Father Michael O'DONOVAN

Father Michael O'DONOVAN was born 17 July 1904 near Mitchelstown, County Cork, Ireland to Patrick O'DONOVAN and Margaret LEE.

From the 1911 census , Cork, Michelstown, Templemaloga District, Townland: Labbamaloga East

Michael attended Christian Brothers School, Midleton, County Cork, Ireland
He also attended Mount St. Joseph Abbey secondary school, near Roscrea, Tipperary, Ireland, but is really located in nearby County Offaly. It is one of only 2 secondary schools associated with an Abbey.
Michael continued his education at All Hallows College, Dublin and Kenrick Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
On June 2, 1928 Michael was ordained by Bishop Schwertner at St. Mary's Cathedral in Wichita, Kansas, USA
Shortly after his ordaination, Michael becaome an assistant pastor at St. Patrick's Catholic Church and School, Parsons, Kansas

From the  1930 census taken 2 April 1930 in South Suger Creek, Randolph County, Missouri we find Michael O'Donovan living at 209 South Williams. He is Single, born in Ireland speaks English, Immigrated to the USA in 1928, renting for $30 a month and is a Naturalozed Citizen, 26 years old a priest at a Catholic Church. Both parents were born in Ireland

From the 1930 census taken 21 April 1930 we find Michael O'Donovan living at Woodland Hospital, 346 Halleck Street, Moberly City, Suger Creek Township, Randolph County, Missouri. Michael is the only patient. The rest of the occupants are a Surgeon, a Head Nurse, a Superintendent, a Stenographer,10 employees, and Patient Michael Donovan. Michael is single, age 26, born in the Irish Free State, as were both his parents,He arrived in the USA in 1928, his papers have been submitted for Naturalization, & he is a Priest at a Catholic Church.

From the 1940 census we find Michael living at 205 Chestnut, Unit 19A, McPherson, McPherson County, Kansas, the monthly rental is $30. Michael is  a Catholic Priest

Michael had to register for the World War II draft, her are the front and back sides of his draft card.

Sometime before 1949, probably even before World War II, Father Michael O'DONOVAN visited San Francisco to see his cousins..
Mary Ellen Gleeson(Her grandfather was Thomas LEE(1863-1952) and Father Michael's Uncle). . told the story about the family (Mary Ellen Gleeson, her husband James GLEESON, their two children Mary Ellen and James) and Father Michael travelling to Yosemite National Park. As they approached the park, one of many amazing sights in the park(probably a huge waterfall) came into view and James GLEESON said to Father Michael "Oh, look at that!." Father Michael said "You do the driving, I'll be doing the looking!"

In 1948 Michael took a year sick leave due to a muscle ailment of the throat.

In the 1950 census at 3155 N. Main, Monroe, Monroe County, Missouri, USA we find Edward C. Connolly, "head of household", age 60, a priest, born in Ireland, never married. Also, Michael O'Donovan "partner" age 48, a priest, born in Ireland, never married, and Mayme F. Sullivan, age 61, female, born in Missouri, a housekeepeer. never married

In 1951 he retired from active parocial work and resided in  his home in Lyons, Kansas, until he passed away on 9 September 1959.
From page 1 and page 2 of Michael's obituary we learn the following:
Father Michael O'DONOVAN was born 17 July 1904 near Mitchelstown, County Cork, Ireland to Patrick O'DONOVAN and Margaret LEE.
Michael attended Christian Brothers School, Midleton, County Cork, Ireland
He also attended Mount St. Joseph Abbey secondary school, near Roscrea, Tipperary, Ireland, but is really located in nearby County Offaly. It is one of only 2 secondary schools associated with an Abbey.
Michael continued his education at All Hallows College, Dublin and Kenrick Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
On June 2, 1928 Michael was ordained by Bishop Schwertner at St. Mary's Cathedral in Wichita, Kansas, USA
Shortly after his ordaination, Michael becaome an assistant pastor at St. Patrick's Catholic Church and School, Parsons, Kansas

See Michael's full list of Diocesan Appointments at page 1 of his Obituary linked above.  Here is Page 2 of his Obituary
In the summer of 1935 Michael was able to return to Ireland to spend the summer with his mother and the rest of his family still in the Labbamaloga area of County Cork, Ireland

Here is another obituary. This obituary mentions that a sister of Father Michael, Sister Mel Marie, was a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Wichita, Kansas. has a sister named


This page was last updated on November 26, 2022