History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 41

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed. cn
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1226

USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II > Part 41

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1 By Katharine A. O'Keeffe.

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

the Franciscan Order, at St. Elizabeth's Convent, Allegany, N. Y.

The subject of our sketch was born the 1st of May, 1825, at Ballina, County Tipperary, Ireland, and, hav- ing completed his classical studies at Killaloe, deter- mined to dedicate himself to the service of God in the priesthood. He accordingly entered upon his theological studies at All Hallows College, Dublin, where he remained for four years ; and then, desiring to devote himself to the American mission-where, from 1840 to 1850, work for the clergy had been greatly increased, owing to the marvelous Catholic immigration of those years-he came to this country in 1848. After spending a few months under the im- mediate direction of Bishop Timon, of Buffalo, he was ordained there by that prelate on the 17th of February, 1849, at which time he is described as hav- ing been " a delicate, boyisli-looking priest, over whom his companions shook their heads and said he was in consumption."

In no wise disheartened by his apparently delicate health, this young priest, after a few weeks at the Buffalo Cathedral, cheerfully started out upon the ar- duous duties of a missionary life, having been given charge of the counties of Allegany and Steuben, in New York State, with his headquarters at Green wood, in the latter county. Soon after, at the request of Bishop O'Connor, of Pittsburgh, Pa., Mckean and Potter Counties, in that State, were added to his par- ish, thus leaving him the only priest to attend to a district of over one hundred miles square. At that time, this vast territory was little more than a wilder- ness-no churches, no railroads, and with poor and uncertain means of communication. Like many other Catholic congregations of the time, his people were poor and humble, mostly emigrants from his own country, . honestly and industriously struggling for the success which was afterwards theirs, and which has left their descendants of the present generation amongst the foremost citizens of the country. Amidst these people he toiled nearly two years, meeting sincere piety, sub- lime faith and disinterested generosity amongst the Irish exiles, as well as great kindness at the hands of many of the Protestants with whom he came in con- tact.

Whilst on this mission, he built a neat and commo- dious frame church and house in Greenwood, from which place, as a centre, he often had to travel nearly thirty miles a day in discharge of liis various priestly duties ; and, even with those efforts to accommodate the people in his charge, many of them had fre- quently to travel twenty-five miles to at.end Mass. From a recent biographical sketch we learn that " Father O'Brien made his journeys in rough wagons, over roads that led for miles through forests or over mountains. Niglit often came on while he was miles from a settlement. The Catholics were very devout, and the joy . with which they received the travel- stained priest was a balm that soothed every pain he

suffered in their interest. One of his stanchest friends was the pious father of the present Senator Kiernan, of New York. A Mr. McCormick often ac- companied Father O'Brien on his journeys. Mass was said in log-cabins, court-houses, and in a few Protestant churches, the use of which was generously given to the poor Catholics."

Soon, learning that the Erie Railroad was to be laid at Hornellsville-"now a flourishing city, but then only a village, with forests standing whicre at present stand granite blocks"-he began preparations for a church there, knowing that Catholic settlers would soon follow the road. It was during one of the se- vere storms that often came down from the neighbor- ing mountains, threatening the village, that Fatlier O'Brien reached the place, after a day's journey of forty miles over roads almost impassable because of deep ruts, heavy logs and fallen trees. From the very beginning, his course was beset by difficulties and obstacles that would have disheartened a less courageous priest. To him they were but vapors that were dissipated before the warmth of his ardor, shadows that fled before the sunshine of God's om- nipotence.

On reaching Hornellsville, he found shelter at a little inn kept by an old man named McGee, who was disposed to be most kind and respectful to him, but soon appeared quite helpless in his regard. Be- fore he had been in the place an hour, a number of rough, ignorant bigots, having heard of his arrival, came to the inn with the avowed intention of tarring and feathering the " popish priest;" but their evil in- tention was thwarted by the prompt action of the chief engineer of the railroad, Mr. Emmet, a grand- son of Thomas Addis Emmet, and grand-nephew of the Irish patriot martyr, Robert Eumet. Mr. Em- met, although a Protestant, was too truly a "son of his sires " to tolerate such cowardly injustice, and, suddenly appearing on the scene, hurled the ring- leader down the steps of the inn, dispersed the others, and thus secured the young missionary from present and future molestation. In that place also, notwith- standing its unpropitious beginning, he built a fine brick church and house which met the demands of the place for several years.

Continuing along the liue of the railroad for a dis- tance of about one hundred miles, from Corning to Cuba, he occasionally found himself in the midst of stirring scenes. We quote one instance of mauy from the sketch before referred to. "On one occasion he broke up a 'shanty' where the laborers were intoxi- cated and fighting like animals. For breaking in the heads of three whiskey barrels, this delicate priest, who was told one year before that he was going into consumption, was placed under arrest by a constable. He was brought before the judge of the district, who was busy digging potatoes. The case was not pressed, however. Vigorous measures had to be taken at times, and the rough men of all creeds ere long learned

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to respect and love the young priest whose courage and zeal were so great."

While on this mission, he also built a little frame church at Scio; and, after being allowed by the au- thorities of Angelica, New York, to use the court- house there for divine service for a year and a half, he had just purchased the old jail, on the site of which it was his intention to erect a church,-since built and still in use,-when he was transferred to the less arduous, but more important parish of Geneva, New York, on the 1st of January, 1851.

At Geneva, Father O'Brien built a fine brick church which had just been commenced by his predecessor, Father Bradley ; and also:built a pastoral residence He had the basement of the church well fitted for a parochial school which he there opened-one of the first in the State. He also purchased and tastefully laid out a good cemetery.

His remarkable success in this parish led, in less than four years, to a still higher promotion-the pas- torate of St. Patrick's Church, Rochester, to which he was appointed in October, 1854, as successor to the Vicar-General of the diocese, Very Rev. William O'Reilly, who left Rochester for Hartford, Conn., whither he came to assist his brother, the Rt. Rev. Bishop of that diocese.

A broader field, a more important position meant, to Father O'Brien, only stronger endeavor and more unselfish devotion in God's service. Accordingly, we find him almost immediately hard at work. A pa- rochial school for girls had already been founded by Rev. Bernard O'Reilly, afterwards the bishop already referred to, who had been Father William's imme- diate predecessor ; but the boys of the parish were un- provided for until Father O'Brien's advent. With his never-failing interest in Christian education, their needs in that respect engaged his first attention. For the sum of eight thousand dollars, he purchased one of the finest sites in the city for a boys' school, and soon erected thereon a handsome and excellently provided building. He then obtained from Montreal seven Chris- tian Brothers-one of the first communities to come to the United States-all excellent teachers, and soon had in running order one of the best parochial schools in the country-a school to which Father O'Brien has every reason to look back upon with a commendable pride; for its graduates fill many of the highest posi- tions in the State, some being greatly esteemed cler- gymen, others talented editors whose influence is felt far beyond its limits, while others again have won credit in the medical and legal professions, or stand amongst the most successful in commercial life; and all are upright, honest citizens, and good Christian men.

After this important matter had been attended to, he founded St. Mary's Hospital, which he placed under the direction of the Sisters of Charity, led by Sister Hieronymo O'Brien. These Sisters still have charge of the institution, which is one of the best ap-

pointed and largest in the State. In connection with it is a most admirable department, known as St. Mary's Retreat, for the benefit of persons who may desire a quiet and healthful place of sojourn during periods of weariness or convalescence. The hospital was liberally patronized by the city, and the State gave large sums towards its support. During the war it was a most valuable place for the wounded sol- . diers.

In June, 1859, Father O'Brien was appointed Vicar- General of the diocese, which necessitated his removal, for some time, to Buffalo. His stay of five years at Rochester, and the great good he had, during that time, accomplished there, had so endeared liim to the people that his departure from amongst them was re- garded with universal sorrow, and by none more sin- cerely so than by the pupils of the schools after whose interests he had always so carefully looked. An ex- tract from an address presented him, together with a handsome present, by the pupils of St. Patrick's Academy, may give some idea of the estimate in which he was held :

" DEAR BELOVED PASTOR :- We, the pupils of St. Patrick's Academy, have come this evening to congratulate you on your promotion to the very honorable and most important office of Vicar-General of this dio- cese, to which God, in his all-wise Providence, lias seen fit to call you. But we do assure you that our joy is greatly clouded by the sad thought that this promotion will cause ns to be deprived of your much loved presence amougst us. This, indeed, is most sorrowful news for the Catholic community of Rochester in general ; for your unbounded zeal and generous devotedness during the too short a time God has willed you to be in our midst, have, we may say, reached all the different classes -- the rich and poor, young and old, widow and orphan, and poor suffering humanity -- all, all have felt the effects of your vigilance aud charity."

His stay in Buffalo was as fruitful in good works as had been his previous missions. He had just success- fully negotiated for another band of Christian Broth- ers for a boys' school, who soon after came, when he was recalled to Rochester, after an absence of about a year and a half.

The sorrow of the people of Rochester at his de- parture was only exceeded by the joy with which they welcomed him back, as ready as ever, to take up his interrupted good work amongst them.

Soon after his return, a pressing call for help came across the waters from Ireland to the Irish race in this prosperous country. It was immediately an- swered, on the part of Rochester Catholics, by Father O'Brien, who first called a meeting in the church, which was afterwards adjourned to the City Hall, where, on Father O'Brien's invitation, the mayor of the city presided. The result of the movement was a subscription of seven thousand dollars which Father O'Brien immediately sent to the sufferers.

As the Catholic congregation of St. Patrick's Church had greatly outgrown the accommodations of the church which he found there, his next step was towards beginning the erection of a splendid granite church to take its place. Various circumstances, for some time, impeded this great and much needed work. Mean-

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while, the direful calamity of Civil War came upon tlic country, rendering prayer and religious consolation more than ever necessary from God's chosen ministers of peace; and cherished, indeed, in many grateful hearts is the memory of the loving kindness with which he encouraged and sustained them during that sad period. Memorable, too, is the noble generosity and disinterested patriotism he manifested in connec- tion with that time that so " tried men's souls." No appeal for encouraging words, for substantial aid to the soldiers, was ever unheeded by him. Many of the more than fifteen thousand people present at the camp-grounds, outside the city of Rochester, still re- member the inspiring address he there delivered, at the invitation of the general in command, to one of the regiments of Meagher's Irish Brigade, on its de- parturc for the battle-field; and many, too, can recall, as well, the patriotic and consoling funeral sermons he delivered at St. Bridget's Church, over the remains of the brave and deeply regretted General O'Rourke, and also over those of the gallant Captain Sullivan and other soldiers at St. Patrick's. The war happily over, plans for the church building were being pushed rapidly forward. Inspired by his energy and gener- osity, the parishioners became as earnest as himself; and he succeeded in procuring, for the contemplated church, sixty thousand dollars in cash or its equivalent before laying a stone. All during its erection, how- ever, Father O'Brien had been pressing a request for his transfer to Lowell, where his uncle, Rev. John O'Brien, was very desirous of his presence and assist- ance in the heavy work which he saw before him in this city. Loath to part with so devoted and able a priest, the Bishop long deferred acceding to his wish. Uncertainty, however, did not deter Father O'Brien in the good work at Rochester which he pushed on as energetically as ever. At length the church, St. Patrick's-now used as the Rochester Cathedral --- was well on its way to completion, when, soon after the death of Rt. Rev. Bishop Timon, came the long- desired permission ; and, immediately on receiving it, Father Michael hastened to his reverend uncle.

Once again his congregation was called upon to suffer the loss of their estcemed pastor. As a token of their appreciation of his virtuous endeavors and of their sorrow at his departure, they presented him with an eloquent address, accompanied by a valu- able gold chalice, ciborium and remonstrance. The first he still uses ; the remonstrance he returned to the Cathedral at Rochester, and it is now used by the Bishop of that diocese.

Received most cordially by the venerable pastor of St. Patrick's Church, Lowell, on his arrival, June 29, 1867, he soon won the respect and csteem, not only of St. Patrick's Parish, but of all the well disposed citizens of Lowell of whatever denomination, so carnest and helpful were his efforts for the good of thic entire community. The condition of affairs on his arrival and his subsequent course here have been

already recorded, and we will not repeat them, but confine ourselves to a few events of his personal history.

We have already mentioned his active and success- ful assistance towards liis suffering native land, while in Rochester. He has been, while in Lowell, no less interested in lier welfare, and no less ready with aid in her present struggle for national independence. In the threatened famines of 1879-80, St. Patrick's Parish was amongst the first to send aid. On Christ- mas Day of the former year, hc announced a collec- tion for that purpose, the results of which enabled him to send to Ireland two thousand two hundred dollars. A few weeks later, January 13, 1880, on the visit of Messrs. Parnell and Dillon, to Lowell, both received a cordial welcome, and valuable co-operation at his hands. From the Lowell Sun, of Saturday, January 17, 1880, we learn that, after the meeting in Huntington Hall, where these two distinguished guests appeared, had been called to order, " Rev. Michael O'Brien was announced as the president of the evening, and the reverend gentleman came to the front amid great applause." At this meeting also his customary generosity was manifest in the large con- tribution presented. Mr. Dillon was his guest dur- ing his stay in the city, and returned soon after and gave a lecture here for the benefit of the Brothers' School.

Several times since coming to this country, Father O'Brien has visited his native land, whose history, re- sources and general condition few better comprehend. His travels in Europe have been quite extended on the Continent, whose principal countries he visited in 1876, bringing back with him a fund of information that ycars of home study would not have accumulated. It was during this visit that he enjoyed the pleasure of a short stay in Rome, and the honor of a most satis- factory and encouraging interview with his Holiness, Pope Pius IX.

During another European trip a well-deserved honor was conferred upon him, in September, 1881. He was one of the first three in the diocese to be ap- pointed permanent rector, the other two being Rev. Patrick Strain, of Lynn, and Rev. Thomas Scully, Cambridgeport. On his return, he was received with a most hearty welcome, and most sincere congratula- tions by the congregation, and by the several religious societies which he has founded and fostered. We have also, in the sketch of the church, referred to the splendid demonstration in honor of the fortieth anni- versary of his elevation to the priesthood ; and we then quoted from the different addresses, extracts that were particularly connected with his carcer as rector of St. Patrick's Church. Those that now fol- low seem most appropriate here. The first is from the address of John Hogan, Esq., representing the congregation :

"Forty years ago you received tho oil of unction that you might ascond God's altar and offer sacrilico for the living and the dead. For

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forty years yon have been a faithful priest of the holy Roman Catholic Church, and it has been your pleasure to lift up, day by day, the un- spotted Host, the Price of our salvation ; to announce with authority the Word of God; and to exercise the divine power of forgiving sins. This is, indeed, a great grace and a sublime privilege.

" As you stand here in the presence of your flock, your mind will recall the day of your ordination, when, in the prime and vigor of manhood, yon dedicated your life to saving the souls of your fellow-men. What is more noble, more heroic, or more worthy of emulation? During these forty years, how many are the infants on whose heads you have poured the waters of regeneration and made them children of our holy Church ? How many the orphans yon have sheltered, the works of charity, of self-sacrifice, and of self-denial, yon have performed, and how many poor sonls, ere they departed this life, you have miuistered to and spoken words of consolation and comfort ! "

The second brief extract is from Mrs. Mary Cal- vert's address, representing the Holy Family Sodal- ity :

"We thank you for the care yon take of our own sonls, but, oh ! how every mother's heart moves towards yon for your special care of our little ones, training them hy the aid of religions instruction, and by the examples of religious teachers which your fatherly interest has pro- vided for them. May they one day rise np and call yon blessed."

Another brief extract is from Miss Nellie Foley's address, representing the Sodality of the Immaculate Conception :

" As children of Holy Mother Church, we gladly yield you the fealty of true Catholics to God's chosen priest ; as members of St. Patrick's parish, we rejoice in having so true-hearted a pastor, so vigilant a guide ; and as children of Mary Immaculate, we claim a special share, in this demonstration, for to ns you are the spiritual father, who, through onr consecration, has led us to Mary's feet."

Still another is from Mr. Michael McDermott's ad- dress, representing the Holy Name Society :

" To embellish the dignity, the character and the mission of a true priest, we must needs borrow neither from rhetoric, nor from flattery. As the ambassador of Divine Providence to redeemed mankind, the priest speaks to God by prayer and to the people by exhorting them to the practice of the saving truths of salvation. For forty years such, dear Father, has been yonr two-fold office ; and in the discharge of the sacred dnties of the ministry, by the wisdom which regulated your zeal and the prudence which tempered your piety, yon have heen an honor and credit to the Church, and the pride and glory of her loyal sons and daughters in the city of Lowell."

The following we take from the address by James H. Carmichael, Esq., representing the Young Men's Sodality :

" This occasion must, indeed, be a happy and glorions one for you, surrounded, as yon are, by yonr congregation ; the old and the young, all vieing with each other to make this a pleasant and memorable epoch In your life. We who have known yon in our midst for years, know of your nnostentatious and holy life ; know of your conutless acts of char- Ity ; we who have received consolation and hope from you in the dark hours of sorrow and affliction ; we who have seen yon share our joy and happiness in the bright hours of pleasure ; we who have seen you like a ministering angel pouring words of consolation and heavenly hope Into the ears of the sick and dying, and pointing ont to them the straight and narrow path which leads to eternal life. We are now as- sembled in this holy temple to manifest to yon our love and devotion on this, the fortieth anniversary of your ordination. It is not for the cele- bration of any worldly exploits that we come together on this holy Sun- day night, but to celebrate the anniversary of the consecration of your dife to the service of the Lord-a life dedicated to his work among the poor and the humble; to commemorate a life of self-sacrifice and lenial ; a life given to teaching us the divine truths of religion and preading the light of the Gospel of Christ among his children on arth."

And so we might continue, were space allowed, quoting eloquent tributes not only from the exercises 12-ii

of that evening, but from equally appropriate ones at the schools the next day-all more than confirming any encomiums we have given.

Of all the objects of Father O'Brien's interest, there is none dearer than the proper education of the young committed to his care, for whom he has provided such excellent instruction. Of his stand on the im- portant question of parochial schools, the following extract from the synopsis of an address delivered by him at the last graduating exercises of the Boys' School gives a good idea :

"Having now congratulated teachers and pupils on the excellence of this evening's exercises, I have a word to say to the audience on the general subject of education, inasmuch as some people of little judgment have lately been enjoying quite a discussion especially on the merits of secular aud religious education. I consider the religious question set- tled, and I see uo room for controversy between the public and the paro- chial schools. I think they cau both live together in the most amicahle relations and actuated by honorable rivalry as to which will do the better work. I firmly believe, and I hold we have just reason for thinking our schools surpass the public schools. In the first place, we lay a splendid moral foundation for the edifice of education ; and you know that without a substantial foundation, an edifice is in danger of falling when it meets the shock of the cyclone. We lay as the founda- tion stone the commandments of God and the precepts of the Church, which require us to love our neighbor as ourselves-that is, men of all conditions and professions-to love God who created us, and do his will in all things. On this foundation we raise the superstructure of educa- tion, and we think we impart as good a secular education as can be- given by any other school."

Father O'Brien then referred to the victories won in New York by the pupils of the parochial school ; where, on the occasion of an examination for a cadet- ship at West Point, for which there were about seventy- five competitors and only ten obtained the required per- centage, eight of the ten successful ones were pupils of the parochial schools. In Buffalo, N. Y., a similar examination has been held for a number of years, and in every case, a pupil of the parochial schools has been successful. He also reverted to a recent exam- ination in this city in which a place was won in a competition by a young man, a graduate of our paro- chial school.

In conclusion he said :

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II, Part 41

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed. cn Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1226

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed. cn
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1226