Minna and Bismarck.
Agostino ScuiTTl was appointed consular agent for the Ital-
ian government January 13, 1876, by Cavalier Ferdinandodi Lucca,
console-generale at New York, with control of the States of Indiana,
Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois. Mr. Scuitti was born March 17,
1S18, at Borzanasca, Genoa department, Italy, the son of John and
Mary (Lagorio) Scuitti. He received his education at his native
place. For some time after the completion of his studies, from
1840 to 1849, he served as a soldier; and when war was declared
with Austria, he remained with Carlo Alberto, the king, until the
latter's abdication after the battle of Navarra, and served with
credit until peace was declared. He came to Chicago in 1856, and
two years later was married to Miss Mary Veilla. By the great
fire he was a serious financial sufferer. Mr. Scuitti has three chil-
dren living, the eldest of whom, Emilia, is now a resident of South
America. The other children are Adelaide and Mathilde.
David V. Whiting, consul for Venezuela, was appointed to
that position in 1880, by General Guzman Blanco, president of the
Republic, with whom he was acquainted when a boy. His career
has been a varied and interesting one, he having filled high posi-
tions of honor and trust under three different governments. Mr.
Whiting was born in Caracas, the capital city of Venezuela, April
1, 1827, his father, Joseph P., having left Baltimore for South
America three years previously, and located at Caracas, where he
carried on a general merchandise business. David was educated at
the military academy in his native place until 1S44, when he came
to Baltimore, and after a short time was appointed secretary of the
Venezuelan legation in Washington, being left in charge of the
legation on the return to South America of the minister in 1849.
He then went to New Mexico, and held several important positions
under the United States government until 1S61 ; among them that
of secretary of state, official translator of the territory, private sec-
retary to the executive department, and chief clerk and translator in
the general land office. He then removed to Kansas City, engag-
ing in the forwarding and commission business for two years. At
the expiration of that time, he visited Matamoras, Mexico, and be-
came Spanish editor of the Ranchero. When the imperial troops
vacated the northern frontier, Mr. Whiting accompanied them to
the City of Mexico, and was there intrusted with several important
commissions for the empire. His adventures while under the
French representative, Maximilian, were thrilling and numerous,
the Republicans seeking his life on several occasions. In 1867, he
went to Galveston, and engaged in business until 1871, when he
removed to San Antonio, Texas. In 1S74, he had charge of the
Spanish department of the general land office of the State of Texas,
at Austin. In 1S7S, he came to Chicago, and organized and took to
Mexico the famous Chicago expedition. In this enterprise, which
left Chicago, January 6, 1879, not a life was lost, nor a connection
missed, from the inception of the expedition until its safe return to
this city. He then embarked in business in Chicago, and, in ad-
dition to his consular duties, started La Voz de Chicago, a monthly
organ of the Spanish-speaking Americans, and natives of Mexico,
Central and South America, and the West Indies, throughout the
Northwest — a publication of rare excellence and value in the field it
fills. He was married to Miss Anna Teresa Daly, a native of
Venezuela, in 1847. They have had twelve children, only two of
whom were born in the same city. Two sons, Joseph P and Wil-
liam Clement, are engaged in business with Mr. Whiting in Chi-
cago, and another, Emilio Paez, is engaged in the railroad business
in Mexico. His remaining living children are Stella Regina, Do-
lores, Alvaro Maximilian, Alonzo Aguilar and Ruy Diaz Whiting.
RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.
The first volume of this history detailed the pro-
gress of the Catholic Church in this diocese, down to
the year 1857. Reference has been made to the num-
ber and architectural grandeur of the church edifices
dedicated up to that time Others were even then pro-
jected which were designed to surpass in size, cost, and
general magnificence the most imposing of those yet
erected ; and in every other respect of religious progress
there was soon a still more marked advance. In the
period with which we have now to deal, the system of
parochial schools was established and placed on a per-
manent footing — the initiative in this work being, nat-
urally, taken by the Jesuits. Institutions of charity,
academies and convents were founded in every part of
the city, and, in general, a new impulse seems to have
been given for the propagation and extension of Cath-
olic works. *
*The compiler is indebted to Wm. J. Onahan,
grapher of Chicago, for important data presented in th
be Catholit
chapter.
This new era is co-incident with the appointment of
the Right Rev. James Duggan as Bishop of Chicago;
which event dates from January 21, 1859.
Bishop Duggan had been raised to the episcopal
rank on May 3, 1857, and was appointed co-adjutor to
the Archbishop of St. Louis, his nominal title being
derived from the See of Antigone. Prior to his eleva-
tion, the bishop had labored in St. Louis in various
positions, for many years as pastor of the Church of
the Immaculate Conception, and had endeared himself
to all classes by his pleasing address and kindliness of
heart. In 1853, he was appointed administrator of Chi-
cago, in the interregum following the transfer of Bishop
Van de Velde to Natchez. In this city he soon won
the affection of priests and people ; nor was his popu-
larity limited to those of his own faith. Protestants
of every sect and condition learned to respect and
admire him for his benevolence, and for his taste and
accomplishments as a scholar and virtuoso. He col-
lected a large and valuable library, rich in theology
and also in the classics and belles-lettres. By his taste
for and encouragement of art, he gave an impetus to
the liberal arts in Chicago at a period when the stimu-
lus of patronage was most needed. But it is in the
line of his ecclesiastical administration that we are to
look for the greatest result of his labors and talents.
Certainly the early years of his episcopate gave remark-
able promise of great results to religion and education,
and there was little to suggest the unhappy mental dis-
order which ten years later brought Bishop Duggan's
episcopal career to so sad a close.
The first appointments made by the new Bishop
were received with satisfaction by both the clergy and
laity. These were Rev. Dennis Dunne, vicar-general ;
Rev. Thaddeus J. Butler, secretary ; Rev. John Mc-
Mullen, chancellor. Special encouragement was given
to the different religious orders to found houses in
Chicago and throughout the diocese.
The Jesuits had already gained admission, and, un-
der the energetic lead of Rev. Father Damen, work
was already far advanced on the great Church of the
Holy Family, West Twelfth Street, and an immense
congregation availed themselves of the religious ad-
vantages brought to their doors by the Jesuit fathers.
The Franciscan order came in 1857; and St. Peter's
Church and parish were assigned to their charge.
The Redemptorist Fathers arrived in i860, and or-
ganized the German Congregation of St. Michael's,
speedily commencing the erection of a vast church and
capacious schools. The Benedictine Fathers were in-
troduced in 1 86 1, taking charge of St. Joseph's Church,
likewise a German congregation.
The Ladies of the Sacred Heart, from St. Louis, were
invited by Bishop Duggan to establish an academy for
the higher education of young ladies in this city; and,
accordingly, in 1859, Madame Gallway arrived with
several religieuses of that community, and opened an
academy in temporary quarters on Wabash Avenue,
subsequently removing to the corner of Rush and Illi-
nois streets, where the Ladies remained until the build-
ing of their convent and academy on West Taylor
39§
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
Street was completed. These and other works ini-
tiated by Bishop Duggan will find appropriate and
fuller mention under their separate headings.
The outbreak of the civil war enlisted the zeal and
sympathies of the bishop on the side of the Union, of
which he continued to the end an ardent supporter.
He encouraged Colonel Mulligan in the organization
of the " Irish Brigade,'' as far as became his office, and
lent his aid to even- effort for the benefit of the war
sufferers, the widows and orphans, and to sustain the
funds of the Sanitary Commission.
Besides regularly preaching in his Cathedral and on
the occasions of his visitations throughout the diocese,
he lectured several times, by public invitation, in the
citv, always with general appreciation. On the occa-
sion of the death of Senator Douglas, Bishop Duggan
was invited to deliver the funeral oration — a duty which
he performed at the grave of the dead statesman, in the
presence of avast multitude of people, including all the
civil and benevolent societies of the city. The address
was admitted to be a masterpiece of eloquence.
The bishop went to Rome in 1862, again in 1866;
and in 1867, he made a protracted stay abroad, visiting
the Holy Land during his travels, and on his return to
Chicago was received with great popular demonstra-
tions of welcome by both clergy and laity. This
triumph was soon to be clouded by discords, by public
controversies, and, finally, by physical and mental pros-
tration of the bishop, whose reason, sapped by the
insidious approaches of disease, gave way under the
strain to which it was subjected, and he shortly became
a sorrowful mental wreck. To enter into the details ot
the controversies during the last year of Bishop Dug-
gan's administration, would now scarcely serve any
useful purpose. Several widely respected clergymen
were engaged in the discussion, and carried the matter
to the authorities at Rome. It can now safely be as-
sumed that Bishop Duggan acted with too great harsh-
ness, and, although in the end, he was apparently
sustained by the Holy See, he was nevertheless enjoined
to restore and receive into favor the clergy who, ac-
cording to his view, had been contumacious and
insubordinate. In view of the bishop's subsequent
early prostration and crowning calamity, all parties to
the unhappy feud, by common consent, have long ceased
to dwell on it and its circumstances, and it is accord-
ingly dismissed into the oblivion of unrecorded history.
No change or improvement in his condition has ever
given the smallest encouragement to the hope of his
ultimate recovery. A sketch of his life may appropri-
ately be supplemented.
BlSHOF DUGGAN was born in the village of Maynooth, County
Kildare, Ireland, in 1827. lie attended the parish school of his
native place, and, having shown from an early age the disposition
10 enter a religious life, he was subsequently sent to the Seminary
at Ballaghadereen, County Mayo, in which he qualified himself, by a
of classical studies, for Maynooth College, where he pursued
the course of theology and other branches essential to his admis-
sion to Holy Orders. Before completing the course, he emigrated to
the United States, arriving in 1846. He was received by the arch-
bishop of St. Louis, who assigned the young scholastic to St.
Vincent\ College, at Cape Girardeau, Mo., an institution then and
since conducted by the Lazarist Fathers. Having finished his
studies and received ordination as a priest, he was appointed chap-
lain to one of the convents of the Sisters of Charity, in St. Louis.
In this and in other services in that city. Father Duggan gave such
high evidences of zeal and capacity, that .-iftirr a few years he was
appointed president of the College atCarondelet, Mo. ; subsequently
was pastor of the Church of the Immaculate ' Conception, St. Louis;
and, later, vicar-general of the archdiocese ^s narrated in our first
volume. Father Duggan was appointed administrator of Chicago,
ig the transfer of Bishop Van de Velde from this
Sec to Natchez. I his was prior to the appointment and arrival of
Bishop O'Regan, so that he came, in 1S59, not as a stranger to the
priests and people over whom he was to reign during the next ten
years.
Following the removal of Bishop Duggan, in 1869,
Rev. T. J. Halligan was appointed administrator pro
tempore, pending the nomination of a bishop to the prac-
tically vacant See. Father Halligan had already served
in this capacity, during the last visit of Bishop Duggan
to Europe, and was regarded by many as one of the
principal causes of the unfortunate troubles that culmi-
nated shortly after the bishop's return. He did not
not long exercise his authority. The affairs of the dio-
cese demanded the supervision of one vested with the
functions and authority of the episcopate, and choice
was soon made of Rev. Thomas Foley, of the Cathedral
and Archdiocese of Baltimore, to fill the position. He
was consecrated bishop in the Cathedral of Baltimore,
on February 27, 1870, and was formally installed in this
city in March of the same year. The first words of his
address on that occasion will long be remembered.
They were, " Peace be unto you," and formed the text
of his discourse, as they evidently constituted the con-
trolling principles of his episcopal career.
Bishop Foley was a native of Baltimore, and was born March
6, 1S23. He was educated at and graduated from St. Mary's Col-
lege, and subsequently entered the Sulpitian Theological Seminary
in that city. After completing his ecclesiastical education, he ra>
ordained in the Cathedral of Baltimore, on the 16th of August,
1S46. His first mission was at Rockville, Montgomery Co., Md.,
about eighteen miles north of Washington, and included four
churches within a circuit of fifty miles. The roads were primitive,
and the conveniences for travel were, in those days, equally antiqua-
ted, so that much hardship was necessarily undergone by the zeal-
ous young pastor during the years in his first mission. From this
field of labor he was transferred, in 1S47-48, to St. Patrick's Church,
â– Washington, as assistant to Rev. F'ather Matthews, a venerated
and historic character in the history of the American Church. In
1S49, he was called by Archbishop Eccleston to the Cathedral in
Baltimore. Upon the death of the latter, in 1S51, Most Rev. F'ran-
cis Patrick Kenrick was promoted to the See of Baltimore, and,
shortly after his accession, Rev. Thomas Foley was appointed his
secretary, and remained attached to the Cathedral until the death
of Archbishop Kenrick, in 1864. This great and lamented prelate
was succeeded by Rt. Rev. Bishop Spalding, of Louisville, who
was elevated to metropolitan rank and dignity as Archbishop of
Baltimore, May 3, 1S64. When, shortly afterward, the new arch-
bishop left the country to visit Rome, he showed his confidence in
Father Foley by appointing him vicar-general and administrator.
He held the position of vicar-general until he was chosen to the
See of Chicago— to the diocese which, as he declared in his first ser-
mon, " holds so high a place; which exercises so vast an influence;
which already has attracted the attention, not only of the people of
this country, but of foreign lands; and which is destined to be, if
not the first, at least the second in the country. This diocese,
which will hold so high a place, with so large a number of souls
within its limits— shall ever claim my careful attention, and whilst
I live and am able to labor, whatever I can give shall be freely,
entirely and cheerfully, given to Chicago."
It was in this spirit that Bishop Foley commenced
his career in this city.
St. Mary's Church. — The history of this church,
in the preceding volume, closed with the pastorates of
Revs. T. J. Butler and Thomas Burke, in 1857. Rev.
Matthew billon was also priest here at the same time
with them, but, on the 16th of August, 1858, he was
transferred to Racine, Wis., by Bishop O'Regan. Soon
after Bishop O'Regan resigned, and was succeeded by
Right Rev. James Duggan, D.D. The pastors of St.
Mary's, under this bishop, in 1859, were Revs. T. J.
Butler D.D., Dr. J. McMullen and Dr. Thomas Burke.
They were succeeded, in 1861, by Rev. F. McKeon as
pastor and Rev. T. McGivern as assistant pastor. In
1862, Rev. J. Macken became pastor and Rev.
Thomas J. Halligan assistant, remaining two years. In
1864, Rev. Thomas J. Halligan became pastor, and re-
RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
399
mained in that position until 1870, when he was suc-
ceeded by Rev. Edward W. Gavin. In 1864, the
assistant pastor of this church was Rev. Patrick T.
Butler; in 1867, the assistant pastor was Rev. John
Fanning, and Rev. Patrick T. Butler became chan-
cellor ; in 1868, Rev. M. M. McDermott became as-
sistant pastor, and, in 1869, there were three pastors,
Revs. Edward W. Gavin, H. M. O'Gara McShane
and C. H. Gavin, D.D. In 1870, the assistant of
Rev Edward W. Gavin was Rev Thomas L. Keating.
These were the pastors at the time of the. great fire.
This fire burned everything perishable pertaining to
the church property, except the records. The build-
ings lost were the bishop's residence, at the corner of
Michigan Avenue and Madison Street. Next to the
church-building stood the Convent of the Sisters of
Mercy, which was likewise destroyed.
Right Rev. John McMullen, D.D., was born on March 8,
1832, at Ballinahinch, County Down, Ireland, the son of James
and Alice McMullen. In 1833, his family emigrated to America,
and finally settled in Chicago in 1843. The father, James Mc-
Mullen, was always an earnest and devoted Catholic, and during
his long and honorable career was remarkable for his devotion tj
the interests of his religion. His son John, under the pious in-
fluences of his parents and of Bishop Quarter, the first Bishop of
H=FJ#^^>.
RT. REV. WM. QUARTER, D.D., FIRST CATHOLIC BISHOP
OF CHICAGO.
Chicago, was early marked out for an ecclesiastical career, his own
good disposition of course corresponding to the wishes and inten-
tions of bishop and parents. His early studies were pursued in the
University of St. Mary's of the Lake, from which he graduated
with the highest honors in 1853. He was sent to Rome the same
year, where he completed his course of theological studies, and, in
1858, was ordained priest, gaining also the degree of Doctor of
Divinity, which in this case was something more than an unmeaning
compliment; he had honestly earned the dignity by hard study and
acknowledged acquirements. Returning to Chicago he preached
his first sermon in St. Mary's — then the Cathedral. He was for a
short time attached to the Bishop's Church — the Cathedral ; later,
for a brief period, to St. Louis' Church, and in 1863 he assumed
charge of the re-organized University of St. Mary's of the Lake,
which was then designed to fill the place of a theological seminary
for the diocese. Here the Doctor seemed to be in his most con-
genial and fitting place and work. Needless to say he entered into
it with great zeal and with his whole heart. Hut the University
was not destined to prosper. Difficulties and misunderstandings
arose between the diocesan and the faculty, which finally culmi-
nated in the closing of the University. Dr. McMullen was then
assigned to a new parish (first formed on the West Side). St. Paul's;
but it was not long until the widening breach between Bishop Dug-
gan and several of the leading priests of the city, induced Dr. Mc-
Mullen to go in person to Rome, there to lay the situation in Chi-
cago before the Holy See. Throughout those difficulties the atti-
tude of Dr. McMullen reflected in no respect on his character and
loyalty as a Catholic ecclesiastic. When he returned, he accepted
a country parish, that of Wilmington, 111., where he labored with
earnestness and endeared himself to the people of the neighborhood,
Catholic and Protestant alike. One year after the installation of
Bishop Foley, Dr. McMullen was called to Chicago, to fill the post
of vicar-general and pastor of the Cathedral. Here again followed
fresh trials, but this time of a different character. The great fire of
1871 swept away the beautiful Cathedral, and in its desolating
course razed many other Catholic churchesand Catholic institutions
of education and charity. It was a time to try men's souls. Dr.
McMullen entered heroically into the work of restoring what had
been destroyed. He proceeded, under the direction of Bishop Foley,
on a mission to the East and to Canada, to solicit aid toward the
re-building of the churches and institutions — a mission which was
crowned with success. Dr. McMullen's self-sacrificing labors dur-
ing this period will long remain in honored remembrance in the
hearts of the Catholics of Chicago, those of the Cathedral parish
especially. And so the Cathedral was re-built, more beautiful and
more costly than before. A grand academy, under the charge of the
Ladies of the Sacred Heart, was erected beside it, and soon after
commodious parish schools were likewise provided. In the midst
of this era, Bishop Foley to the dismay and sorrow of a mourning
city, was suddenly stricken down by death. The lamented pre-
late's last words were a testimony and a charge to Dr McMullen.
He appointed him administrator of the diocese, thus showing the
highest testimony to the character and qualities of his vicar general.
With what fidelity and high capacity the Doctor acquitted himself
of the grave trust is best shown in his early elevation to the episco-
pal rank and dignity. Shortly following the appointment of Bishop
Feehan, as first archbishop of Chicago, Dr. McMullen was chosen
by Leo XIII. bishop of the newly created See of Davenport, Iowa
He was consecrated in the Cathedral of the Holy Name July 25,
1881, and in the following month Bishop McMullen proceeded to
his new See, accompanied by a large escort of priests and laymen
from Chicago. Davenport gave him a royal welcome; and in St.
Margaret's Cathedral of that city he addressed his people in a ser-
mon of great power and eloquence, which, with his known elevated
qualities, soon won to him the affection and respect of all classes in
his new home. There was work to do in the new diocese. The
bishop entered into the spirit of that work with prodigious zeal.
He visited every part of his diocese, and everywhere infused his
own spirit and purpose into priests and people. But an insidious
disease had seized upon him, and no human skill was able to arrest
its fatal progress. His death occured on July 4. 18S3, transforming
a day of rejoicing into one of gloom and sorrow for the city of
Davenport, his last home. On the day of the funeral, the bells of
the Protestant churches of the city pealed out in solemn union with
those of the Cathedral, in testimony of sorrow for his decease, a
generous and touching tribute to the dead prelate. The Pontifical
Requiem Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Feehan of Chicago,
and the funeral oration was delivered by the deceased bishop's
warm friend, Bishop Spalding of Peoria. The bishop's remains, by
his own request, were interred in his Cathedral in Davenport. His
memory remains a precious inheritance to priests and people where-
ever he was known, and especially in the scenes of his labors, his
trials, and his final vindication and triumph.
St. Louis' Church. — On October i, 1855, Rev.
John Waldron, at the present time pastor of St. John's
Church, was appointed to this church. His first ef-
forts were directed to the restoration of harmony
between the French and Irish members of the congre-
gation. In this he was very successful, and he re-
mained with them as pastor until October, 1S59. Ht
was then succeeded by Rev. John McMullen, who re-
mained there about one year. The subsequent pastors
were Rev. Joseph P. Roles, i860 ; Rev. John Macken
in 1861; Rev. J. H. Grogan, 1862 ; Rev. A. Broderick,
1864; Rev. Patrick Conway, 18C5, and Rev. Patrick
4oo
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
M. Noonat) from 1S66 to the time of the destruction of
this church-building by the great fire of 1S71, which
also destroyed the school-house purchased some years
previously of St. John's Church.
The Church of Notre Dame de Chicago is vir-
tually the continuation of St. Louis' Church. It is
located at the northwest corner of Halsted and Con-
gress streets, was commenced early in 1S64, and was
dedicated March 5, 1S65, by Bishop Duggan. It has a