The San Francisco call., 1907-06-11
GILROY MOURNs DEATH
OF ITS BELOVED PRIEST
Father Hudson Passes Away
After Notable Career
of Good Works
PIONEER IN VALLEY
Entered Field When Settle
ment Began and Aided
Upbuilding
PIONEER IN VALLEY
SPECIAL DISPATCH TO THE CALL

GILROY. June 10.-very Rev. Mon
signor Thomas j. F. Hudson, V. r.,
for over 43 years the pastor of St
Mary's Catholic church at this place,
died at the parochial residence at 1905
O'clock this morning.
He had enjoyed excellent health until
about one month ago. when his sister.
Mrs Annie Miller. passed away.
Since her death his health failed
rapidly and during the past two weeks
relatives and friends realized that the
end was near. Surrounded by loving
relatives death came quietly and peace
fully to the reverend father.
Father Hudson, as he had always
been known. irrespective Of creed, was
born in Dublin Ireland, IN 1929. He
received his ecclesiastic education at
All Hallows college, Ireland, and was
ordained in 1864 especially for the
diocese of Monterey and Los Angeles.
It being his desire TO enter at once
upon his life's woFk he lost no time in
coming to his chosen field.
His biography is practically a part
Of the history of south Santa Clara
county, the two being so intimately
woven together.
FOUNDER OF SOCIETY
His first Introduction to the people of
this parish was under the guidance of
died in the southern part of the state.
and whose life's work has been exem-
plified in the book Ramona"
Father Hudson. together with Father
Ubec, were the founders OF the Altar
society. which still remains in exist
ence in the parish.
When Father Hudson first arrived in
this valley he assumed charge of st.
Martins chapel near san Martin, which
was the only house of worship in this
vicinity at the time, and for three years
he resided at the home of the late Law
renee O'Toole near the present site
of Rucker. At that time there were
but few dwellings where the city of
Gilroy now stands, but the surrounding
valley was attracting many new set
tiers
During the three years spent near
San Martin this good man gathered
about him the population of the valley
to aid in carrying out his cherished
plans. Such noble pioneers as Martin
Murphy and others lent him valuable
assistance. At the expiration of this
time lands were purchased in what is
now the corporate limits of the city
of Gilroy. and st. Mary's Catholic
church came into being in 1866
ESTABLISHES SCHOOL
ST. Mary's prospered under Father
Hudson's direction and throughout the
long years of his active life his frank,
Straightforward manner and noble i'm
pulses We're a powerful factor in the
upbuilding of this community.
Later separate schoels for both boys
and girls were founded through his
efforts, assisted by donations from
these same pioneers who had in earlier
years aided him in his noble worA and
from generous citizens of the growing
city Of Gilroy.
These educational institutions pros
pered and have assisted materially in
the welfare of the community and are
a lasting tribute to the one who
brought about their existence
Father Hudson at the time. of his
death was the oldest priest in the dio-
cese. During his lifetime he always
held a prominent place among the high
officials of the church.
He was appointed vicar forum by
the late Bishop Mora OF Monterey and
Los Angeles, and later the title of
monsignore was conferred on him by
the pope
Among the surviving relatives are
two nieces and one one nephew, Mrs.
A B. Ward and Miss Emeline Miller of
Gilroy and Thomas II. Miller Of Morgan
Hill.
The final arrangements for the fu-
neral and date of interment have not
as yet been announced.