Moeller, Henry K., 1849-1925

Henry K. Moeller was born in Cincinnati on Dec. 11, 1849 - the first native son to lead the Archdiocese. He was the eldest child of Bernard and Teresa (nee Witte) Moeller, who were immigrants from Westphalia. Moeller had six younger siblings, one of whom became a nun and two brothers who also became priests. He attended St. Joseph School in the West End and St. Xavier College. He was ordained to the priesthood in Rome in 1876. He served briefly as pastor of St. Patrick Church in Bellefontaine and was then appointed to teach at Mount St. Mary's Seminary.

As Secretary to the Coadjutor, Bishop Elder, and later as Chancellor of the Archdiocese, Rev. Henry Moeller was very involved in the administration of the Archdiocese between 1880 and 1900. From 1900 to 1903 he served as Bishop of Columbus, Ohio. In 1903, when Archbishop Elder's health was failing, Bishop Moeller returned to Cincinnati as Coadjutor Bishop, virtually running the Archdiocese until the death of Archbishop Elder in 1904. That year Bp. Moeller became the Ordinary of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.

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