The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-08-05
A DISTINGUISHED M|NNEsOTAN
HON. p. n. RAHILLY, AGRICUL-
TURIST AND LEGISLATOR.

The following sketch of the Honor
able P. H. Rahilly of Lake City, Min
nesota, taken from the Winona
Courier, is evidence of the fact that
Industry and faithful application to
business enable any young man, if he
has the right stuff in him, to make
success of life wherever his lot may
be cast. Mr. Rahilly believes that
Every young man should have a
definite aim in life and follow that
aim conscientiously."
The Honorable Patrick Henry Ra-
hilly was born of sturdy parents on
March 8, 1882, near the city of Linn
erick. He inherited the strong quail
tiles of his parents and received dur
ing his tender years the first lessons
in the science of which he later on
became master, that of agriculture.
At the age of ten, he was placed in
school in Limerick, where he was
trained we'll in the common branches
Eand received also classical educa-
tion. His collegiate work was inter-
fered with by the determination of
his father to emigrate, with his fam
lily, to the United States, where they
settled in 1S49, in the state of Penn
sylvania. But very soon our subject,
armed with the determination to sue
ceed in life, left the parental roof.
The first two years he passed as an
apprenticed farm hand, where he ac-
quired thorough knowledge of farm
ing and of country life. Attracted by
the opportunities that offered them
selves in the West, he came to Chi
Ecago, and from there to Milwaukee.
going by boat to st. Paul. He disem-
barked at Winona, then known as
Wabasha Prairie, and travelled west
to the then town site of Rochester,
where he engaged in the same busi-
ness that had before occupied his at
tention. Success attended his every
effort. He finally engaged in work
/ for himself, buying a quarter section
1Sof land in Mount Pleasant township,
where he resided up to few years
ago. To that first quarter section of
land was added acre after acre, farm
after farm, until today one unbroken
farm numbering twelve hundred acres
surrounds his first purchase, and on
which now stands an elegant country
home, a monument to his industry,
his love for work, his ceaseless ac-
tivity to found for himself and family
home with all it's advantages and
it's comforts.
hflly allowed himself to be drawn
into the political field. The public
had for some time seen in him the
executive ability and independence to
wisely direct state affairs, and he was
accordingly rendered place in the
state legislature as representative,
which Office he held for three terms,
after which he became state senator.
In 1875 he entered the field as the
democratic nominee for State Auditor,
but suffered defeat together with the
other nominees of the Democratic
party. Since that time he has labored
for the success of his party, his ad-
vice and counsel being always con-
sidered excellent, the result of much
and long experience
The home life of Mr.. Rahil1y is
ideal Though now eighty years of
age, his health is very good, per-
hitting him to oversee personally all
of the work done on his large farm.
An indication of his remaining
strength and activity is seen in his
journey to the Continent in 1910.
While there he visited Rome, where
he was accorded, by the Holy Father,
many distinctions not given to lay
men generally.
Mr. Rahilly's life has been sue
cess, and he now enjoys the singular
happiness and contentment that come
from duty done. With a lively faith
in God, with willing hands to do his
utmost, he set out in life with pur-
pose. He had the tools with which
to successfully do the work, namely
courage, industry, strength of will to
overcome obstacles, persistency-wi
these in hand he undertook his work,
and his. beautiful home, his loving
family, and a host of friends testify
now to his character and his worth.
To the young man of today, Mr. Ra-
hilly is an example worthy of emula-
4 ton.
TIE VATICAN VESpER HYMN.