My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in Book of Biographies: Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens, Cortland County, New York published by Biographical Publishing Company in 1898.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

REV. JOHN J. McLOGHLIN, the beloved pastor of St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Cortland, whose portrait appears on the opposite page, has not only most ably ministered to the spiritual needs of his most important parish, but he has also enlarged his congregation, extended and rebuilt his church edifice, and erected a commodious pastoral residence. Both as a public-spirited citizen and as a representative of the Holy Catholic Church, he has won great prestige and cordial popularity in and about the section entrusted to his care and supervision.

John J. McLoghlin first saw the light of day on that well beloved green isle of the sea, Ireland, in 1856. He was given an extremely careful preparation for the priesthood, and was graduated from the College of the Immaculate Conception at Summer Hill, Athlone, in 1877. Coming to the United States, he entered the University of Niagara, where he passed his examinations in philosophy in October, and was ordained a priest of the church December 27, 1881, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception at Albany, N. Y. The Rt. Rev. Francis McNierny, D. D., Bishop of Albany, officiated at this solemn function. Father McLoghlin’s first parish was at Oswego, N. Y., where he helped to direct the affairs of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. When the Rev. Thomas McLoghlin, who had for some time been the assistant at St. Mary’s in Cortland, was assigned to the charge at Philmont, Columbia County, the subject of this sketch was appointed his successor. Father McLoghlin came to Cortland as the assistant of the Very Rev. B. F. McLoghlin, who was his uncle and dean of Cortland. Father McLoghlin, Sr., laid aside earthly duties and was called to his Master November 21, 1888. Shortly after his uncle’s demise, the subject of this article was made the regular pastor of the church.

The first Catholic Church in Cortland was erected in 1855, the Rev. Father Callen being then pastor. It was a wooden structure, located on Port Watson St. About this time Cortland began to grow, and the little church more than held its own with the rapid increase in population. In 1868 a site was purchased, and a handsome brick church began to rear its walls to the bright sky. Father B. F. McLoghlin was at the head then, and it was primarily due to his efforts that in 1878 St. Mary’s Church was completed. Still the parish grew and thrived, so that in 1888 a large addition had to be made to the edifice, and the tower was erected.

The church as it stands to-day will seat 920 communicants, and is the church home for over 2,000 souls. The church has a most beautiful altar, and in 1896 a magnificent pipe organ was built in. The parochial residence was erected under the immediate direction of Father McLoghlin, and is built of pressed brick, and equipped with all the necessary modern conveniences. Its surroundings are especially tasty and well arranged. A new cemetery was purchased and consecrated October 25, 1891, by the Rt. Rev. P. A. Ludden of Syracuse. The societies that are connected with St. Mary’s Parish are as follows: for the ladies The Rosary, The Young Ladies’ Sodality, and the C. B. L; for the gentlemen are the C. M. B. A., the A. O. H., the K. of C., and Friendly Sons of St. Patrick.

Father McLoghlin stands high in the estimation of all classes and people in his parish, and he is respected and looked up to in the councils of the church at large. At the last Synod held in Syracuse, he was made one of the Counsellors of the Diocese.

* * * *

This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in Book of Biographies: Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens, Cortland County, New York published in 1898. 

View additional Cortland County, New York family biographies here: Cortland County, New York Biographies

View a map of 1897 Cortland County, New York here: Cortland County, New York Map

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.