USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > Biographical history of the American Irish in Chicago > Part 29
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James Reilly Ward was born on his father's farm, northwest of Alton, Ill., on May 7th, 1851. His father was Mckinley Ward, a Virginian, born in 1818, while his grandfather was William Mc- Ward, well known and prominent in the community. He had mar- ried a lady named MeNamara, who was born in the same county as himself, near Cashel, Tipperary, Ireland. When they came to this country, about 1812, they left two sons, John and William, in the old land, and there they lived, married, and reared families. The mother of the subject of this sketch, Eliza Ann Jones, was born in 1823, in Kentucky, and was the daughter of Edward Jones, who was from Thurles, County Tipperary. Edward Jones is thought to have come to this country and located in Kentucky in 1819, where both his parents died when he was still very young.
James Reilly Ward, after attending for a time the public schools of his native town, entered the college at Jacksonville, Ill., where,
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having completed the classical course of studies prescribed by that institution, he graduated in 1873. Deciding to take up the legal profession, he studied law, and was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of Missouri, at St. Louis, on May 21st, 1874; by the Supreme Court of Illinois, at Mount Vernon, June 23d, 1874, and by the Supreme Court of the United States at the October term, 1890. He began to practice his profession at Carrolton, Greene County, Ill., September 23d, 1874, and his abilities and industry from the very beginning brought him success, so much so, that no lawyer who ever practiced in that section of the country was able in so short a time to command so lucrative a practice. In 1876, he was elected state's attorney for Greene County, Ill., and served to the end of the term, and was also for a period of seven or eight years city attorney for the City of Carrolton.
Mr. Ward removed to Chicago, July 14th, 1893, and quickly made himself known as a thoroughly conscientious lawyer, who would not advise a client to commence proceedings merely for the pur- pose of promoting litigation and securing a fee, but would tell him it was useless to expect a victory and therefore wisdom not to court defeat. Ever studious, industrious, conscientious, and alive to the interests of all his clients, thorough in the preparation, and com- plete in the presentation of all his cases, fair minded and hon- orable in his methods of trial, he early became recognized in his professional life in this city, as a most capable and successful prac- titioner, a safe counselor, and a lawyer thoroughly equipped in every department of his profession.
Mr. Ward has a very large and valuable law library, but the book he most highly prizes is the dictionary he purchased years ago obtained by hard working in very hot weather in a harvest field binding wheat for $2.50 per day.
In politics he is and always has been a member of the Democratic party, while in religious views he is a Roman Catholic, having
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been brought up in the Alton parish, to which congregation his mother was a member up to the time of her death in 1869.
Mr. Ward was married in 1880 to Miss Laura B. Cornett and they have had two children, Nellie Simms, fifteen years, and Ina Bea, thirteen years of age.
In personal appearance Mr. Ward is a man of fine proportions, with a fine head, clear cut features, broad chest, and evidently robust constitution, all plainly evincing a large reserve fund both of physical and mental power.
He resides on Diversey Boulevard in a splendid home, where, surrounded by every luxury a good income can command and a refined nature can seek, with a host of admiring friends, to whom it is his delight to show hospitality, Mr. Ward spends his well- earned leisure.
ANDREW ROHAN.
Andrew Rohan, the popular detective sergeant of the Chicago police force, or as he is known to everybody in Chicago "Andy Rohan," was born in Galway, Ireland, July 4th, 1847, his parents being Patrick and Elizabeth (Joyce) Rohan. The former was a farmer, who coming to America in 1848, settled in the State of Illinois, moved later to Cincinnati, and died there in 1850. The mother of the subject of this sketch was the daughter of Timothy Joyce, of Clonrush parish, on the banks of the Shannon River, County Galway, and one of the leading citizens of that section of the country. She died in 1892.
The only education received by Andrew Rohan was in the na-
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tional schools in Ireland, which he attended until he was ten years of age, when he was obliged to go to work on the farm. When fourteen he came to America with his mother, and joined his uncle, William, who had left Ireland some three years previously with his brother, the father of the subject of this sketch, and settled on a section of land in La Salle County, Ill. The latter is still living on this land, and at the age of seventy-six years, is enjoying the fruits of an industrious and well spent life in a hale and hearty old age. On this farm Andrew Rohan worked until 1866, when, having great faith in the possibilities of a large city for men of energy and character, he came to Chicago. Employment was quickly secured in the grain elevator of J. and E. Buckingham, and with this firm he remained until 1873. On March 27th, of the year following, he received an appointment on the Chicago police force, being detailed to the Deering Street Station, known at that time as Bridgeport, and one of the worst sections of the city, as there was neither gas nor other illumination west of Halsted Street. Here he remained until November 8th, 1874, when he was trans- ferred to the East Chicago Avenue Station, and did duty as a patrol- man until November 18th, 1882, when his ability as a police officer obtained notice from his superior officers and he was made a de- tective sergeant and sent to police headquarters, where he has since that time continuously served and to the entire satisfaction of the police department as well as the great good of the public.
Among the many important arrests Sergeant Rohan has made since his connection with the detective detail, some few may be recalled. In 1883, with the assistance of Detective Meyer, he ar- rested Luke Phipps, who had while under sentence of death escaped from the Windsor (Canada) jail. The man was sent back to Canada and hanged inside of four weeks. The noted burglar, James Tracey, for the murder of Policeman John Heibner, whom he shot when the officer sought to arrest him on a charge of burglary,
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and who was tried and afterwards hanged on September 15th, 1881. Another of his arrests was Charles Mitchell, colored, wanted in Indianapolis on a charge of murder, and who was taken back and suffered the full penalty of his crime. Two of the three Italians who murdered a man and shipped the body to Pittsburg, Pa., in 1886, also came under his care; and Detective Mike Whealen and himself having made an arrest of a gang of seven on the corner of La Salle and Ohio when in the act of robbing the cashier of a broom factory, those composing it were identified later as the men who a short time before at Niles Center, Ill., had taken an Englishman from bed and after beating him nearly to death had robbed him of four thousand dollars in gold. They all received their deserts in long terms of imprisonment.
Sergeant Rohan was also prominent in bringing the leaders of the Haymarket riots to justice, assisting on the morning following that event in arresting Fisher and Spies at 107 Fifth Avenue. For a long time since he has been considered one of the star detectives of the force, and when an important case comes up, requiring a cool head and ready judgment, he is always among the first to be sent for, and nearly all of the leading cities of the United States have been visited by him on business connected with his work.
For faces, his memory is a really wonderful one, as is also his general knowledge of criminals, which has been acquired in twenty- three years' service on the police force, and has caused him to be de- tailed to represent the Bureau of Identification for the last seven years at the Criminal Court building. His knowledge is there at the disposal of the grand jury, and he carefully watches all men · on trial and details their records. . As a result, during the past six years, he has, by watching the trials, been the means of sending four men to the penitentiary for life, twelve for twenty years, nine for fifteen, four for fourteen, fourteen for ten, and ten for five years, all under the habitual criminal act.
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Mr. Rohan was married to Lizzie Dowling of County Carlow, Ireland, October 4th, 1871, and they have had and carefully brought up with every educational advantage, three boys, of whom the eldest, Andrew John, has lately been appointed on the police force, and one daughter.
In his religious views a Roman Catholic and a member of the con- gregation of St. Vincent's Church, this good-natured and good- hearted Irish detective has succeeded in making a host of friends, by all of whom he is held in the highest respect and esteem.
He was for seven years a trustee of the Policemen's Benevolent Society.
This sketch is necessarily brief, but will give some idea of the experiences of his twenty-three years of service, during all of which time Mr. Rohan has never received a reprimand, and also proudly claims, has neither sought nor received a favor due to po- litical influence.
MICHAEL NOON.
Michael Noon, lieutenant in the Chicago Fire Department, was born March 2d, 1863, in County Roscommon, Ireland, of which his parents, Luke and Kate (Kenny) Noon, were old time residents and where they both died.
The subject of this sketch was educated in the public schools of his native town, and his studies completed, went to work at farming. He came to the United States when he was seventeen years of age, settling first at Philadelphia. Later he moved to Cincinnati, where he remained two years and has two sisters married and still resid- ing there, and then on to Chicago in 1879. Seven years later he
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was appointed a member of the Chicago Fire Department, and was promoted to lieutenant in 1890.
Mr. Noon was married in Chicago, 1892, to Mary Emily O'Toole, a young lady of Irish descent. He is a member of the Odd Fellows and the Ancient Order of United Workmen; a Roman Catholic by religion, and a Democrat in his politics. He is a young man of energy and ambition, and having already made many friends for himself in the department, should be able to look forward to a good career in the fire department.
BENJAMIN F. O'CONNOR.
This well-known member of the Chicago Fire Department was born in this city on New Year's Day, 1859. He is the son of James and Mary (Kelley) O'Connor, both of whom came from their native land-Ireland-about 1838. James O'Connor, who was a shoe- maker by trade, found employment on the city police force, of which he is now one of the oldest surviving members, and after- wards went into business for himself.
Benjamin F. O'Connor found his education in the Kinzie public school, supplementing later by private studies. Among his youth- ful acquaintances he numbered the notorious Guiteau, the mur- derer of President Garfield.
Having run away from home, he found work selling papers and doing odd jobs until 1873, when he was given work by State's At- torney Charles H. Reed, and remained with him in the position of office boy and doing clerical work for over eight years. He then went into the teaming business, in which he remained until 1883,
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when he received an appointment on the fire department. In 1887 he was promoted to lieutenant, and in 1891 became captain of the Second Battalion, where he still remains.
Mr. O'Conner was married in Chicago, September 26th, 1882, to Mary Brady. Four children-James F., Benjamin, Martha, and Mary E .- are the result of the union.
In religion he is a Roman Catholic, and in his political views an independent Democrat, strongly favoring the doctrine of free silver. He is a member of the Catholic Independent Order of Foresters, and was formerly connected with the Second Regiment, and during the first Chicago strike, took an active part in the defense of law and order.
His attention to duty and his always courteous manner have made for Benjamin F. O'Connor a host of friends, who esteem him as an American and honor him as a representative of the Irish race in the West.
JOHN J. COOGAN.
John J. Coogan, who was born in Chicago, June 8th, 1868, is an- other of the young brigade of American Irish. His parents, John and Theresa Coogan, were both natives of County Sligo, Ireland, where his father was by occupation a general mason and con- tractor. He died September 12th, 1882, but the mother of our sub- ject is still living with her son in this city.
Having received an ordinary education in St. James School, Mr. Coogan took a commercial course for two years in the Athenaeum Business College. He then engaged in the butcher trade for seven 26
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years, giving this up in 1889 on receiving his appointment to the Chicago Fire Department, where he still remains as a valued and respected member.
Mr. Coogan, who is a Roman Catholic by religion and an un- flinching Democrat in his politics, is a member of several societies, among which may be mentioned the Order of Foresters, the Macca- bees and the Firemen's Benevolent Association.
JOHN JOSEPH MAHONEY.
Lieutenant John Joseph Mahoney, of the Chicago police force, was born October 16th, 1859, at Buffalo, N. Y. His parents, Tim- othy and Annie (Shannon) Mahoney, were both natives of County Clare, Ireland. Timothy Mahoney was a sailor, who, after follow- ing a seafaring life for many years, came to America in 1835 and sailed on the lakes, making Buffalo his home, but later locating at Chicago. He is living, but his wife, the mother of the subject of this sketch, died in 1891.
John Joseph Mahoney was but a year old when his parents moved to Chicago, and he grew up near to the place to which he is now attached and which is such a terror to evil doers, the Maxwell Street Police Station. Having attended the parochial schools, he was later at the Chicago public schools, which he left at the age of eighteen and started to make his way in the world.
His first employment was as an errand boy in a printing office, going from there to the Chicago & Fort Wayne Railroad freight office as clerk. Afterwards, under Sheriff Hanchett, he held the
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position of watchman at the County Jail for three years, and on June 4th, 1887, was appointed on the Chicago police force with orders to report the following day to Battery D. Here he was re- ceived by Inspector Bonfield, who, after a short questioning, or- dered him to do duty at the City Hall as a Central Station detec- tive. This was a mark of high honor, for in the force to be a central detective is considered promotion, and to be secured after years of service.
Twelve months later he was sent to the West Twelfth Street Station as Desk Sergeant under Captain Simon O'Donnell, and remained there two years, being then transferred as Desk Sergeant to the Canalport Avenue Station, a position he held until January 3d, 1891, when Mayor Washburne appointed him a Lieutenant and transferred him to the Maxwell Street Station.
As the district over which the latter has control is one of the worst portions in the City of Chicago, the fact that Lieutenant Ma- honey has remained there for over five years, speaks well, both for his efficiency as an officer and for his record in the service. Several times he has distinguished himself-as the Police Department rec- ords show-in the line of duty, and an instance in the summer of 1896 will bear recording, for there Lieutenant Mahoney had a very narrow escape for his life.
He and two officers in his command set out in pursuit of a negro who had murdered an Italian. The officers forced another colored man to accompany them and point out the murderer. The crim- inal at last discovered, close to his usual haunts, at once opened fire at close range on the Lieutenant and one of the officers, who returned the fire. Under cover of the smoke which resulted he escaped into a house hard by, where he was finally captured and is now expiating his offense in State prison.
Lieutenant Mahoney was married, January 9th, 1892, to Miss Susie Willer, a native of Calhoun County, Ill. In religion he is a
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Roman Catholic and a regular attendant of the Twelfth Street Jesuit Church.
A gentleman of fine appearance and most pleasant manner and always the utmost courtesy, he is a credit to the police force, which contains no more valued or trusted officer, and in the career he has chosen he is well justified in aspiring to any position.
JOHN KENNEDY SULLIVAN.
John Kennedy Sullivan is a Chicagoan, for he was born Janu- ary 22nd, 1856, on the west side, on the spot where the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Depot now stands. His father was Timothy Sullivan, a native of County Cork, Ireland, and his mother, Ann (Kennedy) Sullivan, from Tipperary. Timothy Sullivan left Ireland in 1838, and after working on the Wellington Canal, in Canada, twelve months, came to Chicago, where he located permanently until his death in 1893, while Mrs. Sullivan came to the United · States in 1848, and is still living.
The subject of this sketch received what little education he was privileged to obtain at the Jesuits' School, and at the public schools .of the city, but was compelled, at the early age of twelve, to find employment in order to help his parents in the support of the fam- ily. He was fortunate in securing work in a box factory, where he remained eight years.
In 1873 he took a position with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul R. R. Co. as brakeman, and kept that employ until 1876, when he went to work in the same capacity for the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne
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& Chicago R. R. Co. until 1882, when he returned to his old occu- pation in the box factory.
Having secured a position with the Chicago Fire Department as substitute, he was assigned to Hook and Ladder Co. No. 5, and in February, 1882, was promoted to the position of Lieutenant, and sent to Hook and Ladder No. 12, December, 1887, remaining there until December, 1892, when he was transferred to Engine No. 5, as Captain. At the latter he remained for two years, when, his health failing, as a mark of the esteem in which he was held by Chief Swenie, he was transferred to Engine No. 77, located at Fortieth Court, on the extreme west side.
On May 6th, 1880, he was married to Mary L. Corbet, a native of Troy, N. Y., and they have had seven children, of whom five are living.
Captain Sullivan is a Roman Catholic. He is a prominent mem- ber of the Society of Maccabees, and also of the Firemen's Benevo- lent Association. His kindly manner and genial courtesy, as well as esteem for his earnest performance of every duty, have brought him hosts of friends.
JOHN HANNAN.
John Hannan, Chief of the Sixteenth Battalion of the Chicago Fire Department, was born in the Province of Munster, Ireland, April 8th, 1846. His father, Michael Hannan, who by profession was a civil engineer, stood very high in the community in which he lived, not only for the professional position he had attained, but for many sterling personal qualities. He was a man of splendid education and his reputation secured him several offers of good
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positions abroad, but feeling unable to separate himself for any ex- tended period from the family growing up around him, he never left Ireland. There he died, in 1855, his wife, formerly Bridget Malone, following him in February, 1880.
John Hannan received his education in the parochial schools of his native town, going later for a short time to a boarding school in Dublin. On being visited by an uncle he became homesick and took an early opportunity to run away from school and return to his father's home. He was fifteen years old when, in 1861, his father having died, the widow concluded to move to Amer- ica with the family. A location was found in Quebec, but there they only remained for a short time, and then with the family a move was made to Chicago.
For some time John Hannan worked at whatever he could find until, in 1865, he saw an opportunity and went into the grain and coal business, and in this continued until in 1872, when it was given up, owing to a disagreement with his partner. On October 2nd, 1873, he secured an appointment on the Chicago Fire Depart- ment with an assignment as pipeman to Engine No. 13. Having served for six years he resigned and went to Denver, Colorado, where he found employment for about a year as foreman for the Denver Gas Co. He gave up this position and returned to Chicago, engaging for six months as a burner for Cribben, Sexton & Co.
In 1881 he was reappointed on the Chicago Fire Department and was sent to Engine No. 32 as pipeman, twelve months later being promoted to the position of Lieutenant of the same company, and at the end of two years became its Captain. During the next twelve years he served as Captain of Engines Nos. 13, 9, and 11, and on July 1st, 1896, he was given his present position as Chief of the Sixteenth Battalion with headquarters at 4600 Cottage Grove Ave- nue, a district comprising the territory from Thirty-fifth Street south to Fifty-ninth Street, and from State Street to the lake.
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Chief Hannan is in religion a Roman Catholic and a regular at- tendant of St. Thomas' Church. On August 8th, 1879, he was mar -. ried to Sarah Frances McIntyre, of Kenosha, Wis., and they have had seven children, of whom four are living.
A man of sterling character, a strict disciplinarian, but never wanting in kindliness, Chief John Hannan is one who does honor to the land of his birth as well as the country in which he has made his permanent home.
MICHAEL SULLIVAN.
Fire Captain Michael Sullivan was born in Castle Mahan, New Castle West, Limerick, Ireland, December 20th, 1858. He is the son of Patrick, a farmer, and Elizabeth (Herold) Sullivan. His educa- tion was received in the national schools of his native town, which he left at the age of fifteen to help his father on the farm. In 1878, hoping to better his condition, he came to America, where he set- tled first at Pine Brook, N. J., remaining there two years and a half. In 1881 he moved to Chicago, securing employment as a street car driver, and in this he continued for five years.
In June, 1886, he obtained an appointment on the Fire Depart- ment as truckman, and was sent to Truck No. 1, located at Pacific Avenue and Harrison Street. He was there two years and nine months, then being transferred to Truck No. 5, on West Twelfth Street, where he remained until 1889, when he was promoted to a lieutenancy and sent to Engine No. 25, located at Canalport Avenue and Union. At the latter he remained fourteen months, and was transferred to No. 7, on Blue Island Avenue. In January, 1893,
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he was made a captain with assignment to Engine No. 17, at 80 West Lake Street. Here he remained two years, then being sent to Engine No. 34, at Curtis and Randolph Streets, for thirteen months, and afterwards transferred to No. 44, where he still re- mains.
Captain Sullivan is a Roman Catholic and is a member of the Royal League and the Firemen's Benevolent Association. He was married, September 3d, 1890, to Margaret Morrisy, and they have had five children, of whom three are living.
His quick promotion in the fire service and the high character he bears among his superior officers for strict and ready perform- ance of all duties, speak in no uncertain terms as to Capt. Sullivan's special capabilities. By his courteous treatment of everyone he has made for himself a host of friends who know no words of praise too high for generous Michael Sullivan.
SIMON O'DONNELL.
Simon O'Donnell, the well-known live stock commission mer- chant and representative of that prominent and highly-esteemed citizen of Chicago, Samuel W. Allerton, is a native of Ireland and was born in County Waterford November 14, 1847. His father, John O'Donnell, by occupation a farmer, was born in the same county,' as was also his mother, Katharine (Mansfield) O'Donnell. They came to this country when the subject of this sketch was only two years old, and the boy received his primary education in the public schools of New York. In 1860 he came to Illinois with B. F.
الفرلك ورمينس
yours truly
1
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Harris, of Champaign, banker and cattle dealer, and finished his education in the district schools at Farmington, Illinois.
At the early age of fifteen he came to Chicago and started work in the cattle business at the old Fort Wayne yards, Chicago, when only seventeen having full charge of shipping the government cat- tle for Fawcett & Bankard, a position of responsibility, requiring not alone energy, but also good executive ability. He went to the Union Stock Yards, Chicago, in 1865 and in 1866 to Communipaw, New Jersey, to take charge of yards that were built there by a num- ber of Chicago capitalists, among whom was Samuel W. Allerton. Mr. O'Donnell worked more especially for Mr. Allerton selling cat- tle in the New York market and generally assisting in his export business until 1880. During this time, on March 4, in the year 1876, the young man went to Europe with the first beef shipped from this country by Samuel W. Allerton and D. H. Sherman, of New York. In 1881 he came back to Chicago Stock Yards, and since that time has had entire charge of Mr. Allerton's live stock business, amounting to over a million dollars a year. In the buy- ing of cattle, the shipping to Europe, in fact everything relating to live stock, Mr. O'Donnell has acquired such a thorough proficiency that he is considered an expert, and his opinion eagerly sought and correspondingly valued.
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