Zahm - Archives: Datelines - Canisius University - Andrew L. Bouwhuis, S.J. Library at Canisius University

Rev. John I. Zahm, S.J.

portrait of Rev. John I. Zahm, S.J. Rev. John I. Zahm, S.J., the first American-born Rector of Canisius University, was born on April 10, 1855 and entered the Society of Jesus at Exaten, Holland, October 3, 1874.

After the usual early studies in the Society of Jesus, he returned in 1883 to Canisius University and taught English and German. In 1884, he was assigned to Prairie du Chien to teach German. He left in 1887 for Ditton Hall, England for his studies in theology and subsequent year of tertianship in 1889 at Lancashire, England. In 1890, he was assigned to Cleveland where he taught English. On November 5, 1891, he was appointed Rector of Canisius University.

Some interesting items from his term as President of Canisius:

1890 -- there were 360 students.
1893 -- there were 290 students and hot water heating is installed at a cost of $12,000.
1895 -- the Silver Jubilee of the college. A Mass was held to comemoratethe event in St. Michael's Church with Bishop Ryan present. The sermon was preached by Rev. John Schaus, B.A. '83.
1895 -- the first year Canisius cancels school for Christmas holidays. The reason: sickness. Students now numbered 316. The commercial course was dropped and an eight year course of study was submitted to the Regents of N.Y. State for their approval.

After five years, he returned to Cleveland again in the teaching field with English and Religion as his subjects. In 1898, he taught Mathematics followed in 1899 by a return to Cleveland where he again is teaching English and Mathematics.

Father Zahm was appointed Rector and Prefect of Studies in Cleveland, OH on April 21, 1902 an office he held for a period of four years after which he became a parish priest in Cleveland.

In 1908 Father Zahm became Spiritual Father at Prairie du Chien, WI. He was sent to Cleveland, OH to serve as Minister at St. Stanislaus. In 1920, he was appointed Minister of St. Ignatius in Cleveland. In 1922, he went toToldeo, OH as Minister of St. Mary's and later to St. John's church to serve in the same capacity. In 1928, he was appointed Spiritual Father at the University of Detroit.

Father Zahm died in Detroit, MI on October 28, 1935.