Research for John Phillip Gagen’s children attendance at St. Mary-Of The Woods Academy at Terre Haute, Indiana found for the following children: Esther Loretta born 1883, Emma Florence born 1876, Maude M. born 1874, and Frances Grace born 1879 known as Grace. There are very few records for Saint Ignatius Academy in Lafayette, Indiana and no records for Esther Loretta Gagen that family tradition says she graduated from there.
      Records for St. Mary-of-the-Woods Academy Registers and the 1940 Alumnae contain references to Esther (also known as Essie), Loretta (same student as Esther), Emma, Maude, and Grace. Gaps and /or discrepancies are evident. Possible explanation s could be surmised but are not given in the records. Following information discovered:

Esther – father’s name is J.P. Gagen attended the following sessions of school:
    1. Jan. 1985-June 1895
    2. Sept. 1895-June 1896
    3. Jan. 1899-Sept. 1899
    4. Oct. 1899-Jan. 1900
    5. Feb. 1900-June 1900
     Account books show that Esther studied the regular subjects and also took lessons on piano and violin. It is not clear at what age Esther entered the Academy and whether or not she graduated; Esther is listed in the 1940 Alumnae Directory as Mrs. Charles Peter Greenen, 1340 N. Alabama Street, Indianapolis, Indiana. (Note family knows that her married name would have been Mrs. Joseph J. Greenen as this is the name her husband used as an adult.) Appears that Esther Loretta attend from age 12 to age17.

Loretta: attended the Academy from Oct. 1899-Mar. 1900 and Apr. 1900-June 1900. Possibly student gave one name and someone gave her other name Esther? In addition to other regular courses, she studied literature, rhetoric, geometry, and chemistry; took lessons in violin and dance.

Emma: her name appears in registers from Aug. 1885 to June 1896; besides the regular courses, Emma also studied piano, guitar, drawing, pastels, pastel portrait painting, and oil painting. Emma Florence attended from age 9 to age 20.

Maude: this name is in the register for Aug. 1885-1892; received lessons in piano, and drawing while studding the usual classes required. Maude attended from age 11 to age 18.
Grace: attended from Sept. 1888- July 1895. An article by another student states Grace was a “minim”, that is, a younger pupil; studied piano, violin, drawing, oil painting, pastel portrait painting plus other regular subjects. Frances Grace attended from age 9 to age 16.

 Note: Esther Loretta Gagen later married John Joseph Greenen also known as Joseph J. Greenen April 21, 1909 at St. Mary Cathedral in Lafayette, Indiana Tippecanoe County. Greenen family document recorded August 27, 2001
Compiled and Submitted by H. Andrew  (Andy) Sauer, Son of Mary Esther  (Greenen) Sauer