USA > Indiana > History of the Catholic church in Indiana, Volume II > Part 38
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When twenty-eight years of age, Mr. Moroney engaged in the drug trade at Maxwell, Hancock county, where he remained three (636)
DANIEL M. MORONEY.
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
years, and at the end of that time removed to Indianapolis, estab- lishing his drug business in this city in June, 1894. Since locating in the Capital city, he has built up a fine trade in the general drug line, besides which he has achieved more than a local reputation as the manufacturer of ten different kinds of proprietary medicines, which have a large sale throughout Indiana and many other states. He employs a regularly graduated pharmacist who assists in the preparation of these remedies, and such is their popularity that he is kept very busy in order to supply the constantly increasing demand for them.
Mr. Moroney was married October 4, 1893, to Miss Maggie O'Mara, only child of Jerry and Mary O'Mara, of Indianapolis, the ceremony being solemnized by Rev. Father Curran, pastor of St. Bridget's church. Mrs. Moroney was educated in the parochial schools of Indianapolis and she and her husband are devoted mem- bers of St. Anthony's parish (Haughville), in which they are highly esteemed. They are the parents of two children-Leon, born November 5, 1895, and Hellen, whose birth occurred on the 6th of February, 1896. Mr. Moroney is a charter member of the Young Men's institute, and politically wields an influence for the demo- cratic party, with which he has voted ever since attaining his majority.
G EORGE P. GORDON, baggage agent of the P., Ft. W. & J C., G. R. & I. companies, and member of the common coun- cil of Fort Wayne, was born in Greene county, Pa., June 24, 1833. His father, William D. Gordon, was born in Greene county, Pa., in 1812, and was the son of George Gordon, who was born and reared in Pennsylvania and died in 1832. William D. Gordon removed to Ohio in 1835, where he followed farming until his death, December 28, 1878. His wife was Catherine Keenan, who was born in county Fermanagh, Ireland, about 1812, and came to America when thirteen years of age. Her death occurred in Ohio in 1879. To them three sons and nine daughters were born, who are living, with the exception of four daughters.
George P. Gordon was reared in Ohio until the spring of 1856,
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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
when he went to Madison, Wis., where for five years he was engaged in traveling for a wholesale establishment. He next came to Fort Wayne, but remained here only a short time, going next to Lancaster, Ohio. In 1862 he returned to Fort Wayne and engaged in farming in Pleasant township until the fall of 1865. He next went to Woodburn, Ind., with J. K. Edgerton and remained one year. Returning to Fort Wayne he took a position on the city police force, and held the same for one year. August 1, 1868, he entered the railroad business as night baggage agent, and six years later was promoted to his present position. Mr. Gordon was mar- ried in 1857 at Madison, Wis., to Catherine Ring, who was born in Perry county, Ohio, September 28, 1834. To their union ten children have been born, six sons and two daughters of whom sur- vive, viz: Rose E. (wife of F. A. Aman, of Fort Wayne), William D., John F., Daniel D., Joseph G., Mary E. (now Sister Georgi- ana, of the order of the Sisters of Providence), James S. and Charles E. Of these, William D. is married to Miss Margaret Baker, daughter of K. Baker, of Fort Wayne, and Daniel D. is married to Miss Lena Mettler. The family are all devout Catho- lics, and Mr. Gordon is a member of the Catholic Knights of America, also of St. Joseph's Benevolent society and the Ancient Order of Hibernians and St. Vincent de Paul association. Mr. Gordon was elected to the common council of Fort Wayne in the spring of 1889, and is a sound democrat.
JOHN GORDON, master mechanic, Belt shops, Indianapolis, and prominent member of the Church of the Assumption, is a native of Ohio, born April 15, 1857, in the city of Cincinnati. His parents. James and Winifred (Farrell) Gordon, were both natives of Roscommon county, Ireland, but came to the United States in their youth and were made husband and wife in Cincin- nati. Their family consisted of the following children: James, who died at the age of twenty-four; Luke, Patrick and Thomas, triplets-the first named dying when five months old and the others at the age of six months; the next in order of birth is the
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CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
subject of this sketch; Lizzie died in her nineteenth year; Bee, wife of Henry Blomyer, lives in Indianapolis, where her husband is a fireman on the Belt; they have had two children-Annie, wife Joseph Clark, an employee of the Belt, and Willie, who died at the age of sixteen. The next is Thomas, a fireman on the Belt, with his home in Indianapolis.
The parental home of the subject was removed from Cincin- nati to Richmond, Ind., in 1864, and both parents died in the latter city, the mother in 1892, aged sixty, and the father in 1894, at the age of sixty-six. John Gordon served an apprenticeship to the machinist trade in Indianapolis, and this has been principally his life work. He spent five years as a locomotive engineer and four years as master mechanic at Florissant, Mo., returning to Indianapolis at the end of that time and re-engaging with the Belt shops, with which he has since continued. For three years Mr. Gordon has held the responsible position of master mechanic, and has discharged the duties of the same with credit to himself and satisfaction to the company with which he has so long been promi- nently identified.
He was married in St. John's church, Indianapolis, by Very Rev. Mgr. Bessonies, May 1, 1877, to Miss Ellen McGinty, the accomplished daughter of Martin and Mary (Dixon) McGinty, a union blessed with the birth of seven children: Mary W., the eldest, was born April 1, 1881, and died when eight weeks old; Annie, the second, was born June 12, 1882; Lizzie was born in Florissant, Mo., in 1884, and died at the age of five years; Martin, the next in order of birth, was born November 25, 1887; James was born March 7, 1890; Francis January 22, 1892, and Gertrude April 20, 1896.
Mr. Gordon and family belong to the Church of the Assump- tion, of which his wife is a leading spirit. Religion to them is a rule of life, and they exemplify by their daily conduct the pure faith as laid down by the Holy Mother church. Politically, Mr. Gordon is a democrat, and has served as a member of the central committee. He has never aspired to political honors, however, preferring to give his entire time to the responsible duties of the position he so acceptably holds.
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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
JOSEPH I. GORDON is a native of Washington, Daviess county, J Ind., was born February 17, 1862, and is a son of Bartholomew and Margaret (Hart) Gordon, who reared a family of nine children, viz: Edward, John, Mary, John (second), Anna, Frank J., Peter, James J. and Joseph I., all of whom are now deceased, with the exception of Frank J., James J. and Joseph I., who all reside in Washington, Ind.
Bartholomew Gordon, father of the above family, was born in county Fermanagh, Ireland, in 1803, a son of Patrick and Annie (Roonie) Gordon, was reared to general labor or day-work, and in 1830 came to America. For a short time he was employed in general labor at Rome, N. Y., whence he went to Illinois, but soon after came to Washington, Ind., where he continued at day-work until his death, from inflammatory rheumatism, July 17, 1876-a sincere Catholic and a member of St. Simon's congregation. His widow now has her home with her son, Joseph I., the subject of this memoir, who is caring for her with filial affection during her declining years. She is a member of the Altar society of St. Simon and has faithfully reared all her children in the faith of her church.
Joseph I. Gordon was educated in the parochial school of his native city, which he attended until thirteen years of age, when he began work in a coal mine, and at this and at general labor, wher- ever it could be found, he continued until 1882, and then found steady work as a laborer for the Washington Gas company until the fall of 1883, when he secured a position as barkeeper, which occupation he followed until July, 1886, when he began the same class of business on his own account at his present stand.
October 17, 1893, Mr. Gordon married in Jennings county, Ind., Miss Catherine Maschino, a native of that county, born. November 27, 1866, a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Maschino, natives of Alsace, Germany, and early settlers of Jennings county, Ind. Three children have blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Gordon, and are named Joseph Edward, Carl Matthews and Stella Catherine. The family belong to St. Simon's congregation, and Mr. Gordon is a member of St. Mary's branch, No. 770, Catholic Knights, of which he is the financial secretary. In politics he is a democrat, but has never been an office seeker, although he has been
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CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
always active in advancing the interests of his party. He is a genial, good-natured and obliging gentleman, has hosts of friends, and is the owner of his residence on Hefron street and other valu- able city property.
James J. Gordon, whose genealogy may be traced in the biography of his younger brother, Joseph I., preceding this record, was born in Daviess county, Ind., October 8, 1857. He was edu- cated in the parochial school of his native county, and at the age of sixteen years apprenticed himself to the shoemaker's trade, for two years, followed his calling three years, and then was employed in coal mining until 1882, when he resumed his trade, at which he worked until 1884, when he engaged in general labor until 1887, since when he has been assisting his brother, Joseph I.
Mr. Gordon was married, in Washington, May 31, 1881, to Miss Mary M. Flick, of Dubois county, Ind., and this union has resulted in the birth of seven children, viz: Margaret, Annie, Joseph W., Henry, Mary, Roger B., and Helen Elizabeth. Mr. and Mrs. Gordon, with their children, are members of St. Simon's congregation, and Mr. Gordon is also a member of the Young Men's institute and of the Catholic Knights. His political affiliations are with the democratic party. He has been industrious and thrifty through life and owns his residence, while his social relations are respectable and wide-spread.
W ILLIAM GORMAN, the oldest foreman at Mitchell, Law- rence county, Ind., in the employ of the B. & O. S. W. railroad, as far as continuity of employment may be considered, was born in county Kings, Ireland, September 7, 1838, a son of James and Bridget Gorman, both of whom died in Ireland, the parents of seven children, viz: Winifred, who is married to Peter Dempsey, and still lives in the old country; William, our subject; John, and Margaret (married to Thomas Dunn), also are still in the Emerald isle; Mary, who came to the United States, married Francis Dunn, and died in Perry county, Ill .; Bridget, wife of James Higgins, of New Jersey, and James, still in Ireland.
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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
William Gorman was reared on a farm owned by his father and had very good school advantages, both parochial and private, of which he gladly availed himself, and willingly walked two and a half miles to attend. At the age of twenty-five years, he mar- ried Anne Connolly, also a native of county Kings. In 1864, he came to the United States, he and wife both having some means, and first found employment in New York at railroad work, with which he became very familiar and to which he determined to devote his life-labor. In February, 1870, he came to Mitchell, where he has ever since held the position he at present fills. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Gorman has been blessed with three chil- dren, viz: Elizabeth, wife of William M. Keane, William and John, all residents of Mitchell.
Mr. Gorman has ever been active in matters pertaining to the Catholic church, and was largely instrumental in forming the Catholic congregation and erecting its house of worship in Mitchell. Prior to 1871, mass was read in private residences or any other places that might be found convenient. There were then but few Catholic families residing in Mitchell, those of Mr. Gorman, Michael C. Keane, Joseph Sowers, John O'Donnell and William Boland being the more prominent, and these were the active spirits, in 1870, in organizing the movement having in view the erection of a church-edifice. The church society was organized early in 1871, the construction of the building commenced, and by the close of the year was completed, at a cost of $6,000, and paid for as soon as built. It is a neat brick structure, and for the payment of its construction, as well as for the ground on which it stands, con- tributions were made by many Catholics from outside parishes, as well as by many Protestants. The edifice was consecrated by the bishop of the diocese of Vincennes, and the congregation is in the care of the priest at Shoals.
JOHN GRADY, a prominent Catholic citizen of Indianapolis, J resides with his family at 526 Sanders street. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in November, 1858, and is a son of Michael and (644)
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
Alice Grady, both of whom were natives of Ireland, but who came to the United States in early life. They were married in Cincin- nati, and there spent all their married life, Mr. Grady dying there and Mrs. Grady afterward removing to Indianapolis. They were the parents of but two children, viz: John and Michael, the former the subject of this sketch, and both residents of Indianapolis.
John Grady grew to manhood in Cincinnati, attending both the public and the Catholic schools. Until attaining his twenty- fifth year he was variously engaged, since that time (1882) having been employed as engineer by the Indianapolis Gas company. His brother, Michael, has been with the same company in the same capacity since 1875, the two brothers alternating, one being on duty during the day, the other during the night.
November 10, 1886, Mr. Grady was married to Miss Honora McCarthy, a daughter of Timothy and Honora McCarthy, natives. of Ireland, who early became citizens of Indianapolis. Her father died some years ago, but her mother still resides in that city. They were the parents of three children, of whom Mrs. Grady is the only survivor. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Grady was solemnized by the Rev. Father O'Donaghue, at St. Patrick's church. They are the parents of three children, viz: Walter, Nora and Raymond, all whom were baptized by the Rev. Father O'Donaghue. Mr. and Mrs. Grady and their children are among the highly esteemed Catholic residents of Indianapolis, and are residents of St. Patrick's parish, respected by all that know them.
G USTAVE A. GRAMELSPACHER, assistant cashier of the Farmers & Merchants' Bank of Jasper, is one of the four chil- dren born to John and Francis (Dupps) Gramelspacher, who early came from Germany and located in Dubois county, Ind.
Gustave A. Gramelspacher was born July 30, 1875, in Dubois county; was reared in the city of Jasper, attended Jasper college, and graduated in 1891, being one of the first to graduate from that institution. He was appointed deputy auditor May 15, 1892, and served for three years, when he resigned that position to accept
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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
his present one. The bank was opened August 15, 1895, with John L. Bretz as president, and Jacob Burger, Jr., as cashier. In politics Mr. Gramelspacher is a democrat, and his first vote for president was for William J. Bryan. He is a very popular young man, is unusually apt in business matters, and is fully qualified to perform the duties pertaining to his present responsible position.
H ON. FRANCIS MURPHY, ex-mayor of Vincennes, Ind., and president of the People's Savings, Loan & Building asso- ciation, was born in Ripley county, Ind., May 13, 1854, and is a son of Michael C. and Nancy W. (Andrews) Murphy.
Michael C. Murphy is a native of county Westmeath, Ireland, was born May 12, 1818, and at the age of sixteen years came to America. In 1852 he married, in Ripley county. Ind., Miss Nancy W. Andrews, a native of Hamilton county, Ohio, and a daughter of W. S. Andrews, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. To this union were born three children-Francis (our subject), Mary and John M. The father had worked under Gen. George B. McClellan when the latter was civil engineer for the Ohio & Mississippi railroad, and during the late Civil war was appointed inspector of bridges on that road by the officer named; his total period of employment on the road extended from 1858 to 1880, when he retired to Vincennes, where he and his son Francis live together under the same roof, the latter being unmarried.
Francis Murphy, our subject, at the age of six years, had the great misfortune to lose his mother, when the home circle was in consequence disrupted. At the age of eight he was placed in St. Vincent de Paul orphan asylum, three miles from Vincennes, under the jurisdiction of the Sisters of Providence, and there passed seven years under tuition in the ordinary English branches prima- rily. After passing a year in the family of a German farmer, he returned to Ripley county, attended school awhile, and thence went to Moore's Hill college in Dearborn county, Ind., a Methodist institution. It had been the father's intention and the desire of the subject that he be educated for the ministry of the Catholic
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HON. FRANCIS MURPHY.
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
church, but poor health rendered this impracticable on the part of the latter, as it also prevented his completing the course at Moore's Hill college.
Although Mr. Murphy has passed twenty-two years in the liquor business, he has never taken a drink of spirits. For several years he conducted two places at Sullivan, Ind., in conjunction with an extensive establishment of the same character in Vincennes.
In May, 1882, Mr. Murphy, as a republican, was elected a member of the Vincennes city council. In 1884 he modified his political views and became a democrat. Twice he has been elected to this office by the republicans and once by the democrats, serv- ing, in all, five years. In May, 1889, he was chosen mayor of Vincennes, serving two years. In 1891 he was re-nominated for the office by the democrats, but by an anti-Catholic combination was defeated by only one vote. In 1890 the People's Building & Loan association was organized in Vincennes and Mr. Murphy was chosen its president, which position he still ably fills. The capital of this company is $1, 000, 000.
Mr. Murphy is a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic church, and is prominently associated with sodalities. He served one term as president of branch No. 256, C. K. of A., as first lieutenant, uniform rank, St. Paul's commandery, C. K. of A., and is also adjutant-general for the United States for the same order; he is a member of the B. P. O. E., and was an organizer of lodge No. 291, of Vincennes; he is past deputy great sachem of Indiana, and past sachem of Piankishaw council, I. O. R., of Vincennes; is also a member of the Liquor Dealers' association of Indiana, has served as its vice-president, and was instrumental in securing the passage of the anti-quart law.
W ILLIAM M. GRADY, member of the Indianapolis fire department, was born in London, England, December 22, 1871, and is a son of John and Mary (Finn) Grady, natives respectively of county Kerry and county Limerick, Ireland. They were married in London and resided there several years afterward, as well as about fifteen years before their marriage. John Grady
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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
was by occupation a glass manufacturer on his own account in England, and died in Brighton in 1885. The mother of the family, after her husband's death, brought her children to the United States, and located in Indianapolis in 1889. Her children are as follows: William M., the subject of this sketch; Ellen, Mary and John M., all of whom are living and all at home with their mother, at No. 1007 Senate avenue, South.
William M. Grady obtained a thorough education in English in the Catholic schools of London, and on arriving in Indianapolis became a clerk with the "Big Four" Railway company, with which he remained about three years. 'One year was spent as a deputy in the office of the county recorder, and another year in the employ of the Kingan Packing company. One year was spent in Chicago, and in November, 1896, he was appointed to a posi- tion in the Indianapolis fire department, as a member of hose company No. 17, which position he still retains. Mr. Grady is still unmarried, is a member of division No. 2, Ancient Order of Hibernians, and the family are all members of St. John's Catholic church, of which the Rev. Father Gavisk is the pastor. Polit- ically he is a democrat, but has never held nor sought office. He is a man of principle, honest in his dealings with his fellow-men, and respected by all that know him.
T THOMAS GREANY, of No. 1514 Spann avenue, Indianapolis, is a representative of one of the pioneer Catholic families of St. Patrick's parish. His parents, Dennis and Mary Greany, were born in county Kerry, Ireland, but came to America when young, and were married in Richmond, Ind., September 29, 1854, and then located in Cumberland, Marion county, and in 1862 came to the city of Indianapolis, where the father's death occurred very suddenly on December 10, 1869. He was a truly pious Catholic, and possessed the respect of all who knew him. His widow is still a resident of this city, and of their six children Ellen is the wife of Henry Blemer, Mary is married to Thomas B. Shoemaker, Thomas is the subject of this notice, Margaret is the wife of
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CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
Joseph Stevens, John lives in Indianapolis, and Catherine died in infancy.
Thomas Greany, our subject, was born in the village of Cum- berland. Marion county, Ind., October 9, 1860, and was but two years of age when his parents settled in Indianapolis. He first attended St. John's parochial school and later St. Patrick's, and was among the first to receive communion in the present St. Patrick's church, the sacrament being administered when he was but eleven years old, and being confirmed on the same day he received his first communion. After leaving school he was placed at work in a heading factory, where he remained seven years. then entered the employ of the P., C., C. & St. L. Railway company, and since 1886 has been a locomotive engineer.
The marriage of Mr. Greany took place October 16, 1887, to Miss Mary Stevens, daughter of Valentine and Rose Ann Stevens, natives of Germany, but now most worthy Catholic residents of Piqua, Ohio, and this marriage has been blessed with two children -Dennis W. and Mary. The family, as intimated, are members of St. Patrick's church, to the support of which they freely give their aid, and Mr. Greany is a charter member of Capital council, No. 276, Young Men's institute, and is, moreover, one of the most highly respected residents of his parish.
M ICHAEL H. GREENEN, a well-known Catholic citizen of Indianapolis, residing at No. 230 South Noble street, was born in the parish of Durough, county Kings, Ireland, May 24, 1844, a son of Peter and Mary (Conway) Greenen, who had been playmates in childhood, having been born within the limits of one and the same year, and within the bounds of the same parish.
In 1850 Peter Greenen came to America, bringing with him his wife and four children, and landing in New Orleans, thence going, via water, to Cincinnati, Ohio, and four months later pro- ceeding to Urbana and settling on a farm near that city. There were two more children born to the parents, and all six reared to mature or nearly mature years, with one exception, and there Mr.
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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
and Mrs. Greenen passed their lives until 1872, when they came to Indianapolis, to which city their son had preceded them. Here Mr. Greenen secured a position as flagman on a railroad, and while in the performance of his duties as such was instantly killed by a train in June, 1874. He was a sincere Catholic and an industrious and respected citizen. The widow survived her unfor- tunate husband several years and died also in the Catholic faith.
Of the six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Peter Greenen, Joseph W., the eldest, is a resident of Holy Cross parish, Indian- apolis; Michael H. is the subject, principally, of this notice, and is the next in order of birth; Mary is the wife of Patrick Graham, of Springfield, Ohio; and the youngest born, Anna, is married to John McGroarty, of Indianapolis; Thomas was accidentally killed while engaged in railroad work, in July, 1873, at the age of twenty years, and Ella died, at the age of six, in Champaign county, Ohio.
Michael H. Greenen assisted his father on the home farm until 1863, when he came to Indianapolis, worked a few months at brickmaking for T. A. Lewis, then in Fletchers' nursery a few weeks, again worked at brickmaking, and in October of the same year returned to the Ohio home and attended school the ensuing winter; in the spring, returning to Indianapolis, he worked at brick- making for a Mr. Simonds, then attended his home school the fol- lowing winter, and finally, in the spring of 1865, made Indianap- olis his permanent home. In October of the same year he entered the employ of the P., C., C. & St. L. Railroad company as brakeman ; later, he was promoted to be fireman, which position he held three years and eleven months; was next yard engineer for two years and was then given a freight engine, and in 1876 was appointed to a passenger engine, which situation he has continuously held to the present time. During all of these years he has met with no serious accident, and to his credit, be it said, not even one for which he was held responsible. In 1883, when all the engineers on the road went out on a strike, he was out eighteen days only, when, at the solicitation of the company, he returned to duty, and, with one exception, was the only striking engineer ever permitted to re-en- ter the service of the company, and is now the oldest engineer, in
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