- REV. JAMES FRANCIS BOWE, the worthy pastor of St. Joseph's
Church at Edgerton, was
- born in 1850 in Ozaukee County, Wis., and his education was
received at St. Michael's College of Toronto, and at St. Francis
Seminary in Milwaukee. He was graduated from the latter institution
in the class of 1876, and was ordained on the 25th day of July
of that year. The church at Edgerton is his first charge, he
becoming its pastor in 1878. Father BOWE also has charge of St.
Michael's Church in the town of Porter, Rock County. Services
of the Catholic Church were held in the town of Porter earlier
in the history of the county than at Edgerton or its immediate
vicinity. As the population of the country increased and Edgerton
became a place of some importance, a place of worship was there
erected and the same pastor had charge of both congregations.
The first services of the Catholic Church in the town of Porter
were conducted by Rev. Michael McFAUL (who is now pastor of a
church in St. Louis) in March, 1856. His successors were Rev.
James HAGERTY, who is now at Fox Lake; Rev. Arthur O'CONNER,
who was followed by Rev. James MURPHY and Rev. William O'CONNELL,
who is now curate of the Church of SS. Michael and John at Dublin,
Ireland. He was succeeded by Rev. J. A. BUTLER, who in turn was
followed by Rev. C. DEVINE, the immediate predecessor of Father
BOWE. The ex-pastors of the church are all now deceased with
the exception of Fathers McFAUL, HAGERTY AND O'CONNELL.
- In 1862, during the administration of Father HAGERTY, St.
Joseph's Church was erected at
- Edgerton. Previous to the building of that house of worship
religious services were held at the various residences of its
members. The congregation is now composed of about eighty families,
and the church is in a most flourishing condition. Among the
most prominent citizens of Edgerton who aided the church in the
earlier days of its history, may be mentioned Daniel QUIGLEY,
who donated the land on which the building was erected; Thomas
and John QUIGLEY, nephews of the above; Joseph POLLARD, Malachi
CONWAY, Simon DORN, Thomas BURNS, Richard and William CONNERS,
J. C. MALONEY, Patrick JOICE, Brian DURNIN and Edward ROONEY.
In the town of Porter were Dennis McCARTY, who gave the ground
on which the church stands; Matthew SMITH, Dennis CASEY, John
TIERNAN, Miles SWEENEY, Bernard RILEY, Michael McCARROLL, Owen
BOYLE, Lawrence BARRET and Michael HAYS. Many additions and improvements
have been made to the church and its surrounding since the Rev.
BOWE became its pastor.
- On the 4th day of June, 1882, a society was organized through
the instrumentality of Father
- BOWE, called the "Father Mathew's Total Abstinence and
Benevolent Society," the object of which is to promote regular
and industrious habits; to discourage the use of intoxicating
drinks; to mutually assist in case of sickness, and to provide,
in case of necessity, for the wants of the members. Father BOWE
is President of the society, which numbers about eighty members.
This association has been productive of much good and is constantly
increasing in strength and capacity for usefulness.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 941.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
|