O’Reilly, Rev. Father John A., 1855-1930

O’REILLY

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 2/1/2020 at 16:01:34

CELEBRATION OF THE 50th ANNIVERSARY OF HIS ORDINATION

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From the Rock Valley Bee, June 7, 1929:

GOLDEN JUBILEE IS OBSERVED BY ST. MARY’S
Father O’Reilly Completes 50 Years of Service
500 Attend At Church

June 7, 1929, marks the fiftieth anniversary of the ordination of Rev. Father J. A. O’Reilly. The ordination ceremony took place at Niagara Falls, June 7, 1879, where Rev. O’Reilly completed his studies for the priesthood. Two years later he was sent to Sheldon to have charge of the four northwest Iowa counties, Sioux, Lyon, O’Brien and Osceola. He landed in Sheldon at ten o’clock at night, a stranger there, but tells that he soon met others, and he found them all, everyone he met, so friendly and helpful that he felt at home and among friends at once.

When Father O’Reilly came to the northwest to take charge of his chosen work, there was not a Catholic Church anywhere within the four counties, and he held services in the town hall at Sheldon until a suitable church could be built. Rev. Father O’Reilly was instrumental in building seven churches during the three and a half years that he had charge of the work in this territory, one at Sheldon, another at Rock Valley, and at Ashton, Sanborn, Hull, Sibley, and at Maurice. Some of the churches still stand and are in use as places of worship at this time.

Rev. Father O’Reilly was born at Dixon, Illinois. He was one of a family of thirteen children. His father was a contractor for a railroad company and his business took him into different communities, but most of Father O’Reilly’s early life was spent in Illinois. The family moved to Fort Dodge, Iowa, about forty-five years ago.

Father O’Reilly first attended school at St. Mary’s of the Lake in Chicago, and was there at the time of the great Chicago fire when the school he was attending burned. After that he attended St. John’s College at Prairie du Chien, Wis., and later he attended college in Dubuque for six months and then went back to Prairie du Chien to continue his studies, and after that he went to Niagara Falls where he completed his course and was ordained.

Two years later, as stated above, he was sent to northwest Iowa, and after serving here for three and a half years, he was called to New Hampton, Iowa, where he remained seven years and then he was located at Marcus, Iowa for twelve years, going from there to Rock Valley where he has been located for the past twenty-six years.

During that time he has seen many changes, not only in the growth and development of the country, but also in the growth and development of his church. The old church, under his leadership, has been replaced by a beautiful new edifice, which was built in 1912, and stands today as a monument to his faithful work in this community.

Father O’Reilly is not only a builder of churches, but he is also a builder of character, and the results of his work in this community will long endure. He has the respect and esteem of thousands of people among whom he has labored so earnestly and effectively. He is popular not only with his own people, but with all who know him. He is kind and courteous to all, and always has a pleasant word of greeting, and encouragement where it is needed.

To commemorate this event, the fiftieth anniversary of his ordination, a banquet dinner was served Wednesday, June 5, in the basement of the church at which approximately 500 people were present. Following the sumptuous banquet dinner, an interesting program consisting of special music prepared for the occasion, and addresses by visiting priests and residents of Rock Valley was given.

We would like to give a more complete account of this program and tell of the many good things that were said, if time permitted. Rev. E. Masterson acted as toastmaster and presented the different speakers in a pleasing manner. Mr. C. W. Jacobs was first introduced and spoke on the subject, “Our City.” Miss Lorraine Balzer rendered a pleasing piano solo, which was followed by an address, “Our Parish,” by Mr. F. T. McGill. Rev. C. P. Conway, of Hawarden, then spoke on “Our Deanery,” which was followed by a vocal solo by Miss Euda Wiggerman. “Our Holy Father” was the subject spoken on by Rt. Rev. Bishop Heclau. Miss Astrid Lundgren then rendered a violin solo, and the Very Rev. J. G. Murtaugh spoke on “Our Jubilarian” which was very touchingly responded to by Rev. Father O’Reilly.

Over sixty visiting priests were present at the banquet, some of them coming from a considerable distance, among them were Father O’Reilly’s brother, Father Charles O’Reilly and his nephew, Father Charles [Mea?]gher, both of Edwardsville, Illinois.

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From the Alton Democrat, June 15, 1929, Rock Valley news:

Wednesday was a great day in the life of Rev. Father J. A. O’Rielly[O'Reilly] and for his congregation of St. Mary’s church. High mass was celebrated in the church at ten o’clock in the morning at which time a procession of priests gowned in the robes of the church marched from the manse to the church. After the services a sumptuous dinner was served to five hundred, in the church basement, with Rev. E. Masterson as toastmaster. C. W. Jacobs spoke on “Our City,” F. T. McGill on “Our Parish” and Father C. P. Conway of Hawarden on “Our Deanery.” These talks were followed by a vocal solo by Miss Euda Wiggerman. Rt. Rev. Bishop Edmund Heelan of Sioux City spoke on “Our Holy Father” after which a violin solo by Miss Astrid Lundgren was enjoyed. Rev. J. G. Murtagh spoke on “Our Jubilarian.”

Father O’Rielly was ordained at Niagara Falls, N.Y., June 7, 1879. He was sent to Sheldon to take charge of church affairs in the four counties of Sioux, Lyon, O’Brien and Osceola and held his first church services in the town hall at Sheldon, later founding a church there. Later he started parishes at Rock Valley, Ashton, Hull, Sanborn, Sibley and Maurice. Some of the churches built then are still being used for worship.

He was one of a family of thirteen children. Born at Dixon, Ill., in 1885[1855], his early life was mostly spent in his native state at the time Abraham Lincoln practiced law there. He attended school at St. Mary’s of the Lake in Chicago at the time of the great Chicago fire. The school was burned. Later he went to college at Prairie Du Chien, Wis., St. John’s college, and finished his studies at the seminary at Niagara Falls.

After serving the four counties here for a time he was sent to New Hampton where he remained seven years and then was transferred to Marcus, remaining there twelve years at which time he came to Rock Valley where he has been located 26 years.

Sixty-five priests were present at the golden anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.

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Information on Ancestry.com shows him as Fr. John A. O’Reilly, born 23 April 1855 in Illinois, died in January 1930 in Rock Valley.