JANSSEN, John, R. C. bishop, born in Keppeln, Rhenish Prussia, 3 March, 1835. He was educated at the bishop's colleges in Gaesdonck and Munster. In 1858 he came to the United States and was ordained priest in Alton, Illinois, on 19 November of that year. He was then appointed pastor of the German Catholic congregation in Springfield, Illinois, and also had charge of the German Catholics in the counties of Sangamon, Morgan, and Menard. In 1863-'8 he was secretary of Bishop Henry D. Juneker, and he was chancellor of the diocese of Alton from 1863 till 1870. Father Janssen was vicar-general to Bishop Peter J. Baltes in 1870-'86, and rector of St. Boniface's church, Quincy, I11., in 1877-'9. On the death of Bishop Baltes in 1886 he was administrator of the diocese until the appointment of a new bishop. In January, 1887, the diocese of Alton was divided, and the new diocese of Belleville was erected. He was then made administrator of both dioceses, and on 28 February, 1888, became bishop of Belleville, being consecrated on 25 April, 1888.