USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > A history of Catholicity in northern Ohio and in the diocese of Cleveland from 1749 to December 31, 1900, Volume II, pt1 > Part 11
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Full of zeal and anxious for hard work he was at once commis- sioned as assistant priest at St. John's Cathedral, Cleveland. He found there during ten and one-half years a wide field for the exercise of his abilities. During those years he was recognized as a preacher of great force and eloquence, and as a chanter of the public offices of the Church than whom there have been few more masterly and soulful in the diocese. His voice has been pro- nounced a baritone by some, but it might be more properly called a robust tenor, compact and clear, which, once heard in chanting the preface, is never forgotten by those not deficient in the musical sense. During his long stay at the Cathedral thousands flocked to hear him sing, not merely through curiosity, but rather to enjoy the devotional effects of his almost inspired vocalization.
January 7, 1883, he was appointed pastor of St. Mary's Church, Norwalk, Ohio. The parish needed a new church and Father Chevraux set about the work of erecting one at once. He accomplished his task and the result is that the present St. Mary's of that city takes high rank among the most beautiful edifices in the diocese. It cost $33,000 to complete it, but its beauty of architec- ture and finish are worth much more than that sum. When he left Norwalk, September 16, 1897, to assume the duties of pastor of St. Ann's Church, Fremont, Ohio, his departure was a sore trial not only for the people of St. Mary's, but also for the citizens of Norwalk, who respected and loved him more than any other man of any denomination who ever labored among the Christian people of that city.
"Father Chevraux." says the Norwalk, Ohio, Press, of
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THE REV. CHARLES V. CHEVRAUX.
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September 17, 1897, "is a man of high culture and broad ideas. He is an untiring worker to whom is due the growth and strength of St. Mary's congregation. In the pulpit he impresses his hearers with his eloquence, ability, and sincerity ; and outside the church he has won the respect and admiration of all classes by his genial and sympathetic disposition. We can say without exaggeration that Norwalk has never had a clergyman who was more popular both within and without his congregation. Father Chevraux' departure from this city will be personally regretted by all our citizens."
"The Rev. Chas. V. Chevraux, of Norwalk, Ohio," says The Toledo Bec, "sang solemn high Mass at St. Francis de Sales' Church Wednesday morning. Father Chevraux is considered to be and undoubtedly is the most celebrated vocalist in the American priesthood, and the people of St. Francis de Sales' parish were delighted to have an opportunity of hearing him. A voice of superb 'timbre,' a clear, powerful baritone of such volume that his notes could be often heard even outside the church, the lofty vaulted ceiling seemed alive with charming music. A cul- tured auditor remarked: 'There! in the sanctuary for once Madame Machen has found her match in church music.' Come again, noble-voiced Monsieur, and give our thousand cultured Toledo people due notice of your coming !"
At Fremont Father Chevraux devoted himself to the general advancement of St. Ann's parish, the improvement of the schools, and the giving of new life to the church choir. He later adopted the question-box method of instruction, which proved very popular and beneficial. Catholics and non-Catholics had their questions answered from the pulpit, and an unusual light began to shine for all, through which many found their way back to the right path, and all experienced the satisfaction of having either their faith strengthened or their doubts removed. From Fremont, November 17, 1900, Father Chevraux was advanced to his present important charge, the Church of the Immaculate Conception, in Toledo. His departure, just as it was in Norwalk, was a source of regret to all the people, particularly to his beloved parishioners of St. Ann's.
The Rev. Charles Vincent Chevraux is a man of modest bearing, kindly disposition, earnestness and great zeal in the per- formance of his duties. Descended of Celtic stock, he might be expected to be sanguine in temperament. On the contrary he is rather inclined to be phlegmatic-just enough to be self-possessed and resolute beyond the power of obstacles or opposition to thwart
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or change him. His judgment directs him aright, and then he moves forward not impulsively but steadily and constantly. The good to be accomplished is the inspiration of his powers. He labors with equal effectiveness in the temporal as in the spiritual. He conserves all the interests of his people, and is always found to be the same sort of man, faithful, loyal-the true shepherd of his flock.
THE REV. JAMES CHRISTOPHORY.
Since this work was ready for the press the Rev. James Christophory passed to his reward, August 31, 1902, leaving foot- prints that tell of his zeal, humility, obedience, and piety. His life was not exactly an open book, but to such as could interpret his manner and character was revealed a picture both complete and inviting. The lights and shades were strong, and clearly cutlined his numerous prominent qualities.
His diocesan record and some characteristics of the late pastor of the Church of St. Boniface, Oak Harbor, Ottawa county, Ohio. might be presented as follows :
He entered St. Mary's Theological Seminary, Cleveland, in the autumn of 1873, and was ordained priest by Bishop Gilmour June 15, 1878. From July 1, 1878, until June 15, 1881, he was in charge of St. Michael's Church, North Ridge, Defiance county, Ohio, with Mud Creek as a mission. He secured subscriptions to the amount of $3,000 to build the church at North Ridge, and established the Catholic school there. He bought the altar, the pews and bells at Mud Creek, after having paid the debts on the church.
Hle was pastor of St. Patrick's Church, St. Patrick's Settle- ment, Seneca county, from June, 1881, until September, 1887. While there he began the erection of the mission church at Liberty, purchased the pipe organ, and had the present slate roof put on the church at St. Patrick's Settlement. From September, 1887, until January 1, 1SSS, he was in charge of the Church of St. Francis Xavier, at Medina, having in addition four missions to attend to. He furnished the parish church and pastoral residence, and paid some of the old debts on the mission church at Wads-
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worth. He resigned as pastor of Medina, and during the succeed- ing eight months was curate at St. Peter's Church, Cleveland.
By permission of the Diocesan Authority, and at the urgent request of Bishop Fink, of Leavenworth Kansas, he faithfully labored in that diocese from August, 1888, until January 1, 1891. His knowledge of both the French and German languages rendered his services most valuable to Bishop Fink. At Greenleaf, a place of only eighteen poor Catholic families, he built and paid for a church that cost $4.000. At the close of his labors in Kansas he was given leave of absence for eight months to recruit his health in Europe. Returning to his own diocese, August, 1892, he spent four months as assistant priest at St. Stephen's Church, Cleveland. December 27. 1892, he was appointed to his late position, that of pastor of the Church of St. Boniface, Oak Harbor, Ottawa county, with the mission at Toussaint also in his charge until 1895. He always improved the church property wherever he was stationed.
The above facts and general record would indicate a laborious and useful career, in which zeal is coupled with marked obedience. Father Christophory never needed an argument to make him conscious of the fact that wherever he was sent the object in view was that he might do the work of the Master among the people. Hence he was content to labor in any part of the Lord's Vine- vard to which he was appointed, and he did so with a good will and to the best of his ability.
The ancestors of Rev. James Christophory were originally Italians. His grandparents on his mother's side spoke only the language of Italy, and spelled the family name after the old fashion, Cristofori. Ilis parents were Michael and Mary (Boniface) Christophory. He was born to them in the village of Merl, near Luxemburg, April. (Good Friday), 1848. From boyhood he had the intention of becoming a priest. His preparatory training com- pleted, he entered the Atheneum, at Luxemburg, where he studied seven years and graduated in the classics. He then spent two years in the military academy, after which he was appointed lieutenant in the Belgian army and saw active service during the year 1870-71. He emigrated to the United States, in 1873, and began his divinity studies and career in the Diocese of Cleveland.
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MR. JAMES D. CLARY.
A plain business or professional man quietly pursuing the even tenor of his way is often likened to the buried granite block that when quarried takes on the highest polish. This figure holds in the case of the gentleman selected as the subject of this mention, for in a sense he has been buried from public view through his active and confining calling, but when out of his business haunts his social and higher qualities are found to be of the sterling kind.
Mr. James D. Clary was born in the county of Clare, Ireland, March 3, 1812. When a mere boy he came with his parents to this country, and, from 1850 to 1861, he attended school in New York State, in Duchess county, on the Hudson. In 1861, he attended the High School at Painesville, Ohio, and, in 1865, he graduated in the commercial course from the Eastern National Business College, at Poughkeepsie, New York. He became a permanent resident of Cleveland in that year, and accepted the position of bookkeeper for Mr. Morrison Foster, whose business. after various changes, became what is now The Bourne-Fuller Company of that city, a concern that does a large wholesale job- bing trade in iron and steel.
Mr. Clary is the only member of the original firm remaining. He carly acquired an interest in the business, and, on the incor- poration of the company, was made one of its directors and also its secretary and treasurer. He is at present one of the board of directors and also treasurer. He has a thorough knowledge of the business of the company, is master of his department, and brings to the discharge of his duties a willingness and capacity which his associates have not been slow to gratefully recognize and appreciate .*
In 1869, the 12th day of October, as the matrimonial records of St. John's Cathedral will show, Mr. James D. Clary was united in marriage to Miss Julia Norton, of Cleveland; the late Father Gallagher performed the ceremony. Mrs. Clary, like her husband, is a native of Ireland. having been born in the very garden of that
*Since this work has been in press Mr. Clary retired from active business, after a prosperous and laborious career of over thirty-five years.
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country, the county Tipperary. To Mr. and Mrs. Clary have been born several children, only two of whom, a daughter and a son, are living. The daughter is now Mrs. J. W. Moran, of Cleveland, and the son, Mr. John F. Clary, is connected with The Bourne-Fuller Company.
Mr. James D. Clary has been, with the exception of a few months, a member of the Cathedral parish since 1865, and for years has been one of the councilmen of the congregation. He is quiet and unassuming, and takes a deep interest in the Catholic religion and the education which it fosters. Being a man of principle, he is mindful of his native land and links it with his religion. He never obtrudes either, but, as becomes a true American, he has no apology to offer for exercising his freedom of conscience or his right to his opinion, and he demands none of others. Back of his calmness and quiet bearing-just as the deep river is beneath the smooth surface-are a steadfastness and strength of character not met with every day. One might as well attempt to push a hill over as to change plain James D. Clary from his convictions and what conscience tells him is right.
THE REV. FATHERS CONLAN AND DILLON.
The late Very Rev. James Conlan, V. G., and the Rev. John Dillon, pioneer priests in northern Ohio, were both natives of the county of Leitrim, Ireland. The former was born in the town of Mohill, and the latter at a place called Drumcunny. Father Con- lan's birthday was August 22, 1801, and Father Dillon's was in the year 1807. They were both ordained on the same day, September 20, 1834, at Cincinnati, Ohio, by Bishop Purcell, and both were destined to labor later in the See city of the Diocese of Cleveland.
Immediately after his ordination Father James Conlan was appointed by Bishop Purcell to be the assistant to the Rev. James Reid, pastor of St. Martin's Church, in Brown county, Ohio. After a few months he was transferred to become pastor of the church at Steubenville, whence he attended to the spiritual needs of the scattered Catholics in the adjoining counties. A journey of fifty or more miles to attend the sick or to say Mass was among the ordinary occurrences of his missionary life. Neither the season. the distance, nor any degree of hardship militated against the
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cheerfulness and promptness with which it was his wont to respond to every call for priestly aid. He resided at Steubenville from 1834 till 1842. when he removed to the more central and thickly popu- lated section at St. Paul's, near the present site of the village of Dungannon, in Columbiana county.
In October. 1849, two years after the erection of the Diocese of Cleveland, Bishop Rappe called him to the city of Cleveland. During four years he lived with the bishop and ministered at the Cathedral. For years he was Vicar-General of the diocese, and was always a staunch advocate of the virtue of sobriety. November, 1853, he was appointed the first resident pastor of St. Patrick's Church, in that city, which charge he held until his death, in 1875. He enlarged and improved the old church, built two school build- ings, and the present splendid church, erected in memory of the patron saint of Ireland, was undertaken and placed under roof by him. During the more than twenty-two years of his pastorate in St. Patrick's he was incessant in his labors touching both spiritual and temporal things. The people caught the inspiration of his laborious and truly Christian life, and, as a consequence, his years were blessed with progress and piety, both for his parish and for himself. What he lacked in eloquence he more than compensated for by his wisdom and his dove-like gentleness.
He died at St. Vincent's Hospital, Cleveland, March 5, 1875, when his age was seventy-three years, six months, and fourteen days. The sad event was a great shock to the thousands who loved him for his great zeal and beauty of soul, and who respected and revered him as well for his many merits as for his thorough eccle- siastical spirit. He was kind, gentle patient, forbearing, charitable. and truly fatherly in everything. Merited praise and holy prayer are yet associated with his name by the present generation who have learned of him through parents and friends.
The Rev. John Dillon labored in Cincinnati and vicinity from his ordination, in 1834, till early in 1835, when he was transferred to Cleveland by Bishop Purcell. He organized the first congrega- tion in that city. A few of the old residents yet remain who recall the "astonishing occurrences" of Father Dillon's saying Mass in what was then well known as "Judge Underhill's office," a small room on Spring street; next on "Main Street Hill," opposite
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Union Lane; then again on Prospect street in "Farmer's Hall," in the Mechanics' Block, which later became the "Prospect House."
Father Dillon took up a subscription for the erection of the first Catholic church in Cleveland, known after his day as "Old St. Mary's on the Flats," but he had not the happiness to begin its construction. He died October 16, 1836, as the first resident priest of the "Forest City," in the third year of his sacerdotal career. It is to be regretted that there is no picture or likeness of him extant. In his last illness he was attended by Father Badin, the first priest ordained in the United States. He was beloved by the citizens of Cleveland, irrespective of creed, and his life and record. even though short, were potent in allaying the asperities and sec- tarian animosities which were the plague and the bane of those early days.
Not only in his acts of devotion and in the administration of the sacraments did his great piety evince itself, it even gave tone and sweet flavor to his eloquence. His zeal for religion and the salvation of mankind was not limited by his waning physical strength; it went beyond this, for while on his death-bed this saintly young Levite was prayerfully mindful of those whose spiritual interests were entrusted to his care.
Having passed to his reward in his twenty-seventh year, his mortal remains were interred in the "Old Erie Street Cemetery." for at that time there was no Catholic burial place in Cleveland. But on the completion of St. John's Cathedral, in 1852. Father Dillon's body was transferred there and entombed in one of the vaults beneath the main altar. Thence, again, on the death of his beloved friend and classmate, the Very Rev. James Conlan. March, 1875, they were interred in the same casket with his, and now rest under a monument erected to the memory of both in St. John's Cemetery, Cleveland. It was the dying request of Father Conlan that the remains of his dear friend, Father Dillon. be entombed with his.
Although many years were vouchsafed to the one and but comparatively few to the other, they yet were actuated by a com- mon consuming zeal, a deep piety, and a gentleness of spirit so inviting and tender as to render their memory a cherished inheri- tance and a blessing in the Diocese of Cleveland and northern Ohio.
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THE REV. THOMAS F. CONLON.
The subject of this biography is the Rev. Thomas F. Conlon, assistant priest at St. Mary's Church, Tiffin, Ohio .* He was born at Ashtabula, Ohio, November 10, 1869. His parents are Felix and Ann (McDermott) Conlon, natives of Ireland. They yet reside at Ashtabula. With the proverbial concern of Irish parents for the education of their children, which concern is heightened touching those of them that manifest a desire to study for the priesthood, Felix and Ann Conlon did what they could for the intellectual advancement of their son Thomas. Their limited means alone stood in the way of their doing greater things for him.
Appreciating both the situation and the efforts of his parents, and at the same time evidencing his vocation and great determina- tion, Thomas F. Conlon, when a youth, served for five years in the capacity of a dry goods clerk in his native city, in order to aid in paying his way through college. He spent six years in Assumption College, Sandwich, Canada, a house of learning conducted by the Basilian Fathers, and was prominent in the graduating class. He made his philosophical and theological studies partly in that institution and partly in St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, Mary- land, where he was ordained for the Diocese of Cleveland by His Eminence, Cardinal Gibbons, December 17, 1898.
Returning to his native state and diocese, he was appointed assistant priest at St. Joseph's (German) Church, Tiffin. He served the congregation during five months, his zeal, ability and engaging manners endearing him to all the people. The English speaking congregation of that city being much in need of his services, Bishop Horstmann transferred him to St. Mary's, where, in the capacity of assistant to the Venerable Father Healy, he labored most faithfully.
The difference between a young priest and an old one is simply that of years and experience and, possibly, what is implied by such. It is most becoming, therefore, in the youthful clergy. no matter how great their abilities, to be obedient to, and show the
"Since this work was ready for the press Father Conlon was appointed, June 30, 1901. to Girard. This was revoked and he was made pastor of the Church of the Immaculate : Conception. Grafton, July 11, 1301; and, June 11, 1902, pastor of St. Paul's Church, Salem.
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utmost respect for, their ecclesiastical superiors. Father Conlon is a shining example of this beautiful spirit. Its good effects are both direct and reflex. It gladdens and mellows the hearts of those exercising the governing authority. By emphasizing the oneness of that authority it serves to unify both diocese and congregation, while at the same time it presents the young Levite before the people in the best possible light.
The young priest, in obedience to a native and laudable am- bition, would be Chief in wider field, solely for the good he would thereby hope to accomplish ; and yet, he would decline the too soon rôle of leader through a patient, prayerful biding of his time. He would, and would not,-all depending on the work to be done, and the wisdom directing; and with duty and obedience balancing ambition and zeal, he oft might find himself soliloquizing thus :
"When I reflect how little I have done, And add to that how little I have seen, Then, furthermore, how little I have won Of joy, or good, how little known or been, I long for other life more full, more keen, And yearn to change with such as well have run; Yet reason mocks me,-nay, the soul, I ween, Granted her choice would dare to change with none."
It is in just such light that the young clergyman here men- tioned continues in the strict performance of his priestly duties. His splendid talents not only attract general attention, but produce the best results for religion. Recovering from the effects of long years of study, he utilizes his moderate physical strength and his more than ordinary mental powers in doing the work of the Master. This work he does well in the pulpit; well in the public service on the altar ; doubtless well in the confessional, where God alone is the judge; and well where all can see it, in the management of temporalities. Father Conlon ranks high among the younger native clergy of the diocese. The future is full of promise for him. This promise is not to the car -- empty, but is predicated on his talents and his good will. It is such as he who are the hope of the Church of the future. It is from the lives. ability, and bright example of such that the laity will receive both encouragement and inspiration.
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MR. CORNELIUS CRONIN.
One of the best known and highly respected Catholic citi- zens and business men of East Liverpool, Ohio, is Mr. Cornelius Cronin. He is a member of St. Aloysius', the only Catholic Church in his adopted city, and in business he is secretary and treasurer of The Standard Pottery Company, which is one of the largest of the many pottery plants in East Liverpool. He is prac- tical in the business, having passed from the workman's bench to the management of the financial department of his company.
He was born near the city of Cork, Ireland, December 13, 1861. When eighteen months old he, with the other members of the family, was taken by his parents, John and Johanna (Hickey) Cronin, to this country. The family pitched their tent at East Liverpool, in 1863, and have since been a fixture there. The elder Cronin connected himself with the Cleveland and Pittsburg Rail- road. He died in 1876. His wife survives him and is now in her sixty-sixth year. Her declining years are gladdened by the excellent record, social standing, and business prosperity of her children.
To the matrimonial union of John and Johanna (Hickey). Cronin were born six children. Honora is the wife of Mr. D. E. McNicol, of East Liverpool; Daniel P. is a resident of Salem. Ohio; Cornelius is the subject of this sketch and the last born to them in Ireland; Johanna passed away in 1896; Ellen is Mrs. Luthinger ; and Mary, the youngest, also passed to her reward in 1889.
Mr. Cornelius Cronin was married August 31. 1886, to Miss Mary A. Stephens, who was born in East Liverpool, in 1863. Her family is well connected and is of importance in Columbiana county, Ohio. Her education was of the proper kind, looking to domestic affairs and to the discharge of those duties which de- volve on a Christian wife and mother. To Mr. and Mrs. Cor- nelius Cronin has been born a family of six. The first born was christened John. He was claimed by the angels when he was a babe of seven months. The other five are : Daniel M., John S .. William Kress, Cornelius, and Harold who is the baby. Noth-
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Cornelius E. Daniel M. Harold. W. Kress.
John S.
MR. AND MRS. CORNELIUS CRONIN AND FAMILY.
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