Fr. Irenaeus Herscher, O.F.M.

1902-1981

St. Bonaventure University

Family Background

Fr. Irenaeus was born on March 11, 1902 in Guebwiller, Alsace Lorraine, in what is now part of France. He was the only son of Jean Baptiste Herscher and Josephine Hugenclaber, who also had five daughters. The Herschers resided in Guebwiller until Irenaeus was in the sixth grade, at eleven years of age. In 1913, his mother received word from her recently emigrated brother, that America was quite pleasant. He invited them to come to the United States, so on June 13, 1913, the Herscher family emigrated to the United States where they arrived in Hoboken, New Jersey. Other available family information is that his sister Josephine, married George Iffrig, of Philadelphia. Irenaeus baptized their first son, John Baptiste Iffrig.

Irenaeus and his family in front of Saint Bonaventure's Friary, Paterson, NJ, 1928 (?)

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Last updated:  01/26/04

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