James Joseph Hartley

James Joseph Hartley (June 26, 1858 – January 12, 1944) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Columbus in Ohio from 1904 until his death in 1944. His was the longest episcopate in the diocese's history.

Biography

Early life The eldest of six children, James Hartley was born on June 26, 1858, in Davenport, Iowa, to Irish immigrants Edward Hartley and Catherine McManus Hartley. Shortly after his birth, Hartley and his family moved to Columbus, Ohio, where his parents had been married at St. Patrick Parish. His father kept a saloon on West Maple Street, and the family lived upstairs. His father also worked as a Columbus police officer for many years. His first assignment was as assistant pastor at St. Peter's Parish in Steubenville, Ohio, then part of the diocese. In 1885, he was named pastor of Holy Name Parish in Steubenville. While pastor of Holy Name, Hartley organized a school, a high school, and built a new church. That church became the cathedral of the Diocese of Steubenville when the diocese was erected by Pope Pius XII on October 21, 1944.

Bishop of Columbus On December 10, 1903, at the age of 45, Hartley was appointed as the fourth bishop of Columbus by Pope Pius X. He was consecrated by his predecessor Bishop Henry K. Moeller on February 25, 1904, at Holy Name Church in Steubenville. Bishops Denis O'Donaghue and Herman J. Alerding served as co-consecrators.

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