USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > Biographical history of the American Irish in Chicago > Part 27
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
Captain Conway is a man of fine appearance and of very agree- able manner. In the Chicago Fire Brigade he is most highly thought of, and among his hosts of personal friends no man bears a higher character for great personal worth.
MICHAEL LANGAN.
This well known Detective Sergeant was born in Westport, County Mayo, Ireland, August, 1842. He was the son of Patrick Langan, a carpenter and a farmer, who died in Ireland in the fall of 1868, and of Mary (Lavalle) Langan, one of a noted family of Mayo. One of the latter's brothers had been in the government employ, and retiring on a pension, was appointed postmaster of Westport, a position he held for many years. Mrs. Patrick Langan came to Chicago in 1869 and resided with her son Michael until 1877, in which year she died.
The subject of this sketch attended the public schools of his
462
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE
native town at such times as he could be spared from farming duties until he was twenty years of age. In 1862 he came to America, re- mained for a year in New York, and then west to Chicago, where for a short time he worked for his uncle, B. Langan, the contractor.
Michael Langan then engaged in various occupations for two and a half years, when he went into the dry goods business on his own account, but decided after eighteen months' trial that he was unsuited for that kind of business, and so secured an appointment on the police force, February 17th, 1869, being assigned to the old Huron Street Police Station. On February 2d, 1874, he was ap- pointed Desk Sergeant at the Webster Street Station, where he remained one and a half years and was transferred to the Chicago Avenue Station, being there for eight years. On February 2d, 1882, he received an assignment to the Central Station at the City Hall as Desk Sergeant, a position he still most worthily fills.
This short record of his promotions and the responsible posi- tion he at present holds, speaks plainly as to Sergeant Langan's strict performance of every duty and of the standing he possesses with his superiors. The Central Detail is the center point of the whole department, and a man to fill the position must of necessity be of good education, very careful in his habits, and at the same time have thorough acquaintance with all the police rules and regulations. Sergeant Langan has proven that he is possessed of such qualifications and abilities during the twenty-seven and a half years he has been on the Chicago police force, for he has never lost a day, never had a complaint made against him, or in a single instance been before the trial board.
He was one of ten men sent from his station at the beginning of the great Chicago fire to keep order, and was on duty for several days assisting people to safety. When he was relieved, hair, whis- kers and eye-brows were much singed by proximity to the fire.
Sergeant Detective Langan is a member of the Police Benevo-
463
AMERICAN IRISH IN CHICAGO.
lent Association, of which he was a trustee from 1882 to 1885; he belongs also to the Independent Order of Foresters, and in both orders has been on several occasions elected to office, but has al- ways declined to serve, on the plea that his duties would not permit the regular attendance necessary.
He was married, June 3d, 1872, to Annie Garrity, a native of his own town in Ireland, and they have had five children, of whom three are living.
In religion he is a Roman Catholic and belongs to the congrega- tion of the Church of the Immaculate Conception. As to his poli- ties, he declares himself the servant of the people, and consequently not able to pay much attention to such matters. A strict disciplin- arian, a thorough performer of every duty, there are few more trusted and none more highly esteemed or popular members of the Chicago detective service than Mr. Michael Langan.
JAMES MCENERNY.
One of the most prominent as well as popular young Irish Amer- ican lawyers in this city is the subject of the present sketch, who is a man of considerable legal ability, exceptional tact, and inde- fatigable energy.
James McEnerny was born May 18th, 1860, at London, Madison County, O. He was the son of Thomas and Ann McEnerny, his father being a native of County Limerick, Ireland, born there in April, 1833, and his mother from County Cork. They were married in 1856, the mother having come to the United States in 1853, and her husband the year following. The latter died March, 1888, leav-
464
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE
ing three boys-Thomas, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume; James; and Honore; the eldest son, John, having died in 1886-and four girls-Catherine; Johanna; Michael; and Mary. The father of Thomas McEnerny, Sr., was John McEnerny, a large and most successful farmer, one of the most extensive landed pro- prietors and most popular men in the Parish of Fena, County Lim- erick. When he died he left the family well provided for, and Thomas McEnerny decided to try his fortunes in the United States.
He came to London, Ohio, in 1855, where he remained eight years, and then moved to the northwestern portion of the same State, near Toledo, in both places following his occupation as a farmer until his death.
James McEnerny was educated in the North Western Normal College at Valparaiso, Ind., whence he graduated in 1883. He then at once came to Chicago, and began to study at the Union College of Law, from which he graduated in 1886, and was admitted to the bar. He commenced the practice of his profession with the Hon. J. M. Longnecker, and at the end of his first year, in 1887, was ap- pointed by the last named Assistant State's Attorney. In this capacity he served for a year and a half, after which he associated himself with his brother Thomas, under the law firm name of Mc- Enerny Brothers. The partnership was dissolved in the spring of 1893, and the subject of this sketch went into business alone un- til May, 1896, when the two brothers once more decided to amalga- mate and are now successfully practicing the legal profession in all its branches.
Mr. McEnerny was married, June, 1890, to Miss Florence Hen- nessy, the daughter of one of Chicago's most prominent citizens, and one of whose sisters is married to Hon. J. F. Finerty. She is, like her husband, possessed of great social qualities, and their charming home is a delightful rendezvous for their multitude of friends.
465
AMERICAN IRISH IN CHICAGO.
With public enterprises Mr. McEnerny has always been in great demand. In 1886 he was Secretary of the Bazaar held in the old Exposition Building on the Lake Front, for the benefit of the St. Joseph's Orphan Asylum, and which was instrumental in obtain- ing the funds to build that asylum. He is the representative for Chicago of their International Progressive Association, and an active member of the Hyde Park Lodge, Knights of Pythias, for the past five years, having held the office of Prelate and Vice-Chan- cellor. He was also a member, in 1887, of the Oaklands Company, a city military organization.
In his religious views he is a Roman Catholic, while in politics, belongs to the Independent Democrats, claiming the right to vote for the man of his choice entirely irrespective of party. He was honored in the election to the office of Keeper of Records and Seals, but resigned.
With sympathies thoroughly devoted to the land of his fathers, he is a true American in all his ideas and feelings, honoring its in- stitutions and rejoicing in its noble freedom. Still in his early manhood, he has already demonstrated the possession of such qual- ities as should make for him a high place in any community.
JOHN J. MAHONEY.
John J. Mahoney was born in Chicago, November 5th, 1854. His parents, Patrick and Julia (Conlin) Mahoney, came from Lim- erick, Ireland, to the United States in 1849, settling first at New Haven, Conn., and then after a short time moved to Chicago, where the father died in 1864, and the mother in 1865. 24
466
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE
Mr. John J. Mahoney attended the public schools of Chicago until he was eleven years of age, when he began to learn the paint- er's trade, at which he worked for ten years. At the end of that time he was appointed foreman painter of the Cook County Hos- pital and afterwards its custodian, holding the two positions fifteen years.
In December, 1891, he obtained the important position of Cash- ier of the Probate Court, which he still retains. Mr. Mahoney is of an ambitious disposition, and the idea of plodding along all of his life as a clerk was extremely distasteful. The educational advan- tages he had received in his youth were not great, so he now de- termined to attend night school. Having done this, he afterwards took a course of law at the Kent Night School, from which he grad- uated and was admitted to practice in 1895. All this he was able to accomplish while carrying out his employment during the day.
From a mere youth, politics had always been to him a subject of great interest, and also all that affected the cause of oppressed Ireland. His political views were those of the Republican party.
While engaged in his trade as a painter he made himself very prominent in labor circles, being at one time President of the local assembly of Knights of Labor, and as a Delegate has attended all of the conventions of that body held during the last five or six years. Mr. J. J. Mahoney is President of the United Irish Societies of Chicago, having succeeded the Hon. J. F. Finerty in that in- portant office. Having served two years, in June, 1885, he was re- elected. He is also prominently connected with the National Union; the Catholic Benevolent Legion; Order of Red Men; and a number of labor organizations, as well as the Irish Literary Club.
Mr. Mahoney is entirely a self-made man and one well worthy of the respect and esteem which his fellow citizens and countrymen delight to show towards him. At the outcome of his career, his sole advantage was an enterprising and indomitable spirit and that
467
AMERICAN IRISH IN CHICAGO.
best essential of success, an independence of character no diffi- culties could daunt. The reputation he has achieved and the posi- tion he has gained among the American Irish of Chicago should be a source of honest pride to any man.
MICHAEL GEORGE MCGEE.
Living in Chicago to-day there is no young Irishman who de- serves more credit for what he has accomplished by pluck, energy and perseverance than does the subject of the present sketch, Mr. M. G. McGee. Born in County Antrim, Ireland, Christmas Day, 1869, his parents were Charles and Catherine (Mclaughlin) McGee. The father was by occupation a farmer and one of the largest stock raisers in that part of the country, being also engaged largely in the teaming business and live stock shipping. He is now living in Chicago; but his mother, who came of a well-to-do family from the same section of Ireland, died in 1891.
Michael George McGee attended the national school of Glendon until he was fifteen years of age, when with his parents he came to the New World and a permanent location was made in Chicago. Upon his arrival, Mr. McGee went to work in a cooper's establish- ment, where he remained for two years, and then, for another twelve months, was employed in a furniture factory. The latter was left to accept a position as time-keeper with his brother, a large contractor, who had been in Chicago for some years, and this place he held for four years.
In 1886 he entered the employ of George Brown, a butcher, with
468
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE
the intention of learning the business; he was with him but nine months when, believing he had obtained sufficient practical ex- perience, he embarked in business for himself. His success has been rapid and considerable, and he is now the proprietor of the largest business of the kind on the north side, employing eight men and with a trade of at least two thousand dollars a week. Full of enterprise and anxious to improve his financial condition, he last summer took up, in addition, the ice business, and of this also he has made a great success.
Mr. McGee was married, December, 1895, to Miss Hetty Croke, of Chicago. In religious matters he is a Roman Catholic and be- longs to the congregation of the Holy Name; while of social or- ganizations he is a member of the Columbus and Waubansia Clubs.
With strong leanings towards the Democratic party, Mr. McGee reserves the right to vote for the best man and for what he con- siders the best measures, and his ideas in this direction during the last Presidential election led him to support sound money prin- ciples.
JOHN NAGHTEN.
The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is one of the best known Irishmen, as well as one of the most familiar figures on Chicago's busy streets. He may not have earned the distinction of "early settler" as Mr. Fernando Jones uses that term, but over forty years in Chicago, thirty-five of which have been spent in the same business of insurance, will at least entitle him to a place among its representative citizens, as he assuredly is one of its vet- eran insurance men.
469
AMERICAN IRISH IN CHICAGO.
John Naghten comes of true Milesian stock, and it has been a ยท pleasing gratification to him in his antiquarian reading-books with old type, illuminated letterings and ancient bindings have a rarely magnetic influence over him-to trace back the family's for- tunes and vicissitudes to the time in the fourteenth century when his ancestors were among the chiefs of the County of Roscommon, as Edmund Hogan, priest of the Society of Jesus, describes in the description of Ireland in 1598, and also in the book, "The Tribes and Customs of Hy-many," by John O'Donovan.
He was born in the Parish of Kiltoom, County of Roscommon, Ireland, in 1831. His father, Michael, who married Bridget Kelly, was agent in Roscommon to a number of estates. John Naghten obtained his earliest education from a visiting tutor, but later he attended the national schools for a short time, and was then sent to an academy in Roscommon, but his schooling came to a sudden stop owing to an outbreak of a violent epidemic of spotted fever in the town, which was most malignant in its effects.
Fascinated by the glorious freedom of the Western world, ap- pealing perhaps more forcibly to the Irishman, owing to the differ- ent conditions which obtained in his native land, young Naghten started alone to America in October, 1847. All he knew of the land he was going to was as a refuge for the oppressed, and a na- tion where life, liberty and a chance for happiness were open to all men alike, irrespective of birth, religion or social distinctions. He knew he had an uncle, John Kelly, at New Orleans-by the way, he is now a banker at Norfolk, Va .- but to him New Orleans was a very dim realization. The sea voyage in those days was a terrible one, taking as many weeks as now days are consumed in the trip. At last Philadelphia was reached and a situation found in a gen- eral store in one of the mining districts near Reading, Pennsyl- vania. In 1856 he decided to come to Chicago and soon found em- ployment as clerk and book-keeper in the insurance office of W.
470
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE
D. Smith. For a short time he changed his occupation to act as book-keeper in a wholesale commission house on South Water Street, but he soon returned to the business of insurance. In May, 1863, with the organization of the Merchants' Insurance Company, he became associated with that institution, and in 1866 was ap- pointed its Assistant Secretary, a position which he held up to the time of the great fire of 1871. The ravages of that terrible event in Chicago's history having been partly repaired, Mr. Naghten was, on the reorganization of the Traders' Insurance Company, appoint- ed Assistant Secretary of the company, in which position he re- mained until 1873, when a co-partnership was formed with Wil- liam E. Rollo, under the title of Rollo, Naghten & Company. In 1877 he was appointed General Agent of the Commercial Insurance Company of New York. In 1880 he associated with him his son, M. J. Naghten, and his son-in-law, M. F. Scannell, founding the firm John Naghten & Company, of which the subject of this sketch is the senior member.
Mr. Scannell died in 1894, and John Naghten and his son now carry on the business, two other sons being engaged respectively as cashier and clerk. The firm of late years has given up general agency business, confining itself to local work.
Mr. John Naghten is deservedly proud of his insurance record, for with a continuous experience of over thirty-eight years he may well claim to be one of the oldest insurance men to-day in Chicago.
He was married to Bridget Mary Byrne, daughter of Terrence Byrne, of Kilkenny, Ireland. She had come to America, in 1845, to stay with an uncle who was a farnier in Pennsylvania. Eight children have been born to them-four sons and four daughters. Of these, the sons all received their education at the Jesuit Col- lege, while the daughters were sent to the Convent of the Sacred Heart, for Mr. Naghten and his wife are devoted Catholics, and he
471
AMERICAN IRISH IN CHICAGO.
was indeed one of the earliest parishioners of the parish of St. Jar- lath, contributing liberally too to the building of that substantial and handsome structure. The children are: Mary, now the wife of Mr. Thomas Brenan, merchant on South Water Street, and the mother of seven children; Annie, is the widow of M. F. Scannell, who was a partner in the firm of John Naghten & Company, to them were born five children; Michael J., married to Miss Helena O'Meara, of Chicago, and junior partner in the firm of John Naghten & Com- pany; Katie, wife of Theodore Schnell, who is with Armour & Co., at Chicago (they have five children); and John, Jr., who married Mary, daughter of John Mullen, Esq., of Chicago, who died in Jan- uary, 1896, leaving one son; John Naghten, Jr., is in the gents' fur- nishing and tailoring business on Dearborn Street; James resides with his parents and is cashier in the office of John Naghten & Company; Helen is the youngest daughter and lives at home, and the youngest son, Frank, who is also engaged in the office of John Naghten & Company, and is a member of the Sheridan and Colum- bus Clubs.
Mr. and Mrs. Naghten went abroad for four months, in 1880, visiting the old home, in Ireland, and also traveled in Great Britain and France. Though essentially a home loving man, Mr. Naghten is a member of and a frequent visitor to the well known Columbus Club. His passion for books has been before referred to. He is an omnivorous reader, a man of splendid information, and at all times a charming companion. An Irishman always, he is not an advocate for extreme measures. His greatest happiness possibly is to sit in his splendid library-one of the finest private labraries in Chi- cago-and converse with some congenial companion on Irish af- fairs, Ireland's wrongs, the sufferings of his countrymen, the noble deeds many have achieved, and the terrible mistakes some of the leaders have committed and tolerated.
472
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE
FRANCIS H. MORGAN.
The subject of the present sketch, a well-known and very popu- lar young Irishman, was born in County Roscommon in 1866, and came to this country in 1881. Of his parents, Patrick and Mary (Flynn) Morgan, the father, who was a farmer, died in 1885, while his mother, now well on in years, for at this writing she is seventy- six years old, lives in the old home in Ireland.
Francis H. Morgan received his education in the National schools of County Leitrim, from which he graduated immediately preliminary to his setting out for this country. He first settled in Indiana, but soon afterwards came to Chicago and learned his trade as a machinist and engineer with the Illinois Steel Company. That engagement he held for eight years, when he became chief engineer for Kohn Bros., the wholesale clothiers, which position he held until Judge Payne was elected to the bench. The latter called on Mr. Morgan to become his private deputy, and in this posi- tion of responsibility he has remained for the past four years, and is unquestionably as efficient and as well liked an officer as there is to- day in the public service.
Mr. Morgan was married in this city in 1888, to Maria Byrne, a sister of Captain Byrne, the well-known member of the Chicago police force. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan have an interesting young fam- ily of four children, two boys and two girls, who have been named, respectively, Francis, Lawrence, Margarette and Catherine.
Mr. Morgan is a Roman Catholic and a Democrat. He is a mem- ber of the Seventh Regiment Illinois National Guard, as well as of all the Irish organizations, in the latter having held various high offices.
------
Strauss & Margals
475
AMERICAN IRISH IN CHICAGO.
A gentleman of charming manner, well set up, good-looking, generous and free, a wonderful favorite among his business asso- ciates, as well as with his every-day acquaintances, no better rep- resentative of the Irishman can be found in the west than the young scion from Connaught, Francis H. Morgan.
FRANCIS C. NEAGLE.
Francis C. Neagle, who died in Chicago, June 22nd, 1895, was pre-eminently a self-made man, and one who by his many high qual- ities of head and heart, had obtained the respect and esteem not only of his fellow Irishmen, but of every one with whom he was brought into contact. His energy, his perseverance, and indomi- table strength of character, together with an habitual frugality and an unusual amount of prudent foresight and good common sense, achieved for him a lasting reputation among his fellow citi- zens of Chicago. As to his history, the following extract from "The National Builder" well speaks:
"He was born in Ireland, and at the age of twelve was articled to the carpenter's trade, in which he soon became a skilled work- man. Having at twenty years of age mastered his trade, he emi- grated to New York, and at once found steady employment.
In 1855 he married, and as the cry of the empire was westward, he sought out new fields in Chicago. His perfect knowledge of the building business was soon recognized by the leading architects and contractors of Chicago, and in 1856 he was persuaded to com-
476
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE
mence operations for himself. Since that date Mr. Neagle has been well and favorably known to the architect and building fraternity of Chicago, and his work has extended all over the West.
Mr. Neagle was a self-made and honorable man. He battled through adversity and difficulties to success and prosperity. His well known honesty of purpose and rugged determination to at- tain a place in his chosen profession gained him many friends, who rendered him valuable assistance throughout his life. He sur- mounted obstacles which to other men would have brought defeat, and finally lived to become the head of an establishment the men- tion of which is a guarantee of honest dealing and reliable business methods.
At the time of his death Mr. Neagle was an officer of the Build- ers' and Traders' Exchange of Chicago, of which association he had been for several years a member. A special meeting of the Ex- change was held June 24th, 1895, when suitable resolutions were passed to the memory of the deceased, which were ordered spread upon the minutes and a copy sent to his bereaved family."
RESOLUTIONS.
A deep sorrow has befallen the family of one of our most esteemed and honored members.
Since the year 1856 to the time of his demise, Mr. F. C. Neagle was actively engaged in the building business in Chicago, and the honorable position which he attained is a lasting monument to his energy, integrity and high order of ability.
As a member of our Exchange he was always identified with those whose best efforts were put forth to build up and sustain the Exchange and place it in the high position it now holds; as an officer he was always faithful to every trust, and as a friend and adviser was always kind and generous.
To the family of our deceased friend and member we offer our
477
AMERICAN IRISH IN CHICAGO.
sincere sympathy and condolence, and ask of them that in their deep affliction they think only of the reward awaiting one who has lived such a life as did the husband and father, whose loss you mourn.
MURDOCH CAMPBELL, JOHN RAWLE, GEORGE TAPPER, FRANK CONRICK,
Committee.
JOHN J. OWENS.
John J. Owens, the well known military and society regalia supply merchant, is a native of Chicago, being born in this city, April 22d, 1864. His father, Patrick Owens, was a native of County Wexford, Ireland, which he left in 1853 in company with the late Rev. Father Conway, who for several years was vicar general of the diocese. In his native land Mr. Owens had been a commission merchant, and he followed the same business after coming to Chi- cago. During the War of the Rebellion he did citizen's duty, and served in the commissary department. His wife, the mother of the subject of this sketch, was also a native of Ireland.
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.