California Biographies

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


REV. W. A. NEVIN. Remote from the stately missions sleeping in the shadows of the past and 
eloquently bespeaking the guidance of priests and prelates in the dreamy Spanish days, 
Stanislaus county has pursued her individual spiritual upbuilding, and at a later day reared 
her props for a strong religious foundation. Fifty years ago the old French miners of French 
Bar, temporarily forgetting the vices of the rough camps, turned in their sleep to dream 
again of the teachings of their priests and parents in the land beyond the sea. and awoke to 
give shape and tangibility to their needs, erecting the little church of St. Louis at La Grange, 
and assisting at the sacrifice of the mass. The chant from the windowless edifice reverberated 
through the wilderness, faintly perhaps, but with persistence; and could he foresee the miner 
might realize the extent of his influence, and behold the near approach of the ideal community, 
with its many church edifices, its parochial schools, its charities arising to extend their protecting 
wings over the unfortunate and friendless, its homes for the aged, hospitals, houses of providence 
for young women, orphan and foundling asylums, and industrial training schools. All these ad- 
vancements are suggested if not realized by the Catholic church in Stanislaus county to-day, and 
the zeal, piety and spirit of self sacrifice of her teachers and leaders fill with hope the hearts of 
her many hundreds of children. 

Till 1899 St. Mary's Church of Oakdale was a mission of Modesto, with a small congregation 
and little actual stimulus for the energies of its members. In that year Rev. W. A. Nevin 
became the first resident priest, and the mission took on a dignity and importance hitherto im- 
possible. A change has taken place such as one would expect from a man of great culture, learn- 
ing and large heart, and the church has been added to and improved, a new parish house in 
mission style has been erected, and surrounding it are luxuriant vegetation, roses, palms, orange 
and lemon trees, which in itself is one of the crowning glories of California. Different societies 
have been organized to stimulate the activities of the congregation, many members have 
been added, and the parish is a vital center of religious and humanitarian zeal. In addition to 
this responsibility, Rev. Mr. Nevin has charge of St. Joseph's Church at the Twenty-six Mile 
House, which also has been greatly improved, and which is now one of the prettiest little 
churches in the county. Under the jurisdiction of Father Nevin also is the old church of St. 
Louis, LaGrange, which bears well the distinction of being the oldest church building in Stan- 
islaus county, and one of the oldest in the state. Under his devotion and assiduous superintend- 
ence, new life has been infused into all of these churches, and his efforts to strengthen Catholi- 
cism within his jurisdiction has met with the happiest results. The situation demanded great en- 
ergy of action and wisdom of administration, but it has been met unflinchingly, and the church's 
financial and spiritual interests have been directed with prudence and discretion. 

The career of Father Nevin presents an unbroken chain of earnest endeavor to live accord- 
ing to his highest light and inspiration. He was born in Rochester, N. Y., December 1, 1856, 
and is the seventh of fourteen children, thirteen of whom attained maturity, but only two of 
whom are on the Pacific coast. Besides adorning the ministry, the family contributes to the 
civic usefulness of the west, and one of the sons, James Nevin, is at present chief of detectives 
of Portland, Ore. At the age of fifteen he enlisted in Reynolds' Light Artillery and served until the 
close of the war. He took part in the second battle of Bull Run and in the decisive battle of 
Gettysburg he stood at one of the guns stationed in the now famous cemetery whence went 
many a hot and telling shot. Brian and Kate (Kilroy) Nevin, the parents of this large family, were 
born in County Mayo, Ireland, the former in Castlebar and the latter in Newport. The paternal 
grandfather, Patrick Nevin, was also born in County Mayo, and his oldest son. James, came 
to America in 1841, settling in New York state, while the grandfather himself came later, and 
died in Peterboro, Ontario. Brian learned his trade in his native land, and after his marriage 
came to Rochester, N. Y., in 1846, remaining there until his removal to Saginaw, Mich., in 
1864. In both of these towns he plied his useful trade, and died in the latter in, 1874, at the age 
of fifty-seven. His wife survived him until the spring of 1894, when she was sixty-six years 
old. 

At an early age Father Nevin evidenced a predilection for the priesthood. His education in 
the public schools of Rochester and Saginaw was supplemented by private instruction relative to 
his vocation, and at eleven he began the study of the Latin classics and French. In the summer 
of 1872 he entered St. Mary's College in Cincinnati, Ohio, completing the classics in 1876, 
and thereafter studying philosophy and theology in the school of St. Francis at Milwaukee. Wis. 
He was ordained in Detroit, Mich., by Bishop Borgess in February, 1880, for the diocese of 
Detroit, and ten days later became pastor of the church at Monroe, Mich., continuing thus until 
his health broke down and necessitated an all around change. Rest was found in extended 
travel in northern and continental Europe, and upon his return he held a minor position until 
fully restored to health. The little church at Tawas City, Mich., proved a pleasant and not 
too arduous responsibility, and in 1896 he came to California as assistant of the church at Oak- 
land. Three years of residence converted him into an ardent enthusiast of the climate and re- 
sources of this western state, and his appointment to his present charge in 1899 afforded the 
field for Christian work since proved of infinite possibility.