The Irish standard., 1901-05-18
Death of Thomas Desmond.

Death of Thomas Desmond.
Mr.. Thomas Desmond, father of Mr..
II. J. Desmond, editor of the Catholic
Citizen, of Milwaukee, died at the fam
lily residence, $40 Van Buren, street, i'll
that city, at an early hour Monday
morning, May 6. The deceased had
been unwell for some time, but his ILL
ter until within Il fortnight before bis
death.
Mr.. Desmond was born in Herkimer
county, near Utica, N. Y, in 1888. In
1912, when the deceased was in his
ninth year, his father, Humphrey Des-
mond, moved west, settling in Wis
consin and becoming one of the pio-
neer Catholic settlers of Ozaukee
county. These We're the days when
churches were few and missionary
priests were in the habit of celebrating
mass at the homes of the leading Cath
olics, where services We're attended by
the faithful in the vicinity. In visiting
that section of Ozaukee county, Bish-
Op Henni was in the habit Of celebrat-
ing mass at the Desmond homestead,
and Thomas Desmond, then boy,
acted as acolyte. His youth was thus
spent in a home Of deep religious faith.
Mr.. Desmond early took up the pro-
fession II teaching and numbered
among his scholars many now grown
to manhood and well known in that
section Of the state. In 1866 Mr. Des-
mond removed to Milwaukee, where
he had since resided. In the same year
he was elected secretary of the school
board Of Milwaukee and held that re-
sponsible position for fourteen years,
retiring in 1880. Mr.. Desmond's re-
pcated reflections testified to his eff
cheney in that position and the esteem
in which he was held. 1t was during
his incumbency that the school system
Of Milwaukee grew to it's present met
rcpolitan proportions and it was Mr..
Desmond who developed and systema-
timed the methods pertaining to the du-
ties Of the Office of secretary.
In 1851, Mr.. Desmond assumed the
management for Wisconsin of the Con-
'nccticut Mutual life Insurance COM
pany, position which he held Mt the
time of his death
The deceased was well known and
highly esteemed in the educational, the
business, the Catholic circles of the
state. He always took a deep inter-
est in education and his earlier occu-
pations brought him in close toucl,
With educators. In business circles he
was equally known and esteemed. Mr..
Desmond was one Of the pioneer Cath
olics Of Milwaukee. He was present
at the laying of the corner stone of st.
Johns cathedral and was always
prominent in the life of that parish.
lie was superintendent of the Cathe-
dral Sunday school when lay tcachers
We're in charge and served for many
years as librarian Of the parish library.
The deceased had that strong love
of the land of his fathers, which is
supposed to be the heritage of those
alone to the ''manor born" He SYM
pathized deeply with the Irish people
In their struggles for freedom and took
an active part In all movements to
'ameliorate their condition. His SYM
pathy was founded on an intimate
knowledge Of Irelands history, of
which he was an interested student
all his life. Mr.. Desmond was pos
sessed of one rare attainment seldom
found in one born in this country. He
was an excellent Gaelic scholar, and
read and wrote that language with flu
ency.
Mr.. Desmond bore his last illness
With becoming patience and equanimi-
ty and death found him fortified by all
the rights of the religious faith which
was so strong within him.
The deceased is survived by his wife,
four daughters, the Misses Dora.
Mary, Julia and Theresa, and five sons,
Humphrey j., William j., Frank b.,
Thomas A. and, Joseph G. Desmond.
III. j. Desmond is now en- route from
Europe, the news Of his fathers ILL.,
ress having been cabled him.
The funeral services were held from
st. Johns cathedral, Wednesday morn