James McGovern, a life member of this Society, was born of Irish parents in Brooklyn, N. Y., on the 31st day of August, 1854. When but fourteen years of age he began his business life in the employ of Coleman Benedict, a stock broker. His progress was remarkable. In twelve years he became a partner in the firm. He was elected a member of the New York Stock Exchange in 1880 and during his long business career he was universally regarded as one of the ablest and most honorable men on ’Change. He was honored time and again by election to its Board of Governors, serving on its most important committees. Because of his high character and broad knowledge of values his judgment on investments was widely sought. For example, he was for years a prominent member of the Finance Committee of the Emigrant Industrial Savings Bank and a director in the Kings Co. Trust Company, the Corn Exchange National Bank and the Home Life Insurance Company. He was also a member of the Chicago Stock Exchange, the New York Chamber of Commerce, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Natural History, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, the Catholic and a number of other clubs in which he took an active and prominent interest.
Mr. McGovern’s charities were most liberal and carried on quietly, without ostentation. He was a benefactor of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (a member of its Finance Committee) the Ozanam Club for Working Boys and many similar Societies. He was the President and best friend of the Dominican Sisters of the sick poor, a charity that appealed directly to his generous heart.
Mr. McGovern was especially proud of his Irish ancestry and never failed to respond to any call for help from the land of his forefathers.
He died on November 6, 1909, and in his death the community at large suffered a great loss.
REV. MICHAEL A. McMANUS.
BY JAMES L. O’NEILL OF ELIZABETH, N. J.
Rev. Michael A. McManus, D. D., rector of St. Aloysius Church, Newark, N. J., died November 16, 1909. Deceased was the son of Lawrence A. McManus of Paterson, N. J. It was in that city that he was born September 29, 1849. When a boy he evinced his religious tendency and determined to become a priest. After obtaining permission from his parents, he went to Newark to consult with the late Archbishop Bayley, then Bishop of Newark. Bishop Bayley noticing the slight figure before him, at first did not appear inclined to give his consent but the determined manner and speech of the young man soon won the Bishop over.
When he was quite young his father sent him to St. Charles College, Ellicott City, Md., to begin his ecclesiastical training. He had previously received a classical education at a private school in Paterson. After four years at St Charles he entered Seton Hall College, where he was graduated, and then entered the seminary of the Immaculate Conception. He was ordained April 26, 1874, by the late Archbishop Michael Austin Corrigan, who was then Bishop of the diocese of Newark, which then comprised all of New Jersey. He was first sent to St. Michael’s Church, Jersey City. While attached to that Parish he became seriously ill and had to be sent to St. Francis Hospital. After recovering he went to the Southern States and did missionary work for a couple of years. On returning north he was sent as an assistant to the Church of the Assumption, Morristown, N. J. Within a couple of years he was made pastor of St. Patrick’s Church of Woodbury. He remained there until 1881, when the single dioceses comprised in the entire state, was divided by the establishment of the Trenton diocese.
In 1881 he was sent to St. Joseph’s, Newton, N. J., remaining there until 1890, when Bishop Wiggar transferred him to Newark, and assigned to him the task of establishing the parish of the Sacred Heart. Finally he was transferred to St. Aloysius’ Church of the same city in June, 1906. Seton Hall College conferred on Father McManus the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. His unostentatious charity was something the extent of which was ever widening and often surprised those closest to him. In public affairs he was always interested. He served on the grand jury several years ago, being the first priest in the county who ever officiated as a member of that body.
St. Aloysius School is his monument. He had been secretary of the Board of Trustees of St. Michael’s Hospital for many years and was one of the prime movers in the movement for a public park in the twelfth ward, Newark, a movement which culminated in the establishment of Riverbank Park, now in process of completion. He was known for his sturdy loyalty to the cause of Ireland, and he never lost an opportunity to lend it his aid. He was strong also in his liking for the German people, whose language he spoke fluently.