John T. McNicholas was born in Kiltimagh, County Mayo, Ireland on December 15, 1877. He was the youngest of eight children. He immigrated to the United States with his family in 1881 to Chester, Pennsylvania. He attended elementary school at the Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Chester and St. Joseph's Preparatory College in Philadelphia. At seventeen, McNicholas entered the Dominican Order at St. Rose's Priory in Springfield, Kentucky. He was ordained at St. Joseph's in Somerset, Ohio on October 10, 1901. McNicholas continued his education after his ordination in Rome at Minerva University. After three years at Minerva he earned a doctorate of sacred theology. In 1904, McNicholas returned to Somerset to assume the role of master of novices. He then became the Regent of studies, and professor of philosophy, theology, and canon law at the Dominican House of Studies, Immaculate Conception College, near The Catholic University of America until 1909. Following this position, McNicholas became the National Director of the Holy Name Society in New York City and the organization's first journal editor (Holy Name journal). While in New York, he became the pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Church and the first prior of the adjoining convent. After eight years in New York, McNicholas was called to Rome to became the socius (assistant) to the Master General of the Dominicans in Rome. He also taught canon law and theology at Angelicum University. Ultimately he was named Master of theology and granted an honorary office of provincial of Lithuania. In July of 1918, McNicholas accepted the position of Bishop of Duluth, MN. In May of 1925, he was named to the Diocese of Indianapolis. He did not remain there long and was installed as Archbishop of Cincinnati in August 1925. McNicholas continued his connection with CUA as the Chairman of the Episcopal Visiting Committee to examine the ecclesiastical faculties in 1934. He was a part of this committee, the Pontifical Commission of the Sacred Sciences of The Catholic University of America, from 1934 until his death in Cincinnati on April 22, 1950.
From the description of The John T. McNicholas papers. 1912, 1925-1949. (Catholic University of America). WorldCat record id: 67144430
