O’Reilly, John A. (Rev.), 1852 or 1855-1930

OREILLY, ORIELLY, LEE, REILLY

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/1/2021 at 13:56:11

From the Rock Valley Bee, January 31, 1930:

REV. J. A. O’RIELLY CALLED TO REWARD

Rev. J. A. O’Rielly passed away at his home in Rock Valley Sunday afternoon at 1:30 o’clock. Although his many friends in this community realized that he could not long survive, nevertheless his death is a great shock to them, and they together with his many other acquaintances in other parts of the country, deeply mourn his passing.

Rev. O’Rielly had been in failing health for several months and he gradually continued to grow weaker until the final summons came and he passed peacefully on to the reward of a useful and well spent life of labor and sacrifice among the people of this community and of other communities where he had labored so well and faithfully.

It may well be said of Rev. Father O’Rielly that he was a good man, a man of kind and generous disposition, conscientious and faithful in the discharge of his duties, a man who was always glad to have his friends call at his home, and who always extended a hearty welcome to all his visitors, regardless of creed or calling; he loved to converse with them and his conversation was always interesting, and many who called on him, thinking to stay but a few minutes, allowed the hours to pass away before they realized that time was passing all to rapidly. He was a man who took a broad view of life, and he will be greatly missed in this community where he has spent so many years.

Rev. Father O’Rielly was born at Dixon, Illinois, April 23, 1855. 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’Rielly’s early life was spent in Illinois. The family moved to Fort Dodge, Iowa, about forty-five years ago.

Father O;Rielly 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, he was sent to northwest Iowa, and after service 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 Marens[?], Iowa for twelve years, coming 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.

When Father O’Rielly 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’Rielly was instrumental in building seven churches during the 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 these churches still stand and are in use as places of worship at this time.

Father O’Rielly 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.

Rev. Father O’Rielly was ordained more than fifty years ago, June 7, 1929, marked his fiftieth year in the priesthood. To commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of his ordination, special services were held in Rock Valley at St. Mary’s church last June when the achievements of his life were briefly reviewed and many beautiful tributes were paid to him and his life’s work. More than 500 people attended these services, many coming from considerable distances that they might show their appreciation of his faithful services.

Funeral services were held in St. Mary’s church in Rock Valley Wednesday forenoon. The services were largely attended, and many beautiful floral tributes, as well as the large gathering of people, attested to the high esteem in which Rev. Father O’Rielly is held. The remains were taken to Fort Dodge for burial.

Forty-five visiting priests from this diocese were here for the funeral services, among whom were Bishop Heelan, of Sioux City who read mass and Monsenior Pape, of Le Mars, who delivered the funeral sermon. Two brothers of Father O’Rielly, one from Barnum, Iowa, and another from Minneapolis, Minn., and a nephew, Father Maher, of Edwardsville, Illinois, were present.

The pall bearers were B. M. Doherty, N. J. Greiner, Chas. Haas, J. C. Wigerman, T. F. Higgins and James Quinlan, who accompanied the remains to Fort Dodge. F. T. McGill and W. B. Richter also went with them to Fort Dodge.

* * * * * * * * * *

Shorter obituaries appeared in the other Sioux County newspapers. They spell his name O’Reilly. All give his birth year as 1855. However, his FindaGrave page gives his birth year as 1852, with a photo of his headstone. It shows him buried in Corpus Christi Cemetery, Fort Dodge. It gives his parents as Patrick O’Reilly (1812-1911) and Anna Lee O’Reilly (1822-1911).

His death certificate gives his name as John O’Riely; occupation, Reverend; born April 23, 1855 in Dixon, Ill.; parents Patrick O’Riely and Anna Lee, both born in Ireland; resident of Rock Valley 30 years; died at 1:17 p.m. January 26, 1930; cause, “metio reguration”[?], duration several months; contributory cause, cirrhosis of the liver, duration 2 or 3 years.

The 1900 U.S. census (which also spells his name O’Reilly) gives his birth date as April 1853. He is living in Marcus, Cherokee County.