J.K. MULLEN FOUNDATION RECORDS

The J.K. Mullen Foundation, formerly the Denver Catholic Charitable and Benevolent Society, was established on May 19, 1924 by Denver businessmand John Kernan (J.K.) Mullen and family. John Mullen was born to Dennis Mullen (1806-1886) and Ellen Mulray (1818-1888) on June 11, 1847 in Ballinasloe, Ireland. It is unclear when his middle name was added, as it was not used until later in life. Dennis and Ellen Mullen immigrated to the United States in 1856 after the birth of their seventh child, Ella. The family settled in Oriskany Falls, New York. At the age of fourteen, J.K. Mullen formed a strong aversion to alcohol, signed a temperance oath, and left school to begin working in the Oriskany Falls Flour Mill. Mullen quickly learned the mill’s operation, becoming manager by the age of twenty. In 1867, Mullen migrated to Kansas where he worked in a few small flour mills. When he arrived in Colorado in 1871, he found employment digging irrigation ditches. Soon after he became a junior miller at Denver’s Merchant’s Mills, and then the mill’s manager in 1873.

In 1874, Mullen volunteered to teach a boys Sunday school class at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Denver, Colorado. There he met fellow teacher Catherine Smith. They were married on October 12, 1874 in Denver, Colorado. Together the couple had five daughters: Ella Theressa (1876-1971), Mary “May” Rose (1877-1952), Katherine (1879-1930), Frances Edith (1881-1967), and Anne (1884-1888).

By 1900, Mullen had founded the J.K. Mullen and Company, and had become General Manager of the Colorado Milling and Elevator Company. His investments were then estimated around $1 million. J.K. worked in the flour industry until 1924, when Catherine’s declining health forced him into semi-retirement. By this time he had accumulated a total of 300 mills, warehouses and grain elevators in eight states. He also experienced the death of this youngest daughter, Anne, in 1888, several life threatening illnesses, the “Black Panic” of 1893, failed investments, family feuds, assault, the marriages of his four surviving daughters, and became a well known philanthropist.

Some of Mullen’s earliest financial contributions were made in 1902 to a variety of charities and civic programs. His private donations went to several Catholic institutions, the University of Denver, Illiff School of Theology, Denver Public Library, Regis University and the Catholic University of America. He also contributed financially to the construction of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, and the installation of statues in Denver’s Civic Center Park.

Mullen established the Denver Catholic Charitable and Benevolent Society as a way to preserve a legacy for his descendants. The first meeting was held at the Mullen home in May, 1924. Family members served on the Board of Directors and donated shares and stocks from various companies to finance the foundation. Catherine died on March 23, 1925 in Denver, Colorado. Later that year, the Denver Catholic Charitable and Benevolent Society changed its name to the John K. and Catherine S. Mullen Benevolent Corporation. Between 1924 and 1926, the Benevolent Corporation donated approximately $9,000 to twelve organizations, the first of which funded student scholarships to the Catholic University of America from 1926 until 1996.

In 1926, J.K. continued to work part time with the Colorado Milling and Elevator Company, while frequently providing financial and physical support to community groups and individuals. One of the most famous was his 1926 business deal with Elizabeth “Baby Doe” Tabor, in which Mullen purchased the Matchless Mine near Leadville, Colorado, and established the Shorego Mining Company. When Mullen passed away in Denver, on August 9, 1929, his estate was valued at over $6 million.

The Mullen family continued to operate The Benevolent Corporation. The Mullen Home of the Aged and Mullen Home for Boys became two of their largest supported programs. Established in 1918, The Mullen Home for the Aged provided support for the elderly of Denver. The Little Sisters of the Poor managed the home, while the Benevolent Corporation maintained the finances, facilities, and overall administration. As of 2013, The Mullen Home is still operated by the Little Sisters of the Poor and provides low-income housing for the elderly.

The Mullen Home for Boys officially opened its doors in 1932. Established to teach farming skills and provide a home for orphan and foster boys, it was operated by the Christian Brothers of St. John Baptist de La Salle. When the school began, there were few students and three clergy. The Home continued to grow until the 1950s, when tuition-paying students were allowed to attend. Slowly the Home expanded and transformed into a private school, officially becoming Mullen High School in 1965. In 1980, the Benevolent Corporation transferred ownership of the school to the Christian Brothers. The school continued boarding students until the late 1980s. By 1989, the school was no longer providing a home for orphans, and became a private co-educational day school which is still in operation as of 2013.

Much of the funding for the Benevolent Corporation is generated by a variety of investments. In 1985, the Benevolent Corporation changed its name to the J.K. Mullen Foundation. Since the late 20th century, it has continued grant funding for education, addiction recovery, religious institutions, and homeless shelters. While working closely with other foundations, such as the Weckbaugh foundation, J.K. and Catherine’s descendants remain involved in the development and distribution of resources. In 2011, the J.K. Mullen Foundation granted over $75,000 to a variety of institutions.