On a sunny, cold Thursday afternoon on February 5, 2009, Connie Butcher & Anne Johnston interviewed long-time Fryburg parishioner, Norma (Tebbe) Gutmann about her brother, Fr. Lawrence (Larry as Norma affectionately refers to him) Tebbe. This interview was to gather personal history about Fr. Tebbe in conjunction with one of his paintings donated back to St. John Parish by the Gene & Betty Friesthuler family to be raffled off at the 2009 Homecoming.
Lawrence Tebbe was born on May 16, 1901 in McCartyville, OH and was one of 10 children born to John and Elizabeth (Thaman) Tebbe. He grew up in an area approximately 6 miles from Minster, 6 miles from New Bremen and about 3 miles from Kettlersville. Lawrence's youngest sister, Norma, was born when he was 21 years old. Due to this age difference, she did not spend much time with him as a child.
The Tebbe family attended Sacred Heart Church in McCartyville, OH. The closest High School was in New Bremen and it was a public school. Fr. Tebbe was the first Catholic to attend New Bremen High School and he graduated from there in 1919. There is a plaque in Holy Redeemer Church in New Bremen noting that fact. Back then, all children, including the Tebbe children walked to grade school.
When Lawrence decided he was going to attend New Bremen High School, he befriended an old Veterinarian, Dr. Schmidt. Doc Schmidt talked to Lawrence about a short cut to school through the woods. Back then, that was a dangerous journey. Gypsies lived in and took over the woods and liked to beat up and rob people passing through on their turf. Doc Schmidt came up with a plan - Lawrence should barter with the gypsies for safe passage to and from school and in exchange, Doc Schmidt would care for their horses with free medications. This worked out quite well for Lawrence and the gypsies. They kept their bargain with him and Doc Schmidt cared for their horses and would occasionally bring them food items such as bread and grain. Lawrence in using this shortcut was able to attend High School in New Bremen without fear of the gypsies and he actually befriended them.
After graduation, Lawrence went on to Wesleyan University majoring in engineering. His "Three Methodist Minister" friends and he would discuss problems of the ministry. They gathered in his room to study scripture and that changed his life. Lawrence received his degree at the University of Dayton. He completed his religious education at St. Gregory and Mt. St. Mary Seminaries. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 25, 1929 and was an assistant in Cincinnati at St. Henry Church, then to Ft. Scott, Kansas, back to Cincinnati at St. Augustine Church & St. Aloysius Orphanage. He was assistant Pastor at St. Peter's Church, Hamilton and St. Philomena Church in Cincinnati as well as being a chaplain at Good Samaritan Hospital. He was also an assistant at St. Andrews Church, Cincinnati and Pastor at Holy Spirit Chapel, Cincinnati. Some of his duties included working orphanages, Catholic Social Services, and teaching at Elder High School. He began having problems with his voice and that made teaching harder for him.
On April 3, 1938, he was assigned Pastor at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church in Fryburg, OH. Norma recalls that she had never heard of or been to Fryburg before her brother's assignment. Norma came to Fryburg to live with her brother as his housekeeper and cook.
There was also the (John) Gutman General Store out where her future husband, Gilbert (Gilly) Gutmann's family “huckstered groceries and good will” for many years.
Norma recalls that Fr. Tebbe fell in love with the Village of Fryburg. In the 1968 Sequel to the "100 Year Book of 1950 - One Generation Later" book that he authored, Fr. Tebbe wrote ''Just thirty years ago, this April 25'* I first saw Fryburg. It was my first appointment as Pastor after nine years as an assistant in Cincinnati. From the very first day I loved the old church, the peaceful village and the fine old-fashioned German families of the community. Thirty happy years have gone by; years that bring only fond memories and no vain regrets. Surely God has been good to us here. We sincerely thank Him." Fr. Tebbe was a close friend with Chris Kaeck and his son, Harold. The Kaecks owned Kaeck's Garage and cared for the local farmers' machinery, appliances, and hardware. Fr. Tebbe became close friends with "Curly'' Wahrer in Wapak. Curly decided that Fr. Tebbe needed a decent car to drive, so every few years, he would give Fr. Tebbe a nice, shiny car to drive. Norma recalls her brother measuring the trunk of each car - seems he had 1 requirement - his wheelbarrow, fishing poles, and boat motor needed to fit into the trunk of the car.
Fr. Tebbe shepherded his flock in Fryburg for thirty-four years. During that time, the parishioners built the current Rectory in 1949 and Fr. Tebbe did his trademark stone and brick work on the house. He also built many fireplaces, cabinets, and grottos in Fryburg. His talents also took him to Maria Stein every day for a period of time. He would load up his car with supplies and drive there everyday to erect fireplaces, Stations of the Cross and a host of other items at the Shrine Center there. Norma said he actually wore out a car driving back and forth everyday.
She also recalled he wrote many articles that were published in the Wapak Daily News under the pen name of "Si Sawbuck Sez". He did some public speaking for various clubs and groups around the area. Fr. Tebbe preferred his well-worn work clothing to dress clothes.
Fr. Tebbe was blessed with a two-month tour of Europe by this Parish in 1951. He died from a heart attack during a fishing trip in Canada on May 29, 1972. Often referred to as the "Mayor of Fryburg”, he was well known as a painter, artist, carpenter, woodworker, stone & brick mason. His love of life included fishing and hunting crows and fox. Fr. Tebbe's funeral was held in Fryburg and he is buried in St. John Cemetery in Fryburg.
Written by Anne Johnston, Parish Secretary Rev 2-13-2009