John Stariha

John Nepomucene Stariha (May 12, 1845 – November 28, 1915) was a Slovenian-born American prelate of the Catholic Church. He was the first bishop of Lead in South Dakota, serving from 1902 to 1909.

Biography Early life John Stariha was born on May 12, 1845, in Semič in the Duchy of Carniola (present-daySlovenia), the son of John and Anna (née Judnic) Stariha. He received his early education in Novo Mesto in Carniola, but his studies were interrupted in 1866 when he was drafted into the Imperial Austrian Army. He served in the army for seven months and took part at the Battle of Custoza in Venetzia on June 24, 1866. He was awarded a silver medal for bravery. Stariha later deserted the army, fleeing to the United States.

Stariha arrived in New York City in May 1867 and then headed west to Wisconsin. His first assignment was as an assistant pastor at Saint Paul's Parish in Negaunee, Michigan, where he remained for two years. He received a pardon from Austro-Hungarian Emperor Franz Joseph I in 1879 for deserting the army so that he could visit Slovenia. In addition to his pastoral duties, he was named vicar general of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis in December 1897. The diocese covered the portion of South Dakota west of the Missouri River. Upon receiving the news, he told a Saint Paul newspaper: "The news that I had been made a bishop was wholly unexpected and came as a surprise to me...I have never craved for this position and if I can help it I will not go." Due to poor health, he moved from his official residence in Lead to Hot Springs, South Dakota in 1908.

Retirement and legacy When his health failed to improve, Stariha submitted his resignation as bishop of Lead on March 29, 1909. It was accepted the following month. He was given the titular see of Antipatris by Pope Pius X. John Stariha died in Ljubljana from apoplexy on November 28, 1915, at age 70.