History of the Catholic church in Indiana, Volume II, Part 70

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

USA > Indiana > History of the Catholic church in Indiana, Volume II > Part 70

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JOSEPH N. OBRECHT, superintendent of the Armstead & Higgins spring factory, at Connersville, Fayette county, Ind., was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, May 6, 1861, a son of Nicholas J. and Mary (Lehamn) Obrecht, natives of Germany.

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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,

Joseph N. Obrecht attended a parochial school in his native city until thirteen years old, and then a public school until seven- teen years old, when he began learning stonecutting, a trade he followed four years. He next was employed as a laborer in a spring factory, where he continued to work until January 12, 1892, when he came to Connersville as superintendent of the works of Armstead & Higgins, and this position he has continued to fill, to the entire satisfaction of his employers.

Mr. Obrecht was united in marriage, in St. Michael's church, Cincinnati, February 16, 1887, with Miss Mary E. Joring, who was born in that city October 17, 1862, and this union has been blessed with two children-Charles B. and Norbert L. The family are members of St. Gabriel's congregation, are very attentive to their duties, and freely aid from their means the good work of the church and in paying its expenses. Mr. Obrecht is a hard-work- ing, frugal and temperate citizen, and has earned through his own exertions a comfortable home for himself and family at the corner of Washington avenue and South Sixteenth street, where they live in the full enjoyment of the esteem of their neighbors and many warm friends.

R EV. AUGUST BERNARD OECHTERING, the youngest son of Gerhard H. and Theressa Benningmeier) Oechtering, was born in Westphalia, Germany, September 8, 1837. In his very childhood he manifested a decided predilection toward theol- ogy, and his earliest pleasure, after learning to read, was found in the perusal of sacred writings. His literary education was acquired at the college of Rheine, from which he graduated in 1858, and a few months later came to America, and on arriving sought the late Bishop Luers, in whose benevolent heart he found immediate favor, and by that right reverend clergyman was sent to Mount St. Mary's seminary, Cincinnati, Ohio, there to begin and complete his theological studies. From this famous institu- tion of learning he was graduated in May, 1861, and on the seven- teenth day of the same month he was ordained priest by Bishop Luers in the cathedral at Fort Wayne, Ind. Two days later he (1104)

CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.

celebrated his first mass at St. Mary's church, Fort Wayne, Rev. Joseph Wentz being pastor, and on the twenty-sixth day of the same month was assigned to the cure of souls at the congregation of St. Joseph's, in Delphi, Carroll county, Ind., and contiguous missions. Delphi, at that time, was itself a mere mission, and St. Joseph's congregation was composed of a very few yet ardent Catholics; but, through the zeal and unwearying labors of Rev. Father Oechtering, the flock was greatly augmented, and when the time came for him to leave his charge, he left behind a sub- stantial church-edifice and school-building, a parish now among the foremost of the diocese, and a name for himself that is still honored and revered and ever will be by the parishioners of St. Joseph's, Delphi. It was while attending the missions adjacent to Delphi that Father Oechtering cemented the friendship that had already been formed between himself and the now Right Rev. Bishop Rademacher, who at that time had charge of the mission at Attica, adjacent to those over which Rev. Oechtering presided, this circumstance frequently bringing them together in consultation over the best means for the promotion of the welfare of their respective flocks.

In 1864 Father Oechtering accompanied Bishop Luers to Europe, where he remained six months, and the following year was appointed to the charge of St. Mary's church at Avilla, Noble county, Ind., of which he assumed the functions of pastor two days before Christmas, 1865. During the eighteen months he remained with this charge he performed an immense amount of good work, greatly improving the condition of St. Mary's congre- gation, erecting a new church-building at Waterloo, now unhappily defunct, and rebuilding the one at Kendallville, beside finding time to deliver a long series of lectures on subjects pertaining to the holy faith of Catholicity. May 17, 1867, he was assigned to the charge of St. Joseph's parish at Mishawaka, Ind., and here his labors have been productive of the utmost benefit to the parish- ioners, spiritually and temporally.

In 1875 Father Oechtering made a second trip to Europe, and while in Rome was honored by an audience with his Holiness, Pio Nono. In December, 1879, Bishop Dwenger tendered him the

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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,

pastorate of the church at Huntington, Ind., but Father Oechter- ing preferred to continue his administration at Mishawaka, where he had already accomplished an immense amount of beneficial work. By 1886 he had under progress the movement which resulted in the erection of a new church-edifice in Mishawaka, and on May 19, of that year, occurred the silver jubilee of his ordina- tion as priest, which was attended by two bishops, fifty-seven priests and a large concourse of friends, who united with St. Joseph's congregation in celebrating the happy event.

October 22, 1893, was dedicated to God the new Catholic edifice in Mishawaka, the means to erect which resulted from the continuous and strenuous exertions of the pastor. His labors in improving his parish are so well-known and appreciated by his flock that eulogy here would be the work of supererogation. For the past nine years Father Oechtering has been the president of the school board of his (the Fifth) district, and as dean, it is his duty to preside at the semi-annual meetings of the board. He is dearly beloved by the members of his congregation, and outside his flock enjoys the esteem of all who have the happiness of meet- ing him. He is, indeed, a model parish priest.

W ILLIAM FARRES O'BRIAN, a prominent business man of Montgomery, Daviess county, is a native of Mount Pleasant, Martin county, Ind., was born November 17, 1851, a son of William Pius and Sarah Ann (Gates) O'Brian, whose family of six children were born in the following order: William F., whose name opens this biographical notice; Alice (deceased) was the wife of Thomas I. Brown; Eliza, wife of Sideny Smith, a farmer of St. Mary's parish; John B., station agent for the B. & O. S. W. rail- road at Huron, Ind., Emily, widow of James L. Clark, of Can- nelburg, and Delia, also a resident of Cannelburg.

William P. O'Brian, father of this family, was born in Kentucky in 1827, and now lives in Cannelburg, Ind. He was educated in the common schools, was reared a blacksmith, and has been a life- long democrat. Mrs. Sarah A. O'Brian, also a native of Kentucky, [1106)

CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.

was born in 1825, and is a devout member of St. Peter's con- gregation at Montgomery.

William F. O'Brian, the subject of his memoir, was confirmed by Bishop de St. Palais, in St. John's church, Loogootee, in 1865. When a young man he began learning the trade of a blacksmith, but, disliking this calling, at the age of nineteen years he entered the mercantile house of McCafferty & Ward, at Montgomery, as salesman, and remained with this firm two years, or until 1871, when he went to Cannelburg, where he was employed for about a year as bookkeeper by the Buckeye Cannel Coal company, but his abilities were so apparent that he was appointed chief salesman and manager for the concern, which position he retained ten years, when, in 1882, he was chosen superintendent and manager of the mines and store, in which capacity he served three years. In 1885, he took charge of the dry-goods department of Johnson & Chenowith's establishment at Shoals, Ind., where he remained five years, when he returned to Cannelburg, where he was placed in charge of the Mutual Mining company as superintendent and manager, and remained until 1892. In 1894 the Daviess County Coal com- pany established a mercantile house in Montgomery, and the well- known business qualifications of Mr. O'Brian caused the officials to elect him as their chief representative. In September, 1894, the style was changed to that of the Montgomery Mercantile company, with Mr. O'Brian as chief purchaser and salesman. This large con- cern has been a prime factor in the delevopment of Montgomery, as, on locating here, the hamlet numbered a population of about 300, but in 1898 it had reached to 800. The business transactions of the company annually amount to $92,000 in coal, and $54,000 in merchandise, making a total of $146,000. Mr. O'Brian has the entire supervision over the mercantile department, assisted, of course, by an able corps of auxiliaries.

November 25, 1879, Mr. O'Brian was united in marriage, by the Rev. Father Massic, of North Vernon, to Miss Elizabeth C. Colsher, a native of Milan, Ripley county, Ind., and this union has been blessed with four children, of whom George Earl died May 26, 1886, at the age of three and one-half years; Mary Afra, who is devoted to music; William Gordon, at school, and George For-

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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,

rest. Mr. and Mrs. O'Brian have charge of the North Side hotel, over which Mrs. O'Brian has personal supervision and makes it superior, in all respects, to the ordinary hotel in country towns.

Mrs. Elizabeth C. O'Brian is a daughter of A. W. and Amelia J. (Gosney) Colsher, of whose nine children, five sons and four daughters, four are still living, viz: Mrs. Eliza J. Morrell, Mrs. O'Brian, Mrs. Laura Gordon and Charles C. The father was born in Pennsylvania and the mother in Kentucky, but both are now deceased. Mrs. O'Brian was well educated in the common schools and was confirmed in the Catholic faith by Bishop Chatard in June, 1896.

In politics Mr. O'Brian is a democrat, and cast his first presi- dential vote for Horace Greeley in 1872, and in 1896 voted for and earnestly worked for W. J. Bryan. Twice he has been chosen delegate to the democratic state conventions held at Indianapolis, but has never sought public office. He and family are among the most highly respected members of St. Peter's church, and are never behindhand in contributing to its support.

R EV. JAMES A. O'BRIEN, assistant pastor of St. John's church, Indianapolis, was born November 8, 1860, in the city of Tipperary, Ireland. He attended Blackrock college, Dublin, where he completed his preparatory work, and in 1879 entered the College of the Holy Ghost, Paris, France, where he pursued his studies for a period of six years. He was ordained priest at Che- villy parish, diocese of Paris, November 1, 1887, from which date until 1893 he held a professorship in Blackrock college, Dublin.

By reason of failing health a change of climate was recom- mended, and in 1893 Father O'Brien came to America, his first introduction to this country being his attendance at the world's exposition at Chicago. He spent nearly one year teaching in the Holy Ghost college, Pittsburg, Pa., and the year following he served as assistant pastor of St. Joachim's (French) church. Detroit. On the twenty-second of March, 1895, Father O'Brien became assistant pastor of St. John's parish, Indianapolis, his (1108)

CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.

present post of duty. He is a man of fine intellectual attainments, a ripe scholar, and an able and conscientious preacher. In him the people find a most devoted spiritual adviser, and his efforts at St. John's have already been crowned with great spiritual good to his congregation.

Father O'Brien is the only representative of his family in the new world. His parents, James and Elizabeth (Morrissey) O'Brien, died in their native country, Ireland, the former in 1891, and the latter in the year 1868. The subject is the second of a family of eight children.

APT. JOHN J. O'BRIEN, of engine company No. 3, Indianap- C

olis city fire department, is a native of this city, was born May 24, 1865, and is a son of Joseph and Catherine (Crehan) O'Brien, natives of Ireland-the former of county Cork and the latter of county Kerry. These parents were single when they came to America, and first met and were married at Johnstown, Pa., came to Indianapolis in 1864, and here the father died in 1874, at the age of thirty-five years. Of their seven children, Michael was born in Pennsylvania, was for many years employed at the Indiana state house, and resides on South Capitol avenue; Patrick, also born in Pennsylvania, is deceased; John J. and his twin brother, Jeremiah, were the next in order of birth-the latter being an engineer for the Diamond Match company at Wabash, Ind. ; Joseph, unmarried, resides with his mother in Indianapolis, and is an employee of the National Wheel company; Dennis died in 1896, and Catherine is at home with her mother, unmarried.

Capt. John J. O'Brien was educated at the Brothers' school in Indianapolis, and his first employment was with the Kingan Packing company, with which he spent about seven years. In 1891 he was appointed a member of engine company No. 6, was transferred to No. 10 in 1892, and November 18, 1896, was promoted to be captain of company No. 3, his present charge.

Capt. O'Brien has been twice married- first, in 1889, to Miss Nellie Lynch, with whom three years of happy wedded life were passed, and to which union was born one child, John, January I,

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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,

1892. Mrs. O'Brien was called away May 20, 1893, a devout Catholic, and her remains were interred from St. Mary's church, Rev. Father Gavisk performing the last sad rites.

The second marriage of Capt. O'Brien took place July I, 1895, in Indianapolis, to Mrs. Anna Dumas, a native of Taylors- ville, Ind., and born Anna Dyson, her family being well known as old residents of the state of Indiana. The captain and his family have a pleasant home at No. 1104 South Capitol avenue and their church membership is with St. John's. The captain in his youth was a member of the Knights of Father Mathew, and still adheres closely to the lessons he early learned on the subject of intoxicants. In politics he is an ardent democrat, and is a member of the Cleve- land club and other political organizations. His honored mother is still in excellent health and resides at her own home on South Capitol avenue.

J OHN WALDRON, one of Bloomington's most successful and best-known business men, for fourteen years the president of the First National bank, is a valued and highly respected member of St. Charles Catholic church, with which he has been associated since 1856, and of which he has all that time been treasurer. In fact, to Mr. Waldron's energy, liberality and sound business judg- ment is due, in no small degree, the material success and high financial standing of this church body.

When Mr. Waldron arrived in Bloomington the congregation was in its infancy, and it was not a lusty infancy either. At that time there was no resident priest, nor was there a church-building. Through Mr. Waldron's active interest in church matters, the scat- tered body of local Catholics were brought to attend services at his house, which was used for some time for that purpose and until the growing congregation purchased an old church-building, which was used for divine worship until the present church-edifice was erected. This first purchase was made largely through Mr. Wal- dron's instrumentality, and involved an expenditure of $600, which was a large amount for the congregation at that time. During all

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JOHN WALDRON.

CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.

these years Mr. Waldron has been the church treasurer and one of the trustees, and the fact that it has never had a debt resting upon it speaks largely in praise of the efficient manner in which Mr. Waldron has looked after its finances.

John Waldron is a native of Ireland, and was born in June, 1827, the son of John and Mary (Hughes) Waldron. His father was a tanner, of the details of which business our subject received a thorough knowledge. The father died in 1834 and the mother in 1837. There were three sons-our subject, the eldest, Bernard and James. In 1847 these sons came to America. Bernard died in Natchez, Miss., in 1852; James served an apprenticeship at ship-building in St. Louis, and afterward was lost sight of by his brother, and his whereabouts are at present unknown to him.

John Waldron received some schooling in his early boyhood, and had perfected himself in a useful trade before he came to this- country. Upon his arrival here he stopped at Newark, N. J., a few months; then, in company with an uncle, he went to Illinois and later to St. Louis, where he was married in September, 1853, to Ann Bonicum, a native of Canada, and a first cousin to Bishop Bonicum, of Lincoln, Nebr. In 1856 Mr. Waldron purchased a tan-yard at Bloomington, and continued to operate it for thirty- five years. When he started in this business he had but little money, but his energy and perseverance proved better than cash capital and he has prospered well, having been connected with many of Bloomington's most flourishing institutions. He was one of the original stockholders and first directors of the First National bank, and for fourteen years held the position of president of that solid old institution. He is still a member of its directory. He is a partner in the Waldron, Hill & Buskirk spoke factory; is also part owner and treasurer of the Electric light plant, and has inter- ests in the Central stone quarry and ten other quarries. He has made money in his numerous investments and has always very wisely re-invested it at home. He is also the owner of several fine business blocks and a handsome residence.

To Mr. and Mrs. Waldron have been born ten children, three of whom, only, survive to bless their later days: Julia, wife of William T. Blair, superintendent of the Central stone quarry;

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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,

Mary, wife of Ira C. Bateman, attorney; Ida, at home. All live at Bloomington and reside near together.

Politically, Mr. Waldron has always affiliated with the repub- lican party and has held municipal offices and served one term as county commissioner.

M ICHAEL O'BRIEN, an employee at the Terre Haute Brew- ing company's place of business, on South Kentucky avenue, Indianapolis, was born in Dungarvon, county of Waterford, Ire- land, December 18, 1868, and is the only child born to James and Margaret /Powers) O'Brien, who are now living in retirement in their native city, where the father had formerly been a prosperous leather merchant.

Michael O'Brien attended school in Dungarvon until sixteen years of age, when he came to America to join some relatives on this side of the Atlantic ocean. In 1885 he came to Indianapolis, and now makes his home with the mother of Mrs. Maurice Don- nelly, the latter being a relative, of whom mention is made in another part of this work. For the first eleven years after his arrival in this city, Mr. O'Brien was in the employ of Thomas Madden, of whom, also, mention is made in another page in this volume, and. under that gentleman learned wood-carving in his extensive lounge manufactory, but improved machinery has ren- dered this trade unprofitable to the worker by hand, and in 1896 Mr. O'Brien accepted his present position.

Mr. O'Brien is a member of St. Patrick's congregation, under the ministration of the able pastor, Very Rev. Father O'Donag- hue, and is also a member of the Young Men's institute. In poli- tics he is a democrat, and has served as a member of the Marion county democratic central committee, and is at present a member of the democratic city committee. He is active and earnest in his advocacy of the principles of his party, with which he is very popular, and is a young man of intelligence, excellent business capacity, and of strictly moral personal habits, being a sincere and devoted Catholic.

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CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.

M ICHAEL JOSEPH O'BRIEN, of No. 944 South Capitol avenue, Indianapolis, was born at Johnstown, Pa., April 14. 1861. He is a son of Joseph and Catherine (McCrehan) O'Brien, the former a native of county Cork, and the latter of county Kerry, Ireland. They were married in Johnstown, Pa., where their respective families had recently located, about 1853. Joseph O'Brien was an iron and steel worker most of his life. After removing to Indianapolis in 1863 he worked in a rolling mill until his death, which occurred September 6, 1874. He left a widow and seven children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the eldest. The others were as follows: Patrick F., formerly a street car conductor in Indianapolis, who died in 1894, leaving a wife and two children; John and Jerry, twins, the former of whom is a captain of No. 3 engine company, of the Indianapolis fire department, and the latter a stationary engineer at Wabash, Ind .; Joseph is a wood worker employed at the Standard Wheel works, and is unmarried; Dennis died in Indianapolis in December, 1896; Catherine, who is single, lives with her mother at No. 528 South Capitol avenue, Indianapolis.

Michael Joseph O'Brien, the subject of this sketch, obtained his education at St. John's Brothers" school in Indianapolis, after- ward learning the iron puddler's trade, which he followed for a livelihood about thirteen "years. He then secured a position in the State library as janitor and messenger, which he filled for about nine years. While in this position, being of a studious disposition, he managed by reading to supplement his earlier education, which from necessity had been somewhat neglected. After leaving the library he was next employed in the office of the board of health, in Indianapolis.

Mr. O'Brien was married April 10, 1885, at St. John's church, Indianapolis, by Rev. Father Collier, to Miss Mary Loftus, a native of Kentucky, who at the time of the marriage was a resident of Madison, Ind. Mr. and Mrs. O'Brien are the parents of four living children: Joseph, Catherine, James and Agnes. One other, Mary, died at the age of five months. Joseph and Catherine are pupils in St. John's academy. Mr. O'Brien has been a member of the Knights of Father Mathew and of the Ancient Order of Hiber-

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THE CLERGY AND CONGREGATIONS,

nians, but is non-affiliating at the present time. He and his fam- ily are members of St. John's Catholic church, of which Rev. Father Gavisk is the pastor, and Mrs. O'Brien is a member of the Rosary society. Politically Mr. O'Brien is a democrat, and an ardent supporter of his party's doctrines.

The parents of Mrs. O'Brien were James and Mary (O'Hara). Loftus, both natives of county Mayo, Ireland. They were mar- ried at St. Michael's church, Madison, Ind., and became the par- ents of ten children, viz: Patrick, Mary, Margaret, James, John, Celia, Thomas, Nellie, John (2), and Katie. John (1), Thomas. and Nellie are deceased. Mary, James, Celia and Margaret are married.

P ATRICK O'BRIEN, an ex-soldier of the Civil war and the leading manufacturer of varnishes in the state of Indiana, with his plant at South Bend, was born in county Tipperary, Ire- land, June 11, 1839, a son of Patrick and Johanna (McGrath) O'Brien, who came to America in 1843, landing in the city of New York, whence they went to Salem, N. J. There he was reared, was educated, and was taught, through a full apprenticeship, the art of decorative, sign and house painting. In the spring of 1859 he came to South Bend, Ind., and found employment at his trade with the Studebaker Brothers Wagon company, but had hardly been with this firm two years when the alarm of war was sounded. He at once responded to the first call to arms and enlisted in the Thirty-fifth Indiana volunteer infantry, but, instead of bearing arms, served as a musician for a year and a half, and after receiv- ing an honorable discharge, re-enlisted and served in the ranks until the close of the war, when he was again honorably discharged. It may here be remarked, however, that during the service of Mr. O'Brien in the army, between his first and second enlistments, the band service was abolished, but he was devoted to the flag of his country and was determined to fight to the end before that flag should be prostrated.

After his return from the war, Mr. O'Brien resumed his calling of painter at South Bend, and in March, 1869, was married to (1116)

CATHOLIC CHURCH OF INDIANA.

Miss Matilda Byerly, Rev. P. P. Cooney officiating. The result of this happy union has been the birth of six children, born in the following order: Samuel P., William D., George L., Fred J., Frank B. and Henrietta-all the sons being graduates of Notre Dame college and the daughter of St. Mary's. About 1885 Mr. O'Brien entered into present business, which was then somewhat limited or confined, but the excellence of his productions soon gained for him a broadspread reputation, and called for increased facilities and space for their manufacture, so that his plant now covers an area of two acres of ground. Railroad, carriage, fur- niture and all other varnishes used in the mechanic arts, and lin- seed oil, are made by Mr. O'Brien, and are found in use in all parts of the Union.

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History of the Catholic church in Indiana, Volume II, Part 70

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