New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-02-23
OBITUARY..


DR.. John Dawson Culinary Shea. the Ca'hohc MS
torian and Editor of The Catholic News died az DIS
home, No. 13S Catherinest., ELIZABETH ~ D." a'
O'Clock yesterday morning from humorous cancer
The funeral will be held Thursday morning az 81
Mary's Church, Elizabeth. n. J.
Mr. Shea born lin New-York CITY july ~ Io-f'
and was baptized John Dawson Shea Being dell
cate and nervous child his father saying that he was
more like a girl than a boy, gave him the nickname
Mary. After he grew up no still retained the name
of Mary, prefixing the Irish Gil servanp 20 IL.
At the age OF thirteen, having passed SUCCESSFUL
examination for admission TO college, he entereu inc
Office of Spanish merchant and there learned TO
speak and write Spanish with fuency. In 1885, De
ing then fourteen he made his first venture In the
field OF literature and wrote article on Cardinal
Albornog FOR 1.-THE Young Peoples Catholic Maya
zine Archbishop Hughes criticised IL In Inc Free
mans Journal" to the great delight OF the author
Leaving the merchants Office Mr. shea read law
and was admitted to the bar In 1916. Having his
attention called in youth 10 the Catholic missions
among the native tribes and a member OF the New
York Historical society and having access to It's we'll
stored library he began to collect material from all
available sources for this as well as for the general
history Of the Catholic Church In the United states.
The result was a series Of articles In 1.-The United
states Catholic Magazine" The first fruits Of his
studes and OF the valuable unpublished material
which he had gathered volume devoted to the
" Discovery and Exploration of the Mississippi Val
ley" New York, 1881
lie waS at once recognized rs one OF the hlstorNm
scholars Of the country, and wac made An honorary
member Of the Wisconsin Historical Society, correspond
Ing member of the Massachusetts, and Maryland HIS
torlca eoclces and in time Of nearly every historical
society In the United states Canada. and Of similar
organizations abroad, vice president for NewJersey OF
the New England Historic Genealogical society," and In
1853 made honorary member OF the Royal
Academy Of History, Madrid, being the only American
who received this honor DR.. Shea vas one OF
the founders OF the United states Catholic Historical
Socie,y in 1854.
lie published in 1860 the first Of series, fifteen
volumes Of grammars and dictionaries OF Indian Ian
guages, entitled Library of American Lnguistcs,'
several Of which he edited ard prepared The articles
on Indian tribes in "Appletons Cycopacdia' are all
from the pen of Dr. shea. With the sanction OF
Cardinal McCo,key he reprinted the original edition OF
Challoner's Bible of 174O comparing the text three
times with the Vulgate
Dr. Shea also wrote in 1854 History Of the Catholic
Missions Among the Indian Tribes of the United states
Early Voyages Up and Down the Mississippi 1a62),
Life OF Plus TX" QS77) "Cathollc Churches'n New
York City" QS7s) The Hierarchy Of the Catholic
Church in the United states" Qs66), and he Is the
author OF important chapters In Winsors Mar
rative and Critical History" Qss6). Beginning in
1858 he edited for eight years the Historical Maya
zine and he wrote many articles for publications
Of historical societies, and for THE Metropolitan and
Catholic World" and a constant contributor to
"The American Catholic Quarterly OF his transla-
tons and publications. many Of which private the
mnst important are "Novum Belgium" al account Of
New Netherland in 1894 New York. 1862. The
Operations the French Fleet Under Count de Grasse'
Q864, translation Of CharevOiX's History and Gen
eral Description of New France" with extensive notes
(slx volumes, 1900 translation OF " De COurcey's
Catholic Church in the United states" 1880. "Wash
ington's Private Diary" O66D, "Godcn's History Of
the Five Indian Nations" edition Of 1927 0sG6)
"Alsop's Maryland O569). "Hennepn's Description
Of Louisiana QSS0 lie Cercy's Establishment Of
the Faith 15sD, "Penaosa's Expedition Gss2.
Life Of Father Isaac Jogues' Q855 and prayer books
and school histories.
lie leaves large and valuable library Of over 10 900
volumes which is rich in Indian nguiscs, early and
editions Of works pertaining to the history Of
America. especially of the Catholic Church, and also
many unique manuscripts, both original and copies.
lie married. In 1854. Miss Savage, who. like tho
Doctor. comes from old New England family. Two
daughters survive this union
In the early part Of SIS he assumed the cditorshp
that paper until his death. A few months ago he re-
signed the etorship Of the magazine Of the United
STATES Historical Society, that he might devote more
time TO the History OF the Catholic Church In the
United States" This work consists OF five volumes.
Three have already been published the fourth IS in
press the material for the fifth almost ready
for the printers hands. 1t will be edited ard the life
Of the great Catholic historian will be finished by
other hands.