- REV. EUGENE M. McGINNITY, the scholarly and devoted pastor
of St. Patrick's Church,
- Janesville, Rock County, is now at the very flower of his
manly powers; and whether in the pulpit, expounding the Gospel
of Life, or by the bedside of the sick and dying, preparing for
the flight of the soul to the better world, he is always the
faithful priest and consecrated pastor. He commands the respect
and holds the love of the entire city, not only for his professional
ability, but for the purity and sweetness of his personal character.
- Father McGINNITY was born in County Monahan, Ireland, Sept.
1, 1840, a son of Eugene and
- Alice McGINNITY. The family came to this country and settled
in Lafayette County, Wis., in 1847. The father was a farmer,
and on his arrival in this State purchased a farm, whereon he
made his home as long as he lived. He had little mercenary taint
in his disposition and preferred to spend his money on the education
of his children rather than to store it in useless accumulations.
He gave them all good schooling, and yet when he died left a
very fair competency. Both he and his wife passed away in Lafayette
County, Wis., where they settled on their arrival in the State.
They were the parents of nine children, three of whom died on
the voyage across the Atlantic. Of the others, James and Thomas
are farmers in Wisconsin; Daniel, twin brother of our subject,
was ordained a priest, and died after six years' service as a
clergyman (he went to the Rocky mountains in the hope of restoring
his health, but without success); Mary married Michael KIERNS,
of Lafayette County, Wis.; John, the only one born in Wisconsin,
is a lumber merchant in Denver, Colorado.
- Father McGINNITY grew to manhood on the homestead farm, attending
the district school, and
- displaying a deep love of learning. At the age of sixteen
he and his twin brother entered St. Francis Seminary, Milwaukee,
and on Dec. 27, 1863, both were ordained to the priesthood by
the Right Rev. Bishop John Martin HENNI. The young clergyman,
now a notable figure on the streets of Janesville, was sent to
take charge of St. Isadore Church in Manitowoc County, Wis.,
and one year later was transferred to Darlington, Lafayette County,
where he served until 1869. In 1871 he had leave of absence
to accompany his brother to the Rocky mountains in search of
restored health, and the latter's death was a severe blow to
our subject, who cherished him in an almost ideal affection.
However, he returned to his work with a brave spirit, and was
given charge of the church at Lake Geneva, where he remained
for ten months. From there he went to Monroe, where he spent
seven years in his Master's work. In 1880 he took charge of
his present work, after he had done a great work at Darlington,
building houses of worship both there and at Seymour and Wiota.
He greatly reduced the debts, and proved himself a wise and
careful manager at all places where he has served, and at Janesville
he has made a noble record. When he came here the church property
had passed into the hands of a non-Catholic under mortgage foreclosure,
and many other debts hung over the congregation. The property
was redeemed at a cost of $20,000. Several thousand dollars
have also been spent in church improvements - an altar put in
at a cost of $1,200, the church frescoed, and many other needed
improvements made. Father McGINNITY has built a parsonage at
a cost of $6,000, containing all modern improvements, and which,
with all the other church property, is entirely free from debt.
The congregation comprises 450 families, and maintains a very
fine parochial school, under the charge of the Sisters of Mercy,
whose Mother House is located here. Father McGINNITY is an active
temperance worker, and devotes much time and thought to the advancement
of this great reform. He has served as president of the Catholic
Total Abstinence Society of Wisconsin, and has delivered many
forcible and effective addresses on this theme throughout the
State.
-
- Taken from "Commemorative Biographical Record of
the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette Wisconsin"
(c)1901, pp. 950-951.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
|