Rev. George J. Steinkamp
The Rev. George J. Steinkamp. pastor of St. Paul's Catholic church at Yellow Springs and one of the most progressive young clergj'men in Greene county, is a native son of Ohio, born at Cincinnati on March 19, 1884, son of Bernard J. and Elizabeth (Ahrens) Steinkamp, the fonner of whom was born in Germany and the latter in the city of Cincinnati.
Bernard J. Steinkamp was but thirteen years of age when he came to this country with his parents, the family locating at Cincinnati, where he finished his schooling and presently learned the carpenter trade. He married in Cincinnati and after a while became engaged as a building contractor on his own account, an architect as well as a builder, and several of the finest flats and buildings in Cincinnati were erected under his direction. Bernard J. Steinkamp died in 1889. He was a Catholic, as is his widow, and their children were reared in that faith. There were twelve of these children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the last-born and all of whom are living save John, Mary and Frank, the others being Joseph, Katherine, Elizabeth, Anna, Mary, Bernard, Rosie and Cecelia.
George J. Steinkamp was reared in Cincinnati and his early schooling was obtained in the parochial schools of that city. He evinced much aptitude for study and was graduated from St. Mary's parochial school when thirteen years of age. Having early devoted himself to the service of the church he then entered the Jesuit College of St. Xavier at Cincinnati and was graduated from that institution in 1904, after which he pursued his philosophical and theological studies at Mt. St. Mary's Seminary and upon completing the course there was ordained to the priesthood in June, 1908, the ceremony of ordination being performed by Archbishop Miller at Cincinnati. Thus elevated to the holy office of priest. Father Steinkamp was in the following August assigned as assistant pastor of St. Mary's parish at Dayton and at once entered upon the duties of that office, remaining there until appointed pastor of St. Paul's parish at Yellow Springs on April 19, 1917. By training and experience Father Steinkamp is admirably qualified for the performance of the duties that have fallen upon him in his new field and since taking charge there has made many friends who welcome his assistance, in the general uplift movements of the community. His parish consists of eighty families, comprising three hundred and fifty souls, and all departments of the work being carried on in the same are reported to be in flourishing condition, a general impetus having been given to all the work of the parish since the present earnest young pastor took charge. Father Steinkamp is a close student, not only of books, but of men and affairs; is a fluent and convincing speaker, either in the pulpit or on the forum, and his engaging qualities as a mingler among his fellow men have created in his behalf many warm friendships during the comparatively short time he has been stationed at Yellow Springs.
From History of Greene County Ohio, Its People, Industries and Institutions, vol. 2. M.A.Broadstone, editor. B.F.Bowen & Co., Indianapolis. 1918