Rev. James Treacy (1828-1898) of
Mallow Co. Cork and Pittsburg Pa
|
1860 Pittsburgh Directory Alfred
Tracy, clerk, bds Centre av n Green Ann
Tracy, widow of Patrick, h Centre ay, A Dennis J
Tracy, salesman, h 155 Centre av Dennis
Treacy, salesman, h 155 Centre av Hugh
Treacy, tavern 33? Grant James
Treacy, Rev, h 155 Centre av Jane
Treacy, milliner, 28 Diamond ay John P.
Treacy, student, h 155 centre av John
Trasey, gent, 155 Centre av Julia A
Treacy, milliner, 28 Diamond ay, Michael Tracy,
lab, h Wide ay n Fulton Michael
Tracy, porter, Wylie n Fulton Mike
Tracy, carp, bds 56 Second Wm
Treacy, painter, h 28 Diamond ay 1870 Pittsburgh Directory Alfred J.
Treacy, Atty, 116 Fifth Av Edward
Tracey, corder, 38 Darrah , A James
Tracey, lab, 1813 Mary, E B James
Treacey, Rev, 152 Centre Av John M
Tracy, painter, Erin John S
Tracy agent, Robinson, A John
Tracy, machinist, Liberty John
Treacey, 152 Centre Av Julia
Tracy, millinery goods, 28.5 Diamond M Tracy,
tailor, 225 Liberty Martin
Tracy, tailor, Erin Patrick
Tracy, blacksmith, Virgin ay n Liberty Patrick
Treacy, lab, 10 Wylie av T Tracey,
lab, Painter & Sons, W P Thomas
Tracey, lab, 4 Sawmill ay, A Timothy
Tracey, blacksmith, Exchange ay W Tracey,
lab Painter & Sons, W P Wm Tracy,
lab at Duquesne Forge Wm Tracy,
painter, 28.5 Diamond 1876-7 Pittsburgh Directory Alfred J
Treacy, attorney, 85 Grant, h 323 Webster av Edward
Tracy, grinder, 82 Spring Garden? A J P
Treacy, physician, 143 Grant J Tracey,
lab, Stanton av, n Butler, 18th wd? Jas Tracey,
lab, 1813 Mary, s s John
Tracey, lab, School ay, n Davison John
Tracy, lab, 2 Twenty-first John
Treacy, 323 Webster av John
Treacy, lab, Butler, 18th wd Julia A
Treacy/Tracy, milliner, 26 Diamond st Patrick
Tracey, lab, Preble, n Stanton av A Patrick
Tracey, puddler, 421 Carson, s s Patrick
Treacy, lab, Frankstown, 23d wd Rev Jas
Treacy, 323 Webster av Rev. Ryan
Treacy, 323 Webster av Rodney
Tracey, driver, Forbes, n Oakland av 14th wd Wm
Treacy, lab, 16 Scott ay Wm
Treacy, lab, Painter's court, Carson, 34th wd Wm
Treacy, painter, 26 Diamond st 1880 Pittsburgh Directory Edwd
Tracy, coachman, 48 Twelfth Geo
Tracy, lab, East, A J P
Treacy, physician, 129 Wylie av Jas
Tracey, lab, 924 William, s s Jas
Tracy, carp, 1072 Penn av John
Tracy, lab, School ay, bl Davison Julia
Treacy, millinery, 26 Diamond Patk
Tracey watchman, Second av. Frankstown Patk
Tracy, lab, 271 Preble av, A Sarah
Tracey, wid Martin, Shelby n Bedford av Wm
Tracey, lab, 10 Scott ay Wm
Treacy, painter, 26 Diamond http://digital.library.pitt.edu/cgi-bin/t/text/text-idx?c=pitttextdir;page=browse |
Rev. James Treacy (b.
April 19, 1828 town of Mallow, County Cork d. 8th of November, 1898
Pittsburgh) Father Treacy was
tall, well proportioned, of a pleasing and sociable disposition, though
somewhat timid or backward in his manner. He was possessed of a very large
fund of general knowledge, was a pleasing and persuasive speaker, was a very
active laborer in the cause of his divine Master, and was enthusiastic in all
that related to his native land. The important part which he took in the
affairs of religion in the diocese has already been referred to. As a writer
Father Treacy contributed largely to Catholic periodicals, and also wrote a
number of pieces of poetry, especially one of considerable length, entitled
"Sketches of Irish Faith and Patriotism", which is a work of considerable
merit, and would doubtless have appeared in book form had it not been that
the author was of too timid a disposition. Parts of it appeared in The
Catholic Journal. Few priests in the diocese of Pittsburgh have been held in
higher esteem than Rev. James Treacy. John Tracy married
Biddy Nunan 9 May 1821 Wit: Patt Nunan & Ellen Murphy. Mallow Parish John Tracey &
Bridget/Bt Noonan James
Tracey b. 27 Apr 1828 of Mainstreet/Main Street [Mallow?] Sp. Timothy/Timy
Carty & Mary Downing. Mallow Parish [duplicate] John Tracy &
Cathern Noonan Maryann
Tracy b. 27 Apr 1834 Sp. Patrick Mullane & Ann Noonan. Mallow Parish John Tracey/Treacy &
Brigit Noonan Alfred
Tracey b. 29 Jan 1843 Sp. Denis Tracey, Denis Tracey & Mary
Noonan?. Kanturk Parish Albert
Treacy b. 25 Mar 1845 Sp. James Treacy & Anny O'Leary. Kanturk
Parish 1. John
Treacy (b. abt 1788 d. 13 Jun 1882 in Pittsburgh, PA) m. Bridget (Biddy)
Noonan 29 May 1821 in
Mallow, County Cork 1.1 James Treacy b: 19 Apr 1828 in
Mallow, Co Cork, Ireland d. 8th of November, 1898 Pittsburgh 1.2 William Treacy b: 6 May 1832
in Mallow, County Cork, married Julia Agnes Nelligan 1.2.1 John Michael Treacy b: 29
Sep 1859 1.2.2 Ellen Bridget Treacy b: 16
Sep 1861 in Pittsburgh, PA 1.2.3 James Richard Treacy b: 12
Nov 1863 d. 22 Dec 1903 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 1.2.4 William Patrick Treacy b: 9
Jun 1865 in Pittsburgh, PA 1.2.5 William Joseph Treacy b: 22
Apr 1867 William James Treacy d. 25 Feb
1902 Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, single 1.2.6 Denis Patrick Treacy b: 11
Mar 1869 1.2.7 Julia Agnes Treacy b: 27 Mar
1871 in Pittsburg, PA 1.3 Maryann Treacy b: Apr 1834 1.4 John Patrick
Treacy b.c 1839 Mallow 1.5 Mary Tracey
b.c. 1838 Mallow? 1.6 Bridget Tracey
b.c. 1841 Mallow? 1.7 Dennis Tracey
b.c. 1843 Mallow? 1.8 Alfred Tracey
b.c. 1845 Mallow? 1.9 Louisa Tracy
b.c. 1848 Mallow? His paternal grandmother died in the city of Cork at the remarkably advanced age of one hundred and three years. His father was prosperously engaged in the mercantile business in his native county until 1853, when he came to America, and spent the remainder of his days in Pittsburg. Pa., where lie died at the venerable age of ninety-four years. The parents of our subject reared ten children, who were given liberal educational advantages, and two of the sons are doctors and one is an attorney. 1860 Census - The 7 Ward City Of Pittsburgh,
Allegheny, Pennsylvania John
Tracey M 66 Ireland Bridget
Tracey F 56 Ireland James
Tracey M 32 Ireland Mary
Tracey F 22 Ireland Bridget
Tracey F 19 Ireland Dennis
Tracey M 17 Ireland Alfred
Tracey M 15 Ireland Louisa
Tracey F 12 Ireland 1870 Census - 13th Ward Pittsburgh Allegheny
Pennsylvania Jos Tracy
M 42 Ireland,
Clergyman, US citizen John
Tracy M 76 Ireland,
labour, US citizen Robert
Dignam M 24 Ireland,
Clergyman, US citizen Bridgett
Tracy F 66 Ireland,
Keep House Lousia
Tracy F 22 Ireland 1860 Census - The 1st Ward City Of
Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania William
Treacy M 28 Ireland Julia A
Treacy F 22 Ireland John
Treacy M 0 Pennsylvania John
Melligan M 18 Ireland Cornelius
Melligan M 16 Ireland Patrick
Melligan M 14 Ireland Rose Fox F 19 Ireland Lizzie Rinehart F 18 Pennsylvania 1870 Census - First Ward Pittsburgh Allegheny
Pennsylvania William
Tracy M 37 Ireland,
painter Julia A
Tracy F 33 Ireland,
Milliner John M
Tracy M 10 Pennsylvania Ellen B
Tracy F 9 Pennsylvania James R
Tracy M 6 Pennsylvania William J
Tracy M 3 Pennsylvania Dennis P
Tracy M 1 Pennsylvania John A
Neligan M 13 [18?] Pennsylvania, Appr to painter Letitia
Neligan F 28 Pennsylvania,
Sales woman Mary
Donohoe F 20 Ireland,
domestic 1880 Census - Pittsburgh, Allegheny,
Pennsylvania, self William Treacy M 48 Ireland, painter wife Julia A. Treacy F 44 Ireland son John M. Treacy M 20 Pennsylvania, United States, painter daughter Ellen B. Treacy F 18 Pennsylvania, United States,
milliner son James R. Treacy M 16 Pennsylvania, United States son William P. Treacy M 14 Pennsylvania, United States son Dennis J. Treacy M 12 Pennsylvania, United States daughter Julia A. Treacy F 10 Pennsylvania, United States other Mary Newell F 21 England other Eliza Patterson F 25 Pennsylvania, United States father John Treacy M 90 Ireland,
dry goods merchant other P. M. Sheehan M 47 Ireland 1880 Census - Pittsburgh, Allegheny,
Pennsylvania Self John P Treacy M 41 Ireland, Doctor Brother Alfred J Treacy M 37
Ireland, Lawyer Wife Martha Treacy F 27 Pennsylvania, United States 1900 Census- 807 Wylie? Avenue, Pittsburgh,
Allegheny, Pennsylvania, United States John P.
Treacy, head, b. Aug 1838, 61 years, b. Ireland, parents b. Ireland,
emigrated 1855, 45 years resident, Na, Doctor Mattie
Treacy, wife, b. Jany 1852, 48 years, married 26 years, 0 children, b.
Pennsylvania, Father b. Ireland Mother b. Pennsylvania Wm J
Brennan, lodger, b. Sept 1873, 26 years, b. Ireland, parents b. Ireland,
emigrated 1885, 15 years resident, Na, brass finisher Ed J
Brennan, lodger, b. Sept 1875, 24 years, b. Ireland, parents b. Ireland,
emigrated 1885, 15 years resident, Na, mfg engineer 3 Aug
1878 Pittsburgh Daily Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) The
funeral of Mrs Bridget Treacy was largely attended yesterday, A requiem mass
was celebrated at St Pauls Cathedral...The remains were then deposited in St.
Mary Cemetery. John
Treacy d. 10 Jun 1882 Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania of old age Married,
b. Ireland, Age: 94 b.c. 1788 Late
Residence: The Diamond for the last 5 years Name of
Physician: J. P. Treacy 22 Nov
1887 Pittsburgh Daily Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) A
Well-knowned Pittsburger's Death Intelligence
of the death of William Treacy, at Dixon Ill, was received in this city
yesterday. Mr. Treacy was one of the pioneer painters of Pittsburgh and had a
host of friends in this city. The funeral will take place from his late
residence, No. 26 Diamond Street, at 8.30 o'clock. Requieum mass over the
remains will be offered at St. Paul's Cathedral at 9 o'clock. 20 May
1891 Pittsburgh Daily Post (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) John M.
Treacy, brother of Constable James Treacy of the First ward, died last
evening at his home, No. 26 Diamond street. He is a son of Mrs. Julia Treacy,
the well known milliner, and lives all his life in the First ward. He leaves
a wife and two children. 21 May
1891 Pittsburgh Dispatch (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) John M.
Treacy, son of Julia A. and the late William Treacy, died at the residence of
his mother, 26 Diamond street, after a brief illness. He is a brother of
Lieutenant James R. Treacy, of the Eighteenth Regiment. The funeral will take
place from St. Paul's Cathedral to-morrow morning at 10 o'clock. 26 Feb
1902 The Pittsburgh Press (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) Treacy -
On Tuesday evening, February 25, 1902, William son of Julia A. and the late
William Treacy, in his 34th year. |Funeral from the residence of his brother,
James R. Treacy, 218 Coltart square, Oakland, on Friday morning at 8.30
o'clock. Services at St. Mary's of Mercy Church, Third Avenue and Ferryy
street, at 9.30 o'clock. Friends of the family are respectfully invited to
attend. Dr.
Dennis Treacy - William's brother in Philadelphia 21 Jun
1904 The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) Dr.
Dennis J. Treacy, a widely known practitioner, was found dead in bed at his
residence, 1930 Christian street, yesterday morning. Death was probably due
to heart failure, following a physicial breakdown of several years ago. Dr.
Treacy retired as usual on Sunday night, but when his daughter attempted to
awaken him yesterday morning she found that he was dead. Dr. Treacy was born
in Ireland sixty years ago. He came to America in his youth and settled at
the Christian street address, which has since been his home. He graduated
from Jefferson Medical College in 1867 and built up a large practice in the
southern section of the city. He was prominently connected with many
benevolent and charitable organisations. He is survived by three daughters
and two sons. Old Cathedral Cemetery, Philadelphia,
Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA Dr Dennis Joseph Treacy (1842 Ireland - 20
Jan 1904 (aged 61–62) Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA) Mary F Smith Treacy (Jan 1848 - 2 Jun 1884
(aged 36) Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA) Children: Mary Agnes Treacy (1868–1941) Florence M. Treacy Kelly (1876–1948) Gertrude Mary Treacy (1878–1948) Elizabeth Treacy McCann (1880–1944) Joseph D Treacy (1883–1956) https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/20721263/dennis-joseph-treacy Mary Treacy - Dr. Dennis J. Treacy's daughter 9 Nov 1941 The Philadelphia Inquirer
(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) Treacy - Nov 5. Mary A., daughter of the late
Dr. Dennis J. and Mary Treacy. Relatives and friends invited to funeral. Mon
8.30 a.m. residence 501 S. 56th St. Solemn Mass of Requiem, Church of the
Transfiguration 10 a.m. Int Cathedral Cem. Saint
Mary Catholic Cemetery Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA Alfred J.
Tracey (1844 - 22 Aug 1906 (aged 61–62)) https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/129784219/alfred-j.-tracey 3 Jan
1907 The Pittsburgh Press (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) Treacy -
On Wednesday, January 2, 1907, at 5.30 a.m., Dennis P., [J], son of Julia and
the late William Treacy. Funeral from James J. Flannery & Bros, 548 Grant
street, Friday morning at 8.30 o'clock. Services at St. Mary's of Mercy
Church, Third Avenue and Ferry street, at 9 a.m. Friends of the family are
respectfully invited to attend. 08 Jul
1912 The Pittsburgh Press (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) Treacy -
On Sunday, July 7 1912, at 12 o'clock noon, Julia Treacy, widow of the late
William Treacy at the residence of her daughter, Mrs Paul Jackson, Brooklyn
NY. Funeral
from the residence of her daughter-in-law, Mrs James Treacy, 235 Darrah St,
Oakland. United
States Deceased Physician File (AMA) John P.
Treacy, February 8, 1917, Chicora, Butler, Pennsylvania John P.
Treacy, M.D., Pittsburgh; New York University, New York, 1862; aged 78; died
Chicora, Pa., February 8. 10 Mar
1944 The Pittsburgh Press (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) Treacy -
At Washington D.C., on Wednesday afternoon, Margaret E. Whalen, widow of
James R. Treacy; mother of Mrs W.A. Wilson, James R., William A., and Joseph
P. Treacy. Funeral from McCabes 5300 Penn Ave on Saturday, March 11 1944 at 9
a.m. Requiem high mass at St. Paul's Cathedral at 10 a.m. [Akron (Ohio)
papers please copy] 20 May
1946 The Pittsburgh Press (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) Treacy -
At Columbus Ohio, on Saturday, May 18 1946 at 3:40 a.m., Joseph P. Treacy,
husband of Norma Pickett Treacy and son of the late James R. and Margaret E.
Treacy of Pittsburgh; brother of James R. of Chicago, William A. of Cleveland
and Mrs. William A. Wilson of Washington D.C. Friends received at the John
Quint Funeral Home, West 5th Ave at Dotan St., Columbus, Ohio. Requiem High
Mass at St. Joseph's Cathedral, Tuesday morning at 9 o'clock. Interment at
Columbus, Ohio. |
Rev. James Treacy
The sketch of few
priests of the diocese of Pittsburgh will be read with feelings of livelier
interest or sympathy than that of Rev. James Treacy, He was born in the town of
Mallow, County Cork, Ireland, April 19, 1828 and made his preparatory studies
in the grammar school of a Mr. O'Leary after which he studied in the city of
Cork, and passed a very successful examination preparatory to entering the
college of Maynooth. But before he had taken this step he was met by Bishop
O'Connor who was a special friend of his father and who induced him to come to
America and labor on the mission in his diocese, his parents and the rest of
the family following him later. Through the kindness of the Very Rev. Superior
of St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, I have been favored with the following
particulars, taken verbatim from the records of that institution:
"James Treacy * * * came to America in February, 1849; and studied
moral philosophy in Pittsburgh, and theology for nearly two years; has minor orders;
entered the seminary on the 20th of August, 1851. The Bishop of Pittsburgh, to
which diocese he belongs, pays $80 a year for his board, tuition, use of books,
etc., except clothing of any kind, on the express condition that he will give
to the college all the services that may be required of him. However, the state
of his health did not allow him to do anything for the college. The only
service he rendered to the house was to say night prayers and give occasionally
some instruction to the servants of the seminary. At the request of the Rt.
Rev. Dr. O'Connor, on the 17th of July, 1852, he was ordained sub-deacon in the
chapel by Most Rev. Archbishop Kenrick, deacon on the 20th of July, and priest
on the 21st. On the following day, viz.; the 22nd of July 1852, Rev. Mr. Treacy
departed, for Pittsburgh at 11 p. m."
After a short stay
at the cathedral Father Treacy went as assistant to Father Garland of St.
Patrick's, in the city. About this time it was deemed necessary to form a new
congregation on "The Hill", or that part of city which lay about a
mile back from the Point, and nearly equidistant from each of the rivers. Early
in the spring of 1853 Rev. John Tuigg, who was then stationed at the cathedral,
was entrusted with the work of organizing the new congregation and building a
church. A small brick edifice was planned, the first story of which should
serve as a church and the second as a school. Early in July of the same year
Father Tuigg was named pastor of the new congregation of Altoona, and Father Treacy
was appointed to succeed him, with his residence for the present at the
cathedral, and with the additional obligation of acting as chaplain to the
Mercy Hospital. The new church was dedicated under the invocation of St.
Bridget (now St. Bridgid), in December; and the pastor then petitioned off
"a suite of rooms" for himself on the second floor, not unlike those
which the thoughtful Sunamites built for the prophet Eliseus. Here the good man
lodged for a number of years, in the heart of a city, laboring and studying by
day and resting by night, and taking his meals in such places as he found best,
for the financial panic was then at its height. A school, under the care of a
lay teacher was soon opened, which in time passed into the hands of the Sisters
of Mercy—and so remains to the present—who resided at the new orphan asylum
when it was opened on Tannehill Street nearby in December, 1867. This part of
the city, being on high ground, offered no inducements to heavy manufacturers,
and for that reason it was built up slowly so that the congregation was for a
long time in its infancy ; but with the demand for iron and other articles
created by the Rebellion every part of the city was benefited, and the
congregation began to emerge from its long obscurity. As a consequence
additional accommodations had to be provided for the people, and measures were
taken looking to that end in the, spring of 1865. The corner-stone of the new
church was laid July 30th, but work on the building progressed rather slowly,
owing to the fact that the congregation was still comparatively small. A
growing colored population, residing for the most part in that section of the
city had to be cared for in spiritual and often in temporal needs, and the
pastor, though learned and zealous, was not gifted with a high order of
financial ability. When some $25,000 had been spent on the building and the
congregation were anxiously looking forward to its completion in the near
future, it took fire on Holy Thursday April 8, 1871, and was entirely
destroyed. The congregation had to return to the old building, the outstanding
debt was almost covered by insurance, but the growth of the congregation had
been such that a larger church was demanded, although the old walls were to be
used as far as possible. Such was the progress of the work that the basement
was ready for occupation before the beginning of winter. Father Treacy had long
before resigned the chaplaincy of the hospital; but, owing to the chapel of the
colored people, to which reference will now be made, it became necessary for
him to have an assistant. The Church was dedicated April 28, 1872, but it
entailed a debt which was a very heavy burden during the rest of his pastorate.
The old church was then fitted up for a school, the pastor having years before
made his home in a rented house, the congregation not being able under the
circumstances to build a residence.
St. Joseph's Colored Church
Reference has
already been made in the sketch of Rev. Richard A. Wilson, to the unsuccessful
attempt made in the summer of 1844 to open a chapel for the colored Catholics
in the city. From that time the matter rested and they were cared for by the
pastors of the congregations in which they resided; but on his return from the
Second Plenary Council of Baltimore, late in the fall of 1866, Bishop Domenec
turned his attention to the formation of a separate congregation for them. As
they resided for the most part, as has just been said, in the hill district, he
entrusted the work to Father Treacy, at the same time donating $1,000 toward
the expenses of a church for their accommodation. A lot was purchased not far
from St. Brigdet's upon which a small church was begun; but when the first
story was built and a temporay roof put upon it work was suspended. Vespers and
instructions were given regularly from that time; and the Sisters of Mercy from
the orphan asylum opened a school, but the people heard Mass at St. Bridget's.
They were nearly all very poor, and many of them were not constant in their
attachment to their religion; the better to do preferring to go to more
aristocratic churches and some of the others dropping out if the pastor did not
come to their assistance at their beck. For these reasons the church did not
realize the expectations of the bishop; and Father Treacy knew them too well to
place his expectations very high. The poverty and inconstancy of the people
rendered it impossible to pay the debt already contracted, much less to
complete and maintain the building; and when the financial crisis of 1873 fell
upon the country every effort to save it proving unavailing, it was sold by the
foreclosure of the mortgage in November, 1876.
The financial crisis
fell very heavily on the pastor and people of St. Bridget's. With a debt that
they would have found it difficult to carry in prosperous times, it became all
but impossible to float it when business was utterly prostrated. In addition to
all this other crosses and very heavy ones were preparing for the disheartened
pastor into which it will be necessary to enter at some length. The fact that I
figured in some of them to considerable extent, as will be seen, and the still
more important fact—which I may state once for all—that I have kept a daily
journal for more than forty-five years, to which I can refer for anything,
religious or other, in which I was a party or witness, places me in a position
not only to take a general view and draw from general sources of information,
but much more, to go into detail with a full knowledge whereof I speak. A few remarks
are necessary for a correct knowledge of our religious and even of our civil
history at this time; and this is as fitting a place as any for their
introduction.
With the breaking
out of the War of the Rebellion, or Civil War, and the dimensions which it soon
attained, a greater demand was created for cannon, shell, iron for war vessels
and engines, and other military supplies in which iron and steel were
extensively used; and Pittsburgh soon began to enjoy a season of unwonted
prosperity. The coal trade and other industries were also greatly benefited;
while the demand for able-bodied men for military service reduced the number of
laborers and tradesmen, so that they were scarce and could demand almost
fabulous wages, as an instance of which I may say that I knew of men refusing
to work on the Monongahela wharf for less than $1.75 an hour, and $200 a month
was nothing unusual. The activity of the oil trade on the upper Allegheny River
also added to the prosperity of the diocese and more especially of Pittsburgh,
and continued to do so tin a considerable time after the close of the war.
Money was plenty, there were large profits in almost every line of
manufacturing and trade, much of the business was carried on borrowed capital,
and little account was made of contracting debts. All business was off a solid
and on an artificial basis. The county was on stilts. A crisis was inevitable,
and that too in the near future, when the conclusion of the unfortunate
struggle would put an end to the demand for Pittsburgh's products, permit the
men of the army to return to their homes and avocations, and bring the nation
down to a solid financial basis. Many, doubtless saw a crisis coming, but
determined to make hay while the sun was shining, and find shelter as best they
could when the storm should break upon them; others had less foresight, but
both the one and the other were submerged.
As regards the
Catholic portion of the population, many of them had come from abroad both
before and during the period now under consideration, nearly all being poor and
depending on their chances. Churches had to be provided for them or many of
them would be lost to religion, while they had nothing as yet to contribute
toward their erection. Many orphans were thrown on the charity of the diocese
and had to be provided for both spiritually and temporally; and heavy debts
had, as a consequence, to be contracted. For these reasons it is not at all a
matter of surprise—though many priests and even prelates have blamed us,
ignorant of the real state of affairs here—that at the crisis we were so deeply
in debt. If distance lends enchantment to the view, it often lends delusion as
well. And if some priests were imprudent in going too far in the erection of
elegant buildings, where others costing much less would have equally served all
practical purposes, only a part of the blame is to be laid at their doors.
Those in authority and their advisers should have seen that a day of reckoning
must inevitably come, and should as a prudent safeguard have adopted and
enforced a conservative policy; but on the contrary, they themselves set the
example in more instances than one by unnecessary extravagance in churches and
other buildings. Pastors and church committees are not supposed to have the
experience of those who are appointed to govern them; and in those days when
debts were carried on notes in the banks the interest was as a rule not less
than eight and in some instances as high as twelve per centum, and renewals of
the notes were required at the farthest every four months. This consumed an
amount of the current income that can easily be imagined and the result was
that when the crisis came, it was indeed a crisis. I know that I am
anticipating but I think necessary; the matter will be dealt with more in
detail when we come to treat of that period of our diocesan history.
The outlook in the
fall of 1873 was in the last degree discouraging, and indeed alarming in some
quarters. Banks regarded as solid were breaking by the dozen; long standing
business firms were going under; men supposed to be wealthy were going into
bankruptcy; the hard earned dollars of the laborers and tradesmen were lost in
insolvent banks; and strong and willing men stood round the factories or
wharves, or wandered through the streets in the vain hope of securing a little
work to support their destitute families. I was in a position to know these
things from painful, personal observation, having been appointed pastor of the
Point one of the poorest districts of the city, in January, 1874; and my
shallow purse had often to go to bed on an empty stomach, and still pity the
numbers it could not relieve. It is little wonder then, that so many churches
and other religious institutions of the diocese were driven to the wall, and
found it almost impossible to carry their heavy burdens. But what, it may be
asked, has this to do with Father Treacy? A great deal.
Bishop Domenec,
though a man of learning, zeal and piety, was not possessed of business
abilities of a very high order, and he soon began to feel that he was not equal
to the situation, and could not command the confidence of either the clergy or
the moneyed men to any great extent; and the result was that his life became
almost a torture to him. I was frequently in conversation with him, and had
ample opportunities of knowing his mind. At length he determined to seek
relief, and accordingly set out for Rome on November 5, 1875. His intentions
were not known except perhaps to a very few, if any, further than that he was
very much opposed to the building of the new episcopal residence, a matter that
will be treated at length in the sketch of Very Rev. John Hickey; and he
frequently declared that he would never live in it. Soon word was received that
the diocese had been divided, and that a new one had been established, with
Allegheny as its Episcopal See. As the details became known it was found that
the division had been made on January 11, 1876, that Bishop Domenec had been
transferred to the new See at his own request, and that Very Rev. John Tuigg,
rector of St. John's Church, Altoona, and v'car-forane of the diocese, had been
promoted to Pittsburgh. The bishop had great influence with Cardinal Simione of
the Propaganda, and he acted without his intention being known, or the division
would not have been made without some delay and investigation, and perhaps not
at all, or at least on different lines. But the dividing line was so manifestly
"crooked", literally and figuratively, that it required a prophet
with very little inspiration to see that it could not stand. The new bishop was
consecrated and the other transferred on March 19th. And now trouble began in
earnest; it is not the intention, however, to enter here into any detailed
account of the general affairs of the diocese, but only to remark on them in so
far as may be necessary to place the part which Father Treacy was called upon
or compelled to act in its proper light.
Father Treacy,
during the quarter of a century of his ministry, had been one of the most
beloved and respected priests of the diocese; a man of unblemished character
against whom not a whisper of reproach could be uttered. Even as a young priest
he had been chosen by Bishop O'Connor to go to Ireland with Rev. John Walsh, as
we have seen, to collect for the new cathedral; he had also frequently been
employed in other important diocesan business; had for years been a member of
the bishop's council; and still more, his name is said to have been one of the
three that were sent to Rome for the mitre of Pittsburgh with that of Father
Tuigg and another. For years he had been struggling with a heavy debt, owing to
the circumstances of the congregation already referred to, and the setting in
of the panic; but a far darker cloud now began to overshadow his path, with the
placing of the mitre on Bishop Tuigg's head; a cloud which portended a storm
that was destined to wreck his unhappy life. In order to arrive at a correct
understanding of the whole matter it will be necessary for us to premise at
some length; but this will embody a number of important points relating to our
history at that time.
It was some time
before this that the organization known as the Molly Maguires was creating
trouble in the anthracite mining regions of northeastern Pennsylvania; and
inasmuch as they were, it was said, connected with the Ancient Order of
Hibernians, it was believed, or affected to be believed by many, that the two
organizations were the same, although this was certainly not the case. Many of
the older Irish priests held to it; but among the prelates of the country there
was perhaps greater diversity of opinion than among any other class of persons.
Bishop Domenec favored the Hibernians and they went to Holy Communion in a body
more than once in the cathedral, while Bishop O'Hara of Scranton and Bishop
Mullen of Erie were strongly opposed to them. Bishop Tuigg modeled or tried to
model his administration as he declared, after that of the Bishop of Erie; but
he had neither the learning, the prudence, the breadth of view nor the calm judgment
of that prelate. The Emerald Benevolent Association was another organization
that was right strong in and about Pittsburgh, with which Bishop Domenec did
not interfere, but which a small number of priests regarded with an unfriendly
eye, although just for what reason they never deigned to state definitely. If
members wished to indulge in a little Masonic mimicry, like some favored
societies among us at present, let them have it so. While nothing was ever
proved against them, they were condemned simply because they were branches of
societies supposed to be inimical to religion and the public good. Both of them
are existing at the present day and are not known to be doing any harm,
although they do not differ from what they then were. Under the administration
of Bishop O'Connor and Bishop Domenec, Father Treacy's conduct was not looked
upon with disfavor, much less was it censured; but immediately upon the
entering of Bishop Tuigg on the administration of the diocese, he was regarded
as the champion and leader of organizations inimical to the best interests of
religion and society. From his home on the hill he could contemplate on the far
side of the river a bishop under whose administration he had lived and labored
for more than fifteen years, had pursued a fine of action that was regarded
with favor, had been a trusted counsellor in the ruling of the diocese, and had
been treated with such honor that his name had even been sent to Rome as that
of a priest who was thought worthy of the mitre in the diocese where he had
stood before the religious and civil public with an unblemished character for a
quarter of a century ; while on the near side of the same stream he could
contemplate the successor of his late bishop no sooner occupying the vacant
throne, than he who had not changed his policy, but was pursuing it with the
same consciousness of right, was immediately subjected to a persecution such as
few priests have had to endure in the history of this country, and one which
forced him to retire from the diocese and brought him down broken-hearted to
his grave.
It would be
impossible for me in the space at my disposal, and also inexpedient, to enter
into a detailed account of the circumstances attending the closing years of
Father Treacy's ministry in the diocese of Pittsburgh; a few salient points
will only be touched on, and I will leave it to others to draw the conclusions.
When Bishop Tuigg assumed the administration of the diocese of Pittsburgh
Father Treacy had been pastor of St. Bridgid's for nearly twenty-three years,
having received the little unfinished church from the hands of the future
bishop himself. We have glanced at his labors, difficulties and privations
there during the greater part of that time; and while it is not claimed nor can
it be said that he labored or suffered more than many another, underwent these
as they did, in a manner worthy of the appreciation and commendation of his
superiors ; and approved himself in the most proper manner to both Bishop
O'Connor and Bishop Domenec who found in these a fitting reason for placing
greater confidence in him and esteeming him more highly. The question then,
will naturally and logically present itself, "'Why did not the same line
of conduct commend itself to Bishop Tuigg, at least until he had time and
opportunity to familiarize himself with his new surroundings and inquire into
the situation?" Father Treacy had not changed his line of action in any
particular, and it was never asserted or maintained that he had; and yet Bishop
Tuigg entirely changed and reversed the policy of both his predecessors in less
than a month after his consecration, although he possessed a smaller measure of
both learning and experience than either of them.
Father Treacy was
not gifted with more than ordinary financial or business ability, but he made
the best use he knew how of what had been bestowed on him, and no one could do
more, or be expected to do more. For years he had lived in a little room in the
church, to which the youngest priest ordained in our day would seriously
object; and during the rest of his pastorate he occupied a rented house; he had
the Sisters who taught the school come from the orphan asylum near by, instead
of building them a convent; and when he was forced to build a church for the
accommodation of his increasing congregation, it was, though neat, only a
plain, substantial edifice with little attempt at architectural effect, and all
this to keep down the debt of his congregation and the high rates of interest
that would have to be paid on loans or a mortgage. At the same time not a few
priests who had not been half as long on the mission were building and were
encouraged to build, costly congregational edifices of various kinds, which
had, before the debt on them was finally liquidated, to pay as much if not more
in interest than the original buildings cost; and the new episcopal residence,
if I am not very much mistaken was one of them. Yet Father Treacy, whose study
was to keep down his debt, was the very one who was persecuted for not managing
things better; and had his accounts even called in question, though nothing was
ever proven against him. So far was this carried that he made a successful
appeal to the higher ecclesiastical tribunals. Had he been possessed of the
qualities of another priest whom the bishop encountered about the same time, as
will appear in its proper place, the result would have been far different.
It may be as well
here to correct, once for all, an erroneous impression that was generally entertained
throughout the country at that time regarding the diocese of Pittsburgh, and
especially the clergy laboring zealously in it. The reports that were not only
permitted to circulate, but were purposely given out, made the diocese appear
bankrupt, and the clergy, or at least the greater body of them rebels against
ecclesiastical authority. The diocese was certainly in financial straits, as
far as not a few churches and institutions were concerned, owing to the
stringency of the times; but it was very far from being bankrupt; and the issue
proved that the statements with regard to both the clergy and the finances were
false, although many of the former had to suffer sorely. I was in a position to
know the facts. Long before the elevation of Bishop Tuigg to the See of
Pittsburgh, during his whole active administration of it, and long after, I was
pastor of St. Mary of Mercy's Church, which stood nearer to the cathedral than
any other in the diocese; was on very familiar terms with both bishops, and
frequently conversed with them on diocesan affairs; was for a long time
president of the Catholic Institute, the forerunner of the Duquesne University.
With all these opportunities and many others of arriving at the correct
knowledge of affairs, I can state with perfect truth that nothing could be more
unjust or farther from the truth, than to charge the priests of the diocese of
Pittsburgh with fomenting or encouraging the troubles with which the church in
our diocese was disturbed during those years. It is entirely wrong that a
devoted body of priests should have their names go down in our country's church
history as rebels and malcontents, when to my certain knowledge and that of all
correctly informed persons, the very opposite was the case. Yet we were so regarded
by the majority of both prelates and priests in this country who knew of our
troubles; and, if I am correctly informed, even Rome itself for a time at least
entertained the same opinion of us. But it was the priests of the diocese
rather than the bishops who saved religion in those unhappy times. Had the
clergy as a body, as they were falsely represented, forgotten their proper
place and duty, there is no telling what the extent of the evil might have
been. But they did not. They were as a matter of course deeply interested as
persons having the good of religion and the honor of the diocese at heart; and
being men of education they must have views and opinions, if they had minds at
all; but they had the spirit of their sacred calling and as far as it was
possible kept the even tenor of their way; although all this time they felt
that all they held dear, their priestly character, was being ignorantly or
maliciously assailed on every side, and most probably even before the throne of
Peter. There were not ten priests of this large diocese actively engaged in the
troubles then grieving the heart of Holy Mother Church; and nearly all of these
were in it either from necessity or with reluctance. I know the efforts that
were made to entangle me in the troubles and the prudence and tact I had to
exercise to steer clear. Let justice be done and the truth be known.
In the next place
there were certain societies to which the bishop took exception; although on
general principles he was opposed to nearly all societies of Catholics that
were not strictly religious. His special objections, however, were against the
Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Emerald Beneficial Association. In this he
was in accord with a number of priests and bishops, although others held different
views, while Bishop Domenec tacitly if not openly favored both. The latter
society is no longer heard of among us, and when the case of the former was
sent to Rome, though not from the diocese of Pittsburgh, and was subjected to
the careful scrutiny with which the supreme authority of the Church treats such
questions, the answer came back that the members of the order were not to be
disquieted. A short time before Bishop Tuigg's consecration Father Treacy had
been elected chaplain of the Emeralds, whether with his knowledge or not, I am
unable to say, for such things were then and are now occasionally done without
consulting the person interested; but it was merely an honorary office, and he
was never called upon and never did perform any ceremony for the organization;
and it is doubtful whether he ever attended one of their meetings. Father
Treacy was, however, regarded as the champion of these two at least. The Bishop
issued a private circular to the clergy of the diocese almost immediately after
his consecration, forbidding them to recognize by any official act any society
being a branch of anyone out of the parish, or itself having any such branches.
And on October 22, 1877, he issued another treating of several points, from
which the following is taken: "3. You will not by any official act, in the
church or elsewhere, recognize as Catholic any society or association that has
not received episcopal approval, or the approval of which was at any time
questioned. This approval must be in writing when the society or association
has any branch outside of your congregation, or is itself a branch of another
society or association." Both the Hibernians and the Emeralds existed and
were recognized in the diocese long before the consecration of the bishop, and
were regarded favorably by his predecessor. He required Father Treacy to
publish a card in certain of the newspapers resigning the position of chaplain
of the Emeralds, which he immediately did, stating in it that he had done so by
order of the bishop; and it appeared, among others, in the Catholic Journal
April 22, just one month after the bishop's consecration. The bishop was
displeased that he stated it had been done in obedience to his superior's
command, although it was true, and there would have been no occasion for it but
for such command. Within a couple of weeks after this time, the members
belonging to St. Bridget's Congregation wished to go to Holy Communion in a
body; but whether they informed their pastor or not, does not appear, although
from all I have been able to learn, they did not, for in all probability the
private circular was not known to them; and in any case when they appeared at
the altar railing without any uniform, regalia or other insignia, it would have
been difficult for any priest to have refused them Holy Communion, when as yet
no public document had at all dealt with their organization. Be all this as it
may. Father Treacy was called to account as being guilty of disobedience, and
was required to make an apology to his people from the altar, which he promptly
did, stating that his conduct had been regarded as an act of insubordination,
but that while he had acted in good faith, still he wished to make a public
acknowledgment of his error. The bishop was not, however, satisfied with this,
and demanded of him whether he had not acted out of contempt of authority,
presenting him at the same time with a paper to that effect, which he commanded
the priest to sign, and which it was his expressed intention to publish in The
Catholic Journal and The Evening Leader. But when he had read it he refused to
sign it, because the statement it contained was untrue, because he owed to his
own priestly dignity not to damage his character in such a manner untruly
before his people and the public, and because, if he had disobeyed the orders
of his superior, it was only before his own people, to whom he had already made
an apology. He then asked permission to withdraw from the diocese, which was
refused for the present.
The third cause of
trouble was The Catholic Journal. For a long time many of the priests and
people were dissatisfied with the Catholic paper of the diocese on account of
its lack of a progressive spirit; and laymen and non-Catholics, among the
latter Mr. John W. Pittock, the founder and principal stockholder of The Sunday
and The Evening Leader, were impressed with the necessity of a paper of a more
progressive character, and were ready to start one, as we shall see, if they
could secure the approval of the church authorities. The matter was frequently
discussed among many of the priests and the leading laymen, and Bishop Domenec
was well-known to be very much in favor of it. At the semi-annual conference to
the clergy, held at the cathedral in October, 1873, the bishop expressed his
desire of founding a Catholic paper, like a German one then published, that
should, after paying a reasonable dividend to the stockholders, donate any
surplus to the orphan asylum. With that object in view he appointed a committee
of three priests to take the preliminaries in hand composed of the late Very
Rev. Stephen Wall then rector of the seminary, another priest since deceased
and myself, and report as soon as convenient. After making inquiries and
holding a few meetings they came to the conclusion that it was inexpedient at
the present time owing to the opposition of some of the older priests and the
financial condition of the times. Some time in the following year Father Treacy
started a weekly Catholic paper on his own responsibility, but with the knowledge
and consent of the bishop, which he named The Hibernian, not, as will appear,
because it was published in the interest of the Hibernians but because of his
strong personal sympathy with his countrymen across the water, and because the
name would make it appeal to the Irish Catholics in this country. But he found
it impossible to do the writing and manage the whole undertaking himself, or
with the assistance of such writers as might volunteer an occasional article;
and for that reason he determined to associate a number of priests with
himself, and continued it under a more general name as a Catholic weekly. To
this end he invited a number of them to meet him and discuss the matter, which
they did on April 28, 1875; and soon eight of them, of whom I was one, united
with him as joint owners and editors. Strangely as their action was
misunderstood and misinterpreted, one of the principal objects they had in view
was to prevent the paper from falling into the hands of the Hibernians, who
were anxious to purchase it and make the organ of their order. This showed the
propriety of changing the name, and with the first issue of the following
September it appeared as The Catholic Journal. It met with the approval of
Bishop Domenec who was much pleased with it, and on the 9th of October appeared
his letter of commendation couched in the following terms:
"We have read with pleasure the numbers of The Catholic Journal,
which is edited by several competent priests of the Pittsburgh diocese. We have
been much pleased with the matter it contained and its Catholic tone. Moreover,
being convinced that its perusal will be of much benefit to the Catholic
community, therefore, we recommend it to the faithful of our diocese. M.
Domenec, Bishop of Pittsburgh."
Soon after a few
laymen were associated with the priests the better to manage the temporal
affairs of the company, some of whom were members of the societies to which
Bishop Tuigg afterward objected, and others were not; but Bishop Domenec took
no cognizance of this circumstance. At the first semi-annual conference of the
priests of the diocese under the new administration, held June 20, 1876, the
bishop, among other things—I quote from my daily journal—"referred to the
Journal, calling it the organ of the societies, and saying that its control had
passed into the hands of laymen some of whom were not the best. He told the
priests who contributed to cease to do so, to withdraw their names, and to get
their money out of it the best way they could." In the first place, the Journal
was never the organ of the societies, and it published less news of societies
than the two papers that are published in Pittsburgh now do; in the second
place, the laymen wrote very little if any for it; and in the third place, it
is certainly new doctrine that a Catholic paper could not be in the hands of
laymen. The Pittsburgh Catholic, which the bishop favored, although it is the
second oldest Catholic paper in the United States, has been in the hands of
laymen since it started and to this day, and so have many papers in the
land—and out of it for that matter—and it has never been thought amiss. No
priest in any way connected with The Catholic Journal ever, in that connection,
disobeyed the expressed wish, much less the orders of Bishop Tuigg in the
slightest degree, which was their duty; and when he told them publicly at the
conference to discontinue writing for that paper they immediately did so; but
two of them, of whom I was one and Father Treacy was not the other, presented
an address to the bishop stating that the Journal had received the written
approval of the bishop of the diocese which had been published in its columns
for months, and was still pubUshed; and this after those laymen had been
associated with the original stockliolders ; that the paper had not changed its
pohcy in any way; that the priests who were conducting it had their priestly
character and their money at stake; that they had labored honorably in the
diocese for years; and that they respectfully requested him to reconsider his
decision. He received the request, thanked those who presented it for its
respectful tone, and modified his decision so far as to permit the priests to
continue writing for the paper, provided they did not publish any news about
the objectionable societies. The representatives of the Journal promptly
consented, but asked if notices of the meetings of these societies could not be
inserted as paid advertisements; but the bishop absolutely refused, and again
the paper complied without hesitation or protest. No paper of that day, or
probably any other day, except perhaps The Lake Shore Visitor, of Erie, ever
dreamed of excluding notices of Catholic societies, and these had not been
proven not to be such, or of being called to account for inserting them; on the
contrary, they were and still are glad to furnish such desirable information to
the members and to the Catholic public. It is hard to imagine a Catholic paper
refusing such information as the spirit and tenor of our times amply
demonstrates.
Although the Journal
was favorably regarded by the majority of the clergy, by Bishop Domenec, and by
the public, and would have been a credit and help to rehgion, its life was a
constant struggle under the new administration, and it was forced to suspend
December 9, 1876. Numbers of influential Catholic laymen were anxious to see a
progressive paper in this part of the state, and would have gladly bought it
out, had it not been for the opposition of the bishop; and Mr. John W. Pittock
spoke on several occasions to the stockholders about purchasing it, and was
anxious to do so, managing the financial department and leaving the editorial
part entirely under the supervision of the ecclesiastical authorities; but he
saw that it could not succeed without the approval of the bishop. He was a very
live newspaper man, as we have seen, was successful in everything he undertook,
and was in earnest almost to enthusiasm in his desire to own a good Catholic
paper. But the openly expressed determination of the bishop was the suppression
of the Journal. Under Bishop Domenec the priests who started and conducted the
paper had exercised their liberty and were commended and encouraged for it;
under his successor they had suffered humihation and loss while they were
laboring on in the cause of religion with pure consciences and without change
of poHcy. A circumstance is worthy of note in this place. Not long after the
Journal suspended publication, and during the administration of Bishop Tuigg
the Emeralds started a paper of their own as the organ of a Cathohc society,
called The Emerald Vindicator, for which certain priests wrote, although I was
in no way whatever connected with it and no objections were made to it. But the
Journal was suppressed. Father Treacy had been forced to withdraw from the
diocese, and the bishop had most probably heard from Rome.
The better to carry
the debt on his church Father Treacy, like a few others, discontinued the
parochial school in the summer of 1876. For a little more than a year longer he
struggled with the difficulties that were besetting him on every side, and near
the end of 1877 he retired broken-hearted from a diocese which he had chosen as
his field of labor in early manhood, in which he had labored for more than a
quarter of a century and whose mitre he was thought worthy to wear by those who
knew him best.
Those who knew
Bishop Tuigg best, and I among them, believed that while his manner was harsh
at times, he was still doing what he thought was best for the cause of religion
in general and for the diocese in particular. But he was at a disadvantage in
several respects. He had a very strong will, lacked the faculty of adapting
himself to circumstances, was not fertile in resources, was prone to measure
and treat all persons and circumstances according to the same rule, and was not
given to consulting persons of experience to any great extent. He had a fair
education and training for a parish priest of the time, but nothing more, and
was fairly up in business matters. But he lacked experience. When he was
appointed to Altoona in the early years of his ministry, the congregation was
very small, and as families were constantly being added to it, his strength of
character moulded them according to his own ideas, so that his experience in
governing was limited, being little more than his own individual will. The town
owed its origin and prosperity to the Pennsylvania Railroad, on which nearly
all the men were employed in different capacities, and from which the remainder
almost entirely drew their trade; he knew what each person earned and what he
thought such person should contribute to religion; and he was on such terms
with the officials of the different departments that he had most of the
contributions handed over to him at the periodical payments from the
paymaster's office, a custom which was in vogue in a number of other places
similarly circumstanced. The employees knew that it was to their interests to
comply with his wishes. In the erection of his parochial buildings, too, he got
special rates on the transportation of material on the railroad, which was no
small item. The importance of the place and the growth of the congregation soon
put him on an equal footing with the older priests of the surrounding country,
and the younger ones soon learned to fear him, as instances that I could easily
relate would amply prove, especially after he became a member of the bishop's
council, and later vicar-forane. It will be seen from this that he had really
no practical experience in ruling in any broad sense of the term. A diocese
cannot be ruled like a congregation; and every successful priest will not make
a successful bishop. And here his dealings with the subject of this sketch w411
be dropped; but it was deemed necessary to say so much in the interest of historic
truth, which is not and cannot always be a placid ocean on which to sail.
It was the first
intention of Father Treacy to enter the archdiocese of Boston where he had a
number of friends, although Bishop Domenec wanted him to attach himself to the
diocese of Allegheny so as not to make his departure arouse too much feeling;
but he concluded to go to Chicago which he did, and soon after entered on the
mission in a small town not far from that city with one or more stations
attached. But he was now about fifty years of age, and his health which had
never been the best even from his student days, was now broken by labors and
trials. It was pitiable to see him, when he visited his people here some time
after, go into the sacristy of a neighboring church to hear Mass on Sunday; and
again, when his very aged father died, who had lived with him for many years,
go into a pew as a layman at the funeral. His health became so impaired about
the end of 1892 that he was forced to retire from the active exercise of the
ministry, and he came to Pittsburgh and stayed for some time with his
relations. He seldom visited any of his clerical friends, although they visited
him frequently. He then went to Philadelphia, where he spent some time with a
brother; but returned to Pittsburgh where he stopped with his brother Dr. John
P. Treacy. His health was all this time becoming more enfeebled and his spirit
was broken; and here he laid down his heavy cross on the 8th of November, 1898,
in the 71st year of his age and the 47th of his priesthood. His funeral took
place from St. Bridgid's Church, and his remains were laid to rest in St.
Mary's Cemetery.
Father Treacy was
tall, well proportioned, of a pleasing and sociable disposition, though
somewhat timid or backward in his manner. He was possessed of a very large fund
of general knowledge, was a pleasing and persuasive speaker, was a very active
laborer in the cause of his divine Master, and was enthusiastic in all that
related to his native land. The important part which he took in the affairs of
religion in the diocese has already been referred to. As a writer Father Treacy
contributed largely to Catholic periodicals, and also wrote a number of pieces
of poetry, especially one of considerable length, entitled "Sketches of Irish
Faith and Patriotism", which is a work of considerable merit, and would
doubtless have appeared in book form had it not been that the author was of too
timid a disposition. Parts of it appeared in The Catholic Journal. Few priests
in the diocese of Pittsburgh have been held in higher esteem than Rev. James
Treacy.
Lambing, Andrew Arnold (1914) Brief Biographical Sketches of the Deceased Bishops and
Priests who Labored in the Diocese of Pittsburgh from the Earliest Times to the
Present, with an Historical Introduction.
Rev. James Treacy
Rev. James Treacy, Pastor of St. Patrick's Church at Dixon, is one of the most learned, zealous and worthy upholders of the Catholic faith in the State of Illinois. His birthplace is in County Cork, Ireland, and lie is a son of John and Bridget (Noonan) Treacy, who were also born in County Cork. His paternal grandmother died in the city of Cork at the remarkably advanced age of one hundred and three years. His father was prosperously engaged in the mercantile business in his native county until 1853, when he came to America, and spent the remainder of his days in Pittsburg. Pa., where lie died at the venerable age of ninety-four years. The parents of our subject reared ten children, who were given liberal educational advantages, and two of the sons are doctors and one is an attorney. Father Treacy early became a pupil in the schools of his native place, and subsequently his education was advanced under the supervision of the Lazarist Fathers in the city of Cork. He came to the United States in 1849 and entered St. Michael's Seminary at Pittsburg, in which institution of learning he remained two or three years, preparing himself for the sacred office of the priesthood, and he then finished his studies in St. Mary's Seminary at Baltimore, where he was under the instruction of the Rev. Father Varot, later Bishop of Florida, and of Father Freddot, the distinguished moral theologian and author. Thus well prepared for the duties that lay before him in the life that he had chosen, our subject was ordained by the late Archbishop Kendrick, of Baltimore, and was appointed assistant pastor of St. Patrick's Church and Chapel, and of Mercy Hospital at Pittsburg. He occupied that position one year, and then was placed in charge of the building of St. Bridget's Church. He remained a resident of Pittsburg until 1878, and the church there found in him a noble and earnest worker, who threw his whole soul into his labors, and was an ardent champion of whatsoever tended to elevate the community and the status of its citizens, making the cause of the unfortunate and the suffering his own. It was while he was at Pittsburg that the Bishops and Archbishops of the church in council at Baltimore received a dispatch from Cardinal Barnnbo, of Rome, representing the will of the Pope, instructing the assembled council in the most emphatic terms to espouse the cause of the colored man in the most practical manner. This order, promulgated from the head of the Church of Rome, found response in the heart of our subject, and he was one of the first to move in the good work of helping the negro to an education, and to the benefit of the Roman Catholic religion. He built a church and school for the colored people of Pittsburg at a cost of $10,- 000, the school being taught by the Sisters of Mercy. He officiated in the pulpit, and had a colored choir and colored altar boys. He was very successful in his work in other directions, especially among the poorer and more abandoned class, the outcasts of a great manufacturing city. This work was performed by Father Treacy under adverse circumstances it not being popular at that time, but owing to the vast amount of good resulting from it, it has become popular. While in Pittsburg Father Treacy was a member of the Bishops' Council, and held the offices of Chancellor and Secretary. He was also a member of the Orphan Seminary and Cemetery Boards. In the midst of his many arduous duties he found some time to devote to literacy work as an author and as editor of a Catholic journal, first called the Hibernian, and later the Catholic Journal, in which he had a half interest. He prepared two works for publication, which are of great merit, but owing to ill health, brought on by a too close application to his duties, and to the change of scene necessitated thereby, he has not yet given them to the world. One of them is a poem, containing upwards of fifteen thousand lines, illustrative of the glories of the Roman Catholic Church. In 1878 our subject was obliged to abandon his labors in Pittsburg, as his failing health and flagging energies warned him that he must seek to restore his physical powers elsewhere. He removed to Chicago, where he joined his old-time friend, Bishop Foley. He was appointed to attend to the missions at New Dublin, Lena, Apple River and Elizabethtown, and after a short time was sent to look after the church at Rochelle. He remained there six years, and was then appointed to take charge of St. Patrick's Church at Dixon, one of the leading churches of the Catholic faith in Northern Illinois. By his good works and by the example of a pure life guided by lofty principles of right, he has gained the sincere respect and esteem even of the members of other Christian denominations, and has been an influence for much good in the community. Father Treacy looks after the spiritual welfare of three hundred families, including the Catholic societies at Harmon and Ashton. His church at Dixon was founded more than thirty years ago by Father McDermott. In 1887 the original structure in which services were held was partially burned, the walls remaining intact, and the present house of worship is composed of the walls of the original edifice. It is a handsome brick building, of an appropriate style of architecture, and cost, with its rich furnishings, $18,000.
Portrait and biographical record of Lee County,
Illinois, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative
citizens, together with biographies of all the governors of the state, and of
the presidents of the United States (1892)
John Patrick Treacy, M.D., (1838-1917)
John Patrick Treacy, M.D. Physician was born
in Mallon [Mallow] county, Cork, Ireland. His parents were John and Bridget
Treacy, both of Ireland. His early education he received in a private school in
his native place. In 1855, he came with his parents to this country, and was
placed in the National School, and St. Francis College of Cambria county,
Pennsylvania. Upon the completion of his studies, he entered, in 1857, the
office of Dr. George McCook, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Under the tuition of
this able practitioner, he rapidly acquired a thorough acquaintance with the
requirements of the medical profession, and, meanwhile, attended a course of
lectures in the same city. Subsequently, he attended lectures at the Medical
University of New York, and graduated in March, 1861. Upon this occasion he
received an honorary diploma, not often conferred upon graduates. In the fall
of 1861, he was appointed Surgeon of the Dupont Powder Works, at Wilmington,
Delaware, in which position he remained until the fall of 1863. He was then
appointed Surgeon of the Tilton Hospital, in Wilmington, Delaware.
Subsequently, he abandoned his position as Surgeon and resumed his practice as
a private physician. Upon leaving Wilmington, in 1869, he moved to Pittsburgh,
and since then has resided in that city, attending to the needs of a large and
remunerative practice. He is connected with the Hibernian newspaper, and is
noted for his ability, his energy and his many valuable attainments.
The biographical encyclopædia of Pennsylvania of the
nineteenth century. Galaxy publishing company, Philadelphia, 1874.
John P. Treacy, M.D., (1838-1917) Brandywine Delaware
Correspondence,
J. P. Treacy to Lammot du Pont, 1863-07-15
Correspondence,
J. P. Treacy to Lammot du Pont, 1862-12-27
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James Richard Treacy (1863-1903)
23 Aug 1903 Pittsburgh Weekly Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) |
James R. Treacy, bottler, was born in the
first ward, Pittsburg, Nov. 12, 1863, and has spent the greater part of his
life in that city. After receiving a primary education in Pittsburg, he spent
two years, 1880-82, at St. Francis' college at Loretto, Pa., and then became
clerk in a queensware store in Pittsburg, remaining in this position about
seven years. After this he spent a year in the employ of a Pittsburg
brokerage firm, and in 1895 was appointed Chinese inspector, by John G.
Carlisle. In the performance of the duties of this position he spent six
months in Minneapolis and a similar period in Grand Forks, N. D., and then,
on Nov. I, 1896, resigned and returned to Pittsburg, where he has since
engaged successfully in the bottle business. Although not actively interested
in politics, Mr. Treacy believes in the principles advocated by the
democratic party, and formerly served for four years as school director from
the first ward. He is a member of the Elks and in religious belief is a
Catholic. Memoirs of
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania: personal and genealogical, Vol. 1 03 Jan 1904 The Pittsburgh Press (Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania) Will of James R. Treacy He left an estate worth $28,000 to widow and
children...To his wife, Margaret, he gives all his estate with the exception
of $10,000...The income of this sum is to go to the decendent's mother Julia A.
Treacy, and at her death the amount is to be divided equally among the
decedent's three children, James R., William A., and Mary G. Treacy...The
will was executed December 21, 1903... |
William Treacy
Treacy's of Mallow, Co. Cork and
Nelligan (Kerry) to Pittsburgh
Our Great Grandfather was William
Treacy. He was born May 6, 1832 and married my Great-Grandmother, Julia
Agnes Nelligan (Nelligan), of County Kerry, on July 1, 1858, after both
immigrated to America. He came to the US in about 1851 from Mallow. She came to
America from County Kerry about 1849. His father was John Treacy. He had an
older brother James (Father James) who would be the Pastor of St Brigid's, in
Pittsburgh, for 24 years. Father was John Treacy and Mother was Bridget
"Biddy" Noonan (Nunan, etc.). They lived, with the family, in
Pittsburgh for many years.
John
Jackson . Patrick
Jackson
My GGGGrandfather John Treacy married Bridget (Biddy)
Nunan on 29 May 1821 in Mallow, County Cork, Ireland. Does anyone have any
information that might help me with my Nunan's?
Patrick
Jackson - 05:54am Aug 23, 2009
My Great Grandfather was William
Treacy. Came to the US in about 1851 from Mallow. His father was John Treacy.
He had an older brother James (Father James) who would be the Pastor of St
Brigid's, in Pittsburgh, for 24 years. William Treacy married Julia Agnes
Neligan in 1858. They lived, with the family, in Pittsburgh for many years. The
1870 US Federal Census Records show a Letitia Neligan (and John A. Neligan
living with Julia (Neligan) Treacy, William Treacy and family in Pittsburgh,
PA. I also believe that Letitia Neligan married an UNKNOWN McClone and had at
least two daughters Mary C and Allice.Mary C married John F Nelligan. Both Mary
C and Alice have since been buried in the Treacy plot in St. Mary's RC Cemetery
in Allegeny County, PA. Does any of this fit with the information that you have
on your Neligan's of Co. Kerry?
avpatjac 13 Oct 2002
Western Pa Genealogical Society Quarterly, summer 1990 vol. 17 #1 pg. 44
"Tara Hill/Greensprings
Catholic Cemetery Homeville, Mifflin Twp., Allegheny County
...on Glencairn Road at Eliza Street in Homeville, Mifflin Township, Allegheny Co.Pa....Chapel
on Tara Hill in 1854...
"The Catholic" dated 18 March 1846 carries this notice;...
Rev. James Tracy/Treacy pastor at
St. Brigid's & chaplain at Mercy Hospital celebrated the first Mass 8 July
1854....The chapel fell into disuse & collapsed in 1887.
(a black & white photo of Rev. J. Treacy)
The photographs are taken from "A Tribute to the Reverend Pastors,
Assistants, The Religious & The Laity of St. Thomas Parish on the Occasion
of The Parish Centennial" Sunday May 9, 1954. St. Thomas Church, Braddock,
Pa.
Members of Tara Hill joined St. Thomas Parish, Braddock. St. Thomas burned in
1981...became Good Shepard Catholic Church, 416 Verona St., Braddock Pa 15104
which now holds the combined Tara Hills & St. Thomas Parish records.
Past Pastors
Rev. James Tracy/Treacy 1854-...
Tara Hill Cemetery
...6 stones too worn from age to read...
References:
"A Tribute to the Reverend Pastors, Assistants, The Religious & The
Laity of St. Thomas Parish on the Occasion of the Parish Centennial May 9,
1954" 1954 published by the church (at Carnegie Library).
Lambing, Andrew A. "A History of the Catholic Churches in the Diocese of
Pittsburgh & Allegheny from its establishment to the present time"
1880 NY: Brenzinger. 531 pp. (at Carnegie Library)
"History of Mifflin Township, Allegheny County Pa" 1976 pp 119
"The Unwritten History of Braddock's Field, Pa" prepared by the
History Committee under the editorship of Geo. H. Lamb, A.M. for The
Celebration of The Golden Jubilee of Braddock, (Port Perry) & The Silver
Jubilee of Rankin, (Turtle Creek) & the 175th Anniversary of the First
White Settlement West of the Alleghenies, 1917.
Compiled by Paul T. Heckethorn...implemented by your Editor."
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~njm1/tombs.htm
http://digital.library.pitt.edu/pittsburgh/
& site map & full text simple search
www.wpgs.org/ 21 Jun 2007
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ca.
1868-1876; large oval hat box with wallpaper covering and original label on
lid for “Mrs. Julia Treacy, Fashionable Miller, 23 Diamond Alley, Pittsburgh,
PA” the box appears to have been made from poplar bands with small brad
fastener, wood slat lid and bottom and covered in bold brown wallpaper, |
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Last update: 05
June 2022