The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-09-25

Rev. John Loughran, of Minooka,
one of the pioneer priests OF this dio-
cese and the oldest in it but one, died
rather suddenly of heart disease In the
parochial residence yesterday morning
at Ills o'clock.
Father Loughran had been gradually
failing in health for the past two years,
but it was not preceptible to the Or
dinary observer until about two months
ago, since when he appeared TO grow
weaker day by day.
He was feeling as well as usual on
Saturday and was around the house
and grounds. In the evening he went
for a drive with the sexton, Patrick
Lavelle.
About IL o'clock, however he COM
planned of feeling i'll and DR.. Houser,
his attending physician, was sum-
moned. He prescribed for him and
he passed a fairly comfortable night
Early yesterday morning several of
the Pensioners called upon him and ex-
pressed the hope that he would soon be
around again.
His condition suddenly grew alarm
ing about 10 o'clock and Rev. +. ].
Melley, of South Scranton, one of his
oldest and most intimate friends, was
summoned to administer the last rites
of the church. as the regular assistant,
Rev, Walter German, was celebrating
mass. He peacefully passed away at
Ills o'clock.
Rev. Father German was forced to
tell the congregation with tears in his
eyes that their beloved Father John"
as he was familiarly known, was dead
much surprise as the majority of the
members of the congrc CATION present
did not know that he was even
seriously i'll. The church bell was
tolled sixty-nine times, once f)r each
year of his well-spent life.
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
Father Loughran was born in Dor
sey, county Armagh, Ireland, Feb. is,
1881. He attended the national schools
and afterwards graduated sr)n. st.
Patrick's college in the city OF Ar
magh. Soon afterwards he came TO
this country and entered st. Charles
seminary, corner of Eighteenth and
Race streets, Philadelphia, from where
he was ordained n priest on July 3,
1857 by Bishop Newman.
missions at Beaver Falls, Hazleton
and Audenreid and remained in charge
nine months. He was then given the
pastorate of the church at Friends
Vile, Susquehanna county, where he
remained for four years; also conduct
ing services in Middletown, Warren
and Auburn. His labors in these
first years of his ministry were pecu-
liarly arduous
In 1864 he was appointed to a pas
torate in Archibald, where he remained
for eleven years. His labors white
in this field were crowned with sue
cess and the handsome church of St.
Thomas in that village stands at thr
present time a mute tribute to his
great executive and economical ability.
The church cost $45OOO and every cen.
| of this was paid before Father Lough-
ran was called to another field.
In 1875 he was assigned to Minooka
and took charge of St. Josephs parish
| there, a post which he filled to the
| time of his dead. Before leaving Arch
| bald he presented the parochial resi-
dence and lot which he had purchased
with his own funds to st. Thomas con-
gregation.
HAD A LARGE FIELD.
Since he took charge of st. Joseph.
parish it has had a wonderful growth
there already having been two new
| parishes created from it, the one al
| Taylor in charge of Rev. j. A. Moffatt
and the other at Rendham in charge
of Rev. Father Jordan. He performed
all the work of this immense parish
| nI n1D
an assistant was appointed.
Father John was remarkably popu.
lar among the members, not only of hi:
own church, but of other denomina'
tions. He was of a simple, kindly
nature and retiring in his disposition
He contracted many friendships in hil
early days with both clergymen anC
laymen and there are many today whC
are mourning him almost as a brother
He took an active interest in thu
young mems societies connected will
the church and was always ready will
word of counsel and advice to tn,
members.
His nearest living relatives are hi
nephew, Rev. John Loughran, of tn
Cathedral, and two first cousins, tn
Rev. Peter Loughran, of Detroit, an,
Patrick Loughran. of this city
The funeral will be held on Thursda,
morning at 10 o'clock, and intermen
will be made, at the request of tn
dead priest, in Minooka Catholic ceme
terry. Bishop Hoban, who is home
ward bound from Europe, is expected
to arrive in this city tomorrow ant
further arrangements will be perfected
when he reaches here.