New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-05-25

Joseph Fransoii j. native nj S"fzer'And.
having bccn born IN tho Canton 81 IIcino. on
November 30. 1917 lie carly showed an IN
cllration for the priesthood. and was sent 70 the
college Of Pollcgio, Italy. and aitcrward To The
seminarlcs 81 Mona and Milan on June :. 1870,
he was ordained priest He began his lifework
ns a missionary IN his native canton. and Was
COON made rector Of The Church Of - Maurice. In
Osca. near his birthplace There h' remained
for a period Of twelve years. He was then selected
20 take charge Of the normal school IN Milan hl
the Government. and remained 'hcr TWO years.
Buf his health gave way under the strain and hr
resolved 10 come 10 this country. HIS hiShop
conserving. hc sailed in 1888. when ihrty-cisht
Years ~ age and began a new ifc IN q n'w
land He was lcd 10 rttle IN brooklyn. and vas
appolntod assistant minister in the parish OF NJ
Charles Borromco, on The Heights. then IN charge
NJ the famous Dr. G. Constantine Pisc Father
Fransioli applied himself with diligence n learn
inr the language and customs Of the country, and
spcedily became we'll known, especially IN The
South Brooklyn part Of thc parish. When bishop
Longhlin decided I" form n new PARISH there IN
1879 Father Fmnsio was pat IN charge OF II.
The church for the new parish. 81 Peters, was
built 81 lIick and Warren stS IN lsi3-'o'. WIKI
some slight additions the church IL tie same
to-day that II thirty Years ago. il IA
brick and hrownsionc structure. Of the RomsneSque
order. with tall spirc. Its size is 80 by ~ feet,
and u Will seat loo persons. In order :"
accommodate the great number 81 plrlShloners no
Jess than nine masses are said every SUNDAY hy
Father Fansol and his assistants The base
nlcui IS used as well As the main auditorium, and
Simultaneous services arc hcla ~ certain hours
over tie main entrance Of The church IN Hicks ST.,
thcfc Is q Statue Of ST Peter sci IN niche in the
.f... ham
and IT J., adorned with many iLnc paintings and
mural decorations. The altar, are Of elaborate
design and line workmanship Tnc church repre-
scuiS an expenditure Of over 100000.
But IT, comprises only a small part OF tho work
Of Father fransioh IN hls parish Fully half "a
million Of dollars have been expended upon build
iues under his direction, including ~. Peter
Hospital school. and Kindergarten. Besides the
money expended upon them. thcy have taken vast
deal ol the tinc and Thought Of the PARIS,
priest under whose care they are. While the
war WIS IN progress Father Fransioli who was
an earnest patriot. opened home for soldiers
orphans, and after tine war tins became the
nucleus Of ~. lctct's Hospital The institution
Was opened hospital IN 1866, and upward
of .5.0u0 patients have been treated in H. 4
| series 81 buildings In IIcnry-si. between Warren
and Congress IS was lIsl occupied bl the in
was secured, and the erection OF fine, new
building Was begun In hos 1t is one of the
| finest hospital buildings in the city, ard cost
| $500 600 About 800 patients can he cared Tor
The Sisters of the Poor Of ST FIAnc,s have charge
OF the ho,pitl a. nurses, under SupcIioross
hut Father fransioli su~rvisrS the institution
Patients are admitted without reference 10 creed
or condition. HE hospital is equipped through
out with all the bcor appliances for It's work of
| saving the sick. he old hospital building is
being lifted mp nS lone Tor working girls.
| Father Fransloli has always taken deep in
t-rest in public anairs. Born III the free air oil
| the mountain Republic, lac became naturally ah
| ardent lover Of liberty. When the Mon cause
looked dark in the early years 81 the War. he
| spoke and workcd TO aious" patriotic sentiment
| to action. On the Sunday following the draft
! rlot> IN Ncu-Yort City, he preached patriotic
| sermon, which was widely circulated by the
| Union League In the public affairs OF his adopted
| CITY lie has taken active and intelligent in
tercst. His sentiments have bcen naturally with
| the Republican party and, while no, obtrIding
| himself in politics. he has done inuch To create
| public sentiment III his parish. where the Dem
| cratic majority is large. lie has been public
| spirited citizen and mas not suffered hlh church
| To- absorb all his energies He ono OF the
| founders and is one OF the active members Of the
Society for the Prevention OF Cruelty 20 Children.
| In tho establishment of the inebriatcS Home he
| was active and he is connected with the Bureau
| of Charities and he aided Seth Low and others
| in It's establishment ten years ago.
| In the need Of Temperance reform Father Fran
! soli has always been firm believer and he long
ago established -. Peters Roman Catholic Total
| Abstinence Benevolent Soccty. which has res
| cucd thousands from the degrading influences Of
drink Fnt this did not suffice TO prevent the in
| crcaS, in the number Of grog- shops in his parish
| and I've appealed /" the Excise Commissioners to
| restrict the number of licenses Finding these
efforts Of little avail he decided last year to start
| a temperance crusade. The American League OF
| the Cross was organized to lessen the number Of
| drinking places. The order is now $500 strong
| and has closed several rum shops. Branches 81
| il have hcen formed In several other marshes and
| a great work is being accomplished. Father Fran
| sioli is an earnest advocate Of the high-licpnsr
| system Of restricting the drink evil.
| In personal appearance Father Fransioli
| is under medium height. hut is active
| and why His countenancc is nh intellect
| ual and agreeable one. and his blue
| eyes have the brightness and sparkle Of youth
| despite the SHOWS Of more than sevcnty-nve win
| tiers in his hair and tho wrinkles which have