MARTIN CAHILL

Martin Cahill, a well known business man of Cannelburg, Daviess county, Ind., is a native of County Galway, Ireland, was born October 8, 1849, is the youngest of the six children of Patrick and Julia (Gillane) Cahill (four of whom still survive) and was confirmed, at the age of thirteen years, by the Bishop of Kilmacduagh.

Mr. Cahill received an excellent education in the national schools of his native land, as it was in contemplation to fit him for a position in the post office, but the untimely death of his father changed the course of his life. The sad event led to the coming of the mother and her children to America, and on June 27, 1867, they landed at Castle Garden, New York City, whence they came directly to Daviess County, Ind., and located at Washington. For a time young Martin attended school in Olney, Richland County, Ill., but in 1868 removed to Benton County, Ind., and for two years was there engaged in farming. In 1870 he became a miner, and for twelve years continued in this vocation. He next was employed in railroading for eighteen months, and in 1879 was appointed clerk of the Mutual Mining Company at Cannelburg, Ind., and shortly afterward was appointed manager of the same company, and next, through the state geologist, was appointed assistant mine inspector. He performed the functions of this office to the entire satisfaction of all concerned, and was then placed in full charge of the Mutual Mining Company as manager, and this position he still holds, being assisted by his son, Lawrence P. , and by Joseph A. Harris. Beside its coal operations, the company conducts a store and carries a large stock of general merchandise, and in the latter department does a business amounting to about $30,000.00 per annum.

The marriage of Mr. Cahill took place in November of 1875, to Miss Ellen Grimes, a native of Providence, R. I., the ceremony being performed in Washington, Daviess County, Ind., by Rev. Father Peythieu. This union has been blessed with two sons and five daughters, of whom the following five still survive: Lawrence P., who was confirmed at the age of fifteen years by Bishop Chatard, was educated under the Sisters of Providence at Loogootee, and at Washington, and is now an assistant to his father; Annie who received a parochial school education and was confirmed at the same time as her brother, Lawrence; Julia A., also confirmed by Bishop Chatard, and Ellen and Margaret. Mrs. Cahill was confirmed at Cannelton, Perry County, Ind., at the age of ten years. In politics Mr. Cahill is a staunch democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for Samuel J. Tilden, but has never himself sought public office, his business affairs being too absorbing to permit him to trifle his time away in office seeking. In religion he and family are devout Catholics and do all in their power to advance the interests of St. Peter's Church, at Montgomery, are attendants at the Mission of Ease at Cannelburg, and socially they stand with the best families of the township and county

History of the Catholic Church in Indiana. (Logansport, Ind.: A.W. Bowen, 1898) Vol. 2, pp 213-214
Submitted by: John D. McMullen, 76354.1337@compuserve.com