USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > Biographical history of the American Irish in Chicago > Part 28
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
John J. Owens was educated in the parochial schools of this city, leaving at the early age of eleven years to become a cash boy for Field, Leiter & Co. He was a bright and industrious boy and was quickly advanced to the position of salesman, remaining with that firm for nine years. He then accepted a position in a boot and shoe manufactory and became so thoroughly proficient in
478
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE
every detail of the business that after twelve months he was made Assistant Superintendent, and in that business he remained for six years. The trade at that time began to decline, and Mr. Owens being a well known member of various societies and devoting much of his time to their benefit and advancement, was called upon by the largest firm in Chicago then manufacturing society regalias and other necessities of that description, to take charge of the two most important departments, the military and the Roman Cath- olic. In that capacity he stayed with the house for three years, and then, November 1st, 1894, branched out for himself, organiz- ing the now well known company of John J. Owens & Co., which deals in military and society supplies of all kinds and descriptions. The firm has since met with steady and indeed rapid success, and is now doing business all over the United States.
For thirteen years, from 1883 to 1896, Mr. Owens served in the State Militia, filling during those years several different commis- sions, and at the present time he holds the highest office, Adjutant General of the Uniform Rank of Catholic Order of Foresters, and Colonel commanding the Department of Illinois. He is also a member of the Royal League, the Columbian Knights, a charter member of the Columbus Mutual Life Association, and is connect- ed with many other organizations.
Mr. Owens is a Roman Catholic in his religion, although his views are broad and liberal. In politics he is a Democrat. He was married, in 1889, to Annie A. Kenney, of Chicago, daughter of Michael Kenney, general yardmaster for Pennsylvania Railroad. They have two children, both boys.
Mr. Owens has at all times taken great interest in military affairs, making them in fact his chief object of study and so master- ing every detail, not only from a natural taste in that direction, but also that he might acquire a thorough proficiency in his busi- ness. Indeed, as is evident even from this brief sketch, thorough-
479
AMERICAN IRISH IN CHICAGO.
ness has been one of Mr. Owens' most prominent characteristics. No rolling stone, he has evinced exceptional perseverance and patience, as well as talent, in every position which he has been ·called upon to take up. Outside of his business, and his interest in some of the special organizations mentioned, his tastes are do- mestic; he is of a modest and unassuming disposition and has never aspired to public office, having a strong feeling against no- toriety of any kind.
PATRICK JOHN WALL.
Patrick John Wall, the well known ex-Alderman of the Fifth Ward, was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, June 18th, 1844. His parents were Michael and Mary (Keating) Wall, both natives of Tip- perary, where the first named was a stone mason, who, having been closely associated with the Irish uprising in 1848, came to Chicago in 1852. He died in this city in 1868, his wife following him in 1892.
Patrick John Wall received his education in the public schools and later at that of the Christian Brothers, leaving the latter at eighteen to go forth into the world and endeavor to make a name for himself. In his first employment with the Illinois Stone Co., he remained for ten years, at the end of which time he left to engage in the stone contracting business on his own account. Four years later he formed a partnership with Simon Coughlin, under the firm name of Simon Coughlin & Co., and they engaged in the gravel roof business, in which he still remains.
From his very early manhood Patrick J. Wall has taken a great . interest in Democratic politics, and has long been recognized as
-
480
BIOGRAPHICAL. HISTORY OF THE
one of the leaders of his ward-the Fifth. He has also been Dele- gate to many conventions, and in April, 1891, was elected to the City Council and served two terms of two years each. At the con- vention held in September, 1896, he was given the nomination to represent the Third Congressional District in the Board of Equali- zation.
He was married to Ellen Haynes, of Chicago, April 4th, 1869, and they have had ten children, of whom seven are living.
In his religious views Mr. Wall is a Roman Catholic and a reg- ular attendant at All Saints' Church.
Mr. Wall is one of the best known as well as one of the most highly respected citizens of this great city. No reproach has ever rested on his good name; he has struggled for the interest of Chi- cago and Chicagoans and unselfishly and unsparingly has taken his part in its city government. He is indeed an American Irishman, of whom both the land of his birth and the country of his adoption have every reason to be proud.
JOHN MYERS O'HARA.
John Myers O'Hara, who is known in business life as Jno. J. O'Hara, is a young Irish American lawyer who, in addition to a high place in his profession, is winning considerable renown as a poet. He was born March 25th, 1870, at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, his parents being John and Alice (Myers) O'Hara. The father, a native of Vermont, who was early engaged in railroad contracting, then came west and became prominent and wealthy. For years he was
.
481
AMERICAN IRISH IN CHICAGO.
the chief railroad contractor for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul and Chicago & North Western Railroads, and constructed the greater part of both these roads. He came of a prominent County Sligo, Ireland, family, his father having arrived in the United States about the year 1830, when he located in New York State and later removed to Vermont. John O'Hara took part in the war, enlist- ing in the 127th Wisconsin Volunteers, became a captain, and at the end of two years was honorably discharged on account of sick- ness.
The subject of the present sketch, John Myers O'Hara, in his youth attended the public schools of his native town-Cedar Rap- ids, Iowa-and later, in 1883, when his parents moved to Chicago, he came with them and attended the Jesuit College on the west side. In 1880 he entered the Northwestern University Law School, graduating there with the degree of LL. B., and being admitted to the bar in 1892. An office was at once opened and the practice of his chosen profession begun, with very gratifying results, for he is already in possession of a very good general practice.
Although so young a man, Mr. O'Hara has obtained consider- able fame as a poet, two books of his having been published, "Son- nets and other Poems," and "Twilight Songs," and both have been received with great praise and many favorable press comments from all sections of the country. In this latter regard may be men- tioned extracts from the notices on "Twilight Songs," given in the Chicago "Citizen" and the "New World." The former said: "In this dainty little volume Mr. O'Hara, who is a Chicago poet, gives the public the maiden efforts of his muse. Like all such efforts they reveal occasional irregularities of meter and forced rhyme; but "The Citizen' is glad to add that these imperfections are likely to be removed, in the course of time, by the author's growing knowl- edge and experience. His verses are of a finely-spun texture and bespeak the scholar as well as the cosmopolitan." The "New
482
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE
World" speaks thus of the same book: "This is the brief title of a pretty little volume sent us several weeks ago by the author, Mr. John Myers O'Hara, of this city. It is a quaint as well as a pretty volume, into which Mr. O'Hara has gathered many a beautiful theme, beautifully rendered. Readers of the 'New World' are not unfamiliar with this young poet's sonnets, and his successful interpretation of magic thoughts in that most difficult form of poetic speech entitles him to rank as an artist, even if no other sign of his varied gifts were apparent. But in this slender volume, besides the score of love sonnets and those of more worthy and ambitious themes, such as 'Faith,' 'Cardinal Newman,' 'Compensa- tion,' 'St. Augustine,' 'Mendelssohn's Spring Song,' and that ten- der tribute, 'Ad Poetam,' there are a number of exquisite lyrics that almost sing themselves. Among the latter we recognize as brimful of nature's melody and moods, 'Supreme Spring,' which is a succession of beautiful pictures, 'Sweetheart,' 'Eros,' 'If Love were Dead,' and the strange lines, 'Disillusion,' which sadden us in the ending. It is good, as he writes,
'To deem more sacred voices that have fanned Labor with music, welcome after toil, Breathing content beneath the cottage elm.'
But we are not content to have Mr. O'Hara one of the humbler poets. Men and women still have immortal souls, and the world to-day is as grand a battlefield as ever. While priest prays with uplifted hands, the poet, with a song to cheer faint hearts, strikes the harp whose sounds, in the pauses of the conflict, lead the val- iant and loyal to victory."
Mr. O'Hara has at the present time a number of other literary ventures, and if the promise of what he has already achieved is any criterion, he is assured of a high place in American literary circles. He has traveled much in the United States, is in his religious ideas liberal, and in his political views is a staunch Silver Democrat.
483
AMERICAN IRISH IN CHICAGO.
JOHN FRANCIS WALSH.
John Francis Walsh was born in Chicago, August 15th, 1844. His parents, John R .- a native of County Cork-and Ellen (Henne- berry) Walsh-of Tipperary-both came from Ireland in 1835, and coming direct to Chicago, were among the old settlers of this city. Mrs. Walsh died of cholera in 1849, and John R. Walsh, in 1888. The subject of this sketch was educated in the public schools, grad- uating from the high school of this city. Schooling over, he secured a position with the Illinois Central R. R. Co., and was in their em- ploy for a number of years, beginning as errand boy and advancing to the post of chief clerk of the local freight office.
Having held this position for some time, and in recognition of his faithful service, the local agency of the road at Ashley, Illinois, was offered to him. After remaining at Ashley four years a further proof of the estimation in which he was held was shown by the tender to him by the company of the position of general freight agent at St. Louis. In this also he remained four years, giving great satisfaction and making many friends. In further proof of his standing with the Illinois Central R. R. Co., after four years of service at St. Louis, he was called to Chicago and given charge of the transfer business of his company, a position of very great responsibility.
Seventeen years of service with the Illinois Central R. R. Co. being completed, in 1889, at the suggestion of many merchants whose friendship he had acquired while in charge of the transfer business of the railroad, he started a drayage and transfer business for himself. Careful in his habits, conscientious in his perform-
25
484
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE
ances, a man who makes no enemies and has never lost a friend, he has been able to build up a large and lucrative business, employing forty horses to conduct it, and enjoying the support of many of the largest business houses of the city.
Mr. Walsh was married to Miss Mary E. Kennitt, on January 15th, 1870, and they have had eleven children, of whom seven are living and four are dead.
He is a member of several clubs, among others The 401 Club- a local social organization-and is also a prominent member of the Catholic Benevolent Legion. In politics he is a Democrat and takes great interest in the political matters of his ward, as, it is his creed, is the duty of all good citizens.
Mr. Walsh is of a very pleasing personality, genial and good natured, thinking no labor too great to assist a friend or to help those in need. A man of sound business principles, by his . own exertions and indomitable pluck he has been able to push himself step by step to an honored position, high in the estimation of his fellow citizens.
ANDREW JAMES O'CONNELL.
Andrew James O'Connell was born in Chicago, August 19th, 1869, his parents being Thomas-whose biography appears else- where in this work-and Susan (O'Laughlin) O'Connell. Mr. O'Con- nell attended the St. Pius School for two years, going thence to St. Patrick's Commercial Academy. At the age of seventeen he se- cured a position as profit clerk with the wholesale grocery house of W. J. Quan & Co., remaining there two years and resigning to ac- cept the position of Assistant Superintendent of the Chicago Union
485
AMERICAN IRISH IN CHICAGO.
Lime Works, with which concern he stayed four years. In 1892 he was made Superintendent of the Artesian Stone Works of Chi- cago, purchased by his father and brothers, and by them reorgan- ized in 1890. Two years later he became Vice-President and Man- ager, both of which responsible positions he holds at the present time.
Mr. O'Connell is a member of the Order of Knights of Columbus. In his religious views he is a Roman Catholic and a member of the congregation of the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows. His political opinions and affiliations are those of the Democratic party.
Mr. O'Connell was united in marriage, June 19th, 1895, to Clara A. Berry, a native of Trenton, N. J., where her father is a promi- nent citizen, having on six occasions been a member of the Board of Aldermen. They have had one child, a boy.
A young man in years, Mr. O'Connell has already demonstrated the possession of business abilities of a very high order and bears a reputation for honorable conduct under all circumstances, which gives him an enviable position in the social as well as the business communities of this city.
JOHN W. WALSH.
John W. Walsh, another of Chicago's well-known lawyers, and who though still a young man, has already gained quite an en- viable position in his profession, was born in Peru, La Salle County, Ill., June 15th, 1863. His parents, John and Catharine Walsh, were natives of different parts of Ireland, but met each other and married at La Salle County, Ill. Though possessing but small ad-
486
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE
vantages in the way of education, the son speaks affectionately of them as possessing a natural refinement of character and disposi- tion far superior to that ordinarily met with in their walk of life.
John W. Walsh was educated in the public schools of La Salle County until he was fourteen years of age, when, as the eldest of ten children, he had to help in the support of the others and worked at all manner of occupations until the younger members of the family were able to help themselves. Then, when twenty years of age, he spent two years in the old state university, paying his own way and supporting himself by teaching school. The young man was always of a studious disposition and good habits, and though the necessity of supporting not only himself but also others from the time he was a mere boy might have made his dis- position a serious one, he was of a cheerful optimistic temper and at all times inclined to look on the bright side of affairs. His resources being exhausted, he was forced to leave college before graduation and to devote his whole time to teaching, but at the same time everything possible was done by him to prepare himself for the law. Three years were passed in the law office of Senator Duncan in La Salle and Chicago, and in 1889, he settled in this city, just three months before his admission to the bar. Since that time Mr. Walsh has practiced continuously in Chicago on his own ac- count, never having had any partner. Among many particular cases he has been connected with might be mentioned the Clarke shirt litigation, now pending in the Supreme Court, in which case Mr. Walsh has acted as chief counsel.
Mr. Walsh is a member of the Royal Arcanum, the Royal League, and the Catholic Benevolent Legion, being in the latter association a member of the Supreme Council and representing the State of Illinois in the meeting of that body annually in New York. In his political views he is an old line Democrat, a believer in free trade and a firm advocate of sound money.
487
AMERICAN IRISH IN CHICAGO.
August 18th, 1890, Mr. Walsh married Miss Julia O'Neill of Chi- cago, and they have two children, a boy and a girl. He is of domestic tastes and disposition and retains those studious habits which were so manifest in his boyhood united with a perseverance and energy which have enabled him to overcome so many obstacles in the past and to look forward cheerfully and hopefully to the future.
DR. P. H. WELCH.
Dr. P. H. Welch, the well-known and popular young dentist, was born in Waupun, Wis., July 22d, 1867. His father, Martin Thomas, as also his mother, Mary Hinnigan Welch, were natives of County Sligo, Ireland; they came to this country in the early thirties, settled in New York State, were married at Sing Sing, and came west about 1857.
The subject of this sketch received a public school education, and afterwards entered the Chicago College of Dental Surgery, re- ceiving his degree at Lake Forest University. His parents dying when he was quite young, he came to Chicago at fourteen years of age, and played baseball professionally in order to obtain the means to enter college, his baseball engagements occupying him during the summer months and the winter being devoted to his studies. Even in the summer, however, he managed to find some time for keeping up and gaining knowledge.
In his profession as a dentist, Dr. Welch started some seven years ago, and like most men who have adopted professions, whether in law, medicine or dentistry, he found it a pretty hard
-
488
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE
struggle for several years, but patience and perseverance combined with ability overcame all difficulties and to-day, for so young a man, Dr. Welch has a large and remunerative practice.
He is a member of the Sheridan and Columbus Clubs, of the Royal Arcanum and Knights of Columbus, also of the Desota Club, of the Catholic Benevolent Legion and the Odentographic and Chi- cago Dental Societies. He has traveled extensively over the United States, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and for one so young in years is a man of ripe information and much knowledge.
Dr. Welch is a Roman Catholic in his religious views, and in his political opinions is independent. He married November 11th, 1896, Irene Cooke, daughter of John S. Cooke of this city. Still fond of athletics and open air sports, his time to indulge in such recreations is now limited. Dr. Welch is a man of pleasing person and manners, and possesses a certain curtness which evidences that energy and decision of character so strongly developed in his career.
Thomas Martin Welch, a younger brother, is following the same profession in Waupun, Wis, and has one of the largest practices in his state.
JAMES MCGARRY.
James McGarry was born October 15th, 1859, in County An- trim, in the north of Ireland, and is the son of Alexander and Ann (McGarry) McGarry.
Educated in the parish schools of his native place, he left, at the age of eighteen, and in 1881 came to the United States and on to Chicago, where an uncle, D. M. McGarry, was engaged in the team-
-
489
AMERICAN IRISH IN CHICAGO.
ing business. With the latter James McGarry worked for eight years, at the end of which time he thought he was fully competent to start business on his own account. The result has fully justified his determination, for good success has followed his efforts.
He was married, May 16th, 1895, to Ann Custly, a native of his own county in Ireland. Mr. McGarry is a Roman Catholic and a regular attendant of St. John's Church. He is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters, as well as of a number of Irish societies, and in politics is a strong advocate of the principles advanced by Mr. William J. Bryan.
JAMES JOSEPH WALSH.
Captain James Joseph Walsh was born April 20th, 1834, in Wex- ford, Ireland, where his father, Lawrence Walsh, was a farmer. He had married Anne Ryan, who died in 1873. Lawrence Walsh left the old land for Chicago in 1848 and took up the business of teaming and contracting until his death in 1877. His son, the subject of this sketch, attended the public schools of his native town until he was fourteen years of age, when he began to learn the moulder's trade, and in 1848, with his parents he came to Chicago. It was in September, 1859, that he became regularly attached to the Fire Department of Chicago, although he had been a member of the old volunteer fire department for some time before. His first, assignment was as a pipeman to Engine No. 2, known as the Enterprise, and located at State and Harrison Streets. The spring following, his former experience in the service was found of such benefit that he was appointed captain of the company. On June 16th, 1872, he was transferred to Engine No. 11 on the North Side,
490
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE
the following December to No. 22, in March of 1873 he was sent to the West Side to organize No. 20, and remained there until April, 1874, when he was sent to Engine No. 9. August, 1880, he was ap- pointed to No. 22, located on Webster Avenue near Larrabee Street, and there he has remained ever since.
He was married to Kate Connelly of Chicago in 1885, and they have had seven children, but of these only two are living.
One of the veterans of the department, for not above twenty of the men who formed the service when he joined still remain in it, Captain James Joseph Walsh is a man of very agreeable manner, always pleasant and courteous. A strict disciplinarian, he is absolutely faithful to every duty of his position, and there is no man in the Chicago fire service who is more highly considered.
DENNIS W. SULLIVAN.
Dennis W. Sullivan, who, as well as being an active man of affairs, ranks among the leaders of the Chicago bar, was born in this city October 12th, 1864. Of his parents, Patrick D. and Anne (Taylor) Sullivan, the former was for thirty years inspector of private drains for the City of Chicago.
Dennis W. Sullivan was educated in the public schools of Chi- cago and in the Chicago College of Law, graduating from the first in 1879, and from the latter in 1891. From quite an early age he had an inclination for the legal profession, even in his school days receiving his employment during vacations from Attorneys Joseph Wright and Jesse O. Norton, the latter of whom was at one time corporation counsel of Chicago. His regular business life was
DIS Queciran
493
AMERICAN IRISH IN CHICAGO.
commenced in the employ of the Joseph H. Brown Iron & Steel Company, in the rolling mill located at South Chicago, with which firm, and its successor-the Calumet Iron & Steel Company-he remained for twelve years, starting in as errand boy and advanc- ing through various positions of trust and responsibility until in 1890 he became secretary and treasurer of the company. The late General Joseph T. Torrence was at the time vice president and general manager of the Joseph H. Brown Iron & Steel Company, and while he occupied that position Mr. Sullivan was his confi- dential man. Afterwards, during the administrations of Jacob J. Kern and Charles S. Deneen, he was Assistant State's Attorney, and his active mind and considerable legal abilities proved of the greatest service to the public.
Mr. Sullivan was prominently associated with the formation of several important organizations, among which may be men- tioned the South Chicago & Western Indiana Railroad Company, the Calumet Terminal Railroad Company, the Elevated Terminal Railroad Company, the Belt Limestone Company and the Metro- . politan Gas Company.
In his religious affiliations Mr. Sullivan is a Roman Catholic, and in his politics is a democrat. He was married June 30th, 1891, to Mary E. Mason, daughter of the late John Mason, during the 70's and 80's one of Chicago's most prominent practicing at- torneys. Two children are the result of this union, a boy of now three years old and a girl of one year.
As may be gathered from this brief sketch and the important positions he has been selected to fill, Mr. Sullivan is a man not only of a high order of talent, but also of great energy and persever- ance, while in his disposition he is warm and kindly and his man- ner never wanting in courtesy, characteristics which make easily understood the estimation in which he is held not only by his pro- fessional associates, but also by his host of personal friends.
494
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE
JAMES REILLY WARD.
The career of James Reilly Ward well illustrates what may be accomplished by the following out of an honorable purpose with firm determination and manly self-reliance. His only resource when he began active life was natural ability, but he possessed immense will power, and was enabled to make the most of every op- portunity that arose. His home training had been an admirable one, and very early in life, he learned the value of self-help, and the virtues of industry, frugality, and fidelity. He set himself a high ideal, and in a practical, common-sense way, has directed his every effort towards its attainment, with the result that now in the strength and vigor of manhood he has achieved a most gratifying success in his profession and is universally honored and respected.
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.