The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-12-07

occurred Yesterday ForenoOn-A Highly
Respected Citizen--A Member of tho Old


Occurred Yesterday Forenoon-A Highly
Respected Citizen--A Member of tho Old
21st c. v.
In the death of Joseph D. Plunkett,
which occurred at his late residence, No.
IL University place, yesterday morning,
New Haven loses one of its best known
and most highly respected citizens. He
had been in excellent health up to a
week ago Saturday, when he left his
office in the Poll building at o'clock
and went to his residence telling i'll. He
grew worse and DR.. Ruickholdt, his
physician, was summoned. He dag
nosed the case as peritonitis and ad-
ministered the usual remedies. 1t was
at first thought that the disease would
yield to treatment and there were hopes
of his recovery up to Saturday last,
when the disease took an unfavorable
turn and he sank rapidly Father Lilly
and others of the Dominican fathers
were in attendance during his illness,
and when he grew rapidly worse on Sat
urday, and it was feared that he would
die, the last rites Of the Roman Catholic
church We're administered.
At sunrise yesterday it was known
that the end was near. The members
of the family, Rev. Father Lilly of st.
Mary's church and the physician were
at his bedside when quietly and peace
fully he sank away to the last rest.
Mrs. Plunkett died about two years
ago and the family now consists of two
daughters and one son, Miss May
Glare, Miss Margaret T. and Edward T.
PIunkett.
Joseph D. Plunkett was born in
Drogheda, ireland, July 5, 1912. When
less than ten years old his parents re-
moved to Norwich, Conn.,, and the boy
attended the public schools Of that
town.
At the outbreak Of the civil war he
enlisted in the Twenty-first regiment
Connecticut Volunteers and rose to the
rank of lieutenant.
AT the close of the war he became a
solicitor for a New York publishing
house, and soon after removed to this
city, coming here in 1868. He after
wards endtered the Yale law school
and graduated in 1874 in the same class
with Judge w. X. Townsend, Judge
James Bishop, Henry English and the
late Hugh Daley.
Mr.. Plunkett opened an office in the
Hoadley building and at the death Of
Owen O'Brien succeeded to that gentle
| NC civ b1ISi nd a
one of the best known pension solicit
ors in the state.
In 1876 Timothy ]. Fox, then city at
torney, appointed Mr.. Plunkett assist
ant city attorney, and he also held the
office, during that and the succeeding
year, of liquoh prosecuting agent for
the county.
In 1881 he was elected member of
the board of education. He remained
in that position until 1893 and during
the twelve years that he served in the
board he was it's controlling and direct
ing spirit.
When Henry C. Merwin post, G. A.
r., was formed Mr.. Plunkett was elect
ed it's commander, which position he
held until lack of time compelled him
to resign the position.
He was the most eloquent speaker
among the war veterans of Connecticut
and was chosen as the spokesman on
all great occasions. He made two trips
to Ireland, the first in 1891 and again
two years later, at which times he gath
cred materials for illustrated lectures
on his native land. These lectures were
given by him in this city and through
out the state. ..., g..
In 1883 Mr.. Plunkett was elected a
member of the state senate from this
district, and Immediately became a
leader on the democratic side of that
body.
Mr.. Plunkett was choir director of st.
Marys church, which position he had
held a number of years.
The funeral will take place from his
late residence, II University place, to-
morrow morning at $3.50 and from st.
Marys church at 10 o'clock.
A special meeting of the New Haven
county bar, to take action on the death
of Mr.. Plunkett, will be held this morn
ing at 10 o'clock.