John Vertin

John Vertin (first name also Ivan or Janez) was a Slovene-American who became the third Bishop of Saulte Saint Marie and Marquette, Michigan, now simply the Diocese of Marquette. He was responsible for the reconstruction of St. Peter Cathedral, Marquette, in 1880.

Vertin was born in Dobliče in White Carniola at that time part of the province of Lower Carniola, in the Duchy of Carniola, a part of the Austrian Empire (now in the Municipality of Črnomelj, Slovenia) on 17 July 1844.

Vertin received his primary education in Novo Mesto and emigrated to America at the age of nineteen with his family. His parents presented him to the fellow immigrant from Slovenia, Frederic Baraga, who, upon accepting him into the diocese, sent him to St. Francis, Wisconsin, where he completed his theological training. On 31 August 1866, Vertin was ordained a priest by Baraga.

Upon the resignation of Ignatius Mrak as Bishop of Marquette in May 1879, Pope Leo XIII elevated Vertin to the episcopate to succeed him. He was consecrated at Negaunee, Michigan, on 14 September 1879 by Michael Heiss, then still Bishop of La Crosse. The following year he undertook the renovation of his cathedral.

Vertin died in Marquette on 26 February 1899, and was buried in the cathedral; he had become a Doctor of Divinity (DD).

Attribution

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "John Vertin". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. The entry cites:

• • Rezek, History of the Diocese of Sault Ste Marie and Marquette (Houghton, Michigan, 1906);
  • Diocesan Archives (Marquette).