Dineen-John - 25 yrs priest - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Chicago Inter-Ocean: Preparations are being made at Crawfordsville, Ind., for a very happy gathering on Wednesday, July 25, when Rev. John R. Dinnen, the popular pastor of St. Bernard’s Church, will celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of his elevation to the priesthood. Father Dinnen has ministered among the people of Crawfordsville for seventeen years, and has thus been the friend of most of his neighbors from their childhood days. An occasion of so much significance in the life of the good man will therefore be marked with a general rejoicing. Nor will the expression of good wishes be confined to the venerable priest’s neighbors. Legions of friends from distant places will send greetings to Father Dinnen on the occasion of his silver jubilee, and some of the warmest, the most cordial, and the most sincere will go from Chicago, where the good pastor has hosts of admirers.

Father Dinnen was born in Burlington, Vt., in 1843. He attended the public schools in his native state until he was 14 years of age, when his parents moved to Chicago. This was in the summer of 1857, and a young Dinnen secured a position as office boy in the Illinois Central ticket office. In winter he attended the Kinzie School, studying under Principal Benjamin D. Slocum, of whom the priest always speaks in terms of affection and gratitude. Young Dinnen was a boy of enterprise. In 1858 he established the first news stand in the Chicago post office, which was then located at Nos. 80, 82, and 84 Dearborn Street. The venture prospered and after two years the young merchant was able to purchase a stationery store at No. 54 North Clark Street. While selling papers and books the young storekeeper continued to be a student. In 1861 he left business to take the position of professor of penmanship at Notre Dame University, South Bend, Ind. While teaching at the institution named, he followed the ecclesiastical course. July 22, 1869, he was ordained a priest by Bishop Luers, of Fort Wayne. He celebrated his first mass in St. Patrick’s Church, Chicago, July 25, 1869.

Father Dinnen has ever since been engaged in active missionary work in the diocese of Fort Wayne. He was assistant pastor of the Cathedral of Fort Wayne for three years. He was appointed pastor at Crawfordsville in May, 1878.