Biographies and Obituaries
In loving memory
Timothy O'Donaghue
Living Leaders, Encyclopedia of Biography, Daviess
and Martin County, IN
Rev. Timothy O'Donaghue, the beloved and esteemed pastor of St. John's Roman Catholic Church at Loogootee, IN is a native of Daviess County, IN. He was born November 9, 1844. His parents were James and Mary (Toomy) O'Donaghue. They were natives of County Cork, Ireland, where they married and then emigrated to America, first living in New York, and then, about 1834, became citizens of Daviess County, IN. Here the father died January 17, 1878.
The mother lived for many years afterward making her home with the subject of this review. She passed to her final rest February 17, 1896. These parents had ten children, viz: Joanna, Mary, Margaret, John, Timothy, James, Dennis, Michael and Lenora. Rev. O'Donaghue was reared in Daviess County, attended the public schools, and in 1868, entered St. Joseph College at Bardstown, KY. Here he prosecuted his studies for four years. His education was completed in St. Meinrad's College, Spencer County, IN. He was ordained Priest at Indianapolis February 17, 1878 by Archbishop Purcell of Cincinnati. In March of the same year he was sent to Montezuma, IN as pastor of St. Ann's Church of that place. While serving that church he also attended the mission of St. Mary's Church at Rockville, IN. After a period of about eighteen months, he was transferred to St. Mary's Church in Daviess County. While here he also attended the mission of St. Joseph's Church in Martin County. In 1890 he was made pastor of St. John's Church at Loogootee over which he has since presided. This church has a membership of about two hundred families and a beautiful church building, a brick structure, and a school governed by the Sisters of Providence. Father O'Donaghue's pastorate at Loogootee has resulted in a substantial increase in the membership of his congregation, and has improved the same spiritually, morally, and financially.
Contributed by: Dianne Rossman