People
Notable People
Bishop Edward Francis Hoban - Diocese of Cleveland
193 Bratenahl Road
Edward Francis Hoban was the sixth Catholic bishop of Cleveland. Hoban was born on June 27, 1878, in Chicago, Illinois, to William and Bridget O’Malley Hoban. He was educated at St. Ignatius Preparatory College In Chicago and St. Mary Seminary in Baltimore. On July 11, 1903, he was ordained to the priesthood in Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago.
Hoban did pastoral work for several months before going to Gregorian University in Rome. When he graduated in 1906 with a doctorate in philosophy and theology, he became a professor and treasurer of the Chicago Quigley Preparatory College. He was appointed to the Chicago Diocesan Chancery staff, became chancellor in 1906. He was named auxiliary bishop of Chicago on November 21, 1921. He coordinated and organized the 28th International Eucharistic Congress, held in Chicago in 1926.
On February 10, 1928, Hoban became the bishop of Rockford, Illinois. In Rockford, he opened many elementary and high schools, modernized charitable institutions’ facilities, and established a diocese newspaper.
On November 14, 1942, Hoban was named co-adjutor bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland, serving as an administrator with the right of succession to the ailing Archbishop Schrembs. He became bishop of Cleveland on November 2, 1945, when Archbishop Schrembs died.
Hoban took charge of the diocese during a time of rapid population growth. The diocesan population grew from 546,000 in 1942 to 870,000 in 1966, even though six counties became part of Youngstown's new Diocese, which was established in 1943.
Hoban was known for his boundless energy and organizational skills. He established sixty-one new parishes since coming to Cleveland. He also had the diocese acquire land throughout Greater Cleveland for the eventual construction of new schools.
Education was a priority. Forty-seven new elementary schools and twelve high schools opened. He launched a two-year project to rebuild and remodel St. John's Cathedral. He also enlarged and expanded St. John's College, formerly Sisters’ College, to meet the need for teachers in grade schools.
Hoban centralized the child-care facilities at Parmadale. Recognizing the growing number of infirm and aged people, he constructed additional nursing homes. Holy Family Cancer Home was opened for terminal cancer patients.
Borromeo, an undergraduate seminary, was opened in 1953. Previously, seminarians were educated outside the diocese. Hoban actively promoted the Lay Retreat Movement at various retreat houses and expanded the Newman Apostolate for Catholic students attending public universities and colleges.
In recognition of his services, Pope Pius XII elevated him to archbishop in 1951.
Hoban died on September 22, 1966, in Cleveland and was buried in the crypt of St. John's Cathedral.