Memorial of Thomas J. Gargan.
“The members of the American Irish Historical Society by this memorial desire to pay a tribute of love and respect to the memory of their late associate and President-General, Thomas J. Gargan, and to express their appreciation of his character and ability and their recognition of the great loss the Society has sustained in his death.
“His parents were among the pioneer Irish emigrants who came to this country in the early part of the nineteenth century and settled in Boston, where he was born about sixty-six years ago.
“In early life he was engaged in mercantile pursuits, but the practice of law strongly attracted him and he was admitted to the bar in the year 1875. As a lawyer he was not merely a successful practitioner, but an ornament to the profession, scorning to descend to dishonorable tactics or to adopt the acts of a pettifogger.
“He filled various positions of honor and responsibility, both public and private, faithfully and efficiently. He took an active part in causes that brought into requisition the zeal, sympathy and interest of worthy citizens and rendered valuable service to his city, state and country. Whether it was a call for patriotic service for the preservation of the republic or an invitation to join his fellow citizens in aiding a people struggling for liberty, or in providing relief for those who were afflicted by reason of some extraordinary catastrophe—on all such occasions he responded cheerfully and contributed his full share by word and by deed.
“While he rendered conspicuous public service as an American citizen he was ever mindful of the land of his forefathers, and of the race from which he sprung. In early manhood he became the president of the Charitable Irish Society of Boston, which is one of the oldest societies in this country, having been established in the year 1737, and from the time the American Irish Historical Society was organized he was interested in its welfare, and was honored about ten years ago by being elected to the highest office within the gift of its members.
“His eloquence, copiousness of ideas and fluency of speech made his orations edifying and instructive, and his voice, so rich and tender and with depth of feeling, made the public addresses delivered by him in memory of the late Mayor Collins and other distinguished men, models of eulogistic oratory.
“But he was esteemed most highly by the members of this Society as a true and kind friend, whose sunny temperament, sparkling wit, genial humor and upright character won their love and admiration and will long keep him alive in their memories.”
Resolved, That this memorial be entered upon the records of this Society and that a copy thereof be sent to the widow of our late fellow-member together with the assurance of the deep respect and affection in which he was held by us and the expression of our heartfelt sympathy in her sorrow and bereavement.
Mr. Keating’s eulogy followed the memorial and was an eloquent tribute to our late President-General.
Mr. Gargan was born at Boston, Mass., October 27, 1844, and died at Berlin, Germany, July 31, 1908.
The following memorial to the late Mr. James J. Phelan was presented and read by Mr. Edward J. McGuire, and it was unanimously voted that the same be adopted and that a copy thereof be sent to the family of Mr. Phelan: