USA > Indiana > History of the Catholic church in Indiana, Volume II > Part 57
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Mr. McCarthy and family are devoted members of St. Patrick's church, and it is needless to say that Mr. McCarthy is very liberal in his financial contributions towards its support. Through his
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business sagacity and prudential management, he is now the owner of twelve dwellings and one fine store, and is regarded as one of the most useful citizens of South Bend and respected by every one for his sterling integrity and many good qualities of mind and heart.
V JERY REV. VICTOR A. SCHNELL, pastor of St. Patrick's church, Terre Haute, was born in Lorraine, France, in the year 1842, and came to America in 1851 when nine years of age. He served as private in the Fifty-ninth regiment, Indiana infantry, during the great Rebellion, and at the close of the war continued his studies for the priesthood in the seminaries at Vincennes, Ind., Bardstown, Ky., and St. Meinrad's Benedictine abbey, where, on the 22d of September, 1868, he was ordained priest by the Rt. Rev. Bishop de St. Palais.
Father Schnell's first labor was at Edinburg, Ind., and adjoin- ing missions in Johnson and Bartholomew counties, where he remained from the fall of 1868 to that of 1870, when he was trans- ferred to Dover, Dearborn county. He continued at the latter place until the spring following, when he took charge of the Edin- burg, Seymour and neighboring missions, discharging the manifold duties of the position for a limited period, after which he was transferred to the district on the J., M. & I. R. R. between Indian- apolis and Jeffersonville, his field of labor covering a tract of terri- tory eighty miles in extent. Here Father Schnell remained from 1871 until 1873, when he was sent to Columbus, Ind., and tribu- tary missions, and there continued until transferred, in 1885, to Terre Haute, as pastor of St. Patrick's parish, his present agree- able field of labor.
Father Schnell is a priest of rare ability, having intuitively a clear comprehension of the complexities of theology and being blessed in a marked degree with the gifts of. eloquence, piety, and fervor. He has devoted all of his splendid gifts to the spiritual and educational interests of his people, and his labors in the different fields to which he has been called bear evidence of his great usefulness as a teacher and spiritual guide. During his sev- (918)
Very truly Tietar A. Schnell
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ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH, TERRE HAUTE, IND
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
eral pastorates he has built quite a number of churches, erected the school-buildings at Columbus and brought the Sisters of Provi- dence there as teachers of the same, and since taking charge of St. Patrick's has succeeded in discharging a large debt, beside fur- nishing the church completely, and erecting a pastor's residence, a fine brick building, furnished with all modern conveniences. He is an able and practical preacher, a wise counselor, a zealous worker, and his selection as a member of the bishop's council was a fitting recognition of his worth. Since 1874, Father Schnell has been largely engaged in temperance work, having accomplished much good in the noble cause wherever he has been stationed.
JOHN R. MCCARTHY, the well-known and popular hatter of J No. 88 Main street, LaFayette, Ind., was born in county Cork, Ireland, January 24, 1835, a son of John and Catherine (Fehely) McCarthy, who were the parents of nine children, of whom five reached the years of maturity, viz: Bartholomew, now a retired contractor of Philadelphia, Pa .; Jeremiah, a contractor, of New York city; John R., the subject of this memoir; Mary, wife of George Muldoon, of Omaha, Nebr., and Catherine, married to James O'Harah, who occupies the old homestead in Ireland.
When but twelve years of age, John R. McCarthy came to the United States and for some time was employed in a wholesale tea store. He next secured a position in the commissary department .of the United States government under the administration of Presi- dent Franklin Pierce, and was thus employed for two years. In 1858 he returned to Philadelphia and married Miss Margaret Cal- nan, who was also born in county Cork, Ireland, and who, leaving her parents and native land, came to America in company with a dearly beloved aunt. Soon after his marriage, Mr. McCarthy removed to St. Louis, Mo., where he remained one year only, and then went to Nashville, Tenn., where he was employed as a travel- ing salesman for a hat dealing firm. While thus engaged, the Civil war burst forth, and the business establishment was destroyed by fire. Mr. McCarthy was then offered a position under the so-called
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Confederate government, but declined to accept the offer, as his sympathies were altogether with the Union, and consequently be took his departure for a free state, and for a year conducted a hat store in Cincinnati, Ohio. Leaving his family in that city, he again tried his fortunes in the south, and went to Memphis, Tenn., just after that city had been captured by the Union troops, and there passed a year. He then went to New Orleans, La., but shortly afterward rejoined his family in Cincinnati, Ohio; thence went to Chicago, Ill., returned once more to Cincinnati, bought a stock of goods and went to Nashville, Tenn., and was there during the siege of that city. Later, he removed his stock to Mattoon, III., and eventually came to LaFayette, Ind., in 1864, where he has since been engaged in his present business.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. McCarthy has been blessed with nine children, viz: Mary, who was married to Thomas Clark and died in 1895, the mother of two children, Beatrice and William; Robert E., deceased; John, who was a graduate of Notre Dame, and died in Leadville, Colo., November 21, 1896, where he had been engaged in mining: Catherine, wife of Daniel Sullivan, of New York city: Charles, of Chicago, III .; Clara, married to John Sheehan, of LaFayette, Ind .; William, of Chicago; Nellie and Ignatius. Mr. and Mrs. McCarthy, with their children now living in LaFayette, are members of St. Mary's church, and have a delightful home at No. 280 South street, where they enjoy the society of a select circle of warm-hearted friends.
W TILLIAM C. MCCARTHY, machinist and electrical engineer of Indianapolis, is a native of this city and was born October 3, 1867. He was educated at the Brothers' school, on Georgia street, and later served an apprenticeship of four years at the machinist's trade and at engineering. His first situation was at the public library building, of which he was the first engineer and chief, and held the position two years. In 1894 he was appointed chief engineer of the Indiana Trust company, at the corner of Washington and Virginia avenues, which is a very responsible, and, consequently, lucrative position.
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CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
William C. is the eldest child and only son of William and Bridget (Diggins) McCarthy, who were natives of county Kerry, Ireland, but were married in Indianapolis. The father was an expressman for many years, and did a profitable business, being respected and relied upon by a large number of the more impor- tant of the business men of the city, whose goods he daily handled, carrying them with his teams from point to point throughout the city, but eventually lost his life in the prosecution of his duties in this capacity, being killed by a runaway team in 1881. His widow was spared until July, 1896, when she died a devout Christian. Of the other children born to William and Bridget McCarthy, Mary is a teacher in a public school of the city; Ella is employed in the book bindery of Carlon & Hollenbeck, and Maggie and Hanoro, who are still too young for business. The sisters reside at their comfortable residence, on Camp street.
William C. McCarthy was united in matrimony, October 26, 1892, at St. Bridget's church, by Rev. Father Curran, with Miss Elizabeth Gertrude Flatley, a native of Richmond, Ind., and a daughter of John Flatley, a well-to-do farmer. Two children have come to bless this union-Willie, born December 17, 1893, and Gertrude, born November 11, 1896. Mr. McCarthy is entirely devoted to his business and is not connected with any brotherhood, although he is a devoted member of St. Bridget's church, to which congregation his wife also belongs. In politics Mr. McCarty is a democrat, and as a citizen is industrious, temperate and upright and greatly respected.
JOHN J. MCCARTY, master mechanic in the Indiana Cotton Mill, at Cannelton, Perry county, Ind., since 1851, was born in Morgan county, Ohio, January 18, 1833, a son of Jeremiah and Nancy McCarty, natives of Tipperary county, Ireland. After hav- ing received a fair parochial and common-school education and learning his trade of carpenter, he settled in Cannelton, and, as stated, in 1851, assumed the duties of his present position.
Mr. McCarty was joined in matrimony, September 28, 1856, with Miss Hannah Reardon, who was born in Manchester, England,
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March 8, 1837, a daughter of Dennis and Mary Ann Reardon, but no children have blessed this union. Mr. and Mrs. McCarty are devout members of St. Michael's church, and Mr. McCarty is a member of the Catholic Knights of America, Father Book branch, No. 591. He and wife are attentive to their religious duties and very liberal in their contributions to the support of the church, and are held in great respect by all their acquaintances and friends, of whom they have made many during their long residence in Can- nelton. In politics Mr. McCarty is a sound democrat, but pays closer attention to his business duties than to party struggles.
OHN W. MCCARTY, ex-postmaster of Washington, Daviess J county, Ind., is a native of county Clare, Ireland, was born March 17, 1861, and is a son of Michael and Bridget (O'Connor) McCarty, the latter of whom died in Ireland a few months after the birth of the subject, having borne her husband nine children, viz: Margaret, deceased; Peter, now of Vincennes, Ind .; Mary, of Denver, Colo .; Delia, Ellen and Michael, of the same city; Martin and James, deceased, and John W., the subject of this memoir. Michael McCarty, the father of this family, brought the surviving
members to the United States in the fall of 1862, and for two years was employed at general labor in Hoboken, N. J., then in 1864 came to Washington, Ind., worked as a section hand on the railroad until 1867, and then went to Leavenworth, Kans., where his death took place in 1872, in the faith of the Catholic church, in which he and all his family had been reared.
John W. McCarty was an attendent at the common and paro- chial schools of Leavenworth, Kans., until about eleven years of age, when he returned to Washington, Ind., and attended St. Simon's school until fifteen, and also attended public school in Petersburg, Pike county, Ind., a few years. He began his basi- ness life in Petersburg by handling gents' furnishing goods, but in 1883 sold out his stock, and until 1885 engaged in the livery busi- ness, when he again sold out and for a few months conducted a drug store. In the spring of 1886 he was nominated by the dem- 1926)
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
ocratic party for county clerk of Pike county, but, with the rest of his ticket, was defeated. Early in 1887 he went to Vincennes and kept books for a brother until May, when he returned to Washington, and, in company with a cousin, Pat McCarty, engaged in the livery business. A few years later he erected the brick barn at the corner of Vantrees and East Third streets, where the livery business was conducted in a very satisfactory manner, both to himself and patrons, until the close of 1893, when he was com- missioned postmaster of Washington, under Grover Cleveland, February 5, 1894, and entered on the duties of the office March I, of the same year, and served until March 1, 1898.
The marriage of Mr. McCarty was celebrated in Washington, June 25, 1891, when he was joined in matrimony with Miss Jennie Denver, who was born in Cincinnati in 1865, a daughter of James and Esther Denver, and this union has been blessed with two children-C. Walter and Mary Margaret. Mr. and Mrs. McCarty are members of St. Simon's church, of which Mr. McCarty has been collector for several years. He has been successful as a business man, and, besides his livery barn, owns his residence and other valuable real estate in the city. He is a director in the Industrial Building & Loan association and is very popular with all classes of citizens. As postmaster he gave satisfaction to the public. As a democrat he has been very active, and was selected by his party to represent Indiana as assistant marshal at the inaugural of President Cleveland, at Washington, D. C., in March, 1893.
M ARIA MCCLOSKEY is the widow of Bernard McCloskey, formerly an estimable citizen of Indianapolis. Mr. McClos- key, was born in county Londonderry, Ireland, in 1835, and when he was about fifteen years of age his father emigrated to the United States with his family, and resided in Columbia county, N. Y., for some time. Later he moved his family to Massachusetts, whence he removed to New York city, and there engaged in business as a shoe merchant, in which business he remained for about twenty years, living, however, a portion of the time in Hoboken, N. J.
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Mr. McCloskey was married in Massachusetts to Miss Maria Hanley, a native of Rhode Island, and a daughter of Patrick and Mary Hanley, who had gone west to Illinois when she was an infant, but who returned east to Massachusetts, where they passed the remainder of their lives. In 1879 Mr. and Mrs. McCloskey came to Indianapolis, in which city he established himself in busi- ness, but subsequently went to New York city, where the family lived for a period of six years, and then again came to Indianapolis, where Mr. McCloskey died October 23, 1896. For some time before his death he suffered greatly from his disease, which was consumption. During his entire life he was governed by those principles which all should practice, and was a most earnest, con- sistent Catholic citizen. While a resident of Hoboken he was a trustee of the church of Our Lady of Grace of that city, and was everywhere treated with respect and confidence both as a citizen and as a member of the Catholic church.
Mrs. McCloskey resides at No. 334 North West street, Indian- apolis, where she has a very pleasant home. Her family at pres- ent consists of two sons and four daughters, as follows: Angela, Helen, James J., Bernard F., Sarah and Elizabeth. Her eldest child, Mary, is deceased. The survivors have all been reared and properly instructed in the principles of the Catholic religion, and are industrious, intelligent and highly esteemed by all that know them.
R OBERT MCDERMOTT .- Among the well-known Catholic cit- izens of St. Joseph's parish, Indianapolis, is Robert McDer- mott, who resides with his family at No. 905 East Eleventh street. He was born in county Londonderry, Ireland, in July, 1852, and is a son of Robert and Margaret McDermott, who still reside in the Emerald isle. Robert and Margaret McDermott are the par- ents of eleven children, nine of whom are still living, and all of them still in Ireland, except the subject of this sketch. Robert McDermott, Sr., is a builder by occupation, and his son, the sub- ject, served under him a seven-years' apprenticeship.
Robert McDermott, Jr., had but limited advantages for edu-
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CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
cation in his youth, but his desire for knowledge being strong, he- has gratified that desire to the best of his ability since arriving at mature years. In 1874 he married Miss Catherine Martin, whose parents were natives of county Londonderry, but whose ancestry were from county Donegal. In 1877 Mr. McDermott, with his wife and only child, emigrated to the United States, coming directly to Indianapolis, where for several years he resided. In 1880 he became engaged with the Fargo Improvement company, as their superintendent, and removed with his family to Dakota, and in the three years, during which he resided there, he superin- tended the erection of about 200 buildings in the city of Fargo. Owing to failing health he resigned his position with this company, his wife in the meantime having, at the earnest solicitation of her parents, who were far advanced in age, returned to Ireland to care for them, and Mr. McDermott, with the hope of benefiting his own health, also returned to his, native land. Remaining in Ireland for eight years, the main object of his return thither was accom- plished, and during his visit he was engaged in the manufacture of brick, and was also postmaster of his native village, Coleraine. This position he occupied for four years, and up to the time of his return to the United States. His return to America was caused. by an offer from the Indianapolis Gas company of the position of factory inspector. Mr. McDermott is an authority on combustion, and upon appliances for the economical consumption of gas, and he still occupies the position which he returned to the United States to fill. And in this position other important duties devolve upon him beside those properly belonging thereto.
Mr. and Mrs. McDermott have six children, four daughters and two sons, viz: Peter M., Jennie, Madeline, William, Mary and Elizabeth. Of these, Peter M., William, Mary and Elizabeth were born in Ireland, the others in the United States. Mr. McDermott is recognized by all who know as a most intelligent and worthy man and citizen, and he and his family are highly esteemed members of St. Joseph's church, of which the Rev. Father Alerding is the worthy pastor.
Mrs. Isabella McEllhennen, a sister of Mrs. McDermott, lives. with the family of Mr. and Mrs. McDermott. She was born in county
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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
Londonderry, received an excellent education, and for some time was head teacher in the model school at Newton Stewart, county Tyrone, Ireland. Her husband, John McEllhennen, died about one year after their marriage, and afterward she came to the United States, locating in Indianapolis, where her brother, P. J. Martin, was then residing. She has been the efficient assistant librarian in the pub- lic library since her arrival in this country, and is by every one esteemed as a most worthy woman.
J OSEPH FRANCIS SOMES, M. D., eminent as a physician and surgeon of Vincennes, Ind., and a representative of one of the oldest families in the state, was born in this city December 18, 1864, a son of Henry Vanderburg Somes and Mary Elizabeth (Bayard) Somes, both also natives of Vincennes and born, respect- ively, September 7, 1832, and March 25, 1843, and married in St. Francis Xavier cathedral. February 9, 1864.
Henry Vanderburg Somes, father of subject, and ex-mayor of Vincennes, is now living in retirement on South Fourth street, with his wife and such of his children as have not yet entered the business world. Of the five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Somes, Dr. Joseph F. is the eldest; Harry V. is receiving teller in the First National bank of Vincennes; Bayard V. is traveling for a wholesale hardware firm of St. Louis, Mo .; Mary E. is under the parental roof, and John S. is at present a student at the Vin- cennes university.
Dr. Joseph Somes, paternal grandfather of subject, was a native of England and for forty years a practicing physician of Vincennes. His wife was a daughter of Judge Henry Vanderburg, who was born in Troy, N. Y., in 1760. He was captain of a com- pany in the Fifth New York regiment during the Revolutionary war, his commission having been signed by John Jay. afterward chief-justice of the United States. The doctor, our subject, has also in his possession the certificate of Judge Vanderburg as a member of the renowned Cincinnati society, and bearing the auto- graph of George Washington. Judge Vanderburg came to Vin- (930)
A. Gomes M.D.
4.
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
cennes in 1788, was married in 1790, and was appointed judge of the Indiana territory, in 1800, by President John Adams. Van- derburg county, Ind., was named in honor of this distinguished pioneer and jurist.
Dr. Joseph Francis Somes received his preparatory education in the parochial and high schools of Vincennes and began his busi- ness life by engaging for six years in the drug trade, during which period he devoted much of his time to the preliminary study of medicine. His professional training was had at Rush Medical col- lege, Chicago, Ill., from which he graduated in 1889, and at once began practice at Lindsburg, Kans., where he remained six years, meeting with unusual success. January 2, 1895, he returned to his native city, where, notwithstanding the fact that the field was occu- pied by other accomplished physicians, he has established an exten- sive and lucrative practice. The doctor is a member of the Knox county Medical society and the Indiana state Medical society, and stands as high in the esteem of his brother-professionals as he does in that of the general public.
The marriage of Dr. Somes took place January 5, 1892, to Miss Ray L. Lamar, a native of Carbondale, Ill., but whose par- ents removed to Kansas in 1872, where she was educated in the academy of the Sacred Heart at St. Mary's. This happy marriage has been blessed with one child, Charles Francis, born July 11, 1893. In politics the doctor is not aggressive in the expression of his opinions, yet warmly sympathizes with the democratic party.
THOMAS R. McDONNELL, bookkeeper and salesman for the Fulton Boiler works of Richmond, Wayne county, Ind., was born in Green's Fork, in the same county, June 10, 1867, a son of Patrick and Bridget (Scott) McDonnell.
Patrick McDonnell, father of Thomas R., was born in county Roscommon, Ireland, March 27, 1828, was educated in a parochial school and shortly after attaining his majority came to America, landing in the city of New York. For two years he worked as a farm laborer at Flushing, Long Island, N. Y., and in 1854 came
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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,
to Indiana, and engaged in farming in Green's Fork, Wayne county. November 23, 1855, he married, at Hamilton, Ohio, Miss Bridget Scott, of Green's Fork, Ind., and to this union there were born ten children, viz: Catherine, married to Walter G. Kutz, of Anderson, Ind .; Mary, wife of John Welsh, also of Anderson; Ella, Beecie, Flora and George, at home; John of the firm of Welsh & McDonnell, grocers, of Anderson; Edward, clerk in the Panhandle railroad office at Cincinnati, Ohio; Sarah, deceased, and Thomas R., of Richmond, Ind. The mother of this family, Mrs. Bridget McDonnell, died January 11, 1895, and was buried in St. Mary's cemetery, at Richmond, the funeral services having been solem- nized in the church edifice. She had been a member of the congre- gation for forty years, and all her children still residing in Wayne county belong to the same congregation.
Thomas R. McDonnell was graduated from the public schools of Green's Fork, Ind., in 1886, and two years later from St. Mary's Catholic institute at Dayton, Ohio. Since 1891 he has filled his present position as bookkeeper and salesman for the Fulton Boiler works in Richmond, and has, through his attention to business and undoubted capability, won the confidence and esteem of his employers, and is at the present time a director and secretary of that institution. He has been a trustee of St. Mary's church for a number of years, and, since 1896, has been secretary of the board, being very popular in church circles. In politics he is a democrat, and when occasion offers renders efficient service toward the success of his party in local canvasses. He is as yet unmarried, although he holds a high position socially.
R EV. PATRICK MCDERMOTT (deceased was appointed to take charge of St. Patrick's church, Indianapolis, in June, 1879, but the death of this worthy priest occurred September 13, 1882. He was born on the 17th day of March, 1820, at Elfin, county of Roscommon, Ireland. His father was a well-to-do farmer. He graduated in 1843 at the college of Maynooth. His brother, the Rev. John McDermott, laboring in the missions of (934)
CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.
Indiana, induced him to emigrate. He was ordained priest on the 2Ist of December. 1843. by Bishop de la Hailandiere. He was for one year at the cathedral, the intimate friend and companyin of his bishop: in 184; he was assigned to LaGro and Huntington. and in 1849 was given Logansport and Peru. where he remained until December. He had already attracted attention in the wilds of the north and was called to Evansville to assist Rev. Anthony Deydier. He shared his tis, his labors, his pleasures. his rewards, until 1850. since which he had sole charge unti! June. 1879-an uninterrupted period of nearly thirty years-when he was assigned to St. Patricks, Indianapolis. In the two and one- quarter years he was there he endeared himself to all. He came when all was strife and contention. the house was divided against itself, and there was danger of ruin: his kind, patient, never-ceas- ing love and labor have gone far toward healing the wound and uniting the once scattered flock; the immense debt was in a fair way to be removed, the schools had grown but had not yet reached his high ideal, and to them he gave his last great effort.
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