Writing Mary
Into History
Born on:
April 4th, 1874
Came to America:
July 21st, 1891
Passed on:
July 24th, 1954
Born Into Humble Beginnings
Mary O’Toole was born on April 4th, 1874 on a small farm in County Carlow Ireland. Her parents were Nicholas O’Toole and Bridget O’Connor. She was the fifth born of twelve children in a family of modest means. Mary spent much of her childhood helping tend to the family’s small farm. The family would be impacted by even more straining circumstances when her father, Nicholas O’Toole, was arrested.
Pictured:
Mary’s Father Nicholas O’Toole (left) and mother, Brigid O’Toole (right)
About the Photo:
This photo was taken upon Mary’s request as she was graduating from Washington College. Nicholas and Bridgid would have visited a photo studio that provided them with the costumes they adorned in the photo.
Hard Times Leading to Hereditary Fighting Spirit
When Mary was just 7 years old, her father, Nicholas, was arrested as a suspect under the Coercion Act. It was alleged he was involved in persuading tenant farmers not to pay rent. He was held at Naas Jail until April 1882 without being charged (15 months).
In 1881, MOT’s mother Bridget, and her 8 children, including 7-year-old Mary were evicted from their home & farm for non-payment of rent. This was the vindication of Land League principles requiring tenants to allow the law to take its course, rather than meeting their obligations to their landlords. The family spent the winter in a disused mill (Darcy’s) near Hacketstown, and the children ranged in age from 2 months to 12 years.
Pictured:
Renovated Darcy’s Mill near Hackettstown
The Mill burned down and was rebuilt around 1930
Mary and her family had to cross the river on stones while living at the Mill
Coming to America
After eight days at sea, the S.S. Fulda arrived at New York Harbor on July 21, 1891. Among the hundreds of passengers who disembarked was sixteen-year-old Mary O’Toole, carrying only one piece of luggage and her aspirations for the future. She went to live with her aunt and uncle in Hornell, New York and wasted no time finding work. During the day, she looked after children for a local doctor, and in the evenings, she pursued her passion for stenography by studying at Hornell Business School.
Pictured:
The S.S. Fulda which Mary was aboard, when she first arrived the New York Harbor.
Passage cost was 30 Irish pounds in 1891 which would be $900.00 today
Mary’s First Big Break
Mary received her first chance when a judge in the area asked Hornell Business School for a recommendation for a stenographer. Since Mary was the most well-prepared candidate, she was chosen and sent to the judge’s office, where her diligence and dedication led to a full-time job offer, which she accepted. Her exceptional performance caught the notice of Judge Monroe Wheeler, who offered her a higher salary to work in his office.
Pictured:
The Hornell Business and Shorthand School Mary attended when she first came to the United States.
The Man That Saw Her Potential
A better employment opportunity proved to be the gateway to a life of success for Mary. She and Judge Wheeler developed a genuine bond during their time working together.
Interestingly, Judge Wheeler’s grandfather, Captain Silas Wheeler, who fought for the United States in the American Revolution, was captured by the British while sailing the seas and held captive in Ireland. He was assisted in his escape from Ireland by the Irish patriot Henry Grattan. This common history brought Judge Wheeler and Mary even closer, and they remained lifelong friends. It was at Judge Wheeler’s urging that Mary pursued law studies, and upon his retirement, he gifted her his collection of law books.
Pictured:
Judge Monroe Wheeler, a successful man who saw Mary’s potential and helped her achieve incredible things.
“I owe much to Judge Wheeler. When I was in his office, I used to keep a volume of Shakespeare or Thomas Moore on my desk and read poetry when I had a moment of leisure. ‘You are wasting your time’, said the Judge. ‘Read this’, and he put in my hands Kent’s Commentaries. That was how I began the study of law.”
– Mary on her relationship with Judge Wheeler
Friend of Famous Inventor and Aviator
Through her stellar accomplishments and incredible work ethic, Mary acquired friends in high places. As high as the sky! Through her work with Judge Monroe Wheeler Mary met famous early aviator Glenn Curtiss. At times Glenn Curtiss would ask Mary to typewrite his letters. This working relationship turned into a lifelong friendship.
Pictured:
Mary, seated in one of Glenn Curtiss’s aircraft. She would occasionally typewrite Mr. Curtiss’s letters for him.
Moving to Washington and Early Legal Career
Mary relocated to Washington, DC in 1905 and spent three years as a civil servant in the US Forestry Service while pursuing her law studies at the Washington College of Law. This institution, founded in 1896, was the first of its kind to be established by women, have a female dean, and graduate an all-female class. Mary joined the Phi Delta Delta women’s legal fraternity and ultimately earned her Bachelor of Laws in 1908, after which she gained admission to the district bar.
During this time, the US Forestry Service was setting up new regional offices, and Mary volunteered to spearhead the establishment of the Western Office in San Francisco.
In 1909, Mary returned to New York and spent the next four years working for a law firm in Brooklyn. In her debut court case, Mary successfully defended a woman against a lawsuit for a lease violation. Mary came back to Washington, DC in 1913 to complete her Masters of Laws in 1914 before embarking on her solo legal career by opening her own law office.
Pictured:
Washington College of Law at the time Mary would have attended. Mary was a member of the Phi Delta Delta women’s legal fraternity.
The Lives of The O’Toole Siblings
Francis "Fanny"
Frances was born 28 Oct 1868, and died 29 April, 1965. Frances joined the Sisters of Charity of St Paul and was known as Mother Mary Martha. She was the Mother Superior in the convent and she was a member of the General Council. She spent most of her life in England.
Nicholas
Nicholas was born on the 3rd of March 1870, and passed away on the 10th of March 1870. He was buried in Knockananna, Co Wicklow with his grandparents.
Michael
Michael was born on the 22nd of January 1871 and died on the 2nd of April 1959 in Ramsey, Minnesota. Like Mary, Michael came to America and married Ellen McAuliff in 1899 and had 3 Children Mary, Edward, and Josephine. He was an entrepreneur owning a liquor store and a movie theatre.
Nicholas
Nicholas was born on 11 July 1872 and died on 27 December 1953. He married Elizabeth Foley in Australia in 1899 and had 6 children. Bridget, Margaret Mary (May), and Nicholas were born in Australia. Peter, Eileen, and Kevin were born in Ireland. He owned a General Store in Queensland before returning to Ireland to run the family farm.
Mary "Molly"
Mary was born on the 4th of April in 1874 and died on the 24th of July 1854 in Washington DC. Mary went to US in 1891 to live with her Aunt Julia O Connor Rowley in New York. She studied Law and became the first woman judge of a municipal court in the US
Sarah
Sarah was born on 19 January 1876 and died on 3 Dec 1957. She married John Quille in 1906 and is buried in Knockananna. They had no children. Sarah went to the US with her sister Mary but didn’t like it so she returned to Ireland and worked as a school teacher.
Bridie
Brigid was born on the 4th of October 1877 and died on the 28th of June in 1933. She married Edward Ellis on the 20th of November 1911 and had 4 children, Mary, Charles, Bridget, and Nicholas
Elizabeth "lizzie"
Elizabeth born 22 Jul 1879, died 22 Jan 1972. She married James Mulhall 07 Apr 1907 and had 9 children, Alice, Matthew Joseph, Nicholas (Noel), Bridget, Timothy, Eileen, Mary Bridget, James and Francis . She was a school teacher.
James
James born 09 Oct 1881, died 30 Mar 1927. He married Rosanna McCrea in 1907 and they had 6 Children, Nicholas born and died 1908, Patrick, Nicholas, Michael, Seamus and Seán.
James was a school teacher.
Julia
Julia was born on 15th May 1883, and died on the 25th March 1958 in Birmingham, England. Joined the same order as her sister Frances and spent her life in England where she died and is buried. Known as Mother Mary Madeline, he was the second assistant on the convent General Council and a Novice Assistant.
Thomas
Thomas was born on 26th July 1886 and died on the 17th Oct. 1952. He went to the US and married Catherine Roach. The two had no children. They lived in South St Paul, Minnesota a block from his brother Michael. He was a post-office worker.
Philip
Philip was born on the 25th of January 1890 and died 25 Jan 1961 in Minnesota. Philip went to the US in 1911 and married Aileen O Heron. The two had one daughter named Phyllis who is a Mary Knoll Sister. Philip was a newspaper editor.