The pastor of St. Patrick's church at Ransom, LaSalle county, Illinois, is a familiar figure to the residents of that vicinity and he has made many friends aside from those who come under his jurisdiction as a pastor. His work in the ministry since coming to this charge has been attended with the m.ost flattering results and has marked him as a man of no small executive ability and as a shepherd who watches carefully after the spiritual wants of his flock. He was educated in the University of Chicago, being a student there from 1863 to 1867. The following year he was made curate of St. Patrick's church, on the West Side. Chicago. While there he built St. Jarlath's church, which is located on Jackson street, and had charge of that district for about four years. His next charge was at Mill Creek, Lake county, this state, where a handsome church was erected under his guidance, and two years later he was transferred to Sheffield, Bureau county, Illinois, where a parsonage and parochial building were built, at a cost of two thousand dollars.
The church of St. Patrick's, at Ransom, was built in 1883, at a cost of somewhat over two thousand dollars, and six years later Father Grogan was given charge of the parish. He at once set about improving and remodeling this structure, the cost being about twenty-five hundred dollars. He also purchased six additional lots, and the property as it stands to-day speaks eloquently of the reverend father's energy and forethought. It is beautifully situated in a charming location, and is one of the most attractive spots in this vicinity. The parish organization is composed of about fifty families, and the love and reverence in which they hold their pastor is but a fitting tribute to his worth. The quiet, earnest manner in which he has gone about his work, and the success which has characterized his ministrations, have caused him to be highly regarded by all who have had the opportunity of meeting him, and no citizen stands higher in the esteem and honor of the residents than the faithful, hard-working pastor of St. Patrick's.
Extracted by Norma Hass from Biographical and Genealogical Record of LaSalle County, Illinois published in 1900, volume 1, pages 128-129.
| Lee | DeKalb | Kane |
| Bureau |
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Kendall |
| Putnam | Grundy | |
| Marshall | Woodford | Livingston |
