20th Century
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From Danny’s Files: Glenmore Parish Burial Records
Anyone attempting to trace family members in Irish records knows that there are difficulties. The only two publicly available on-line census are from 1901 and 1911 as provided by the National Archives.
The General Register Office is responsible for maintaining birth, marriage and death records. Publicly available birth, marriage and death records are found on the IrishGenealogy.ie free website. This website is the work of the National Archives and IrishGeneology.ie. Currently the historic records of births, marriages and deaths on the website cover: births 1864 to 1923; marriages 1845 to 1948 and deaths 1871 to 1973. The website continues to add to the records it indexes and makes freely available.
Prior to this website people tracing their families before the internet had to visit the area libraries, visit National Archives or write letters requesting information. When online resources became available there was often a fee attached and not very helpful if you did not know which townland your ancestory came from. Many people hunted out Village Historians like Danny Dowling (1927-2021). Danny collected information from Glenmore residents for over 7 decades, recorded his own list of residents in 1961 and obtained copies of the Glenmore Parish records. In fact, when work began to digitalize the Glenmore records Danny was asked to help correct transcription mistakes because he was so familiar with the families of Glenmore.
In a blue binder Danny kept the Glenmore parish burial records from 1927-2013. While it was initially thought that the records would provide information as to when most deaths occurred in a given year, unfortunately, the records are not as complete as the parish records for baptisms and marriages. Today, we are going to publish the parish burial records for 1934 and 1974 and in square brackets provide additional information obtained from other sources.
1934 Glenmore Burial Records
In 1934, 10 Glenmore burials are recorded.
[1] Michael Rigby, died 10 January 1934, aged 93. [The death register lists his age as 82, he was a farmer, in Ballyveria, Glenmore, a widower and died of “senile decay.” His son Daniel Rigby was present when he died.]
[2] John Walsh, died 2 March 1934, aged 68. [The death register reveals that he was a widower of Busherstown, Glenmore, and worked as a labourer. He died of broncho pneumonia and his sister Johanna Walsh was present when he died.]
[3] Margaret Doherty, died 26 March 1934, aged 69 (buried Shambo). [Per the death register Margaret Doherty, of Milltown, Glenmore was 67 when she died of asphyxiation from a toxic goitre.]
[4] William Walsh, died 17 April 1934, aged 82. [ Wm. Walsh, of Busherstown, Glenmore, was listed in the death register as an 81 year old, married, farmer when he died of “senile decay” in 1934. His daughter Hannah Walsh was present at his death.]
[5] Thomas Reid, died 19 April 1934, aged 56 (buried Mullinavat). [Thomas Reid was listed as 53 years of age in the death register. He was living in Busherstown, Glenmore, working as a labourer. Thomas was a bachelor. He died of septicaemia (blood poisoning) in the New Ross hospital after 2 days.]
[6] John Fitzgerald, died 25 April 1934, aged 95. [John Fitzgerald died at Knockbrack, Glenmore. He was a widower, farmer. He died of “senile decay” and his nephew John Fitzgerald was present at his death.]
[7] Stone? Roche, died 26 April, 1934 aged 68.
[8] Mrs. Neill, died 30 April 1934, aged 75. [Julia Neill, widow of Weatherstown, Glenmore died of broncho pneumonia. Her nephew Thomas Connolly was present when she died].
[9] Ellie Brennan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Brennan died 1 December 1934, aged 15. [The child died of acute eczema that covered her entire body. The secondary cause of death was nephritis. She was ill 12 days.]
[10] Mrs. Power died at the age of 85. Her date of death is blank. [We could find no woman named Power who died locally in 1934 and was 85 years of age.]
While searching for a Roche who died in April 1934 we came across Richard Roche, of Scartnamore, Glenmore, who died the 17th of November 1934. He was a bachelor, aged 68, farmer. He died “probably of heat stroke.” John Connolly was present at his death in Scartnamore.
While searching Glenmore headstones we found that James Walsh of Ballybrahee, Glenmore died 5 October 1934, aged 43. [James J.K. Walsh (1891-1934) was married to Lizzie J.K. née Heffernan (1884-1955). The couple operated a shop and dance hall in the Village. See our post of 22 December 2020 for further details of the family. ]
1974 Glenmore Burial Records
In 1974, 14 Glenmore burials are recorded.
[1] Catherine Forristal died 25 March 1974, aged 82. [Per Glenmore headstones Catherine Forristal was the widow of Patrick Forristal (c. 1897-1969) of Ballyverneen, Glenmore. Catherine’s maiden name was Phelan of Coolnaleen, Glenmore. Their daughter Peggy married Denis O’Dwyer (c.1929- 2000).]
[2] Michael Delahunty died 30th April 1974, aged 70. [It is believed that this was Mick Delahunty was a native of Rochestown and worked for May Roche of Scarte, Glenmore. Mick was a jolly, bachelor.]
[3] Patrick Walsh, died 2 April, 1974, aged 52. [According to his obit in the Kilkenny People he was from Ballybrahee, Glenmore, married to Peggy Fitzgerald and the couple had five children: Martin, Bernard, Teresa, Breda and Imelda (Fri. 19 April 1974, p. 10).]
[4] James Walsh, died 23 April 1974, aged 79.
[5] Catherine Barry, died 28 May 1974, aged 78. [Per the Glenmore headstone Catherine née Culleton was married to Thomas Barry (c. 1895-1981) of Carrigcloney, Glenmore.]
[6] John Forristal, died 11 August 1974, aged 87. [Per the Glenmore headstones John was a bachelor. He was the son of Laurence & Bridget née Kirwan Forristal.]
[7] Elizabeth Fitzgerald, died 25 August 1974, aged 74. [Per the Glenmore headstones Elizabth was the widow of James Fitzgerald (c. 1889 -1963) of Flemingstown, Glenmore. Elizabeth’s maiden name was Burke].
[8] Brigid Doherty, died 4 September 1974, aged 84. [Per the Glenmore headstones Bridget née Freyne was 78 when she died. She was the widow of William Doherty (c. 1891-1968) of Ballinlammy, Glenmore.]
[9] Michael Murphy, died 4th September 1974, aged 45. [Michael Joseph Murphy was a native of Rochestown, Glenmore and started Murphy’s Motor. He was a husband and father of a young family when he was tragically killed in a car crash. See our post of 27 June 2020 regarding Michael’s runaway tractor in Glenmore Village.]
[10] John Fitzgerald, died 26 September 1974, aged 78. [Per the Glenmore headstones John was from Busherstown, Glenmore the son of John Fitzgerald (c. 1852-1922) and his wife Ellen Sullivan (c.1861-1937). John’s (c. 1896 -1974) wife was Hanna Stasia Cody (c. 1909 -1943).]
[11] Mrs. Bridget Kirwan, died 24 November 1974, aged 56. [Per the Glenmore headstones Bridget’s maiden name was O’Connor and she was a native of Ballyfacey, Glenmore. She married John Kirwan (c. 1902-1993) of Gaulstown, Glenmore. Bridget died of breast cancer.]
[12] John Doherty, died 28 November 1974, aged 81. [Per his obit in the Munster Express, John was a native of Davidstown and a prominant footballer as a young man. He married Bridget Wall, of Davidstown , and the couple had 10 children. Jack, as he was known, was the Director of Clover Meats for 36 years until he retired (Fri. 6 Dec. 1974, p. 6).]
[13] Richard Kehoe, died 15December 1974, aged 61. [Dick Kehoe, of Rathinure, Glenmore, was married to Mary Doherty, of Ballinlammy, Glenmore.]
While searching the Glenmore headstones we located three others that were not listed in the parish burial records.
Edward Fitzgerald, a native of Rathinure, Glenmore, who died in Southport, England, on 19 January 1974, aged 86.
Bridget Power née Mackey died on 4 March 1974 in Southport, England. She was the widow of John Power (c. 1884-1965) of Ballycroney, Glenmore.
Darragh Shine, of Glenmore Village, was just 3 years of age when he was struck and tragically killed by a car on 3 July 1974.
Alice Power née Curran died 20 July 1974 aged 93. Prior to her marriage to Walter Power (c.1888-1961) of Jamestown, Alice was a National School teacher in Glenmore.
Darren James Phelan, of Ballyfacey, Glenmore died in infancy on 18 December 1974.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com. Some information and obituaries may be found on our Glenmore Family Surname pages or the obituary page.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore in the News: July 1924
Thorny unresolved issues continued to plague the new State. Although peace was restored the Free State Government was reluctant to release the Irregular prisoners. The infrastructure of the country had been damaged in the War of Independence and Civil War leaving little money to tackle other issues. The weather was described as wet and cold impacting on crops, tourism and morale. There were some positive reports in July 1924 including labourer cottages were built by the Thomastown Rural District Council, the Olympic Games were held in Paris and the evicted tenants’ association of the New Ross area had succeeded in getting 143 claims before the Land Commission.
GAA Support for Prisoners
As we highlighted previously the GAA players in 1924 were refusing to play championship games in protest over the continued detention of Irregular prisoners. Callan and Glenmore refused to play in the South Kilkenny Hurling Championship tie owing to the continued detention of the prisoners (Munster Express, Sat. 5 July 1924, p. 5).
The semi-final of the Leinster GAA football championship, fixed for Navan on Sunday the 13th, was “declared off” owing to Louth’s refusal to play, as a protest against the continued detention of the prisoners. The two All Ireland championships, both hurling and football were cancelled. The Erskine Childers SF Club, Denmark Street, Dublin, expressed appreciation of the Kerry team’s action in refusing to play Dublin (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 12 July 1924, p. 2).
Glenmore Man Released
In the middle of July the Kilkenny Moderator listed 14 men representing the latest releases from Hare Park. The men were from Carlow, Kilkenny and Waterford. Local men included: John Purcell, of Glenmore; James Roche, of Kilmacow; James Walsh, of Kilmacow; and Michael O’Sullivan, of Ferrybank (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 12 July 1924, p. 2).
Toward the end of July it was reported in Waterford that De Vallera was released on the 17th. A procession was quickly arranged to parade through the City. It was understood that De Valera planned to go to Ennis, on or about the 15th of August, to resume the meeting which was interrupted the previous August when he was arrented (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 18 July 1924, p. 5).
Death of James Nowlan (c. 1864-1924)
“Throughout all Gaeldom the death of Seumas Ua Nuallain, better known as Alderman Nolan, will be learned with profound regret. Up to the last few weeks, when his familiar figure was missed from Croke Park, he was never absent from an important game, and this was well known to the new generation of Gaels. At the vital crisis in the GAA about 1901 when no one wanted positions in a seemingly crumbling institution, he took the presidency and held it up to 1921, when Mr. Dan McCarthy, T.D., succeeded him. He was then made an hon. Vice-president of the GAA—a title which meant nothing, for he was long before recognised as one of its gathers. The late Mr. Nowlan was associated with the GAA movement from its earliest days in Kilkenny, where there was never a more honoured citizen. By his death one of the fine old fighting Gaels has disappeared and Gaelic Ireland is the loser” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 4 July 1924, p. 10). For further information see Historic Kilkenny website.
Evicted Tenants’ Association of the New Ross Area
A meeting of the Evicted Tenants’ Association of the New Ross area was held in the Tholsel, New Ross. The Association had been established in 1922 and had forwarded 143 claims. The secretary, Mr. Sean Cowman said that after years of hard fighting the Land Commission was taking up the claims of the evicted, and the preliminary investigation of the claims would commence on the 7th of July. It would relieve the Association of any further responsibility in future, as the claims would now be in the hands of the Land Commission. He explained that the Act applied to any case where the landlord caused the law to be moved for the eviction of a tenant. It would apply to any eviction from 1876 or earlier for a genuine case (New Ross Standard, Fri. 4 July 1924, p. 8).
Mr. James Holden, arrested and taken to Waterford prison about four months previously in connection with the Shanbogh farm, was released from prison (New Ross Standard, Fri. 4 July 1924, p. 5). See our post of 10 August 2023
Summer Weather
The poor weather of 2024 is eerily similar to that reported in 1924. In July 1924, it was reported that people were uneasy about the very unfavourable weather which continued for so long. Though more than half the summer season had passed they did not have summer weather. “The rains were a menace to farmers…The hay would be a very abundant crop if it could be saved” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 11 July 1924, p. 4).
The Munster Express noted, that “We have no summer visitors as yet, but neither have we the summer. People are living in hopes that warm weather will eventually come our way (Munster Express, Sat. 5 July 1924, p. 5).
Notwithstanding the Free State growing pains and the poor weather the Hanrahan Brothers opened new premises in New Ross in July 1924. The Hanrahan Brothers hailed from Glenmore. See our post of 19 December 2020 for other early Glenmore business adverts.
Olympic Games of 1924
At the Olympic Games in Paris, Peter O’Connor a Waterford solicitor watched as his world record in the long jump (24 ft. 11 3/4 inches) was broken by an American named Le Gendre with a jump of 25 ft. 5 1/2 inches. O’Connor held the record for 20 years (Munster Express, Sat. 12 July 1924, p. 5). The Munster Express was wrong about the name of the American who won the event. The long jump in 1924 was won by William Dehart Hubbard (1903-1976) of Ohio. Hubbard was the first black to win an Olympic gold medal in an individual event. For further information see Black Past website.
New Housing
Just like today housing was an issue in 1924. Thomastown (Co. Kilkenny) Rural District Council in 1924 erected ten “concrete houses” in Graiguenamanagh at a total cost of £3,950. The cottages were let at 3s a week. It was noted that all rents on the 50 labourers’ cottages in the Thomastown rural area were not in arrears (Munster Express, Sat. 26 July 1924, p. 5).
Police Blotter
At the Waterford City District Court, Thomas Byrne, a publican from Bigwood was found guilty for breaches of the licensing regulations on Sunday, July 13th and Saturday, July 19th. Byrne was fined £2 and costs for the 13th and £4 and costs for the 19th (Waterford News & Star, Fri. 25 July 1924, p. 5).
Death of James Kirwan (c.1855-1924) of Gaulstown, Glenmore
Death of Mr. James Kirwan, Gaulstown, Glenmore—We regret to record the death of Mr. James Kirwan, which took place on the 19th, at his residence, Gaulstown. Deceased, who was in his 69th year had been in more or less failing health for some time past. He was a popular and much esteemed resident of Glenmore parish, and was for many years a member of the Waterford Board of Guardians & No. 2 Rural District Council. He was also a shareholder of Glenmore Creamery. Both in public and private life his quiet and unobtrusive manner and uprightedness won for him the respect of all who knew him. The shareholders of the creamery on Monday night passed a resolution of sympathy, which was proposed by Mr. J. Ennett and seconded by Mr. H. Fitzgerald. The interment took place on Monday in Glenmore, after Office and High Mass. The funeral was of very large proportions. R.I.P. (Munster Express, Sat. 26 July 1924, p. 5).
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Please send any corrections or further information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
The 1919 photo of the Eiffel Tower featured above is courtesy of The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection, The New York Public Library. “The Opera; the Eiffel Tower” The New York Public Library Digital Collections. 1919. https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47dd-f2b7-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Monsignor Patrick O’Connor Culleton (1877-1960) of Kilbride, Glenmore
Today, we are going to feature the Right Reverand Monsignor Patrick O’C Culleton (1877-1960) a native of Kilbride, Glenmore. After being ordained in Waterford he left for the American mission. Msgr. Culleton spent his entire ministry in the Peoria Diocese of Illinois. Thanks to Sr. Lea Stefancova, SFJB, of the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation, of the Peoria (Illinois) Diocese for providing us with photos and newspaper clippings from the Diocese archive. This post is dedicated to Msgr. Culleton’s niece, Ciss Roche née Culleton of Rathinure who will be 95 in December 2024.
Culleton Family of Kilbride, Glenmore
Monsignor Culleton was the eldest child of James Culleton (1845-1912) and his wife Margaret Connors (sic) or O’Connor (1839-1918). His mother Margaret O’Connor was from Ballyfacey, Glenmore. Even today the O’Connors are often referred to as the Connors. Msgr. Culleton’s parents were married 3 February 1876 at Glenmore and he had three known siblings.
His brother Michael Culleton (18 Oct. 1878-21 Feb. 1968) remained on the family farm in Kilbride and married Alice Hartley of Weatherstown, Glenmore on the 26th of November 1914. Alice’s father was Edward Hartley (farmer), and Michael’s father was Michael Culleton (farmer). Michael Culleton (1878-1968) and Alice Culleton had one son and four daughters. [1] James Culleton (c. 1917-2012); [2] Anastatia Culleton (c. 1919-1927); [3] Margaret Culleton (c. 1916-1932); [4] Nellie Walsh née Culleton (c. 1920 -2016) and [5] Ciss Roche née Culleton of Rathinure, Glenmore.
Msgr. Culleton’s brother, George Culleton (b. 6 Nov. 1881) married Mary Walsh at Carrick-on-Suir on the 29th of October 1919, and they farmed and raised their family in Ashtown. Their son James became a priest also serving in Illinois.
Msgr. Culleton also had a sister Ellen Culleton (b. 4 Oct. 1883).
Education
We believe that Msgr. Culleton attended the old Ballyfacey National School. He attended Waterford Christian Brothers and went on to St. John’s College, Waterford where he was ordained on the 14th of June 1900 at the age of 23. Msgr. Culleton was appointed to the Peoria Diocese on the American Mission. He arrived in the United States in September 1900.
Assigned Ministries
After arriving in the Peoria Diocese, he was appointed assistant pastor of St. Patrick’s church of Danville, Illinois. Danville is approximately 120 miles from Peoria located near the Indiana border.
On 2 October 1903, he was commissioned by the late Bishop Spalding to found a new parish in Westville, six miles north of Danville. Six years later he was transferred by the Bishop to Peru, Illinois on 10 March 1909, as pastor of St. Mary’s church. Msgr. Culleton remained in Peru until January 1923 when he was assigned to Peoria’s, St. Patrick’s parish.
While Msgr. Culleton was working in Peru he had to register for the draft. In his World War I draft registration of 12 September 1918, Msgr. Culleton gave his name as “Patrick O’Connor Culleton.” He resided at 1319 Van Bureau St., Peru, Illinois. He recorded that he was employed as a Catholic Priest, 41 years of age and a naturalized citizen. He listed his mother Mrs. Margaret Culleton as his next of kin with an address of Kilbride, Glenmore, Waterford, Ireland. He was physically described as tall and stout with gray eyes and brown hair.
It was also in Peru that his first cousin Miss Mary Anne Harte (1891-1976) emigrated from Co. Kilkenny, Ireland in September 1922 to work as his housekeeper. When she applied for naturalisation in January 1923 she gave her address as 1315 6th St., Peru, Illinois.
On the recommendation of Bishop Joseph H. Schlarman, Father Culleton was raised to the status of a domestic prelate by Pope Pius XII on 23 November 1939, to which rank was attached the title Right Reverend Monsignor. He was later appointed by Bishop Schlarman as building commissioner of the diocese, which position he continued to hold in 1950. “He was keenly interested in education and in addition to a church, he also built schools in Peoria [Diocese] and in the city of Peoria” (Kilkenny People, Sat. 2 April 1960, p. 1).
Golden Jubilee: 14 June 1950
Msgr. Culleton celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood by celebrating Mass. He was assisted by the Rev. J.M. Fitzgerald. The Rev. James P. Culleton, his nephew, served as deacon; the Rev. J.J. Gaule as subdeacon; and the Rev. R.E. Gates as master of ceremonies. The sermon was delivered by the Rev. J.P. Christopher, professor at the Catholic University of America, Washington D.C.
Following the Jubilee Mass, Msgr. hosted a luncheon at St. Mary’s school hall for visiting priests and relatives. At the time of his Golden Jubilee Msgr. Culleton had served at St. Patrick’s in Peoria City for 27 years. Serving as chairman of the luncheon was the Rev. James M. Fitzgerald, pastor of St. Mark’s who introduced the Rev. TP Kelly of Clinton to serve as toastmaster.
Luncheon Tributes
“Referring to Monsignor Culleton as one of the great men of the Peoria Diocese the Rt. Rev. P. H. Durkin of Rock Island, Vicar-General of the Diocese said his name will be held in reverence at St. Patrick’s for many years to come.” (Newspaper clipping dated 15 June 1950).
Msgr. Culleton’s knowledge of architecture and work in building churches at Peru former parishes were praised by several speakers. Other speakers paying tribute to Msgr. Culleton included the Rt. Rev. Msgr. J. R. Reidy chancellor of the diocese; and the Rt. Rev. Msgr. Thomas Barden of the Lincoln, Nebraska, diocese who was a schoolmate of Msgr. Culleton in Ireland as well as four other priests.
Wires of congratulations were read from the Most. Rev. Joseph H. Schlarman, Bishop of Peoria, who was not present as he had sailed “Tuesday for Europe” and Msgr. Fulton J. Sheen who once served as an assistant at St. Patrick’s. [For more information on Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen see his Foundation webpage.]
Public Reception
Approximately 500 persons filled Roosevelt auditorium for the public reception. On the program were four priests representatives of parish groups and students, Mayor Joseph O. Malone, the school and adult choruses, and several solo musicians.
Speakers included the Rev. E.J. Bratowski, pastor of St. Dominick’s church in Wyoming. and Msgr. Culleton’s first assistant at St. Patrick’s, the Rev. William Bouchers of St. Joseph’s in Rock Island, Msgr. Culleton’s former assistant at St. Patrick’s and the Rev. William Gray, present assistant there. The Rev. James M. Fitzgerald, pastor of St. Mark’s church, was master of ceremonies.
Speaking on behalf of the parish trustees were Thomas Whalen and Richard Madigan, who presented Msgr. Culleton with cash gift from the parishioners. After 1950 Msgr. Culleton remained at St. Patrick’s for more than 8 years.
Death
Five days after having suffered a stroke, Msgr. Culleton died on 1 March 1960 in St. Francis’ Hospital in Miami Beach, Florida. Funeral services were held 5 March 1960 in Peoria. Bishop John B. Franz officiated at the Pontifical Requiem Mass in St. Patrick’s Church and also at the Office of the Dead the previous evening. The obituary received from Sr. Lea provides that Msgr. Culleton was survived by a nephew, Fr. James Culleton, pastor of St. Louis’ Parish, Princeton; and a cousin, Miss Mary Harte, who was his housekeeper for many years. He is buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery of West Peoria, Illinois. To view Msgr. Culleton’s headstone, see Find a Grave.
The Kilkenny People Obituary
Monsignor Dies—The death has occurred unexpectedly in Florida, United States of the Right Rev. Monsignor Patrick Culleton, native of Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny. He was brother of Mr. Michael Culleton, Kilbride, Glenmore and Mr. George Culleton, Ashtown, do., and uncle of Very Rev. James P. Culleton, P.P., Princeton, Illinois, United States. He is also survived by nephews and nieces in South Kilkenny.
The late Monsignor Culleton was born in Glenmore parish in 1877 and was educated in Waterford Christian Brothers schools and at St. John’s College, Waterford where he was ordained on June 14, 1900 at the age of 23. He went on the American mission the same year and his appointment was in the Diocese of Peoria. He served in Waterville, Danville and finally in the city of Peoria. He was made a Domestic Prelate by the late Pope Pius XII.
A kindly priest and untiring worker for the temporal and spiritual welfare of his people Mons. Culleton won a warm place in the hearts of his parishioners where he ministered. He was keenly interested in education and in addition to a church, he also built schools in Peoria and in the city of Peoria where he ministered before his death.
Monsignor Culleton belonged to an old and respected Glenmore family. There was an extremely large attendance of clergy and laity at the obsequies in Peoria where interment took place after Solemn Requiem Office and High Mass. Requiem Office and High Mass were also celebrated in Glenmore Church (Kilkenny People, Sat. 2 April 1960, p. 1).
The Demise of St. Patrick’s of Peoria
In attempting to find a photo of the church where Msgr. Culleton worked for over 37 years, we discovered that St. Patrick’s of Peoria was a red brick building located at the corner of Saratoga and McBean. It was dedicated in 1881. Due to falling numbers St. Patrick’s closed as a Roman Catholic Church in 1976. The parishes of St. Patrick’s combined with St. Joseph’s and used the existing St. Joseph’s building. St. Patrick’s church was advertised as seating 700 was placed on the market for $49,500.
Since 1976 different churches bought the premises and held services in the building until 2023 when the roof collapsed and the building had to be demolished (Tim Shelley, WCBU Local News, 29 July 2023). A sad end for a historic church.
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Please send any additional information or corrections to glenmore.history@gmail.com. The feature photo above is from Msgr. Culleton’s Requiem Mass in St. Patrick’s church of Peoria. Special thanks to Sr. Lia for providing this photo and the photos of Monsr. Culleton. The photo of St. Patrick’s of Danville, Illinois is from an old postcard.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
See generally, Dean Muellerleile, “Historic Collapsed Church in Peoria, IL Tied to Sainthood,” Peoria Journal Star (7 Aug. 2023).
For a brief history of the Diocese of Peoria, Illinois click here.
For other cousins of Msgr. Culleton see our post of 5 Aug. 2024.
Update: John J. O’Connor (1886-1943) native of Ballyfacey, Glenmore
In 1938, just five years before John J. O’Connor’s untimely death, the Citizens Historical Association compiled a book of biographical sketches of Kansas City Citizens. The Citizens Historical Association was organized in Indianapolis in 1934, to establish a national library of historical and biographical information. With a small fee, the company prepared biographical sketches which could include genealogical information on a person’s ancestors. The association disbanded in 1952 and the biographical sketches were sold to the Indiana State Library.
John J. O’Connor was a member of the Kansas City Chapter of the Citizens Historical Association. Thanks to the Kansas City Public Library for copying and sending the biography he wrote in 1938. The helpful library staff also sent a later photo of John J. O’Connor’s business premises of 1104 Union St., Kansas City, Missouri. See our post of 5 August 2024 for further information on the O’Connor family.
Biographical Sketch
The complete sketch is below and retains the abreviations used in the original publication. Non-original additional information has been placed in [ ].
John J. O’Connor, President, O’Connor-Thompson Brokerage Co., 1104 Union Street, Kansas City, Missouri (1938)
John J(oseph) O’Connor, b,, in County Kilkenny, Ireland, Mar. 2, 1886; s. of John Joseph and Brigid (Roche) O’Connor.
John Joseph O’Connor, b. in County Kilkenny, Ireland. He was a farmer in his native country prior to his death, which occurred in 1912. His wife, Brigid (Roche) O’Connor, who was b. in County Kilkenny, Ireland, died in 1905.
[John O’Connor and Brigid Roche were married at Glenmore on 4 March 1878. John was the son of George O’Connor of Ballyfacey and Brigid Roche was the daughter of Edmond Roche of Rathinure. Brigid “Conners” née Roche died at the family home in lower Balleyfacey on 1 June 1905 at the age of 58. Her son Pat was present when she died of suspected heart disease. Her husband, John “Connors” (widower) farmer died at Ballyfacey on the 16th of November 1911. His son George was present at his death. His age was recorded as 82. A baptismal record was located for John “Conors” the son of George Connors and his wife Catherine Dollard at Ballyfacey on 25 June 1830].]
John J. O’Connor, the subject of this sketch, attended rural grade schs., and the national schs. in Ireland, after which he was a student at Waterpark Coll., in Waterford, Ireland. He came to America in 1905, settling in Kansas City, Mo. and in 1908, graduated from the Kansas City School of Law with an LL.B. deg., after which he passed the bar examination. While attending law sch., he became employed as a bill clerk by the S & S Packing Company, of Kansas City, with which firm he remained 3 yrs.
He then was associated with the Commerce Trust Company, as a tell, three and a half years., following which he was identified with the Flanagan Brothers Manufacturing Company, in Kansas City, 18 mos. Mr. O’Connor subsequently was identified until 1936, with the McManus-Heryer Brokerage Company, of which he was sec., after which he organized the O’Connor-Thompson Brokerage Company, of which firm he is pres. He serves also as a dir. of the South Side Bank. Mr. O’Connor, who is an ind. Democrat, is a mem. of the following: Central Industrial Dist. Assn.; K. of C. (3rd deg.); Ancient Order of Hibernians; Milburn Gold and Country Club; Kansas City Chapter, Citizens Hist. Assn.; and Guardian Angel (Roman Catholic) Church. His hobby is golf.
In Mar. 1912, Mr. O’Connor married Catherine Queenan, who was b. in County Mayo, Ireland. Children: (1) John J., Jr. He married Loretto Fetters, and they reside in Kansas City, Mo. (2) Catherine B., who resides in Kansas City. (3) Margaret Mary, who is employed in the Kansas City (Mo.) Public Library. (4) Mary Ellen, who is in school, in Kansas City. (5) Edward Patrick, who also attends school in Kansas City.
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The featured photo above is of 1104 Union Street, the premises of the O’Connor-Thompson Brokerage Company of Kansas City, Missouri.
Website Update–We have added a large number of obits and other information to the family surname pages over the last few weeks. We are currently reviewing the website as we are outgrowing it.
If you have any corretions, additional information or thoughts on the re-structuring of the webpage please email glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Building the Railway: Glenmore Man’s Remains Unearthed & Another Man Injured
The New Ross Standard, of Friday 27 Feb. 1903 (p. 5) published a sensational article concerning skeletal remains unearthed in Rosbercon on Monday the 23rd of February 1903. While excavating a sewer under the newly laid railway crossing “well preserved bones of what must have been a largely built man when in the flesh.” The same article appeared within days in the Wicklow People (Sat. 28 Feb. 1903) and the Enniscorthy Guardian (Sat 28 Feb. 1903). It was not carried apparently by any of the national papers.
The Centennial Controversy
As the 100th anniversary of the 1798 Rebellion approached the old tales and rumours concerning Glenmore man William Gaffney, and his alleged betrayal at the Battle of New Ross, surfaced and led to his headstone in Kilivory (Kilmakevogue) cemetery being broken by vandals. Danny Dowling (1927-2021) in his article entitled “South-east Kilkenny in 1798 and the Role of William Gaffney,” (Decies (Sept. 1983, vol. 24) pp. 14-19)) sarcastically labeled the gravestone vandals “patriots.” For further information on Glenmore in 1798 see our post of 22 February 2020.
Some descendants of William Gaffney were still residing in Glenmore in 1898 and challenged several of the published attacks on their ancestor. Eight decades later, Danny was so impressed with Brigid M. Gaffney’s letter of 28 May 1898 to the New Ross Standard, that he published it in his Decies article. The ear bashing she delivered in 1898 is perhaps the reason the New Ross Standard in its 1903 article stated that it had no desire to hurt anyone’s feelings. For further information on the Gaffney family see our post of 21 August 2023.
“GAFNEY OF GLENMORE, HIS REMAINS UNEARTHED”
SENSATIONAL DISCOVERY AT ROSBERCON. A sensational discovery, which has aroused much public interest, was made at Rosbercon on Monday. A man named Dillon, whilst excavating a sewer-way under the railway crossing, unearthed the well-preserved bones of what must have been a largely-built man when in the flesh. There was evidence of considerable quantity of lime about the remains.
Now whose remains could these be? The “oldest inhabitant” cannot say with certainty. The body of a man could not have got there by accident. How then? It is conjectured, and the belief is strongly held in the locality, that the remains are those of Gafney, of Glenmore, who figured prominently, and to say the least, doubtfully, in the dark days of New Ross in the year 1798, when a brave and glorious, though unsuccessful, struggle was made by the county Wexford insurgents for civil and religions liberty.
We have no desire now to hurt the feelings of anyone, but the discovery of Monday, and the very circumstantial account told, and the widely accepted deduction made, necessitates our reverting to what must be a painful recital to some people. The battle at New Ross, though admittedly one of the most brilliant of the series on the part of the insurgents, was nevertheless the Waterloo of the insurrection, and, like Waterloo, will be rightly or wrongly associated with betrayal. Gafney, of Glenmore, an athletic man, and the leader of the Kilkenny insurgents, had his men nested at Tinneranny before the battle of Ross, and while the engagement was taking place, he moved by a circuitous route towards Glenmore.
His answer for failing to come to the fray was that he did not get the proper signal from Corbet Hill. A few days after the battle he fell into the hands of the military, and was taken to Rosbercon, and there court martialled and shot nearly opposite the very modern castle, and his remains were interred in quick-lime at some some point between the place of execution and the river. We thus see it is very possible that the remains now found are those of the ill-fated Gafney, who, at any rate, can scarcely be acquitted of cowardice.
The key stone of an arch supposed to belong to the old monastery in Rosbercon was found at the head of the remains, which were only about two feet under the footway as one turns into the station from the river side. By the way, the stone in question has been annexed by Paddy Lee, the Boat Club caretaker for the curiosity of the members of that institution.
Unfortunately, the New Ross Standard did not report on what happened to the skeletal remains.
The Glenmore Grave
Danny stated in 2020 that the remains found in Rosbercon were buried in the Gaffney grave in Kilivory (Kilmakevoge) cemetery. No newspaper coverage of this burial could be located, and what steps the authorities took to identify the remains is not known. This event took place long before DNA or other modern forensics. If the remains showed gunshot damage as alleged in the 1903 article it is unlikely the skeleton belonged to William Gaffney. Gaffney in contemporary accounts was hanged not shot by the British in 1798.
The old headstone erected by William Gaffney’s widow still stands with repairs clearly visible. On the grave itself paving like squares, apparently concrete, were added and Danny opined in 2020 that they may have been added to stop further disturbances to the grave.
The marker is inscribed:
Erected by Bridget Gafney alias Dunphy
in memory of her husband Will'm Gafney
who dep'd this life June ye 13th 1798 aged
36 years
Also his father Mich'l Gafney who dep'd
this life Sept ye 26th 1783
Another Railway Injury
In searching for newspaper accounts regarding the remains we came across another serious injury connected with the building of the railway extension line through Glenmore.
On Thursday, the 5th of March, Michael Knox, Nicholastown, Co. Kilkenny, was admitted to the Waterford County Infirmary suffering from severe injuries to the head and face. His injuries were caused by the premature explosion of a blasting charge on the New Ross to Waterford railway extension (Munster Express, Sat. 7 March 1903, p. 5).
Please send any further information or corrections to glenmore.history@gmail.com. The featured photo above was taken yesterday of the Gaffney grave at Kilivory (Kilmakevoge) Glenmore.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The O’Connor Brothers of Ballyfacey, Glenmore: Edward & John J. O’Connor
Recently we were asked about a grave marker in Kansas City, Missouri. It marks the graves of two Glenmore brothers Edward O’Connor (1882-1943) and John J. O’Connor (1886-1943) of Ballyfacey, Glenmore. They were younger brothers of George O’Connor (1881-1966) of Ballyfacey. Today, we are going to highlight the lives of these two brothers and their tragic deaths within two weeks of each other in 1943.
Ballyfacey, Glenmore
The name O’Connor was generally called Connors or Conners in Glenmore even in the Parish Records. The O’Connors’ originated in Wexford (Michael Hoynes, 4 Aug. 2024). The name George Connors has long been associated with Ballyfacey, and at one point two cousins bearing the name lived side by side. To distinguish the families the locals referred to them as Big George and Little George.
The first record located in the parish records of a George Connors was a baptism on 11 November 1793 at Ballyfacey. The child’s parents were Thomas Connors and Johanna née Bolger. Two years later another George Connors was baptized at Ballyfacey on 2 May 1799, the son of John Connors and Mary née Culleton.
Parents of John J. O’Connor (1886-1943) & Edward O’Connor (1882-1943)
The parents of the brothers who died in 1943 were John Connors (1830-1911) of Ballyfacey and Bridget Roche (1847-1905) of Rathinure, Glenmore. John and Bridget married on 4 March 1878 at Glenmore. John was the son of George Connors (farmer) & his wife Catherine Dollard. Bridget Roche was the daughter of Edward Roche and his wife Elizabeth Malone of Rathinure, Glenmore.
John Connors and his wife Bridget Roche had five known children all born at Ballyfacey: [1] Catherine Connors (b. 1879); [2] George Connors (b. 1881); [3] Edward Connors (b. 1882) [4] Patrick Connors (b. 1883); and [5] John Connors (b. 1886).
John J. O’Connor (1886-1943) Kansas City, Mo.
According to the Naturalisation documents that John Joseph O’Connor filed in the Federal Courts of Missouri seeking US citizenship, he emigrated from Ireland in 1905 aboard the Campania, landing in New York on 17 September 1905. He was granted citizenship at Kansas City, Missouri on 4 March 1908.
A review of the Campania’s register reveals that the ship arrived in New York on 16 September 1905. John was 19 years of age, and stated that his father paid his fare. He declared that he had $10 and was traveling to his cousin, Rev. P. Culleton at St. Mary’s Rectory, Westville, Illinois.
It is not clear how or why John went to Kansas City, Missouri, however, he attended and graduated from the Kansas City School of Law in 1908. This independent law school was founded in 1895 by three young local lawyers. Its most famous graduate was Harry S. Truman. In 1911, John married Catherine Queenan, (a native of Mayo) and the couple had 6 children. Catherine died 21 November 1941 at the age of 53.
It does not appear that John practiced law. He became a broker of food and was president of the O’Connor-Thompson Brokerage Company, located at 1104 Union Avenue. A quick newspaper search revealed that John was busy in the community. He was a member of the Committee for Friends of Irish Freedom along with Patrick J. Harpy; James Ahren; P.A. M’Kenna; C.A. Lawler; M.J. M’Nellis; and R.E. O’Malley. During de Valera’s trip to New York in 1919, the Committee telegraphed de Valera and asked him to come to Kansas City for a “monster rally.” (Kansas City Journal, Mon. 30 June 1919, p. 1). Some of the men on this Committee and other organisations that John belonged were John’s pallbearers when he died in 1943.
According to John’s obituary his other business interest was that he was a director of the South Side Bank. He was also a member of the local Democrats, Co-operative club, the Allied Food club, the Knights of Columbus and the Holy Name Society. He held city, state and national offices in the Ancient Order of Hibernians. In fact, he was first elected President of the Missouri Branch of the OAH in 1916 (Kansas City Journal, Fri. 1 Sept. 1916, p. 10).
Kansas City Scandal
The only negative news story that could be located was from 1938 when a former friend sued John. Maurice J. McNellis sued Roy W. Crimm, executor for the estate of William D. Boyle; J.L. Cashen and John J. O’Connor. McNellis stated that from 1921 until December 1935 he was President of the South Side Bank of Kansas City. He alleged the defendants conspired to destroy his professional reputation and asked for damages of $200,000 (The Kansas City Times, Thu. 29 June 1938, p. 2). It is not clear what transpired that led to this suit, but it was during the Great Depression when many banks failed. We found another case that may have been the cause of the lawsuit against John.
William D. Boyle left an estate of $484,499.61 when he died on 3 June 1938 after being hit by a bolt of lightning while watching a golf tournament. Boyle was a member of the Boyle-Pryor Construction Company. This company received city contracts and was being sued by the city to recover $356,000. Boyle’s partner Pryor was indicted in the $356,000 water leak scandal. Two notes in the Boyle estate were alleged to have been executed by McNellis. Both were listed at no value (Kansas City Star, Thurs. 6 July 1939, p. 3).
The City believed that Rathford Engineering was a dummy company operated by William D. Boyle and John J. Pryor of the Boyle-Pryor Construction Company. Rathford was set up to defraud the City (Kansas City Star, Thu. 15 June 1944, p. 6). Ultimately a ten day trial was held and Judge Thomas J. Seehorn found for the defendants. The City appealed to the Missouri Supreme Court where a new trial was ordered (Kansas City Star, Tues. 6 March 1945, p. 3).
John J. O’Connor was not named and apparently had nothing to do with the “water leak scandal.” He and the other defendant, J.L. Cashen were Directors of the South Side Bank and it appears likely they took actions to protect the bank from the scandal. The deceased, William D. Boyle had stock in the bank and secured two notes from McNellis when he was President of the bank. Maurice McNellis went on to form the McNellis Real Estate Investment company, and no further newspaper coverage of his case against John J. O’Connor could be found.
Death 24 October 1943
Just two years after his wife’s untimely death, John O’Connor was killed on 24 October 1943 at 3:55 a.m. when “a motor car in which he was riding crashed into a trolley pole across the street from 5335 Ward Parkway. The motor car spun in the roadway and struck the pole broadside. The side on which O’Connor was riding was crushed. More than an hour was required to extricate him.”
Police reported that the pole was on a curve and a downhill grade. Earlier in the year it also was the scene of a crash “which killed LeRoy Simons, the president of the Simons-Wiles Buick Company.” O’Connor was the passenger in a coupe driven by Eugene P. Sheridan, 49 of 305 West 37th St., a credit manager for a rubber company. Sheridan told police that they were returning to O’Connor’s home at 4133 Mercier St., after an afternoon and night at the Milburn Golf and Country Club (Kansas City Times, Mon. 25 Oct. 1943, p. 1).
John’s wake was held in the family home. He was buried next to his wife and infant daughter, in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri. John’s pallbearers were: Frank Sullivan; John J. Sullivan; Edwin M. Thompson; James P. Aylward; R.B. Lustig; John V. Hill; James A. Edwards; and Joseph M. Morrissey (Kansas City Star, Tues. 26 Oct. 1926, 1943, p. 7). A photo of the O’Connor grave marker can be viewed on Find a Grave.
[Editor’s note: The name Aylward has long been associated with Glenmore. The James P. Aylward (1885-1982) pallbearer was an attorney and served at various times as the chairman of the Kansas City Democrats, the Jackson County Democrats and the Missouri State Democrats. In 1934 the “Pendergast” machine asked him to stand for the US Senate. Aylward declined and instead recommended a county judge named Harry S. Truman” (Kansas City Times, Mon. 26 July 1982, p. 10.) James P. Aylward (1885-1982) the pallbearer was the eldest son of Tobias John Aylward (1860-1923) a native of Rochestown, Glenmore. See our A family surname page for further information.]
Children of John J. O’Connor (1886-1943)
[1] John J. O’Connor, Jr. (1912-1959) graduated from Notre Dame and the University of Kansas City School of Law. He worked for a time as a teller at the City National Bank, and in 1940 he went into the food business as a vice-president at George Hogue Mercantile, Co. . On the death of his father in 1943 he became chairman of the board of the South Side Bank. In 1957, he sold his interest in the mercantile and became president of the South Side Federal Savings and Loan Association in Waldo. He was married and had a large young family at the time of his death aged 47 (Kansas City Star, Tues. 24 Mar. 1959, p. 13).
[2] Catherine B. O’Connor Wyrsch (1914-1976) married Frederick R. Wyrsch, Sr. who was President of the South Side Bank and died in 1964. They had a large family. After Catherine was widowed she married Leo J. Cusick who was a manager of the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority and was a consultant to the Chicago Regional Transportation. Catherine died on vacation while in London, England (Kansas City Times, Thur. 6 May 1976, p. 84).
[3] Eliz. E. “Betty” O’Connor (1916-1918) died in infancy.
[4] Margaret Mary O’Connor Barry (1916-1989) married Robert C. Barry. Prior to her marriage she attended Alvila College and was a 1938 graduate of the College of St. Catherine of St. Paul, Minnesota. During the 1940’s Margaret worked as a librarian in the Kansas City Public Library. She had 5 children (Kansas City Times, Fri. 5 May 1989, p. 50).
[5] Mary Ellen O’Connor Ervin (1921-1999) continued to live in the family home 4133 Mercier until at least her brother’s death in 1959 (Kansas City Star, Tues. 24 March 1959, p. 13). She married Robert Edward Ervin in 1945. He died in 1984. The couple had five known children. Mary Ellen died in Leawood, Kansas in February 1999. In her obituary it was noted that her best friend remained her brother Edward (Kansas City Star, Sun. 21 Feb. 1999, p. 28).
[6] Edward Patrick O’Connor (1924-2020) was a freshmen at Notre Dame in Sept. 1941 (Kansas City Journal, Tues. 16 Sept. 1941, p. 8) just two months before his mother’s death. He graduated from the ROTC Naval Program in May 1944 and served as a Lt. on the USS Alvin C. Cockwell, a destroyer escort ship. He was on the deck of the USS Missouri and watched General McArthur accept Japan’s surrender. Returning to civilian life in Kansas City he became President of the Heritage Federal Savings and Loan, married and raised a family (Kansas City Star, Wed. 29 Jan. 2020, p. A3). He was he last of his family and died at the age of 95 in 2020.
Edward O’Connor (1882-1943) Kansas City, MO to Chicago, IL
Edward O’Connor filed naturalization papers in Kansas City, Mo. stating that he was born 23 April 1882. Edward stated that he arrived in the U.S. on the 27th of September 1907.
According to the Diary of James Aylward of Ballyhobuck, Glenmore [Danny Dowling’s Notebook 2], “Edward Connors of Ballyfacey and W. Grace of Kilbride sailed for the U.S. on 18 September 1907.” The 1901 Census provides that only one Grace family resided in Kilbride, Glenmore. W. Grace was William Grace (b.c. 1881).
Armed with this information we were able to find the two young men on the Baltic’s passenger list. The Baltic landed in New York on 28 September 1907. William Grace, aged 26, stated that he was a farmer. Edward O’Connor was 24 and stated that he too was a farmer and was planning to go to Kansas City where he had a brother.
Edward was naturalized on 6 July 1914 at Kansas City, Missouri. One of his witnesses was Maurice O’Connor of 1822 Summit St., Kansas City, Missouri. Maurice O’Connor per the 1911 City Directory was with the Fire Department. According to the 1910 Census, Maurice (b. 1870 in Ireland) was single, an Assistant Chief, and lodged with his cousin Joseph R. Scanlon who was also employed by the City.
Edward O’Connor remained a bachelor and lived for several years with his brother John J. O’Connor and his family in Kansas City. He worked as a clerk, an accountant and later sold life insurance. In the 1940 Census he recorded that he finished his education after the sixth grade.
Around 1926 Edward moved to Chicago, and died there in 1943. He appears to have remained close to his brother and his family the newspapers reported that he was “an out of town guest” at his niece’s wedding (Kansas City Journal, Sat. 25 Oct. 1941, p. 19). No newspaper articles could be found for Edward prior to 1943. By all appearances he led a quiet life, but here in Glenmore it was reported that he was robbed and killed on his way home one evening. Another rumour was that he was shot. We were unable to find any Chicago newspaper articles that indicated that Edward was the victim of a robbery or other violence that caused his death.
Death of Edward O’Connor (1882-1943)
The Kansas City Times (Tues. 9 Nov. 1943, p. 4) reported the following:
A Second Brother Killed: Tragedy Strikes John J. O’Connor Family Twice in Two Weeks—Tragedy has struck twice in two weeks in the family of John J. O’Connor, 4133 Mercier St. Mr. O’Connor was killed in a motor car crash near 53rd St and Ward Parkway October 24th, and yesterday his family was informed that M. O’Connor’s brother, Edward O’Connor, 61 years old, was found dead along a railroad right-of-way on Chicago’s near North Side early yesterday morning.
Friends of Edward O’Connor in Chicago said he was apparently in good health and spirits when they last saw him. Edward O’Connor, a bachelor, has made his home in Chicago for the last 16 years. He was in the life insurance business. Born in Ireland, Mr. O’Connor came to the United States and Kansas City in 1905. For many years he worked for Bruce Dodson & Co., and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He left Kansas City in 1926.
He is survived by a brother, George O’Connor who lives in Ireland. A nephew, John J. O’Connor, Jr., East 61st St. Terrace, left last night for Chicago. He said that funeral services would be held in Kansas City.
The Culleton Cousin
The Rt. Rev. Mons. Culleton of Peoria was Patrick Culleton (1877-1960) of Kilbride, Glenmore. He was the son of James Culleton (1845-1912) and his wife Margaret Connors (1839-1918). His parents were married 3 February 1876 at Glenmore. Patrick was ordained in 1900 and appointed to diocese of Peoria on American Mission. He had two brothers, Michael & George Culleton (b. 1881). Margaret Connors Culleton (1839-1918) was a sister of John Connors (1830- 1911) the father of John J. O’Connor (1886-1943) and Edward O’Connor (1882-1943). Thus, the three men were first cousins.
Patrick served in the Peoria Diocese all his religious life. He officiated at the marriage of John J. O’Connor’s daughters in Kansas City in the early 1940’s. Patrick died in 1960 in Miami Beach, Florida. He is buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery of West Peoria, Illinois. To view Monsignor Patrick O’C Culleton’s headstone, see Find a Grave.
It is not known why Patrick used O’C for his middle initial. It is believed that there may have been other priests with the same or similar names, and he wished to distinguish himself by using his mother’s maiden name as his middle name. One of his nephews later became a priest and was also assigned to the Peoria Diocese.
Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com. Special thanks to Michael Hoynes of Ballybrahee, Glenmore for helping sort out the Ballyfacey Conners. The featured photo above is John J. O’Connor’s (1886-1943) yearbook photo from the Kansas City School of Law (1908).
We located a chapter in a book concerning John J. O’Connor which is held in the Kansas City Library. It is not available on line and when we secure a copy we may update this post.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh