Daily Republican., 1880-04-01
THIRD EDITION..
THETWENTY.FlFTH.
80. JOsePh's Beneficial Society aud
its Anniversary, Last Night.


Jossph's Beneficial Society Of Brandy
: wine, was appropriately celebrated il
the parochial school near the ohurcl
last evening, ard was largely attended
and an excellent programme rendered
I, The exercises opened with q quar-
: tette, Some where my love lies dream
ing" W. D. and J. J. Kavapagh,
:. James Bonner and Robert Walters o
/: this city.
MIR. Thomas Kane, President Of tn,
d Society delivered brief address Of vel
come, and hoped that those present
might spend pleasant evening.
Mr.. VIM. d. Kavanagh, sang "Kil-
larney," in an excellent style and wal
rapturously applauded.
A history Of the organization of tbs
society and a record Of the work per.
formed, since its organization, twenty.
five years ago, was then read by the
secretary, Mr.. John 0'Dougerty, and
was in substance as follows:
In 1855 the Catholics residing on the
Brandywine felt the necessity of estab,
fishing beneficial society for their mu-
lual benefit, and for the protection Of
the widows and orphans of their de.
ceased members. A few preliminary
meetings were held with this object in
view, and finally on the feast of St..
Joseph, March 9, 1855, an organization
was effected. James McKenns presided
and Neal J. Dougherty acted as Secre-
tary. The following are the names Of
those present at this meeting: Rev.
Jno. S. Walsh, Peter N. Brannan,
James McKenna, Patrick Lynch, Thos.
D. Finnegan, Jno. Mines, Michael.. Fo.-
ter, Jno. Y. Lynch, Thos. Mullen, An
thouy Mcguire, Patrick Lynch, Patrick
McMonagle, tJuo. J. Toner, Neal J.
Dougherty, Jno. Gibbons, James Deery,
Patrick Dealy and Martin D4aly. Tenn
porary rules were adopted for the gov
eminent of the society and officers ere
elected "pro tenn"
| On April 10, the first permanent Off
GERS were elected TO serve until Sep
tember 10, six months from the date |
Of organization. The officers elected |
were Chaplain, Rev. J. S. Walsh; Pres.
iient, Jas. McKenna Vice President,
Thos D. Finnegan; Secretary, Jno. J.
Toner; Assist. seo'y, James Mckinney;
Treasurer, Peter N. Brennan; Mea5en-
ger, Charles DOugherty, ST.; Stewards,
Jno. Burt, Thos. Cahill and Jno. Mines; |
Depositing Committee Rev. j. S.Walsh.
Peter N. Brennan and Edward Nc.
Aleer.
Actuated by patriotic impulses, the
Society celebrated July4, 1855 by hold
ing picnic,in thu woods, about a mile
distant from the church. They were
accompanied thither by the Sisters Of
St. Joseph and the congregation. On
arriving at the woods the Declaration
OF Independence was read by one OF the
members, and the school children COIL
tributed to the entertainment of those
present by Rotations and patriotic
songs. Rev. Patrick Reiley, of Will
mington, delivered an address appro-
pirate to the occasion, after which the
day was spent in various sorts of
amusements. This custom has been
followed by the Society for twenty-five
years, and has become an institution of
the place.
On February 18th, 1857, the society
was incorporated by the Legislature for
period of twenty years. The Charter
was renewed March s, 1877.
At the outbreak of the late war, a
great many Of the members enlisted in
the Union Army. The sentiment of the
society on that vital question was with
the State-in favor of preserving the
Union, and a resolution was passed at
meeting held June 81, emitting any
member in tho service or who might
thereafter enter, to the full benefits Of a
member in good standing.
The society Joined the |. C. B. U.
September 9th, 1871, and sent two
delegates TO the Convention held that
year lat Louisville, namely, Chss.
Dougherty, ST., and VIM. Rowe. On
the evening of June Sth, 1872, the So
ciety was presented with handsome
banner by the ladies of the choir OF St.
Joseph's Church, the presentation
speech being made l,y Mr.. Jno. Dorau '
and received by Mr.. Vim. Rowe.
The society has never suspended nav
ment of benefits for single week dur r
ing its existence. In Ons case the !
society paid benefits to a member ,
for six consecutive years, end he ia still u
On the sick list. The following is a y
list OF the Presidents since the organize.
ton, elected in the following order
James McKenna ] term, Patrick Lynch !,
term, Peter N. Brennan 2, George
NcMnlkin 2, Jno. Doran 8. Charles ]
Dougherty II, Jpo. Finn l, Hugh Eos
.er !, Daniel Mulherin 2, Thos. Kgne l..
Mr.. Chas. Dougherty, ST., who served
s!even terms was highly esteemed, and !.
was among the first to urge the cree. t
ion OF St. Joseph's church. He served L
Is one OF the original trustees. Patrick
lynch afterwards entered the ministry
md was attached to the diocese of Phil r,
!detphia. He died in Bristol, Pa, a q
ew years ago. Mr.. James McKern i
he first president, died in 1868. o.
~ - u etSClbI SlDfSa | n
be organization OF the Society Is 359.
he membership at no time exceeded
so. The total amount of receipts for O.
D years was $9,S62l2. Expenses II I
lick benefits, 4,2l400; death benefits. o,
il ,2lO.OO; donations, $3.50 Incl,
Iental expenses, sS,S31 q balance on U
land, ,O3l.9l They have $3.50. 90 in
'ested in mortgages bearing per cent.
interest. OF
Msssrs. John J. Kavanagh and Rob o.
rt Walters then rendered "Larboard !;
Watch" very accsptably. 70
Rev. Geo. A. Kelly, pastor OF St. 10 =
eph's church, was then introduced. Y
He thought it highly credi,able to
ave an organization twenty-five years
Id, indeed it was credit to have a 80