History of the Catholic church in Indiana, Volume II, Part 42

Author: Blanchard, Charles, fl. 1882-1900, ed
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: Logansport, Ind., A. W. Bowen & co.
Number of Pages: 1476

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W ILLIAM M. HAYES, youngest son of William and Ann (Beckes) Hayes, was born in Vincennes, Ind., April 10, 1849. His father, a native of Ireland, came to this country in 1825, while yet a young man, and located at Vincennes, where he engaged very successfully in the dry-goods and grocery business, in which he continued until 1851, when he retired, but still resided in Vincennes until his death, which occurred January 5, 1862. He was married in Vincennes in 1834 to Miss Ann Beckes, a native of this place, who was the daughter of Benjamin V. Beckes, the first white male child born in Knox county, this state. They had seven children, viz. : Alice M., widow of M. L. Brett, of Washing- ton; John B .; Thomas; Mary; William M., our subject, and two daughters who died in infancy. They were devont members of St. Francis Xavier's cathedral at Vincennes, the mother being a con- vert to the Catholic faith, in which she died August 4, 1886. Mr. Hayes was very successful in business and was noted for his liber- ality to the church, of which he was for years a trustee.

William M. Hayes, our subject, was educated in the public (694)

CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.

schools at Vincennes. At the age of sixteen he began clerking in the dry-goods and grocery store of his brother John, with whom he remained until 1872, when he came to Washington upon the solici- tation of his brother-in-law, Matthew L. Brett, late president of the Washington National bank. In this bank he clerked for two years, thoroughly familiarizing himself with the details of the important business. He was then promoted to the position of assist- ant cashier, which position he held until 1884, when he was elected by the directors to the responsible position of cashier, which office he has since filled with the utmost fidelity. Mr. Hayes is also quite a landholder in Daviess county, and has large holdings of local building and loan stock. He is an enterprising, public-spirited citizen, and inherits in a large degree the liberal traits of his father. He is a valuable and active member of St. Simon's church, of which he was for some years a trustee. He is also a prominent member of the Catholic Knights of America, and is a citizen who is held in very high regard in the community generally.

On October 5, 1874, Mr. Hayes was united in marriage to Winifred F. Lee, who was born in this city February 27, 1853, daughter of Clement and Sarah (Wells) Lee, natives of Daviess county, the former a well-known miller. To their union four chil- dren were born: Helen, Mary, Clement and Stella, three of whom are still living. Mrs. Hayes was a convert to the Catholic faith and died May 9, 1891, fervent in her belief, and was laid to rest in the old cemetery.

M ICHAEL HAZINSKI, an active member of St. Hedwig Polish Roman Catholic church, and a leading cigar manufacturer of South Bend, Ind., was born in Poland, Prussia, September 14, 1858, a son of Valentine and Mehellena Hazinski, who were born in the same country in 1839 and 1841, respectively, the father becoming a farmer and contracting mason.

Michael Hazinski attended the parochial schools of his native land until fourteen years of age, when he was apprenticed to the blacksmith and machinist trade for five years, and after finishing his term, served two years in the Prussian army. He then came

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to the United States, landing in Philadelphia, Pa., and arriving in South Bend, Ind., in 1879. Here he secured employment for six months, as a machinist, with the Studebaker Manufacturing company, after which, for a short time, he was employed in the Oliver Plow works, and then went to Coldwater, Mich., where he served an apprenticeship of three years at cigarmaking. Having mastered this trade, he returned to South Bend, and was employed as a foreman for five years by A. Grisvoi, and later commenced the manufacture of cigars, which he has conducted with financial success for the past ten years.

October 27, 1884, Mr. Hazinski was united in wedlock, at Coldwater, Mich., by Rev. Father C. Korst, to Miss Weronika Latosinska, and this marriage has been blessed with five children, who are being educated at St. Hedwig parochial school, of which church all the family are devout members. Mr. Hazinski is also a member of St. Casimir and St. Valentine societies, and is earnest in his efforts to advance the interests of both the church and its sodalities, and very generously aids with his means their support. He is widely and favorably known in business circles, and is esteemed generally as an upright and useful citizen.

JOHN WALTER O'HARA, a prominent attorney at law, Peru, J Miami county, was born in Connersville, Ind., September 22, 1853, a son of James and Catherine (Galvin) O'Hara, natives of Ireland.

James O'Hara was born in county Clare, in 1825, a son of Michael and Nellie (Quinn) O'Hara, and was their only child. He was reared to manhood on his father's farm, and in 1847 came to the United States, landing in Boston, where he was em- ployed in general labor until 1850, when he came west, sojourned in Cincinnati, Ohio, until 1852, when he removed to Connersville, Ind., where he worked on the Whitewater Valley railroad, along the canal, and in pork packing until 1854, when he went to Rush county, where he worked on a farm until death called him October 19, 1861. His wife, Catherine (Galvin) O'Hara, also a native of (696)

John W. OHfara

CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.

county Clare, was born in 1827, and was a daughter of John and Nellie (Quinn) Galvin, who were the parents of eight children, Mrs. O'Hara being the fifth in order of birth. In 1847, Catherine came to America in company with two sisters and some friends, and landed in Quebec, Canada, when she went to Worcester, Mass., and there met and was married to James O'Hara, whom she blessed with seven children, viz: James and Michael, now deceased; John W., whose name opens this article; Mary E., wife of C. Fitzgerald, of Lincoln, Ill .; Elizabeth, now Mrs. M. A. Har- bert, of Hoopeston, Ill .; Henry, railroad agent at LaGro, Ind., and Thomas, a contractor of Alexandria, this state. The venera- ble mother passed to her reward in September, 1897.

John Walter O'Hara remained in Rush county until the spring following his father's death, when the mother with her family, moved to a farm in Cass county, where our subject laid the foun- dation of his education by attending school until the family removed to Bunker Hill, Miami county, in 1878, where they resided until 1887, Mr. O'Hara having begun, however, a career as school- master in 1874, which he followed until 1883 in the graded schools of Miami county. Between the years 1883 and 1887, Mr. O'Hara owned and edited the Bunker Hill Press, a valuable and spicy local newspaper, that paid its expenses but did not lead on to fortune. In 1887, Mr. O'Hara entered the university of Michigan at Ann Arbor, from the law department of which he graduated the follow- ing year-1888-when he settled down to the active practice of his profession in the city of Peru, his present place of residence.

From 1888 until 1890, Mr. O'Hara made a flattering success in the practice of his chosen profession, and then admitted John B. Joyce as a partner, the association lasting one year. He then practiced alone until April, 1892, when he formed his present coparntership with E. T. Reasoner, and this firm now stand in the front rank of the Peru bar.

The marriage of Mr. O'Hara was solemnized January 15, 1878, in Kokomo, Ind., with Miss Ellen C. Thornton, who was born in Galveston, Cass county, Ind., June 6, 1857, a daughter of James and Ellen (Brown) Thornton, natives, respectively, of counties Louth and Kerry, Ireland. This union has been crowned

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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,

and blessed with nine children, viz: Alice May, deceased; Elizabeth G., James H., Genevieve Catherine, deceased; John, Patrick L., Helen, Joseph and Thomas. The family are all members of St. Borromeo church, to the support of which the parents contribute most liberally. Mr. O'Hara is also a member of the A. O. H., of which he was elected state treasurer in 1894, served two years, and in 1896 was elected its state president. In politics Mr. O'Hara is a stanch republican, and is the present manager of dis- trict No. 11 of the Indiana State League of Republican Clubs. Mr. O'Hara is the owner of 200 acres of good farming land in Miami county and also valuable city lots in Peru, and, socially, as well as professionally, is held in high esteem by all who know him.

JAMES H. HEALEY, a well-known citizen of Indianapolis, and, J since 1895, a trustee of St. Joseph's parish, is a native of the state of New Jersey, and was born in Boonton, Morris county, October 4, 1859.

Patrick Healey, father of James H., was born in the city of Dublin, Ireland, came to America in 1839, and landed in the city of New York, whence he went to New Jersey, and there married Ellen Moore, a native of county Queens, Ireland, the marriage being blessed with four sons, viz: John, who died in infancy; Will- iam, who resides in St. Joseph's parish, Indianapolis; Thomas L., of Arlington, N. J., where Mrs. Ellen Healey also resides-all faith- ful Catholics and respected citizens-and James H., the gentleman whose name opens this article. Patrick Healey was a devoted Catholic and a highly respected citizen, and ended his days in New Jersey, dying in 1881.

James H. Healey remained under the parental roof until seven- teen years of age, attending in the meantime a parochial school. After leaving his home to make his way through the world, he first went to Benwood, W. Va., and thence to Wheeling, tarrying but a short time at each place, and then went to Pittsburg, Pa., where he learned nail-making: then, stopping at various towns, in which he worked at his trade, he reached Terre Haute, Ind., in 1879, and

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June 3, 1888, came to Indianapolis, since when he has been a resi- dent of St. Joseph's parish, with Rev. H. Alerding as his pastor.

While a resident of Terre Haute, Mr. Healey was united in the holy bonds of matrimony, June 7, 1880, with Miss Jessie Shearer, a convert to Catholicity, being baptized and receiving her first communion at St. Patrick's church, Terre Haute, the sacra- ments being administered by the Rev. V. A. Schnell. The parents of Mrs. Healey were George W. and Melinda Shearer, the former of whom was a railroad engineer for fully seventeen years, and while thus employed lost his life August 17, 1876, leaving his widow with five children, of whom Mrs. Healey is the eldest. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Healey has been blessed with three children, of whom the eldest two, Thomas P. and Arthur J., are still living, but the youngest, Marie Esther, was called away in infancy.

Mr. Healey enjoys the confidence and respect of the entire community, being active in his promotion of the interests of the church and a liberal contributor to its support. Mr. Healey is president of commandery No. 191, Knights of St. John; in politics is a democrat, and takes great interest in local affairs. He is a mechanic in the employ of the Big Four Railroad company, and has made for himself and family a comfortable home at No. 643 North Pine street.

JOHN H. HAVERKOS, ex-postmaster of Oldenburg, Franklin J county, is a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Westerhoff) Haver- kos, the former of whom died in Germany August 15, 1893, and the latter about 1885.

John H. Haverkos was born October 5. 1839, attended the common schools, and at the age of twenty-five years landed in New York, and then came to his present home. He learned the shoemaker's trade and worked at that until 1877. He then engaged in his present public business, and was appointed post- master June 24, 1893, under Grover Cleveland. He was married June 7, 1866, to Mary A. Wessel, a daughter of Henry and Eliza- beth (Goetker) Wessel, to which marriage have been born fourteen

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children, of whom ten are still living, viz: Mary (married to Ben Diedrich); Lizzie (wife of Charles R. Hohman), Joseph, Rosie, Henrietta, Nora, Frank, Amelia, Leo and Edmund-all of the family being devout members of the Catholic church.

M AURICE HEALEY, the popular liveryman of Montgomery, Daviess county, Ind., was born in Scott county, Ky., in 1842, the seventh of the thirteen children that constituted the family of Patrick R. and Ella (Sullivan) Healey, natives of county Cork, Ireland, but of this family there are now only four survivors. The parents had early in their married life located in Kentucky, but about 1852 came to Indiana and settled in Barr township, Daviess county, where they passed the remainder of their days and died devout members of St. Mary's congregation.

Maurice Healey was a lad of ten years when he came to Daviess county with his parents, and was here confirmed by Bishop de St. Palais. He was educated in a primitive log school-house, which was heated by a wood fire, the fuel for which was supplied by the pupils themselves, each boy in turn being detailed to chop the wood in the neighboring forest. The rod of birch was freely used for the purpose of keeping order among the pupils, whose seats were constructed of split logs, the under, or rounded, sides of which were drilled with auger holes, into which were driven pegs, which answered the purpose of legs, while the writing desk, constructed of similar material, extended the whole length of the room and was secured to the wall with wooden pegs also, and propped in front by legs similar to those of the benches.

Mr. Healey remained on the home farm until his first marriage, April 28, 1868, to Miss Sabina E. Patterson, a native of Daviess county. To this union were born seven children, viz: George P., a farmer; John T., a miner; James, a drayman of Montgomery; Joseph, associated with his father in business; Daniel F., also with his father; Maurice G., at home, and Veronica, the wife of James Goff, of Barr township. The second marriage of Mr. Healey was solemnized in August, 1880, with Miss Sarah J. Nolan, also a native of Daviess (702)

CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.

county, and this marriage has been blessed with six children, viz: Ellen and Agnes, both of whom have been confirmed by Bishop Chatard; Catherine, Alice, Louis S. and Jerome. The family are all faithful and devout members of St. Peter's church, and contribute freely of their means to its support.

In 1892 Mr. Healey took up his residence in Montgomery, at once engaged in the livery business, and now owns the leading establishment of the kind in the place. His barn is well kept and is stocked with eleven head of horses and vehicles of all descrip- tions, and his low charges, together with his courteous treatment of his patrons, have made him a favorite with the public.

In politics Mr. Healey is a democrat and cast his first presi- dential vote for George B. McClellan, in 1864, He served several terms as supervisor of Barr township and proved a most accept- able official. Although at his majority Mr. Healey had no capital, he has been so industrious and skillful in the management of his affairs that he now owns his residence and livery barn in Montgom- ery and eighty acres of farm land in Barr township. Socially, Mr. Healey and family are greatly respected, and as members of St. Peter's church enjoy the esteem of all the residents of the parish.

T THOMAS GEORGE HEDIAN, clerk of the police department,

Indianapolis, Ind., is a native of Baltimore, Md., was born January 25, 1861, and received an academic education at St. Vin- cent's parochial school and at Calvert Hall academy, under the Christian Brotherhood; thence he went to Loyola college, under the jurisdiction of the Jesuits, and finished his scholastic training at Rock Hill college, at Ellicott City, Md., also under the Chris- tian Brothers.

At twenty-one years of age, Mr. Hedian came to Indianapolis, and cast his first and all succeeding votes in this city. Here he has always held political positions-first, in the county committee rooms; he was afterward appointed time-keeper and attendant at the Insane hospital. In this position three years were spent, when he returned to the city and procured a position under County

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Auditor Taggart as night clerk at the Union railway station. This was of short duration, however, and he again entered active poli- tics, and was the first deputy county assessor in Marion county- the office being created in 1890. He resigned this position to accept a more lucrative one as secretary in the police department, being also the first to fill this position. This he resigned after three months, and was appointed deputy city clerk, a position he held until the expiration of the term, eighteen months. He was. then appointed superintendent of sub-station A, of the Indian- apolis post-office, but resigned this position to accept his present office under Superintendent of Police Quigley. His resignation from the post-office department was due to political influences, charging him with pernicious activity in politics, and he was appointed to his present position November 1, 1897. He is a member of the Gray-Hendricks club, a political organization.

The parents of our subject were Patrick J. and Mary (Maffei). Hedian. The father was a native of Ireland, and came to America when about nineteen years old. After being here six or eight years, he sent for his brothers-three of whom he assisted to the new world. The father was the originator and first publisher of the Catholic Mirror, of Baltimore, and some years later he took in two partners, who conducted the paper many years after his death. Patrick Hedian was recognized among intelligent Catholics as one of the firm supporters of the church in its earlier years in Balti- more, and died in that city in 1865. His widow still resides in Baltimore, her native city. She was born of Italian and Irish parentage, her father being a native of Italy; he came to Balti- more in his early life, and married in that city, where he was a merchant for many years. Of the immediate family of subject there were three sons beside himself-Alfred M., a member of the pork packing firm of Reiman, Doyle & Hedian; James Buchanan, an artist, and Edwin A., employed as assistant custodian of the post-office building, all in Baltimore. Alfred M. and Edwin A. are married; the others are bachelors. The father of our subject, in his life time, left sufficient evidence to justify the assertion that - the family name in Ireland was formerly O'Hedian, and that he- descended from the same line of ancestry as Bishop O'Hedian.

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CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.

Thomas G. Hedian is a gentleman of education and refine- ment, and is thoroughly capable and worthy to fill any position to which he may be called. He is an active member of St. John's church, under the pastorate of Rev. F. H. Gavisk.

W ILLIAM E. HEEB, the well-known furniture dealer of Con- nersville, was born in Falmouth, Ind., January 18, 1859, a son of William and Ellen (Moran) Heeb. He was educated in the public school of his native town, and at the age of seventeen years became a clerk in the First National bank, which position he held two years, and then went to Cincinnati and entered upon a course of study in a commercial college, from which he graduated in December, 1879. On his return he became bookkeeper for the Munke & Roberts Furniture company, with which he remained twelve years, when he and his brother, Philip Louis, formed a partnership for the purpose of dealing in household furniture, stoves, carpets, etc., etc., and are still doing a flourishing trade.

Mr. Heeb was united in marriage, November 25, 1892, by Father Rudolph, with Miss Julia Kehl, a native of Boonville, Mo., born September 5, 1862, a daughter of Anthony and Julia Kehl. This marriage has been blessed with two children-Ursula and Francis K. Mr. Heeb and family are members of St. Gabriel's church, are prominent in all works of charity, and freely contribute of their means to the general support of the church. Mr. Heeb is very popular as a business man, handles a stock worth $6,000, and does the largest trade in his line of any firm in town. He and family are most highly esteemed by their neighbors and friends, who are both warm and numerous.

D ANIEL HEFFERNAN, a well-known and prosperous farnier of Daviess county, Ind., is a native of county Tipperary, Ire- land, was born in 1815, was educated in a parochial school, and at the age of twenty years sailed from Dublin for New York, being

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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,

seven weeks and three days on the voyage. After passing a short time in New York city he came to Indiana and found employment on the Erie canal in Tippecanoe county.

In 1844 Mr. Heffernan was married, by Father Clark, the first resident priest of LaFayette, Tippecanoe county, to Miss Catherine Mehan, a native of county Cork, Ireland, but who, at the age of seven years, was brought to America by her parents, John and Ellen (Leonard) Mehan. The Mehan family, consisting of the parents and eight children, on arriving in America, located at Ogdensburg, N. Y., but shortly afterward came to Indiana and settled near Fort Wayne, but of this family Mrs. Heffernan is now the sole survivor. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Heffernan have been born six sons and six daughters, of whom seven are still living, viz: Michael, whose life-sketch is given below; Ellen, wife of Edwin Carlin, a farmer and a member of St. Peter's congrega- tion; Mary, wife of Robert Hunter, a farmer; William, an attorney at law, of Washington, Ind .; Thomas, on the homestead; Daniel and Catherine E., living with their parents-all of whom have been strictly reared in the Catholic faith.

Mr. and Mrs. Heffernan were always great admirers of the good pastor, Father Piers, and under him became warm advocates of temperance, and their home was his home, and some of the bishops, also, have frequently been entertained in the hospitable dwelling. When the Heffernan family settled in Daviess county, in 1852, St. Peter's congregation worshiped in an old frame church- building, but they have been largely instrumental toward the erection of the present substantial house of worship. Although Mr. Heffernan came to America a poor young man, he has, through his temperate course of life, his industry and economy, succeeded, with the aid of his worthy and loving wife, in securing a compe- tency. He at one time owned at least 500 acres of good land in Daviess county, a portion of which he has donated to his children, and still retains a handsome homestead of 200 acres, three miles from Montgomery.

Politically, Mr. Heffernan cast his first presidential vote for William H. Harrison-" Old Tippecanoe "-but since the disin- tegration of the whig party has affiliated with the republicans.

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He and wife are leading and respected members of St. Peter's congregation and are now passing their declining years in peace and comfort, honored by all who know them.

M ICHAEL HEFFERNAN, a highly respected resident of Daviess county, was born in Tippecanoe county, Ind., in 1845, a son of Daniel and Catherine (Mehan) Heffernan, parents of twelve children.

Michael Heffernan was about ten or twelve years of age when brought to Daviess county by his parents, and at the age of sixteen was confirmed by Bishop de St. Palais. He was educated in com- mon and parochial schools, and his religious training was under the venerable Father Piers. He grew to manhood on the home farm, and was first wedded, by Father Piers, to Miss Bridget Eagan, to which union was born one child, Bridget, now the wife of Thomas Hart, a farmer of Washington, Ind. The second marriage of Mr. Heffernan was to Miss Elizabeth Mullen, a native of Philadelphia, Pa., born in September, 1848, and confirmed in her native city at an early age. This union has been blessed with six sons and one daughter, and of these five are still living, viz: William G., who was confirmed by Bishop Chatard, was educated in the common and parochial schools, and the normal school at Valparaiso, Ind., and is now a successful teacher in Daviess county; John C. is on the home farm; Michael A. is also at home; Joseph Leo is at school with the Sisters of Providence, and Anna May is the young- est of the family.

For about two years Mr. Heffernan conducted a hotel in Wash- ington, and then, about 1876, came to his present place of 170 acres about one mile from St. Peter's church, and he also owns ninety-two acres east of Montgomery. In politics Mr. Heffernan is a republican, and is a strong supporter of temperance. The family are all devout members of St. Peter's church, in which they have placed a beautifully illustrated window as a memorial, and, it is needless to say, they all contribute freely in aid of the good work being done by Father Rowan, the pastor. Mr. and Mrs. Heffer-

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History of the Catholic church in Indiana, Volume II, Part 42

Author: Blanchard, Charles, fl. 1882-1900, ed Publication date: 1898 Publisher: Logansport, Ind., A. W. Bowen & co. Number of Pages: 1476

Author: Blanchard, Charles, fl. 1882-1900, ed
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: Logansport, Ind., A. W. Bowen & co.
Number of Pages: 1476