USA > Indiana > History of the Catholic church in Indiana, Volume II > Part 28
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97
R EV. BERNARD EWERS, in charge of Sts. Peter and Paul's parish at Haubstadt, Gibson county, Ind., is a native of Ger- many, was born September 21, 1847, and is one of the four chil- dren born to Bernard and Mary Ewers, who came to America in 1857, landing at New Orleans. From the Crescent city the fam- ily came to Indiana and for a short time lived in Vanderburg county, whence they removed to Evansville, Ind., where the mother died July 13, 1881, and the father on the 10th day of August, 1890, both having been faithful and life-long members of the Holy Catholic church.
In his youthful days, the now Rev. Bernard Ewers was edu- cated in the parochial school of St. Philip's, Posey county, and after due preparation was admitted to St. Meinrad's college, in Spencer county, where he passed four years in studying the classics, after which he passed two years in the college at Bardstown, Ky., in the study of the sciences. He then returned to St. Meinrad's, where he completed his theological studies, and was ordained priest August 10, 1874, by the Right Rev. Maurice de St. Palais, at that time bishop of the diocese of Vincennes. Father Ewers said his- first mass at Evansville, Ind., in St. Mary's church, and then, without passing through the usual probationary routine of acting as an assistant, was placed in charge of St. Patrick's church, in North Madison, Jefferson county, Ind. To this parish were also attached two missions-St. Anthony, in Jefferson county, and the Immaculate Conception, at Vevay, Switzerland county. In this. charge Father Ewers labored ardently and devotedly until 1882, doing more good work than can ever be recorded.
(466)
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
Since 1882 Father Ewers has filled his present position at Haubstadt, ministering to the spiritual needs of 100 families. The school attached to this charge is presided over by three Benedic- tine Sisters, who have under their tuition about 100 pupils. The church-building is a noble structure and was erected in 1877 under the auspices of the Rev. George L. Widerin, now of North Vernon, at a cost of $10,000, and the school-house was erected about 1860. Father Ewers has exercised great care over his charge since his incumbency, and by his kind and amiable disposition and profound learning and unostentatious piety, has won the confiding love of all under his ministrations.
G EORGE FAHLBUSH, grocer of Lawrenceburg, Dearborn county, Ind., is a son of Nicholas and Anna M. (Brandt) Fahlbush, who came to the United States from Germany in 1848, landing at New York, but who subsequently located on a farm in Dearborn county, Ind., where the mother died.
George Fahlbush was born May 6, 1854, in Lawrenceburg, attended common schools, was reared on a farm, and at the age of twenty-five engaged in the general merchandise business in Law- renceburg. He was married to Barbara E. Siementek, of Indiana, by whom he had four children, of whom three are living, viz: George N., Harry and Florentine. All of the family are strict members of St. Lawrence church, and Mr. Fahlbush is a promi- nent member of the Catholic Knights of America, of which he was state secretary two terms-first at Logan two years, then at Vin- cennes. He has gained business success through his tact and industry, and now owns his corner store, with residence attached, and carries a well-selected stock of assorted merchandise, valued at $3,000.
J
JAMES B. FALLEY, a prominent business man of La Fayette, is a native of New York, born in the town of Oswego Falls, that state, on the 26th of December, 1827. His parents, Lewis and
(467)
THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
Frances (Baldwin) Falley, were both born in the Empire state and and there lived until 1841, when they came to Tippecanoe county, Ind., locating in LaFayette, in which city the father died in 1865. For a number of years he had been identified with the commercial interests of LaFayette, but retired from active life in 1860. Lewis and Frances Falley were the parents of the following children: Daniel, deceased; Samuel, deceased, Lewis, dealer in boots and shoes, LaFayette; Susan, widow of James Land; Joseph D., a resi- dent of Chicago, and James B.
The subject of this biography was educated in the public schools of his native town, and until his majority assisted his father in the latter's mercantile establishment. At the age of twenty-two he engaged in the hardware business at LaFayette in partnership with H. C. Wagstaff, and the firm, thus constituted, lasted until 1855, when he effected a copartnership in the iron trade with his father. This lasted until 1862, at which time he became associated in the hardware and agricultural implement business with I. L. Beach, who continued as his partner until 1869, when, in company with George H. Drury, he organized the well-known hardware house of J. B. Falley & Co., with a stock representing a capital of $20,000. This firm lasted until the retirement of Mr. Drury in 1887, after which, until 1894, it was known as the Falley Hardware company. In the latter year the present corporation, the Falley-Patton Hard- ware company, carrying a stock valued at $10,000, was organized.
As may be readily inferred from the above, Mr. Falley is one of the enterprising commercial men of his city. He is character- ized by a tenacity of purpose as rare as it is admirable, and pos- sesses the peculiar faculty of molding circumstances to suit his ends rather than to be molded by them. He is withal a faithful member of the church, and finds time in the midst of his large business to attend to the claims of religion. He was married, December 2, 1850, in Terre Haute, Ind., to Miss Susan B. Kellogg, who was born in Dayton, Ohio, on the 10th of November, 1831. Mrs. Falley is the daughter of Phineas Kellogg, of Dayton, and has borne her husband the following children: Rev. James, of Hunt- ington, Ind .; Frank, deceased; Dora, a madam of the Sacred Heart, deceased; Edward, a mechanic of LaFayette; Mary F.,
(468)
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
madam of Sacred Heart at New Orleans, where she has charge of the art department; Anthony, student at the Jesuit college, St. Louis, where he is preparing for the priesthood of that order, and Joseph, who fills an important clerkship in LaFayette. Mr. Falley and wife are faithful members of St. Mary's church.
T IMOTHY FALVEY, residing at No. 712 East Morris street, Indianapolis, has been for many years an inhabitant of this city. He was born in New Market parish, county Cork, Ireland, December 15, 1848, and is a son of Timothy and Hannah (Cronan) Falvey, both of whom died in their native land. The Falvey. family is an old and honorable one in Irish history, and in an earlier day the ancestors of the subject removed to county Cork from county Kerry. The only member of the immediate family of Mr. Falvey remaining in Ireland is a brother, John Falvey. Three sons grew to mature years, viz: Michael, a resident of the state of Kentucky; John and Timothy, the latter the subject of this sketch.
Timothy Falvey came to the United States in 1866, when he was eighteen years of age. For four years he resided at Cynthiana, Harrison county, Ky., coming thence, in 1870, to Indianapolis, where he has since resided. He was married, May 13, 1875, to Miss Catherine White, who was born at Bellefontaine, Ohio, her parents being Paul and Ellen White, both natives of county Kerry, and the maiden name of the latter being Curran. They are still residents of Bellefontaine, Ohio.
Mr. and Mrs. Falvey have six children, five sons and a daughter, viz: Timothy Paul, John Michael, William Henry, Joseph Raymond, Mary Theresa, and Charles Leroy, all of whom were baptized in St. John's church in Indianapolis. From the time of his marriage until 1896, Mr. Falvey and his family resided on West McCarty street, removing to their present home in the latter year. Mr. Falvey is a member of Capitol council, No. 276, Young Men's institute. Mrs. Falvey is one of a family of five, two sons and three daughters, she being the oldest of the daugh-
(469)
THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
ters. Of the sons, Michael is a resident of Indianapolis, and Dan- iel of Ridgeway, Colo. Of the daughters, Mary is a resident of Montpelier, Ind., and Julia, the youngest, lives at home. All are highly respected men and women.
P ATRICK EDWARD FANNING, now the efficient electrician of the Indianapolis fire department, was born in Lancashire, England, May 5, 1857, but was a child of seven years of age when he came alone to America, in 1864, and joined an elder brother, John, in Edinburg, Ind,
Edward and Margaret (Conniff) Fanning, parents of Patrick Edward, were natives of county Mayo, Ireland, where their mar- riage took place, and where their eldest two children were born. From Ireland they moved to England, where there were born three children additional, the five being named, in order of birth, as follows: John, Mary, Patrick Edward, Bridget and James. The death of the father from pneumonia took place in Lancashire when he was fifty years old, and in 1876 the mother came to America and died in Edinburg, Ind., in 1882. John and James died in Indianapolis, and Bridget passed away in Edinburg, the remains of the mother, John and Bridget being interred at Edin- burg, and those of James in Holy Cross cemetery in Indianapolis. Mary is married and resides in England.
Patrick E. Fanning remained at the home of his brother John until he attained man's estate, receiving, meanwhile, a good educa- tion in the common schools of Edinburg. At the age of about sixteen years he engaged as a lineman with the Western Union Telegraph company, with which he remained about fifteen years. In 1890 he was appointed electric line worker for the city fire department of Indianapolis, being placed in charge of the alarm system, but for two years during this interval was superintendent of telegraph under Mayor Sullivan.
The marriage of Mr. Fanning took place in Crawfordsville, Ind., September 4, 1894, at St. Bernard's church, when he was united by Rev. Father Crosson in the holy bonds of matrimony
(470)
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
with Miss Ellen O'Connor, who was born in Hendricks county, Ind., a daughter of Enos and Mary O'Connor, who resides on a farm near Crawfordsville, being descended from a pioneer family of the state. One son, Lawrence Edward, born October 6, 1896, has blessed this union. The family are members of Sts. Peter and Paul's church, although they habitually worship at St. Johns's, it being the more convenient. Mr. Fanning is a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, in politics is a democrat, and as a citizen is upright, moral, temperate and greatly respected.
H ON. MICHAEL H. FARRELL, a very popular and highly respected citizen and a dealer in marble, granite, etc., at No. 208 West Washington street, Indianapolis, is a native of Cam- bridge City, Ind., was born April 22, 1854, and is a son of Dominick and Katherine (Powell) Farrell, the former a native of county Longford, and the latter of county Tipperary, Ireland.
These parents came to America single and were married in Richmond, Ind. Dominick Farrell was a contractor in railroad work and assisted in constructing the first telegraph line in the west, and also constructed three sections of the Panhandle rail- way. They had born to them four children, viz: Francis, Thomas, Michael H. and Margaret. Of these, Francis is a telegraph oper- ator in Chicago, Ill .; Thomas is an engineer on the Big Four rail- way, with his residence in St. Louis, Mo .; Michael H. is the gen- tleman with whom this memoir will have most to do, and Margaret is deceased. Both parents ended their days in the Catholic faith in Cambridge City, the mother dying in 1886, aged seventy-four, and the father in 1889, at the age of seventy-nine years.
Michael H. Farrell was educated in the public schools of his native city, there learned the marblecutter's trade, and there grew to manhood. In 1880 he came to Indianapolis and opened his marble yard, in which he now gives constant emoloyment to four men. He at once formed a connection with the democratic party of Indianapolis, having been a member of the same in Cambridge City, became very popular, and on this ticket was elected to the state
(471)
THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
legislature in 1884, served from 1885 to 1887, and was especially act- ive and earnest in pressing several bills through that august body. He also served as a member of the city board of aldermen from 1889 until 1891, or until its abrogation, and in 1890 was elected a member of the board of county commissioners, in which he served three years. Since that time he has not aspired to official position, yet has taken an active part in promoting the success of his party at each succeeding election. He now devotes his entire time and attention to his business affairs, which he never neglected at any time, but during his whole official career gave to it his personal and close supervision.
The marriage of Mr. Farrell took place at Cambridge City, October 11, 1877, to Miss Theressa Metz, Rev. J. B. Kelly offi- ciating. Mrs. Farrell is a native of Hamilton county, Ohio, and has blessed her husband with five children, viz: Catherine, Francis, Edward, Thomas and Vincent. The family are members of St. Bridget's church, under the pastorate of Rev. D. Curran, and are a representative family in church, social and political cir- cles. Mr. Farrell, by close attention to his busines and through skill, industry and thrift, has secured a fair competence, and the productions of his yard are unsurpassed for excellent workman- ship by any in the state of Indiana.
REV. JOHN F. KUBACKI, pastor of St. Joseph's church at Reynolds, White county, Ind., was born in Milwaukee, Wis., November 20, 1868, and is a son of Thomas and Victoria (Brze- zinska) Kubacki, natives of Poland, who, shortly after their mar- riage, came to the United States in 1867. Of their fourteen chil- dren, the Rev. John F. is the second in order of birth.
Rev. John F. Kubacki began his literary studies at the Jesuit college, of St. Mary's, Kans., continued them at St. Francis' sem- inary, Milwaukee, and completed his theological course at Mount St. Mary's seminary, Cincinnati, Ohio. June 19, 1894, he was ordained by Archbishop Elder, and his first station was at North Judson, Starke county, Ind., where he remodeled the church and (472)
John J. Kubacki
ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH. REYNOLD'S IND.
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
rectory and also attended St. Pierre and Knox missions, in Starke county, until November, 1896, when he was appointed to Rey- nolds. Here his labors have been quite arduous, as he had charge not only of St. Joseph's congregation and its regular missions of Francesville and Medarysville in Pulaski county, and the stations of Monon and Monticello in White county, but also, until a resi- dent priest was appointed, attended to North Judson and its mission of San Pierre, and the station at Knox, in Starke county. Although but thirty years of age, Father Kubacki has shown himself to be capable of doing a vast amount of creditable work, and has made for himself an excellent reputation with his people, to whose interests he is entirely devoted and by whom he is devotedly beloved.
J
JOHN FANNING, of the firm of Fanning & Co., of Montgom-
ery, Ind., is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, was born Septem- ber 8, 1843, and is the second of the six children born to Thomas and Bridget (Reilly) Fanning, natives of county Leitrim, Ireland, but married in America.
Thomas Fanning was born in 1813, was well educated by the Dominican friars in an old monastery in the county of Galway, and came to the United States in 1838. He first located at Auburn, N. Y., where he met and married Miss Reilly, who was born in 1811 and came to America in 1836. Shortly after mar- riage, Mr. and Mrs. Fanning removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, and about 1853 came to Daviess county, Ind., where his death occurred in 1871. a truly honored citizen. Mrs. Fanning was a lady of many christian and social virtues, lived to reach the advanced age of eighty-three years, and died in 1893. Both were members of St. Patrick's congregation, and their remains rest side by side in St. Patrick's cemetery, where a beautiful monument marks their final resting place. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Fanning were named, in order of birth, as follows: Mary, now the wife of John Roarty, an agriculturist of Daviess county; John, the subject of this biographical notice; Ellen, wife of John Doyle, a farmer of Martin county; Frank, who died May 23, 1893, a
(477).
THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
farmer; James H., a merchant, of Montgomery, and Kate, wife of Thomas Reilly, of Daviess county.
John Fanning, whose name stands at the opening of this article, was but ten years of age when brought by his parents to Daviess county, and this has since been his home, with the excep- tion of one year, which was passed in a visit to his native city. He received a good common-school education, and was confirmed, in 1857, by Bishop de St. Palais. He grew to manhood in Reeve township, Daviess county, and November 15, 1887, married Miss Margaret Grannan, daughter of Patrick and Phebe Ann (Mullen) Grannan, of whom further mention is made in the life sketch of Patrick E. Grannan, and the happy union of Mr. and Mrs. Fan- ning has been blessed with four children, of whom two, however, are deceased. Of the surviving two, Mary Bridget, the elder- born, is a student in St. Peter's parochial school, and Rose is the younger.
In October, 1893, Mr. Fanning brought his family to Mont- goinery, and here engaged in the hardware and agricultural imple- ment business in partnership with Patrick E. Grannan, under the present firm style of Fanning & Co., and through his strict integrity, affable deportment and a sincere desire to please by furnishing his patrons with the precise articles needed, and nothing else, he has built up an extensive and increasing trade, and a lasting one.
In politics Mr. Fanning is a stanch democrat and cast his first presidential vote for George B. McClellan, in 1864. In 1874 and 1875 he served as assessor of Reeve township, was trustee of the township in 1878 and 1880, and from 1882 to 1888 was county commissioner of Daviess county. He is now treasurer of the public school board of Montgomery, and that he is loyal to his party and competent as an official is well evidenced by his long continuance in office. .
As a Catholic Mr. Fanning is one of the leading members of St. Peter's congregation of Montgomery, which is the second oldest parish in the state. For years he was an ardent admirer of the late revered Father Piers, who was pastor here for forty-eight years, and he has been an eye-witness of the remarkable growth of Catholicity in and around Montgomery, and has himself always
(478)
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
been prominent in promoting this growth. Both Mr. and Mrs. Fanning stand high in the esteem of the congregation of St. Peter's as well as that of the beloved pastor, Rev. P. Rowan, and are very liberal in their contributions to the support of the church. As early as 1851 Mr. Fanning made his pledge to Father Mathew, the famous apostle of temperance, never to use intoxicants in any form, and this pledge he has sacredly kept. No family to-day stands higher in the respect of the citizens of Montgomery than that of Mr. Fanning, and as a business man no one is more greatly honored than he.
JAMES H. FANNING, the leading dry-goods merchant of Mont- J
gomery, Ind., is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, was born Decem- ber 27, 1855, a son of Thomas and Bridget (Reilly) Fanning, of whom full mention is made in the biographical sketch of John Fan- ning, which precedes this notice.
James H. Fanning was a babe of eighteen months when brought to Daviess county by his parents, and here, at the proper age, he was placed in the public school, and later studied for two years in the normal school at Washington, Ind. He was confirmed by Bishop de St. Palais in 1867, and until 1875 his life was passed on the farm, and he then began the vocation of school-teacher in the public schools of St. Patrick's parish, and for four and a half years taught in the vicinity of Alfordsville. He then passed six months in merchandizing in the village mentioned, and then came to Montgomery in the latter part of 1880. In 1881 he purchased the building in which he still conducts his business, and now car- ries a full line of dry goods, hats, caps, boots, shoes, groceries, queensware, and, in fact, all the commodities that constitute the stock of a first-class village general store. Through his uniform courtesy and fair, square methods of conducting his business, he has won the confidence of the people, and the volume of his trans- actions at present reaches at least $5,000 per annum.
Mr. Fanning was first married, in 1876, to Miss Maggie Far- rell, a native of Daviess county, and this marriage was blessed with one child, John J., who is now associated with his father in
(479)
THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
business. This promising young man was educated by Father Curran in Latin and German, as well as in his religious duties, but was confirmed, at the age of ten years, by Bishop Chatard. He is an excellent accountant and a young man of most pleasing address and an able assistant to his father. Mrs. Maggie Fanning was called away October 10, 1878, dying a faithful Catholic, and in November, 1897, Mr. Fanning was united in matrimony with Miss Lucy Gates, also a native of Daviess county and a daughter of William and Catherine M. (Spalding) Gates. She was con- firmed by Bishop de St. Palais, and is devoted to the faith, being, with her husband, a member of St. Peter's congregation.
In politics Mr. Fanning was originally a democrat and cast his first presidential vote for Samuel J. Tilden in 1876, but he is now a populist, and in the presidential campaign of 1896 supported William Jennings Bryan on the free-silver platform. Personally, he has served as trustee of his township, having been appointed to the office in 1885; he also served as a justice of the peace for four years, and at present holds a notary-public's commission.
Mr. Fanning is what is usually termed a self-made man. He began his business life with a very limited capital, but his business capacity, industry and good management have brought him an enviable prosperity. Beside his business block, he owns his resi- dence and eighty acres of fertile land in Barr township, and is in altogether comfortable circumstances. He has been extremely liberal in his contributions to the support of his church, and the social relations of himself and family are all that any mortal might desire.
JAMES H. KEENAN is a member of St. Anthony's parish and a representative Catholic citizen of Indianapolis. His father, Thomas Keenan, was born in Monaghan county, Ireland, in the year 1815, and there grew to manhood, learning the trade of stone- mason. In 1850 Thomas Keenan married Miss Ann Hanlon, a native of the same county.
Lawrence Keenan, the father of Thomas, and John Hanlon, the father of Ann, were prominent, well-to-do and highly respected (480)
JAMES H. KEENAN, INDIANAPOLIS, IND.
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
farmers, possessing more of this world's goods than fell to the lot of the majority of their countrymen of those days. Mr. Hanlon, particularly, was a man of much ability and energy, and was very prosperous. Both were devout Catholics, leading lives of excep- tional purity and uprightness, and were earnest workers in the cause of religion in their respective parishes. They reared and educated their children with extreme care, and had the satisfaction of seeing them develop into good men and women and practical Catholics. Ann was the oldest child of John Hanlon, and inher- ited in a marked degree her father's natural ability, force of char- acter and high sense of honor, as well as fine personal appearance. Soon after their marriage Thomas Keenan and his young wife came to the United States, locating in Providence, R. I., where he engaged in contracting for stone work.
In 1857 Mr. Keenan, with his family, removed to Cannelton, Ind., where he resided for a number of years, and in which city he acquired much local prominence and accumulated considerable property. In 1883 he and wife came to Indianapolis at the solici- tation of their two sons, who had previously become residents of the Capital city, and here they made their home with their sons until death; the father passed away in 1886 and the mother followed him to the grave the year after. Their remains are buried in the Catholic cemetery at Cannelton.
Thomas Keenan was a man of good education, correct habits, the strictest integrity, was very affable in manner, and was highly esteemed by all who knew him. He was often importuned to accept nominations for political offices, but always declined, hav- ing, as he said, an aversion to the methods used in electioneering, though feeling deeply grateful for the expressions of confidence and good will from his fellow-citizens. There was one office, however, which he held for many years-that of trustee of St. Patrick's church, at Cannelton, and was also treasurer of the parish most of the time that he was a trustee. He was always active in all work connected with the church. Mrs. Keenan, also, was zealous in church work; she was, however, exceedingly domestic in her tastes and habits, being a model wife and mother, always striving to make home pleasant and attractive, devoting unusual attention
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.