Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 442
REV. NICHOLAS DUGGAN, since January, 1875, has been the faithful and efficient pastor of St. Mary's Church at Wilton. The first mass in that town was celebrated in the autumn of 1857, by Rev. Peter Mahn, in a private residence situated at the eastern terminus of Fourth street, and during the summer of 1858 the first church was planned and erected by that gentleman. It was a small frame building, located in the southern part of town, and from that time until 1863 Rev. Mahn and Rev. Gmonds, of Iowa City, officiated as pastors. In that year Rev. Shannahan was located at Wilton as the regular pastor. He was succeeded by the Revs. McGinnes, Laurant, and Quigley, and during the pastorate of the latter the plans for the present brick church were matured, and the foundation laid in 1867. At that time Rev. Quigley was superseded by Rev. Walsh, who was followed by Rev. P. A. McCabe, under whom the church was sufficiently completed to be used for services. The next pastor was Rev. James Welsh, who afficiated until August,1874, during which month his death occurred at Davenport, caused by cancer of the stomach, and in January, 1875, the present pastor was assigned to the charge.

Father Duggan was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, in 1843. Having received a good common-school education, he entered St. Patrick's College, in his native county, at the age of eighteen years, there remaining until he was twenty-six years of age. He was ordained at Thurles, in 1873, and during the autumn of that year emigrated to America, going directly to Dubuque, Iowa, after landing in this country. The following spring he was appointed Assistant Priest at Davenport, where he remained for ten months, coming from thence to Wilton in the latter part of 1874, and assuming his duties as pastor of St. Mary's Church the following January. Under his administration the church has flourished, and its membership has kept pace with the growth of the county.

---

Back to 1889 History of Muscatine Co. Index Page

Back to the Muscatine Co. IAGenWeb Index Page