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From: "Cathy Joynt Labath" <>
Subject: [IA-IRISH] 25th Anniversary of Emmetsburg division of A.O.H. (1911) #2
Date: Thu, 1 May 2003 18:49:13 -0500


Emmetsburg Democrat
Emmetsburg, Palo Alto, Iowa
June 14, 1911


President T.J. Duffy's Address.
Rev. Fathers, Worthy State Officers, and Members of the Ancient Order
of Hibernians and Ladies Auxiliary:
We meet today to observe, in a befitting manner, the twenty-fifth
anniversary of the organization of Division No. 1 of the Ancient Order of
Hibernians of Palo Alto county. Twenty-five years ago today this division
was instituted in the Chapel of the Assumption church by Michael Roland, a
patriotic Irishman from Ottumwa, Iowa. We regret very much that Mr. Roland
did not survive to commemorate this important event with us. He was called
to his eternal home a few years ago. We shall always remember him with
feelings of genuine pride for what he did for us and with sincere gratitude
for his zeal for many years following his visit to Emmetsburg in behalf of
the welfare of our division.
Our organization commenced with a charter membership of 20. By the end
of six months we had nearly 100. Of the charter members only four survive-
Thomas O'Connor, Myles McNally, W.I. Branagan, and T.J. Duffy. J.L. Martin
is living but is not a member of our organization at the present time.
The officers of our division at the time of its organization were as
follows: County delegate, Patrick Joyce; president, Robert Shea;
vice-president, W.I. Branagan; corresponding secretary, J.F. Neary;
treasurer, T.J. Duffy; standing committee-Dr. Wm. McDonnelly; J.F. Neary,
E.F. Jones, P.J. Nolan, and Thos. O'Connor. You will notice from the list of
officers that only four are living.
The presidents of our division since its organization have been as
follows: Robert Shea, P.F. Kennan, Patrick Joyce, W.I. Branagan and T.J.
Duffy. Mr. Shea and Mr. Branagan each served ten years. The county delegates
in succession have been Patrick Joyce, T.J. Duffy, Robt. Shea, E.J. McEvoy,
and Myles McNally. There have been a great many changes in the other
officers of the organization. It will not be necessary to give a list of
them at the present time.
Of the present membership not more than seven or eight are of Irish
birth. This shows you how rapidly the old people are passing away. Fully 130
of our members are young men who are proud of their ancestry and the
achievements they have made the Celts known and respected during the past
2,000 years. Our organization has done a great deal during the past quarter
of a century to encourage Catholic faith and practice in our country and
through this section of Iowa. It has kept warm in the hearts of our people
that splendid patriotic spirit which has characterized the Irish race for so
many centuries. We have every reason to believe that our division will
continue to grow and flourish and perpetuate in our community the
traditions, the practices, the proverbial hospitality and the undying
devotion to faith and country that are so noticeable wherever Irish
influence is felt.
The members of our division have been active in city, county, district
and state affairs. They have served as state officers of our organization
and as such they have acquitted themselves with ability and credit as
Hibernians. It is necessary to mention only the names of the late John F.
Neary and our present zealous state secretary, P.H. Donlon, to convince our
hearers of this fact.
During the past quarter of a century we have maintained our own land in
our community, have organized and encouraged strong and successful literary
organizations, have made the observance of St. Patrick's day one of special
interest to the people of this section of Iowa, have won recognition at our
state and national conventions, have encouraged the study of Irish history
in St. Mary's academy, and have annually awarded a gold medal for
proficiency in Christian doctrine in this well known and successful
institution. We have held creditable annual picnics for several years,
affording our young people, both boys and girls, as well as our older
members, an opportunity an opportunity for wholesome and elevating
recreation, and we have at all times given special attention to the
intellectual spirit and moral advancement of our people.
Permit me to say, in closing, that I think this is the first Catholic
organization that was formed within the present diocese of Sioux City. It
may not have achieved all that it might have accomplished, but it has given
to the public a record of which none of our members need ever feel ashamed.
We have every reason to believe that it will continue to grow in membership,
in influence, and in unceasing loyalty to the great principals that are so
dear to the members of our organization and our race.

Cathy Joynt Labath
The Irish in Iowa
http://www.celticcousins.net/irishiniowa/index.htm
Palo Alto Co, IA USGenWeb Project
http://www.celticcousins.net/paloalto/index.htm


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