NERAZ, Jean Claude, R. C. bishop, born in Anse, department of the Rhone, France, about 1830. He followed a classical course in the College of St. Godard, then entered the seminary at Alix, and finished his theological studies in the Sulpitian seminary of Lyons. He emigrated to the United States in 1852, and was ordained priest by Bishop Odin on 19 February, 1853. His first missionary labors were in Nacogdoches, Texas, and his mission comprised the northeastern part of the state as far as Red river. In 1864 he was removed to southern Texas, and was pastor of Liberty county till 1866, when he was appointed assistant at San Antonio. He was transferred in 1868 to Laredo, where he built a convent and a church, and in 1873 he was again stationed in San Antonio and given charge of the church of San Fernando. He was appointed vicar-general of the diocese of San Antonio in 1875, and on the death of Bishop Pellicer was made administrator of the see. He was then nominated second bishop of San Antonio, and consecrated on 8 May, 1881. He was present at the third council of Baltimore in 1884. Under the auspices of Bishop Neraz a college was founded in Travis county by the priests of the Holy Cross and an academy at Halletsville by the Sisters of the Incarnate Word. His diocese has fifty-one priests, fifty churches, eight chapels, three academies, two colleges, twenty-six parochial schools, and three charitable institutions.