USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > Biographical history of the American Irish in Chicago > Part 18
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Mr. Kelly is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters and is orator of De SotoCouncil of the Catholic Benevolent Legion. In poli- tics he is a Democrat, and in 1895 received the nomination for super- visor of Hyde Park, in which, however, as that is one of the strong- est Republican districts in the United States, he, though he ran con- siderably ahead of his ticket, met with defeat at the election.
Mr. Kelly is president of the Jeffersonian Club of Cook County, and at one time was chairman of the Executive Committee of the Chicago Archdiocesan Union, a central body of the various Cath- olie Young Men's Associations throughout the Archdiocese. He
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was also a delegate to the National Convention of Catholic Young Men's Societies held at Albany, N. Y., in 1892. During the last three years he has strongly interested himself in political affairs, has been a frequent delegate to conventions, and took a very active part in the last campaign.
FRANCIS O'NEILL.
Police Captain Francis O'Neill, the subject of the present sketch, is an American Irishman who does honor to his fatherland as well as the country he has made his home. Fearless and energetic, his name stands without stain or reproach, and this short record of his adventurous career can but briefly detail a most interesting life of a truly representative Irishman who might fitly be chosen as a fitting type of Chicago's police service.
Francis O'Neill was born August 25th, 1849, at Tralibane, three miles from Bantry, County Cork, Ireland, a district which has given birth to many Irishmen now prominent before the world, among whom may be mentioned A. M. Sullivan, T. D. Sullivan, the author of "God Save Ireland," and Tim Healy, M. P. He was the son of John and Catherine (O'Mahoney) O'Neill, his father being an educated and well-to-do farmer, while his mother was one of the O'Mahoneys of Castle Mahon, now Castle Bernard, in the Prov- ince of Munster. Her father, Donald Mor O'Mahoney, a man famous for his gigantic stature, was a latter day chieftain, and his grandson recalls seeing horse pistols, pikes and bayonets in abun- dance at his home near Drimoleague.
Francis O'Neill found in the national school of Bantry a thor-
POULE
Francis Sal
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oughly sound education on all general subjects, including the clas- sics. He was a bright boy, an omnivorous reader, an ardent student, and so distinguished himself in mathematics as to be named by his teacher "Philosopher O'Neill." At the age of four- teen he become senior monitor and later taught school. His elder brother's persistence, however, in appropriating his salary for in- vestment in stock and cattle dealing, a course later well justified since he made a rapid fortune, to which was coupled an unques- tionable desire for travel, led him when barely sixteen, and with the limited capital of five dollars, to start out in the world. His first two weeks producing no tangible result, he had an interview with Bishop Delaney of Cork, who proposed either to make of him a Christian Brother or a teacher in one of the Catholic schools. The losing his way and the conseqent failure to keep an appoint- ment with the bishop he now considers responsible for his failure to become a monk. This was in March, 1865, and the travel instinct being strong he worked his passage to Sunderland, in the north of England, and after various vicissitudes shipped there as a cabin boy, sailing up the Mediterranean and via the Dardanelles, the Bosphorus and the Black Sea to Odessa, the great southern port of Russia. On the return voyage, when landing in Sunderland har- bor, an accident threw him off the vessel to the ground and he fractured his skull. A practiced swimmer, on starting for his next voyage to Alexandria, Egypt, where he remained nine weeks, he managed to save the boatswain's life in the Yarmouth Roads, in return for which he was brutally ill-treated during the whole voyage. After other voyages in which he had some very interesting eastern experiences, in July, 1866, he shipped at Liverpool on the packet ship "Emerald Isle," and five weeks later landed in New York. Santa Cruz, West Indies, was next visited, and many other places in South America. Later he shipped at New York on the "Minnehaha" of Boston, bound for Japan, where he arrived after a
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voyage lasting seven months and full also of interesting and excit- ing experiences. Ten weeks were spent there and then the journey was continued to Honolulu, Sandwich Islands. He then went on to Baker's Island in the Southern Pacific and the vessel was wrecked and great suffering experienced by himself and the others on board. At last he returned to Honolulu and spent an interest- ing five weeks in that land of earthquakes. Back to San Fran- cisco, Mr. O'Neill determined to try a new experience and see the country, so hired himself to take charge of a flock of sheep. Five months in the Sierra Nevada Mountains were so passed, and then a return was made to New York, via Cape Horn, after a few weeks' stay at Culiacan on the west coast of Mexico. Having traveled for years by land and water all over the globe, and circumnavigating the globe before attaining his majority, a few hundred dollars hav- ing been saved by him, he came westwards with the intention of buying and establishing a home. Edina, in Knox County, Mo., was selected, and having passed the necessary examination success- fully, he obtained employment teaching in the district school during the winter of 1869. The spring of the following year he came to Chicago and found work sailing the lakes until the close of the navigation of that year. Returning to Missouri, a romantic episode in his former life found a fitting conclusion. It was at Bloomington, Ill., that he renewed his acquaintance with a hand- some and most estimable young lady, Miss Anna Rogers, who had been an emigrant with him on "The Emerald Isle." They de- cided to form a life partnership and have never had cause to regret so doing.
The year 1871 saw a return to Chicago, and Mr. O'Neill found em- ployment with the Chicago & Alton Railroad as laborer in the freight house. A few weeks afterwards he became check clerk and then other promotions until he was given complete charge of the lumber business on the south branch. The work was heavy and the
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remuneration so deplorably small that he decided to try for a position on the police force. He received his appointment under Elmer Washburne and was sworn in July 12th, 1873, being assigned to Harrison Street Station under Captain Buckley. The following month he was shot in an encounter with a notorious burglar and still carries a memento in a bullet encysted near the spine. For his bravery the following day he was advanced to be regular patrolman by the unanimous vote of the police board. In August, 1878, he was made desk sergeant and transferred to Deering Street Station. Chief of Police Austin J. Doyle moved him in 1884 to the general superintendent's office and advanced to patrol sergeant January 1st, 1887. Raised to lieutenant exactly three years later, he con- tinued in various confidential positions in the general superintend- ent's office. On his own request Chief of Police Major R. W. Mc- Claughry transferred him to the Tenth Precinct at Hyde Park,. where he remained until recalled to Harrison Street Station by Chief of Police Brennan in July, 1893. The following month the latter made him his private secretary, and April 17th, 1894, he was promoted to captain and assigned in charge of the Eighth District, the Union Stock Yards. Here he succeeded in adding additional laurels to his already excellent record. In July, 1894, when the rail- road riots were at their height his district was the center of the strike trouble, and here he was personally in entire charge. His assistants were brave and well-tried officers, but his was the chief responsibility of withstanding the attack of five thousand men thoroughly enraged by the state militia's action. His courage and determination undoubtedly prevented the most serious conse- quences and forced the unthinking mob to understand that in Chicago law and order were at all times and under all circumstances superior to lawlessness, riot, and vandalism. Chief of Police Bren- nan made public acknowledgment that in his opinion Captain O'Neill's command was deserving of the greatest credit in the strike
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trouble and of the captain personally said, "Captain O'Neill is one of the best and most popular officers in the police department. I have known him for many years and his record is without a blemish. Since he has been connected with the police department he has never been fined, suspended, or reprimanded. He is well known to the business men in the down-town district and his selec- tion for any position I am sure will give general satisfaction."
This record has increased year after year, and to-day he bears the reputation that there is in the police service no more capable, efficient or braver officer. While in his manner he is unassuming, even to a degree of shyness, when there is any call of duty his per- formance is immediate and perfect.
Though Captain O'Neill has always been classed as a Democrat, his vote has been given independent of political party distinctions, and to whomsoever he has considered the better fitted for the office in question. In religion he is a Roman Catholic, but of that most liberal type which offers the entirest freedom to others.
He was married at Bloomington, Ill., in November, 1870, as has been before mentioned, to Miss Anna Rogers, descended from the O'Briens of Thomond. Their happy household consists of five chil- dren, four daughters and a son.
He is the only member in Chicago of the Cork Historical and Archaelogical Society, which he joined on its organization in 1891, and of which his boyhood playmate at Bantry, the Right-Rev. Richard A. Sheehan, bishop of Waterford and Lismore, is the first president. He belongs to no secret societies, but is a member of the Police Benevolent Association.
Captain O'Neill is in personal appearance a man of medium height, and looks, as he assuredly is, every inch a soldier. Of robust constitution, great strength, and splendid endurance, he has never known what it means to have bad health. Never obtrusive with his own opinions, he is under all circumstances a courteous
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and obliging gentleman, tolerant of the prejudices of others. His student mind and delight in reading have found an outcome in a well-stored library, in which are quite five hundred volumes de- voted to Ireland and Irish subjects, many of them being extremely rare and valuable editions.
Being possessed of a keen business instinct, he has made a num- ber of exceedingly profitable real estate investments which have assured him a good income and made the latter years of a peculiarly adventurous life and a most interesting career, one of such peace- ful and happy days as his kindly character and eminent good parts unquestionably deserve.
JOHN JOSEPH GUBBINS.
John Joseph Gubbins was born April 21st, 1869, at Kilmallock, County Limerick, Ireland, in which town his father, John Joseph Gubbins, was a carriage builder and a man much liked and very generally respected in his community. Thirty years ago he was an active participant in the Irish troubles of that time, his house being searched and some pikes he had made discovered. Only the assistance of influential friends prevented him from getting into serious trouble. He died in 1869. The mother of the subject of this sketch, who before her marriage was Mary Mccarthy, was a native of County Cork, and belonged to an old and influential fam- ily, her father, William McCarthy, having been a large landed pro- prietor, and is well remembered in the district as reaching the advanced age of one hundred and eight years. Mrs. Gubbins is still living in New York State.
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The subject of this sketch left Ireland with his mother when fourteen years of age, and arrived in America came on at once to Chicago. Before leaving his native country, he had graduated in the national schools, and upon arrival in this city he attended the parochial schools for three years, after which securing a position with the McIntosh Electric Battery Co., where he remained a year. His next employment was with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad as errand boy in the freight office on Canal Street, and in which connection, being from time to time promoted, he now holds the responsible position of correspondence clerk.
Mr. Gubbins' determination to secure a thorough education led him, even after he had found employment, to continue attending night school, first at the Chicago Athenaeum for two years and then at the Lewis Institute, to which he is still attached.
Mr. Gubbins is a Roman Catholic and belongs to the congrega- tion of Our Lady of Sorrows. His politics are Republican, and he is a member of the Royal Arcanum. A young man of great promise, if the justifiable expectations of an energetic youth be fulfilled, his career should be such as will be a pride to his fellow American Irish in this great city.
JOHN GAYNOR.
There are few men of Irish birth better known in Chicago, and none more highly respected than the subject of this sketch, John Gaynor, the prominent Board of Trade man.
He was born in County Tipperary, April 24th, 1833, and came to the United States in 1849 with his father, Nicholas, his mother,
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Mary (O'Brien) Gaynor, following a year later. The father of Nich- olas Gaynor had moved to Tipperary from elsewhere in Ireland when very young and had there married a Miss Lacy. He pos- sessed extensive landed interests and was able to leave all his chil- dren in very comfortable circumstances. On his death, Nicholas Gaynor took charge of his father's farming interests and other properties until the heirs decided to come to America. This was in 1849, and with the subject of the present sketch-then sixteen years of age-a settlement was made in the City of Baltimore.
John Gaynor had been educated in private schools in Ireland and also by his father. In Baltimore he found employment in the provision house of Cassard & Son, remaining four years, and then changing to McDaniel & McConsky for three years. In his duties he traveled through the South, selling provisions, and having de- cided that he had obtained sufficient experience, he now started in the same business for himself in Baltimore and continued until he came to Chicago, twenty-seven years ago. He resumed in this city, and still continues, having in connection therewith consider- able transactions on the Board of Trade. He has been very suc- cessful, reaping the reward of indefatigable energy and strict atten- tion to every necessity of his large business interests.
Ile was married to Ellen McDonald in Baltimore, in 1856, and they have had ten children, five boys-all of whom died young- and five daughters, of whom there are four surviving, Mary C., Ella M., Sarah G., and Rose B., all being married with the exception of the second last named. Mrs. John Gaynor, who belongs to an old Quaker family on her grandfather's side, was educated at the Visitation Convent, Frederick, Md., where she was trained in very strict religious views, and has similarly brought up her own chil- dren. Her father was a sea captain, who, sailing from Baltimore, used to touch at every large port in the world. He had charge of the first vessel which rounded Cape Horn, after the discovery of
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gold in California. For two years following his return from that voyage he was, under the Buchanan administration, Port Surveyor for the City of Baltimore.
Mr. John Gaynor is in his religious views a Roman Catholic, while in politics he has always been a Democrat, but of that large section which favors sound money. He is an honorary member of the Catholic Library Association and was formerly a member of the Columbus Club, but the necessities of his business duties, which have prevented his very social disposition from having its way and entertainments in his house of general occurrence also caused him to give up club life.
THOMAS FRANCIS HUNT.
The subject of the present sketch is a young American Irish- man, who, undeterred by difficulties, unmindful of obstacles, en- tirely unassisted by exterior advantages, has yet managed to win for himself fortune and reputation. Born in Fenor parish, near Tramore, County Waterford, Ireland, of a good old Irish family, in March, 1858, and coming alone to Chicago at an early age, he has, by industry and honesty, together with a clear head and a firm de- termination to make his way in the world, placed himself in a posi- tion of independence, and has secured the respect and esteem of all who have watched his efforts. His parents were Richard and Ellen (Cochran) Hunt, his father being a well-to-do and highly re- spected Irish farmer, whose people had been identified with the troubles of 1798, while his mother came of a Wexford family near Vinegar Hill, her connections also being prominent in the troubles of that year. She died in 1892.
Thomas &f found
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Thomas Francis Hunt, now a man bright in ideas, rich in infor- mation, and well capable of taking a foremost part in any discus- sion upon any subject, did not receive many educational advan- tages when young, although he was for a few years under the charge of Father Joy, at Fenor, three miles from Tramore, Ireland. Ile was but a boy of thirteen when he came to the United States and direct to Chicago, where an uncle of his, John IIunt, a well known and highly valued member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, had made his home.
Shortly after his arrival he went to work for Ed Dunn, a joiner, to learn that trade, and remained with him seven years. For short periods he worked for other joiners until finally, being determined to thoroughly master the trade, he attached himself to Thomas Clark, who bore the reputation of one of the best joiners of Chi- cago. Dull times, little work doing, and pay small in the extreme, however, speedily disgusted Mr. Hunt with the trade he had chosen, and he determined to forsake altogether, and so thoroughly tempted was he not to again embrace that he sold his whole outfit of tools to a fellow workman.
He was now determined to find some occupation which would give a fair return for honest work, and finally decided to take up the wholesale wine and liquor business. Several years having been spent at the corner of Washington Boulevard and Halsted Street, circumstances forced his employer to give up his lease on the premises, and advised by a number of his friends, Mr. Hunt took the lease over and continued the business. This was fourteen years ago, and prosperity with him since that time has been unvarying in its character, culminating in his present business premises, which, for beauty of design and artistic taste-all the work being done under his personal and peculiarly qualified superintendence -is without a rival in the city. There have been occasions, of course, when his business has experienced the ill effects of the late
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years of depression, but to him such have been but an experience of the kindly estimation in which Mr. Hunt is held by the numerous friends he has been fortunate enough to make during his years of business life. In this instance he considers his gratitude mainly due to the late Mr. A. M. Billings, the well known banker, who on a number of occasions, proved himself his faithful and well wishing friend, as he so oftentimes showed himself the friend of hundreds of other Irishmen in this city, not merely providing them with positions, but when grown old in his service, testifying his re- gard and appreciation by life pensions.
Mr. Hunt is a Roman Catholic and a member of the congrega- tion of St. Patrick's Church, while in politics he is a Democrat. In his sentiments and his ideas he is a true Irishman, no movement for the help of his countrymen, either in his native land or in this country, ever sought his co-operation in vain; he has always been free, generous and patriotic, and to a large extent possesses the natural gift of wit. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias, at one time was associated with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Independent Order of Foresters, and is also a member of the Continental League.
MARTIN O'BRIEN.
The subject of this sketch, Martin O'Brien, one of Chicago's old time and best known citizens, who has for nearly forty years led, as well as controlled in Chicago the best in all that appertains to art in its highest form, was born at Loughrea, County Galway, Ire- land, November 4th, 1830. His father, William O'Brien, was a
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native of the same county, and one of the leading builders of that section of the country, as was also his father before him. Wil- liam O'Brien married Susan Howard, and in 1837, together with their three sons, John, Martin and William, they came to America, landing in the fall of that year at Quebec, during the great Papi- neau Rebellion. Canada being at that time greatly disturbed, a further move was made to Burlington, Vermont, and here Mr. O'Brien followed his former occupation of a builder up to the year 1858, when he decided to come to Chicago. He died in this city, in 1882, at the age of seventy-seven years, and his wife followed him in 1888.
Martin O'Brien's first occupation was with a farmer, for whom he worked very hard, receiving the very moderate salary of two dollars per month. The hours of work were from sunrise to sunset; and after returning from the fields he had still other duties to look after. Necessarily dissatisfied, at the close of the year he dissolved the partnership and returned to Burlington, where he very soon secured employment as cabin boy on one of the passenger steamers on Lake Champlain, receiving six dollars per month for the season. This work was more pleasant, and he followed it for five years; during the winter doing chores for his board and attending the district school. He recalls with pride how, in 1871, during a pleas- ure trip, he passed up the lake with a party of friends, realizing one of his early ambitions; and it is needless to say, he enjoyed the best of everything the steamer could furnish. At the age of six- teen, too mature to longer serve as a cabin boy, he secured work as an apprentice in a machine shop and brass foundry, which failed, however, at the end of the year. Having taken a liking for machine and engine work, and being unable to secure any in Burlington, he resolved to go to Lowell, Massachusetts, which was noted for its many machine shops, two hundred and fifty miles distant. Of money on hand his stock was limited to two or three dollars; but,
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full of determination he set out to walk. Arriving at last in Low- ell, he found nearly every shop shut down, and being unable to obtain employment, he had to retrace his long weary tramp. Home again, he shortly after this apprenticed himself for three years to John Herrick, the chief architect and builder in Burling- ton, at a salary of four dollars per month, "in store pay," this being used because there was little or no cash money in circulation in those days, and for a week or month's pay an order on some family store was given and one hundred per cent profit paid on whatever you purchased. At that time New England rum, made from molas- ses, was the favorite beverage, and orders on a small block of wood were sent by one of the apprentices to "the store;" and at the end of the month the storekeeper brought in his bushel basket full of blocks, or orders for liquidation, and in settlement received an order from Mr. Herrick on some other store for the amount.
Mr. O'Brien remembers distinctly many interesting incidents connected with the great campaign of 1840, and declares it was the most exciting and the hottest the country has ever known. At the time he was but ten years old, but all the events are fresh in his mind. Burlington was the hot bed of both Whigs and Demo- crats, all the big meetings being held there and a big dinner given by each party in the public square for all the voters. Floats went through the streets carrying log cabins and barrels of cider, which was freely dealt out to every one. The rallying cry of the Whigs was, "Log Cabin and Hard Cider, Tippecanoe and Tyler, too; Van, Van, the Used Up Man." The first referring to General Harrison, and the latter to Martin Van Buren.
After serving his three years of carpentering, he resolved to say farewell to his New England home and go to New York, at that time the Mecca of all ambitious young men. As may easily be imagined, it was not possible for him to save much out of his salary of forty-eight dollars per year, and he was therefore absolutely
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