Benton in Lafayette County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Father Samuel Mazzuchelli
Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, May 1, 2012
1. Father Samuel Mazzuchelli Marker
Inscription.
Father Samuel Mazzuchelli. . In 1835 Father Samuel Mazzuchelli, Dominican missionary, came to the lead region from the Green Bay-Mackinac frontier. One year later he addressed the opening session of the territorial legislature. Soon he was establishing schools and preparing teachers for the children of the settlers. In 1847 he formed Wisconsin’s first teaching sisterhood, the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters. At Benton he founded St. Clara Academy and taught science with the earliest laboratory instruments. To the Irish miners this American from Italy was “Father Matthew Kelly.” To settlers of many creeds he was civic leader and friend, builder of the city of man and the city of God. At his death in 1864 Father Mazzuchelli was interred in the cemetery of St. Patrick’s Church in Benton, one of twenty churches he designed and built in the upper Mississippi Valley.
In 1835 Father Samuel Mazzuchelli, Dominican missionary, came to the lead region from the Green Bay-Mackinac frontier. One year later he addressed the opening session of the territorial legislature. Soon he was establishing schools and preparing teachers for the children of the settlers. In 1847 he formed Wisconsin’s first teaching sisterhood, the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters. At Benton he founded St. Clara Academy and taught science with the earliest laboratory instruments. To the Irish miners this American from Italy was “Father Matthew Kelly.” To settlers of many creeds he was civic leader and friend, builder of the city of man and the city of God. At his death in 1864 Father Mazzuchelli was interred in the cemetery of St. Patrick’s Church in Benton, one of twenty churches he designed and built in the upper Mississippi Valley.
Erected 1966 by Wisconsin State Historical Society. (Marker Number 150.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Education. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1835.
Location. 42° 34.365′ N, 90° 24.048′ W. Marker is in Benton, Wisconsin, in Lafayette County
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. Marker is on State Highway 11, 0.3 miles west of Ridge Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located in a vehicle turn out on the northside of Hwy 11. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Benton WI 53803, United States of America. Touch for directions.
One of the churches developed by Fr. Mazzuchelli and site of his grave.
Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, May 1, 2012
4. Father Samuel Mazzuchelli Gravesite
Photographed By Paul Fehrenbach, May 1, 2012
5. Father Samuel Mazzuchelli Gravesite
original headstone in foreground
Credits. This page was last revised on October 31, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 4, 2012, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,578 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 4, 2012, by Paul Fehrenbach of Germantown, Wisconsin. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
