USA > Indiana > History of the Catholic church in Indiana, Volume II > Part 13
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tions to the cause and likewise very free in his contributions for the relief of the land of his forefathers, down-trodden Ireland. He is equally generous in his contributions to the support of his church as well as for the relief of the suffering poor, wherever found. It will be perceived that he has raised himself from a poor boy to his present comfortable position in life, and he well deserves the high esteem in which he is held by his fellow-citizens of Indianapolis. He resides at 1238 West Washington street, where he owns a comfortable home.
M ISSES JOHANNA AND ANNA BUSH, who reside at No. 523 North street, Indianapolis, have for many years been members of St. Joseph's parish. They are daughters of Dennis and Honora Bush, natives of county Cork, Ireland. Dennis and Honora Bush brought their family to the United States many years ago, settling at Bellefontaine, Ohio, where Mr. Bush died, and some time later Mrs. Bush removed her family to Indianapolis. Mr. and Mrs. Bush were the parents of six children, three sons and three daughters, all of whom removed with their mother to Indianapolis. Mrs. Bush died August 27, 1885, when she was seventy-five years of age. Four of the children, two sons, Michael and John, and two daughters still survive, the daughters residing at their pleasant home, No. 523 North street, Indianapolis. They are both most estimable women, faithful and consistent Catholics, and active in all good works.
C P. BUTLER, editor and publisher of the Sun, a newsy, · abiy conducted weekly newspaper of North Vernon, Jennings county, Ind., was born in this town May 11, 1864.
Patrick Butler, father of C. P. Butler, was born in Ireland, but came to the United States when about fourteen years of age, and married, in Madison, Ind., Miss Mary McDonald, also a native of Ireland, and this union was blessed with three sons, of whom C. P. Butler is the only one living. The father was an early conductor
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on the O. & M. railroad-now the B. & O. S. W. road-and held this position at the time of his death, in September, 1865. His widow afterward was married to John Renie.
C. P. Butler received a good common-school education and ever since quitting school his life has been passed in a newspaper office. In 1887 he bought a half-interest in the Sun establishment, and this was conducted under the firm name of Renie & Butler until 1896, when Mr. Butler purchased the entire plant, and his long experience in the business has necessarily fitted him for conducting it with success. In politics he is a stanch democrat, and is very active in advancing his party's interests, and he is in a position to render it material aid. He is a member of St. Mary's Catholic church of North Vernon, and was elected the first presi- dent of the Catholic Knights of America in his parish; but this branch of the order is now defunct, and he therefore affiliates with the Madison branch. He is very popular both in his profession and socially, and the Sun is evidently in the proper hands.
JOHN WILLIAM FANNING .- Many men of foreign birth or J foreign ancestry are valuable citizens of the United States. 'One of these is John William Fanning, a member of chemical com- pany, No. 1. Indianapolis fire department, born at Morning Sun, Preble county, Ohio, November 28, 1855.
The parents of the subject were Joseph and Johanna (Ryan) Fanning, both natives of county Tipperary, Ireland. They came to the United States in early life and were married in the state of New York, whence they removed soon afterward to Cincinnati, Ohio, living there for a few years, and finally settling in Morning Sun, Preble county, Ohio. At that place Joseph Fanning died February 22, 1861, and Mrs. Fanning, after living there a widow for six years, then married, in November, 1867, and removed to Ripley county, Ind., where she lived three years. " At the end of this period she removed to Marion county, Ind., where she now resides. Her second and present husband is Patrick Sweeney, a prosperous farmer, and a much respected man in his community. (202)
1.
John M. Farming
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
The children of Joseph and Johanna Fanning were four in number: Jeffrey, who died at the age of six months; Margaret Ellen, wife of John F. McHugh, a gas and steam-fitter of Indian- apolis; John William, the subject of this sketch; and Joseph T., auditor of the Straw Board works-a single man, who boards at the Grand hotel. To the second marriage of the mother of the subject there have been born no children.
The early life of John William Fanning was spent in the employ of Kingan's packing house, where he remained three years and then learned the trade of cornice-worker. At this trade he was engaged for about sixteen years. In 1893 he was appointed to a position in the Indianapolis fire department, which position he still retains, being stationed at headquarters of the department. Mr. Fanning- was married May 8, 1878, by Mgr. Bessonies; to Miss Henrietta Miller, a native of Union, Ohio, and a daughter of Jacob and Barbara Miller, the former of whom was a meat dealer, but is now deceased. The latter is still living in Indianapolis. Mrs. Fanning was educated in the public schools of Indianapolis, and though born of Protestant parents she became a Catholic six months before her marriage to Mr. Fanning. To her marriage there have been born four children: Margaret Ellen, Johanna Frances, William John and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Fanning are members of St. Bridget's Catholic church, of which the Rev. Father Curran is pastor, and Mr. Fanning is a member of the Knights of Father Mathew, Bessonies commandery. He is also a Knight of Pythias, and in politics a democrat, though he has never been an office seeker. He has been a member of the demo- cratic executive committee, and has always stood well with his party associates and in the community in which he lives.
R EV. J. F. BYRNE, assistant of the Very Rev. Eugene F. Mc- Barron at Evansville, is a son of Joseph and Bridget (Lawler) Byrne, and was born January 30, 1863, at New Albany, Ind. ; he was educated at St. Meinrad's college, was ordained in 1888, and was first located at Vincennes for a short period, and the same
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year took charge at French Lick Springs. In November of the same year he went to Shoals and remained for six years, then was located at St. Mary's as chaplain of the motherhouse of the Sis- ters of Providence for eighteen months, and in May, 1896, was located as assistant at the church of the Assumption at Evansville. Here Father Byrne has done good and faithful work, and has won the esteem of his superiors as well as the affection of his congre- gation.
T THOMAS E. A. BYERLEY, of St. Joseph's county, Ind., is a native of Trieste, Austria, and was born January 9, 1828, a son of Samuel and Henrietta (Holz-Knecht) Byerley.
Samuel Byerley was a native of England, was born in 1796, and was reared to mercantile pursuits, which carried him to various parts of the world. He was married in Trieste, Austria, in 1825, returned to England and carried on his trade until 1832, and then came to the United States and was engaged in business at Boston, Mass., for two or three years. He then went to New York city, where he became a member of the well-known firm of Howland & Aspinwall, who were the first to establish a line of steamers between New York city and the isthmus of Panama, Aspinwall City, the entrepot of the isthmus, being named in honor of the junior partner. After eight years of association with this firm the health of Mr. Byerley became impaired, and in 1843 he came to St. Joseph's county, Ind., where he purchased large quantities of land, to the management of which his attention was devoted until his death in South Bend in 1870, being one of the most prominent citizens of St. Joseph's county. His venerable widow has now attained the greatly advanced age of ninety-three years.
Thomas E. A. Byerley, the subject of this sketch, was but four years of age when brought to America by his parents, was educated at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and at Emmitsburg, was trained to business by his father, and in 1854 went from St. Joseph's county, Ind., to Chicago, Ill., where he was employed as book- keeper for two years, and then returned to St. Joseph's county, (206)
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where he remained until 1860, when he went to Pike's Peak, Colo. ; then visited Kansas, and in 1861 returned to St. Joseph's county, which has since been his permanent home.
T. E. A. Byerley was married in Chicago, while a bookkeeper in that city, to Miss Margaret Garrett, who lived only thirteen months after the wedding. February 4, 1856, he formed a second matrimonial alliance, in New York city, with Miss Anna Rooney, and this union has been blessed with nine children, of whom, how- ever, six were called away, the survivors being Samuel, who resides in New York; Matilda, who is the wife of George Foster, of South Bend, and Thomas, of St. Louis, Mo. The family are all faithful Catholics, Mr. and Mrs. Byerley and their daughter, Matilda, with her husband, being members of St. Patrick's church at South Bend, to the support of which they contribute most liberally of their means and aid in every possible manner. The social stand- ing of the family is decidedly with the best residents of the county, and the name of Byerley is honored wherever pronounced.
EV. M. J. BYRNE, pastor of the Sacred Heart congregation, Whiting, Lake county, Ind., was born of Irish parents, who early settled in the Miami valley, Ohio. After graduating from the public schools of Hamilton, Butler county, he passed five years at the Niagara university, where he completed his classical education, and then entered St. Mary's seminary, Baltimore, Md., where he spent two years, and finally completed his theological studies at the Benedictine college 'of Pennsylvania. He was ordained in the priesthood June 29, 1888, by Bishop Dwenger, of Fort Wayne, and his first appointment was as assistant in the cathedral of that city, and there proved his capability as a builder up of missions and a strengthener of a weak and scattered con- gregations. Accordingly, he was appointed, by Bishop Rade- macher, to the mission of East Chicago and the congregation of Whiting, the latter then having a membership of nineteen families and 100 single men.
Father Byrne is a pious, well-educated, able clergyman, and
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as such has won the ardent affection of his flock; as a man he is genial, generous, broad-minded and considerate with all, regard- less of church affiliations. He has lifted the congregation of the Sacred Heart from oblivion to a prominent position in the diocese of Fort Wayne, as a reference to the history of the church, in Vol. I, will fully prove.
R EV. MEINRAD FLEISCHMANN, pastor of St. John the Baptist's church at Vincennes, Knox county, Ind., was born in Lachen, Switzerland, June 10, 1844, a son of Jacob Henry and Mary Anna (Hammerlin) Fleischmann, also natives of Lachen and born, respectively, in 1798 and 1811.
The marriage of Jacob H. and Mary A. Fleischmann was solemnized in Lachen in 1833, and their union was blessed with the following children, beside the Rev. Meinrad, whose name opens this biography: Henry, of Spencer county, Ind. ; Elizabeth, wife of Conrad Schoenbaeckleer, of Evansville; Louisa, married to Joseph Miller, of the same city; Mary, wife of George Brendel, of Brookville, and Rev. Joseph, of St. Peter's, Ind. The parents came to America in 1847. bringing with them their European-born children and landing in New Orleans, La., whence they went to Louisville, Ky. In that city the father worked as a carpenter one year, and then settled in Fulda, Spencer county, Ind., where he was engaged in farming for twenty years, when failing health caused his retirement, in 1868. His wife was called to the home of the blessed in 1876, and he was called to join her in 1877, their deaths taking place in Brookville, Franklin county, and their mortal remains now rest, side by side, in St. Michael's cemetery, in that city.
Rev. Meinrad Fleischmann commenced and concluded his studies at St. Meinrad's college in Spencer county. He was ordained there by Bishop de St. Palais on the following dates: Tonsure and minor orders, May 25, 1866; sub-deacon, June 17, 1867; deacon, June 18, 1867, and priest, June 21, 1867. For a short time after ordination he was employed in his priestly calling in New Albany and Jeffersonville, Ind., and December 8, 1868,
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REV. MEINRAD FLEISCHMANN.
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ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH. VINCENNES, IND.
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA
was appointed to the pastorate of St. Michael's, Brookville, where, from 1874 until 1883, he had, as his assistant, his brother, Rev. Joseph Fleischmann. December 8, 1897, he received his present appointment in Vincennes.
Rev. Joseph Fleischmann, also a native of Switzerland, was born September 14, 1846, and came to America with parents, as has already been related. He was educated at St. Meinrad's and was ordained by Bishop de St. Palais as follows: Tonsure and minor orders, September 17, 1872; sub-deacon, September 18, 1872; deacon, November 1, 1873, and priest, September 6, 1874. As has been mentioned, he first became assistant to his brother, Rev. Meinrad, and in June, 1883, was placed in charge at Celes- tine, Dubois county, Ind., where he officiated until February 3. 1891, when he was appointed to his present pastorate of St. Peter's, in Franklin county.
M ARTIN CAHILL, a well-known business man of Cannelburg. Daviess county, Ind., is a native of county Galway, Ireland, was born October 8, 1849, is the youngest of the six children of Patrick and Julia (Gillane) Cahill (four of whom still survive), and was confirmed, at the age of thirteen years, by the Bishop of Kil- macduagh.
Mr. Cahill received an excellent education in the National schools of his native land, as it was in contemplation to fit him for a position in the post-office, but the untimely death of his father changed the course of his life. The sad event led to the coming of the mother and her children to America, and June 27, 1867, they landed at Castle Garden, New York city, whence they came directly to Daviess county, Ind., and located at Washington. For a time young Martin attended school in Olney, Richland county, Ill., but in 1868 removed to Benton county, Ind., and for two years was there engaged in farming. In 1870 he became a miner, and for twelve years continued in this vocation. He next was employed in railroading for eighteen months, and in 1879 was appointed clerk of the Mutual Mining company at Cannelburg, Ind., and
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shortly afterward was appointed manager of the same company, and next, through the state geologist, was appointed assistant mine inspector. He performed the functions of this office to the entire satisfaction of all concerned, and was then placed in full charge of the Mutual Mining company as manager, and this position he still holds, being assisted by his son, Lawrence P., and by Joseph A. Harris, Beside its coal operations, the company conducts a store and carries a large stock of general merchandise, and in the latter department does a business amounting to about $30,000 per annum.
The marriage of Mr. Cahill took place in November, 1875, to Miss Ellen Grimes, a native of Providence, R. I., the ceremony being performed in Washington, Daviess county, Ind., by Rev. Father Peythieu. This union has been blessed with two sons and five daughters, of whom the following five still survive: Lawrence P., who was confirmed at the age of fifteen years by Bishop Cha- tard, was educated under the Sisters of Providence at Loogootee, and at Washington, and is now an assistant to his father; Annie, who received a parochial-school eduction and was confirmed at the same time as her brother, Lawrence; Julia A., also confirmed by Bishop Chatard, and Ellen and Margaret. Mrs. Cahill was con- firmed at Cannelton, Perry county, Ind., at the age of ten years.
In politics Mr. Cahill is a stanch democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for Samuel J. Tilden, but has never himself sought public office, his business affairs being too absorbing to per- mit him to trifle his time away in office seeking. In religion he and family are devout Catholics and do all in their power to advance tlie interests of St. Peter's church, at Montgomery, are attendants at the Mission of Ease at Cannelton, and socially they stand with the best families of the township and county.
JAMES CALHAN, superintendent for the Hallawell Stone com- J pany, of Bedford, Lawrence county, Ind., was born in Hills- boro, Ohio, January 2, 1854, and is a son of Michael and Jane (Hurvey) Calhan, natives of Ireland, who came early in life to the (214)
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United States, were married in New York city, and afterward settled in Hillsboro, Ohio. While living in Ireland the father was for a time a member of the police force, but after coming to America worked as a laborer, but was nevertheless a money- making man and maintained his family in respectability. To him and wife were born four children, viz: James, with whose name this biographical notice opens; John, who resides at Washington Court Honse, Ohio; Robert, of Seneca, Ill., and George, who lives near Hillsboro, Ohio. The father of this family died in 1861. a true Catholic in faith, and his widow followed him to the grave in 1868, dying in the same blessed faith.
James Calhan, the especial subject of this article, as will be perceived by the foregoing remarks, was quite young when bereaved of his parents. At the death of his father he found employment with a farmer, and also found opportunity to attend school and secure a fair English education. At the age of seventeen years he began learning the stonecutter's trade; after finishing his appren- ticeship he worked in Ironton, Ohio, a few months, adding to his experience, and then worked for some time in east Tennessee. In 1876 he went to Louisville, Ky., worked until 1879, then worked in several states; then he came to Bedford in the same year, where he continued to work at his trade until, in 1890, he was appointed- superintendent of the Hallawell Stone company, a position he has since filled to the utmost of his ability and to the entire satisfaction of the company, having at the present time about eighty men under his charge.
Mr. Calhan was united in marriage November 22, 1875, to Viss Catherine Murphy, daughter of John and Catherine (Sullivan) Murphy, who were born in Ireland, but now reside on a farm near Crossville, Tenn. Mrs. Catherine Calhan was born April 18, 1858, in Washington C. H., Ohio, and was married to Mr. Calhan in Wartburg, Tenn. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Calhan has been blessed with six children, born in the following order: Catherine, Gertrude, Ellen (deceased), Grace, Esther (deceased), and James. The family belong to St. Vincent de Paul Catholic church, have a pleasant residence on Seventeenth street, and sus- tain an excellent standing in the social circles of Bedford.
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C ORNELIUS CALLAHAN, LaFayette, Ind., was born in Lindsay, Canada, August 15, 1841, son of Timothy and Ann (Hogan) Callahan, natives of county Cork, Ireland. Timothy left his native country in 1832, emigrating to Canada and locating at the town of Prescott, where for some time he was engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes. Subsequently, he moved to Toronto, and in 1836 became a resident of Lindsay, where he carried on his trade until 1841, removing in the latter year to the town of Norwood, thence, in 1852, to Palmyra, N. Y. Four years later Mr. Callahan moved to Laporte, Ind., and there resided until 1859, at which time he went to Delphi, where he made his home until 1861, removing that year to the city of LaFayette. His wife died in January, 1861, shortly after coming to LaFayette, and he followed her to the grave in 1888, departing this life October 30, of that year. Timothy and Ann Callahan reared a family of eight children, four of whom are living at this time, viz: Margaret, widow of Judge Daily, of Delphi; Cornelius; John, a resident of LaFayette, and Edward, who resides in one of the western states.
The subject of this sketch attended school in Canada and Palmyra, N. Y., and later pursued his studies for a short time at Laporte, Ind. While in New York he spent his summer seasons as errand boy in a retail grocery house, and after locating at LaFayette engaged as clerk in the mercantile establishment of Patrick Feely, dealer in groceries, with whom he continued until 1862. In the fall of that year, he enlisted in company E, Seventy- sixth Indiana volunteer infantry, for the sixty days' service, and after serving his time went to Fort Wayne, where for a period of one year he filled a clerkship with the grocery house of Joseph Clark, a prominent merchant of that city.
Mr. Callahan returned to LaFayette in 1863, and, effecting a copartnership with his brother, John B. Callahan, carried on the retail grocery business successfully until 1868, when he disposed of his interest and accepted a position as traveling salesman with Owen, Ball & Co., in whose employ he remained about two years. Resigning this place, Mr. Callahan again embarked in the retail grocery trade, which he carried on until 1892, in November of
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which year he engaged in the wholesale grocery business. He is now at the head of the well known C. Callahan Grocery company, which is incorporated with a large capital and which does a very extensive business throughout Indiana and states adjoining.
Mr. Callahan entered into the marriage relation September 19. 1867, with Martha J. Cochran, who was born in May, 1848, the daughter of Joseph and Marie (Kerr) Cochran, natives of the state of Ohio. To this marriage have been born the following children : Robert (deceased), Jerome (deceased), Joseph C., Anna T., Frank C., Maria A .. David, Cornelius H., Charlie P., Arthur and Philip. Mr. Callahan and family are members of St. Mary's parish, and Mr. Callahan also belongs to the G. A. R .; in politics he wields a powerful influence for the republican party
Joseph C. Callahan, son of Cornelius and Martha J., and vice- president of the C. Callahan Wholesale Grocery company, of La- Fayette, of which city he is a native, was born on the second day of April, 1871. Until his fourteenth year he attended at intervals the parochial schools, and later entered Purdue university, in the mechanical department of which he pursued his studies for three years, completing the prescribed course. After leaving the above institution, Mr. Callahan entered the employ of his father and sub- sequently succeeded him in the retail grocery trade, which he con- ducted two years. He then disposed of his stock and was elected vice-president of the C. Callahan Wholesale Grocery company, a position which he now fills. Mr. Callahan possesses business abil- ity of a high order and has demonstrated the same since becoming officially connected with the above large firm. He is devoted to the church and all its interests and is a leading spirit in St. Mary's parislı; he is also an active member of the Marquette club of LaFay- ette, in which he holds the office of trustee.
M ICHAEL CALLAHAN, fireman at the Indianapolis city water works, West Washington street, is a native of Woodbury, Hancock county, Ind., and was born October 1, 1860. He received a public-school education and began his business life as a brake-
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man on the Big Four railroad, also worked as a carpenter for the same road, and was thus employed about ten years, and then worked in the machine shop of a rolling-mill in Indianapolis, and April, 1896, entered upon the duties of his present position.
John and Mary (Dwyre) Callahan, parents of Michael, were natives of county Clare, Ireland, and came to America soon after their marriage, living for a short time in Muncie, Ind., whence they moved to Woodbury. John Callahan was a farmer and was thrice married, Mrs. Mary O'Brien, of Indianapolis, being the fruit of his first union. To his second marriage were born eight chil- dren, viz: Patrick, a machinist at Terre Haute; Dennis, a loco- motive fireman, of Indianapolis; Michael, the subject of this sketch; Maggie, the wife of James P. Kerns, a city employee; James, employed in Kingan's packing house; Thomas, a city employee in St. Louis, Mo .; Annie, married to, Michael Carloss, of Indianapolis, and George, also on employee at Kingan's packing house. By his last marriage no children were born. The parents of subject both died in Woodbury, the father at the age of sixty- seven years, and the mother at forty-two.
Michael Callahan is still unmarried and makes his home with his sister, Mrs. Kerns. He is a faithful member of St. John's church, and of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and in politics is a democrat. He has many warm friends in Indianapolis, and is a quiet, moral and respected citizen.
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