He was elected President of the Fordham University Alumni Association for two terms, 1899–1901, and materially aided the work of the Association with his usual irrepressible zeal.
The funeral took place from St. John’s Church on Wednesday, November 17, 1909. His Grace, the Most Rev. Archbishop Farley, celebrated a Solemn Mass of Requiem. The church was packed to its utmost capacity and a multitude unable to gain admittance lined the outer roadway. A large attendance of clergymen and well-known laymen included many members of our Society, among them being Hon. John D. Crimmins, Justices Edward E. McCall, and John W. Goff. Monsignor Mooney preached a touching sermon wherein he spoke eloquently of Father O’Dwyer’s zeal and attainments. Many were visibly affected to tears. He said that although a comparatively young man his work was of the highest and most praiseworthy order.
“Today,” said the Monsignor, “a mourning people and weeping children, all must send up not the exultant song of fondest hopes fulfilled, but the low, sad plaint of sorrow for the soul of him who was their pastor kind and true. Twenty-one years ago he came forth with anointed hands from St. Joseph’s Seminary at Troy to begin the work that was appointed for him. His first labors were served in St. Raphael’s, where he spread the seeds of Christianity—seeds which quickly took root. None of the vigor and zeal of that manhood were lost which characterized his early work when he was transferred to the Blessed Sacrament church. A thread of gold seemed to run through his life. It was in the city of his birth that the whole years of his labors as a priest were spent. Six years of unabated toil marked his pastorate at St. John’s—six years spent in constant labors of love till God called him forth. He gave the best that was in him, he did the best for you, while he was permitted to remain with you. All the splendid manhood he brought with him when he came—his excellent equipment of mind and heart—he used to foster in his congregation the love of God. He knew no bounds in his devotion to you and your little ones. The anguish of that awful morning was so deep, so sudden, that as yet we are not able to take in its full realization.
“It was not deigned by heaven for him that he should ascend this altar and offer sacrifice—alas!—the first ceremony enacted within these walls was over his own remains. His life labors are done; well did he perform them. The God of Justice called him away, but you shall never forget him, his memory will be to you a proper inheritance till time shall call you on into eternity, where united with him there shall be no suffering in the everlasting Trinity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.”
GENERAL ST. CLAIR A. MULHOLLAND.
BY THE SECRETARY GENERAL.
General St. Clair A. Mulholland, one of the best known and most highly esteemed men in public life in Pennsylvania, and a life member of the American-Irish Historical Society, died on Thursday, February 17, 1910, after an illness of less than a week’s duration. Stricken on the 11th inst. in his office in the Federal Building, General Mulholland battled bravely to regain his health, but his advanced age—he was almost seventy-one years old—proved too great a handicap. Physicians ascribe his death to a general breakdown.
Brevet Major General St. Clair A. Mulholland, who at the close of the Civil War was one of the youngest of the major generals created during that struggle, was a native of the County Antrim, Ireland, where he was born in 1839. He came to this country with his parents when but eight years old. While still a very young man he became connected with the Pennsylvania militia, and when the Civil War broke out he entered the service. For a brief period he was a recruiting officer, but in 1862 he went to the front with the One Hundred and Sixteenth Pennsylvania Volunteers, which he helped to organize, as lieutenant colonel. This was in June, 1862, when he was only 23 years of age.
Subsequently he was promoted to the colonelcy. He took part in the fights at Charlestown and Ashby’s Gap, Va., in October and November, 1862. He commanded his regiment at Fredericksburg, in the famous charge of the Irish Brigade, of which the regiment formed a part, and was severely wounded in the gallant attempt to storm Marye’s Heights. On February 27, 1863, he was appointed major of battalion. In the battle of Chancellorsville, Va., May 2, 3 and 4, 1863, he led his regiment, and distinguished himself in saving the guns of the Fifth Maine Battery, which had been abandoned to the enemy. For this he was complimented in general orders. In this campaign he was selected by General Hancock to command the picket line of the Second Corps, and while performing this duty covered the retreat of the Army of the Potomac from Chancellorsville across the Rappahannock, for which service he was awarded a Congressional medal of honor.
He participated in the fight at Thoroughfare Gap, Va., June 25, 1863. In the battle of Gettysburg he again led his regiment, which was practically annihilated. He then took command and led into action the One Hundred and Fortieth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. He was engaged in the fight at Jones’ Cross Roads, July 10, 1863; at Falling Waters, July 14, and in the battle of the Wilderness, May 5, 1864, where he was again wounded. For his gallant conduct on this occasion he was made brevet brigadier general. He was in the fight at Tod’s Tavern, May 10, 1864, and in the battle of Po River, where he was a third time wounded.