USA > Indiana > History of the Catholic church in Indiana, Volume II > Part 35
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
JOHN GALLAGHER, a prominent member of St. Anthony's parish, Indianapolis, of which he is, at this time, a trustee, was born in county Mayo, Ireland, June 8, 1857, son of Michael and Bridget (Manley) Gallagher, both natives of the Emerald isle. The father died near the place of his nativity on Christmas day, 1881, and his wife, who has reached a ripe old age, resides in the city of Indianapolis. A son and a daughter are still living in the old country, and four sons and one daughter are residents of Indiana's capital city at this time.
John Gallagher remained in the land of his nativity until 1872, at which time he went to England, thence, in 1879, sailed for America, landing in the city of New York. The following year he came to Indianapolis, where he has since resided, and of which city he is a well-known and highly respected citizen. His wife, a most excellent lady, was formerly Miss Mary McManamon, a native of Indiana, born in the county of Jennings.
Mr. Gallagher was one of the early members of St. Anthony's parish, and did much towards securing and improvin the fineg property the parish now possesses. He served on the first board of trustees and has ever since been active in promoting the inter- est of the church, being a recognized leader in the congregation at the present time. He is a gentleman of education and refine- ment, and is highly esteemed, not only in church circles, but by all who know him.
M ORTIMER D. GALLIVAN, who resides at No. 831 Sanders street, Indianapolis, is a prominent and well-known Catholic citizen. He was born at Darnane Abbey, county Kerry, Ireland, his parents being Daniel and Catherine Gallivan.
₹590)
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
In 1851 Daniel Gallivan came to the United States to prepare a home for his family in this country, going first to the state of Massachusetts, where, in 1854, the family joined him. He, how- ever, did not long survive, his death occurring June 29, 1855. The children at that time numbered eight, four sons and four daughters, six of whom have passed away. The two that remain are Mortimer D. and his brother John. From Massachusetts the family removed to the state of New York, locating at Moravia, Cayuga county, and when the war of the Rebellion threatened the disruption of the Union, three of the brothers entered the service of the Union. Of these Mortimer D. was the eldest, and he and his brother Patrick became members of company I, Ninth New York heavy artillery. John enlisted in the Fifty-second New York volunteer infantry. Of the artillery regiment of which the two elder brothers were members, William H. Seward, Jr., son of the famous statesman, was the lieutenant-colonel. Mr. Gallivan par- ticipated in some of the most important battles and movements of the war, among them Gen. Sheridan's famous campaign in the Shenandoah valley, and he was present at the surrender of Gen. Lée at Appomattox, April 9, 1865. The three brothers were all valuable soldiers, and were all honorably discharged at the close of the war.
Returning to his home in New York, Mortimer D. Gallivan, in connection with his brother, John, disposed of the property they owned in that state, and removed to Missouri, purchasing land in Knox county with the view of making that county a permanent residence. But ill health compelled a change of plan, and since 1871 Mortimer D. has been a resident of Indianapolis. In 1877 his brother John went to the far west, and 'has since that time devoted himself chiefly to mining. The mother and sisters of the subject of this sketch lie buried in Holy Cross cemetery in Indianapolis.
The first marriage of Mr. Gallivan took place in 1865 to Mary Sheehan. She died February 20, 1875, leaving three children- Daniel, Kate and John; the two former are living; John died at the age of twenty years. One son, Patrick M., died in infancy. Octo- ber 14, 1884, Mortimer D. Gallivan was married to Mrs. Ellen
(591)
THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
McQuade, whose maiden name was Sullivan. Her first husband was also a soldier of the war for the Union. By him she had four children, but all died young. Mr. and Mrs. Gallivan possess and enjoy the confidence and esteem of all their neighbors and friends.
R EV. LOUIS ALOYSIUS MOENCH, pastor of the St. Mich- ael's Catholic congregation of Plymouth, and also the Catho- lic church at Bourbon, is a native of Germany, born in Freuden- berg, Baden, January 25, 1853. His early educational training was obtained in the schools of his native country, which he attended until his fourteenth year, when, in 1867, he came to the United States, landing at New York city, and moving thence to Avilla, Noble county, Ind., where he made his home for one year with Rev. Father Duehmig, pastor of the Catholic church at that place. In 1869 he went to Milwaukee, Wis., and entered the St. Francis seminary, where he completed his preparatory studies for the priest- hood, and in June, 1876, was ordained priest by Bishop Dwenger, and installed as assistant pastor at Avilla, Ind., in connection with which charge he also ministered to several small congregations in the northern part of the state. He was subsequently transferred to Fort Wayne, where for eight months he was assistant at the Cathedral, and, in 1879, took charge of the congregation at Leb- anon, Boone county, of which he continued as pastor until his return to Fort Wayne, in 1882. He officiated as assistant pastor of St. Mary's church for one year and one month; in February, 1883, he was transferred to Plymouth and has since had charge of the congregations at this place and Bourbon. Father Moench has become endeared to his people, and enjoys great personal popular- ity in Plymouth among all classes, irrespective of church or creed. His congregation numbers 105 families, one-half of whom are of Irish and one-half of German nationality, and the school enrol- ment reaches 115, and these are in charge of three Sisters of the Holy Cross. The life of Father Moench has indeed been fraught with good works.
: (592)
ST. PAUL'S CHURCH. VALPARAISO, IND.
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
OHN GARRITY, of No. 319 West South street, Indianapolis, J has been a resident of this city for many years. He was born in county Roscommon, Ireland, and his wife, whose maiden name was Fanny Kennedy, came to Indianapolis before her husband. She was born in county Kildare, Ireland, in August, 1839, and lived there until she was twelve years of age, having in the mean- time been confirmed and having received her first communion in her native parish. She is a daughter of James and Julia Kennedy, who, when their daughter was about twelve years of age, with the family emigrated to the United States. For some time after reaching this country the family lived in New Jersey, coming to Indianapolis in 1852, where the parents lived until death. Worthy residents of St. John's parish, they were buried in Green Lawn cemetery, the only burying ground then in use. They were the parents of five children, two sons and three daughters, three of whom still survive. Of these three Mrs. Garrity is the eldest; Mrs. Margaret Kelley is the next, and John Kennedy is the young- est. All these reside in Indianapolis. Those deceased were Mary, who married Lawrence Caton and died in Minnesota, and James, who was a member of the Louisville legion, having first enlisted for 100 days and later veteranized and served until the close of the Civil war. He died unmarried in Indianapolis within a few years after the close, a member of St. John's church.
Mrs. Garrity first married Michael Fitzgerald, who was born in county Limerick, Ireland, and who came to the United States. in early life. Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald were married in St. John's church, Indianapolis, in 1856. Mr. Fitzgerald, when the war of the Rebellion broke out, enlisted in the Thirty-fifth Indiana vol- unteer infantry, and was killed before Atlanta, Ga., July 4, 1864. Of this regiment Rev. Father Cooney was the chaplain, and it is worthy of note that on the morning of the battle in which he was killed Mr. Fitzgerald partook of holy communion, administered by Chaplain Cooney. Mr. Fitzgerald left his wife with three chil- dren, only one of whom now survives, viz: Mrs. Mary Redington, the eldest of the three. Those that died were named James and Margaret, the former dying at the age of twenty-eight, and the latter at the age of twenty.
(597)
THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
Mr. and Mrs. Garrity have two children, a son and a daugh- ter. The son, William Patrick Garrity, is now in Rome preparing for the priesthood. He was born July 3, 1876. The daughter, Anna F., is living at home, and is a student of St. John's academy. Mr. and Mrs. Garrity belong to esteemed Catholic families of Indianapolis, and have always possessed the respect of all that have known them.
FRANCIS XAVIER GANSER, the proprietor of a popular house of entertainment in Mishawaka, Ind., was born in Baltimore, Md., June 10, 1850, a son of Joseph and Anna (Davis) Ganser.
Joseph Ganser was born in Strasburg, Germany, in 1823, and was educated in the parochial schools of his native parish, and after finishing his education was apprenticed to a shoemaker. In 1835 he came to America, locating in Philadelphia, but visited various cities in the east, following his trade, and was married in 1845, the fruit of his union being: John, now of the Jesuit college, at St. Louis, Mo .; Joseph, a druggist, of Mishawaka, Ind .; Francis X., our subject; Michael and Jacob, deceased; George, of Mishawaka; August, deceased; Charles, pastor of the Catholic church in Kent- land, Ind., and Stephen, of Fort Wayne, Ind.
Francis X. Ganser attended the St. Mary's parochial school at Philadelphia until twelve years of age, and then worked in a cottonmill until the family came to Mishawaka in 1861; he was employed as a clerk in a dry-goods store owned by Bingham & Hudson, and later in a cabinetmaking factory, in which he remained until 1879, when he entered into his present business, to which he has ever since devoted his attention. Being a gentleman of a nat- urally genial disposition, he has found this occupation to be one well suited to his personal characteristics, and has made many warm friends since he has been engaged therein.
The marriage of Mr. Ganser took place May 14, 1872, at Mishawaka, to Miss Catherine Zuber, the sacrament being cel- ebrated by Rev. A. B. Oechtering, in St. Joseph's church. To this marriage have been born six children, of whom five still sur- vive, viz: Lawrence, Otto, Bertha, Francis and Oscar. The fam- (598)
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
ily belong to St. Joseph's congregation and are true Catholics, living up to the teachings of the holy faith. Mr. Ganser has been a member of St. Joseph Benevolent society since 1872, and his wife is an active member of the Rosary society attached to same church, and their contributions to the support of the church and in aid of its good work are willingly and liberally bestowed. The children are being reared in the true faith and are being reared to become useful members of society. Mr. Ganser has been very successful in his business, and his courteous demeanor has been the chief means of making his the very popular place of resort that it is to-day.
R EGINALD W. GARSTANG, M. D., a rising young physician and surgeon of No. 448 Massachusetts avenue, Indianapolis, was born in Galion, Ohio, August 4, 1874, but has resided in this city the greater part of his life. He is a son of William and Mary L. (Zerbee) Garstang, the former a native of Wiggin, Lancashire, England, born February 28, 1851.
William Garstang, son of Robert and Ellen Garstang, has passed his life in the employ of railroad companies, and is now superintendent of motive power for the Big Four system, with headquarters at Indianapolis. He entered this employ in 1863, was married at Kent, Ohio, in 1873, and to his marriage have been born five children, viz: Reginald W., Wilfred Robert, Blee Francis (deceased), Mabel Lavinia and Virginia Marie. Of these Wilfred is the agent for the White Line Rapid Transit company, having received an academic education in the Virginia Military institute at Richmond; he is still unmarried and resides under the parental roof with his parents and sisters. The father is ex-president of the American Railway Master Mechanics' association, and is well known in locomotive circles as an inventor, the Garstang engine being held in high esteem both in Europe and America.
Dr. R. W. Garstang graduated from the Richmond, Va., high school in 1890, and then took a course in civil engineering at the renowned Stevens institute of Technology, at Hoboken, N. J. His first practical work was begun in the mountains of West Vir-
(599)
THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
ginia, where he had charge of a corps of men in the survey of the Chesapeake & Ohio railway. This rugged life, with its toil and exposure, impaired his health, and he retired from the service and entered upon the study of an allied science-inechanical engineer- ing-which he pursued eighteen months. In 1893 the family removed from Richmond, Va., to Indianapolis, Ind., and here, the same year, Reginald W. Garstang entered the Medical college of Indiana, where he completed a three-year course, graduating in 1896. Immediately thereafter he took a course of study in the post-graduate hospital of New York, and also a course in the New York Polyclinic institute. In October, 1896, he established his present office, and within a twelve-month has secured a line of practice of which any young physician might well feel proud, and, in recognition of his abilities, has been appointed surgeon of the First regiment, Indiana artillery.
The doctor is a member of Sts. Peter and Paul's congregation, is a member of the Young Men's institute, and of the Marion county Medical society and the State Medical society, as well as of the Marion club. In politics he is a republican, and socially he stands. among the best residents of Indianapolis.
M ICHAEL M. MAHONEY, a valued employee of the Metro- politan Life Insurance company of New York, was born in North Vernon, Ind., October 5, 1868, a son of Michael and Brid- get (Hawkins) Mahoney, natives of county Cork, Ireland, and also a younger brother of the famous sculptor, John H. Mahoney, whose biography is given above. The father was born September 29, 1830, and his wife was two years his senior. They were reared in the same neighborhood and were married in the city of Cork in 1852, and eight children came to bless their union, viz: Mary Ann; Henry, in Kansas; Daniel, a merchant of Indianapolis; John H., Frank, Julia, Annie and Michael M. The sons are all still living except Frank; the daughters have all been called away. The parents came to America in 1858, first located in North Ver- non, and ten years later came to Indianapolis, and here the (600)
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
mother was called to rest in 1891; the father now makes his home with his son, Michael M., the subject of this memoir.
Michael M. Mahoney received a thorough English education in St. Patrick's parochial school, Indianapolis, and in the city high school. He began his business career as a huckster and then engaged in the grocery business, passing five years in these occu- pations; he then passed a year and a half in the crockery and queensware trade. In 1889, he accepted an appointment as solic- itor for the Metropolitan Life Insurance company, and three years later was promoted to be assistant manager of the Indianapolis district-the leading district in the west.
The marriage of Mr. Mahoney took place September 1, 1897, to Miss Nellie G. Carson, a native of Indianapolis, born April 6, 1878, a daughter of Peter and Mary Carson, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Germany. Mrs. Mahoney is a highly educated lady, having first attended St. John's academy and later graduating from the city high school. Mr. Mahoney has been a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians since 1886-his father having been one of the founders of the order in the state- and he and wife are devoted members of St. Patrick's congrega- tion, and it is needless to add that the Mahoney family is one of the oldest and most respected in the parish.
Mr. and Mrs. Mahoney reside at the old home, 514 Buchanan street, where the family located in 1868. Mr. Mahoney is the owner of real estate in the city, and has made every dollar he has. He has served as president of the Progress Building & Loan asso- ciation since its organization in February, 1888; he also assisted in the organization of the Advance Building & Loan association, the Pan Handle Building & Loan and the Virginia Avenue Building & Loan associations, being a director in each. He is an active demo- crat, being a member of Marion county democratic central com- mittee, and is equally active as a politician and business man.
JOSEPH L. GASPER, of the firm of Horne & Gasper, general J agents for the New England Mutual Life Insurance company at Indianapolis, was born in Vernon, Jennings county, Ind., August 2,
(603)
THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
1857, and is a son of John and Barbara (DeVersy) Gasper, who were born in Alsace, when that province was under the dominion of France.
John Gasper and Barbara De Versy came to the United States while yet single, and in the same vessel; they were married in Madison, Ind., where they were among the early settlers and where Mr. Gasper was for many years engaged in mercantile pursuits and later in Vernon. Their marriage was blessed with four sons and two daughters, and after a married life of over fifty years the father was called from earth, a devoted member of the Catholic church, March 6, 1896, at the age of seventy-nine years. He was a most respected citizen, and ever mindful of his religious duties, carefully rearing his children in his own faith, and his is the only death that has occurred in his family in America.
Joseph L. Gasper attended the public school at Vernon until thirteen years of age, no parochial school having been established in that town up to that date. At the age of eleven years, how- ever, he began to work in a printing office, being permitted to remain away from school on Wednesday afternoon of each week, and devoting the whole of each Saturday to this employment. At the age of thirteen years, he began attending a Catholic school, walking a mile and a half, each way, for that purpose. At the age of fifteen years he received his first communion, and in the summer of 1873, being then sixteen years of age, came to Indianapolis, where he was employed at his trade in the office of the Journal and also in that of the Indiana Farmer. In 1878 he became connected with the city fire department as bookkeeper, and also had charge of the chemical engine of the department; this position he retained for eight years, and then resumed newspaper work, becoming con- nected with the Indianapolis News, and acting as correspondent for several out-of-town papers, and finally confined his attention to the News only, in the capacity of reporter. January 1, 1887, he entered upon his present business, in which he has met with the most flattering success.
Mr. Gasper was happily united in marriage, May 19, 1880, with Miss Sarah E. Johnson, of Terre Haute, Ind., and this union has been blessed with one bright boy, Vernon Joseph, who was (604)
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
born October 11, 1888. Mrs. Gasper is a highly cultured lady, and, like her husband, is devotedly attached to her church. Mr. Gasper is an active and progressive citizen and takes much interest in the moral and material growth of the city. He has been a trustee of St. Joseph's parish for a number of years, is a member of Brownson council, No. 272, Young Men's institute, and as a republican has served several years as a member of the city council.
M RS. BRIDGET GAVIN, at No. 1216 Pleasant street, a woman of excellent qualities, has been a resident of St. Patrick's parish, Indianapolis, since April, 1891. She is the widow of William Gavin, who was born in Ireland, and whose father died when he was merely a youth. At the age of thirteen years Will- iam Gavin came to the United States with an elder brother, and located in Franklin county, Ind., where he grew to manhood and where he married the wife who survives him and whose name heads this article. Mr. Gavin died in the year 1890.
Mrs. Gavin's maiden name was Dugal, and she was born in county Mayo, Ireland, and when seven years of age was brought to the United States by her parents, John and Catherine (Ready) Dugal. The family settled on a farm in Franklin county, Ind., on which they lived some time, when they removed to Rush county, and still later to Johnson county, where they lived until after the death of Mr. Dugal. Then Mrs. Dugal purchased a home on McCarty street, Indianapolis, in which she passed the remainder of her life.
Some time after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Gavin settled on a farm in Johnson county, Ind., later removing to Southport, which place was their home for seventeen years, and there Mr. Gavin died in May, 1890. Mr. Gavin was always a farmer by occupa- tion, and was unusually successful. He was likewise a most worthy citizen, and had the respect of the entire community in which he lived. Mr. and Mrs. Gavin became the parents of eleven children, nine of whom still survive, viz: Kate, William, Martin, Mary, Theresa, John, Frank, Laura and Ernest. The two that died were
(605).
THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
a son and daughter, the latter, Agnes, dying at the age of twenty years, and the former, John, when about nine years old. Mrs. Gavin and her family are highly esteemed members of St. Pat- rick's church, and are respected as members of general society.
J
UDGE JOHN MOORE, deceased .-- No attempt to compile the annals of Vincennes, Ind., whether in a work of this char- acter or in a general history, would be complete withont a bio- graphical sketch of the man whose name heads these paragraphs- a man to whose efforts, in its day of small things, the city of Vin- cennes is everlastingly indebted. More than a hundred years ago this energetic man settled in Vincennes and became thoroughly and personally identified with every proper move in the early set- tlement and after-development of the city. He was prominent in public affairs, his active zeal and untiring energy making him an invaluable factor in the life of the rising commonwealth. Equally zealous in the affairs of the church, his became a name to be insep- arably connected with the history of the early church in Vincennes and vicinity, and his house became widely known as a home of priests and bishops. His liberality both of heart and hand found eager employment in spiritual as well as public concerns, and the ·church which he loved so well is bound to his memory by many ties of remembrance based on tangible and lasting evidences. In return for all that which he did for the weal of the community no man ever enjoyed a higher degree of the public confidence and esteem than did Judge Moore, in whose long and active life were ·exemplified so many saving traits of the gentleman, scholar, bene- factor, Christian.
John Moore was born in Pocahontas county, Va., in the year 1790. He received a thorough education and was especially fitted for the law. His naturally logical mind was strengthened by its legal training, and became noted for its comprehensive scope and ready grasp of affairs jurisprudential. In 1796 he came to Vin- cennes and immediately entered upon the affairs of the then rising settlement. His talents were of a character to at once command (606)
HON. JOHN MOORE. (DECEASED.)
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
the recognition of his fellows, and he was speedily advanced to positions of honor and trust. Upon the incorporation of Vin- cennes and its adoption of a city charter, the public eye at once turned to Judge Moore as to the proper administrative head of affairs and he was elected the first mayor of the city. Previously to that he had been conservator of the public peace in the capac- ity of town marshal. In the field of jurisprudence he was also early sought out, and for fourteen years he held the important position of judge of the probate court. In affairs political he was ever active, and under the Buchanan administration he received the appointment of postmaster of Vincennes as a mark of recogni- tion of party service. In his domestic life Judge Moore was noted for his kindly affectionate manner, and in his general and per- sonal relations to the public his affability of manner and benevo- lence of spirit made him a universal favorite in the community. Mention has been made of his regard for the beloved mother church. This was the church of his adoption, he having been born and reared a Protestant. He was converted to the Roman Catholic faith by the good Bishop Brute, and no child of the church was ever a more devoted follower or earnest supporter. Judge Moore died in Vincennes December 23, 1864, but memory of the man dieth not.
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.