USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > Biographical history of the American Irish in Chicago > Part 14
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Thomas L. Hartigan was born at Dedham, Massachusetts, May 31st, 1861. His parents were on both sides Irish. His mother from the County Fermanagh, and his father from the County of "Limer- ick so beautiful." His father is Thomas O. T. Hartigan, connected with the famous O'Tooles, while his mother, formerly Ann Leon- ard, came from the McCullenans. On each side the families were of historic stock, and in the story of Ireland have frequent mention from the Chroniclers.
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Mr. Hartigan received his earlier education at West Roxbury, Mass., and at Dedham. He afterwards attended the grammar and high schools of Chicago, and having passed through the Central High School, was sent-in 1880-to the United States Military Academy, at West Point, N. Y. His course there completed, he returned to Chicago, and having decided to take up the legal pro- fession entered the Union College of Law in 1884. For two years he was in the office of Judge T. A. Moran, and associated himself later with Judge Collins for a further two years. Admission to the bar was obtained March 20th, 1885. Through all this time Mr. Hartigan continued that military service which constituted his chief pleasure. He became Captain, Second Infantry Illinois Na- tional Guard in 1884, and was Adjutant from 1888 to 1890. In 1889 he received the appointment of Superintendent of Letter Carriers of the Chicago postoffice, which he held for two years, then accept- ing the position of Captain and Drill Master of the Chicago Police Department, retaining the latter until 1893. In 1890 he was made Major of the Hibernian Rifles and the year following Colonel of the same regiment. In 1893 he became Captain and Adjutant of the Seventh Regiment, and in 1896 was offered its Majority, but for personal reasons thought it advisable to decline.
Mr. Hartigan is now devoting himself entirely to his profes- sion as a lawyer, and in company with Mr. Edmund E. McCarthy -- of whom there is a sketch elsewhere in this volume-is rapidly mak- ing his firm prominently known in this city.
He is a member of several societies-the Ancient Order of Hi- bernians, the Knights of Pythias, the Royal League, and the Metric Society of Chicago.
In his religion he is a Roman Catholic, while in politics he is a staunch Republican, favoring the protection of our industries and also bimetallism.
He was married, January 12th, 1885, to Miss Minnie Belle Mac-
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Kinnis, daughter of Dr. Thomas MacKinnis, a well known physician of this city. Their happy household now rejoices in three children -- Irving Cress, Raymond Thomas, and Leonard Wheeler.
Mr. Hartigan is a man of medium height, pleasant in his manner and extremely companionable. He is open-hearted and liberal, and while he knows how to appreciate any favor, is also ever ready to do a friendly service. No list of the American Irish of Chicago would be complete without the name of Thomas L. Hartigan.
FRANCIS R. COLE, PH. D., LL. D.
Francis Richard Cole was born in Chicago, June 19th, 1871. His parents, Richard and Elizabeth (Byrne) Cole, came to America in 1849 and located in Buffalo, N. Y. Later the western course was resumed, and Richard Cole settled down first in Milwaukee, but finally in our great city in 1859, where he later started to manufac- ture cooperage. He is one of our respected citizens and has been for many years prominent in Masonic circles, the Richard Cole Lodge, A. F. & A. M., having been named after him.
The subject of this sketch was born in a famous year, and has grown up with the city which saw his birth. He was educated in the public grammar and high schools and having determined to be- come a lawyer, took a full course in that department of the Lake Forest University. He completed the post graduate course, taking the degree of LL. B., but even while a law student he devoted him- self assiduously to the science of jurisprudence, also attended a school of oratory, and later took the degree of Doctor of Philoso-
Francis R.l.
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phy. He opened up a law office before he was twenty-one years of age, and later was at the head of the law firm of Cole, Elliott & Bor- chardt, but at present is practicing alone. He is a great reader and an earnest student, more particularly of the live problems of the day, and is thoroughly versed in the law. In the fall of 1892 he was a candidate for Judge of the Superior Court on the Labor Reform League ticket.
Late years have been given to the cause of free thought and the furtherance of universal enlightenment. Voice and pen have been devoted to the imparting to the people of a larger desire for scien- tific knowledge, and have done much towards opening up public discussion, thereby paving the way for social, political and eco- nomic reform. He also early was active in the university exten- sion movement. In 1895 he was granted the degree of LL. D. He has always been prominent in literary societies, and has held vari- ous offices of trust and honor therein and elsewhere. In religious matters he is extremely liberal and honestly states himself a free thinker, that is to say, he is not a believer in the orthodox religion but is an agnostic of the Charles Huxley type, and has practically demonstrated that his rule of life is founded on the truism that "one should rejoice in the good man, forgive the bad man, and pity and help all men to the best of our ability." In politics he is no partisan but firmly believes in the Jeffersonian and Lincolnian principles of government and thinks our changed and evolved in- dustrial conditions need a new application of the old principles. His voice has been heard in many campaigns expounding the sci- ence of government, and pleading for greater equality of opportuni- ties, political reforms, and the restoration of bimetallism in the United States.
Judge Cole, as he is familiarly called both from his dignified and judicial appearance and the fact of his candidacy for the bench, . is prominent in a number of societies and orders, among which may
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be mentioned the American Secular Union, Freethought Federa- tion, Anthropological Society, Patriots of America, Society of Eth- ical Culture, and the Co-operative College of Citizenship. The last named he considers one of the greatest and broadest educational movements of the age, and one to a greater extent in touch with all sections of the community. Mr. Cole is one of its directors and at the head of the faculty in the department of economics. He is president of the Citizen Sovereignty Association; is lecturer on medical jurisprudence in the Dutton Medical College; and on the faculty of the American Health University. He is a remarkable extemporaneous speaker, an able debater, and what is by no means an ordinary occurrence, proficient in both branches of oratory, the forensic and the popular, and frequently speaks on patriotic and memorial occasions. He has also written considerably both in prose and verse. In the last presidential campaign he wrote a powerful pamphlet on the conditions of the republic and the ques- tions before the American people, under the title of Civilization, Bryan and the Times. It had a large circulation throughout the United States and was very generally pronounced one of the great- est campaign documents ever issued in the history of American politics.
Judge Cole was married on the 19th of July, 1895, to Miss Sadie Clucas. One little girl has blessed the union, Sylvia Elizabeth.
To have obtained so high a reputation while yet a young man gives earnest promise of a noble future, and for the name of Fran- cis Richard Cole a prominent place in the list of American Irish who have helped to make Chicago the greatest city in the United States.
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EDWARD H. EGAN.
Edward II. Egan, the well known live stock commission mer- chant and exporter, is a native of Baltimore, Md., where he was born September 15th, 1855. His father, Thomas Egan, was a na- tive of Ireland, as was also his mother, Ellen McNamara. They both came to Baltimore, Md., in the same year, 1849, and were shortly afterwards married in that city. Early in 1856 they came to Chicago, when the subject of this sketch was six months old.
Edward H. Egan was educated at St. John's School and at the Holden public school. He left school when eighteen and com- mencing active work as yardman for Nelson Morris & Company, after four to five years in that position he had so gained the con- fidence and approbation of the firm that he was appointed their agent in the Pittsburg Stock Yards. Here he remained for six years, then returning to Chicago and starting in business for him- self under the firm name of E. Egan & Company, live stock commis- sion merchants. The venture was successful from the start and is still in active operation. The business is carried on by Thomas M. Norton, Mr. Egan's partner, as he himself some years ago, in 1895, accepted the responsible position of buyer and manager for Eastman & Company, of New York, transactions of between six and seven millions per year being carried on.
Mr. Egan has now followed the same line of business contin- ually for over twenty years, and has achieved such a thorough knowledge and proficiency on all points appertaining thereto, that though still a young man he is generally considered an especially sound authority on live stock matters.
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Mr. Egan was married in this city in 1880 to Miss Annie Dona- van; they have four children, two girls and two boys. In his re- ligious views he is a Roman Catholic, and in politics is independ- ent.
Mr. Egan is a member of the Royal Arcanum, the Royal League, and also of the Sheridan Club. At the present time he is inter- ested in the organization of a new Catholic association of a benevo- lent character. Chiefly in connection with his business he has traveled through much of the United States as well as Canada. While his tastes and disposition are decidedly of a domestic char- acter, at the same time he takes an active interest in the organiza- tions mentioned. He is a man of fine executive ability and a most genial friend and companion.
JAMES KINCADE.
No Irish American in this great city deserves more credit for what he has accomplished in the world than does the subject of the present sketch, James Kincade. He came to this country without a dollar, yet he has by his own unswerving pluck and untiring energy, been able to achieve a fortune and to make for himself an honored name.
James Kincade is the son of John and Elizabeth (Mahen) Kin- cade, respectively from County Westmeath and County Wicklow, Ireland. His parents came to New York in the year 1826, his father dying in 1836 while on a visit to the old country, and his wife fol- lowing him seven years later.
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The subject of this sketch was born in the City of New York, December 3d, 1832. He was, however, but four years old when his parents returned to Ireland taking with them their son. His educa- tion was not of an extensive character, consisting only of a year or two in the cross road school of Peter Dempsey, then a noted teacher of the district, and who found a large portion of his remu- neration by boarding around among the parents of his scholars. The death of John 'Kincade, however, compelled him to go to work, at the age of fourteen, and for two years he found employment as a carpenter. When seventeen he determined to come to America and seek fortune's favors. He was absolutely without money, for everything his father had left him was in trust until he became of age, and consequently he was forced to make an excuse that he desired to purchase some cattle, and in that way was able to obtain from his guardian sufficient money to pay his passage to America, where he landed without a cent and with no friends. Landing in New York, he immediately went to the court house, according to the custom of those days, with the other emigrants or "greenhorns," ยท as they were termed, and waited until some one should come and offer him some employment.
A baker taking a fancy to him, hired, and James Kincade stayed with him a short time, afterwards going to work in a brick yard, in which he remained about four years. Afterwards, for two years, he worked as a brakeman for the Hudson River and for the Erie Railroads.
Coming to Chicago in 1855, he went to work for the Rock Island Railroad, then building the side track from Twenty-second Street to the Junction, and was later a brakeman on the Chicago, Burling- ton & Quincy Railroad. His next employment was in the lumber yard of George E. Scott, where he stayed fourteen years, beginning with the small pay of $6 a week, and when he left being in receipt of $1,700 a year and his house rent.
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Thoroughly independent in his disposition and character, Mr. Kincade determined to embark in business on his own account, and in 1863 started in the lumber business at Lodi, Kane County, Ill. There he was but two years when he sold out and returned to his former employ with Mr. Scott, remaining until the latter went out of business in 1868. Then, looking about for some business which he might take up, he by chance noticed in the papers that sub-con- tractors were required on the Riverside Boulevard. He investi- gated, took a portion of the work, and was able to clear $1,700 in sixty days. This was the opportunity he had so long sought, and from that time he has steadily progressed until he developed into one of the largest contractors of this city, having built the viaducts of Van Buren Street, Milwaukee and Desplaines Street, Taylor Street, and Ogden Avenue. In addition he has done much work for railroad companies and for the city, and also laid the foundation for the mammoth sugar refinery upon which several other con- tractors had failed.
In religion Mr. Kincade is a Roman Catholic and a regular at- tendant of St. Mathias Church, while in politics he is a silver Demo- crat and a member of the Cook County Marching Club.
He was united in marriage at Port Jervis, N. Y., October 31st, 1854, with Margaret Grannan, of County Wexford, Ireland, whose grandfather had taken a prominent part in the Irish troubles of '98, distinguishing himself at Three Bullet Gate and at Vinegar Hill. A woman of great common sense and untiring energy, she has been of the greatest assistance to her husband in his battle with life, and to her help undoubtedly a great portion of his suc- cess is due. They have had one child, a daughter, Margaret A. Fitz- gerald, who is married to the signal engineer of the Chicago, Bur- lington & Quincy R. R.
Mr. Kincade retired from business about four years ago, having amassed a comfortable fortune. He now spends his time between
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his charming home at the corner of St. Louis Avenue and Central Park Boulevard and his farm of eighty acres at Division and Har- lem Avenues.
Both his wife and himself believe in obtaining all the enjoyment possible from life, feeling they deserve some recompense after the hard struggles of their former years. In 1894 they traveled to Ire- land and have several times visited California and other parts of the United States. A gentleman of the old school, courteous ever, and always most hospitable, Mr. Kincade is one who it is an honor and a pride to number among Chicago's American Irish.
JAMES J. AHERN.
This well known Captain of the Chicago Fire Brigade was born at Buffalo, Michigan, April 17th, 1863. His parents, Patrick and Ella Ahern, were both natives of Ireland and came to the United States in 1845. Having remained for some time in Chicago, a move was made to Buffalo, Mich., and the occupation of farming taken up. It was here the subject of this sketch was born, and later the family returned to Chicago, where they resided until their death.
James J. Ahern received his education in the public schools of St. Pius and St. Jarlath on the west side. As a boy he took an immense interest in athletics of all kinds and became very proficient in swimming and other sports. He left school at the age of four- teen, and went to work as a newsboy on the railroad, traveling between Cairo, Ill., and Chicago. Afterwards he found a place in a dry goods store where he remained until he was seventeen, when
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he went into the teaming business. At the latter he remained from 1878 to 1886, in the May of which year he joined the fire department in the capacity of driver. Four years later he became pipeman, and then about a year afterwards, June 1st, 1891, received promotion to lieutenant. In November, 1893, he became Captain of the com- pany to which he had been attached from the time he joined the department.
Captain Ahern was married in 1895 to Sarah A. Cassidy, a lady of Irish birth who was then teaching in the Chicago public schools.
Born and raised a Roman Catholic, he always remained faithful to the teaching of that church. He is a member of a couple of friendly societies, the Royal Arcanum and the Firemen's Benevo- lent Association.
In the fire department he bears the reputation of a willing, en- ergetic, and most efficient officer, and among a host of friends is esteemed and respected for many high qualities of head and heart.
THOMAS ROWAN.
This well known American Irishman was born in 1849 on a farm in County Kildare, Ireland, his parents being Thomas and Bridget (Hickey) Rowan. His education was received in the national schools of Ireland and during the time he also worked on his fath- er's farm until the latter's death, when, with his three brothers, he continued to carry on the farm until he had reached the age of nineteen. Becoming imbued with the idea that his own country offered insufficient scope to a young man of energy and ambition, he
The Rowam
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conceived the idea of emigrating to America. Mr. Rowan landed in New York in 1868 and his first work was in a livery stable, where he was employed to groom horses. In this occupation he re- mained twelve months, when anxious to better his condition, in 1869 he came to Chicago. His first position in this city was with the street railway company as conductor and after five years in that capacity he entered the employment of Thompson & Wet- more, wholesale clothiers, as a porter. Every duty was so thor- oughly performed, he was found so honest and true that, after four years of service, he was promoted to be a salesman. With that firm he remained as general salesman for ten years and then associated himself with the well known wholesale clothiers, Work Brothers, in 1887, to take management of the uniform department, a position he holds at the present time. Mr. Rowan tells proudly that in all the twenty-four years of his connection with these two great firms he has never taken a vacation nor lost a single day's salary.
Thomas Rowan was married, in 1872, to Eliza Birmingham, who is a daughter of one of Chicago's pioneers, and when a child used to live on the site now occupied by the Palmer House. Mr. and Mrs. Rowan have two charming daughters, now twenty and eighteen respectively, and both of whom are graduates of the Academy of the Sacred Heart.
A Roman Catholic in his religious views, he is a staunch Demo- crat in his politics, and is a member of the Royal League and also of the Knights of St. Patrick.
Mr. Rowan's career is one of much interest, for he has not alone been a hard worker but he has struggled against disadvantages that would have baffled any man not possessed of unusual energy and really extraordinary courage. He is an example of energy, ambition and honest, straightforward endeavor.
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PATRICK DOYLE.
Patrick Doyle, Captain in the Chicago Fire Department, was born at Wexford, Ireland, November 17th, 1852. His father, Mor- gan Doyle, had married Elizabeth Dillon, and followed the occu- pation of a sailor. He died in 1889, his wife having preceded him. in 1878.
Captain Patrick Doyle was educated at the Christian Brothers' School at Waterford, Ireland, where he left at the age of fourteen years to take up the life of a sailor. His first experience was a short one, for he determined as a preliminary to that career to take a course in navigation in the public schools of Waterford. For five years afterwards he followed out his chosen occupation, visiting all parts of the world and finally landing at New Orleans in 1871. Thence he came on to Chicago, where he obtained the position of mate and sailed the lakes for another five years.
Mr. Doyle joined the Chicago Fire Department, September, 1879, as pipeman of Engine No. 13, remaining with this company for two years and then going to Hook and Ladder No. 6 as a truck- man. Being there twelve months, he was made Lieutenant and was sent to No. 8, serving also during the following four years on Nos. 6 and 5, and then becoming Captain of the latter. In 1892 he was made Captain of the fire boat Geyser, a position of consid- erable responsibility, the duties of which he has fulfilled to the entire satisfaction of his superiors in the department and of the general public.
He was married June, 1882, to Annie Murphy, also a native of Ireland, who died in April, 1894, leaving three children, three oth- ers having preceded her.
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In Irish affairs Captain Doyle has always taken the very great- est interest and has been active in every movement for the allevia- tion of the condition of his native land. He is a member of a num- ber of Irish clubs. In his religious views he is a Roman Catholic, and a member of the congregation of the Jesuit Church, on Twelfth Street; while his political views are those of the Democratic party. His honesty of purpose, his faithful performance of every duty, and other sterling qualities have gained him a host of friends, all of whom bear him the highest respect and esteem.
THOMAS ABRAHAM KENNEY.
Thomas Abraham Kenney was born June 4th, 1851, in Buffalo, N. Y., of Irish parents, for both his father, Patrick, and his mother, Catherine (Mulligan) Kenney, were natives of Dublin, Queens Coun- ty, Ireland. They left that city in 1847, and first settled in Buffalo, N. Y., moving in 1854 to Peoria, Ill., where the head of the family died in 1861, and the mother in 1883.
The circumstances of his parents did not permit Thomas A. Ken- ney to obtain much in the way of education, but what he did was in the public schools of his native town. At an early age he was compelled to leave and seek a situation in order that he might as- sist in supporting the family. Having apprenticed himself to a candy maker in Peoria, he worked at this trade until 1866, when he determined to come to Chicago and see what fortune that rapidly growing city might hold for him.
Arrived in Chicago, he secured employment with the candy man-
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ufacturing house of Scanlan Bros. & Co., on South Water Street, with whom he worked for two years, at the same time attending a business college at night, for he was determined to secure an edu- cation in order that he might improve his condition in the world. At the end of two years he became dissatisfied, for his employers refused to recognize by payment the fact that he was thoroughly qualified to earn a journeyman's wages, and claiming that he was yet too young. He therefore left the firm, in 1887, to become a con- ductor on the South Chicago Street R. R., in which employ he re- mained a year, and then going into the newspaper and confection- ery business on his own account at the corner of State and Fifteenth Streets. Later he moved to the old Burlington Hall Block, corner Sixteenth and State Streets, where he remained until the spring of 1871, when he sold out and secured an appointment in the postal service as letter carrier. His diligent service procured him rapid promotion through the various grades, until in 1895, he was pro- moted to the important position of general foreman of the City Delivery, having in his charge all the clerks of that division, and it speaks much for Mr. Kenney that he has been able to hold his position in the postoffice for twenty-four years, and through six different administrations.
Mr. Kenney has long been prominently connected with the Catholic Order of Foresters, and for two years was Vice Chief Ranger of St. James Court No. 7, while for six years he was Chief Ranger of St. Ann's Court, No. 39; for three years financial secre- tary, and since 1883 Deputy High Chief Ranger. Out of nine annual conventions held, he has attended seven as representative of his court. Twice he has been elected president of the Postoffice Clerks' Association, which position he held at the time of the World's Fair, when it incurred great responsibility, and plainly showed the esti- mation and standing Mr. Kenney possesses with his fellows.
In his religious views he is a Roman Catholic, a regular attend-
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