This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Bettels Classification: Biography Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/TMB.2ACI/3298 Message Board Post: History of SE Missouri, Goodspeed Publishing 1888 Biographical Appendix, page 822 FATHER FRANCIS BETTELS Father Francis Bettels, priest of St. John’s Church, at Leopold, Bollinger County, Mo., was born in Hildeshelm, Germany, in 1853. He received a good education in his native town, and in 1871 immigrated to America. Soon after he entered St. Francis Seminary, St. Francis, Wis., from which institution he graduated at the end of five years. He is a polished scholar, and is thoroughly conversant with the Latin, Greek, German, French and English languages. In June 1876, he was given charge of St. Henry’s Church at Charleston, Mo., and in August, 1878, was removed to his present charge. (St. John’s Catholic Church at Leopold, Mo.) Father Bettels is a gentleman who is thoroughly imbued with his work, and his highly respected and loved by his parishioners.