John George Alleman

John George Alleman, OP
Born	December 3, 1804 Attenschwiller, Alsace, France
Died	July 14, 1865 (aged 60) St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Known for	Missionary priest to the American Midwest

John George Alleman (December 3, 1804 – July 14, 1865) was a missionary Catholic priest who served in the states of Ohio, Iowa and Illinois. He served as a priest in the Dominican Order from 1834 to 1840, after which time he was expelled from the order. He then served as a secular priest in the Diocese of Dubuque from 1840 to 1851, and in the Diocese of Chicago from 1851 to 1863. During his hospitalization in St. Louis, Missouri, (1863–1865) he was accepted back into the Dominican Order.

Details of Alleman’s early life are sketchy. It is known that he was born at Attenschwiller, Alsace, France, on December 3, 1804. He immigrated with his family to Ohio as a child. In his formative years he became fluent in his native German, French, and then English. Little is known of his early education, but in 1832 he was studying for the priesthood at St. Rose Priory in Kentucky. He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop John Baptist Purcell of Cincinnati on June 11, 1834.

Alleman is described as a large man who possessed great physical strength and a gregarious personality. The Midwest was being settled predominantly by German and Irish immigrants, while the Catholic clergy were predominantly French. As Alleman could speak German, French and English, he was able to speak to these different ethnic groups fluently. His goals were simple, “I am a poor Dominican Friar. I made a vow of poverty, and another to establish missions; with God's grace I will keep them both.” His missionary work was all encompassing, and poverty was his without his seeking it. However, he constantly found himself in trouble with his superiors.

The date of Alleman’s profession as a Dominican is not listed in any sources. The first mention of him in the community is in 1832 at St. Rose Priory, and then his ordination in 1834. As a Dominican, Alleman served parishes in Canton, Zanesville, and Somerset, Ohio. He was recalled to St. Rose so that his superiors could supervise him better. The reason for his recall is unknown, and his placement at St. Rose did not have the desired effect. He was expelled from the community in 1840 for unspecified reasons. His superior, the Rev. Nicholas Young, OP, does refer to his being “crazy” at times.

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