To briefly sketch the further development of the diocese, and the lives of the able and zealous clergymen who have contolled its destinies since its organization, is the further purpose of this chapter of church history.  The newly appointed Bishop McMullen was at the time of his elevation to the Episcopacy vicar-general of the diocese of Chicago, had long held a pastorate in that city and was greatly beloved by all classes of people. He was a native of Ireland, having been born in Ballanyhinch, county Down, January 8, 1832.  His father, James McMullen, and Alice, his wife, sailed for America when he was little more than a year old, and after a long and stormy voyage they landed at Quebec.  For three years the family lived on a farm near Quebec, and later the elder McMullen established his home on another farm near Prescott, in the province of Ontario.  Here a fire destroyed the homestead and they removed to the neighborhood of Ogdensburg, New York, where they resided until 1843, when they removed to Illinois.  The boy who was afterward to become Bishop McMullen, was twelve years old when his parents settled in Chicago.  Prior to this time he had attended only a country school, but he had given evidence of strong intellectuality, and when afforded the advantages of educational training in the schools of Chicago he made rapid advancement.  When Bishop Quarter founded the University of St. Mary of the Lake, John McMullen entered the new college and therein received his academic training.  "In his academic course," says Dr. McGovern, in the biography from which quatation has been made "he gave undoubted proof of his future career.  His triumphs of eloquence in debate, his caustic pen, his sound judgment and his mastery of the most intricate problems in mathematical science, caused him to come under the approving eye of his professors.  In a little college paper, issued by him and another classmate, his intellectual weapons flashed with unwonted brilliancy, and the seeds of literature sowed in his powerful mind blossomed with a vigor which made itself remarkable in its fruits." A deep piety and a remarkable capacity for influencing the character and conduct of his associates, were distinguishing features of his early life and his fitness for the priesthood as well as his evident desire to enter that holy calling were noted by his teachers and friends.  At the close of his college course in 1850 he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and soon afterward entered upon a course of theological study. In 1852, while pursuing these studies, he was directed by his physician to give up the routine for a time, and while obeying this injunction he devoted himself to writing for publication a series of letters which constituted an important contribution  to the Catholic literature of that period.  In the fall of 1853, in company with James McGovern, now a noted Catholic clergyman and author, he was sent by Bishop Van de Velde, of the Chicago diocese, to the College of the Propaganda at Rome, where he pursued a few years' course of study.  In the summer of 1858, he was ordained a minister of the Catholic church, and received from Cardinal Barnabo the insignia of Doctor of Divinity.  He immediately left Rome for the United States and arrived in Chicago in October of that year.  Immediately after his return home he engaged actively in ministerial work and one of his first important acts was the founding of the House of the Good Shepherd, an institution which has been grandly prolific of good results.  In 1861 he was appointed to take charge of the Cathedral of the Holy Name, but in a short time he was called to the presidency of the University of St. Mary of hte Lake, a position which he retained for several years.  In 1870 he became rector of the Cathedral of the Holy Name and continued to discharge the duties of this pastorate until he was made bishop of Davenport.  In the meantime he was appointed vicargeneral to Bishop Foley, and continuted in this position by Archbishop Feehan, when that renowned ecclesiastic succeeded to the bishopric left vacant by the death of Bishop Foley. Debbie Clough G-erischer G-erischer Family Web Site http://gerischer.rootsweb.com/ Assistant CC, Iowa Gen Web, Scott County http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/ List Manager for: IASCOTT-L * G-erischer-L * D-encker-L Fitzpatirck-L * V-lerebome-L * Huntington-L * Otis-L * Algar-L EIGS-L * Pickens-L * McNab-L * Patris-L - Rankin-L