History of the Catholic church in Indiana, Volume II, Part 67

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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William Morgan was a child of three years of age when brought to Shelby county by his parents. His education was received in the pioneer log school-house, and he was reared to manhood on his father's farm. At the age of twenty-two, he came to Shelbyville and learned milling, and. later, engineering. For thirteen years he was employed by J. R. Stewart in a planing-mill as engineer, served thirteen years as city engineer, was five years engineer for the water works company, and for four years was engineer for an ice plant, finally retiring from all labor in 1896.

Mr. Morgan was united in marriage, in St. Vincent's church, August 7, 1849, with Miss Susannah Worland, who was born in Shelby county, Ind., March 13, 1830, a daughter of Leo H. and Margaret V. (Lowden) Worland, and this union has been blessed with one child, Thomas L., who is an engineer in the Stewart & Blakely furniture factory. Mr. Morgan, wife and son are mem- bers of St. Joseph's church, of which Mr. Morgan has been a trus- tee for many years, and of which Mrs. Morgan is a member of the Altar society and St. Ann's sodality.

Mr. Morgan enlisted, July 13, 1862, in company B, Seventieth (1062)

CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.

Indiana volunteer infantry, for three years, but was honorably dis- charged December 13, 1862, at Bowling Green, Ky., on account of disability, his reward being a pension of $12 per month. He is an honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Mrs. Morgan being a member of the Woman's Relief Corps. Mr. Mor- gan has led a life of sobriety and industry, and is now the owner of four residence properties in Shelbyville, and is highly respected by all who know him. In politics he is a republican.

F IDEL MORGENROTH, a leading member of Sacred Heart parish, Schnellville, Ind., was born in Jasper, Dubois county, February 12, 1839, the fourth of the five children born to Kaspar and Barbara Morgenroth, natives of Bayern, Germany, who came to America in 1838, but both of whom are now deceased. The father was a linen weaver by trade, but after coming to the United States followed the vocation of farming. Of their five children, four are still living, viz: Dorada, wife of a retired farmer, John Temple, and the mother of fourteen children, of whom ten are still living; Mary, wife of John Yohn, of Jasper, and of whose seven children six still survive; Fidel, the subject, and Sister Blondina, an inmate of the convent at Vincennes.

Fidel Morgenroth was educated in the subscription schools of Jasper and passed his earlier manhood days as a general laborer. In 1864 he enlisted in company G, Forty-fourth Indiana volunteer infantry, and served chiefly as train guard and on picket duty until 1865, when, at the close of the war, he returned home, and, Octo- ber 2, 1866, was first united in marriage, by Rev. Fidelis Maute, to Miss Agatha Gross, a native of Dubois county. Mr. Morgenroth has been blessed with three sons and four daughters, and of these seven children six are still living, viz: George, who, at fourteen years of age, was confirmed by Bishop de St. Palais and is now engaged in business with a brother at Schnellville, although most of his time is devoted to farming; Mary, confirmed by Bishop de St. Palais, is the wife of Martin Wagner, of St. Anthony; John, confirmed by Bishop Chatard, is in mercantile business with his

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brother George in Schnellville; Fidelus, also confirmed by Bishop Chatard, resides in Illinois; Barbara, likewise confirmed in the faith by Bishop Chatard, is a resident of Louisville, Ky. ; and Mag- gie A., now sixteen years of age, is a pupil in the common schools and has her home with her father. Mrs. Agatha Morgenroth was called away, in the Catholic faith, June 12, 1883, and Mr. Mor- genroth was next married, by Rev. Father Fleischmann, at Celes- tine, April 29, 1884, to Miss Fredelica Prechtel, also a native of Dubois county, born November 17, 1853, and confirmed at the age of thirteen by Bishop de St. Palais.

Mr. Morgenroth is emphatically what is termed a self-made man in business parlance. When he started in life, at the age of fourteen years, he did not own ten dollars, but he has always been fortunate in his undertakings, although he has been obliged to work hard for what he now owns. He first became a resident of Schnellville October 12, 1866, and here he has resided ever since, with the exception of six months passed in Jasper. Beside other valuable property in Schnellville, he owns a large general store, as well as a fine farm of 147 acres in Dubois county-all acquired by his business sagacity, industry and good management. In politics he is a sound democrat, and has served as supervisor and school director for years. For many years, also, he has been a trustee of the church of the Sacred Heart, and has closely and faithfully adhered to the faith in which he was confirmed, at the age of four- teen years, by Bishop de St. Palais.

W ILLIAM C. MORIARTY .- Among the many prominent Catholic citizens of Indianapolis who have passsed away, William C. Moriarty deserves appreciative mention. He was born in Dublin, Ireland, about 1840, and there possessed more than ordinary advantages for obtaining an education, graduating from an excellent institution of learning when he was sixteen years of age. Almost immediately afterward he left his native country to begin life on his own account in the new world, coming directly to Indianapolis, and for some time pursuing a course of study in the (1064)

CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.

high schools of this city. When the late Civil war broke out, and the integrity of the Union was threatened by the attempted seces- sion of the southern states, Mr. Moriarty, though not a native of the country, was prompt to respond to the call of the president for troops, and assisted in organizing the Thirty-fifth Indiana vol- unteer infantry, with which he entered the field as sergeant-major. Later, for gallant conduct and meritorious services, he was pro- moted to be adjutant of the regiment, which position he held until the close of the war. Peace being restored, he returned to Indian- apolis and here became identified with its business interests.

October 7, 1867, he was married in the cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul, in Detroit, to Miss Emma Reaume, daughter of Anthony Reaume. Mr. Moriarty met his future wife in Indianapolis, she having come to this city when quite young to attend the Sisters' school of St. John's parish, residing while here with her brother, John A. Reaume. At the time of their marriage she was visiting

friends in Detroit. Mrs. Moriarty was a mere child when she lost her mother. Her father, though of French descent, was a native of Monroe county, Mich., and was for more than fifty years a resi- dent of Wayne county, that state. He was an upright, honorable and esteemed citizen, and passed the last years of his life with his son in Indianapolis. He was married twice, and by his two wives was the father of eleven children, of whom Mrs. Moriarty, a brother of hers and three half-brothers are all that remain.

Immediately after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Moriarty located in Indianapolis, where he was engaged in active business until the illness came on him which terminated in his death, Sep- tember 16, 1881. He was known to be a man of more than aver- age natural ability, and this natural ability was developed and enriched by a high degree of culture. He was an expert book- keeper, and his known skill in this line caused his services to be in great demand. He was affable and genial in his disposition, and his friends embraced all those who had a personal acquaintance with him. During the war he was a brave and gallant soldier, and afterward he was ever an honored and esteemed citizen, a kind hus- band and father, and his generosity was a prominent trait of his character. Self-reliance was also a prominent characteristic; his.

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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,

father having died when he was a child, it then became necessary for him to take care of himself, but he considered it his duty to bring his mother to the United States and to care for her while he lived, which he did, she surviving him for a number of years. He was a faithful and consistent Catholic, always active in the support of the church. At his death he left his wife with three young sons to train and educate, the eldest of whom, Charles R., has been engaged in railroad business since he was a lad of twelve years of age; William C. is a decorator, and the youngest son, John, is a stenographer by occupation.

With regard to the mother of these children, it should be said that after the death of her husband she felt it to be her chief duty to so rear them that they would not only be a credit to his mem- ory. but that they should be good and useful citizens of their country, her efforts meeting with most gratifying success. The home of the family is at No. 419 East New York street, Indian- apolis, Ind.

AMES MORIN, one of the most prosperous farmers of Harri- J son township. Daviess county, Ind., is a native of Ireland, was born in county Derry, in 1831, and is the third of the family of six sons and three daughters born to Hugh and Catherine (McGurk) Morin. Of the nine children alluded to, six are still living, viz: Sarah, the wife of John McGookin, of Ireland; James, the subject of this notice: Francis, a farmer of Kentucky; John, Susan and Hugh, in Ireland.

James Morin was confirmed in the Catholic faith at the age of seven years, and it may be mentioned that at the same cere- mony a gentleman, Thomas McGovern, was also confirmed at the age of 110 years. In 1851 Mr. Morin sailed from Londonderry, and after a voyage of four weeks and two days landed in New York city, whence he went to Paterson, N. J., worked for Charles Hughes in the vicinity of the city on a farm one month, and then for six months in a dye house. May 10, 1852, he left New Jersey for New York city, whence, by a circuitous route, he departed for the west and arrived in Lexington, Ky., May 24, 1852, in which

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CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.

city and in its neighborhood he was employed several years build- ing stone fences and in labor work generally until 1867, when he came to Daviess county, Ind., and purchased eighty acres of par- tially improved land in Harrison township, for which he deposited twenty-five dollars to bind the bargain. He then returned to Ken- tucky, but in a short time came back and paid for his farm in full, then made another trip to Kentucky, and finally, October 18, 1869, left Louisville and took up his permanent residence on his present fertile farm.

The marriage of Mr. Morin was solemnized by Father McMa- hon at Lexington, Ky., in 1860, with Miss Margaret Rodgers, who was born in Ireland in 1842, and was confirmed a Catholic at the age of fourteen years.

In politics Mr. Morin is a solid democrat and cast his first presidential vote for James Buchanan, has voted with and for his party ever since, and cast his last presidential vote for William J. Bryan and free silver.

Although Mr. Morin came to America a poor boy, he has through his industry and good management secured a competency. Aided by his devoted wife, he has accumulated 118 acres of excel- lent farm land, which he has placed under a good state of cultiva- tion. As members of St. Patrick's parish they are no way chary in contributing to the support of the church, and are constant to their duty under the ministration of their beloved pastor, Rev. Charles Curran. Their more than a quarter-century's life in Daviess county has never met with aught but respect, and they are to-day among the most esteemed residents of their township.

M RS. KATHERINE MORRIS, widow of the late John I. Morris, resides with her children at No. 1733 Ruckle avenue, Indianapolis. She was born in county Waterford, Ireland, and, in 1856, came to the United States with her parents, Jeremiah and Margaret Backus. The family located in Fountain county, Ind., where the parents lived till their death. The mother of Mrs. Mor- ris was a devout Catholic, and reared her children in accordance

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with the precepts of that church. Soon after reaching this coun- try, Mrs. Morris, her sister and two brothers, removed to Indian- apolis, but Mrs. Morris is now the only one of the four living here. She was married in this city to John I. Morris, who, though not a communicant of the Catholic church, was yet in sympathy with its purposes, and was a liberal contributor to its support. He was born in Indianapolis, and his death occurred here August 13, 1897, in his fifty-fourth year. Mr. Morris was widely known as a most exemplary citizen, a kind father and husband, and his death was greatly regretted by a large circle of friends and acquaintances, beside his immediate relatives.

Mrs. Morris had two children, a son and a daughter, the latter, Helen Mary, having been for some years a student at St. Mary's of the Woods. The former, John A. Morris, is a student at St. Joseph's college at Rensselaer, Ind. Mrs. Morris is a woman devoted to her church, and is highly esteemed by all that know her.

P ROF. JOHN B. MUELLER, of the public and parochial schools of Ferdinand, Ind., is a son of John B. and Magdalena (Baumgartner) Mueller, of Switzerland, in which country they passed their lives.

John B. Mueller was born May 2. 1838, and came to the United States on May 16, 1867, landing in New York. He was educated in Switzerland, and was in the Teachers' seminary for three years. On his arrival in this country he went to Ohio and worked in a general way. He then came to Richmond, Ind., and became acquainted with Rev. Father Isidor Hobbi, who induced him to locate in Dubois county in 1869, where he began teaching large boys in the common schools. He was married to Bertha Lochman, a daughter of Pergerin Lochman, of Switzerland, on November 12, 1868, at the Catholic church of Delaware, Ohio. They have two children: Frank M. Mueller, twenty-four years of age, is a graduate of the Louisville university and is now in Europe to take a course in medicine in Vienna; Martin J. Mueller, who was ordained March 26. 1894, as Father Martin, under Bishop. (1068)

CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.

Chatard, of Indianapolis, was born January 19, 1870, and died at Indianapolis April 28, 1895. He attended school at St. Meinrad, and was assistant priest of St. Joseph church, Indianapolis, under Father Alerding.

DEV. MARTIN J. MUELLER (deceased) was born at Ferdi- nand, Ind., on the 19th day of January, 1870. Shortly after his ordination at St. Meinrad's seminary, on the 26th of March, 1894, he was sent to assist the Rev. Father Hermann Alerding, in the government of St. Joseph's parish, Indianapolis. A twelve- month later, after a short and futile resistance to typhoid fever, he rendered his pure soul into the hands of the Eternal High Priest, whom he had served faithfully in the various functions and rela- tionships of a sacerdotal career in the new law. An unconscious lovliness of disposition, which gained for him all hearts, was the leading trait in his character. "He was taken away, lest wicked- ness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul." " Being made perfect in a short space, he fulfilled a long time." -Wisd. iv: 11-13.

OHN THEODORE MUG, a prominent business man of La- Fayette, Ind., was born in Holland, July 28, 1836, a son of John and Margaret (Post) Mug, the former of whom was born in 1799, and the latter in 1810. The family came to America in 1853, landing in New York and coming to LaFayette without delay in August of the same year. The journey occupied 101 days, of which seventy-six were passed on the ocean. The father, who had been a tailor in the old country, a capmaker and a general mer- chant, made a success of his various pursuits, but his life was brought to a close soon after reaching the United States, as he died October 3, 1853-a daughter dying at the same hour with himself, and two others dying within twelve days thereafter. The widow survived until 1868, when she was called away at the age of fifty-eight years. Of the ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Mug, three only reached mature years, viz: Joseph, who was a stove

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and tinware merchant of LaFayette, who died at the age of forty years; John T., the subject of this sketch, and Kate, who was mar- ried to John Ostendorf, and died in LaFayette, also at the age of forty years. Another daughter, born to Mr. Mug by a former mar- riage and named Alagonda, was married to George Ruben, of LaFay- ette, and also ended her days in this city, leaving the subject of this sketch the sole representative of this large and very highly respected family.

John T. Mug, our subject, began his business life as a clerk in a general store, in which he was employed three years, and later, for nine years, was in the employ of Ross Gordon. He then entered into a partnership with Frank Gaven, and under the firm name of Gaven & Mug carried on a merchant tailoring and clothing trade for a year. He then formed a business association with William H. Zinn, and under the style of Mug & Zinn conducted a whole- sale and retail dry-goods store and millinery from 1865 until 1880, when, on account of overtaxed energies, Mr. Mug withdrew from business and rested for a year. He then organized a joint stock company, with a capital of $50,000, under the title of the LaFay- ette Hominy mill company, which company erected a mill and Mr. Mug was elected its secretary and treasurer. The stock, however, is now all owned by our subject and his family, to wit: John T. {president); Ellen (Mrs. Mug); John F. (son of John T., and vice- president); William T. (another son, secretary and treasurer), and Mary B. (a daughter .

The marriage of Mr. Mug took place October 3, 1859, to Miss Ellen Phillips, a native of Fort Wayne, Ind., and a daughter of William and Mary Phillips, the former a carpenter and builder. The felicitous union of Mr. and Mrs. Mug has been blessed with eight children, born in the following order: Mary H., who is now known as Sister Mary Theodosia, of St. Mary's of the Woods; John F., married to Sarah Doherty and the father of two children, with his residence in New York city, where he represents the LaFayette Hominy mill company, and where he is also doing business as a financial broker; Margaret, the second-eldest daughter: William T., married to Lena Buggle; Mary B .; Joseph B., married to Anna Scholtens and residing in LaFayette; George F. and Edward.

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The family are all true Catholics, and Mr. Mug is president of St. Mary's Cemetery association. In politics he is a democrat, is very popular with his party, and in 1880 was its nominee for county treasurer. He has been very successful as a business man, being naturally shrewd and intelligent, and beside his milling business is largely interested in real estate transactions. He is very generous in his contributions to the support of the church, and St. Mary's of LaFayette finds in him one of its most devoted members. In the winter of 1874-75 he was of the party of pious Catholics who made a pilgrimage to Rome, being three months gone, but with this exception he has remained in La Fayette since his first coming. He and family are highly esteemed in the society circles of the city, and as a business man his name stands without a stain.

R EV. D J. MULCAHY, the able and pious pastor of St. Mary's church at Anderson, Madison county, Ind., was born in Greenock, Scotland, May 7, 1860, and was brought to the United States in 1863 by his parents, who located in Cleveland, Ohio. His early education was acquired in the parochial schools of that city, and he next entered Mount St. Mary's seminary, Cincinnati, Ohio, in September, 1873, and finished his classical education in June, 1879; he entered St. Mary's seminary, Cleveland, in Sep- tember, 1879, whence he went to the Salesianum. at Milwaukee, Wis., in April, 1883, and there pursued his studies until March 8, 1884, when he was ordained at Fort Wayne, Ind., by Right Rev. Joseph Dwenger. He was first assigned as assistant to Rev. E. P. Walters, of St. Mary's church, LaFayette, Ind., where he remained from March 19, 1884, until August 20, from which date until October 22, 1886, he officiated as pastor at Lebanon, Ind .; he was next transferred to Grass Creek, Ind., where he officiated from November 1, 1886, until May 1, 1891, when he was installed in his present important position as pastor of St. Mary's church at Anderson, Ind., and here assumed his pastoral duties May 7, with the important results detailed in the sketch of that church in another part of this work.

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Edward, foreman of an iron foundry; Michael, deceased; Matthew, twin of Michael; Harry, an operater in the employ of the Western Union Telegraph company at Indianapolis, and four that died in infancy.

John P. Mullally was educated in a parochial school, learned the machinist's trade, and later traveled for five years through the United States and Canada as manager for an advertising agency. In 1891 he returned to Indianapolis and formed a part- nership with Alonzo Chapman in the jewelry business, but at the close of two years purchased his partner's interest, and has since carried on the business on his sole account, doing a most excellent trade. Mr. Mullally is still unmarried. He is a member of St. John's church, of the Knigh's of St. John, of the Young Men's institute and of the Celtic club. His business standing is first class, and as a citizen holds the respect of all who have known him in his native city and elsewhere.

W ILLIAM DILLON TOBIN, late a prominent attorney of Indianapolis, the Capital city, was a native of county Clare, Ireland, and was born on the sixth day of January, 1846. He was brought to the United States in childhood by his parents, who first located at Hagerstown, Ind., and later at Fordville, in which town he grew to maturity. After receiving his literary education, Mr. Tobin decided to make the legal profession his life work, and after thoroughly preparing himself for the same, was duly admitted to the bar. He practiced successfully in the courts of Indianapolis, where his legal abilities won him a high standing among his professional brethren, and, at different times, he was honored by his party, the republican, of which he was an active supporter, with positions of trust and responsibility. He was once a candidate for the office of district judge, and again for represent- ative to the state legislature, but his party being in the minority he both times failed of election.

He was married at Fordville, Ind., to Miss Mary Thomas, daughter of Levi and Elizabeth (Frazier) Thomas, and became the (1074)

Mer D. Tobias

CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.

father of three children, viz: Alice, Gertrude and Thomas L.,. all of whom were educated in St. Patrick's academy, Indianapolis.

After an honorable and useful career as a citizen, a lawyer and devoted member of the church, in which he was reared from infancy, Mr. Tobin departed this life on the twenty-sixth day of November, 1887. Kindly and considerate, with a nature charac- terized by good will to all men, he was loved and respected, and will long be remembered by his fellow-citizens. Mrs. Tobin was reared a Protestant, but subsequent to her marriage was converted to the Catholic faith, and is to-day a most devoted member of St. Patrick's parish. She belongs to the Altar society, and is sparing no pains in rearing her children to become useful servants of the Holy church.

Levi Thomas, father of Mrs. Tobin, was a native of the state of New York, and his wife of Indiana. He was a farmer by occu- pation and died in 1895. Mrs. Thomas preceded her husband to the grave, dying July 23, 1875. Their family consisted of ten children, five sons and five daughters-only three of whom are now living. The names of the children are as follows: Amzi W., Alva F., William F., Mary (Mrs. Tobin), Irving B., Emeline, Otis F., Ella, Hattie and Clara. Anzi and William, both attor- neys, are living in Seymour, N. Dak., and Sioux City, Iowa, respectively. All of the deceased members of the family, except Emeline, who died at the age of four, attained the years of maturity.

AMES MULLIN, doing business at the southwest corner of J Missouri and Merrill streets, Indianapolis, was born in county Mayo, Ireland, June 8, 1858, a son of Thomas and Sarah (Stanson) Mullin, the former of whom was a farmer and died in his native county of Mayo at about sixty-five years of age; the mother, now about seventy-nine years old, still resides on the old farm on which James, the subject of this biographical sketch, was. born, she also being a native of county Mayo. There were born to these parents five sons and five daughters, and of these ten chil- dren there are seven still living, viz: Michael, Thomas and

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History of the Catholic church in Indiana, Volume II, Part 67

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