Chapter IV: Part 4

“This, however, was but one of the important enterprises carried on by
Mr. Phelan with success. His ability in commercial and corporate
affairs was rare and as his remarkable grasp of great affairs and his
skill in their administration became known he was invited into
enterprises of the most important and lucrative character. He achieved
from them a large fortune as well as a high reputation in finance. He
died a member of the Chamber of Commerce of the City of New York.

“His active business life did not absorb all his energies. He was a
man who from his youth took active part in the political life of the
city. He joined also the societies working in the field of religion
and morality. He was fond of his friends and of social life. He was
always faithful to the traditions of the old Irish race from which he
was descended and active in its cause.

“In 1890 he became a commissioner of the Dock Department of the City
of New York on the appointment of Mayor Hugh J. Grant. He left upon
that office the impress of his ability in one of the most important
divisions of the affairs of the world’s greatest seaport, at a time
when millions of dollars were available and were spent in providing
for the oceanic trade of the port of New York. His service lasted four
years, when he resigned with the praise and good wishes of the entire
municipality.

“He was identified almost from his youth with the work of the Xavier
Alumni Sodality, of the Catholic Club and of the St. Vincent de Paul
Society. He rendered each of them great service, both as an officer
and as a member. He was a trustee of the Roman Catholic Orphan Asylum,
of the Catholic Benevolent Legion, of the Catholic Summer School and
of many other philanthropic societies. He was a member of many of them
in their struggling years and he gave his powers and his industry in
full measure to their proper development.

“He was a member of the American Irish Historical Society from its
establishment. He was always most interested in its work and devoted
to the cause for which it stood. His pleasant face will be missed from
its gatherings.

“He was married twice, the second time in 1881 to Marie Foran of New
York. He had four sons and four daughters, who with his widow survive
him.

“James J. Phelan was an example of the truth that in proper conditions
the men of the Irish race surely rise to eminence in fields in which
the current prejudice and error of the age deny that excellence is
possible to them. From small beginnings and in conflict with adverse
circumstances he rose to great fortune and conspicuous position in the
metropolis by the exercise of thrift, temperance, honesty and
intelligence. He met all sorts and conditions of men and asking no
favor he conquered success, holding fast at the same time to the
ideals of the race from which he sprung and the ancient faith to which
he was ever loyal.”

The following memorial to the late Thomas Hamilton Murray, former Secretary-General of the Society, was presented and read by the present Secretary-General, Mr. Thomas Z. Lee, and it was unanimously voted that the same be adopted and that a copy thereof be sent to the widow of Mr. Murray:

MEMORIAL OF THOMAS HAMILTON MURRAY.

“On June 5, 1908, Thomas Hamilton Murray, editor, genealogist and
historian, died at his home in Sea View in the town of Marshfield,
Massachusetts, in the fifty-first year of his age.

“He was one of the founders of the American Irish Historical Society
and its Secretary-General from the date of its organization until his
death. During his administration the Society grew in numbers and
influence, pursuing its good work and historical researches into most
of the states of the Union, until he saw it occupying the foremost
place in this country of any organization engaged in similar work. He
was proud of the Society and gave it his best efforts. To him every
individual member was personally known, and he took pride in
stimulating each with a sense of the responsibility undertaken in
making better known the Irish chapter in American history.

“Mr. Murray obtained his early education in the public schools of
Newton, Cambridge and Boston, Mass., and, when he reached his
majority, chose journalism as his profession. He was a close observer,
a ready writer and possessed a style direct and attractive. The seven
volumes of the JOURNAL edited by him bear eloquent testimony to his
literary ability. For a while he contributed educational, literary and
historical articles to the _Boston Pilot_ and enjoyed the coöperation
and friendship of its then editor, John Boyle O’Reilly; later he
became a member of the staff of the _Boston Globe_, where he remained
several years. Ben Palmer was editor of the _Globe_ at that time, and
the _Globe_ office was one of the best schools of journalism in the
country. With a well-regulated mind and a strong constitution, Mr.
Murray worked hard and the training there obtained well fitted him for
the life work he had undertaken and the filling of important positions
to which he was later called.

“After leaving the _Globe_, Mr. Murray became court reporter for the
_Boston Daily Star_, then editor of the _Roxbury Advocate_, and
afterwards editor of the _Daily Advertiser_, a morning paper at
Shelton, Conn. He next became night editor of the _Morning News_, of
Bridgeport, Conn., but soon returned to day work and became editor of
the _Daily Record_ at Meriden, Conn., where he remained until called
to the editorial chair of the _Evening and Sunday Telegram_ at
Providence, R. I. After five years in this position, he became editor
of the _Lawrence Daily Sun_, and four years later took charge of the
_Evening Call_ at Woonsocket.

“He had long taken a deep interest in historical studies, particularly
in relation to the events and epochs of persons of Irish extraction,
and his lectures and writings showed not only his devotion to his
subjects, but a wide range of learning and research as well as a high
order of literary ability. In addition to his invaluable work for this
Society he was the author of many historical works, some of which are
as follows:

“The Libraries of Boston: Public, Semi-Public and Probate. (Boston,
1882.)

“The Old Schoolmasters of Boston. (Boston, 1884.)

“The Mason Name in New England History. (Boston, 1884.)

“The Thayer Name in America. (Boston, 1884.)

“The Irish Element in Connecticut. (Bridgeport, Ct., 1888.)

“From Dawn to Revolution. (Boston, 1889.)

“Thirty Historic American Families of Irish Extraction. (Boston,
1889.)

“Reminiscences of Life Along Narragansett’s Shores. (Providence, R.
I., 1890.)

“Rambles in Rhode Island’s South County. (Providence, 1891.)

“Some Early Irish Members of the Society of Friends in Rhode Island.
(Providence, 1894.)

“The Dorrance Purchase—An Irish Leaf from Rhode Island History.
(Boston, 1895.)

“The Dunlevy Family in Irish History; Sketch of the Clan’s Patrimony
in Ancient Ulidia. (Lawrence, Mass., 1895.)

“David O’Killia (O’Kelly), the Irishman; A Pioneer Settler at
Yarmouth, Mass., as early as 1675. (Boston, 1895.)

“Concerning the McGuinness, McGinnis Name. (Providence, R. I.,
1895.)

“The Irish Chapter in the History of Brown University. (Providence,
1896.)

“The Dempsey Name, Old and Puissant. (Denver, Col., 1898.)

“The Irish Soldiers in King Philip’s War—“Great Swamp” Fight. (New
York City, 1896.)

“The First Regiment, Pennsylvania Line, In the Revolution. (Boston,
1896.)

“The Irish Morrisons; A Glance at the Origin of the Clan Name,
Together with Reference to the Family’s Patrimony in the Ancient
Kingdom of Connacht. (Lawrence, Mass., 1896.)

“Some Patricks of the Revolution. (New York City, 1896–’97.)

“Five Colonial Irish Rhode Islanders. (Providence, 1897.)

“Some Facts Concerning the Irish Washingtons. (Boston, 1898.)

“Early Irish Schoolmasters in Rhode Island. (Washington, D. C.,
1898.)

“The French Chapter in American History. (Boston, 1899.)

“Matthew Watson, an Irish Settler of Barrington, R. I., 1723.
(Boston, 1900.)

“The Irish Moss Gatherers of Scituate, Mass. (New York City, 1900.)

“The Irish at the Battle of Bunker Hill, 1775. (Boston, 1900.)

“A Point Made Clear—The Brecks of Dorchester, Mass. (Boston, 1901.)

“Irish Settlers, Previous to 1742, in Portsmouth, N. H. (Boston,
1901.)

“The Story of Miss Fitzgerald. (Boston, 1901.)

“The Romance of Sarah Alexander. (New York City, 1901.)

“Early Irish in the Plymouth Colony. (Boston, 1901.)

“Charles MacCarthy, a Rhode Island Pioneer, 1677. (Somerset, O.,
1901.)

“Thomas Casey of Ireland and Rhode Island, 1636–1719. (Boston,
1901.)

“The Voyage of _The Seaflower_—from Ireland to Boston, 1741.
(Boston, 1902.)

“Early Irish Educators of American Youth. (San Francisco, Cal.,
1902.)

“A Glance at the Vanguard—Irish Pioneers in Colonial Massachusetts.
(Boston, 1902.)

“Richard Dexter, a Forgotten Irish Pioneer of Boston, Mass., 1641.
(New York City, 1902.)

“Hugh Gaine, Irishman, New York Publisher, 1752–1809. (Boston,
1902.)

“Gen. John Sullivan and the Battle of Rhode Island. (Providence,
1902.)

“The American Not an ‘Anglo-Saxon’ People. (Boston, 1902.)

“To the American Irish Historical Society he was ever loyal and
faithful. No call for service came to him in its behalf to which he
did not respond. The highest office in the Society he might have had
and political preferment could have been his from the appreciative
citizens of Rhode Island and Massachusetts, but he turned from them
lest his time and efforts might be diverted from that branch of
history he loved so well. As long as his strength held out, he was in
the harness serving the Society and, at our last annual meeting in New
York, unable to walk, he was carried from the Grand Central Depot to
the Manhattan Hotel, and there he conducted to the end the magnificent
dinner and entertainment that followed the meeting. The effort was
almost fatal, and during the night loving and tender friends watched
over him but, by determined will, he rallied and reached his pretty
villa at Sea View from which he never departed again in life. In all
his work for the Society, he was ably assisted by his noble wife, Mary
H. Sullivan Murray, a lady of great intelligence and refinement, who
took up the work of the Secretary-General and faithfully maintained it
until a member could be selected to relieve her. In paying our deep
tribute to her husband, it would be amiss not to mention the faithful
wife and assistant who now mourns with us his loss.

“We wish to record here the great benefits which we have received from
the work and services of our first Secretary-General and pay tribute
to his learning and ability; we further record the deep sorrow with
which we look upon his vacant place, and, lastly, we record our loving
tribute of affection for Thomas Hamilton Murray as a man, fearless,
honest and faithful, an upright citizen and an earnest member of the
Society.

“‘The soil out of which such men as he are made is good to be born on,
good to live on, good to die for and be buried in.’”

_Resolved_, That the American Irish Historical Society, in appreciation of the services and efforts in its behalf by Thomas Hamilton Murray, late Secretary-General, unanimously adopts the minute prepared by Mr. Lee, orders that it be spread in full upon the records of the Society, and that a copy of the same under the seal of the Society be presented to the widow, Mrs. Mary H. Sullivan Murray.

The following are a few of the many letters received by Mrs. Murray immediately before and after the death of our late Secretary-General:

NEW YORK, May 9, 1908.

_Dear Mrs. Murray_: I am pained to learn of Mr. Murray’s low
condition. You have my heartfelt sympathy. Mr. Magrath has just
called, and spoke of his visit. I am still hoping that Mr. Murray will
rally.

I am writing Mr. Lee of Providence to call, as I understand Mr. Murray
wishes to see some member of the Society.

We have missed Mr. Murray greatly the last few months and will miss
him always, for he may be considered as the founder of that honorable
association of men, the American Irish Historical Society.

With the assurance of my esteem and regard together with my sincere
sympathy, I am, dear madam.

Very truly yours,
JOHN D. CRIMMINS.

MRS. THOMAS HAMILTON MURRAY,
Humarock Beach, Sea View, Mass.

(Telegram.)

NEW YORK, June 5, 1908.

MRS. T. H. MURRAY,
Sea View, Mass.

We tender you our deepest sympathy in this hour of your great
bereavement. Will attend funeral.

FRANCIS J. QUINLAN.

(Telegram.)

NEW YORK, June 5, 1908.

MRS. M. H. S. MURRAY,
Sea View, Mass.

Sincere and profound sympathy on the death of your husband.

JOHN D. CRIMMINS.

NEW YORK, June 6, 1908.

MICHAEL J. JORDAN, Esq.,
3 DeWolfe Street, Dorchester, Mass.

_Dear Mr. Jordan_: I have received the news of Mr. Thomas Hamilton
Murray’s death with profound regret, and am very sorry that an
important engagement for Monday will prevent my going to Boston for
the funeral.

I beg you will convey to Mr. Murray’s family my sincere sympathy and
condolence in their sad bereavement.

RIGHT REVEREND PHILIP J. GARRIGAN, D. D.

Bishop of Sioux City, Ia.

Vice-President of the Society for Iowa.
]

We have all suffered a great loss in his death; and the noble work he
carried forward so devotedly in developing the Irish chapter in
American history will not readily find again as zealous or able an
advocate. He had been the steady reliance of the Society. The
patriotic work he did will long be a pride and glory to the race he
loved and the cause so faithfully served.

With profound regret and sincerely sympathizing with all his friends
and fellow members, I am,

Faithfully yours,
JNO. J. LENEHAN.

ELIZABETH, N. J., June 7, 1908.

_Dear Mrs. Murray_: Accept my sincere condolences on the death of your
dear husband, which I read in the _New York Herald_ this morning with
profound sorrow.

We have lost a noble and a true friend to the American Irish
Historical Society. In looking back over the past it is consoling to
think his life has been a most exemplary one. How much better would
our communities be, if we had more such men as your husband. His good
and simple life was a model for all. He was a man whose character was
the soul of buoyancy and kindness.

With deep grief,
I remain respectfully,
JAMES L. O’NEILL.

220 Franklin Street.

HARTFORD, CONN., June 8, 1908.

MR. MICHAEL J. JORDAN,
3 DeWolfe Street, Dorchester, Mass.

_Dear Sir_: Your telegram received, and I regret exceedingly that I
was unable to reach Boston in time for Secretary Murray’s funeral.

I was very, very sorry to hear of his death, and while it is a great
loss to his family, our Society has lost a very valuable member.
Please convey my sympathy to the family.

I do not know what the circumstances of the family are, but certainly
the Society if necessary should do something to assist them at this
time. I know that in his home loving hands did all they could for him
and it is for the Society to assist financially if necessary.

Very truly yours,
PATRICK GARVAN.

NEW YORK, June 9, 1908.

MICHAEL J. JORDAN, Esq.,
3 DeWolfe Street, Dorchester, Mass.

_My dear Mr. Jordan_: Your telegram notifying me of the time of Mr.
Murray’s funeral reached me yesterday morning on my return to the
city. I regret exceedingly the untimely death of our friend. He was a
devoted and whole-souled worker in the cause of historic truth. I have
never met anyone who surpassed him in zeal and unselfishness. He
leaves vacant a place in the ranks of the lovers of the Irish race and
the adherents of the Catholic Church which it will be hard to fill.

I have not the address of his family. May I ask you kindly to extend
to them my heartfelt sympathy?

Yours very truly,
Edward J. McGuire.

PROVIDENCE, R. I., June 22, 1908.

MRS. THOMAS HAMILTON MURRAY,
Carlton Road, Sea View, Mass.

_Dear Mrs. Murray_: I am very sorry to learn of the death of Mr.
Murray. I did not hear of it till it was too late for me to attend the
funeral to show the respect and esteem I have felt for him from the
first time I met him, several years before the American Irish
Historical Society was organized. From that time to this our relations
were most cordial and my most sincere sympathy is extended to yourself
and your family for the great loss you have sustained. It is a great
loss. You and your family have not alone felt this loss, but everyone
who had or has any interest in American Irish history must also
recognize it. It will be hard to get a man to fill his place in this
latter capacity. Again let me express my sincere sympathy with you in
your bereavement.

Let me thank you for the return of the pictures that I received last
Saturday. I was thinking, before their receipt, where I would send a
letter addressed to you expressive of my sympathy at your loss but
could not make up my mind where to send it. I saw the Sea View
postmark on the envelope over the pictures and I send this to that
address.

Yours very respectfully, and in sincere sympathy,
JAMES MORAN.

26 South Water Street.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND, July 9, 1908.

_Dear Mrs. Murray_: I have only now heard of dear Tom Murray’s death
and I am so grieved over it that I can hardly contain myself to write
you this letter.

While his demise was not entirely unexpected it is nevertheless a
great shock, and I hasten to extend my deep and heartfelt sympathy in
this your time of sorrow. You have lost a good and worthy husband and
I a true friend, of whom I was very fond, and I’m sorry that I was far
away from home when he was taken by loving and tender hands to his
last resting place.

A clipping from a newspaper sent by my mother told the sad story. She
sent it several days ago, but as I have been going about from place to
place the news missed me till now.

May God bless and protect you is my humblest wish for you this night.

Yours with much sorrow,
THOMAS Z. LEE.

NEW YORK, July 11, 1908.

MRS. THOMAS HAMILTON MURRAY,
48 Carlton Road, Sea View, Mass.

_Dear Madam_: I am just in receipt of a journal of the American Irish
Historical Society with printed request that I acknowledge it to the
Secretary-General. Would that I could, and that he were still with us!
I learned some weeks ago of his death and I beg to offer you my
sincere sympathy and pray Our Lady, the Consoler of the Afflicted, to
comfort you and the Lord to grant him His reward, the reward of the
faithful and just.

Respectfully yours,
D. P. MURPHY, JR.

NEW YORK, July 13, 1908.

MRS. T. H. MURRAY,
Humarock Beach, Sea View, Mass.

_Dear Madam_: I received the JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN IRISH HISTORICAL
SOCIETY, Volume VII, 1907, and beg leave to thank you for the same. It
is admirably gotten up in Mr. Murray’s usual good style and nicely
illustrated, and well bound.

It is like all the previous numbers, a monument to the great ability
and devoted industry of your husband. His loss to the Society is
indeed very great. His devotion to the work of this Society endeared
him to all who knew of his earnest efforts, and his work in its behalf
has made for him a most enduring monument.

Very truly yours,
JNO. J. LENEHAN.

The following memorial to the late Major John Crane, prepared by Hon. Eugene A. Philbin, was also unanimously adopted, and it was voted to send a copy thereof to the family of Major Crane:

MEMORIAL OF JOHN CRANE.

“It very rarely happens that it is given to a man to be a source of
inspiration to his fellowmen in more than one phase of human effort. A
man may, during his life, have given evidence of exalted and
self-denying patriotism, or have been conspicuous in the great field
of charity, or an example of the highest type of the successful and
upright business man, or a great leader in movements for the uplifting
of mankind, but the average man cannot hope to establish a claim for
recognition for more than one of these achievements. John Crane,
however, was entitled to credit for a distinguished career in all. He
was born in Morgan County, Ohio, on the 10th day of February, 1840.
His mother died while he was quite young and his father took the
family to the State of Wisconsin. War was declared between the North
and South when he had hardly attained manhood, but, with two other
young men, he organized a company of volunteers and was elected first
lieutenant. This company offered its services to the governor of the
State and was assigned to the Sixth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. The
regiment was ordered to the Army of the Potomac, and was incorporated
with other regiments which were known as the “Iron Brigade,” and as
such attained great distinction for noteworthy services during the
war. Mr. Crane served with the Sixth Wisconsin until the winter of
1862, when he resigned, but only for the purpose of aiding in the
organization of the Seventeenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, an Irish
regiment which was being raised in that State. He was successful in
organizing Company A, and became its first lieutenant. This regiment
in March, 1862, was ordered South, and their first stop was at St.
Louis, whence they went to Tennessee, arriving at Pittsburgh Landing,
Tennessee, a couple of days after the Battle of Shiloh. The regiment
was assigned to the division of General McArthur, with whom it served
during the campaign, taking part in numerous skirmishes and the Battle
of Corinth. About this time the Adjutant of the regiment resigned and
Lieutenant Crane was appointed Adjutant, which position he held until
the close of the war. Upon the organization of the Seventeenth Army
Corps, Gen. J. B. McPherson commanding (afterwards killed before
Atlanta), the regiment became one of the regiments of this Corps,
taking part in the campaign before the Siege of Vicksburg. They
participated in the siege, and the regiment, Lieut.-Col. Thomas
MacMahon commanding, joined with others in making the first assault on
the breastworks at Vicksburg, May 19, 1863. The regimental officers
and men were most highly commended by their commanding officer. John
Crane bore a distinguished part in this assault and was personally
complimented by the general commanding. The Seventeenth Corps was part
of the Army of the Tennessee under General Sherman and served in all
its campaign before Atlanta and on the march to the sea.
Notwithstanding the fact that John Crane was of a naturally impulsive
nature, during the battle his ability to command and exercise a
considerate supervision of his men was never affected. His bravery was
characterized by unfaltering fearlessness, but never marred by
recklessness. He remained in the service until the war was concluded.

“In the year 1868 Mr. Crane engaged in business with Colonel MacMahon,
to whom reference has been made. Later William A. MacMahon, who served
in the same regiment, entered the business, which was conducted under
the name of Crane & MacMahon at the time of Mr. Crane’s death, which
occurred on April 8, 1908, in New York City. The tie that had been
formed with the MacMahon brothers in the service was strengthened by
Mr. Crane’s marriage to their sister in the year 1866. She still
survives him.

“From the outset, even when his time was much taken in forming his
business relations and organizing his affairs, he was deeply and
practically interested in charity. He commenced then the practice
which was continued to the end of his life, not only of giving most
liberally, but also of devoting his time and personal attention to the
relief of the poor. For many years he was chairman of the finance
committee of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and it was largely due
to his gentle but firm persistency that persons able to do so were
made to contribute. It was rarely that a meeting of the committee was
held that there was not some practical suggestion by him towards
procuring those already interested to take a still greater interest or
to secure the sympathy of people who had not already contributed in
the great work. His effort in this important field was never limited
to satisfying the physical suffering of the moment, but included a
practical and effective course, having for its end not only the
provision for pecuniary resources, but the inspiration of new courage
and hope. The battle always became easier and the prospect more
hopeful after a visit from John Crane.

“Careless their merits or their faults to scan,
His pity gave ere charity began.”

“Since he carried into business the great elements of character that
had made him a distinguished and able soldier and was constantly
inspired by the broad spirit of charity which engendered the desire
for fair dealing, it was only natural that his efforts should meet
with success and that he and his associate should attain a position in
the business world distinguished for an honorable policy and ability
to produce effective results.

“The reward which attended his efforts in the great spheres of life,
to which reference has already been made, caused a deeper appreciation
of the value of spiritual inspiration. He realized that the battles
that he had fought on the field of war and in civic life had been won
because of his reliance not upon man or things, but upon the Supreme
Being. He took advantage of every opportunity to convey this great
lesson to his fellowmen. When about ten years before his death
Governor Roosevelt appointed him a member of the board of trustees of
the Soldiers’ Home in Steuben County, New York state, he was given an
opportunity that probably brought him more real gratification than any
other one thing in his philanthropic career. He organized at the
Soldiers’ Home religious societies which furnished spiritual
gratification to the veteran soldiers, and also gave them a new
occupation that tended to relieve the monotony of institutional life.
It seemed to him as if he were again, after the lapse of so many
years, participating with pathetic care and solicitation in the
careers and welfare of those who, under his guidance, were giving
their lives to their country. It is not difficult to imagine what this
opportunity meant to Major Crane. It is needless to say that the duty
was discharged, not only in a manner that gave happiness to the
inmates at the time, but also inaugurated methods that were so
meritorious as to remain permanently to the advantage of the Home.

“Major Crane never entered actively into politics, although he was a
man of clear and positive views as to public welfare. From time to
time he freely lent his voice and aid to movements having for their
object civic betterment.

“He was for many years the almoner of the Friendly Sons of St.
Patrick, and gave the same intelligent and able consideration to the
appeals made to the Society by the unfortunate as he had given to many
other cases of distress. He was a most active and faithful member of
the latter society, and, in fact, was deeply interested in anything
that concerned the Irish race and furnished evidence of the great
benefits it had conferred upon mankind.

“Major Crane was especially interested in American-Irish history
because of its eloquent testimony in support of Irish virtue and
ability. His own noble record will always be a bright page in the
annals of the race in this country.

“Unbounded courage and compassion join’d,
Tempering each other in the victor’s mind,
Alternately proclaim him good and great,
And make the hero and the man complete.”

MEMORIAL OF HON. HUGH KELLY.

In the death of Hugh Kelly, President of the corporation of Hugh Kelly & Co., 79 Wall Street, New York City, the downtown business community of New York lost a man of sound judgment of men and affairs, and a true friend.

Mr. Kelly was born in Chicago, September 24th, 1858, and when a year old came to New York, where he lived thereafter. He was graduated from the College of the City of New York with high honors and was later honored with the degrees of Master of Arts and Doctors of Laws by Fordham University. In 1871 he entered the West Indian trade and in 1884 established the house of Hugh Kelly & Co., which is well-known throughout the cane sugar world. He was very successful in designing and constructing several of the largest and most modern sugar cane factories in Cuba, Porto Rico and Santo Domingo, and was one of the best known merchants in that industry.

He was president of several sugar companies in the West Indies, but found time also to devote himself to maritime and municipal affairs, and was in the directorate of the United Fruit Company, The Emigrant Industrial Savings Bank, the Nipe Bay Company, and other industrial enterprises. He was also a Trustee of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Roman Catholic Orphan Asylum, Calvary Cemetery, the Sevilla Home for Children, and the Central Islip State Hospital.

Mr. Kelly served the city as a member of the Board of Education from 1895 to 1898, and was Treasurer of its Finance Committee.

He was Vice-President of the Maritime Exchange in 1894 and 1895, President in 1896 and 1897, and for seven years was on its directorate.

Mr. Kelly was made president of The Oriental Bank in an effort to save it shortly before it failed last Winter. He was a director in the bank at the time of the financial depression, and when the bank was threatened Mr. Kelly took up the task, two or three days after his return from Europe, of realizing on the bank’s assets and meeting the claims against it. He was going along very well when fresh bank failures caused a run on the Oriental, which led to its suspension. Attorney-General Jackson had receivers appointed but they were soon removed by the Court. Full payment to every depositor was eventually made through an arrangement with the Metropolitan Trust Company, which took over the Oriental Bank’s assets. Mr. Kelly in his desire to keep the bank on its feet when he accepted the presidency refused to accept a cent of remuneration, his sole desire being to keep the bank going. The strain under which he labored at that time, and the many false rumors which those antagonistic to the bank had issued, preyed upon him greatly, and an acute nervous ailment forced him to give up work three weeks before his death, which occurred October 30th, 1908, at 3 a. m.

The funeral was held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on November 2d. Archbishop Farley celebrated solemn requiem mass. Some of the other church dignitaries who assisted in the service were Mgr. Lavelle, Mgr. Hayes, Father McCluskey and Father McQuade.

The pall bearers were Joseph Rigney, Michael E. Bannin, Thomas E. Murray, Col. John McAnerney, Richard S. Treacy, James H. Post, President of the National Sugar Refining Company, Joseph W. Foster, Frank Schaffer, Vice-President of Hugh Kelly & Co., Thomas Mulry, President Emigrant Industrial Savings Bank and Myles Tierney, President of the Hudson Trust Company. The interment was in Calvary Cemetery.

Mr. Kelly is survived by his widow, three sons and four daughters.

Personally, Mr. Kelly was a quiet, hearty, genial man, easily approachable and warm-hearted, seeming to have time for every demand upon him in spite of his numerous responsibilities, and a host of friends esteemed him most highly for his ability, integrity and sound judgment. In the business life of New York in which he moved, he will be deeply missed.

The following memorial to the late James Jeffrey Roche, Esq., was also unanimously adopted, and it was voted to send a copy thereof to his family:

Mr. Joseph Smith of the _Boston Traveler_, one of the founders of the Society, and at the invitation of its officers, presented the following memorial to the late Hon. James Jeffrey Roche, LL. D., which was ordered spread upon the records and a copy thereof sent to the family of Dr. Roche:

JAMES JEFFREY ROCHE, LL. D (Deceased).

Patriot, Editor, Diplomat and Poet. One of the Founders of our
Society.
]

MEMORIAL OF JAMES JEFFREY ROCHE.

Under the skies of that brave mountain land,
Where Alpine shepherds feudal might defied,
Where struggling freedom warring cent’ries spanned,
There in the shadows of the hills he died.

He died as dies some long sweet summer day,
When fruits are golden on the burdened trees;
The sun’s pale glory on the sky’s blue gray,
And night comes fragrant on the cooling breeze.

They brought him home and laid him down to rest,
To sleep forever in his narrow bed,
Amid the scenes and friends that he loved best,
At rest forever with his sacred dead.
JOSEPH SMITH, in the Boston Traveler.

James Jeffrey Roche was born in the little Quaker town of Mountmellick in Queen’s County, Ireland, the son of Edward and Mary (Doyle) Roche and was taken while yet an infant of a few weeks, to Prince Edward’s Island, whither his parents emigrated. He grew up in Charlottetown, where his father Edward Roche, an accomplished scholar, conducted a school; and he supplemented the training given him by his scholarly father by a course at the Jesuit College of St. Dunstan’s in Charlottetown, from which he was graduated. Among his college classmates were Chief Justice Sullivan of Prince Edward’s Island and Archbishop O’Brien of Halifax, N. S.

Mr. Roche settled in Boston in 1866 and was engaged in business there for some years; but his peculiar gifts and tastes drew him to journalism and letters; and in 1883 he became one of the staff of the _Pilot_, under his brilliant friend John Boyle O’Reilly; and after his death he succeeded to the post of editor-in-chief of the paper which he filled with vigor and brilliancy, in full keeping with the traditions of such predecessors as Thomas D’Arcy Magee, O’Reilly and others. The _Pilot_ was the avowed champion not only of the Irish people and of their religion, but it stood ready to do battle with persecution, injustice, intolerance and wrong, no matter against what race or creed they were directed; and no individual paper in the world did better or more effective work for the men and cause of the Irish race; and under the management of James Jeffrey Roche, zeal and fidelity to all good causes were always fortified by sanity and justice and tempered by humor, good temper and a fine inhospitality to passion and demagoguery.

While devoting most of his time and talents to his editorial work and duty, he still found opportunities to turn to the field of letters of a more enduring character. A writer of virile and picturesque prose, James Jeffrey Roche will always be best known as a poet whose verse is marked by beauty, sweetness, lyrical quality and a _belle esprit_ all his own, and ranging in scope from the light, brilliant and witty _vers de société_ to such serious and compelling poems as his “Babylon.” His “Songs and Satires” is a volume that sparkles with wit and rapier-like touches. His “Ballads of Blue Water” is a book for American men and patriots, unique and stirring; the ballads will live while Americans look back with pride to the deeds of an heroic past; and no American singer has written any better ballads of action than “The Armstrong Privateer,” “The Constitution,” “The Alamo” and other stirring songs. His “Life of John Boyle O’Reilly” was the tribute of a devoted friend and admirer to a man and comrade he loved and labored with, and is a biography whose literary excellence is amazing when we consider the pressure under which it was written. His other prose work varied from the brilliant accuracy and gravity of “The Story of the Filibusters” (republished by the Harpers as “The Byways of War”) to those airy medleys of fun and philosophy “Her Majesty the King” and “The Sorrows of Sap’ed,” which have made the world laugh and think.

A close personal friend and admirer of President Theodore Roosevelt, he was appointed by him American Consul at Genoa, Italy, in 1904, when his health being precarious, a change of work and climate became necessary; and in 1907 the President transferred him to the capital of Switzerland, Berne, where he lived until the final call came to him.

When in 1896 I broached to a few interested friends the project of establishing an organization which would bring together men of the Irish race interested in gathering and perpetuating the record of the achievement of that race on this American continent, and preserving it in such form that historians could utilize it and thus ensure us our share of the honor and credit of upbuilding the American Republic, I found him sympathetic and enthusiastic in the matter; and out of those gatherings and discussions sprang the movement which resulted in the foundation of the American Irish Historical Society. James Jeffrey Roche, John Linehan, Hamilton Murray and I drew up the call, signed it, secured other signatures, called a meeting at the Revere House, Boston, Mass., 20th January, 1897, and the Society was born. He became one of the members of the Executive Council and for many years we attended its meetings and outings until conditions and circumstances stopped our attendance without attenuating our interest in its progress.

Personally, James Jeffrey Roche was one of the most lovable and charming of men, who carried under a surface of wit and joyous frivolity a nature whose depth, sincerity, devotion to ideals, capacity for friendship, passion for freedom, love of race and motherland, high-minded patriotism and loyalty to duty and honor, were understood only by those who knew him intimately. He hated all meanness and dishonor; friendship was a sacred thing to him; and he had that clairvoyant vision of the poet which saw the humbug and pharisee under the skin of the charlatan, when many a reputedly wiser and more sophisticated man accepted the demagogue and pretender at their own valuation.

I knew him for many years; to me he was as my own flesh and blood; I could not love a brother more; and his death was merely the final chapter in the grief I experienced when he went from Boston to represent the Republic abroad, in such physical condition that I knew I would never look upon his face again in life; and I know that in voicing my own sorrow I am but expressing the feelings of those who were comrades in the past and lovers of him always. He had reached the zenith of his literary powers before he left the land of his adoption and love forever; and he himself realized that his work was done, and that only the official duties of his consular position remained to preoccupy him until the final call.

Besides a host of friends, he left a wife, a son and a daughter to mourn his passing; and while the idle reader of contemporary literature may time and again derive pleasure and profit from his joyous wit, and gentle philosophy, his intimates and brothers in soul will seldom meet without recalling with a hush and a sigh the friend and comrade who has passed and who awaits them where work and worry, sweat and sorrow, are no more forever.

He was buried in Holyhood Cemetery, Brookline, Mass., within a stone’s throw of the spot where sleep his comrades in the flesh, John Boyle O’Reilly, Thomas J. Gargan and Patrick A. Collins, his grave marked by a handsome granite column adorned with a bronze tablet, erected by a group of friends who loved him in life and mourn him in death. May he sleep in peace; for no gentler, sweeter spirit was ever added to the company of Heaven than James Jeffrey Roche.

The following list of applicants for membership in the Society was read by the secretary-general, and by unanimous vote they were duly elected members:

John J. Kenney, New Brighton, Staten Island, N. Y. (proposed by J. J. Lenehan).

William Gilbert Davies, 32 Nassau Street, New York City (proposed by J. J. Lenehan).

Martin Hughes, Hibbing, Minn, (proposed by Hon. C. D. O’Brien).

Patrick F. McBreen, 404 Munroe Street, Brooklyn, N. Y. (proposed by J. J. Lenehan).

Thomas Murphy, Irvington-on-Hudson, New York (proposed by Francis J. Quinlan, M. D.).

Dr. Thomas E. Dolan, 250 Elizabeth Avenue, Elizabeth, N. J. (proposed by James L. O’Neil).

Jeremiah D. Leary, 246 Clark Place, Elizabeth, N. J. (proposed by James L. O’Neil).

Rev. Cornelius F. O’Leary, Wellston, St. Louis, Mo. (proposed by Michael J. Jordan).

Frank L. Tooley, D. D. S., 157 East 79th Street, New York City (proposed by J. J. Lenehan).

Martin I. J. Griffin, 1935 North 11th Street, Philadelphia, Pa. (proposed by J. J. Lenehan).

John C. McGuire, Hotel St. George, Brooklyn, N. Y. (proposed by J. J. Lenehan).

Rev. Thomas J. McCarty, 1011 Douglas Street, Sioux City, Iowa (proposed by Bishop P. J. Garrigan).

William J. Delaney, Saratoga Springs, N. Y.

Patrick L. Hughes, 1 Blackstone Street, Boston, Mass.

Edgar Stanton Maclay, Standard Union, Brooklyn, N. Y. (proposed by Thomas Z. Lee).

Michael W. Norton, Narragansett Hotel, Providence, R. I.

Dr. John P. Reilly, 215 Elizabeth Avenue, Elizabeth, N. J. (proposed by James L. O’Neil).

Joseph F. McLoughlin, attorney-at-law, 2 Rector Street, New York City (proposed by T. Vincent Butler).

Peter J. Dufficy, 120 West 59th Street, New York City (proposed by T. Vincent Butler).

Joseph Murray, 1245 Madison Avenue, New York City (proposed by Edmond J. Curry).

Rev. James J. Murphy, Ph. D., 1011 Douglas Street, Sioux City, Iowa (proposed by Bishop P. J. Garrigan).

J. C. Delaney, Department of Factory Inspection, Harrisburg, Pa. (proposed by Francis J. Quinlan, M. D.).

Peter J. Gibbons, M. D., 49 Park Avenue, New York City (proposed by Francis J. Quinlan, M. D.).

Charles J. Perry, World Building, Park Row, New York City (proposed by J. J. Lenehan).

William T. A. Fitzgerald, Court House, Boston, Mass. (proposed by James H. Devlin, Jr.; seconded by Michael J. Jordan).

Edward Hamilton Daly, 54 Wall Street, New York City (proposed by T. Vincent Butler).

John B. White, 121 East 86th Street, New York City (proposed by T. Vincent Butler).

Edward D. Farrell, 158 West 125th Street, New York City (proposed by T. Vincent Butler).

Col. P. J. Nevins, Haverhill, Mass, (proposed by J. J. Lenehan).

William F. Downey, 1622 L Street, Washington, D. C. (proposed by J. J. Lenehan).

Richard J. Donovan, 170 Broadway, New York City (proposed by Francis J. Quinlan, M. D.).

John E. McGuire, Haverhill, Mass, (proposed by Dr. M. F. Sullivan).

Constantine J. McGuire, 120 East 60th Street, New York City (proposed by Francis J. Quinlan, M. D.).

Jeremiah A. O’Leary, 38 Park Row, Manhattan, New York (proposed by John J. Daly).

Gen. Michael Kerwin, Broadway Central Hotel, New York City (proposed by Francis J. Quinlan, M. D.).

Edward Tingent, 68 Broad Street, Elizabeth, N. J. (proposed by Francis J. Quinlan, M. D.).

James P. Conway, 296 East 3rd Street, Brooklyn, N. Y. (proposed by John J. Daly).

Leo F. Farrell, 171 Westminster Street, Providence, R. I. (proposed by Francis I. McCanna).

Dennis A. Spellissy, 302 Broadway, New York City (proposed by J. J. Lenehan).

Rev. John Brosnan, Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York (proposed by J. J. Lenehan).

Peter L. Keough, 41 Arch Street, Pawtucket, R. I. (proposed by John T. F. MacDonnell).

John E. Murphy, Bretton Hall Hotel, New York City (proposed by John E. O’Brien).

Rev. William A. Keefe, Norwich, Conn. (proposed by Edmond J. Curry).

Michael W. Sullivan, Century Building, Washington, D. C. (proposed by David Healy).

Joseph E. G. Ryan, Chicago Inter Ocean, Chicago, Ill. (proposed by Frank S. Colton).

William Gilshenan, New York City (proposed by T. P. Kelly).

Rev. M. A. McManus, Newark, N. J.

Thomas F. Kilkenny, Providence, R. I. (proposed by M. W. Norton; seconded by John F. O’Connell).

Thomas F. Mulry, president Immigrants’ Savings Bank, Brooklyn, N. Y. (proposed by M. E. Bannin).

Hon. Lawrence P. Lee, Ellis Island, N. Y. (proposed by Thomas Z. Lee).

John Woods, 297 Broadway, South Boston, Mass. (proposed by Michael Maynes; seconded by Michael J. Jordan).

John Howlett, 49 Portland Street, Boston, Mass. (proposed by Michael Maynes; seconded by Michael J. Jordan).

M. J. Sheehy, merchant, Foot 39th Street, New York City (proposed by Henry L. Joyce; seconded by John F. O’Connell).

PETER FENELON COLLIER.

Late Editor and Publisher of Collier’s Weekly. Deceased April, 1909.
]

James C. Shannon, vice-president David Shannon Company, New York City (proposed by Henry L. Joyce; seconded by John F. O’Connell).

William C. Burke, contractor, 143 Liberty Street, New York City (proposed by Henry L. Joyce; seconded by John F. O’Connell).

James F. Mack, attorney-at-law, New York City (proposed by Henry L. Joyce; seconded by John F. O’Connell).

Joseph Rowan, attorney-at-law, New York City (proposed by Henry L. Joyce; seconded by John F. O’Connell).

John L. Murray, 223 West 42d Street, New York City (proposed by M. H. Cox; seconded by Bernard J. Joyce).

Major Thomas F. Lynch, United States Army Building, Whitehead Street, New York City (proposed by John J. Daly).

Daniel S. Mahoney, 131 Charles Street and 277 Broadway, New York City (proposed by John J. Daly).

Charles B. O’Connor, New York State Construction Company, Broad Street, New York City (proposed by John J. Daly).

Frank T. Molony, 70 Jane Street and 277 Broadway, New York City (proposed by John J. Daly).

Joseph T. Ryan, 149 Broadway, New York City (proposed by Henry L. Joyce).

Patrick J. Haltigan, editor _Hibernian_, Washington, D. C.

Stephen McFarland, 44 Morton Street, New York City (proposed by John Jay Joyce).

Stephen McPartland, 134 W. 92d Street, New York City (proposed by H. G. Bannon).

Stephen J. McPartland, 391 West End Ave., New York City (proposed by H. G. Bannon).

P. J. Nee, 1341 Girard Street, Washington, D. C.

John J. Buckley, 99 Nassau Street, New York City (proposed by John J. Daly).

In addition to the above, Ernest Van D. Murphy, first lieutenant, Twenty-Seventh Infantry, United States Army, Havana, Cuba, was elected a life member of the Society.

Mr. Michael F. Dooley, Treasurer-General of the Society, presented the following report, covering the period from January 28, 1908, to January 15, 1909, and the same was adopted by unanimous vote:

PROVIDENCE, R. I., January 15, 1909.

AMERICAN IRISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

Amount on hand at last report, January
28, 1908 $2,003.05

RECEIPTS. 1908. Feb. Received on account of N. Y. dinner $297.00 Feb. Membership fees 105.00 March Membership fees 100.00 May Membership fees 180.00 June Membership fees 35.00 July Membership fees 280.00 Aug. Membership fees 285.00 Sept. Membership fees 280.00 Oct. Membership fees 520.00 Nov. Membership fees 500.00 Dec. Membership fees 520.00 Dec. From Western News Co., for one Journal 2.00 Dec. From Secretary-General, contribution for Sullivan Memorial Tablet dedication 112.00

1909.
Jan. Membership fees 230.00
Interest from bank 29.19
————————— $3,475.19
—————————
Total receipts $5,478.24

DISBURSEMENTS.
1908.
Feb. 4. Jas. J. Armstrong, quartet at
New York banquet $30.00
Feb. 7. T. P. Kelly, expenses at New
York banquet 352.57
Feb. 17. T. H. Murray, salary and
postage 55.00
Feb. 28. Rumford Printing Company 24.50
Feb. 29. Anna M. Burns, clerical work 8.00
Feb. 29. T. H. Murray, postage 5.00
March 16. T. H. Murray, salary and
clerical assistance 60.00
March 25. T. H. Murray, postage 5.00
April 9. T. H. Murray, clerical
assistance 16.00
April 29. T. H. Murray, salary and
postage 55.00
May 16. T. H. Murray, salary and
postage 62.00
June 10. Mrs. T. H. Murray, expense for
two years, messenger,
telephone, telephone tolls
and postoffice expenses in
forwarding mail 168.00
June 17. Geo. H. Chandler, funeral
expenses, Thos. H. Murray 307.15
June 17. Michael J. Jordan, expenses at
funeral T. H. Murray 15.47
Nov. 6. Michael J. Jordan, carriage
hire at funeral T. H. Murray 5.00
June 18. Mrs. Murray, salary 50.00
July 11. Mrs. Murray, salary 12.00
July 11. Gerry & Murray, supplies 4.00
July 11. Thos. Groom & Co., supplies 2.95
July 18. Livermore & Knight Co.,
stationery for
Treasurer-General 3.50
July 18. Mrs. Murray, salary, postage
and telephones 67.45
July 24. Postage, Treasurer-General 2.00
July 24. Rumford Printing Company,
printing of year book 679.49
July 24. Rumford Printing Company,
general printing 10.81
July 29. A. W. Lang, stationery for
Treasurer-General 7.50
Aug. 13. Mrs. Murray, postage 10.00
Aug. 19. Mrs. Murray, salary and
telephone 55.00
Sept. 1. Rhode Island Printing Company,
circular letters 14.60
Sept. 10. Thos. Groom & Co., supplies .75
Sept. 10. Rumford Printing Company,
general printing 6.32
Sept. 10. Postage, Treasurer-General 1.00
Sept. 17. Mrs. Murray, salary, postage,
telephone and other expenses 64.80
Oct. 10. Express on box from Mrs. Murray .60
Oct. 17. Mrs. Murray, salary, postage
and telephone 60.00
Oct. 23. Postage for Treasurer-General 1.00
Oct. 27. M. J. Jordan, expense incurred
at Mr. Gargan’s funeral 46.75
Nov. 7. Snow & Farnham Company,
printing, Secretary-General 9.98
Nov. 7. Snow & Farnham Company, postage
stamps and envelopes 40.00
Nov. 13. John J. Lenehan, expenses
incurred as chairman
membership committee 28.78
Nov. 13. John J. Lenehan, printing bills
for membership committee 100.90
Nov. 13. Mrs. Murray, salary, postage,
messenger and telephones 63.00
Nov. 21. Remington Printing Company,
general printing for
Secretary-General 4.75
Nov. 28. John J. Lenehan, expenses
incurred by membership
committee 74.10
Dec. 2. Thos. Z. Lee, expense incurred
as Secretary-General 20.26
Dec. 15. Mrs. Murray, salary, postage
and telephone, etc. 59.00
Dec. 18. Postage, Treasurer-General 1.00
Dec. 18. David B. Hall, lunch in
connection with dedication of
Sullivan Memorial Tablet 109.80
Jan. 8. John J. Lenehan, committee on
new members, clerical help 28.00
Jan. 8. John J. Lenehan, committee on
new members, postage 15.00
Jan. 8. Preston & Rounds Company,
record book for members’ dues 1.00
Jan. 14. Thos. Z. Lee, typewriter and
table for Secretary-General 99.50
Jan. 14. Snow & Farnham Company, general
printing for
Secretary-General 43.85
Jan. 14. Snow & Farnham Company, general
printing Secretary-General 51.20
Jan. 14. Services of stenographer
reporting in typewriting
dedication exercises Sullivan
Memorial Tablet 20.00
Exchange charges on checks .40
————————— $3,309.73
Balance in National Exchange
Bank 2,438.51
—————————
$5,478.34

SUMMARY OF RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS.

From January 28, 1908, to January 15, 1909.

RECEIPTS.

Balance on hand January 28, 1908 $2,003.05 Received from membership fees, old members $2,220.00 Received from old member life membership fee 50.00 Received from new members annual fees 515.00 Received from new members, life membership fees 250.00 On account of New York dinner 297.00 For one Journal 2.00 Special contributions for Sullivan Memorial Tablet dedication exercises $112.00 Interest from bank 29.19 ————————— $3,475.19 Total receipts $5,478.34

DISBURSEMENTS.

Salary secretary $550.00 Printing Year Book 679.49 Balance on New York dinner 382.57 Funeral expenses of Secretary Murray 327.62 Expenses incurred at Mr. Gargan’s funeral 46.75 Lunch on occasion of dedication of Sullivan Memorial Tablet 109.80 Expenses of Membership Committee 246.78 Expenses of Treasurer-General: Stationery $11.00 Postage 5.00 Book 1.00 Exchange .40 ————————— 17.40

Expenses of Secretary-General Thos. Z.
Lee:
Typewriter and table $99.50
Printing 109.78
Postage 40.00
General expenses 20.26
————————— 269.54

Stenographer, special report Sullivan
Tablet Dedication
Exercises 20.00

Expenses Secretary-General’s office, Mrs.
Murray:
Boston postoffice forwarding
mail $6.00
Express 2.40
Clerical help 34.00
Supplies 7.70
Printing 56.23
Postage 88.00
Telephone 67.45
Telephone tolls 60.00
Messenger 68.00
————————— $389.78

Balance in National Exchange Bank,
Providence, R. I., January 15, 1909 $2,438.51
—————————
$5,478.24

PERMANENT FUND AMERICAN IRISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

1909
Jan. 15. Amount of deposit with the
National Exchange Bank,
Providence, R. I. $127.56

A motion was made that the next annual meeting of the Society be held in New York City, at a time and place to be later appointed, and after some discussion the motion prevailed.

The meeting thereupon adjourned.

ATTEST:

THOMAS ZANSLAUR LEE,
_Secretary-General_.

MICHAEL FRANCIS COX, M. D., F. R. C. P. I., M. R. I. A., 26 Merrion
Square, Dublin.

Vice-President for the Society for Ireland.
]

ELEVENTH ANNUAL BANQUET OF THE AMERICAN IRISH HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.

WASHINGTON, D. C., January 16, 1909.

The Eleventh Annual Banquet of the American Irish Historical Society took place this evening at 7.30 in the magnificent banquet hall on the tenth floor of the Hotel Raleigh, and over two hundred members and guests were present. The arrangement of the tables, floral decorations and candelabra was commendable, and was a great credit to the efforts of the Dinner Committee.

President-General Quinlan presided and acted as toastmaster for the evening.