Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1909-10-14
FATHER oKEEFE DIES SUDDENLY
Drops to Death at the Meat and Grocery
Market of w. j. Jeuck & Bros.
City and Community Greatly Saddened

City and Community Greatly Saddened
Saturday morning, Oct. 8, 1909, a
about 10 o'clock, Rev. James O'Reefe
pastor of st. Paul's Catholic church OF
this city, died of apoplexy at the meat
ard grocery market of w. j. Jeuck &
Bros.
Father 0'Keefe was in his customary
cheerful spirits and appeared in his us
ual health as he mingled with our citi-
zens that morning. AT the store he made
some purchases and was looking into
the bakery goods case when without
warning to anyone present he collapsed
with thud to the floor Aid was inn
mediately extended but to no avail; he
breathed his last in very few moments,
and noble and beloved soul passed on
to its Creator.
Rev. James O'Keefe was born in the
state of New York July %, lS45. Three
years later he removed with his parents
to Milwaukee and thence to Portage. In
1857 he entered the Seminary of st.
Francis, near Milwaukee, where he
completed the usual course in classics
and philosophy. In 1863 he went to Eu-
rope and entered the University of Lou
vain, Belgium, where he perfected him
self in Latin. Greek, French and Ger
mon, and after period of three years
completed his studies of canon law and
theology. He returned TO the United
Stated in 1866 and served the st. Mary
University of Chicago as instructor in
Latin for brief period, when he was
called to St. Francis Seminary, his
starting point as student, to accept a
professcrship.
Father 0'Keefe was ordained to the
priesthood January 20, 1868, by Rev.
John Martin Henri, then archbishop of
Milwaukee. His first appointment was
as assistant to Rev. Z. McQuirk at Ell
ba and afte, few months he was made
pastor of congregation at Columbus.
l
In May 1870, he was pastor pro tenn at
Madison, during the absence of Father
Smith who was visiting in Ireland. On
the slatter's return he was appointed to
Mineral Point and out missions of which
he took charge Oct !, 1870, and here he
remained until summoned to his reward.
About three years ago deceased was APP
pointed Dean by Bishop Schwebach.
Father O'Keefe was an eloquent
speaker and converted many to the
Catholic faith by his forcible sermons.
He gave with generous hand to The
poor and had many words of comfort
| for the sorrOWing He will be greatly
missed by the people of his parish and
also by those of all other denominations,
as he was liberal in his ideas and ever
| genial and generous. His virtues, which
are not only known to his friends but
to the entire community, will stand as
speaking monuments for him while his
body is at rest.
The funeral was held Tuesday morn
ing, the 18th, with solemn and beftting
services at ST. Paurs Catholic church.
RI. Rev Kremer, Of Lacrosse, repre-
scented Rt. Rev. Schwebach, ID, and
officiated as Celebrant of the Mass.
Rev. w. j. Mccormick served as Dea-
con, Rev. j. Barry as Sub-Deacon, Rev.
Jas. Cleary as master of ceremonies.
Father d. d. Hischen preached the
sermon which followed the impressive
Mass service 1t was a mastery effort
clothed in eloquence and pathos anG
will no doubt have a lasting effect for
good upon every one Of the multitude
Of hearers.
Revs. Barry, Mccormick, Hischen,
Cleary, Darcy and Hagerty served as
pail-bearers.
Priests attending the funeral were
Reys. r. J. Roche, Milwaukee; j. r
McGinnity, Gratiot; j. Lilis, Plattev'lei
M. Luby, Chicago; J. j. Mcclure, Cube
City; John Buckley, Delavan; l.. +
| CReilly, Ridgeway; w. A. Gobel
GAINESVILLE; J. f. Harlem, Edgerton; Jas
Nevin, Lydon Station; Geo. Loughney
Cedarsburg; H. r. Murphy, Columbus
d. D. Hischen, Chicago; g. Schleicher
Lancaster; John Field Fennimore; Il
A. Wambold, Mauston; NJ f. Downs
Whitewater; p e. Eicher. Shulsburg
= II. r. Fairbanks, Milwaukee; f. Orthen
, Mt. Hope; W. N. Smith, Muncie, Ind
M. A. Condor, Oregon; c. f. Mcbride
0conomowoc; A. A. Bissner, Highland
M. II. McNulty, Argyle; Thos. P. Hod
nett, Chicago; j. r. Croke, Shullsburg
NJ. B. Norton, Doylstown, J. p Darcy
! Morris, III; A. ]. July, Mt. Horeb; Eu
gene Reilly, GAINESVILLE; NJ. Wrenn, Ker
daltown; Steph Frant, Racine; Thos
Dempsey, Monroe; j. 6. Smith, BfoC
p head: N. Weyer, Mineral Point; D.
r Hagerty, CSC, Notre Dame, Ind; }
al + Waboney paruell. la, Jas. Cleart