USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > Biographical history of the American Irish in Chicago > Part 47
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When Alderman Bailey was in the city council he originated and secured the passage of several of the most important ordi- nances within the code of laws and ordinances of the City of Chi- cago. These comprehend the ordinance for the extension of the fire limits and which made them co-existent with the limits of the city, and this was afterwards followed by the passage of the ordinance termed the building law, a measure agitated for some two years, and which at the time aroused considerable opposition, but finally passed. In the creation and passage of this ordinance Alderman Bailey was materially assisted by the Hon. Murray F. Tuley, cor- poration counsel at the time; the Hon. Egbert Jamieson, city at- torney, and the late Alderman John M. Van Osdell, the well known architect. On retirement from the city council Alderman Bailey was made the first superintendent of buildings for Chicago, a posi- tion which he held until he resigned at the time of the election of Mayor Heath. The dog license law, admitted to be a measure of
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great safety to citizens and a source of large revenue to the city, was also originated and passed through the efforts of Alderman Bailey.
During all his residence in Chicago Mr. Bailey has taken an active and earnest interest in public affairs, and in matters political his judgment has been eagerly sought for and valued. He was very active in the Tilden campaign of 1872, is a charter member of the Cook County Democracy, and was a member of the State Cen- tral Committee up to 1878. He was appointed by President Cleve- land, in 1885, Superintendent of Construction of the Government buildings at Chicago, including the Custom House and Postoffice buildings, Appraisers' and Barge offices and the Marine Hospital, a responsible position which he so honorably discharged that he was promptly reappointed by President Cleveland in 1893.
In 1858 Mr. Bailey married Miss Ellen Dignan, of Keokuk, Iowa. They have had ten children in all, five sons and five daugh- ters. Seven of these survive, namely: Harry L. and George J. Bailey, Mary E. Bailey (married to Mr. Thomas E. Moran), Cathar- ine (married to Mr. John Kelly, of Kelly Brothers), Tillie, Ellen and Margaret. Mr. Bailey is, and always has been, extremely popular in social as well as civic life. In addition to his political connec. tions, he is an old member of the Emmet Guards, was a member of the Irish-American Club, is a charter member of the Catholic Order of Foresters, a member of the Royal League, the Royal Arcanum and the Columbus Club.
Inreligion he is a Catholic and a prominent member of the Parish of the Holy Family, with which he has been identified since its organization years ago. Something of an idea of his popularity in the section of the city of which he has been a life-long resident and of his social estimation as a Catholic Irishman of Chicago may be gathered from the fact that some years ago when a friendly con- test for a gold-mounted walking cane was held in aid of the build-
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ing fund of the Church of the Sacred Heart-a branch church of Holy Family parish-M. B. Bailey triumphantly carried off the pretty trophy and the extraordinary sum of fifteen thousand dol- lars was netted for the church through the event.
Mr. Bailey is now in the prime of life, and is certainly one of the best posted men politically in the city, as he is one of the most popular citizens of our general community.
WILLIAM DILLON.
This able lawyer, prominent newspaper man and well known Chicago American Irishman was born in Brooklyn, New York, July 10th, 1850. His parents were John B. and Adelaide Dillon, of whom the first named was in 1848 one of the leaders of the Young Ireland party, "who ran the outlaw's brief career and bore his load of ill." In consequence he was exiled and from 1848 to 1856 lived in New York City. A member of both the Irish and the American bars, at the time of his death he was Member of Parliament for County Tipperary. The Dillons have always been good fighting stock and Cremona and Fontenoy as well as numerous instances in Ireland attest in the strongest terms to their courage and their. patriotism.
The subject of this sketch received a very thorough education in Ireland, his studies being completed at the Catholic University, Dublin. He was called to the Irish bar in 1874 and practiced in the last mentioned city until 1880, when ill health forced him to relin- quish. Coming to the United States in January, 1880, he went to Colorado the following summer and lived there until 1893, a por- tion of the time on a cattle ranch and the balance in the practice of
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his profession. In June, 1893, he decided to make Chicago his per- manent home and in March of the year following he became editor of the "New World." This Catholic weekly paper, which has a large circulation and is the official Catholic organ of the archdiocese, owes its present position, in a great part, to the vigorous work and pre-eminent and generally recognized abilities of Mr. Dillon.
He was married in. May, 1885, in Colorado, to Elizabeth Rat- cliff, a native of that State, and they have three children living.
Mr. Dillon is in his religious views an active and ever zealous Roman Catholic, and in his politics belongs to the free silver sec- tion of the Democratic party. He is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters, the Royal League and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
The author of several works, some of which are now standard, he possesses a fund of information upon an immense variety of subjects, and being an extensive traveler over Europe and in this country, is in every way fitted to be what he is, a most delightful companion. A thorough Irish patriot, a straight-forward and most worthy citizen, a good speaker and an able lawyer, Mr. Dillon is at once an honor to the land of his birth as well as to the country in which he has made his home.
JOHN J. SWENIE.
Among the brightest and most promising lawyers in this city, the subject of our present sketch takes a foremost place. Though born in Chicago, on the North Side, July 26th, 1861, he bears all of the personal characteristics of the best type of Irishman, a fine
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physique, unlimited humor and a never failing wit. His father, John Swenie, was like many more of the Green Isle's most devoted adherents, born in Scotland. He is still in the employ of the Fire Department, where he holds the position of foreman of the wood department. His mother's maiden name was Bridget King. Both John Swenie's parents were full-blooded Irish. His father bore the same name as himself, and his mother was Ellen MacLeish.
John J. Swenie received his earlier education in Chicago public schools, and does eminent credit to the teaching given. He began the battle of life early, his first employment being in an upholstery store, in which he remained for eighteen months. He then en- tered the retail department of Field, Leiter & Co., and served three years, until the American District Telegraph Co. began its Chicago operations. He entered its employ in the capacity of a messenger, later rising to the position of office manager and operator. Hav- ing managed to teach himself telegraphy and shorthand, he re- mained with the firm six years. Then for seven years he held the responsible position of private secretary to Professor J. P. Barrett, the city electrician, but being a man of energy and indomitable per- severance, in 1888 he also took up the study of law, and entered the Chicago Evening Law College, which is part of Lake Forest Uni- versity. Here he took the post-graduate course, and graduated with high honors in June, 1890, and, receiving the degree of LL. B., was appointed assistant city prosecutor during the administration of Carter H. Harrison. He made so good a record that Mayor Hop- kins confirmed him in the position. He had conduct of many im- portant cases, and was particularly successful in the prosecution of a number of offenders against the law prohibiting restaurant keep- ers and others from selling liquor without a license.
Upon retiring from that office, Mr. Swenie started in business for himself in the United States Express Building, 87-89 Washing- ton Street, and, as counsel for the Retail Liquor Dealers, carried
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the four-mile limit case to the Supreme Court, the charter of the Northwestern University prohibiting the sale of liquor within that radius. The fight was a bitter one, every inch of the road being closely contested, and though Mr. Swenie was much complimented upon his handling of the case, he was forced to put up with a defeat. In 1894, among other important cases, he appeared for the de- fendant in the famous Graham murder case. The charge was mur- der in the first degree, and Graham was promised a life sentence if he would plead guilty. Mr. Swenie was opposed to any compro- mise, and, as a result, managed to get his client off with fifteen years. His contention was, that no deliberate murder had been proved, and that what had occurred was done accidentally, in the heat of passion. In 1895 Mr. Swenie was elected attorney of the Chicago Liquor Dealers' Protective Association, a position which had been held for a number of years by the late Mr. John M. Mc- Keough.
In politics Mr. Swenie is a Democrat, and a political career has always possessed for him a peculiar charm. He has very fre- quently been urged to enter the arena, and was nominated to the legislature in 1894, but the landslide numbered him among the many other victims.
John J. Swenie was married June 6th, 1887, to Nellie M., daugh- ter of John and Alice Coyle, both of whom are Irish. They have no children. He is a man of essentially sociable character, fond of hunting and fishing, an omnivorous reader, and possesses a vast fund of information upon all subjects. He is a speaker of much ability, fluent and fervid, and in social attainments is gifted far above the ordinary. Few men throughout Chicago are better known. He is an active member of the Columbus Club, Americus Club, the Lake Street Social Club, the Royal League and Knights of Pythias.
While unquestionably the success he has won is due to his own
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energetic faculties and sterling worth, he attributes it in part, will- ingly and gratefully, to the efforts made by his many influential friends, who were convinced of his high intellectual faculties. He had shown himself possessed of the necessary grit, and they have afforded him the opportunity to utilize.
WILLIAM J. BULGER.
Judge William J. Bulger, who though a comparatively recent acquisition to the legal fraternity of Chicago, has gained for him- self a position of honor and prominence in that profession, is a na- tive of Lockport, New York, where he was born January 27th, 1858. Ilis father, Patrick Bulger, was a native of County Kilkenny, Ire- land, and when quite a child came to New York State with his parents. The family first settled at Syracuse, but shortly after- wards removed to Lockport, where Patrick was brought up and followed the trade of a blacksmith until his death in the early seventies. His wife, mother of William J., was Antoinette Mur- phy, a native of Wexford, Ireland; she died in 1880.
The subject of this sketch was educated in the public schools of Lockport and after graduating from the high schools of that city with the highest honors ever attained by any student of that institution up to that time, studied law under the Hon. Richard Crowley, then member of Congress for that district. Later on he became a partner of his distinguished tutor, forming the law firm of Crowley & Bulger, which partnership in 1880 was dissolved and the firm of Bulger & Driess was formed and continued in general law practice until the fall of 1882, when Mr. Driess was elected
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member of the New York Legislature and Mr. Bulger was chosen Surrogate of Niagara County, New York State. This position he filled most acceptably for five years, when he resigned and came to Chicago (1888), and since that time has carried on a general law practice in this city, being now a member of the firm of Bulger & Perry.
Among the most important cases with which Mr. Bulger has been connected may be mentioned the famous Stiles divorce suit, and the case of the Holly Mfg. Co. and City of Chicago, and it should also be mentioned that for two years he was connected with the law department of the city. Judge Bulger is a member of the Sheridan and Iroquois Clubs, Roman Catholic in religion, and a Democrat in his political affiliations.
Mr. Bulger was married August 17th, 1887, to Miss Alice Shea of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They have three children, two boys and a girl.
Thoroughly home loving and domestic in his tastes, and with little liking for club life, Judge Bulger has never aspired to political office. He is a man of forcible and energetic character, though at the same time of amiable and courteous disposition and manners.
PETER J. HENNESSY.
The gentleman whose name heads this sketch has for years been a leading figure in Irish-American circles, and it is not too much to say that he has always enjoyed a large degree of popularity in Chi- cago life generally. He was born in the town of Grange, in Kil- kenny County, Ireland, in June, 1846. In 1857 his parents came
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to the United States, and settled at Albany, N. Y., where he lived until he was eighteen years of age, and attended parochial school. In 1864 he removed to Chicago, and there pursued a course of study in Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College, after which he took a position as a clerk in the wholesale millinery and notions estab- lishment of Messrs. Walsh & Hutchinson, where he remained until they closed out their business in 1878. He next organized the Chi- cago Distilling Company, which was incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois, in February, 1879, with himself as treas- urer; with which corporation he is yet connected. In 1887 Col. Hennessy was one of the original promoters and organizers of the . great Distilling and Cattle-Feeding Company, of which he was a director and secretary, which positions he held till May 1st, 1895. In June, 1891, the Distilling and Cattle-Feeding Company bought the entire distilling interest of Henry H. Shufeldt & Co., and Mr. Hennessy was then made manager of the entire business. The Distilling and Cattle-Feeding Company had a capital stock of $35,- 000,000, and controlled eighty-three different distilleries in this country. Holding such an important position in a company repre- senting such vast interests, speaks louder than any words of praise can of Mr. Hennessy's executive and business ability. Ilis busi- ness methods have always been in keeping with the highest prin- ciples of honorable and fair dealing, and with conscientious regard for the rights of others. He has a clear and comprehensive mind; is quick to see where an advantageous move may be made, and is able, not only to perceive great projects, but also to execute his well-directed plans. While yet in the very prime of vigorous man- hood, he has attained to a place as a successful business manager which might satisfy any man's ambition, and which comparatively few reach in a lifetime.
Although Mr. Hennessy has been closely identified with large business enterprises for many years, his time and attention have
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not been wholly given to them. 'He has rare social qualities, de- lights in good-fellowship, and lacks in none of those personal traits that characterize the warm-hearted, genial and high-minded gen- tleman. He is a member of the Sheridan Club; he was seven years a member of the Second Regiment of the Illinois National Guards, and at the time of his resignation, in 1882, he was lieutenant-col- onel in that organization. In religious faith he is a Catholic, and is a member of the Cathedral of the Holy Name. In politics he has always been identified with the Democratic party. His mind is well stored with practical information, gained from extensive travel.
In stature Mr. Hennessy is of medium height; he has a well- developed physique, a vigorous constitution and a dignified bear- ing, which, with his uniform affability and courtly manners, at- tracts to him a wide circle of friends.
On July 12th, 1883, he married Miss Hannah M. McCarthy, a daughter of the late Mr. Owen McCarthy, one of Chicago's most re- spected and oldest citizens. Two children-Adele, twelve years old, and Edwin, aged five years-blessed this union. A reference to the home circle of Col. Hennessy would be incomplete without at least briefly touching upon the rare musical accomplishments of his charming wife. As Miss Hannah McCarthy, she was known not only in Chicago, but in the musical world of the eastern cities as one of the leading soprano singers of the country. An admira- ble cultivation bestowed upon a voice signally noble in both mu- sical quality and capacity, resulted in placing her in the very front rank of American singers, and in concert and oratorio, in the latter difficult field especially, she achieved an enviable place as an ex- ceptionally gifted lyric artist. Notwithstanding the flattering of- fers to adopt concert work as a life career, and opportunities ten- dered her to appear as the soprano soloist in the great musical festivals, especially under the auspices of the Boston societies, Miss
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Hannah McCarthy preferred the less arduous sphere of church and concert work in Chicago, among her relatives and friends, and ulti- mately the tranquil happiness of home life, a fact upon which Col. Hennessy is undoubtedly to be congratulated.
BERNARD B. MAGINN.
This well-known Chicago engineer, senior member of the Ma- ginn & Bradley Company, was born in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., in 1853. His parents, Peter and Katherine (Doyle) Maginn, were both of Irish birth. His father was a native of Armagh, and his mother was born in County Clare. Peter Maginn came to the United States about 1840, and was married a few years later.
The subject of this sketch attended the public and high schools of northern New York, and graduated from the latter in 1870. Having thoroughly learned the machinist's trade, he became su- perintendent for a well-known New York concern, and traveled ex- tensively in the west, superintending the erection of power plants in that part of the country, and finally settled in Chicago in 1889. Among other work, as consulting engineer, carried out by Mr. Ma- ginn, may be mentioned the Masonic Temple, the Chicago Athletic Association Building, the Criminal Court Building, and a great many others.
Mr. Maginn was married in 1875 to Elizabeth Hunt, in Penn- sylvania, and they have a family of four children.
A Roman Catholic in his religious views and a Democrat in his politics, he is a member of the Columbus Club, and belongs to the Catholic Order of Foresters and the C. B. of L.
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Over the United States Mr. Maginn has traveled extensively and is a man of much general knowledge and interesting informa- tion on a large variety of subjects. Pleasant and courteous, suc- cessful and generous, he is a fitting type of his race.
REV. JAMES M. HAGAN.
Rev. James Monroe Hagan was born at Indian Creek, Monroe County, Mo., on November 12th, 1853. His father, Joseph B. Hagan, a farmer and a lawyer, was elected judge of the County court of Monroe County, and died in 1876. His mother, Mary (Beall) Hagan, died in 1870. The subject of this sketch is prob- ably the youngest grandson of a revolutionary grandfather in Cook County. The latter, who was a descendant of the Maryland colony, as a mere boy fought at Bunker Hill, of course on the American side, also at the battle of Trenton, and was severely wounded at the battle of Cowpens. Father Hagan was educated at the Louisville High School by his brother Frank, city attorney of Louisville. This school he left in 1868, going to St. Joseph's College, Bards- town, Ky., one year; he taught two years at St. Viateur's College, Bourbonnains Grove, Ill., thence going to the Jesuit College at Georgetown, D. C. In the last named he was the first winner of the congressional debating medal, founded by Hon. Richard T. Merrick. From 1876 to 1881 he attended the University of Inn- spruck, in Tyrol, founded in 1672, and the only university on the con- tinent now controlled by the Jesuits. Ordained a priest on July 4th, 1880, by Bishop Leiss of Brixen, he finished his studies in Rome, and returned to the United States in 1881, reaching New York on
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July 4th. His first appointment was as assistant pastor of St. Stephen's Church. He is now pastor of St. Francis Xavier's Church, La Grange, Ill., and the parish which, when he took charge, was a very insignificant one, has under his able care and untiring labor grown and prospered. The church he built would be a source of pride to any congregation, and the musical services there have a reputation throughout the archdiocese.
Father Hagan has gained a national reputation as a temperance worker and orator. He was elected President of the Chicago Cath- olic Total Abstinence Union, in 1883, which position he has held ever since, and he was also for one term Vice President of the Catholic Total Abstinence Union of America. He speaks German and French fluently, being, indeed, not unfrequently taken for a German. Those who best know him and are most familiar with his work, say that the three points in his character which stand out in the boldest relief are, his popularity with the people, especially with the non-Catholic portion; his power as an orator, and his suc- cess as, a temperance worker. Always a consistent Democrat, he was in the last presidential campaign a powerful advocate for free silver. .
WILLIAM J. ONAHAN.
William J. Onahan has been for over thirty years very promi- nently identified with Catholic movements in this country. In events connected with the establishment of societies, the organiza- tion of congresses, the founding of schools, colleges and churches, the erection and unveiling of statues, his name is ever "familiar as a household word." High executive ability, backed by a strong
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spirit of practical religion, have made him a powerful factor in the various worthy undertakings to which he has given his support and won him the distinction of being termed the Premier Catholic Layman of America.
He was born at Leighlin Bridge, County Carlow, Ireland, whence, in 1845, he removed with his parents to Liverpool. Here he attended school and acted as acolyte, often serving Mass in St. Nicholas' Pro-Cathedral, Copperas-hill, for the distinguished Mon- signor (then Father) Nugent, with whom for over a quarter of a century he has been on terms of the closest friendship.
At an early age (in 1852), laden with abundance of native en- ergy, ability and perseverance, he came to America, landing in New York, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1854 he came to Chicago. On the outbreak of the Civil War he threw himself with enthusiasm into the Northern cause, draining his purse of its last dollar and embarrassing himself financially for years in help- ing to raise a regiment for the defense of the Union. Retaining a strong affection for his native land, he succeeded, in 1865, in organ- izing the St. Patrick's Society, composed of the leading Irishmen of Chicago; thenceforth, till 1880, this society made brilliant an- nual celebration, with song and speech, of the feast of Ireland's apostle, the successful founder being distinguished among the ora- tors. On the lecture platform, also, Mr. Onahan has acquired fame. His discourses are able and scholarly in tone, their diction elegant though forcible, his arguments, especially as a lay champion of the Catholic Church, trenchant as the sword of Sir Galahad. The variety of his lectures (which, many will be glad to learn, will soon be collectively published in book form) may be judged from some of the titles-"The Rights of Labor," "Frederick Ozanam," "Gen- erals Mulligan and Shields," "John Mitchel," "Ireland it Mikla" (Great Ireland), "Irish Settlements in Illinois," "Our Faith and Our Flag." As a scholar Mr. Onahan has had the degree of Doctor of
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Laws conferred upon him from Notre Dame University, and has received other academic honors from St. John's College, New York; St. Xavier's College, Cincinnati, and other educational centers.
The scope of St. Patrick's Society was not confined to merely celebrating Erin's festal day. The members did some sound prac- tical work. When famine smote misgoverned Ireland they went down deep in their pockets, and their generous donations brought relief to many an Irish cabin. At Mr. Onahan's instance they started the League of St. Patrick for the protection and direction of emigrants, enabling them to locate favorably on lands in the great West and Northwest. Mr. Onahan was appointed secretary and manager, and these offices he retained when, in 1889, the league was merged into the Irish Catholic Colonization Society at the first Catholic Congress of Baltimore-of which congress, by the way, this indefatigable layman was chief organizer. Under his auspices Irish Catholic colonies have been established with much success in Minnesota and Nebraska. One is not surprised, therefore, that the late Cardinal McCloskey and the present Car- dinal Gibbons have expressed their cordial admiration of Mr. Ona- han's triumphant labors in the cause of religion and humanity. But these labors, when they bore their latest fruit in the great Columbian Catholic Congress of 1893, which was inaugurated by Mr. Onahan, won even higher ecclesiastical appreciation-that of Pope Leo XIII himself. In December, 1893, at the instance of Car- dinal Gibbons, backed by the American hierarchy, his Holiness appointed Mr. Onahan "Chamberlain of the Sword and Mantle," a form of honoring laymen which dates back to the eleventh cen- tury. Subsequently the Columbus Club entertained the new "Ca- meriere Segreto" at a banquet, at which several distinguished pre- lates bore strong testimony to the merit which the Pope had hon- ored.
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