Capturing O'Neill: Dedication pages of books on Irish traditional music, signed by Capt. Francis O'Neill Main Menu Biography of Capt. Francis O'Neill Capt. Francis O'Neill biography Notes from the Curators Book Titles Key Figures Key Figures Timeline Index of recipients Map Other materials Other materials

Dr. William Joseph McCrann

39279

To D. J. W. McCrann
With Compliments of 
the Compiler + Editor
Francis O'Neill
Retired Gen Supt Police
Chicago
April 12th
1907

Biography: Dr. William Joseph McCrann (1855-1933) was born March 31, 1855 in Louisville, Kentucky. His Father, John McCrann, was born in county Sligo, Ireland in 1830, emigrated to America in 1851, moved to Louisville where he was married in 1853, and died an untimely death in 1860. William Joseph McCrann graduated with honors and a gold medal from the Louisville Medical College. After moving to Nebraska, he was a physician in Tecumseh and Omaha for most of his career, with a specialization in treating children and women. Married to Mary C. T. (Hannon) McCrann, an organist and choir director, the couple had 14 children (see below). McCrann was very active in civic life in Omaha, and was a member of the Omaha Douglas County Medical Society, the Knights of Columbus, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Democratic Party, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the South Omaha Commercial Club - for which he served as president for 8 years. He also acted as a physician for Catholic charitable organizations in Omaha and South Omaha, as well as for several fraternal orders and insurance companies. He helped to establish St. Catherine Hospital, where he worked for many years.  He also led a group that proposed a new use for stockyard refuse - as an alternate fuel source they called "American Peat".  Dr. McCrann died on October 13, 1933 in Papillion, Nebraska and was buried in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Omaha. For a full obituary, please click here and here.


Provenance: From the personal collection of Marsha Thomas.
Marsha writes:
"Pam belongs to a knitting group that includes a woman named Cathy. One day, Cathy gave Pam a book intended for her daughter, Monica Bertrand, a choral conductor and doctoral student at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. At the time, Monica was preparing to take a group of high school students on a performance tour in Ireland. Given her musical background and upcoming trip, Cathy thought the book would be perfect for her.
However, Monica wanted to learn more about the book’s history. Knowing my deep interest in Irish culture and music, she passed the book on to me, hoping I could uncover more details about its origins.
Cathy explained that the book originally came into her father’s possession through one of his many ex-wives, Kay (Katherine) Keller née McCran. According to Cathy, Kay had received the book from her own father, Dr. J.W. McCran, Jr. of Omaha, Nebraska, whose father was the original recipient—personally signed by O’Neill."
Thank you to Marsha, Cathy, Pam and Monica for this wonderfully detailed description of this book's path!!!



Citation:
"Omaha, Douglas, Nebraska, United States records," images, FamilySearch
(https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-J3DY-R9XV-R?view=index : Feb 25, 2025),
image 1911 of 1914.





 

This page has paths:

  1. O'Neill's Music of Ireland (1903) Scott B. Spencer
  2. Index of recipients Scott B. Spencer

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