He was born Joseph Ries on December 8, 1883 in Covington, Kentucky where he went to high school. Two years after graduation he went across the river to Cincinnati, Ohio to continue night studies in law even as he continued to support his family. He eventually professed his vows on February 9, 1909. His religious name was Frederick. He studied in various monasteries and was ordained on June 27, 1917. For fifteen years as a priest he was a vice-master, pastor of Immaculata Parish, Cincinnati, the first vicar in Des Moines, Iowa. In 1930 he was vicar in Normandy and came down with pneumonia. After he gained some strength he was asked to go to Council Bluffs, Iowa to the hospital run by the Sisters of Mercy where he remained for six or seven weeks. He then went back to Des Moines where he died.
Birth Date:
December 8, 1883
Profession Date:
February 9, 1909
Ordination Date:
June 27, 1917
Death Date:
June 5, 1932