William Onahan (1910)
1 media/Onahan 1_thumb.jpg 2021-08-09T15:56:34-07:00 Scott B. Spencer 3a6e09c2eefd9ca96adbf188c38f589304cf3ce2 39279 1 Irish Folk Music: A Fascinating Hobby (1910) plain 2021-08-09T15:56:34-07:00 University of St. Mary Church of the Lake 9/26/1910 Scott B. Spencer 3a6e09c2eefd9ca96adbf188c38f589304cf3ce2This page is referenced by:
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William J. Onahan (1910)
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William J. Onahan: September 26, 1910
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Irish Folk Music: A Fascinating Hobby (1910)
9/26/1910
42.2811574,-88.0028028
University of Saint Mary of the Lake, Feehan Memorial Library
To Hon. William J. Onahan
a Cherished Friend
Compliments of the Author
Capt. Francis O'Neill
Sept 26
1910
Biography: William James Onahan (1836-1919) was a leading figure in Chicago's Catholic movement. Born November 24, 1836 in Leighlin Bridge, County Carlow, Ireland, the family emigrated to Liverpool when William was young. His mother died of cholera when he was roughly 13, and the family sailed to America, arriving in New York on St. Patrick's Day. His father and sisters moved on to Chicago, and William joined them there in 1854. After a series of jobs, he was elected to Chicago's Board of Education in 1863, and went on to be the City Collector in 1869, serving for five terms. He went on to serve as City Comptroller and City Commissioner, as well as Board President for the Public Library and President of the Columbia Club—a Catholic society. He also had the distinction of serving as Treasurer for Chicago's World’s Columbia Exposition, and organized the World's Catholic Congress meetings in Baltimore and Chicago, for which Pope Leo XIII bestowed upon him the distinction of Camereri of cape and sword. O'Neill must have crossed paths with Onahan in many facets of life in Chicago, most likely through his work with the World’s Columbian Exposition, and while Onahan served as the President of the Irish Catholic Historical Society. William J. Onahan died January 12th, 1919. A full biography written by his daughter can be found here.
Provenance: University of Saint Mary of the Lake, Feehan Memorial Library. Thanks to Christopher Rogers of University of St. Mary Church of the Lake for his scans and steadfast research on both provenance of this collection and Onahan's biographical details.
