----Source: 1918 History of Clark County, Wisconsin

REV. JOHN NEISES, pastor of St. Bernard's Catholic Church of Thorp, Wis., was born in Kaschenbach, Germany, April 7, 1879, son of Carl and Barbara (Zimmer) Neises, the father being a native of Kaschenbach and the mother of Luxemburg. He attended the public and parochial schools of his native town, and then entered the Collegium Marianum at Theux, Belgium, where he was a student for three years, subsequently spending four years at the College of Treves, Germany. Thus prepared he entered the University of Freiburg, Switzerland, and afterwards completed his theological training in the University Freiburg, Baden, Germany, being ordained at St. Peter, July 5, 1905, by Archbishop Thomas Noerber. On Oct. 15, 1906, he sailed from Antwerp for America, arriving in New York City Oct. 26. He at once proceeded West, reaching La Crosse, Wis., Oct. 29, and there was transferred to Marshfield, in Wood County, Wis., as assistant pastor of St. Johns' Catholic Church of that place, where he was stationed for eight months. He was then appointed pastor of St. John's Church at Summit, Monroe County, Wis., and served that parish from 1906 to 1908, in which latter year he was transferred to Dorchester in Clark County.

In 1912 he came from Dorchester to his present charge at Thorp, where he has done valuable work, erecting the beautiful new church. He has also identified himself with every good cause in the community, having, among other things, taken a lively interest in farm promotion, and helped to get many settlers here. Father Neises, in addition to the thorough education he possesses, is an adept at scroll work, and among the highly artistic specimens of this kind that adorn the parish home are a china closet, or sideboard, and a beautiful writing desk and bookcase, which are the work of his hands. His favorite recreations are hunting and fishing.

    St. Bernard's Catholic Church, Thorp, WI