Jan. 2. Among the mayors inaugurated in Massachusetts cities today were the following: Hon. Augustine J. Daly, Cambridge; Hon. James B. Casey, Lowell; Hon. Cornelius B. Lynch, Lawrence; Hon. John T. Coughlin, Fall River; Hon. M. F. Dwyer, Medford; Hon. Lawrence P. Reade, Woburn; and Hon. T. M. Connor, Northampton. Jan. 2. The following mayors, among others, were inaugurated in Rhode Island cities today: Hon. Patrick J. Boyle, Newport; Hon. James H. Higgins, Pawtucket; and Hon. Thomas H. McNally, Central Falls. Jan. 12. A meeting of the Council of the Society is held at the Hotel Manhattan, 42d Street and Madison Avenue, New York City. Jan. 12. Thomas D. O’Brien, St. Paul, Minn., is today appointed insurance commissioner of Minnesota by Governor Johnson. Jan. 16. Hon. Thomas H. Carter, a member of the Society, is today again elected United States senator from Montana. Jan. 24. The annual meeting and dinner of the Society takes place at the Hotel Manhattan, New York City. Jan. 24. Died today in Dorchester (Boston), Mass., Mary, the widow of Thomas O’Neil, a veteran of the Mexican and Civil wars. In view of the death of his widow, a few words regarding O’Neil will be of interest. He served bravely in the Mexican War, during which he distinguished himself by saving Franklin Pierce, afterwards president of the United States. Pierce was badly wounded, when O’Neil rescued him and taking him on his own horse, dashed away with him to a place of safety. In the home of Mrs. McFarlane, her daughter, where Mrs. O’Neil spent the latter part of her life, are two interesting testimonials of the bravery of O’Neil during the war. One is a Bible, the gift of President Pierce, with this inscription: “For the children of Sergeant Thomas O’Neil, who was in my military family during the war with Mexico, and by his courage and fidelity earning my confidence and affectionate regard. Franklin Pierce. Washington, D. C., May 22, 1853.” The other is a beautiful silk Mexican flag, finely worked and colored, which O’Neil captured. It was made in a convent. It now hangs over his portrait in the parlor. O’Neil promptly responded to Lincoln’s call for volunteers when the Civil War broke out. He received the distinction of being offered in one day two commissions, one from Governor Andrew of Massachusetts, as captain, and one from New York. He accepted the latter and as captain recruited and went to the front with a regiment which afterwards became part of Meagher’s Irish brigade. For his distinguished services on the field of battle he was promoted to the rank of major. He resigned in 1862, with the intention of returning to Boston to raise another company for the war, but a few days afterwards fell from his horse and died of his injuries. Jan. 28. Dr. Patrick J. McGrath, a member of a prominent family in Dublin, Ireland, died today at Bellevue Hospital, New York. He sailed on one of the Peary expeditions to the Polar regions, as medical adviser; enlisted in a volunteer regiment during the war with Spain, and also served throughout the Philippine campaign. Shortly before his death he had received from Washington, D. C., an appointment as surgeon in the canal zone in Panama. Jan. 28. The Irish-American, New York City, of this date, has the following: “President Roosevelt in sending some details of his Irish pedigree to the American-Irish Historical Society ... has made known some information not generally current, though often desired. To his credit be it said, that he always was proud of his Irish blood, and from the very outset of his public career, years ago, vaunted it as one of his most cherished possessions. He has been following this up by the nomination to public office of candidates with decidedly Hibernian patronymics. W. D. Murphy of this city, it is said, is to be the new Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, and a diplomat named O’Brien, from the Northwest, is to be sent as Minister to Denmark. ‘Think of old Brian, war’s mighty lion,’ who smote the Danes at Clontarf and drove them into the sea, looking down from his celestial mansion above and seeing one of his descendants made ambassador to his old enemies from the greatest nation of the world, a nation to the prosperity and prestige of which his countrymen have contributed so much! Mr. Roosevelt in his genealogical list included the O’Briens. He must have had some idea of the poetical and historical retributions of the case when he thought of one of the great Munster families for the Republic’s representative to Denmark.” Jan. 30. Hon. Anthony M. Keiley, formerly chief justice of the International Court of Appeals at Cairo, Egypt, died on or about this date in France. He was a native of New Jersey and was about 69 years old. He was educated at the Randolph-Macon College in Virginia. After graduation he founded the Norfolk Virginian and was also editor of the Petersburg Index and News. He first became prominent in the politics of Virginia in the campaign of 1881, when he was chairman of the Democratic state committee. He was also mayor of Richmond for one term and then became city attorney. It was while holding this office, in 1885, that he attracted the attention of President Cleveland, who appointed him minister to Italy to succeed William Waldorf Astor. The Italian government objected, however, to the appointment and it was cancelled. The president then appointed Mr. Keiley minister to Austria, but the government of that country also declared him persona non grata on the ground that he held ultramontane views, which were offensive to a friendly government. This objection was not well received either in official circles here or among a large and influential class in Austria. The Austrian government then raised other objections. Secretary of State Bayard addressed a note to the Austrian government in which he spoke plainly on the unreasonableness of race and religious distinctions. He said that the appointment would be allowed to stand even though it resulted in a rupture of diplomatic relations between Austria and the United States. Mr. Keiley, however, saved the administration from further embarrassment by resigning. Afterward, President Cleveland appointed him to the International Court at Cairo, of which he became chief justice. His wife died in 1902, and he was so greatly distressed over her loss that he resigned from the court and sought relief in travel. Mr. Keiley served twelve years as president of the Irish Catholic Benevolent Union. Feb. 3. John C. Foley, a veteran of the Civil War, died today in Charleston, S. C., while on a business tour. His residence for some years past had been in New Orleans, La. He belonged to an old and widely respected Irish family favorably known in Kilkenny and Tipperary, members of which emigrated to this country in the early fifties and settled in South Brooklyn, N. Y., where some of them still reside. On the breaking out of the Civil War the deceased joined the Eighty-eighth Regiment, New York Volunteers, of Meagher’s Brigade, in which he was commissioned as first lieutenant in the company of which the late Maj. P. K. Horgan was then captain. He served with his command through all the engagements in which it participated, down to Burnside’s disastrous assault on the fortified lines of the Confederates at Fredericksburg, in which the Irish brigade, in the assault on Marye’s Heights, was so cut up that after the fight the New York regiments originally comprised in it could only muster, all told, between two and three hundred unwounded men. General Meagher applied to the war department to have the brigade temporarily relieved in order that its decimated ranks might be again recruited; but the reply of the secretary of that time,—who had never regarded the Irish organizations with favor,—was an order relieving Meagher of his command, consolidating the regiments into four companies, under a lieutenant-colonel, and mustering out the other surviving officers as supernumeraries. Feb. 6. Michael Hicks, a member of the Society, died today at his residence in New York City. Feb. 7. James A. Walsh died today in Lewiston, Me. He was a member of the Society. Feb. 9. Hon. Carlton McCarthy, mayor of Richmond, Va., writes today, expressing his appreciation of “The great value and importance of the work” in which the Society is engaged. Feb. 11. Rear Admiral John McGowan, U.S.N. (retired), is today admitted as a Life member of the Society. His father was born in Philadelphia, Pa., but his grandfather was born in Ireland. Feb. 11. Brig.-Gen. Michael Cooney, U.S.A. (retired), is admitted to membership in the Society. Feb. 11. Brig.-Gen. Peter Leary, Jr., U.S.A. (retired), writes expressing his appreciation of the work in which the Society is engaged. Feb. 16. It is announced from Dublin, Ireland, that President Roosevelt has sent to Lady Gregory a contribution toward the purchase of Irish pictures for the Gallery of Modern Art which it is proposed to establish in Dublin. Lady Gregory has been appealing to Americans to assist in buying pictures lately exhibited at the Royal Hibernian Academy, and President Roosevelt, who sent the contribution “with great pleasure,” has written to her as follows: “I cordially sympathize with you in your efforts to keep such a collection of pictures in Dublin. It would be an important step toward giving Dublin the position it by right should have.” Feb. 19. Gen. John M. Brennan, a well-known lawyer of Providence, R. I., died. He served on the staff of Governor Davis of Rhode Island as judge advocate general. Feb. 21. Eugene M. O’Neill of Pittsburg, Pa., is admitted to the Society as a Life member. Feb. 22. John T. Gibbons of New Orleans, La., is admitted to the Society as a Life member.
NECROLOGY.
The following members of the Society died during the year 1905, much and deservedly regretted:
Brennan, Michael, New York City; owner of the Hotel San Remo, Central Park West, New York, and other property. He was born in Sligo, Ireland, 1832; died at his home, 2 West 75th Street, New York, May 30. He was a member of the New York Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and of the Catholic Club. He became a member of the American-Irish Historical Society soon after the organization of the latter, and the first meeting and dinner held by the Society in New York took place at his hotel, the San Remo, just mentioned.
Collins, Hon. Patrick A., mayor of Boston, Mass. He was born in Fermoy, County Cork, Ireland, March 12, 1844, died at Hot Springs, Va., Sept. 14, 1905. His mother brought him to this country when he was but four years of age. They settled in Chelsea, Mass. In the course of time, Patrick entered the law school of Harvard University and was graduated therefrom in 1871. He had gone into political affairs while he was a student and had been elected a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1868. He served two terms there and one in the State Senate. When he was admitted to the bar, in 1871, Mr. Collins made public announcement of his determination not to hold public office again in ten years. He kept to the resolution, but he stayed in politics. He became chairman of the Boston Democratic Committee in 1873 and held the responsibilities of the place for two years. He served as judge advocate-general on the staff of Governor Gaston of Massachusetts. While in the Legislature, Collins was identified with the passage of such liberal and reformatory legislation as freedom of worship for Catholics in penal, correctional and charitable institutions, the abolition of a distinct oath for Catholics, the ten-hour law, and legislation looking towards equal rights for foreign-born citizens. He was married in 1873 to Mary E. Cary. They had three children, Paul, Agnes and Marie. After serving two terms as congressman from the fourth Massachusetts district, he declined a third term, but was forced in his party’s interest to reconsider his decision. During his three terms in Congress he served on the Committee on the Judiciary, and sometimes in addition on the Committees on Pacific Railroads, French Spoliation Claims and other important bodies. He was delegateat-large to the National Democratic Conventions of 1876, 1880, 1884 and 1892. He was permanent chairman of the 1888 convention and made an address which attracted admiring attention from the whole country, as did his speech seconding the nomination of Grover Cleveland four years later. It was generally understood that Mr. Cleveland offered Mr. Collins a cabinet office, but Mr. Collins declined to take such office. Mr. Cleveland gave him instead one of the highest-paid government posts, that of consul-general at London, where the salary is $5,000 a year, and the fees in Mr. Collins’ time amounted to about $25,000 a year or more. Mr. Collins resigned from the chairmanship of the Democratic State Committee and went to London. When he was consul-general Mr. Cleveland again asked him to come into the cabinet as secretary of war. Mr. Collins refused. He was quoted as saying that he refused because he “didn’t care for second-hand clothes.” He never denied the remark. At the opening ceremonies of the Hotel Cecil, Mr. Collins’ remarks regarding the good will of Mr. Cleveland toward the British people were jeered by some of his hearers. He turned on them and said: “There is no antagonism between the United States and any well-meaning state on earth. If the rest of the world understood the United States as well as the United States understands the rest of the world there would never be any danger to peace between my country and other nations.” There were no more jeers. In 1897 Mr. Collins returned to the practice of law in Boston. He was nominated for mayor in 1899, but was beaten by differences in his own party. He was elected the next term, was re-elected, and held the office at the time of his death.
Galligan, Edward F. (M. D.), Taunton, Mass. He was a native of that city and was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Galligan. He studied medicine and was graduated from the medical department of Harvard University. In 1884, he was appointed city physician of Taunton and filled the position for several years. He was a trustee of the Morton Hospital, a member of the Taunton Physicians’ Club, of the North Bristol Medical Society and of the American Medical Association. He died Sept. 26, 1905.
Harty, Rev. John, a Roman Catholic clergyman; rector of the Church of the Sacred Heart, Pawtucket, R. I. He was a native of Ireland, and was ordained to the priesthood in Dublin, 1874. He died, June 2. He was at one period connected with St. Patrick’s Church, Providence, R. I., and was later rector of the church in East Providence.
Hayes, John, Manchester, N. H. He was a native of Ireland, and was of a splendid type as a man and a citizen. He died at Manchester in March. One of his sons, the late Hon. John J. Hayes, of Boston, Mass., was also a member of the Society.
Hicks, Michael, New York City; inventor of the “Hurricane lamp,” which was used on railway trains, and especially in the Pullman palace cars, until it was supplanted by the Pintsch light. He was born in County Meath, Ireland, 1832; died at his residence, 147 West 121st Street, New York, March 6.
Linehan, Hon. John C., Penacook (Concord), N. H. He was state insurance commissioner of New Hampshire; a founder of the American-Irish Historical Society and treasurer-general of the same from its organization in January, 1897, to August, 1905, when he resigned owing to ill health. Commissioner Linehan was born in Macroom, County Cork, Ireland, Feb. 9, 1840, and came to this country in 1849. He was a son of John and Margaret (Foley) Linehan. He enlisted in August, 1861, in the band of the Third New Hampshire Volunteers and in after years was prominently identified with the Grand Army of the Republic, holding various offices therein. He served as a councilman and alderman of Concord, was chosen a member of the executive council of the state of New Hampshire to serve during the term of Gov. Charles H. Sawyer in 1887 and 1888. He was appointed trustee for the state industrial school by Gov. Samuel W. Hale in 1884, and except for a brief interval of a few months served continually since. He was secretary of the board for several years, and since 1897 was its president. He was also one of the committee to select the location for the Concord soldiers’ monument, as well as to select its design and inscription. He was appointed insurance commissioner of New Hampshire for three years by Gov. David H. Goodell, on Sept. 28, 1890. He was reappointed in 1893 by Gov. John B. Smith, in 1896 by Gov. Charles A. Busiel, and in 1899 by Gov. Frank W. Rollins. His record as insurance commissioner is well known. He was fearless and conscientious in the performance of his duties and received the commendations of his superiors, the governors and councils, as well as of the people of the state. His management of the insurance department was highly commended, and throughout the country he bore the reputation of being an honest, fearless, conscientious and capable public servant. A pamphlet published by the United States government in 1894, in which was printed the argument of Hon. John L. Thomas, assistant attorney-general, for the post office department, in the case of the United States v. the National Investment Company, contained 19 pages of extracts from Commissioner Linehan’s reports for the years 1891–’92–’93. He was one of the charter members of William I. Brown Post, G. A. R., and its first commander, filling the position over two years. He was chosen to represent the Department of New Hampshire, G. A. R., at the National Encampment in Albany in 1878, and a member of the national Council of Administration in 1880–81. He was elected department commander of New Hampshire in 1883 and 1884, and was appointed a member of the National Pension Committee, serving until 1887, when he was unanimously chosen junior vice-commander-in-chief, G. A. R. He was president of the New Hampshire Veteran Association in 1885 and 1886, and from its institution, with the exception of several years, its musical director. When his candidacy for the office of commander-in-chief at the annual G. A. R. encampment in Cincinnati in 1898 was before his comrades throughout the country, it received the heartiest indorsement, and when he withdrew there was much regret. He was elected one of the board of directors of the Gettysburg Battlefield Monument Association, and placed on the Executive Committee in 1884. He was a trustee of the Loan & Trust Savings Bank of Concord, a member of the New Hampshire Historical Society, Knights of Columbus, and of the Charitable Irish Society of Boston. He was a steady contributor to weeklies and periodicals. He contributed a chapter, The Irish in New Hampshire, to McClintock’s History of New Hampshire, also a chapter to the History of the First New Hampshire Regiment, on The Irish of New Hampshire in the Civil War, and a chapter to the History of the Seventeenth New Hampshire Regiment, on Music and Songs of the War. He has written many sketches on the early Irish settlers in the thirteen colonies, which have been published in papers and magazines. Several papers from his pen have appeared in the publications of the American-Irish Historical Society. He received a degree from Dartmouth College in 1887. He was also in demand as a speaker and lecturer, and had spoken more or less during every political campaign since 1884. He was married to Mary E. Pendergast by the Rev. John O’Donnell, in Nashua, N. H., Jan. 2, 1864. Of the children born to them, four survive—Margaret, now Sister Mary Joseph, of the Order of Mercy; John Joseph, Timothy Patrick and Henry Francis. Commissioner Linehan died Sept. 19, 1905.