USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > Biographical history of the American Irish in Chicago > Part 33
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Independent in his politics, Mr. Carmody has always taken the
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greatest interest in all public affairs. He is a member of St. Agatha's Catholic Church, and also belongs to a number of civic organizations, among which may be mentioned the Knights of St. Patrick, of which he has been Priest five years; the Royal Arca- num; the Royal League, and the Knights of Pythias.
EDWARD F. CULLERTON.
Edward F. Cullerton, one of Chicago's representative citizens as well as successful business men, is a native of this city, where he was born October 11th, 1842, about six miles from the present City Hall. His parents, Edward and Catharine Cullerton, came to Chicago from Ireland in 1835, and were residents of the city of their adop- tion until at a ripe old age they were removed by death.
The subject of this brief sketch was educated in the public schools of Chicago, and commenced active work when quite young. His first employment was in the manufacture of bricks, after which he was for several years teamster in the packing houses. He next worked on the Illinois and Michigan Canal as driver, station agent, captain and boat owner, and for many years was the agent of the Walker & Brunson Towing Company at Bridgeport.
Mr. Cullerton was elected to the City Council from the Sixth Ward in the year 1871, and continuously represented that district in the council until 1892. During this period he was elected and served as a member of the House in the Twenty-eighth General As- sembly. While in the City Council he served on the Finance Com- mittee, was for seven years its Chairman, and was the acknowl- edged leader of that body.
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Mr. Cullerton was married in 1893 to Winnifred Dyer. They have no children.
While Mr. Cullerton has given much of his time to the service of his native City and State, he has also been active in business life. He can boast of hosts of friends, and holds a place among our most useful and most highly reputed and popular citizens.
MARTIN A. DELANY.
Martin A. DeLany was born of Irish parentage, October 4th, 1844, in Newport Township, Lake County, Ills. His father, John DeLany, came while yet a young man to Chicago in the year 1840. He then went to Lake County, Ills., and having selected a tract of wild land, purchased it from the United States government as soon as it came into the market. Here he settled and shortly afterwards married, his wife's maiden name being Maher; together they undertook the privations and hardships of a pioneer life, seldom seeing anything of the outside world except when Chicago-forty miles distant and at that time by no means the Chicago of to-day-was visited to buy the necessary family supplies. A large family of children-of whom Martin A. was the second eldest-was here raised, and each of the boys as he grew up, had to take part in the task of clearing and developing the land. The settlement was then too new to pos- sess either township or county organization, and Mr. DeLany took an active part in all the preliminary movements which resulted in the creation of Lake County and its township and school district organization. In his house, too, was held the first meeting of set-
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tlers for the purpose of building a school house, a work which was accomplished by the voluntary contribution of small sums and the joint labor of the people. The building was located on Mr. De- Lany's farm, some eight miles northwest of the present site of Wau- kegan, which was at that time a mere steamboat landing known as Little Fort. In that school house the subject of this sketch ob- tained what education he could in the common branches, and at the age of eighteen commenced a course of special study at an acad- emy in Waukegan, after which he commenced the study of law in that city while employed as a teacher in the schools adjacent thereto. After two years' reading of this description, he, in 1866, entered the law department of Michigan University, and there pur- sued the full course of study, graduating in 1868. In the spring of 1868 Mr. DeLany was admitted to the bar at Chicago; he then en- gaged in the practice of his profession in Elgin and St. Charles. His success, however, was small, for the opportunities were naturally of a very limited character; in the fall of 1868 he returned to Chi- cago and opened an office on Dearborn Street. His means being exhausted, he was forced once more-during the winter of 1868 and 1869-to resort to teaching, this time at Libertyville, in LakeCounty.
The May following, he returned to Chicago, once more starting in business and with full determination to succeed. In the great fire of October, 1871, he suffered the loss of all his personal effects; but immediately after the fire, business was re-commenced, and has continued successfully ever since. His practice is chiefly in probate, commercial and real estate law and the law of contracts. He is a member of the Chicago Bar Association.
Mr. DeLany was elected in 1876 to the Illinois State Senate from the Sixth Senatorial District, North Chicago, and in that body served through the sessions of the Thirtieth and Thirty-first. General Assemblies. As an active Democrat, in the memorable struggle which resulted in the election of Hon. David Davis to the United
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States Senate, he took a leading part, as also in the passage of the laws establishing the Appellate Courts in Illinois, and was the author of the act creating the Probate Court.
In 1879 Mr. DeLany was appointed a member of the Chicago Board of Education, and after one year's service was elected its President, and at the expiration of his term of office, was unani- mously re-elected to the same honorable position. As a member of that board, he was a chief advocate in all measures tending to the welfare of the public schools of Chicago, and was a leading spirit in the movement which resulted in 1880 in the election of Mr. George Howland as Superintendent of Schools.
Mr. DeLany is a Roman Catholic, and was married in December, 1870, to Miss Kate Wetzel, daughter of Nicholas Wetzel of Wauke- gan, by whom he has three daughters, Emma, Mary and Eleanor, and two sons-Clarence and Russell. The oldest daughter-Emma -is a graduate of Vassar College, New York, where the other two are now students.
JOHN CAMPION.
John Campion, Second Assistant Chief of the Chicago Fire De- partment, was born in County Kilkenny, Ireland, February, 1848. His father, Michael Campion, left Ireland for the United States in 1848, settling first at Troy, N. Y., and later at Wappingers Falls, dying at the latter in 1851; while his mother, Julia (Persell) Cam- pion, was also born in Kilkenny, Ireland, and died in Chicago in 1881.
The subject of this sketch attended St. Mary's school on Lake Street and the Jones public school on Clark Street until he
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was twelve years of age, when, in order to assist his mother in the support of the family, he left school and secured work at the old King tannery on Sherman Street, at the same time attending night school. His first duty was to watch the bark piles and later he was engaged in piling bark. Having continued at this business for one summer, he secured a position with Washburn & Walker, large manufacturers of cots and beds during the war time. He next found occupation with the Chicago Times, with which he remained three years, filling various positions, commencing with that of the historical "devil." During this time, with two others, he was se- verely hurt in an accident; the roof of the Times building, owing to the weight of snow, fell through three stories. Later, and during the time the Times was suppressed, he was in the employ of Joseph Duffy, who had a news stand in the Tremont House. He recalls as an interesting fact that the day the Times was closed by the Federal authorities, people were offering $1.00 for a copy of the paper.
Soon after this he secured work at the stock yards, shipping cattle there until November 11th, 1869, when he secured an appoint- ment in the Fire Department. In 1866, while engaged in shipping East, he and a companion left some cattle they had on the road and returned to Buffalo to take part in the contemplated Fenian inva- sion of Canada.
April 1st, 1870, he became a regular member of the Chicago Fire Department and was assigned to the steamer Little Giant as pipe- man. Of this company, at the time of the big fire, he was head pipe- man, while Assistant Chief Musham was foreman, and to them be- longs the credit of obtaining the first water. In 1873 he was made captain and was given charge of the company that protected the Exposition of that year on the Lake Front, being at that time the youngest man of his rank in the department. Later he was trans- ferred to Engine No. 2, given position of captain of No. 6-Little Giant-and thence transferred to No. 17, No. 1, and in 1881 becom-
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ing chief of the Seventh Battalion, with headquarters on Twelfth Street. Here he served seven years, then being transferred to Battalion No. 5, with headquarters at Washington and Clinton Streets. In 1893 he was made third assistant Chief, and the fol- lowing year second assistant Chief, and third in command of the Chicago Fire Department, a position of very grave responsibility, the duties of which he has performed to the absolute satisfaction of the Fire Department as well as the general public.
COL. FRANCIS T. COLBY.
No happier example of the term American Irish could be dis- covered than the subject of the present sketch, Francis T. Colby. Though born in Chicago, the descendant on his father's side of one of the old New England families, it is from his mother, Mary Whelan as she was, that he has inherited that love of country which has made the name of Irishman synonymous with that of patriotism. Mary Whelan was the third child of Edward and Elizabeth Whelan, and was born near Tullow, in County Carlow. Edward Whelan was a prosperous tenant farmer in Ireland, but becoming involved in the uprising of '48, he was compelled to flee with his family to America. Thereupon he settled in Chicago, dying there in 1880 at the age of eighty-three years. Proudly he used to boast that there was not a generation of his family which had not "done something for the old land," instancing his uncle, James Whelan, who was transported for "treason," and his grand- father, Edward Whelan, who gave up his life for participation in the Rebellion of '98. Heart and soul Colonel Colby is devoted to the mother land, and did Ireland possess many such ardent workers
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as himself, her freedom in the near future from English rule and mismanagement would be assured.
The Colbys are among the oldest and leading of New England families, tracing back their settlement at Salem, Massachusetts, to 1630, when Anthony Colby, who was born at Beccles, England, in 1590, adventured the perils of the Atlantic and found a home in the British colonies in America. Anthony and Susanna Colby, his wife, appear among the companions of Edward Winthrop when returning from a visit to England in the interest of the Plymouth settlements. Their son, Isaac, married a Miss Rowley, to whom was born another Isaac in 1680, who took to himself in marriage a Miss Fowler. Another Isaac resulted in 1709. He lived at An- dover and Haverhill, and his son, William Davis Colby, born in 1742, took part in the French and Indian War of 1762, afterwards marrying Elizabeth Straw. Living in Hopkinton, New Hamp- shire, they reared a son Isaac, who was born in 1780, and twenty- three years later married Miss Eunice Fagg. They lived at Boston and Amherst, Isaac Colby dying there in 1840. William Colby, their son, was born at Boston in 1804 and died at Detroit, Michigan, in 1875. He had married in 1825 Miss Sarah Clogston, and they went to live at Amherst, Massachusetts. Here they had six chil- dren born, among whom was Andrew J. Colby, the father of the subject of this sketch.
. Francis T. Colby was born in this city, September 27th, 1860. He attended the Brown, Hayes and old Central High School, from which he graduated in June, 1876, entering the Chicago University the same year. He graduated, taking his degree with honor in 1880. While pursuing his university career he was also studying law under the able tutorship of Judge James Goggin, and soon after his graduation he was admitted to the bar, on his twenty-first birthday.
In his chosen profession Colonel Colby has achieved eminent
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success, and in such departments of the law as deal with the exam- ination of real estate titles and in general probate matters he has gained a reputation second to none in the West. Among the legal societies his activity has brought him well to the fore, and for sev- eral years past he has been numbered in the foremost members of the Chicago Bar Association, the Chicago Law Institute and the American Bar Association.
His heavy duties professionally and in connection with his military matters have left him but little time to devote to political affairs, but he is known throughout the city as a Democrat of thor- oughly fixed opinions. Though several times requested, he has always refused to be a candidate for public office of any descrip- tion, but he was in 1888 nominated by the workingmen's party for State's Attorney. Though he declined even this nomination in writing, his name was retained on the ticket, and he received the compliment of more than 12,000 votes.
His connection with military matters is one to be well proud of. From his early youth he has taken a peculiar interest in army affairs, and the short sketch of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Na- tional Guard which follows testifies to the good work he has done.
Colonel Colby's abilities as a lawyer have gained him big re- turn, both in reputation and financially. He has been able to invest considerably in real estate, which his legal knowledge and ready grasp of the moment have enabled him to select with most excellent judgment. His relaxations have not been many, but he has found time for extensive travel and is at home not only in America but also in Great Britain, his loved Ireland-he visited his mother's birth-place in 1890-and the leading European centers of art, science, literature and general culture.
He is essentially a home man, his wife and family are always to him in the first place. Though an active member of the Columbus Club, that phase of existence known as club life holds small attrac-
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tions for the brilliant lawyer, the born soldier, but first and before everything else, the devoted husband and the fond father.
His wife, Rose L. Sullivan, is a native of Chicago, of Irish birth, as her name conclusively shows. She is a daughter of Patrick and Elizabeth (McKenna) Sullivan. They have had six children, Fran- cis Everett, Francesca Beatrice, Rosita Marie, Evelyn Florence Ce- celia, Genevieve Lucile and Imogene Helen; of these the eldest, Francis Everett and Rosita Marie, are dead.
Colonel Colby has since he completed his educational course been prominently connected with various fraternal and benevolent societies. He was one of the early members of the Catholic Order of Foresters, organized the Uniform Rank of that body, and was elected its first Supreme Commander in 1892. He was president of the United Irish Societies in 1890. In 1891 he became First State President of the Catholic Benevolent Legion, and he also holds high offices in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Independent Order of For- esters, the Catholic Benevolent Legion, the Royal League and the Royal Arcanum.
SEVENTH INFANTRY, ILLINOIS NATIONAL GUARD.
The Hibernian Rifles was probably the result of that quality in the Irish race, which has linked its name with all of the important battles of modern times, coupled with the hope which "springs eternal" in the Irish breast, that the time may come when they can strike a blow for the Old Land. The old Second Regiment, Illi- nois National Guard, composed largely of veterans of the rebellion of 1861-1865, was but the expression of those sentiments which in that war produced Col. Mulligan's regiment from Chicago. Each generation has given evidence of the valor and patriotism of the Irish people, by the formation of regiments of soldiers, ready to
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respond to the call of their native or adopted country. The Hi- bernian Rifles was formed in 1876 and at first consisted of a single company composed of members belonging to the Ancient Order of Hibernians. The number of companies subsequently increased to four and a battalion was formed. The organization was incorpor- ated October 31st, 1881, the incorporators being James F. Lusk, Thomas P. Shanahan and John R. Cook, while Joseph Ruberry, John Kinsella, John Mulcahey and Moses G. Flood composed the Board of Directors. The progress of the battalion was gratifying and supported by a united organization of great strength, it was soon equipped. Subsequently differences having arisen in the An- cient Order of Hibernians, which resulted in a division of that or- ganization, the position of the Hibernian Rifles became correspond- ingly weakened, for it had members from both sides in its ranks. The wise action of its officers, however, kept it from drifting upon the rocks which have shattered so many Irish organizations, and it continued to thrive. Among its commanding officers during those years were Majors Flood, Kinsella, Brophy, Lusk and Ford. In 1889 Thomas L. Hartigan, a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and former Adjutant of the Second Regi- ment, I. N. G., by the unanimous request of the officers of the Rifles took command of the organization and soon enlarged it to a regi- ment, becoming its first Colonel. Col. Colby, who while the or- ganization was a battalion had been appointed by Col. Hartigan Inspector of Rifle Practice, with the rank of Captain, was now elected Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment. It had long been the desire of the regiment to become a recognized part of the State troops, and accordingly Messrs. Hartigan and Colby were directed to make application to have the regiment mustered into the Na- tional Guard. Joseph W. Fifer, who was then Governor of the State, declared that he would like to muster in the regiment, but that the law restricted the membership of the National Guard, so
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that he could not do so unless an amendatory law should be passed. Such an act was immediately drafted and introduced into the Sen- ate and House of Representatives and subsequently passed and be- came a law. Governor Fifer then refused to carry out his agree- ment to muster in the regiment, and the result was very depressing on the organization and seemed to threaten its existence. To add to the complications Colonel Hartigan's professional engagements compelled him to resign the Colonelcy of the regiment. Major James H. Lynch was elected to fill the remaining two months of his term, Colonel Colby being unwilling at that time to assume the re- sponsibility of the position, as he was taking an active part in the gubernatorial campaign which was then in progress, Governor Fifer being a candidate for re-election, and being opposed by John P. Altgeld.
The annual election of the regiment resulted in the choice of Mr. Colby for Colonel, and he at once proceeded to Springfield and made formal application to Governor Altgeld (who had in the mean- time been chosen Governor of the State) to have the regiment mus- tered into the National Guard. After a thorough review of all the circumstances surrounding the matter the Governor decided that the honor of the executive office of the State was involved in the matter and that it was his duty to carry out the promise made by Governor Fifer, and which the latter had refused to fulfill. Ac- cordingly, on the 22nd day of February, 1893, an order was issued directing the Adjutant General of the State to proceed to Chicago to muster in the Hibernian Rifles as the Seventh Infantry, Illinois National Guards. The long series of disappointments which the regiment had undergone had reduced the eight companies so that they did not at that time include more than 126 men and officers. Colonel Colby immediately set at work upon the task of building up the regiment to the number which the law required in order to be mustered in as a regiment, viz: 425 men and officers. This was
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accomplished by the most persistent effort, and the regiment was mustered in upon the 21st day of June, 1893. Colonel Colby was unanimously elected Colonel of the new regiment, and his first of- ficial act was to appoint Captain Thomas L. Hartigan adjutant of the regiment. An armory was procured at 23 Lake Street, Chicago, the rent of which was paid by the State; rifles, uniforms and other equipments were also procured from the same source. The Rev- erend Edward A. Kelly was appointed Chaplain, Major Michael E. McGrath, surgeon; Captain Jeremiah S. Hyland, inspector of rifle practice. A school for officers was established, which held sessions every Monday night, each company drilled every week and bat- talion drills were held monthly. The following were the company commanders in 1893:
Captains John Hayden, Michael Punch, Michael D. Sullivan, Jeremiah O'Hearn, Daniel Moriarity, Charles Murray, Patrick M. Boggan, William J. Carroll and Patrick L. McArdle. Marcus Kav- anagh was elected lieutenant colonel December 30th, 1893. On June 17th, 1894, the regiment was ordered out upon its first tour of duty. The telegraph order was received at 11:20 P. M., and, al- though the regiment was scattered from South Chicago to Lake View and from the lake to Austin, the arrangements for its mobili- zation were so perfect and so well carried out that the entire force left Chicago on a special train at 5:50 A. M., June 18th. The com- mand arrived at its destination, Mount Olive, Macoupin County, at 2:30 P. M. on that day, and immediately entered upon the perform- ance of the duties assigned. Peace was at once restored, and the civil authorities enabled to perform their duties. On June 20th, having received the thanks of the Governor for its "prompt re- sponse, efficient service and soldierly bearing," the regiment re- turned to Chicago. M. Frank Gallagher was appointed quarter- master of the regiment on June 30th, 1894, and held that position until his death, February 29th, 1896, when Michael H. Hoey was
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appointed to succeed him. The next duties which the regiment was .called upon to perform were in connection with the riots in Chicago and vicinity in July, 1894. The regiment responded promptly to the order for its assembly on July 6th, 1894, and remained on duty until July 27th, 1894, when it was relieved. During a great portion of this time a battalion of the regiment was the only force protecting the central portion of the city, the other battalion and the remain- ing regiments and police force being distributed upon the outskirts of the city.
At different times during the tour of duty, portions of the com- mand were stationed at Riverdale, Harvey, West Pullman, Blue Island, Hawthorne and the Burlington and Quincy Railroad Yards at Sixteenth Street and Western Avenue. At the time of this tour Captain Daniel T. McGraw had succeeded Captain Hayden; Mar- tin Duhig, Captain O'Hearn; Jeremiah J. Sisk, Captain Murray; and John F. Ryan, Captain Boggan.
The regiment had now increased so that it became necessary to procure larger quarters and the Illinois Central offices at Lake Street and Michigan Avenue, were secured and fitted up. Four new companies were added to the regiment, commanded by Captains Michael E. Cassidy, Charles V. McAdam, John M. Clasby and Philip J. Barry. The Regimental Band, under the leadership of Principal Musician John F. Forrest, and a drum and bugle corps, were also organized. Colonel Colby, with the assistance of Quartermaster Gallagher, collected $5,500 and purchased dress uniforms for the command in June, 1895. In July, 1895, the regiment had its first encampment for practice drill at Springfield, Illinois, and acquitted itself to the satisfaction of Governor Altgeld and Adjutant-General Orendorff. January 7, 1896, Captain Hartigan resigned the adju- tancy of the regiment and Orlando W. Keatley was appointed to suc- ceed him. On March 4, 1896, Dr. Thomas J. Sullivan was appointed major and surgeon in place of Major McGrath, who resigned upon
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his removal to Colorado. On March 24, 1896, Colonel Colby re- signed the colonelcy of the regiment, and by special order issued by Governor Altgeld was placed upon the veteran roll of the Illinois National Guard, with the rank of Colonel. Lieutenant-Colonel Mar- cus Kavanagh was elected to succeed him. At the time of Colonel Colby's resignation the regiment included twelve companies, band, drum and bugle corps and a hospital corps, and numbered 726 men and officers. On January 23rd Governor John R. Tanner conferred upon Colonel Colby the Illinois National Guard Veteran Decoration for his services to the Guard. In May, 1897, the regiment removed to its present spacious armory on the corner of Wabash avenue and Hubbard Court, and under the able leadership of Colonel Kava- nagh is in a flourishing condition.
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