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Subject: [IASCOTT] 1910 - Part 4 and end of the Bishops
Date: Wed, 4 Sep 2002 15:26:50 EDT

A native of the United States, Bishop Cosgrove was born in Williamsport,
Pennsylvania, December 19, 1834.  His father, John Cosgrove, was a native of
Ireland, who emigrated to this country with his young wife and settled in
Pennsylvania in 1830.  In 1845 the family removed to Dubuque, Iowa, and it
was here that Bishop Henry Cosgrove received his early education.  As a boy
he was one of the acolytes in the old cathedral of Dubuque, when Bishop Loras
was at the head of the diocese, and his early inclinations were toward the
priesthood.  When he was fifteen years of age he began the course of study
which was to fit him for holy orders under the tutelage of Rev. Joseph
Cretin, then vicar-general of the diocese of Dubuque, and later first bishop
of the diocese of St. Paul.  After the course of study with Father Cretin he
went to St. Mary's seminary in Missouri, where he completed a three years'
classical course and then entered the noted seminary at Carondelet, Missouri,
where he took a full course in theology.  Returning to Dubuque when he had
completed his studies, he was ordained priest by Bishop Smyth, coadjutor of
Bishop Loras, on the 27th of August, 1857, and a few days later he became
assistant pastor of St. Marguerite's church in Davenport.  Rev. A. Trevis,
who at that time held the pastorate of St. Marguerite's, resigned for a long
absence in Europe, and at the end of a few years Father Cosgrove succeeded to
the full pastorate, which he held up to the time of his appointment as
bishop.  During the twenty-five years of his pastoral connection with this
church, he sharnk from no responsibility, neglected no duty and overlooked no
opportunity to advance the cause to which he had consecrated himself.  The
church and its schools flourished, large and handsome buildings were erected
for their accomodation under his supervision and in many ways the pastor of
St. Marguerite's demonstrated that he was a man of superior executive
ability, as well as an able preacher.  His relations with the non-Catholic
population of Davenport were of a most friendly character, and his
appointment to the vacant bishopric was hailed with delight by Catholics and
Protestants alike.  When his commission as bishop had been received and duly
presented to Archbishop Kendrick at St. Louis, Bishop Cosgrove returned to
his home to be greeted by churchmen of his own faith, city officials of
Davenport, representatives of various social and business organizations and
the public generally, with an enthusiasm which evidenced a remarkable
attachment to him in the city with which he had been identifed for a quarter
of a century.  The solemn and impressive ceremony of consecration took place
in St. Marguerite's cathedral on the 14th of September, 1884, and clothed
with the full powers of a bishop, Rev. Dr. Cosgrove went forth to carry
forward the work of which he had in reality had charge for many months
previous to that time.  His faithful and efficient labors during his
administration are evidenced by the fact that the membership of the Catholic
church in this diocese increased from 40,000 to 56,000.


Debbie Clough G-erischer


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