The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1909-07-02
GREAT LOSS TO THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.

He was churchman of distinguished
ability, a prelate recognized in Rome
as in Winona. In the upbuilding of a
church which had of necessity to be
American as well as Roman, he at
forded able and peculiar service. But
the service he has given mankind as a
man able to serve men, has been OF an
equal distinction as well as of a
piece with his church work. A stall
wart manhood, beautiful character,
tender compassion, were his, and
made his diocese far wider than that
deiimited diocese of Southern Min
nesota Men recognized Bishop Cot
ter as man among men, and they
knew him as 'brother" as well as
"father" Even those who did not
know him felt, through the devotion
held toward him by his friends, that
this man, this priest, held his place
as man and priest, because of the
essential beauty and dignity of his
character, through the highest annoint-
ing. Whoever is chosen Bishop
of Winona, it will not be possible to
choose a successor to Bishop Cot
ter. Such men as he have a place
and an influence singularly their own,
in the church and out.
This is The Winona Republican and
Herald's tribute to the late bishop:
After lingering illness, during which
life hung in the balance by a slender
thread, the Right Rev. Joseph B. Cotter
Bishop of the See of Winona, passed
away last night at the age of sixty
five. Death came as a ministering an
gel to his long and patient suffering
and found him ready to obey the sum-
mons.
"Placid completeness, life without a
fall
From faith, our highest aim, truths
breachless wall,
Surely if name can bear the touch
His did say, 'Here!" at the trumpet
final call
The patient, righteous man, whose life
expressed so much"
He left behind as monument to
his well-doing the diocese of Winona,
which has not only grown and pros
pered under his ministration, but which
reflects his own exalted idea of Chris
tian citizenship, of temperance, frugal.
ity and love of home and of country
Bishop Cotter made temperance the
ruling principle throughout his entire
life of devotion OF his church, and his
influence was felt in every walk of life
at every freside throughout his diocese
and even beyond; and the result has
been better citizens and neighbors, bet
ter men and women and higher ideals
among all his followers of their duties
to the church and to the community
With its complex population, its racial
divisions and characteristics, this was
no easy task, but in his patient, Low.
ing, gentle way, he triumphed over all
obstacles and made the Winona dio
cese model of it's kind in all the
land
Though an earnest, sincere and de.
vout Catholic, and ever mindful of mis-
duties to the great apostolic church
over which he ministered, Bishop Cot.
ter's sympathy and christian fellowship
extended to all churches, to
all people working for the
advancement of the Masters cause. His
charity was broad enough to reach all
and his gentleness and kindliness OF
heart were felt in every household
without regard to sectarian lines. But
few men were more generally loved
Protestants and Catholics alike WED
with each in honoring him, and through
out this entire community, which had
been his home as priest and bishop
for nearly forty years, he was univer.
sally esteemed. People of all faiths
were shocked when he was stricken
with the disease which closed his life
They eagerly sought for words of cheer
from his sickbed, and had been hope
full, that in his heroic battle for life
he might triumph over the grave and
be restored to his people; but the great
Creator who guides all mems lives
willed otherwise. Beautiful in his life
his death was glorious, and in the finaI
oo thO thiOhC VI CHO bcdNIOl
whom he had so long and so zealously
served, he will receive his reward as
one who had been tried and found
faithful and whose name has been writ
ten in the book of life as one who
loved his fellow men.
AS citizen of Winona Bishop Cottel
was always deeply interested in its
progress. He was one of the active
believers in "a Greater Winona" and
contributed in many ways to its accom-
plishment. When the greater city
movement was stirring the community
few years ago he subscribed $1,000
to the cause, and said he would dc
more if necessary. Coming to the city
in 1871 a young priest, after having
been ordained in May of that year to
the priesthood, he became pastor of st
Thomas church, and he continued in
that work until he was made a bishop
on December 81, 1889, twenty years
ago. His forty years residence in Wi.
mona made him one of its pioneers as
well as one of it's well-wishers, as his
exalted position as bishop of his church
made him one of its foremost citizens
His death will be universally regretted
and his memory revered