USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > Biographical history of the American Irish in Chicago > Part 43
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Immediately after the fire, Mr. Murphy was appointed to the position of Inspector of Boilers by Mayor Joseph Medill. During the fire, a great number of the big boilers in Chicago were de- stroyed, and consequently, there was a rush to Chicago of dealers with old and second-hand boilers. Only by the utmost care was it possible to keep such out of the city, and it speaks strongly as to Mr. Murphy's strict attention to his duties that, during the whole term of his administration as Boiler Inspector, there was not a single boiler explosion. So faithfully and satisfactorily was his work done, that he received reappointments to the position succes- sively by Mayors Colvin and Heath, making eight years of continued service.
The Great Western Steam Boiler Works at 158 Fulton Street, of which he is now sole owner, was started in 1881 by Robert Anthony and himself, under the name of Murphy & Anthony. The partner- ship continued until February, 1882, when John D. Murphy pur- chased Mr. Anthony's interest, and has since carried it on alone. On the success of the Republican ticket in 1895, Mayor Swift, rec- ognizing the merit of his former record, once more appointed him to his former position of boiler inspector.
He was married July 2, 1865, to Miss Julia Norton, daughter of Elisha Norton, of Racine. They have two children, Everett and Merritt. Mr. Murphy is a member of the Lincoln and Menoken Clubs.
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PATRICK F. KEILY.
The subject of this sketch, another bright and popular member of Chicago's large army of the legal confraternity, was born in this city March 15th, 1856. Of his parents, John and Johanna (Moore) Keily, his father came to the United States in 1845, settled for a short time in Milan, and moving thence to Elgin, where he started in the butter and cheese business at a time previous to any railroad service. Later he was clerk for the Galena Railroad, after- wards coming to Chicago, and in 1857 taking up the wood and coal business. He was also placed in charge of the Catholic cemetery.
Patrick F. Keily was educated at the Redemptionist Fathers' School, where he spent five years, and having graduated, went to the Newberry school, from which he also graduated in 1870. For a time he attended the Bryant & Stratton's Business College, then taking a private course in law under Professor Ronayne at the Northwestern University of Evanston, he was admitted to practice in 1878, but had previously taken in addition a twelve months' course in a medical college.
Having obtained a position with E. L. Haynes as editor of the "Legal Advisor," he also compiled the Haynes edition of the City and Village Laws, Haynes Township Laws, Justice Treatise (two editions), and a book on Parliamentary Law and another on the American Indian. In 1881 he started with the law firm of Moses & Newman, and remaining there six years, obtained a position in the office of Corporation Counsel Rubens, where he stayed a year and a half. Since that time he has been in successful practice by himself and also with ex-Judge Cunningham.
Mr. Keily was married at Battle Creek, Mich., in May, 1886, to
*
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Mary Lynch, who died ten months later, and three years afterwards he was married to Lillian Graham. They have one child, a boy.
A Roman Catholic in his religious views, he is a strong Repub- lican in politics. He is Grand Master of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, a member of the Fraternal Insurance Society, Royal Arcanum, the Catholic Benevolent Legion and also of the United Brotherhood. He assisted to organize and was an original member of the Second Regiment, Illinois National Guard, in which he held the commission of second lieutenant, and when that regi- ment dissolved he spent twelve months in the Chicago Zouaves.
ROBERT JOHN WALSH.
Robert John Walsh was born in County Kerry, Ireland, June 20th, 1861, his parents being John and Mary (Dillon) Walsh. The father, prominent in his district of the country as a merchant and politician, is still in the old country, while his mother, who came of a well known Kerry family, her father being a large farmer and her brothers merchants, died in 1891.
Robert John Walsh attended the national schools of Ireland until he was fifteen years of age, when he entered a dry goods store, served his apprenticeship, and came to Chicago in 1878. From his arrival in this city, good fortune accompanied him, for two days later, he obtained employment and entered as clerk the dry goods store of C. W. & E. Pardridge on State Street. His stay in that oc- eupation, however, was of short duration, for he quickly attracted the notice of the heads of the house, and when six months had 88
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passed, he was made rent collector, a year later being further pro- moted and placed in charge of all the property owned by the Pard- ridge Brothers. When the partnership of the latter was dissolved in 1890, Mr. Walsh connected himself with Mr. Ed. Pardridge, and was given entire charge and management of his large real estate holdings in Chicago (amounting to three or four millions of dollars) and retained until the death of his employer April 17th, 1896.
The charge of the estate is now in the hands of Mr. Walsh as business manager, and in addition thereto, on September 1st, 1896, he entered into partnership with Mr. Willard E. Pardridge, a son of his former employer, and a department store was opened in Detroit, Mich., which has met with considerable success.
Mr. Walsh is a valued member of the Columbus Club; in his ยท religious views he is a devout Catholic, belonging to the congrega- tion of St. Jarlath's Church, while in politics he is a Democrat.
He was united in marriage in 1885 to Maggie C. White of Chi- cago, and they have a family of five children.
JEREMIAH S. HYLAND.
In the Irish and Catholic homes all over the great West, wher- ever faith or patriotism finds a comfort in good books, there is no name better known than that of J. S. Hyland, the Chicago publisher. This successful young business man is a native of County Tipperary, Ireland, and spent the years of his boyhood in the shadow of the Galties near the southern end of the Golden Vale. His parents, Thomas and Frances (Sisk) Hyland, were both of old Tipperary
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stock, that fearless peasantry which was ever responsive to the call of Ireland. At the age of fourteen, and with only a common school education to work with, J. S. Hyland sailed for America to carve his way to fortune. He first settled in Boston, and there, in a little while, began as salesman for a publishing house. In this calling he was both plucky and successful, and he also showed that he was ambitious by going to the evening high school for four years until he became a graduate.
A young man of such metal was sure to rise. Mr. Hyland's employers gave him one important agency after another, so that his knowledge of the book interest ripened with his mental growth. In 1884 he turned his face westward, and after a short stay at Detroit opened up for himself as a publisher in the western metropolis. The imprint of J. S. Hyland & Co., has since then been placed on many noble books. Numbers of these were of a devotional character and some were biographical and historical, the latter including the valuable histories of the Columbian Catholic Congress and the Catholic Educational Exhibit at the World's Fair. The most ex- alted American prelates have praised these books both as to matter and finish, and the publishers, in regard to the last named elegant work, won the rare honor of a direct approval from His Holiness Pope Leo the Thirteenth.
Personally Mr. Hyland is the model Tipperary man of whom Davis sang:
"Tall in his form, his heart is warm; His spirits ever light and airy."
He also has the soldierly spirit of his stock. In 1890 he joined. the Hibernian Rifles, speedily rising to be their adjutant, and in '93 he was commissioned as Captain and Inspector of Rifle Practice of the Seventh Regiment Illinois National Guard, a rank which he still holds with credit and popularity.
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ITe is a member of the Columbus Club and member and officer of a number of other Catholic organizations. Bright and compan- ionable in social life and affable and progressive in business, his place among the exiles of Erin is that of a truly self-made man and one worthy of all the success he has so bravely won
JOHN C. BURKE.
John C. Burke, who for over a quarter of a century has been well known in live stock circles and associations, was born in June, 1844, in County Limerick, Ireland. His father, Francis N. Burke, a native of the same county, was a farmer and stock man, and died nearly thirty years ago, while his mother, Johanna Casey, was also born in Limerick, in 1807; she died in Chicago, December 12th, 1896, having nearly reached the ripe old age of ninety years. The family came to this country in 1849 when John was about five years old, and settled in Chicago. The milk business was first embarked in, having their own dairy, and gradually launching into the general farming and live stock business.
The boy received a primary education at the public schools and at St. Mary's of the Lake, finishing his course at the college of Notre Dame, Indiana. After leaving college, he for some time assisted his father in business at Elgin, Ills., where the dairy and farm were situated. He came to Chicago in 1872, and the firm of George Adams & Burke Company was formed, and has now existed for over twenty-four years. From the start the concern was successful, and has for many years past been one of the largest and most import-
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ant of the live stock commission houses. Mr. Burke has had con- siderable interest in horses and also in land investments, though the general live stock business has been his chief interest. He has traveled extensively in the United States, as also in Mexico and Canada, and in the summer months still takes a yearly trip with his wife.
A Roman Catholic in his religious views, Mr. Burke considers himself in politics a Democrat, but reserves the right to vote at any time for the best man and especially for a friend, if he considers such friend the right man in the right place. In the last campaign he was with Major Mckinley, feeling that his election would be for the best interests of the country.
In 1877 Mr. Burke married Margaret Brenock, daughter of John Brenock. They have nine children, six girls and three boys, all of whom are living.
He is a man of good presence, of genial yet dignified manner, and with decidedly domestic tastes, considering his home the best place on earth except when taking a trip for his own or his family's health. His brother, Morris C., is now Bishop of St. Joe, Mo., and was formerly Bishop of Cheyenne, Wyo.
REV. BERNARD P. MURRAY.
In whatever capacity, whether as priest, Irishman or worthy citizen, it is doubtful if any man in the west stands higher in the estimation of his fellow-countrymen or his fellow-citizens than does the subject of this sketch.
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Father Murray was born in Glenariffe, near Cushendall, County Antrim, Ireland, and as a mere child, in 1856, was brought to Amer- ica by his parents. He graduated at St. John's College, Fordham, N. Y., receiving from that institution the degrees of Bachelor and Master of Arts. His theological studies were later pursued at St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, Maryland, and he was ordained by Archbishop, now Cardinal, Gibbons, December 17th, 1881. For some time he served as assistant priest at Galena, Ill., and after- wards at St. Bridget's Church in Chicago, being then appointed secretary to Archbishop Feehan and Chancellor of the Archdio- cese. His performance of the necessary and very responsible du- ties devolving on him in that capacity was such as to win for him the respect and esteem of every one with whom he was brought into contact, and great was the regret of all with whom he had been constantly associated when he was appointed to his present charge, the parish of St. Bernard. This parish was established by Archbishop Feehan in July, 1887, in that part of the South Side of the city which is known as Englewood, a district which, previous to that time, had been almost exclusively non-Catholic. Father Murray had here a noble opportunity, and his firm grasp of affairs and special gifts in the required direction have been shown by his building up a strong Catholic congregation. Not merely has his parish made wonderful progress numerically, the religious ardor of its members has been evinced by a generosity which has enabled their kindly and religiously ambitious pastor to attempt a depar- ture in the church building of Chicago. The new church, the first marble church ever erected in this city, which is now rapidly near- ing its completion, is a magnificent pile of white Georgia marble, happy in its design and splendidly beautiful in the execution.
Father Murray, who has endeared himself to every man, woman and child in the large district under his control, is a man of very varied gifts. He is an eloquent preacher, and as a speaker for na-
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tional and other gatherings is in request to an extent it is not pos- sible for him to gratify. Upon all Irish subjects he is a recognized authority, and his large and well chosen library is especially rich in Irish works. It is a matter worthy of mention that the well- known Catholic historian, the late Dr. John O'Kane Murray, was his brother.
MARTIN B. MADDEN.
When the history of the administration of affairs of the City of Chicago comes to be written, the name of Martin B. Madden will find a place upon its foremost page. Born in London, England, of Irish parents, his schooling over, he demonstrated the possession of very high business abilities. Coming to Chicago from Lemont, where his family had settled, he entered while quite a young man the city council with a view of obtaining beneficial legislation for his neighbors and friends in the Fourth Ward and in the interest of good government. Immediately through his own merit and the strength of character for which he is remarkable, he became a leader in the council and the work that he has since accomplished for the benefit of his constituents is known only to those who have been and are the beneficiaries thereof.
Mr. Madden is the president of one of the greatest private busi- ness institutions in the city, the Western Stone Company, and to that position he was elevated by the votes of some of the leading citizens of Chicago-men whose names are household words, who are shareholders in the concern of which he is the trusted chief. In his private business, as publicly, Mr. Madden has been the loyal
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and generous friend of the wage workers, and what he has done has been generously recognized on a number of occasions.
Prominently mentioned in the spring of 1895 as candidate for Mayor of the city, his loyalty to friends and to the Republican party was proved by the readiness with which he withdrew his name in favor of George B. Swift, who secured the election.
JOSEPH COLL BRADEN.
Joseph C. Braden, the well known insurance agent, as well as prominent Republican and man of affairs, is a son of the celebrated Joseph Long Braden, and was born at Joliet, Will County, Illinois, January 29th, 1858. Joseph Long Braden was for some thirteen years the editor and proprietor of the "Joliet Republican," from 1856 to 1869, until his death in the latter year. The position of postmaster was also held by him, and at the time of his death his appointment as Minister to Spain had been decided upon by Presi- dent U. S. Grant. Always an active working Republican, he was one of the Abraham Lincoln electors from Illinois. The grand- father of the subject of this sketch was Walter Braden, who had married a lady named Long, and Joseph L. Braden's wife was for- merly Jane Coll. Both families located in Pennsylvania, the Bra- dens at Franklin and the Colls at Butler. Two generations back the latter had come to this country from Coll, Ireland, which, tak- ing its name from the family, is located near the west coast of Scot- land. 1
Joseph Coll Braden was educated at Joliet and at Notre Dame, 1
Jul.Braden
1
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Indiana, receiving an ordinary business course. On leaving school the boy lost no time in setting to work, first as an office boy at Joliet Rolling Mills, then as salesman in a hat and cap store, after- wards in the Joliet Rolling Mills, and later on was guard at the Illinois State prison. In 1877 Mr. Braden started an insurance agency at Joliet and built up a most successful business, which con- tinued until he was laid up with a severe sickness, and, as he says, actually expecting to die, he sold out his agency. Recovering his health a few months later, he left his birthplace and came to Chi- cago, February, 1881, entering the office of Moore & Janes, the well know insurance agents. Here his energy and business ability soon told and almost immediately he was doing and still continues a most successful business. In 1890 Mr. Braden also took the agency of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company of Milwaukee, and has accomplished as much business for that company as any other Illinois agent in the way of securing large policies.
Notwithstanding his active and important business interests, Mr. Braden has found time to occupy himself largely in public mat- ters, especially in connection with the Republican party. He was secretary of the Republican Executive Committee during the fall campaign of 1894, at which election Cook County changed from a Democratic plurality of 33,000 to a Republican plurality of 51,000, and was also secretary at the city election of 1895, at which there was an increased Republican majority. Mr. Braden was elected Drainage Trustee on the Republican ticket in the fall of 1895 by 49,000 majority, and was appointed chairman of the Engineering Committee in 1896, which is probably the most important commit- tee of the drainage board. In this responsible position his energy and wise counsels have been invaluable to the board, and he has been the means of furthering numerous measures for the advance- ment of the great project in hand.
He is a member of Masonic Apollo Lodge 642, and of Fairview
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Chapter, and is also a member of the Columbia Council, Royal League.
As may be gathered from this brief record, Mr. Braden has al- ways been a Republican in politics, and declares he has seen no reason to change his political faith.
December, 1884, Mr. Braden married Miss Agnes T. Springfield, daughter of Dr. F. M. and Agnes Munson Springfield. They have four children, Agnes Grace, Jane Louise, Francis Marian and Jo- sephine Cornelia.
Mr. Braden is six feet in height and weighs 250 pounds, and, as may be judged from his physique, is of fine constitution and com- manding presence. He is a man not only of fine mental and execu- tive ability, but of tremendous energy, which has been exemplified during his whole career, whether in business or in public affairs. With him to will a thing is usually to carry it to a successful ac- complishment. In disposition he is warm and generous in man- ner, kindly and courteous. Still in his early prime, unquestionably a yet more distinguished career is before him.
THOMAS MAHONEY,
Thomas Mahoney, another son of William Mahoney, the old-time live stock dealer, now retired, was born in Chicago November 5th, 1856. He was educated at St. John's College until fourteen years of age, when he started in to learn the trade of a blacksmith. After three years, however, he gave up the occupation and joined his father in the live stock business. Later on he engaged with Swift & Co., and bought hogs for that firm for five years, when he resigned
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to become Vice-President of the Cumberland Provision Company, which position he still holds.
In the interest of his business Mr. Mahoney has traveled consid- erably through the West. He is a Roman Catholic in religion, and politically entirely independent, not allying himself with any dis- tinctive party.
May 19th, 1880, he was married to Miss Mary Ellen McElroy of this city, and they have six children, all living.
Mr. Mahoney is thoroughly domestic in his habits and tastes; he is a lover of music, and one of the delights of his home is the play- ing of his daughter, who is quite an accomplished musician.
JAMES CONWELL.
This well known and most popular Chicago newspaper writer was born at Leighlin Bridge, County Carlow, Ireland, in 1861.
As political reporter he has represented during the past thirteen years the leading newspapers of this city, and his ready grasp of affairs, his quick and sound judgment, his keen intellect and his fa- cility to impress upon others the conclusions he has formed after careful consideration, are the qualifications which have placed him where he stands to-day. When Mayor Washburne became chief ex- ecutive of the city he immediately recognized the young newspaper man's ability by giving him the appointment of private secretary, a position in which he was able to add largely to his popularity and estimation among the City Hall and county officials. When Mayor Washburne's term of office expired Mr. Conwell was offered and ac-
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cepted the political editorship of the Chicago Evening Journal, fill- ing the position in such a manner as not merely to raise that paper in public estimation, but at the same time to reflect very consider- able credit upon himself. On the purchase of the latter paper by an Eastern syndicate, Mr. Conwell severed his connection therewith, and has since acted in a similar capacity for the Chicago Dispatch, of which he is now the Springfield representative, and is recognized as one of the brightest and most capable newspaper writers of the West.
In political affairs he has made himself a power, and his strong assistance has been given and his able advocacy offered to those principles which he believes to be the right and with which the wel- fare of the people is, in his opinion, most chiefly concerned. In choosing Mr. Conwell as assistant secretary of the Senate, a well deserved compliment was paid to the newspaper man, the worthy politician and the honorable and straightforward gentleman.
Strong in his denunciation of wrong, gifted with great power of pen, a natural and national flow of wit, ever a true friend, a charming conversationalist and a thoroughly good hearted and kindly representative, James Conwell is taking, and is assured of a high place among those of his race in the great Western world.
Mr. Conwell is married, has one child, and for some years past has resided in Berwyn, one of Chicago's many suburbs.
In 1866 he was one of the corps of correspondents who accom- panied William O'Brien, the famous member of Parliament, in his tour through Canada in denunciation of the Marquis of Lansdowne, then Governor General, for his treatment of his tenantry on his Tipperary estates. He represented the Chicago Morning News in that memorable crusade, and was indeed the only Chicago newspa- per man in the goodly company of scribes who accompanied the Irish representative.
Mr. Conwell takes particular pride in the fact that it was he who
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in 1886 unearthed the society known as the United Order of Depu- ties at that time, and now known by the familiar title of the A. P. A. It was the first time the existence of the organization was known, but he made a complete expose of it, publishing in the Morn- ing News not only the signs, passwords, oath, etc., of the order, but actually obtaining access to a meeting and giving the particulars of plans framed by it for the defeat of certain candidates in a pend- ing election in Cook County. The matter created a profound sensa- tion all over the country at the time.
WILLIAM J. HYNES.
The subject of this sketch, who was born March 31st, 1843, in Kilkee, County Clare, Ireland, is well to the fore among Chicago's most prominent lawyers. His father, Thomas Hynes, was a well known architect and builder, and after his death the widow with her family emigrated to the United States and settled at Spring- field, Massachusetts.
Having his mother to support, W. J. Hynes at once entered the office of the Springfield Republican, where he learned to set type and at the same time attended the evening school of that city. His mother died in 1864 and soon afterwards he became interested in the Irish National movement and was subsequently appointed Fenian organizer for New England.
He began to study law in 1866 and entered into partnership with General John O'Neill in Nashville, Tennessee. Later he went to Washington, D. C., and to Georgetown, where he completed his legal studies in the Columbia Law University and was admitted to
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