Thomas J. O'Connell, pastor of Holy Cross church, Ovid, was born in Cloondargan House, Dunmore, county Galway, Ireland. His parents were James O'Connell and Sarah Cunningham. He attended school at Clanmorris, under Michael Kenney, to study Greek and Latin, in 186o. In the following year, 1861, he went to St. Jarleth's college, Tuam, Ireland, under the Most Rt. Rev. John MacHale, spending five years in Tuam studying Greek, Latin, English, and Sciences; was sent to the Irish seminary or college, Paris, France; studied there for five years and six months. He had to leave there on account of the Franco-Prussian war, so came to this country, was adopted by Rt. Rev. Bishop McQuaid, D. D., and went to St. Bonaventure's seminary, Allegany, Cattaraugus county, N. Y., and was ordained after three months by Rt. Rev. B. J. McOuaid on June 22nd, 1871. He was sent to Auburn as assistant to Rev. M. Kavanaugh, pastor of Holy Family church and remained there four years. Then he attended at the Cathedral, Rochester, and from there was appointed pastor of Holy Cross. church, Ovid, April 20, 1876, and has served his parishioners faithfully and well from that time until the present. Many good things. that he has done for the people of Ovid might be mentioned, but we will speak of only one, the erection of the church now under way, which will be dedicated in the spring of 1896. This edifice, when completed, will be as fine a structure as any in Seneca county, and will be a lasting monu-ment to the memory of Father O'Connell for many years after he has passed to his reward.