attendance at the funeral. .. "
Source: LaCrosse Leader-Press, LaCrosse, Wisconsin, January 2, 1902, page 2, column 5.

"Priests Honor Nobelman Pastor. Funeral at LaCrosse is attended by many ministers – gave up position for church. . ."
Source: Republican Observer, Richland Center, Wisconsin. January 9, 1902, page 2, column 4.

"Former Priest Passes Away. Rev. Von Droste-Huelshoff Dies in a Hospital at La Crosse. Many in this city last week learned with deep regret of the passing away of the Rev. Constantine M. Von Droste-Huelshoff, who, a few years ago, was pastor of St. Joseph’s (R.C.) church in this city. He died at St. Francis hospital, La Crosse, where he had been receiving care and medical treatment for several weeks. The deceased was a noble man by birth and nature, and gave up a life of ease and comfort to become a priest and came to this country from West Palen, Germany, about thirty years ago and had charge of several parishes his last being at Keysville [Keyesville] in this state where he was stricken with the illness that proved fatal. He was a man of marked ability, pleasing in his manner and broad in his views and associations. He was as well liked by those outside of his church as those who worshiped at its altar. That he has found the rest and peace he preached so faithfully to [others is] the wish of all his Rice Lake frie[nds]."
Source: Rice Lake Leader ( Rice Lake, Barron County, Wisconsin), January 9, 1902, page 1, column 5.

"Wisconsin. Rev. Constantin Maria von Droste-Hülshoff, Sohn des Freiherrn von Droste-Hülshoff aus Westfalen, starb in La Crosse im St. Franciscus Hospital. Er cam vor 30 Jahren nach America und wirkte während der letzten fünfzehn Jahre in der Diöcese La Crosse."

Translation to English: Wisconsin. Reverend Constantin Maria von Droste-Hülshoff, son of the Baron von Droste-Hülshoff from Westfalen, died in La Crosse in St. Francis Hospital. He came to America 30 years ago and worked during the last 15 years in the Diocese of La Crosse.
Source: Pionier Presse, Sauk City, Wisconsin, Donnerstag, den 9. Januar 1902, page 1, column 5.

"Baron's Son Dead. Constantine Marie von Droste-Huelshoff Expires in La Crosse.
La Crosse, Wis., Dec. 31.--The Rev. Constantine Maria von Droste-Huelshoff, son of Baron von Droste Huelshoff of the diocese of West Palen, Germany, died at the St. Francis hospital here today, having given up the life of a nobleman to enter the priesthood. He came to America thirty years ago and had lived in La Crosse for the past fifteen years."
Source: The Milwaukee Journal, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, December 31, 1901, page 1.

"The Rev. Constantine Maria von Droste-Huelshoff, son of Baron von Droste-Huelshoff of the Diocese of Westpalen, Germany, died at the St. Francis Hospital, Lacrosse, Wis., yesterday. He had given up the life of a nobleman to enter the priesthood. He came to America thirty years ago, and had lived in Lacrosse for the past fifteen years."
Source: The New York Times, New York, New York, January 1, 1902, page 7, column 5.

"Preferred Life of Priest.
La Crosse, Wis., Dec. 31.--The Rev. Constantine Maria von Droste-Huelshoff, son of Baron von Droste-Huelshoff of the diocese of West Baden, Germany, died at the St. Francis hospital here today, having given up the life of a nobleman to enter the priesthood. He came to America thirty years ago and had lived in La Crosse for fifteen years."
Source: The Milwaukee Free Press, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, January 1, 1902, page 8.

Prayer Card for Constantin

Zur frommen Erinnerung im Gebete an den hochwürdigen Herrn Missionspfarrer
Constantin Maria Freiherrn v. Droste-Hülshoff,
geboren 1841 zu Münster in Westfalen,
gestorben zu La Crosse Wisconsin.
Gebet.
O Gott, der Du under den apostolischen Priestern Deinen Diener Constantin
mit der priesterlichen Würde zu bekleiden dich gewürdigt haft,
verliehe gnädig,
daß er auch ihrer ewigen Gemeinschaft eingereicht werde.
Durch Jesum Christum, unsern Herrn. Amen.
Mein Jesus, Barmherzigkeit!
Süßes herz Mariä, sei meine Rettung!
Fränkische Gesellschaftsdruckerei Würzburg
Marienplatz 4.

TRANSLATION:
To the pious remembrance in prayer of the Reverend Lord Missionary Priest
Constantin Maria Baron von Droste-Hülshoff,
Born 1841 in Munster in Westphalia,
died at La Crosse Wisconsin.
Prayer.
O God, that you under the apostolic priests acknowledge your servant Constantin,
clothed with priestly dignity,
give mercy that he also reaches your eternal community.
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
My Jesus, mercy!
Sweet heart of Mary, be my salvation!
Franconian Printing Company Würzburg, Marienplatz 4.

Certificate of Death - Constantin

Certificate of Death. Full name of deceased: Rev. Constantine von Droste Huelshof;
Color White; Sex Male; Race White; Occupation Catholic Priest; Age 57; Birthplace Europe; Single; Date of death Dec. 30, 1901; Residence at time of death St. Francis Hospital; Place of death: St. Francis Hospital; Cause of death: Primary: Cerebral or meningeal growth or inflammation; Duration of disease: 6 months; Place of burial: Catholic Cemetery; Undertaker: Muller Bros.; Signature Edward Evans, Residence LaCrosse, Dated Lax [LaCrosse] Jany 2, 1902; Burial Permit No. 3639; Date of burial permit: Dec. 31, 1901.
Source: La Crosse County, Wisconsin, Register of Deeds office, Vol. 5, page 27, No. 148998.

Probate Record - Constantin

Probate record for Constantin Maria Baron von Droste zu Hülshoff:
"In the matter of the estate of Constantine M. Von Droste, Deceased. To John Brinkley County Judge of La Crosse County: The petition of A. Ph Kremer, atty [attorney] in fact for Marie Von Droste a sister of Constantine M. Von Droste and also executer[?] of deceased. That said deceased departed this life at the city of La Crosse, County of La Crosse and State of Wisconsin on the 30th day of December A.D., 1901, without leaving any last will and testment. . . that said deceased died possessed of certain personal property in the State of Wisconsin, the value whereof does not exceed the sum of $400.00 dollars, and also left debts due and unpaid to an amount unknown to your petitioner: that said deceased has left him surviving Marie Von Droste, a sister residing at Wurzburg [Wuerzburg] Bavaria, and two other sisters and two brothers whose names and address are unknown to your petitioner. and that said deceased was at the time of his death, an inhabitant of the County of La Crosse. Your petitioner therefore asks that Letters of Administration of the estate of the said intestate be granted unto your petitioner A. Ph., Kremer.
Dated at the City of La Crosse in said County, this 14 day of Feb A. D. 1902. . ."

Source: La Crosse County Circuit Court-Probate Branch, La Crosse, Wisconsin, U.S.A., In Probate, File No. 3052, February 14, 1902. A. Ph. Kremer, Petitioner. Petition for Letters of Administration, p. 12 of 14 pages.

Prayer Card for Julie Kock, Freifrau von Droste zu Hülshoff

Zum christlichen Andenken
an die Hochwohlgeborene verwittwete
Freifrau von Droste-Hülshoff, geb. Julia Kock.
Geboren den 26. Februar 1810,
verheirathet am 1. Juni 1831 mit dem Freiherrn Joseph von Droste-Hülshoff,
verwittwet seit dem 13. Januar 1850,
gestorben am 7. Sept. 1881.
Ihre theure Seele wird dem Gebete der Gläubige,
besonders der Priester am Altare empfohlen.

TRANSLATION:
In Christian memory
of the Honorable widowed Baron's wife
von Droste-Hülshoff, born Julia Kock.
Born 26 February 1810,
married on 1 June 1831 to Joseph Baron von Droste-Hülshoff,
widowed since 13 January 1850,
died on 7 Sept. 1881.
Her soul is with the prayers of the faithful,
especially recommended by the priests on the altar.

St. Martin Cemetery in Veitshöchheim

Julie (Kock) Freifrau von Droste-Hülshoff is buried at St. Martin Cemetery in Veitshöchheim, Kreis Würzburg, Bavaria, Germany. Eduard Freiherr von Droste-Hülshoff, a son, is buried next to her. The original tombstones were facing forward. When the cemetery was expanded and a new section was added, the tombstones of Eduard and his mother were turned and moved apart to form the entryway of the new section. The bottoms of the tombstones are worn away (as of July 2008), and that is most likely where the original inscriptions were located. On Eduard's marker, one letter is still visible. New dark plaques have been added to the original markers.

The grave marker for Julie shows a flying fish, a crown and an animal (perhaps a lion). The flying fish is on the Droste-Hülshoff family crest. On the top of the marker is a bird (perhaps a swan) in a nest with baby birds. The inscription on the grave marker says: Hier ruht Julie Freifrau von Droste-Hülshoff, geb. Kock, Gest. 7.9.1881 in Alter von 71 Jahren, Mutter von Eduard Freiherr von Droste-Hülshoff. Translation: Here lies Julie Baroness von Droste-Hülshoff, born Kock, died 7 Sept.1881 at the age of 71 years, mother of Eduard von Droste-Hülshoff.

Julie's husband, Dr. med. Josef Freiherr von Droste zu Hülshoff, died March 13, 1850 and is possibly buried at Haus Alst, or in Münster.

The grave marker for Eduard shows the family crest with a flying fish. The family motto also appears: E. CARCERE COELESTIA APPETO. Translation: Released from his earthly prison to his heavenly home. On the top of Eduard's marker is a helmut with initials FA. The inscription on the grave markers says: Hier ruht Eduard Freiherr von Droste-Hülshoff preuss. Hauptmann und Ritter, gest. 6.1.1878 im Alter von 40 Jahren, aus der Familie der Schriftstellerin Annette von Droste-Hülshoff. Translation: Here lies Eduard Baron von Droste-Hülshoff, Prussian Captain and Knight, 6.1.1878 died at the age of 40 years, from the family of writer Annette von Droste-Hülshoff.

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