Henry Rohlman

Archbishop Henry Patrick Rohlman (March 17, 1876 - September 13, 1957) was a former Roman Catholic Bishop and Archbishop. He served as Bishop of the Diocese of Davenport and the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Dubuque. Rohlman was born in Appelhuelsen, Germany. [cite web
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Fr. Rohlman was ordained as a priest on December 21, 1901. Rohlman served for a number of years as business manager at what was known as Columbia College (now Loras College). In the early 1920s, Fr. Rohlman was asked to help form a new parish in Dubuque near the school. The parish he formed was named Nativity Parish - and consisted of members from several downtown parishes.

On May 20, 1927 Pope Pius XI named Rohlman Bishop of Davenport, Iowa. Rohlman was consecrated and installed as Bishop of Davenport on July 25, 1927. Bishop Rohlman served as Bishop of the Diocese of Davenport until 1944. Rohlman Hall is a residence hall at Saint Ambrose University that was named in his honor.

Archbishop of Dubuque

During the early 1940s, Archbishop Francis Beckman of Dubuque had involved the Archdiocese in a dubious financial scheme. Beckman had been talked into investing borrowed money in gold mines with the idea that the profits could be used to purchase more artwork for his collection. However the scheme was soon revealed to be a fraud, and the man behind the scheme was arrested. Because he had signed loans in the Archdiocese's name, this led to financial difficulties for the Archdiocese when the holders of the notes began demanding repayment. Because of the financial problems surrounding Beckman, Bishop Rohlman was brought back to Dubuque and named Coadjutor Archbishop of Dubuque on September 8, 1944. He was also named Titular Archbishop of Macra at the same time. It was made clear to Beckman that Rohlman was now the leader of the Archdiocese.

In the installation ceremony at St. Raphael's Cathedral, Archbishop Beckman came out and sat in the Archbishop's throne. The Latin decrees were brought out and read to him. Archbishop Rohlman came out wearing the vestments of an Archbishop. Beckman and the Vicar General escorted Rohlman to the throne.

On November 11, 1946 Archbishop Beckman retired from office and left Dubuque. Rohlman then automatically became Archbishop of Dubuque.

In 1949 Rohlman requested a Coadjutor Archbishop. Bishop Leo Binz was assigned as Coadjutor Archbishop. Rohlman continued to serve as Archbishop until his retirement on December 2, 1954. He was named the Titular Archbishop of Cotrada at that point. Upon his death on September 13, 1957, Rohlman was given the title Archbishop Emeritus of Dubuque. Rohlman is buried in the mortuary chapel at St. Raphael's Cathedral.

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