THE IRISH IN THE EARLY DAYS OF ST. LOUIS.
BY REV. CORNELIUS F. O’LEARY OF WELLSTON, MO.
“Quae regio in terris nostri non plena laboris?”
If our Mantuan bard could have looked into the not very distant future he would have beheld a people immeasurably more cosmopolitan than the Trojans, and infinitely more deserving of the above proud boast. Having in mind the scattered children of the Gael, could he not ask with greater truth: “What land on earth has not borne witness to our toil?”
Who has not heard of the military adventures of the ancient Gael pursuing his conquering march to the very walls of Rome and dictating to its proud citizens humiliating terms of surrender? It was on one of these occasions that a Roman general complained of the severity of the fine when the intrepid Gael added to the scale by placing thereon his sword, uttering the Vae Victis of the Conqueror.
Abandoning the course of horrid war, which is hell let loose, the men of Erin turned their minds and hearts to Christianity. The land became dotted over with churches and monasteries until the very place became Religion. Then a beautiful chapter opens to us—the exodus of Irish missionaries to foreign lands—to England and Scotland, to Germany and France, to Belgium and even Italy, in allusion to which Darcy McGee remarks that the sun rises in the West and sets in the East—“Ireland enlightens Rome by the light derived from Rome”—
But the flight is far too long;
Weak the wings of worldly song;
David’s muse alone could rise
To a theme of such emprise
As to give in long array
Those who in that happiest day
Bore on faith’s bright flag unfurl’d
Erin’s name throughout the world.
Then came a dark night which brooded over the land, and Erin’s sons were forced to emigrate to France and Spain and finally to America, that Greater Island, by which name she was known ten centuries ago.
To pursue the history of the Irish in America is the pleasing and fruitful task set before the members of this grand society, and so I hope I am in harmony with its spirit and aim if I essay to trace the footsteps of the Irish in the early days of St. Louis.
By the Treaty of Paris 1762 New Orleans and Upper Louisiana became the property of Spain. The Kings of that country sent Antonio de Ulloa, Viceroy of Louisiana, to establish Spanish authority here in 1767. The French did not at first take kindly to Spanish domination, and so the gentle Ulloa is ignominiously expelled from New Orleans. Spain, in its anger, turned to an Irish officer in its military service, Count Alexander O’Reilly, who soon brought the French of Louisiana to see the folly of resistance. Count O’Reilly was born at Baltrassna, Co. Meath, Ireland, A. D. 1722. He had seen much service in European wars, chiefly under the flag of Spain. The following list of his titles shows the prominence he attained in military life: Don Alexander O’Reilly, Commander of Benfayon of the Order of Alcantara; Lieutenant-General of the armies of His Most Catholic Majesty, Inspector General of Infantry, and by Commission Governor and Captain-General of the Province of Louisiana. Promoted to be Field Marshal, he was subsequently sent to Havana, which he newly fortified and strengthened, and later was sent in June, 1768, to recover Louisiana. Though never having set foot in St. Louis, he is credited with having outlined its governmental policy.
In the year 1804, when the formal transfer of Louisiana occurred, we find mention of John Mullanphy’s arrival in the village of St. Louis. Born in 1758 near Enniskillen, Co. Fermanaugh, Ireland, John Mullanphy entered the Irish Brigade in the service of France at the age of twenty. At its dispersion, on the imprisonment of Louis XVI, Lieutenant Mullanphy returned to Ireland, and in 1789 married Miss Elizabeth Brown. Three years after this Mr. and Mrs. Mullanphy, with one child, sailed for America, landing in Philadelphia, which became their home for a time. They next resided in Baltimore, where they formed the acquaintance of Rev. John Carroll, afterwards the first bishop of America, between whom a strong friendship took root. Remembering the lines of Berkeley, “Westward the star of Empire takes its way,” our citizen of the world turned towards Kentucky, where he established his home in 1798. While here his home in Frankfort became the stopping place of the early Catholic Missionary, and the temporary chapel of the scattered children of the Church. In 1804 Mr. Gratiot coming to Frankfort, his acquaintance with Mr. Mullanphy grew into closest friendship, which led our hero to move to St. Louis, where he was appointed Justice of the Peace. Here fortune smiled upon him, but he was not the man whom riches could corrupt. He made to himself friends of the Mammon of Iniquity, and so filled his life with noble deeds. In 1827 he settled upon the Ladies of the Sacred Heart twenty-four arpents of land, adjoining the village, today worth millions, on which was a brick house, and gave them ready money for its necessary furnishings. The condition of this bequest was that the Sisters should care for and educate in perpetuity twenty young orphan girls. Mr. Mullanphy assisted in establishing an orphan home for boys. He likewise founded a home for aged and destitute widows, and, assisted by Bishop Rosati, brought out the Sisters of Charity—the spiritual daughters of St. Vincent de Paul—to take charge of a hospital, the first of its kind in St. Louis, which is now called by his name. Besides his never-failing daily charities, he in times of scarcity gave sums of money to the bakers to furnish bread to the hungry poor, and when the cholera was raging employed a young physician, Dr. Henry, to visit the sick throughout the surrounding country. Mr. Mullanphy died in St. Louis in 1833. His only surviving son, Bryan, was also remarkable for his great charities. In November the 14th, 1845, Judge Bryan Mullanphy was chairman of the Committee of Catholic gentlemen who founded the first conference of the St. Vincent de Paul society in the New World. He also established an immense fund for the relief of emigrants on their way to settle in the West.
The next Irishman who figured prominently in the early history of St. Louis was Mr. Jeremiah Connor. He came to St. Louis in 1805. He was the third sheriff of that city, appointed by Governor Wilkinson in 1806, serving as such for four years and acting also as collector and treasurer. He laid out Washington Avenue, one of the finest streets of the city, through the center of his private property, which he generously relinquished to the city without consideration. When Bishops Flaget and Dubourg came to St. Louis in 1818, the latter to establish his Episcopal residence there, Jeremiah Connor donated a thousand dollars towards his reception. Later he gave the bishop the site afterwards occupied by the Jesuit Church and College, known as the St. Louis University.
HON. ZENAS W. BLISS.
Lieutenant-Governor of Rhode Island.
A New Member of the Society.
Another son of the Emerald Isle, a man of ability and prominence, was Joseph Charless, Sr., who was born in Westmeath in 1772. Being implicated in the Irish rebellion in 1795, he fled to France and thence to America in 1796. After a few years’ stay in Philadelphia he removed to Louisville, Ky. He came to St. Louis in 1808, where he established the first newspaper west of the Mississippi River—the Missouri Gazette, the name being afterwards changed to Missouri Republican when under the management of his son Edward in 1822. It continues to this day under the name of the St. Louis Republic.
Alexander McNair, born in Pennsylvania of Irish parents, was the fourth sheriff in St. Louis, succeeding Jeremiah Connor in that office. During the war of 1812 he raised a company of Mounted Rangers of which he was elected the captain. In 1816, when Congress established a land office for the St. Louis district, he was appointed by President Madison the first register of the same, and held office four years until he was elected, in 1820, the first governor of the state.
Quite a large number of Irish settlers came to St. Louis, rowing their own boat down from Pittsburg, and reaching St. Louis early in 1809. The leaders were John McKnight and Thomas Brady, who had formed a co-partnership in the east. They opened a store at once, and being enterprising, intelligent men, the house of McKnight & Brady was not long in acquiring prominence, and soon became extensively known for its enterprise and public spirit. In 1816 they erected a double brick house of two stories, which was opened as the Washington Hall—the seventh brick house in St. Louis, and the first built for a hotel, in which, on the twenty-second of February, 1817, the first observance of Washington’s birthday, west of the Mississippi, took place by a public dinner presided over by Gov. William Clark, brother of Gen. George Rodger Clark, styled the Hannibal of the Revolution, who were of Irish descent. Mr. Brady died October, 1821. The Rt. Rev. Bishop Dubourg officiated at the funeral obsequies. Mr. Brady’s father-in-law was John Rice Jones, then chief justice of the Supreme Court of the state.
We may form an idea of the strength of the Irish contingent in early history when we read of the following annals: 1818, Feb. 9—Erin Benevolent Society. A meeting of Irishmen to form a benevolent society was held at the house of Jeremiah Connor, Thomas Brady, Chairman, and Thomas Hanly, secretary. A committee of five: Jeremiah Connor, James McGunnegle, John Mullanphy, Alexander Blackwill and Arthur McGinnis, were appointed to frame resolutions. Adjourned to meet Tuesday, 24th inst., at 10 o’clock a. m., at the house of Thomas Brady.
1819, October 10—At meeting of Irish citizens held at the house of Jeremiah Connor at which he presided, and James Nagle, Esq., acted as secretary, adopted a constitution for the Erin Benevolent Society and adjourned to Thursday 21.
October 21—Met pursuant to adjournment and proceeded to the election: Jeremiah Connor, president; Thomas Hanly, vice-president; Hugh Ranken, treasurer; Laurence Ryan, secretary; Thomas English, James Timon, Robert N. Catherwood, Joseph Charles and Hugh O’Neil, standing committee; and John Timon, Robert Ranken and Francis Rochford, visiting committee.
1820, March 17—The first observance of the day in St. Louis by a procession of the society and a dinner at which a number of toasts and sentiments were drunk.
Another historic character of Irish birth was Col. Luke E. Lawless, who came to St. Louis in 1816. He was born in Dublin in 1781. He was called to the bar in 1805. In 1810 he passed over to France and entered the French military service under his uncle, General William Lawless. He was appointed military secretary to General Clark—Duc of Feltre,—and promoted to a colonelcy. On the return of Napoleon from Elba he read the address of congratulation from his regiment to the Emperor. After the final defeat of Napoleon, in 1815, he came to the United States, and adopted his former profession of law. Governor Dunklin appointed him Judge of the circuit of St. Louis. He died in 1846.
Another honored name of the early days is that of Charles Chambers, who was born in Dublin, in 1784. His father, John Chambers, was one of the oldest stationers and publishers of that city. He was a member of the Society of United Irishmen, and was arrested in that memorable year, 1798. He accompanied to New York, Thomas Addis Emmet, Dr. McNevin and Dr. Cummings. Charles Chambers came to New York in 1803. In 1817 he married Jane, the third daughter of John Mullanphy. We find him in St. Louis in the spring of 1819.
The Ranken brothers, Hugh, Robert and David, were born in Londonderry, Ireland. They emigrated to America, remaining in Philadelphia for some time. We find two of the brothers engaged in business as early as 1819, the third brother, David, arriving as late as 1850. They had been very successful in business.
In 1818 we find Capt. James McGunegle, a member and one of the founders of the Erin Benevolent Society, appointed Deputy Quartermaster-General for St. Louis. He purchased the Territorial Bank of St. Louis, which he held until his death, in 1822. He was buried with military honors by the St. Louis Guards.
About this time there came to America from gallant Tipperary a lad of twenty, named Edward Walsh, Sr. He came to Missouri, where he soon made his mark as a man of surpassing ability and indomitable courage. He turned his attention to many of the great utilities of this progressive age—from the mining industry to the construction of great lines of railroads, and from street car projects to the banking business. It may be truly said of him that he was a vital force in the life and development of St. Louis and entitled to be numbered among the city’s founders and promoters. He left a family of four sons and two daughters, who added to the lustre of his name.
James Tomon came to St. Louis in 1819. He was a man of superior character. His eldest son, John, became the much beloved bishop of Buffalo, N. Y.
Dr. James O’Fallen, born in Athlone, Ireland, served as a surgeon in the Continental Army under Washington. His wife was Frances Clark, the youngest sister of General George Rodger and William. Dr. O’Fallen died in Louisville in 1793, leaving two sons, John and Benjamin. In 1811, John O’Fallen, then twenty years of age, fought under Col. Davies at the battle of Tippecanoe, where he was severely wounded. While connected with the army he won much distinction. He settled in St. Louis, of which he became one of her most prominent and public-spirited citizens. He died in 1865.
The Morrison brothers were among the most noted of the early Americans of our territorial days, remarks Billon. They were of Irish origin and settled in and around St. Louis, and even at the present day their descendants are men of influence in Missouri and Illinois.
We find a Patrick Walsh, from the Town of Sligo, in St. Louis in 1820. Having been a merchant, he was commissioned by the governor a justice of the peace for the Township of St. Louis.
Patrick Dillon, from Londonderry, came to the United States in 1809. We find him engaged in the mercantile business in St. Louis as early as 1817. He laid out several additions to St. Louis, and one of the streets is named in his honor.
Patrick K. Dowling, a Waterford man, came to St. Louis in 1817. One of his sons, Richard, who died not many years ago, was a very interesting personage. He possessed a rich fund of historical reminiscences.
Thomas Hanley, who was the first secretary of the Irish Benevolent Society, came to St. Louis in 1816. He was a merchant.
John Finney and his family came to St. Louis about the year 1818. He and his sons acquired prominence and position in social and mercantile life.
Arthur McGinnes, born in County Antrim, Ireland, came to St. Louis in the year 1818. He was a young lawyer of considerable ability and force of character. He pushed his way to the front, attaining much social prominence. He removed to Washington, D. C., about the year 1840, where he continued to reside until his death, in 1848.
William Higgins came with his wife and family from Ireland to St. Louis in 1820. His youngest daughter, Winifred, married a Mr. Patterson. She became noted in later years for her princely gifts to charity. She deserves to have her name perpetuated in marble and bronze.
James Nagle and Hugh Johnson came to St. Louis in 1820. “They were two young Irishmen of good education,” remarks our annalist. They carried on a successful mercantile business for many years. After the death of Mr. Johnson, in 1825, Mr. Nagle entered into the practice of law.
And thus did the exiled children of Erin come to this Key City of the Mississippi Valley to grace every sphere of life. There is one sphere to which I have not alluded—that of the sanctuary. And here let me mention the illustrious name of Most Rev. Peter Richard Kenrick, who was born in Dublin in 1806, ordained for that diocese in 1832, and soon changed the field of his labors for America at the earnest solicitation of his illustrious brother, Francis Patrick, Archbishop of Philadelphia. Bishop Rosati of St. Louis, desiring a coadjutor, his choice fell on this brilliant young Irish priest. He was consecrated coadjutor-bishop of St. Louis in 1841.