USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > Biographical history of the American Irish in Chicago > Part 11
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One of Mangan's poems recites the doings of a certain Cabal-
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Mor of the Wine Red Hand, who had a Dolphin for a crest and who was descended from a Formorian fisherman.
After the Treaty of Limerick the ancestor of all the Cahills of the King's and Queen's Counties betook himself with as little noise as possible to the Queen's County, where he came to be called "Old John Cahill of Coolnabaca." He was a sturdy veteran of the Civil Wars, whom much fighting had made conservative, and that he transmitted this tendency to his descendants is shown by the fact, that during the stormy eighteenth century the family managed to retain unimpaired its religion and lands. In the nineteenth cen- tury, however, this inherited conservativeness disappeared and the Reverend Doctor Cahill arose to take an active part in the battle which Ireland waged for civil and religious liberty.
Next to the "great Doctor," as his countrymen used to call him, the most distinguished man of the family was the Reverend Doc- tor William Cahill, Vicar-General of Kildare and Leighlin. The excitement of war had a fascination for those Cahills whose tend- encies were not religious. The story is told of three sons of Ed- ward Cahill of Stradbally, who ran off secretly and joined the Bo- livian army of Independence and were never heard of more. An- other brother emigrated to the United States in the 30's and sacri- ficed a son to the cause of the Union at the first battle of Bull Run.
Secretary Cahill spent the first twelve years of his life in the British Army and received his early education in the National and Military Schools of Dublin. In 1875, the elder Cahill perceiving no future for his family in Ireland, resigned his position in the . Barrack Department and emigrated to Canada, settling in Toronto in 1876. His son, Daniel P. Cahill, after a course at the Collegiate Institute of that city, became interested in a manufacturing in- dustry.
When hardly of age, he assisted in organizing the first branch of the Land League ever formed in Canada, and was successively
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Secretary and President of one of the Toronto branches of the League. He came into rather unfriendly contact with the Loyal- ist authorities of Toronto by reason of a very clear and decisive letter which he wrote to the Mayor, declining an invitation tend- ered to the League to take part in a procession in honor of Queen Victoria's Jubilee. Mutual good will was not strengthened by Mr. Cahill's connection with the reception of William O'Brien, M. P., on the occasion of his visit to Toronto in 1885 or 1886, to denounce Governor-General Landsdowne for harsh treatment of his Irish tenants. While protecting William O'Brien from the furious as- saults of the Orange mob on Bay Street, in Toronto, Mr. Cahill was attacked and badly injured. On the question of taking part or not taking part in the Queen's Jubilee procession, Mr. Cahill was elected a member of the Toronto separate school board and dur- ing his term of service he succeeded in establishing night schools for the Italian residents of that city, which were productive of much good. He led the agitation for voting by ballot at school elec- tions and was defeated at the ensuing election.
He was one of the charter members of the Young Men's Liberal Club, of Toronto; an organization which has spread its branches all over Canada and during the recent elections helped materially to bring about the triumph of the Hon. Wilfred Laurier. Mr. Ca- hill was active and prominent in the fiery debates which distin- guished the proceedings of the club, and was considered one of the most forcible and effective debaters in the organization. His news- ·paper career began on the "Irish Canadian," a Toronto journal now merged in the "Catholic Register." He always had a predilec- tion for newspaper work, and Patrick Boyle the kindly old editor of the "Canadian," encouraged this bent. In 1890 Mr. Cahill came to Chicago, attracted like most young men of the Dominion by the greater opportunities of the Republic, as well as by its freer po- litical and religious atmosphere.
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He found his first newspaper employment on the "Chicago Morning News," now the "Record." That new journalistic condi- tions bothered the newcomer not a little he is willing to confess. A big "scoop," however, in connection with a labor strike gave the management of the paper some idea of the stuff of which the new reporter was made and his rise thereafter was comparatively easy. In 1892 he was given charge of the political and municipal reporting of the "Record," and held the place until appointed Sec- retary to the postoffice by Postmaster Washington Hesing, Janu- ary 1st, 1894.
During his newspaper career he doggedly fought municipal and political corruption wherever it showed its head and rendered material service to the community on many an occasion about which the community, owing to the conditions of newspaper work, is blissfully ignorant.
As a newspaper writer, Mr. Cahill was distinguished by the accuracy and breadth of his reports, as well as by the use of terse and forcible English.
In his three years' service at the postoffice, Mr. Cahill has become thoroughly conversant with the details of postoffice matters. He edits the Bulletin, writes the reports, and has entire charge of the Bureau of Correspondence. Of a very practical turn of mind, he has suggested many valuable changes and improvements in the working system of the postoffice.
While not a member of any society, he yet realizes the value of organized effort, though for want of leisure has not been able to avail himself of such advantages. He is a hard reader and a diligent student. He is a member of the Press Club of Chicago, an ardent devotee of the bicycle and a good long distance rider.
The political reporter often enough has no pronounced feeling for one or other of the political parties, and Mr. Cahill is no excep- tion to the rule. He has strong and pronounced opinions on politi-
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cal questions, but he does not find his opinions represented to any extent by existing parties, and he has therefore refrained from at- taching himself to either.
Mr. Cahill was married in 1887 to Mary Starr, of Ottawa, Can- ada. His family consists of three boys and one girl. He possesses strong individuality and great force of character, and is notably frank and outspoken. He is a quiet looking man with the appear- ance of a student. An ardent American in sentiment, he is devoted to the institutions and welfare of his adopted country.
REV. P. J. MULDOON.
Than the subject of the present sketch, now pastor of the con- gregation of the Church of St. Charles Borromeo, but who for many years was Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Chicago, there is no priest in Chicago to-day more highly esteemed or held in truer af- fection by the people under his charge. Noble natured, kindly, gen- erous and entirely unselfish in all ways, Father Muldoon is a true type of the Irish priest, on all occasions a friend to those in need, but an unswerving upholder of his religion and the rights of the church.
Rev. P. J. Muldoon was born October 10, 1863, at Columbia, Tuolumne County, California, his parents, John J. and Catherine (Coughlin) Muldoon, being natives respectively of County Cavan and County Galway, Ireland. The father, who was by trade a con- tractor, had left Ireland when a young man and settled at Stock-
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ton, California, and it was in the public schools of that city that the subject of the present sketch obtained his early education. At fourteen he entered upon the collegiate course (classical and com- mercial) at St. Mary's, Kentucky, and four years later began the two years' philosophical course at St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, Md., completing his studies with a four years' theological course in the same institution.
His ordination to the priesthood took place December 18th, 1886, in Brooklyn, New York, by Bishop Loughlin, and his first ap- pointment was to St. Pius Church, Chicago, where he remained for eighteen months. He was appointed in November, 1888, Chan- cellor of the Archdiocese of Chicago and Secretary of his Grace the Archbishop, and this very responsible office he held until Novem- ber, 1895, when he was appointed pastor of St. Charles Borromeo's Church, situated at Twelfth and Cypress Streets, where he now re- mains, endeared to his flock by multitudinous instances of self- sacrificing devotion to the requirements, religious and otherwise, of all its members.
To his arduous duties as Secretary and Chancellor of the Arch- diocese, Father Muldoon added, during the Columbian Exposition, the secretaryship of the Chicago Catholic educational exhibit. He is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters and is the director of the St. Vincent de Paul Society of the Archdiocese. Regarding his political views, he votes independently of all party organizations, believing that the qualifications of the man are in- finitely higher requisites than mere political associations.
Charming in manner, dignified in appearance, tall and com- manding in figure, yet withal absolutely unassuming, Father Mul- doon possesses a rich fund of information upon all timely topics and a fund of humor which is a delight to the thousands of his friends throughout Chicago, who in him recognize that best type of the ecclesiastic, the loving, kindly friend who can sorrow with them
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as well as rejoice, and who faithfully and earnestly is endeavoring to carry out God's work in the world, armed with that happy cheeri- ness which is the strongest power in dissipating the miseries and evil which are so universal.
JOHN J. COBURN.
John J. Coburn was born in that portion of Cook County where the village of Clyde now stands. The history of the family to which he belongs is an interesting one. Henry Coburn, his father, was born in 1824, in Creggan, County Wexford, Ireland, where the so-called rebellion of 1798, in which many members of the Coburn family took a very active part, had its origin. These Co- burns of Creggan were direct descendants of General John Coburn, who came over from England with Cromwell during that fateful period of Irish history, in which the Protector bore so important a part. Henry Coburn left his native land in 1848, and coming to America located in Williamsbury in upper Canada, where he met and married Elizabeth Chittick, a young lady whose birthplace was Enniskillen, in Ireland, and the daughter of a gentleman farmer there. The year following they came to Chicago and a little later found a home on the Felker farm, situated in Dupage County, Illinois. When the Felker farm was given up, Henry Coburn and his wife removed to the township of Lyons, Cook County, where Mr. Coburn still lives in the enjoyment of a vigorous old age and happy in the recollections of a useful and profitably spent life.
John J. Coburn, the subject of this sketch, was born March
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14th, 1861, and received his education in the public schools of the town of Lyons and the high school of Englewood, taking a classical course in the latter. His school-days at an end, from 1879 to 1881 he taught school in the school house he had as a boy attended, and was later a member of the class of 1883 at the Union College of Law, where Mr. William J. Bryan-the presidential candidate- was one of his class mates. He did not wait to graduate in due course with his class, but took the examination before the Supreme Court, receiving a license to practice in 1883. The practice of law was then at once commenced in this city, and his energy and perseverance found good reward. His first clients were found among his old neighbors, but gradually he was able to widen the circle and his services became in very general demand. His great- est reputation was gained while acting as attorney for the prop- erty owners in the condemnation suits, instituted by the com- missioners of the great drainage canal, for the handling of which cases he was given the highest commendation. Indeed, so many suits did he win that the drainage commission was compelled for self protection to retain him as special attorney. On May 1st, 1895, he entered into a partnership with Judge Lawrence M. Ennis, of whom a sketch appears elsewhere in this volume, under the firm name of Ennis & Coburn. It is as a trial lawyer that Mr. Coburn chiefly excels, for his logical, well arranged arguments are possessed of most effective power. A ready speaker, he has a splendid knowledge of human nature, and where a jury is to be dealt with, his success has become almost proverbial. Out of sev- éral thousand cases, in fact, he claims only three have been lost where the matter has gone to a jury. Consequently the further claim is no matter for surprise that his firm possesses the largest list of clients and has the representation as attorneys for all the villages in the southwest suburbs of the city. Mr. Co- burn's good professional success has been utilized by judicious
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investment and has brought him into the possession of considerable property.
Mr. Coburn was married, May day, 1891, to Annie M. Valentine, and they have two children. Always a thorough Democrat, in politics and political matters he has taken a very active interest. Upon several occasions he has been invited to accept office, but up to the present, such offers have been met with refusal, although his friends are hopeful of their power to lead him into a public life.
There is no man in Chicago who possesses more friends or who is held in higher honor or esteem for his good personal qualities as well as high natural gifts than the eminent American Irishman, John J. Coburn.
MICHAEL CUDAHY.
An Irishman by birth, born in the historical old town of Cal- lan, County Kilkenny, on December 7th, 1841, every one of Irish blood is familiar with the name of Michael Cudahy. He is among the most prominent of many prominent Chicagoans who have been the architects of their own fortunes. By never failing energy, un- tiring perseverance, unswerving determination, the complete mas- tering of every detail in his business, he has won a place in the first rank of the world's great packers, as well as an honored posi- tion among the citizens of this great city. A man of sterling worth, inflexible integrity and quiet unassuming manner, he leaves upon all who meet him the impress of his own character, revealing by every detail of his life the power of a noble manhood. His mother's family were originally from Dublin, but a removal had been made
Michael Cudahy
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to Callan and a pottery established for the manufacture of crock- ery. Patrick Cudahy, his father, a man who united thought with action, recognizing the scanty opportunities a life in Ireland offered and the broader field as well as the better opportunities for ad- vancement to be found in the new world, if not for himself, for his then growing family, decided to emigrate to America, and with his wife, Elizabeth (Shaw) Cudahy, and his family, came to the United States, in 1849, shortly afterwards locating at Milwaukee, Wis. Young Cudahy in this city obtained his first insight into the packing house and stock yard work, for even while attending school and acquiring a simple education, it was necessary he should do some work around the slaughter houses.
At fourteen he regularly entered the employ of Messrs. Layton & Plankinton, packers, Milwaukee, and then at nineteen was given a position with Ed Roddis, packer, also of Milwaukee. With the latter he remained until the business was closed out in 1866, when he started in for himself, but such advantageous off'ers were made him by Mr. Fred Layton, of Milwaukee, that he disposed of his business and entered the employ of Layton & Co., as private meat inspector, the position of meat inspector on the Milwaukee Board of Trade being secured for him at the same time. From Mr. Lay- ton, Michael Cudahy received practical encouragement and every assistance that close friendship could offer, and of the advantages of this association Mr. Cudahy has always been duly sensible. He was offered, in 1869, a position with Messrs. Plankinton & Armour, Milwaukee, Wis., to take charge of their packing house-at that time a small frame building, and the whole plant, including ma- chinery, not exceeding in value $35,000, but which has become one of the largest packing establishments in the United States. So successful was his management that, in 1873, Mr. P. D. Armour proffered him a partnership in the now celebrated firm of Armour & Co., of Chicago, the largest of its kind in existence, and known
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throughout the civilized world. Thoroughly competent and with sound practical knowledge of the business in all its branches and details, Mr. Cudahy took control of the stock yard end of the enter- prise, and for nearly seventeen years had practically entire man- agement.
When the committee was formed to solicit subscriptions from the packers for the World's Columbian Exposition, the estimation in which Mr. Cudahy was held was shown by his appointment as chairman.
He was married, in 1866, to Miss Catharine Sullivan, a daugh- ter of Mr. John Sullivan, a farmer in comfortable circumstances residing near Milwaukee, Wis. Their marriage has been blessed with seven children, four daughters and three sons. The eldest daughter, Elizabeth, is the wife of Mr. Wm. P. Nelson, one of Chi- cago's successful business men. Mrs. Cudahy is a lady possessed of many estimable qualities; she is most charitable and her life is devoted to her family, and to her good training and broad mind, her children owe much of their educational advantages, as well as their numerous accomplishments.
While in politics he belongs to the Democratic party, he is no extremist, and irrespective of party will support the best available man for the position.
He is a Roman Catholic, a faithful member and a liberal sup- porter of that church. He is also thoroughly American in his feel- ings, loving and honoring the many noble institutions of his adopt- ed country.
Mr. Cudahy is the eldest of five brothers and one sister, Cath- arine. The latter, who in 1883 had become a Sister of the Good Shepherd, endowing the Order with a handsome sum of money, died January 19th, 1892, at the House of the Good Shepherd, Mil- waukee, Wis. Her life had been consecrated to a noble cause, and her untimely death was a source of deep sorrow to many hearts.
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She was beloved by all those who knew her, either in the world as Miss Cudahy, or in religion as Sister Stanislaus. William Cudahy died at the age of thirty-seven. John and Patrick succeeded John Plankinton & Co., formerly Plankinton & Armour, of Milwaukee, in their packing business, under the firm name of Cudahy Broth- ers; the first named lives in Chicago and the latter in Milwaukee. John Cudahy has been prominently identified with Chicago pack- ing interests, and was formerly associated with Mr. Chapin, as Chapin & Cudahy, later trading in his own name. Edward A. is a partner with Michael Cudahy, forming the corporation of the Cudahy Packing Co., Omaha, Nebraska, which, before the with- drawal of Mr. P. D. Armour from the firm, was the Armour-Cudahy Packing Co. Edward A. is well known in business circles as an unusually bright and energetic business man. He resides at Omaha, where they have been located for eight years and have a large and rapidly increasing packing and provision business. As an idea of the extent of their interests, it may be stated that in one year their distributing sales amounted to over $23,000,000, and their pay-roll reached the sum of $1,000,000. Houses have also been established in Sioux City and Los Angeles.
Mr. Cudahy withdrew from the firm of Armour & Co. in No- vember, 1890. The association had been of a mutually profitable character, and Mr. P. D. Armour said, in speaking of the separa- tion: "He leaves me after a connection honorable throughout, de- void of clash, rich, prosperous, and with an enviable reputation in the business world."
Mr. Cudahy is a man of exceedingly robust constitution and 'fine physical proportions; he is of a social disposition and takes considerable interest in all manly sports; he is a lover of the fine arts, and has the especial fondness for music so common to those of Irish birth. He also possesses in no small degree the wit and exuberance of spirits which characterize his race; is a most genial
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companion, a pleasing conversationalist, and a warm and sincere friend. Of prejudice he is absolutely devoid, and is not easily swayed, for determination is among his chief characteristics. In his dealings he is ever thorough and cautious and consequently the judgment he forms is sound and sure. To all objects of a worthy and benevolent character he is generous in his contribu- tions, and to befriend and place in positions young men worthy of his support is to him a great source of happiness; indeed, the num- ber of those in this and other cities who owe their first start in life to the kindly influence and the charitable disposition of Mr. Michael Cudahy is very large.
MICHAEL H. MCGRATH, M. D.
Dr. Michael H. McGrath, one of Chicago's best known and emi- nently successful physicians, is a native of Saratoga Springs, New York State, where he was born January 5th, 1855. His father, Michael, and mother, Margaret (Farrell) McGrath, were both na- tives of Tipperary, Ireland, and in 1846 came to the United States together. For several generations on both sides the family were well-to-do Irish farmers and honored members of the yeomanry. For some years Michael McGrath, who had had a good business training and held positions of trust and responsibility among the merchants of Tipperary for some fifteen years previous to his com- ing to America, was engaged in the lumber business in Vermont, but in 1858 he came to Illinois and settled on a farm near Lincoln.
The early years of the subject of this sketch were passed on the
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farm at Lincoln and among the forests and prairies of Illinois amid all the frequent hardships which attend pioneer life. Like most boys of health and spirit, he passed through many escapades and hair breadth escapes, and though of slight build, he still remembers with some pride how he and his brother stood their ground with the best in the various youthful amusements, engagements and encounters.
Realistic, however, though were the rougher phases of his early life, yet as a consequence the boy imbibed a warm love of nature --- of the birds, the trees, the brooks and lakes-and its after effect has been that the doctor possesses a strong taste and appreciation for poetry and literature. Probably it was this tendency that in- clined him towards a professional career, and as one brother, T. L. McGrath, chose political life and at time of his death in 1885 was State Senator, and another brother, Rev. D. E. McGrath, selected the church, Michael decided on adopting the medical profession.
He was educated in the public schools until his eighteenth year, when he went to. St. John's College at Prairie du Chien, Wis., and from there graduated with considerable honors in 1874. Two years then were spent as a teacher in the public schools of Lincoln, and at the same time he commenced the study of medicine at Rush Medical College, where he graduated in 1880. His first active practice was at Independence, Iowa, where he remained three years, when he decided to remove to the larger field offered by Chicago. The medical abilities of Dr. McGrath have met with decided appreciation and he has been enabled to establish a consid- erable practice, especially along the lines of disease of the chest and the diseases of women. A large portion of his success he at- tributes to the fact that he has made a specialty of those branches and has always refused to be bound to any special code of medical ethics, believing that special and peculiar circumstances are su- perior to any rigidly laid down rules of practice.
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Dr. MeGrath is a Bryan Democrat in his political views, and would wish to have taken more active part in the work and coun- sels of his party but for the exactions of his professional duties so entirely engrossing his time. He has, however, found the time to contribute a number of valuable articles to the medical journals.
Dr. McGrath is a strong advocate of temperance and is now President of St. Malachy's Total Abstinence Union. As a phy- sician he claims that alcohol is neither useful nor necessary, and neither prescribes it for his patients nor in any way encourages its use. He is a valued member of a number of the medical societies of Chicago and the West.
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