O'HARA, William, R. C. bishop, born in County Derry, Ireland, about 18161 His parents emigrated to the United States in 1820 and settled in Philadelphia, where the son received his early education. He afterward entered Georgetown college, but, deciding to become a priest, he went to Rome and studied for eleven years in the Urban college of the propaganda. He was ordained in 1843 and appointed pastor of St. Patrick's church, Philadelphia, where he remained, in 1856. He was subsequently professor in the Seminary of St. Charles Borromeo, and for some time acted as its rector. He became vicar-general of the diocese in 1860. In 1868 the diocese of Scranton was formed out of that of Philadelphia, and Dr. O'Hara was appointed its first bishop, and consecrated on 12 July. The new diocese contained fifty churches, most of them of a very primitive character, attended by twenty-eight priests. At present (1888) there are seventy-nine priests, seventy-four churches, forty-six stations, and twelve convents.