Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1910-06-04

street, and Mrs. Mary Mccormack, OF
East Martin street, mother OF DIR. M. A.
Mccormack, the ~uail-itaown physician
and surgeon, and al venerable and re-
specfed residents OF that city at the
present time. Each has a distinct re-
membrance of Father John when he was
rector of ST. Josephs church in Martins
burg. and they relate many interesting
"reminiscences OF his work and person
ality 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
Whelan, when the latter was elevated to
the purple in the old cathedral in Balti-
more and sen; 10 the Richmond see. Ii
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 aud lonely journeys
through the mountains Of that state.
Father John remained in ~harge of
the Martinsburg parish until iS48, when
he was again summoned by the bishop
OF Richmond 10 RESTING the work of a
missionary, his great zeal, eloquence and
courage especially ftfing him for thar
character or wcfh. IIc remained in that
diocese until 1855. when lie vert to
Lowell and became rector Of ST Pat
rick's church, remaining there entll lis.
death. some years later.
Father john oliciated Ct the chris
tening of Mrs ~Scha&rlsana wlc1 she
was q child ii 6 years agd also prepared
Mrs Mccormack for confirmation Wher
the latter vas about 10 yc1rs OH. Mr.
Schaarmann became well acquainted
with him when he visited ffarpfgs err,,
one Of the charges in tie MaftiDsbufp
parish, where Alr. S~ssagrfsgu then re-
sided. OF Father John SKI. schaarmarn
says:
Father John OBrien was greatly be-
loved by cyerybody-loth Cailol and
Protestaais lie 2os 81 fplcndid rrcs-
ence, SIX feet tall and finely proportion
ed, and possessed Of great personal
strength ard courage. iie had 4 fine
head, and his flrc WIS both handsome
and strong, expressing kindnts-. dignity
ard b~encvc'crcc b. q i9ar degree
He was al ideal PASTOR, and exercised
an almost patriarch I'D influence over his
scattered focS Whsle ais mos, marked
characteristic were charity and zeal. he
could be ausfefc crf stern upon occa-
sions, which werc rare nc was very
greatly beloved icrausc ~ las ari a'ufcd
charity. and nc ere ir gee' WAS rT.fl
turned empty-handcd from ii tori
Many times, while on hi Wa i1 sSy
early mass on coll wiu'lf earnings. lei
would take with his own hands q supply
of food and fuel n some poor woman
or orphan children. ard often cut the
wood and kine.ed the FIRE TO cook the
provisions lis bounty had furnished
He lived . very simple and a~bstemious
life, and used practically an the offerings
of his Practitioners in deeds of charity
among the pcor.
CAS- a priest. he would go 20 the
uttermosf lengths Of his resources and
strength 10 attend 10 the spiritual need
OF his people. and many times he rode
from 20 TO 20 miles through the forests
and over the mountains AZ night 10
carry the sacrament 70 some sick or
dying member OF his flock In smer
gencies. il his horse was sick or travel
worn, he would walk the entire distance.
and so great was his strength and en-
durance that he never hesitated 10 make
lonely and dangerous journeys on
Got.