Tobias Mullen was born on March 4, 1818, in Urney, County Tyrone, in Ireland the youngest of the six sons of James and Mary (née Travers) Mullen.[1] He was educated at Castlefin school in Ulster and at Maynooth College in Maynooth, Ireland, where he studied theology and received minor orders.[2] In 1843, Mullen accepted an invitation from Bishop Michael O'Connor to immigrate to the United States and join the Diocese of Pittsburgh.[2]
After completing his theological studies, he was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Pittsburgh by Bishop O'Connor on September 1, 1844.[3] He served for about two years as curate at the Cathedral of Pittsburgh, and was afterwards charged with the care of congregations at Johnstown and in Jefferson County.[1] He was transferred to the rectorship of St. Peter's Church at Allegheny in 1854, and served as vicar general of the Diocese of Pittsburgh from 1864 to 1868.[2]
On March 3, 1868, Mullen was appointed the third Bishop of Erie by Pope Pius IX.[3] He received his episcopal consecration on the following August 2 from Bishop Michael Domenec, with Bishops James Frederick Wood and Louis Amadeus Rappe serving as co-consecrators.[3]
During his 31-year-long administration many priests were ordained, parishes established, churches and schools built, and conferences for the clergy held.[4] He also founded the weekly Lake Shore Visitor, an orphanage, and two hospitals.[4] His greatest accomplishment was the erection of St. Peter's Cathedral.[5] Originally dubbed as "Mullen's Folly", its cornerstone was laid in 1875 and it was later dedicated in 1893.[5] Mullen suffered a paralytic stroke on May 20, 1897.[5] He received John Fitzmaurice as his coadjutor bishop in 1898.[4]
Tobias Mullen remained in ill health until his death at on April 22, 1900, at age 82.
