Stephen Heffernan (1898-1977) Chicago
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James Heffernan (1825-1891) from Aylwardstown, Glenmore to Glenmore, Wisconsin
Recently a reader in the US, Lucy Neale Duke, found glenmore-history.com and we were able to provide some information on her ancestor’s family the Heffernan’s of Aylwardstown, Glenmore and she shared an amazing letter that was written on 1 February 1874 to her ancestor James Heffernan. James Heffernan emigrated to Glenmore, Wisconsin in 1850. We have attempted to determine whether James had a hand in the naming of Glenmore, Wisconsin or whether he was attracted to the name and settled there. We reached out to the city clerk as well as the local Brown County library but are still searching for an answer to that question. We were provided with a copy of a photo on the left of the Church of the Immaculate Conception of Glenmore, Brown Co., Wisconsin that James Heffernan helped to establish.
James Heffernan (1825-1891) of Glenmore
It was difficult to find a baptismal record for James Heffernan. However, his death cert in 1891 (information was usually provided by the widow) provided several important facts and dates. James Heffernan was the son of Mary Delaney and John Heffernan. He was a farmer with a date of birth listed as 20 March 1829. He was born at Glenmore, Kilkenny, Ireland. He married Bridget O’Leary. He died on 14 November 1891 at his home in Glenmore, Brown Co., Wisconsin and was buried in St. Mary’s cemetery. (Wisconsin US Death Records, 1872-2004 for James Heffernan, Brown Co. , Vol 1-Vol 2 NO. 1744). See, Find Grave to view his headstone.
Slieverue/Glenmore Parish Records
For whatever reason no Heffernan baptism could be located in 1829 for James. However, utilizing his mother’s name on 13 September 1825 at Aylwardstown, Glenmore, a James was baptized the son of Mary Delaney and John //. The sponsors were Michael Delany and Ellen//.
John Heffernan and his wife Mary Delaney married 17 February 1808. Their eldest child was Patrick Heffernan was baptized 1 April 1809. Thus, at the time of his birth James’s eldest brother was 16 years older than James.
Aylwardstown Glenmore Farm
Patrick Heffernan married Alicia “Ally” Irish on 7 February 1842. Alicia “Ally” was from Nicholastown, Slieverue. The witnesses were Patrick Delaney and Catherine Hickey. The couple had at least 5 children. [1] John Heffernan (bapt 22 Dec. 1842); [2] Mary Heffernan (bapt 23 Nov. 1844); [3] Michael Heffernan (bapt. 2 Sept. 1847); [4] James Heffernan (bapt 22 Dec. 1852); and [5] Thomas Heffernan (bapt 1855).
It is not clear what happened to John Heffernan (bapt 1842), but Michael Heffernan (1847-1924) got the Aylwardstown farm. He married on 13 February 1879, Bridget Kennedy (1854-1947) of the Pierce Kennedy family of Rathinure, Glenmore. The couple had at least 14 children. There was an awful blizzard that winter of ‘47 when Bridgie died. According to Danny Dowling (1927-2021) Bridgie was the last deceased person in Glenmore carried across the fields to the Church in Glenmore for Mass and burial. The trek was over 2 miles and she was carried by her sons, grandsons and neighbours through the drifted fields.
The Children of Michael Heffernan and Bridgie Kennedy
[1] Patrick Heffernan (bapt 18 Jan. 1880) (Lived in London when his mother died in 1947).
[2] John Heffernan (b. 13 June 1881) married and moved to Chicago. His wife tragically died and he brought his two small children home. His parents reared them until they were teenagers and he remarried and brought them back to Chicago. His son Raymond was shortly after returning to Chicago hit and killed by a car.
[3] James Heffernan (b. 10 July 1882)
[4] Peter Heffernan (b. 31 Dec. 1883-1966) was Garda Superintendent
[5] Mary Heffernan (b. 10 May 1855] married an O’Connor from Ballyfacey.
[6] Alice Heffernan (bapt. 21 Nov. 1886) married Ned Roche of Rathinure.
[7] Thomas Heffernan (b. 28 March 1888) married into a farm in Kearneybay, Glenmore.
[8] Richard Heffernan (b. 12 June 1889)
[9] Michael Heffernan (b. 7 Oct. 1890-1974) lived in Kilkenny City. See our post of 22 October 2023.
[10] Bridget Heffernan (22 May 1892)
[11] Andrew Heffernan (20 Nov. 1893-1975) married Bridget Roche (1896-1987). He farmed
the Aylwardstown farm.
[12] Nicholas Heffernan (b. 27 June 1896) (lived in Dublin when his mother died in 1947).
[13] Mon. William Heffernan (1893-1973) ministered and died in Australia. See our post of 15 October 2023 and family photo at his ordination.
[14] Stephan Heffernan (b. 15 Jan. 1898) Baby of the family. After the War of Independence, Stephen moved to Chicago, married and had two daughters. See guest author Brian Forristal, “A Place to Hide” & “The Tans are Coming.“
Quite a lot of information can be found on our H Glenmore Surnames regarding the Heffernan’s https://glenmore-history.com/families/h-surnames/
The Early Years of Glenmore, Brown Co., Wisconsin
From a brief history provided by Glenmore, Wisconsin it appears that forests originally covered Glenmore. As the forests were removed the land was sold to settlers who established farms. James Heffernan was one of the early settlers who established a farm. See, The Story of Glenmore, by David Koenig (1976). We know from James Heffernan’s 1891 obituaries that he emigrated in 1850 and settled in Glenmore on a farm he farmed for the rest of his life.
“The first settlers to come to Glenmore, or in that vicinity, are said to have located there as early as 1850. Those who were Catholic among that number were provided with no particular place of worship at that time, but were attended by visiting priests.” Mass was said in private homes The first Mass is said to have been held in the residence of Mr. O’Leary. [We believe this was James’s father-in-law’s home]. This continued until 1874 when a church was erected. It was torn down in 1886 and entirely rebuilt (The Catholic Church in Wisconsin: A History of the Catholic Church in Wisconsin from the Earliest Time to the Present Day, Catholic Historical Publishing Co., Milwaukee, WI. (1895-1898) p. 640).
The 1873 Letter
On 1 February 1873, Thomas Heffernan (1856-1876) of Aylwardstown wrote to his Uncle James Heffernan in Glenmore, Brown Co., Wisconsin. The letter is below and provides some fascinating details regarding the death of Peter Strange as well as the terrible weather. Tragically, Thomas died of TB at Aylwardstown at the age of 21 of TB. The death register (online) provides Thomas died 29 Oct. 1876 and his brother, James Heffernan (bapt. 1852) was present when he died. Thomas was employed as a draper’s assistant.
Aylwardstown Glenmore
Ferrybank
Ireland
February 1st, 1873
My dear uncle James,
It is under my fathers fond directions and kind permission I now take the opportunity of sending to you this little messenger of inquiry hoping to learn by it that you and all your family and friends are in quite as perfect a state of health as this leaves me and all our family in at present thank God.
Though there are numbers of people here in Ireland dying around us with all sorts of sickness in consequence of the most unwholesome air which nearly overspread the whole land all caused by a continual fall of rain for the past two years without scarcely getting one month together fine. You may easily guess how the people stand here and what a position they hold when you hear that there is no less than Nine families living in one of our neighboring Parish Chapels all driven from their homes by the immence torrents of rain and floods of water that knocked and swept away their houses and far worse still, there is no prospect of cultivation whatsoever.
It is thought by all here that there will be a famine amongst us and even the priests are of the same opinion though they are nearly tired from praying for fine weather but now we have nothing more to do than to hope for better days to come which I am personally looking out for in my new career of life which I must suppose it is totally unknown to you as there was no communication between you and my father for the past few years with the exception of a few words The Rev. P. Dollan told of you and also a newspaper came from your sister Mary immediately after the burning of Chicago [the Great Chicago fire burned 8-10 October 1871] and even then she but merely wrote her name without any address then we could even return thanks for her persevering remembrance of the dear people and land that gave her birth. We would have written to you long before this time but for anxiously waiting daily for a letter from some of you as an answer to one my father sent some time long previous to this and then by not receiving it we were more than astonished why you could be so ungreatful (sic) as not even to drop us a line no matter how trifeling the news may be anything from you is interesting to us.
I am the youngest of the family and I am serving my Apprenticeship in one of the oldest and largest Drapery houses in Waterford Walter O’Donnell and company Quay and have about eighteen months more to serve. There is three more brothers in Aylwardstown still and one sister all of which are too old to fill any situation respectable enough to live in Ireland. Some of them say they will follow your footsteps and fly to that land where there is freedom and plenty for all.
I am sorry for having to relate to you a sad tale of Mr. Peter Strange who was interred in Kilmacavogue on Christmas day last and deplorable it is, to explain that he did not receive the blessed Sacraments since his confirmation and for the past six years did not even go to Church or Chapel but used to ride on one of his horses off to Rochestown on Sundays when the public join in union to go to Mass so that Rochestown proved fatal to him in the end and Mr. Conn invited. him to Supper on the very Sunday night before Christmas and at ten O’clock that night he walked out of Mr. Conn’s parlour and breathed his last in the Hall. The inquest was held in his own house and the verdict was he died with the disease of the heart some of his own friends begged of the Parish priest to pray for him but the application was in vain the priest’s reply was, he was a man that broke the Commandments and died as he lived and it was not his duty to pray or even bless the clay for such a man!
Dear uncle James I suppose you will think it very strange when you get this letter from me, a person that you never saw and though I never saw you there is still within me a fatherly love for you in consequence of hearing you so often praised and spoken of among all our friends and surrounding neighbors. Here as a small token of my affection I enclose my likeness which I hope you will accept not for its value but as a memorial of your own boyhood among all your dearly loved friends here in Ireland though I may be somewhat changed contrary to the picture as it is more than two years taken but in any case it will give you an idea of the person who is now communicating with you and sincerely hoping you will send your likeness also at your earliest convenience and you will bring much happiness to the mind of my father not alone to him but all the members of the family.
Dear Uncle – my father and mother are quite as strong as ever and met with but very little sickness I may say while I remember and we are fighting hard through life which is very difficult on account of the climate being so very much changed so much so that if you were to return here again I don’t suppose you would know the dear old spot, as for the people there is none of them here to be found unless a few that would be no good elsewhere. They are leaving this country in thousands daily and now wonder when they would not get freedom which is so long due to them, but left in Slavery that which the Christ Heart could not go through.
Dear Uncle – I have nothing more of any importance to communicate at present as it is my first time in addressing you but that my father and all the family join me in sending their tenderest love to you and wishing you all the compliments the present season can afford. Sincerely hoping will send a letter soon and let us know all particulars of yourself and my Aunts position in life you and state of health.
I am
Yours Sincerely affectionate Nephew
Thomas Heffernan
Obituaries of James Heffernan (1825-1891) of Glenmore
We have included two obituaries for James Heffernan as they provide additional information including that James was 6 feet 3 inches tall considered a very tall height in the 19th century.
Death of Another Old Settler–De Pere News, 21 Nov. 1891, p. 1
James Heffernan died at his home in Glenmore Saturday, the outcome of a severe attack of grip last winter. He was 63 years of age. James Heffernan was born in Ireland, and removed to this country in 1850, making his home at Glenmore, in this country, up to the time of his death. He was a public spirited citizen, and a good neighhour and a man not found wanting in any of the relations of life. His wife and eight children are left to mourn his loss. The funeral was held at the Glenmore Catholic Church, Monday morning, Rev Pellegrin, assisted by Revs. Rice and Masschelein, officiating.
An Old Settler Gone–Green Bay Advocate, 26 Nov. 1891, p. 3
An Old Settler Gone—On Saturday, November 14th, Mr. James Heffernan passed away at his home in the town of Glenmore after an illness of several months duration, his suffering having caused by a complication of diseases.
Mr. Heffernan was an Irishman by birth, and at death was about sixty-five years of age. He left his native land in 1850 and came to the United States. Soon after arriving in America, he came to Wisconsin and settled on a farm in the town of Glenmore, Brown Co. where he has since resided. He was a splendid specimen of old Irish stock, standing about 6 ft. 3 inches in height, and fashioned in a strong and robust mould. He was a man of broad character and in all walks of life was a true type of manhood. He was a very popular man and took deep interest in the affairs of his town.
The funeral occurred from the Glenmore Catholic Church Monday and was a very large one. Deceased leaves a wife, six daughters and two sons to mourn the demise of a kind and indulgent husband and parent. One of his daughters, Miss Stella Heffernan, is a teacher in one of the public schools of this city.
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Please send any additional information or corrections to glenmore.history@gmail.com
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Special thanks to Lucy Neale Duke for reaching out and sharing the 1873 letter.
We also would like to thank Jeff Gilderson-Duwe, Local History Specialist of the Brown County Library for locating and sending on the obituaries as well as the excerpt regarding the church and photo of the Immaculate Conception of Glenmore, Brown Co., Wisconsin.
Also thanks to Cindy Ossmann, Glenmore, WI. City Clerk for forwarding, The Story of Glenmore, by David Koenig (1976).
Mon. Wm. Heffernan (1895-1973): Native of Aylwardstown, Glenmore [Updated]
The Right Reverend Monsignor William Heffernan died 50 years ago this month in Epping, New South Wales, Australia at the age of 80. Mons. Heffernan was educated at the Glenmore National School and attended St. Kieran’s College in Kilkenny City. He was ordained in June 1919 for the Archdiocese of Sydney. After being ordained he left immediately for Australia and served in a number of parishes until he was appointed Parish Priest of Epping where he remained until his death (Fr. Michael Mernagh, “Go Ye Therefore” Pen Pictures of Glenmore Priests, Nuns, and Brothers of the Twentieth Century, Glenmore Memories (2000) p. 41).
According to Mon. Heffernan’s obituary in the Munster Express (Fri. 26 Oct. 1973, p. 16 ) he last returned home about 40 years before his death. Ship records reveals that Rev. William Heffernan departed England on 20 December 1933 on the ship Hobsons Bay, of the Aberdeen & Commonwealth Line, bound for Sydney, Australia travelling in third class.
The Heffernan Family of Aylwardstown, Glenmore
William Heffernan (1895-1973) was the 9th son of Michael Heffernan (1847-1924) and his wife Bridget Kennedy (1854-1947) of Aylwardstown, Glenmore. The couple married at Glenmore on 12 February 1879 and had a total of 14 children comprised of 11 boys and 3 girls. There were 18 years between the eldest and youngest of their children. The couple also helped raise two of their grand-children after their daughter-in-law tragically died young. They lived to see their children settled in Ireland, Australia, Chicago and England.
Grandparents of William Heffernan
Michael Heffernan (1847-1924) was the son of Patrick Heffernan (farmer) and his wife Alicia Irish of Aylwardstown. Michael’s parents were married on 7 February 1842 at Slieverue. At the time of the wedding Patrick Hefernan’s (sic) address is listed as Nicholastown.
Bridget Heffernan née Kennedy (1854-1947) was the daughter of Peter “Pierce” Kennedy of Rathinure, Glenmore and his wife Bridget Walsh, a native of Ballytarsnia, Mooncoin.
SIBLINGS
[1] Patrick Heffernan (bapt. 18 Jan 1880- ) per Bridget Heffernan née Kennedy’s obit in 1947 was living in London. A descendent posted that Patrick Heffernan married Ella née Rouse (1885-1951). Patrick Heffernan married Ella on 25 July 1908 at St. Michael’s of Aldershot Hamshire, Southhampton, Surrey, England. The couple had at least two sons.
[2] John Heffernan (13 June 1881—15 Aug.1951) married Mary Frehne, of Fahee, Kilmacow married on the 24th of July 1907. “They sailed for America, July 31at, 1907” (DD Notebook 2, Diary of James Aylward of Ballyhobuck, Glenmore).
Mary Frehne (1 Dec. 1880-18 June 1913) was the daughter of James W. Freyne (1841-1884) and Alice Ryan Freyne Mackey (1848-1920). See, our post of 12 Dec. 2021 regarding manslaughter of James Freyne at Christmastime 1884.
In September 1911, John Heffernan (29), his wife Mary (29), daughter Frances (2); and his brother Richard Heffernan (22) sailed on the Carmania. From the record it appears that John was returning to Chicago, “resident returning 120 D. Anseley Ave. Chicago, Illinois.” John was described as being 5 feet 9 inches tall, fair complexion, fair hair, with blue eyes. Mary and Frances are listed in the 1911 Census living with her brother James Frehne in Mullinavat. It is likely that John, Mary and Frances came home in 1911 and returned to Chicago with Richard Heffernan..
In 1912 the couple had a son Michael Raymond Heffernan (1912-29 March 1927). Shortly after Raymond’s birth Mary died in June 1913 at the Heffernan house in Aylwardstown of T.B. John left his children Frances and Raymond with his parents. He returned to Chicago to work. John married his second wife, Florence, née Populorum sometime about 1920. The couple had four daughters. In 1925, John brought his second family home, and at the age of 15 Raymond returned to Chicago via Canada with his father, step-mother and sisters. The family resided at 930 Mapleton Ave., Oak Park, IL. Raymond died tragically in 1927 per Danny Dowling’s notes Raymond was struck by a car.
[3] James Heffernan (10 July 1882-2 Aug. 1912) according to his death cert worked as a draper’s assistant. He never married and was being treated for heart disease for 18 months before his death. His sister Mary O’Connor, of Ballyfacey, was present when he died just 5 weeks after his sister-in-law Mary died.
[4] Peter Heffernan (31 Dec. 1883—17 Aug. 1966) married Margaret Quinn in 1920 and became a Garda rising to the rank of Garda Superintendent prior to his retirement in 1944. The couple had children.
[5] Mary Heffernan (9 May 1885-1 Sept. 1936). Mary married Patrick O’Connor (1883-1937) of Ballyfacey, Glenmore. The couple had a large family.
[6] Alice Heffernan (21 Nov. 1886—28 Nov. 1972) Alice married Edward “Ned” Roche (c. 1888-1969) farmer, of Rathinure. There were 8 or 9 children in this family.
[7] Thomas Heffernan (1888-1965) married into the Murphy farm of Kearneybay when he married on 28 April 1915, Catherine “Kate” Murphy (c. 1887 – 1961). The couple had several children.
[8] Richard Heffernan (6 June 1889*—4 Jan. 1947) immigrated to the US with his brother John in 1911. Richard was described as being 5 foot 7 inches tall, with a fair complexion, fair hair and blue eyes. Richard served in the US Army during WWI. He was home in June 1919 (in uniform) for his brother’s ordination. Richard married Marie Elizabeth King (1896-1966) on 15 October 1920 in Illinois. The couple had 6 children. *On some US records his year of birth is listed as 1893, but the Glenmore Parish records lists his date of birth as 6 June 1889 and his date of baptismal as 7 June 1889.
The 1930 US Census records that Richard was 41, his wife Marie E. was 34 years of age and had been born in Illinois. Richard immigrated in 1911 and in 1930 was working as a produce salesman. His brother Stephen Heffernan was living with them (age 32) having immigrated in 1926. In 1930, Richard and Marie had six children between the ages of 8 years and 5 months.
[9] Michael Heffernan (b. 7 Oct. 1890) was living in Kilkenny City when his brother Peter Heffernan retired in Feb. 1944. Michael Heffernan was married and was an undertaker. Although we were unable to discover the name of his wife we did locate an advertisement in the Kilkenny People (Sat. 11 June 1921, p. 9) “Michael Heffernan for cabinet making, upholstering, and French polishing, also Funeral Undertaking, at 6 Lower John St., (gate entrance) Kilkenny.”
[Editor’s update–17 Oct. Special thanks to Patty Lee Brown who found the marriage license for Michael Heffernan and shared it. On 11 February 1918 Michael (cabinet maker) of Michael St. Kilkenny married Teresa Byrne (nurse) of Dublin Road, Kilkenny. Michael was the son of Michael Heffernan (farmer) and Teresa was the daughter of Michael Bryne (farmer). The couple were married at St. John’s of Kilkenny City. The witnesses were Andrew Heffernan and Alice Byrne.]
[10] Bridget Heffernan (b. 22 May 1892)
[11] Andrew Heffernan (20 Nov. 1893—7 Sept. 1975). He married Bridget Roche (c. 1897-1987). Bridget Heffernan née Roche was a sister of Edward “Neddy” Roche who married Andrew’s sister Alice Roche née Heffernan. Andrew farmed the home farm and after he retired he and Bridget moved to Rochestown to their youngest daughter Mary Aylward.
[12] William Heffernan (26 March 1895-17 Oct. 1973) became a priest and spent 50 years working in Australia.
[13] Nicholas Heffernan (27 June 1896) per his mother’s obituary in 1947 was living in London. According to the Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007, Nicholas died aged 88 in July 1984. He is buried in Middlesex.
[14] Stephen Heffernan (15 Jan. 1898—Oct. 1977) emigrated to Chicago in 1926. In the 1930 Census he was living with his brother Richard and family. Stephen was working in the building trades. He married Agnes Kiely, and the couple had two daughters. According to his obit in the Chicago Tribune he was survived by his brother Nicholas Heffernan in England. See our guest author Brian Forristal for further information regarding Stephen’s activities during the Irish War of Independence.
Mon. Heffernan’s Work in Australia
Very little could be found regarding Mon. William Heffernan’s early work in Australia. Luckily, from the Australian, Electoral Rolls, 1903-1980 we know that in 1934 Fr. Wm. Heffernan was living in Boolaroo, Hunter, New South Wales, Australia. We found a second entry which indicates that in 1949, he was living at 33 Oxford St., Epping, Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia.
The address 33 Oxford Street, Epping is the location of Our Lady Help of Christians, Epping. Our Lady Help of Christians was established on 15 June 1916, and the parish celebrated its centenary in 2016.
A triptych centenary cake records that Fr. W. Heffernan was Parish Priest from 1948-1973. From the dates provided on the cake it appears that Fr. Heffernan was their longest serving parish priest. During his 25 year assignment to this parish it grew substantially.
A year after Fr. Heffernan became the Parish Priest the parish had 920 parishioners. In 1956, the new primary school building opened with 337 pupils and an extension was added to the school in 1967. Extensions were added to the Church in 1969. The school continued to grow requiring a 2 storey extension in 1972 when pupils numbered 505. See, Sisters of Mercy, Parramatta, webpage (5 Aug. 2016) Parramatta was founded by the Sisters of Callan, Kilkenny, Ireland.
Death
Fr. William Heffernan died as he apparently lived—quietly. His death notice was just a couple of lines. He is buried in Macquarie Park, Sydney. Unfortunately, the transcription of his grave marker incorrectly lists that he died in January 1973 instead of October 1973 (Sydney, Australia, Cemetery Headstone Transcriptions, 1837-2003).
The inscription includes:
“Very Rev. Monsignor, P.C., P.P. Our Lady of Help of Christians, Epping. B. Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny 26 Apr. 1895. Ordained St. Kieran’s College, Kilkenny 8 June 1919.”
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Several full obituaries for the Heffernan family can be found on our H Surname Page.
The feature photo above was taken in June 1919 at William’s ordination. He is seated between his parents and several of his siblings and their spouses are behind him. The children are his nieces and nephew including Raymond. Michael Heffernan, late of Marian Park, Waterford gave me a copy of this photo.
The photo of the parish church of Our Lady Help of Christians, Epping, NSW, Australia is courtesy of the Epping Civic Trust.
Please send any corrections, further information or photos etc. to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Special thanks to Kerry who sent the exact dates of death of John Heffernan and his son Raymond.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh