Compiled and written by David R. Schleper, 2021
Francis Xavier Hirscher was born May 29, 1827, in Wurtemburg, Germany. His parents were Franz Joseph Hirscher and Klara Anastasia Hartmann. By age 17, both of his parents were dead, and Francis decided to move to America.
In 1849, Francis was working in Louisville, Kentucky and St. Louis, Missouri where he learned the fundamentals of the cabinetmaking trade.
In 1851, he moved to St. Paul. He did cabinet work in the employ of W. M. Stees for five years. Francis (Franz) sold his lot and shanty in St. Paul for $80 and came to Shakopee in 1856. He said that he was glad to get out of St. Paul as it was nothing but a slew hole and wouldn’t amount to much, anyway!
When he arrived in Shakopee, Hirscher noted that Holmes and Fuller were busier than a proverbial cranberry merchant, disposing of lots, including $400 of gold that Hirscher paid for a lot near the levee. Francis built a furniture store and engaged in the furniture and undertaking business. In company with C. Peters, he built the first cabinet shop here; they continued in partnership until 1863, from which date Francis conducted the business alone.
Francis went to Iowa and married Philomena Roth, daughter of Joannes Gottfried Roth and Elizabeth Haag on Sept. 22, 1856, in Guttenberg, Iowa. They returned to Shakopee, where they had several children, including Alois, Clara, Joseph, John, Valentine, Francis X., Jr., George, and Mary.
The cabinet shop became recognized as a source of beautiful hand-carved church furniture, especially altars and pulpits. For thirty years Franz labored at the lathe and bench. In 1882, he built a new shop on First Avenue, just west of Fuller Street. His three sons, Alois, Joseph, and John also joined the business.
By 1887, Franz’s eyesight began to dim. He had cataracts, but he continued to work. In 1888 he started one of the most elaborate projects—a main altar and two side altars and a pulpit for his own beloved church of St. Mark’s in Shakopee. Most carving was done by touch rather than sight. By 1890, when the altars were installed, Franz couldn’t perceive the beauty except in the eyes of his mind.
The towers and spires were so carefully carved of butternut by the blind devout builder. According to Julius Coller II, “… he formed the delicate leaves and ritualistic symbols that combine to a masterpiece of art and a transcendence of faith that were to serve through the years as a backdrop for the most solemn ceremonies of his church….”
Although he was blind, Franz continued to work until 1903, when he retired. Three years later, Franz and Philomena celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
Franz died six years later, in February 1909. He was buried in a casket that he had made 15 years before he died.
“Although totally blinded by cataracts seventeen years before his demise, Mr. Hirscher had continued his delicate and artistic carving, guided only by his sense of touch, until 1903 when he finally retired.”
The Shakopee Story, p. 224
Francis Xavier Hirscher’s funeral mass was at the beautiful high altar at St. Mark’s, the one he so carefully carved.