The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1904-07-16
1ibernians Of Minnesota Make Splendid Record

to be held in st. Louis, July 10th to
23rd, is and ought naturally to be in
terested in the progress of the Order
and anxious to see its principles up
held by thousands of patriotic Irish
men in every state and province in
America, it becomes the pleasant
duty of The Irish Standard to give to
the readers of this journal throughout
the northwest Il resume of the rapid
advance made in Minnesota, the North
Star state, since the first Division was
organized in the city of Minneapolis
less than twenty-five years ago. This
Division, since its organization known
us Division No. 1 of Hennepin county.
was founded by Michael w. AIogan,
still Il resident of the Flour City and
at present holding the position of vice
president. 1t is also pleasure to note
in this connection that the veteran
James j. Kennedy, who about the
same time organized the first division
in st. Paul. the capital city. is still re-
siding there. 1t is safe to say that no
keencr satisfaction exists in the hearts
of any liibernians in this broad land
today than that which is enjoyed by
these two pioneers in \. o. II. work
Owe" the marvellous growth of their
beloved Order not only in their own
state but throughout the nation. Pass
ing over the period from 1880 down to
the assembling of the national con-
vention held in the city of Denver i'll
July, 1902, we find that since that
time the Ancient Order of Hiberniuns
in the state of Minnesota has enjoyed
Il marvellous record of growth and
financial prosperity, due almost wholly
to the splendid executive ability and
patriotic endeavOr of the state officers
elected at the state convention held in
the city of Minneapolis in August,
1902. AS the result of the wise de-
alterations of that convention James ].
Regain of st. Paul, was chosen state
president, Thos. +. Moran of Hastings,
vice president; Thomas Connolly of
Minneapolis, state secretary; John
Flood of Duluth, state treasurer. The
Insurance Fund, which is managed by
Il separate board of officers and direc-
tors, elected Robert j. Clarke of st.
Paul, president; Dan NJ. Clark of
Brainerd, vice president; John Ma
honey of Minneapolis, secretary; John
Shcehy of Montgomery, treasurer;
DR.. Il. w. Buckley, st. Paul, medical
director, and ]. J. Daley, ]. II. Night
ingale, Minneapolis, J. d. Higgins, st.
Paul, r. w. McGarry, Saltwater, and
j. P. Coughlin, Perham,' directors.
Having completed the list of officers in
whose hands the fortunes of the Order
in this state were to be placed for two
years, and through their Jealous and
beloved chaplain, Rev. Michael Der
mody, invoking the blessing of AL
mighty God on their work, the conven-
ton adjourned to meet in the city
of Saltwater in 1904.
The new administration of affairs
had not long been installed when its
true worth became manifest in the
rapid growth Of the Order throughout
the state. The state president and the
president of the Insurance Fund with
untirng energy made personal visits
to nearly every Division in the state,
many of them being called on num-
| Der of times. In their work they
asked for and received the generous
support of their brother officers and
their meetings everywhere We're eX-
ccedingly we'll attended. The Ladies'
Auxiliary, too, was an important fac
tor in the work. Whenever a Division
of both organizations existed in the
locality visited the ladies' We're of
great assistance, supplying, as Il rule
the refreshments for the occasion, and
contributing by their talent to the sue
cess of the entertainment programs.
Open meetings were urged and every
where the watchword was action"
The fires of patriotism and love Of
church and country inspired the work
| to such an extent as was never before
known in Minnesota, and the uneN-
celled merits of our insurance fund
coupled with an able argument in
favor of providing life insurance for
the widows, orphans and those de-
pendent on members, had the desired
effect. The result Of the work done by
the present administration from ALL
gust 26, 1902, to July /, 1904, was the
| initiation of 1912 new members, max
ing a total membership in Minnesota
| on the date last named above of G,3422.
Eight new Divisions We're organized
increasing the total to 60 in the state
| distributed among 30 counties. The
i largest of these Divisions is No. 4 OF
/ st. Paul, of which State President
Regain is president. This Division has
over 500 members. No. 0 of st. Paul,
of which Robert ]. Clarke is president,
has over 400 members. Division No.
8 of Minneapolis, to which Insurance
Secretary Mahoney belongs, has $40
: non,hors opd division No of Min