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BELGIANS IN AMERICA:    Biographies of Belgian settlers  

Rev. Theophilus BUYSE, a Catholic Clergyman and priest of St. John's Church, Jackson; was born at Rumbeke, in East Flanders, in the kingdom of Belgium, June 7, 1832. He is one of a family of ten children, and one of his brothers is also a priest. His fatter, Peter Buyse, who occupied, for some time, a prominent position under the Belgian Government, is deceased; but his mother, Judith Buyse, is stil living, at an advanced age. Among the many earnest, devoted, and distinguished prelate, of the Roman Catholic Church, those of Belgian descent -so far at least as they are represented in this country - are comparatively numerous; and, by their character and attainments, command the fullest confidence and respect. Whether it be that the young Belgian breathes, in the atmosphere of his little kingdom, the inspiration that commends him to the holy office, or whether it is imbibed from the mother, whose devotion is there more conspicuous, we can not say; but certain it is, that, during Mr. Buyse's childhood, his tastes inclined him to missionary and priestly work, It seemed indelibly stamped upon the mind of the boy that he must be a priest. With this end in view, he was carefully educated, at Roulers, in his native province, entering a seminary there at the age of thirteen, and remaining ten years. He here acquired that superior education and training for which the schools of the Catholic Church are so noted, including a thorough knowledge of six languages. In 1856 he left Belgium for the United States; and, after a short tine spent at Detroit, went to Cincinnati to complete his studies at Mt. St. Mary's Seminary, under the charge of Bishop Quinlan, now of Mobile. Ile remained here a year and a half, when he returned to Detroit; and, December 19, 1858, was ordained to the priesthood by the laic Bishop Lefevre, also a Belgian by birth, then in charge of that diocese. His first mission was at Ira, St. Clair County, Michigan. His field also extended into Macomb, Laperr, Sanilac, and Huron counties. His self denying labors, his devotion to his charge, and his general intelligence and popularity attracted the attention of the Bishop, and pointed him out as one adapted to a more influential position. In 1870 he was assigned to the charge of St. John's Church, at Jackson, one of the most populous parishes in the interior of Michigan, It embraces not only the Church, but a girls' school, under the charge of the Sister Servants of the immaculate heart of Mary; and a boys' school, under a lay teacher; the two comprising some three hundred and fifty pupils.
The schools are free to the students, being supported from the general income of the parish. Father Buyse has the responsible administration of the parochial affairs, in which he has the services of an assistant priest. As a cultured gentleman, he is especially popular. He has always identified himself with those local and public enterprises having for their object the moral improvement and material prosperity of the people; and has labored zealously, both in his own church and through other channels, for the alleviation of destitution and suffering among the poor. He makes it a particular care to gather and preserve standard books, especially those of a statistical and historical character; and, al the State Fair of 1876, he added greatly to the interest of the "Centennial Department" by the display of a large number of rare, antique works. Ile holds his own political views, but does not obtrude them upon others, insisting that his parishioners exercise the right of suffrage by the light of their best judgment. Words of mere encomium are alike out of place, whether addressed to the priest or the gentleman; and Father Buyse, sustaining fully the character of both, needs no eulogy.

Source : (collective work) : American biographical history of eminent and self-made men : Michigan volume.; Cincinnati: Western Biographical Pub. Co., 1878, 984 pgs.
 

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