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. 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: Education • Religion & Religious Structures. 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

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County. It 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.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Driftless Area — Bluff Country.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Benton Fire Bell (approx. one mile away); Dominican Sisters Gravesite (approx. 1.2 miles away); Benton Wisconsin Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.2 miles away); City of Presidents — Presidential Shields (approx. 2.7 miles away); The Whistle Post (approx. 2.7 miles away); The Chimes of Time (approx. 2.7 miles away); Railroad Track Width (approx. 2.7 miles away); The Speeder Car w/Tools (approx. 2.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Benton.

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, May 1, 2012

2. Father Samuel Mazzuchelli Marker

St. Patrick's Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, May 1, 2012

3. St. Patrick's Church

One of the churches developed by Fr. Mazzuchelli and site of his grave.

Father Samuel Mazzuchelli Gravesite image. Click for full size.

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 Richfield, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 2,229 times since then and 68 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on May 4, 2012, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.