USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > Biographical history of the American Irish in Chicago > Part 19
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49
325
AMERICAN IRISH IN CHICAGO.
without funds for the passage. From a dear friend he managed to obtain a loan repayable at sight for a sufficient sum for the necessary expenses. Reaching New York and having had some experience in ship journey, he at once secured work in rebuilding the Northern Light, a California steamer. Mr. O'Brien liked New York and for some time did extremely well, but he was persuaded by an old time friend to come to Chicago, in 1854, at the time the Crimean War was in progress by England and France against Rus- sia. He engaged in contracting and during the first two years erect- ed a number of fine residences. Then, having had some experience in railroad work, he went to work for the Chicago and Milwaukee Railroad, the track of which was just laid, and assisted in build- ing the first bridge of that line across the North Branch. When it was completed, owing to a miscalculation of the engineer who had designed and drawn the plans, although intended to open for the passage of vessels, it was found impossible to open it by hand, and steam and electricity had not as yet been introduced. Soon after this he left this road and went to work for the Illinois and Wisconsin Railroad, now the great North Western, operating some ten thousand miles of track. At that time the line possessed only about twenty-five miles of track and was from four to six months in arrears in payment of the employes and other creditors. However, at the head of it was one of the best and ablest men Chi- cago has produced, William B. Ogden, and his energy and abilities very soon altered the complexion of its affairs. For this company Mr. O'Brien erected several water tanks and tank houses along the line and also several depots as well as a large freight house in the city, which is yet standing.
The panic of '57 caused a very severe and long continued busi- ness depression, and in '59, Chicago being very dull, Mr. O'Brien went south for the winter, settling in Huntsville, Alabama, and assisted in the building of a large hotel. The Southern people and
326
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE
the climate were both to his liking, and but for sickness in his family the war would have found him south of Mason's and. Dixon's line.
In the spring of 1861 he started in the business which he has so successfully carried on since, dealing in fine arts. His first venture was in publishing portraits of Bishop Duggan and Rev. Dr. Butler, and as both had a very large sale, this venture in the art line was a decided success, although at the beginning it ap- peared likely to result disastrously. He started out on the morn- ing of the 11th of April, 1861, to secure subscribers. Before re- turning home he had secured twenty-one orders, but next morning the news was received of the bombardment of Fort Sumter, and fearing the country would be ruined, they were nearly all counter- manded. Not discouraged, however, Mr. O'Brien struggled on, the people recovered from their fright, and in a few months business was booming and continued to boom until 1873. His first place of business was on the West Side of the city on the corner of Lake and Halsted Streets, and thence he moved to South Water Street, oc- cupying rooms over the Board of Trade. Three flights of stairs, however, to be climbed, proved distasteful to him, and in a few months he removed to 206 State Street, just south of Adams Street, this location at that time being well out in the suburbs. In 1863 he removed to 122 Dearborn Street, in the heart of the business dis- trict, and two years later, hearing that a Boston house of high re- pute was preparing to start a first-class gallery in a good location, he secured more commodious quarters in a central locality. He, therefore, removed to 51 State Street, on the site of the present Masonic Temple, and there fitted up a very complete establishment. In less than a year the Boston house gave up the fight and returned to the "Hub." Burnt out in 1871 by the great fire, he lost not merely his store and his books and records of outstanding accounts but also his home and furniture on Dearborn Avenue; and was, of
327
AMERICAN IRISH IN CHICAGO.
course, temporarily crippled. During the winter of 1871 he made no move towards re-establishing his business, for all the insurance he could collect was barely sufficient to liquidate his indebtedness, and he knew well that the people were in no position to expend money on luxuries. The following spring, however, having secured one side of a store at 692 Wabash Avenue, south of Fourteenth Street, he once more set to work. While in this store, for the first two years after the fire, he made but indifferent progress, and in the spring of 1874 once more moved into the city, quarters having been secured by him at 204 and 206 Wabash Avenue, directly op- posite the store he formerly occupied at 206 State Street. While occupying this store a second fire forced him to remove his stock to the West Side for safety. In 1863, while occupying the Dear- born Street store, he had fitted up a gallery and a permanent ex- hibition of art works, the first attempt of this sort in the city, and at no time since has he been other than the leader in his line of busi- ness. In connection with the gallery he commenced the publica- tion of the first art journal in this country, an enterprise which was so bold and unexpected that it led the New York World scoffingly to remark: "Well, what next, an Art Journal in Chicago." Still, notwithstanding New York's ridicule, it prospered, as shown by the fact that all the best literary papers and periodicals of the country were glad to exchange with the Chicago Art Journal. James B. Runyon, one of the editors of the Chicago Times, handled the editorial work and R. R. Donnelly did the printing. The Journal was folio in size, dry pressed, and printed on tinted book paper. After successfully establishing the Journal and securing a good circulation, which has been to him a source of much pride, he found it drew too heavily upon his time, and for that reason was induced to part with it to James F. Aiken, the manager of the Crosby Opera House Gallery, who later sold it to a New York publisher. Mr. O'Brien would pay liberally for a copy of the Journal now.
328
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE
For several years it had been his ambition to establish the finest art store in the country, one which could not be excelled by any either in the East or West, and in which the multitude of art lovers would take a hearty pride. Towards carrying out this pur- pose, he resolved to erect a building especially adapted to the wants of his business, and accordingly, in 1876, he erected the building he has ever since occupied, at 208 Wabash Avenue, a structure which in every way fulfills the intent for which it was designed. Even to-day, although he has occupied this building more than twenty-one years, he believes it would be impossible to improve it for the business for which it was intended.
In that connection, it is not out of place to quote from the Chicago Tribune of May -, 1876, when, in regard to Mr. O'Brien's enterprise, it said: "Of all the attractions of city life there is none of so chaste and elevating a character as those connected with art. Mr. Martin O'Brien has been identified with the art progress of Chicago from its earliest beginning. He has always been a little in advance of the people, leading them gradually to the enjoyment and appreciation of a higher order of art. He has found an ample response from the Chicago public and the flood of strangers con- stantly pouring into the city, and has at last been encouraged to erect a handsome building devoted exclusively to art. His new gallery is located at 208 Wabash Avenue, and is in every way as much an honor to Chicago as Goupil's or Schau's art rooms are to New York. Certainly there has never been anything in the West to compare with it in the elegance of its decorations and the variety of art treasures of which it is the depository. Mr. O'Brien's recognized standing in the art business has enabled him to secure one of the largest and choicest collections of oil and water color paintings ever exhibited in Chicago. He has thrown his gallery open free to the public, and visitors may be sure of receiving a cor- dial welcome and the most courteous attention."
329
AMERICAN IRISH IN CHICAGO.
Mr. O'Brien's eldest son, William Vincent, a gentleman of re- fined and cultivated ability, who is a partner and largely man- ages the business at the present time, visits every year the leading cities of Europe, gathering the best that is to be obtained from those sources in the way of paintings, water colors and other art works. To the people of this country, the house is well known, and very high credit is enjoyed with the dealers and publishers both here and in all the art centers of Europe.
Mr. O'Brien is in religion a Roman Catholic and in politics is independent, caring more for right principles and right men than for mere party.
In 1855 Mr. O'Brien married Miss Mary Prendergast, whom he had known formerly in Burlington. The ceremony was celebrated by the Very Rev. Dr. Dunn, Vicar General of the Diocese, in the first St. Patrick's Church on the corner of Randolph and Des Plaines Streets. They have ten children, six boys and four girls, and of the latter three are married. It may be said of the sons, that the eldest, as before stated, is associated with his father in business, two others have just graduated from the University of Michigan as civil and electrical engineers, and the others are en- gaged in mercantile pursuits. A residence was purchased by Mr. O'Brien in 1867 at 240 Dearborn Avenue, which with its contents was destroyed in the fire. On the same site he built, in 1876, a handsome three story and basement stone front house, which he and his family still occupy.
HIale and hearty and a man of excellent constitution, Mr. O'Brien declares he feels almost as young as he did forty years ago, notwithstanding the hard work and the various vicissitudes and trials he has passed through. Desire or ambition for public office has never caused him the slightest anxiety, for in the neces- sities of his business and the care of a large and interesting family his best energies have been quite sufficiently occupied.
17
330
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE
MICHAEL B. GEARON.
The subject of this sketch is one of Chicago's best known Ameri- can Irishmen, and has closely identified himself with every move- ment in recent years which has had for its purpose the bettering the condition of his fellow countrymen, either on this side or the other of the broad Atlantic.
M. B. Gearon was born in historic Tipperary, Ireland, Septem- ber 18th, 1854. Of his parents, John and Mary Gearon, his father was an ardent patriot, who suffered for his Fenian proclivities and his devotion to his suffering country by being driven into exile in 1867. Coming to the United States, a location was found in De- troit, Michigan, whence the family removed to Cherokee, Iowa, in 1872, and John Gearon died there in 1887, his wife following him three years later.
The education which young Gearon obtained in the school of the Christian Brothers of his native land was sound and liberal and continued in the old country until, having reached the age of sixteen, he accompanied his parents to America, and when a settle- ment was made in Detroit, his studies were resumed at a Normal school, where he quickly obtained an unusual proficiency in all gen- eral subjects, graduating in 1872.
His first ambition led him to seek a journalistic career, and taking up active newspaper work, he assisted in the organization of the Western Catholic, a weekly paper, which he ran for three years, when he moved to Iowa and found a position on the editorial staff of the Dupage Telegraph. Having determinately applied himself to the study of law in Dupage, he obtained admission to the bar in
331
AMERICAN IRISH IN CHICAGO.
1877, in Iowa, moving three years later to Nebraska. Here he prac- ticed for a couple of years and then moved to Omaha, where he established, in 1884, the Western Celt, at the request of the Central Democratic Committee. A little later he moved to Greeley, Neb. Here his success in the profession he had chosen was immediate and considerable; a large practice was worked up, as well as the repu- tation of being one of the shrewdest and most thorough representa- tives of his profession in the Western States. His talents and abilities received also more substantial recognition in 1889, when he became State's Attorney, a position which for four years he filled with marked power and ability.
Having determined to seek the Mecca of talent and energy, he came to Chicago in 1895, and in conjunction with the Rev. Thomas F. Cashman and Mr. D. F. Bremner, established the Marquette Col- onization Company, of this city, the largest of its kind in the world, and founded with the intention of carrying out the suggestion con- tained in the encyclical letter of his Holiness, Pope Leo XIII., by which Irish Catholics might be enabled to acquire comfortable homes. The success of the organization, of which Mr. Gearon was manager and counsel, was of a character far in advance of the most sanguine anticipations, and in results exceeded anything achieved by similar undertakings.
The subject of this sketch was married in 1877 at Marcus, Cher- okee Co., Iowa, to Miss Ambona Garvin, a lady of many accom- plishments and high personal gifts. They have eight children, seven boys and a daughter-Ambona J., Frank E., Will E., Flor- ence, Gerald, Gratten, Merlin, and Laura, and of these, the eldest son, Ambona J., is a graduate of Creighton University and is now studying at the Chicago College of Law.
In religious views he is a Roman Catholic, while in politics he has always been a consistent Democrat and strongly favors free silver.
332
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE
A member of a number of social and fraternal organizations, for years past he has taken high place in the Ancient Order of Hi- bernians, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and is also prom- inent in the new movement whose outcome was the Irish and Na- tional Alliance. A patriotic Irishman, a thorough lawyer, an ever honorable and courteous gentleman, there are few men in his pro- fession who are held in higher consideration than M. B. Gearon.
MICHAEL FRANCIS GALLAGHER.
Michael Francis Gallagher is a young Irish American who is rapidly coming to the front in his chosen profession, that of law. He was born April 2d, 1874, in Sterling, Ill., of which place his father was one of the early settlers, having gone there about the year 1839. The latter was a native of County Mayo, Ireland, and by occupation a mason contractor. Among other works of his that may be mentioned, he constructed the stone culverts along the Iowa division of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, when that road was being built. He died in 1885. His wife, the mother of the subject of this sketch, was Mary (Morris) Gallagher, of Irish ex- traction on the mother's side, and whose father was of a prominent English family.
Michael Francis Gallagher attended the Sterling public school until he was thirteen years of age, when moving to Chicago he took a course at a Chicago high school. Later he studied for two years at the University of Chicago, and in 1895 graduated at the Chicago College of Law, with the degree of LL. B. In the mean-
333
AMERICAN IRISH IN CHICAGO.
time, and at the age of twenty, he passed the Appellate Court ex- amination for admission to the bar, standing at the head of more than seventy applicants. At once taking up his profession, he en- tered the office of G. W. Kretzinger, one of the leading corporation lawyers of the West, and began to perfect himself in the subtleties and niceties of the law.
Mr. Kretzinger, being the General Counsel for the Louisville, New Albany & Chicago Railroad, Mr. Gallagher through him be- came connected with some highly important railroad litigation, and in necessary appearances before the various courts of this State he acquitted himself in a most creditable manner. For so young a lawyer, the work he has done has been of an extremely advanced character, and has been transacted in such a way as to obtain the strongest commendation from Mr. Kretzinger, who has evidenced his high opinion by entrusting him with many important legal matters pending in Chicago and other parts of the country.
Mr. Gallagher is gifted in a marked degree with the spirit of oratory in its highest sense and has already gained some fame as a speaker. He was the orator of his class at the Chicago College of Law, and was chosen by that institution as its representative at a banquet given by the Chicago Law Students' Association at the Auditorium, in April, 1895, for the purpose of furthering a move- ment for a public law library for indigent students, and although on that occasion among other speakers of note were Luther Laflin Mills and Lorin C. Collins, Jr., Mr. Gallagher notwithstanding re- ceived great praise and numerous congratulations upon his effort.
In politics Mr. Gallagher is a Democrat, and during the last campaign, with so many others, he followed the fortunes of the sound money branch and made a number of effective speeches. Mr. Gallagher, true to the religion of his parents, is a Roman Cath- olic.
An earnest and untiring student not only of the law but of
334
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE
philosophy, history and literature, with the strongest attachment and love for his chosen profession, Mr. Gallagher has many friends, who esteem him for his personal gifts, pure character and genial and unassuming ways, while his past work is an assuring omen of his future success.
WILLIAM JOHN GARVY.
William John Garvy, who was born in Chicago, July 21st, 1871, comes of an Irish family who had settled in Canada some time dur- ing the latter part of the seventeenth century. His father was John W. Garvy, a native of Canada, who died in 1894, and his mother, now living in this city, was Mary A. (McLean) Garvy, who is of Scotch birth.
The subject of this sketch was sent to St. Mary's (Jesuit) Col- lege, in Kansas, at the early age of eight years, and finally gradu- ated in 1892. After which he entered the University at George- town, D. C., where he took the post graduate and law courses and graduated with the degrees of LL. B. and A. M., in 1894.
Mr. Garvy then returned to Chicago, took an examination by the Appellate Court, and received a license to practice law in Oc- tober of the same year. A partnership was formed with Mr. S. P. Douthart, under the firm name of Douthart & Garvy. The firm has met with very considerable success, and is now in the enjoyment of a large general practice, and one which is daily increasing, and Mr. Garvy having already demonstrated the possession of professional abilities of a very high order, is unquestionably to be reckoned among the young men of promising careers in this city.
335
AMERICAN IRISH IN CHICAGO.
In religion he is a Roman Catholic and a member of the congre- gation of the Jesuit Church. In his politics, during the last cam- paign, he gave his support to the Republican party, as there was much in the platform of the Democratic party with which he claimed it was impossible to sympathize.
JOHN O'CONNELL.
The successful business man, the architect of his own fortunes, esteemed by his friends and honored in all his business connections stands in a position where he has none to envy and many who may envy him.
John O'Connell was born in Chicago, October 5, 1861. His father, John, was born in County Cork in 1828 and died in 1890, while his mother, Johanna O'Connell, was born in Limerick, 1831. They came to Chicago in 1854, and engaging in the tailoring busi- ness, founded the firm, which is to-day in such a flourishing condi- tion.
Young O'Connell was educated at St. Ignatius College in this city. Schooling over, he at once began a two years' apprenticeship in the tailoring business, after which he entered the establishment of his father. The firm name was then Grus & O'Connell, but later his father and himself set up in business together and so con- tinued until the former's death, when the subject of this sketch became sole representative. Under his charge and ever careful attention the business has prospered greatly. His business deal-
336
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE
ings are all of the best character and he numbers among his large patronage some of Chicago's leading citizens.
In his political ideas, Mr. O'Connell is and has always been a Democrat. He is unmarried, and displays his filial devotion by the care he bestows upon his mother, who resides in this city.
DANIEL J. MCELHERNE.
Daniel J. McElherne, though among the younger members of the Chicago bar, has already met with marked success and appreciation in his profession and has accomplished some results of interest and importance to the community at large.
He was born at Joliet, Ills., September 11th, 1864, his parents, the late Daniel B. McElherne and Eleanor McElherne, having been among the earliest settlers of Will County.
Daniel J. received a primary education in the public and high schools of his native city and afterwards attended the Niagara Uni- versity at Niagara Falls, New York, where he graduated in 1885. After leaving college, Mr. McElherne read law in the offices of Haley & O'Donnell and E. Meers of Joliet, and after admission to the bar practiced law there for one year, when he came to Chicago and until 1892 was in active practice at 79 Clark Street. In that year he was appointed assistant State's Attorney under Jacob J. Kern, and served during the latter's full term, at the end of which time Mr. McElherne started in practice for himself in his present offices in the Unity Building.
While in the State's Attorney's office he was connected with
D. J. M. Elleme.
339
AMERICAN IRISH IN CHICAGO.
some of the most important trial cases, among which may be men- tioned the prosecution of Charles Dix and others for the murder of Frank White. Far more notable than any of the others, however, with which Mr. McElherne has been connected, and indeed one of the most important cases in the history of Chicago, was the prose- cution of two policemen who were charged with participating in the conspiracy to prevent voters, during the election of 1894, from freely exercising the rights of suffrage, and in which he was associated with William S. Forrest. The circumstances will be recalled,-at one of the poling places on the West Side, a dead line was formed and retained from twelve o'clock until four, to prevent voters from approaching. The two policemen men- tioned, against whom prosecution was instituted, were in charge, and it was successfully contended by Mr. McElherne, as a proposi- tion of law, that while a person standing by when a crime is being committed, but not aiding, abetting or encouraging the same, is not guilty of the crime as an accessory, yet, where it becomes the duty of one standing by during the perpetration of an offense to inter- fere, as in the case of an officer of the law, and to endeavor to pre- vent to the utmost of his power and call upon bystanders for assist- ance, and he refuses or neglects to do so, he is guilty as an accessory before the fact. The trial was a notable one, and has had a bene- ficial influence on the conduct of officers at polling places since that time. One of Chicago's most notable criminal lawyers says of Mr. McElherne, with whom he has tried numerous cases, and to whom has also, in a number, been opposed, "Mr. McElherne is a most effective cross examiner, has no stereotyped manner, manages a case cleverly, and is also a good speaker, effective with the jury, gaining their respect and confidence, and at the same time fre- quently has been complimented by the court for his ability and sincerity." On another occasion from the same, came the remark, "It would be impossible for Mr. McElherne to prosecute a man if
340
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE
convinced he is not guilty," and that about his only fault lay in his extreme modesty.
Mr. McElherne is a member of the National Union, the Knights of Pythias, and also of the Sheridan Club. A man of studious habits and an intense lover of literature outside of his continual legal studies, he possesses a most pleasing personality, and is held in the warmest regard by a numerous circle of friends for his estimable qualities both of mind and heart.
JOHN O'BRIEN.
Another of Chicago's prominent business men is the subject of the present sketch. A man of energy, difficulties he has never feared, a man of ambition, his mind was set on making a success and undeterred by obstacles, he stands to-day the head of the second largest lumber firm in this vast country.
Mr. O'Brien was born in Tralee, County of Kerry, Ireland, Jan- uary 6th, 1847. His parents are Patrick and Mary (Forham) O'Brien. Mr. O'Brien, senior, was a well-to-do farmer and young John was given a good education at the Christian Brothers' Col- lege of Tralee. The father wishing to better his condition came to the New World in 1863 and located at White Lake, Michigan, engaging in the lumber business. The glowing accounts of what could be done in America sent by him to his family in Ireland caused young John, then nineteen years of age, to make up his mind to emigrate also, and this he did in 1866, the other members of the family following in 1873.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.