Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1915
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 754
REV. FATHER M. F. NOLAN

One of the most valuable citizens of Missouri Valley, Iowa, is the Rev. Father M. F. NOLAN, the pastor of St. Patrick's Church in that place. Born, reared and educated in Ireland, he came to America in 1896 and located in Iowa. He has ministered to various churches in this state and has been connected with the parish at Missouri Valley since 1908. He is not only interested in all the work pertaining to his church, but has also taken an active part in all movements for the good of the city. He is frequently asked to assume the leadership in public and civic work, and when the present public library of Missouri Valley was dedicated, he was selected as the speaker for this occasion. He is a member of the Commercial Club and a strong and consistent booster of the city where he makes his home.

Rev. M. F. NOLAN, the son of Daniel and May (COX) NOLAN, was born in Ireland, August 23, 1872. His parents were both natives of Ireland and lived all their days in their native land. Father NOLAN received his primary education at St. Michael's College, Ireland, and his classical and theological training at All Hallows Seminary, Dublin, Ireland. After completing his theological training in Dublin, he was ordained to the priesthood at that place, June 24, 1896. In September of the same year, he came to America and his first ecclesiastical service was as assistant pastor of St. Mary's Church at Ottumwa, Iowa. Later he was transferred to the churches of St. Mary at Centerville and Albia, Iowa, where he was stationed for four years. His next appointment was at Nichols, Muscatine County, Iowa, and during the four years of his pastorate in this latter place, he built the present twenty thousand dollar church building. While living at Nichols, he also had charge of the parish at Arden in the same county, and built a church there also. After leaving Nichols, he was sent to Adair, Iowa, and after three years of efficient work in that place, he was transferred to Missouri Valley May1, 1908, as pastor of St. Patrick's Church.

Father NOLAN's record in Missouri Valley has been indeed noteworthy. He has materially increased the church membership and influence in every way. His church now enrolls seven hundred fifty members and is entirely out of debt, and during the past six years, ten thousand dollars has been expended in improving the church property. At the present time, the church is planning to build a parochial school in order to provide training for the children of the Catholic families.

Father NOLAN is beloved by his own parishioners and is also popular with all classes of people. As a participant in the community life of Missouri Valley, he always stands for the best interests of the city and consequently extends his powerful influence in favor of all worthy movements. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and is Chaplain of the local council of that order.

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