Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1910-04-16

street, and Mrs. Mary Mccormack, Of
East Martin street, mother-of DR.. NJ. A.
Mccormack, the well-knoWn physician
and surgeon, and all venerable and re-
spected residents OF that city at the
present time, Each has a distinct re-
membrance OF Father John when he was
rector OF St. Joseph'5 church in Martins
burg. and they relate many interesting
"reminiscences Of his work and person
atty during the years he was stationed
there.
The records of St. Joseph's church,
Martinsburg, show that Father John
became the head of the parish in I84I,
succeeding Bishop Richard Vincent
Nhelan, when the latter was elevated to
the purple in the old cathedral in Balti-
more and sent to the Richmond see. 1t
is known, however, that Father John
had labored for several years previously
in that diocese as a missionary, travelling
on horse back over a vast extent of
territory, suffering all the hardships of
those rude times and subjected to the
perils OF long and lonely Journeys
through the mountains of that state.
Father John remained in charge of
the Martinsburg parish until 1913, when
he was again summoned by the bishop
OF Richmond to resume the work of a
missionary, his great zeal, eloquence and
courage especially fitting him for that
character of work. He remained in that
diocese until 1855, when he went to
Lowell and became rector OF s.. Pat
rick's church, remaining there until his
death, some years later.
Father John oficiated at the chris
tening of Mrs, Schaarclaan when she
was a child Of 8 years and also prepared
Mrs. Mccormack for confirmation when
The latter was about 70 years old. Nj,
Schaarmann became we'll acquainted
wittrhim when he visited Harper Ferry,
one OF the charges in the MartinSburg
parish, where Mr.. Schaarmann then re-
sided. OF -'ather John, Nj. Schaarmann
says:
Father John O'Brien was greatly be-
loved b. everybody-6oth Catholics and
Protestants. He was of splendid pres
ence, SIX feet tall and finely proportion
ed, and possessed OF great personal
strength and courage. He had a fine
head, and his face was both handsome
and strong, expressing kindness, dignity
and ~beneyoleHce in G marked degree,
Ee was an ideal pastor, and exercised
AZ almost patriarchial influence over his
scattered flock. While his most marked
characteristics were charity ami zeal, he
could be austere and stern upon occa-
sioQs, which were rare. He was very
r-eatly beloved because Of his unbounded
,harity, and no one in need was ever
turned empty-handed from his door.
Many times, while on his way 10 say
early mass on cold winter mornings. he
would take with his own hands a supply
ii food and fuel to ONE poor woman
Or orphan children, and often cut the
wood and kindled the fire to cook the
provisions his bounty had furnished.
He lived a very simple and abstemious
life, and used practically all the offerings
Of his parishioners in deeds OF charity
among the poor.
"As a priest, he would go to the
uttermost lengths OF his resources and
strength to attend to the spiritual need
Of his people, and many times he rode
from 20 to 30 miles through the forests
and over the mountains at night TO
AIRY the sacrament to some sick or
lying member of his flock. IN emer-
y~encies, if his horse was sick or travel
worm, he would walk the entire distance,
md so great was his strength and en-
iurance that he never hesitated to make
these lonely and dangerous journeys on
loot.