Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-06-16
POPULAR PRIEST
Sent TO ELMWOOD
Father William j. Cleary, AS
sistant at St. Joseph's
to Leave Rock Island.

Yesterday at the several masses at
St. Josephs church Dean j. ]. Quinn
announced the transfer Of Father Will
liam j. Cleary TO Elmwood, Ill. Faith
er Cleary has served as assistant pas
tor of st. Joseph's parish for the past
seven years. and the announcement Of
his removal or transfer was received
with many sincere expressions of re-
greet and sorrow. He has proven popu-
lar alike among his parishioners and
the people generally of Rock Island.
Dean Quinn suggested that a mass
meeting of the men OF the parish be
held at the hall in the new school
building at O'Clock in the afternoon,
to consider presenting Father Cleary
with a substantial testimonial at the
time of his departure. More than one
hundred men of the parish gathered in
the afternoon and many words of ap-
probation, affection and love for Faith
err Cleary were expressed. The meet
ing was unanimously in favor OF tes-
timonial to Father Cleary, and those
in attendance spontaneously and en-
Enthusiastically subscribed the sum of
$500 toward this purpose.
Coincidentally, a meeting OF the La
dies Altar society of the parish was
held in the church and at this meet
ing over $500 was subscribed.
Following one of the early masses
in the forenoon the young men belong
ing to the Western Catholic Union,
with which Father Cleary was closely
associated, held a meeting and voted
500, all the money in their treasury,
to be given to Father Cleary, and in
addition have pledged an average of
$3.50 each. The lodge has 20 members.
At the mems meeting in the after
noon q committee on general arrange
ments was appointed to determine
what form of testimonial should be
given Father Cleary and to assist and
advise with Dean Quinn in arranging
for a mass meeting next Sunday even
ing a: the school hall, farewell meet
ing, at which the testimonial will be
presented to Father Cleary. On this
| occasion the children of the parish, to
which Father Cleary has been SO de-
votedly attached, will take part. The
committee in charge consists Of E. J.
Burns, T. A. Fender and F. NJ. Burt.
A committee on resolutions was ap-
pointed, consisting of Messrs. George
Wagner, Thomas OHara and Dr. B. ].
| Lachner.
Feeling that many who we're not in
| attendance at the meeting will desire.
to contribute to the testimonial for
Father Cleary, the following commit
| tee was appointed TO receive such
! contributions ]. w. Cavanaugh, J.
/ P. Sexton, T. J. Murray. R. ]. Burns,
| H. l.. Wheelan, A. A. Burt, J. Cahail
John Kimball, Thomas kehoe, ]. u.
! Shields, Fred Etzel, Charles Tom. NJ.
| BrOderick, James Meehan, F. NJ. Burt,
! James Mccarthy, Harry Coyne, M
! Reidy, w. H. Spring. Dick Russell.
! James Davis and NJ. H. Sexton. The
meeting was called to order by Father
| Quinn, and NJ. H. Sexton was elected
chairman, F. NJ. Burt secretary. and
j. E. Reidy treasurer.
Father Cleary leaves for his new
charge at Elmwood, to which is attach
! ed number of country churches, next
Monday morning
Father Cleary came to Rock Island
under appointment of Bishop Spald.
| ing, az assistant to Father Quinn OF
| st. Joseph's parish Immediately fol-
| lowing his ordination, June 6, 1906.
| He has made a remarkable record in
| Rock Island, having organized the w.
| C. u. boys and has been the director
| and ruling spirit of the organization.
| He likewise and has since been In
! charge of st. Josephs Girls club. Like
| wise during the seven years he has
! been here he has had full charge OF
! the management of the parochial
4 school and has directed the studies.
in this connection he has been the in
| spiration for the marvellous success
/ and progress made by the school OF
! which the erection of the new scAool
! building on Fourteenth street is q
| cCnsummation. In another year II Is
| proposed to add the higher grades in
the studies pursued by the pupils and
this is entirely the result OF Father
! Cleary's work and accomplishment.
! Father Cleary is 81 years of age and
a native of Momencie, Ill.
Father Graham Of Galesburg comes
10 Rock Island to succeed Father
Cleary.
/ ChamberIain's Stomach and Liver