After receiving his early education at Dorsten and
Recklinghause, he studied philosophy and theology at
Münster (184307), and upon his ordination to the priesthood, 29 May 1847, continued his studies for two years at the
University of Bonn and
University of Tübingen. He then became director of
Count von Galen's institute at Münster, was
privat-docent in church history, moral theology, and history of dogmatics at the University of Münster (1853-9), and assistant professor-in-ordinary of moral theology, history of dogmatics, and symbolism. At the same time he lectured on dogmatic theology along with the aged
Anton Berlage, whom he succeeded as professor of dogmatic theology in 1881. He also spent time in Rome in 1869 where he lived at the priest college
Santa Maria dell' Anima.
Pope Leo XIII honoured him with the title of
domestic prelate in 1890. ==Works==