The Indianapolis journal., 1883-07-05


John McMullen was born in Ballanahinch,
County Down, in the north of Ireland, on
March 8, 1888, and was the son of James
McMullen, a farmer In 1887 the family
came to what is now the province of Ontario,
and settled on farm, but in a year moved
to Ogdensburgh, N. Y, soon after to Lock
port, ILL.,; and finally in 1S43, TO Chicago,
where the father became the proprietor of a
hotel on Lake street Here John was entered
at st. Mary's College from which he gradu-
ated in 1858, when just entering upon his
twenty first year. After graduation he went
to Rome where he pursued his studies at the
Urban College, commonly called the
Propaganda. In 1858 he was ordained a
priest, with the degree of doctor of divinity.
and returning Immediately to Chicago, was
installed as pastor of the st. Louis church
He soon became very active in
the work of building up churches in
the suburban towns, and many strong con-
gregations in the towns around Chicago
were organized by his efforts. In 1868 the
cornerstone of the University was laid, and
when the building was com pieted, mainly
through his effarts he became president OF
the institution. Here he taught Hebrew and
philosophy until 1869. when he took charge
of the church at Wilmington, Ill. One year
later, however, he again returned to his
favorite field of labor in Chicago, where he
became rector of the Church of the Holy
Name. Many of his benevolent and religious
enterprises were seriously interferred with
by the great fire, and he was compelled to
witness the destruction of several edifces
which had been erected chiefly through his
labors. He continued in the Church of the
Holy Name until August, 1877, when he was
-. loft 81
When Bishop Foley died be was chosen to
be administrator of the diocese. In the cleo
tion of a successor to the vacant see, DIR. Nc
Mullen was supported by nearly all the
elergymen of the diocese, aud there was con-
siderable surprise when Archbishop Feehan
was selected by the Pope. However, in 1881,
when the new diocese of Davenport was
erected, the Pope showed his appreciation of
the esteem and regard in which DIR, McMul-
len was held by his fellow-ministers and ap-
pointed him to be the first Bishop OF Daven-
port
Dr. McMullen left Chicaro for his new field
on the 30th of July, 1881 accompanied by
several distinguished dignitaries of the Ro-
man Catholic Church. He was received at
Davenport by large concourse of citizens
irrespective of religious faith, and given the
warmest welcome to his new home. His in
stalIment took place on the 1st of August,
with imposing ceremonies. He Immediately
entered upon MS new work, ana MS HrSt un-
dertaking was the building of handsome
and costly church edifce for one of the con-
gregations of the city. His quiet dignity and
warm-hearted benevolence made him greatly
beloved by all classes of persons. Before he
went to Davenport his health was not good,
and under the hard work entailed by his
new position it failed rapidly. In December
last his physicians ordered him to California,
where he remained for three months without
receiving appreciable benefit He returned
to Davenport in March. and continued to
yield to the complication of diseases that
afflicted him. He has three brothers. one
a member OF the firm of McMullen d Officer,
Chicago, one in Missouri aud one in Ten
neSSeP