The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-09-15
Death Of the Oldest Roman Catholic
Priest iu America.
Correspondence of the Baltimore sun.
FREDERICK, MD, SEPT. II, 1877.

Correspondence oil the talllmOfe sun
FREDERICK, MD, SEPT. II, 1877.
The venerable Father John McElory,
of the Society OF Jesus, died this morning
81 the NOvitnte in this city, at the age OF
90 wears having been born in the town OF
Innis KILN, proviace OF Ulster, and
county of Fermannaugh, Ireland, IN the
wear 1882. At the time of his death he
WIS in the slxtieth year of his priesthood,
and was the oldest living member Of the
Society of Jesus. Till within ole year he
had remained al his prlestly duties, has
practical retirement being enforced by
blindness For n short while in his early
lite, he engaged III commercial pursuits,
but soon entered the Georgetown College,
where he WAS treasurer Of all the temper
alities of the institution tor eight or nine
wears studying during his leisure hours
tor the ministry. lie WAS ordained in
Georgetown College Chapel by Most Rev
Leonard Neal, Archbishop OF Baltimore,
on the Sd of May, 1917, at IS years of age.
During his ministrstIon here, he built the
large and elegant church OF Saint John,
and also 8 large portion of the building
now Known us tuc hShhcIhN VI INC
Visitation.
The Mexican war having broken out,
President Polk called upon the bishops
tor chaplain for the army, and Father
McElory had the honor OF being selected
by them, with Father Ray, to accompany
the troops. These we're the only two
chsplains in the army. Father McElory
took very active part IN the campaign,
and had charge OF the sick and wounded
at Matamoras. After the war he WAS
stationed ut Boston, Mass, where he built
the Church and College of the lmmscu-
late Conception. As an evidence OF his
| influence and the estimation in which he
WAS held by his people, single instance
need be referred To. While the Wash
ington branch OF the Baltimore and ONO
railroad was beng built, riot broke out
among the laborerS, and the military had
to be called on u suppress 1t. Father
| McElory fastened To the scene, and II
was wholly due to his influence over the
rioters that the bloodshed was prevented.
Father McElory lost the use OF his eyes
about the year 1868; still he remain ed
/ ACTIVE enough u hLleuu ~ us testHL lal
duties as priest, aud these he continued
| TO perform with sill the fidelity that
marked his earlier years. On the "a of
January, 1876, be preached his last public
sermon in SAINT Johns Church. An
immense congregation assembled to hear
him, among whom were many Protest
] ants. The scene, rs this man OF God was
| led'lnto the church by two attendants, was
deeply impressive and many eyes were
sufused with fears a they gazed upon his
signifies: ords, trembling steps and long
flowing hair, whitened by the troSts OF
more than four score winters. He was
still man of splendid physique, and Ms
he sat uttering words OF wisdom TO his
attentive auditors he remsinded one OF
the pstriarchs of old. In Frederick
where be lived more than twenty years
as pastor, he WAS much beloved by ali
denominations md his name Is held In
benediction. His funeral will take place
Saturday. The sermon on the occasion
will be preached by Father Mcclure, OF
Pittsburgh. and number OF prominent
priests will be present.