Background
He was the son of Johann Wittmann, a stonemason, and his wife Maria Anna Hirschle.
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Patrizius Wittman
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His standing as a pupil in the Latin school of his native town gained him a free scholarship in the convictus attached to the Ehinger gymnasium, and eventually led to a similar scholarship in the Wilhelmsstift at Tübingen. Wishing to become a priest, he devoted his time at the university (1838-1840) to theological and philosophical studies, gained three prizes, and passed a brilliant examination. His strictly orthodox Catholic views, however, soon brought him into conflict with the Liberal tendencies then prevailing and he was dismissed from the Wilhelmsstift.
Through Doctor Caspar Riffel, professor at Giessen, he obtained employment on the journal "Sion", published at Augsburg under the editorship of Doctor Ferdinand Herbst, pastor of the town church.
Doctor Johann Joseph Ignaz von Döllinger induced Wittmann to issue his "Die Herrlichkeit der Kirche in ihren Missionen seit der Glaubensspaltung" (2 vols, Augsburg, 1841), which was very well received. In 1841 he obtained the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and settled at Augsburg, becoming editor-in-chief of the periodical "Sion", and increasing its circulation.
His "Allgemeine Geschichte der katholischen Missionen" (1846 and 1850) was the first treatment of this subject in German. The second volume of the work treats mainly of the conversion of the Indian tribes in America.
He was noted speaker at conventions and other assemblies, and an active worker for churches and benevolent societies, and in many instances served as the guardian of widows and orphans.
He was also a generous patron of young students. He was buried in the Catholic cemetery at Augsburg. In recognition of his services Pope Pius IX gave him the Order of Saint Gregory.
The general board of managers of the Bonifatiusverein established at Merseburg an annual commemoration in perpetuity for him and his descendants.
