Fr. Alban Rudroff (1847-1939)

Father Alban Rudroff passed away August 24, 1939.

Father Alban Rudroff, the first priest to be ordained from Osage County, Mo., was born of Russian parentage in Rich Fountain, January 7, 1847.  He began studies at the “new” St. Benedict’s College in 1861, which, at that time had two priests, one cleric, and three brothers.  Known as Ulrick, he entered the community in 1865 having avoided a confrontation with “bushwhackers” once on a journey home. 

Father Alban was ordained June 30, 1871, and assigned to Creston, Iowa, where he built two churches and a rectory in the vicinity.  He worked also in Nebraska, Missouri, Doniphan County, Kan., Belmont, N. Car., Maryland, and Carrolltown, Pa.  On his death, he was the oldest priest in the United States at age 92.