Rt. Rev. Msgr. was born on July 6, 1898, the eleventh of twelve children to a farm family in Humphrey, Nebraska. An outstanding baseball player in his youth, he received several offers from Major League Baseball teams. He turned down those offers to pursue his calling to become a priest, pitching for farm teams to earn his way through seminary. After studying in Rome, he was ordained on March 7, 1925. Returning to Omaha, NE he became the Chancellor to the Archdiocease of Omaha. He also served as Director of St. James Orphanage in Omaha.

Following the founder of Boys Town's death (Father Edward Joseph Flanagan) he was appointed the director of Boys Town on September 15, 1948. Under his leadership the population of the Home grew to more than 900 boys. After 25 years of service he retied on September 15, 1973. He celebrated his Golden Anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood at Boys Town in 1975. He passed away on March 18, 1976. His funeral service was held on the Boys Town campus at Dowd Chapel of the Immaculate Conception.

Msgr. worked quietly during his tenure as Director to ensure Fr. Flanag's dream would extend well into the 21st century. His pioneering efforts resulted in, among many things, the dreation of the Boys Town National Research Hospital. Under his watchful care Boys Town doubled in population, expanded educational, vocational, athletic and arts opportunies for the citizens of Boys Town, found a solid finanacial footing and spread its ideas on youth around the globe.

A new middle school was built on campus after his passing and named in his honor.

He is buried at Calvary Cemetery in Omaha.

Rt. Rev. Msgr. was born on July 6, 1898, the eleventh of twelve children to a farm family in Humphrey, Nebraska. An outstanding baseball player in his youth, he received several offers from Major League Baseball teams. He turned down those offers to pursue his calling to become a priest, pitching for farm teams to earn his way through seminary. After studying in Rome, he was ordained on March 7, 1925. Returning to Omaha, NE he became the Chancellor to the Archdiocease of Omaha. He also served as Director of St. James Orphanage in Omaha.

Following the founder of Boys Town's death (Father Edward Joseph Flanagan) he was appointed the director of Boys Town on September 15, 1948. Under his leadership the population of the Home grew to more than 900 boys. After 25 years of service he retied on September 15, 1973. He celebrated his Golden Anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood at Boys Town in 1975. He passed away on March 18, 1976. His funeral service was held on the Boys Town campus at Dowd Chapel of the Immaculate Conception.

Msgr. worked quietly during his tenure as Director to ensure Fr. Flanag's dream would extend well into the 21st century. His pioneering efforts resulted in, among many things, the dreation of the Boys Town National Research Hospital. Under his watchful care Boys Town doubled in population, expanded educational, vocational, athletic and arts opportunies for the citizens of Boys Town, found a solid finanacial footing and spread its ideas on youth around the globe.

A new middle school was built on campus after his passing and named in his honor.

He is buried at Calvary Cemetery in Omaha.