Our Irish Ancestors and The Famine

Relation to Author: Maternal 2nd Great Grandparents 

Bernard Keenan
Born: November 7, 1829, Hogansburg, New York, USA
We believe his parents were born in County Antrim, Ireland and arrived in America in 1821
Ellen Leary
Born: April 12, 1838 (or 1840), County Cork, Ireland
Arrival in America: 1843

Patrick Leary
Born: March, 1831, Ireland
Arrival in America: 1859
Honora McCarthy
Born: 1831, Ireland
Arrival in America: 1855

Denis O'Leary
Born: December, 1835, Canada
Arrival in America: 1837 from Canada; Parents arrived in Canada from Ireland between 1828 and 1835
Katherine Burns
Born: August, 1835, Ireland
Arrival in America: 1851 or 1852

Michael Barry
Born: 1839, County Kerry, Ireland
Arrival in America: sometime between 1839 and 1844
Mary Enright
Born: November 1844, County Kerry, Ireland
Arrival in America: 1847

All of my maternal ancestors are Irish Catholic (which makes me 50% Irish). Growing up I had thought that all of our Irish ancestors first came over during or because of the Great Famine, which lasted from 1845 to 1852. But that isn't the case. Some came over well before the famine and some came over after it was over. 

The best frame of reference is to look at the generation of my 2nd great grandparents. Six of my eight maternal 2nd great grandparents were born in Ireland and emigrated to America. The other two were born in America and Canada and their parents were born in Ireland and emigrated to North America - both ending up in upstate New York.

Now let's look at when they all came over. Four of my 2nd great grandparents left Ireland before the famine: Bernard Keenan's parents (came over in the 1820s), Ellen Leary (arrived 1843), Dennis Leary's parents (late 1820 or early 1830s), and Michael Barry (parents arrived before 1844) were all in America before 1845.

Two of my 2nd great grandparents did come over over during the famine: Katherine Burns seems to have come over by herself in 1851 or 1852 at age 16 and Mary Enright came over as a two year old with her family in 1847. 

Finally, two of my second great grandparents came over after the famine had ended: Patrick Leary arrived in 1859 at age 28 and Honora McCarthy arrived in 1855 at age 24, also possibly by herself. What really hits me is that these two lived through the famine and then came to America after - ultimately deciding Ireland still wasn't safe.

To conclude: Some of our relatives were lucky enough to come over before the famine. Others, survived some or all of the famine and still came to America.

A Trip to Europe!

Helen Leary (married name Keenan)
Born: November 4, 1909, St. Lawrence County, New York
Died: May 1, 2004, Brasher Falls, St. Lawrence County, New York
Relation to Author: Grandmother

Catherine Leary
Born: October 7, 1907, North Lawrence, St. Lawrence, New York
Died: February 29, 1988, Plattsburgh, Clinton, New York
Relation to Author: Grand Aunt

A ship record that I found on Ancestry.com says that Helen and Catherine Leary arrived back in New York on this day, August 7, 1933, (70 years ago today) on a boat from Havre, France. My very educated guess, and my mother has confirmed this, is that they were in Europe visiting with their brother Arthur, who was studying at the American College, Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium. Arthur Leary was at Louvain from 1929 - 1934 (Louvain closed its doors in 2011).

Although I don't know their full itinerary, my mother (one of Helen's daughters) says they did travel around Europe, including Paris and Rome. If I get more information, I will update it. And if I find any pictures, I will definitely publish them.

I do find it remarkable that Helen and Catherine, from a small town in the North Country of New York, went so far away. I love traveling and I love that even back then they were able to travel.

By the way, the records say Helen and Catherine's address at the time was 15 Fairemount Blvd, Garden City, New York. Garden City is on Long Island, and so the two were at that point living together and teaching.

Evelyn Ida Leary: A Picture to Remember

Evelyn Ida Leary
Born: February 13, 1914, North Lawrence, New York
Died: November 24, 1927, North Lawrence, New York
Relation to Author: Grand Aunt
Sister of Helen Leary (married name, Keenan)

Today is the 85th anniversary of the fire at the Leary farm. I have written two posts about the fire and also posted a picture of one of my relatives that died in the fire. Here is a picture of another victim - Evelyn. She was the oldest of the four young ones that died in the fire; she was 13 years old. The picture is from the same year - 1927.

It is a great picture - maybe a school picture, showing bright eyes and a hint of a great smile you know exists - and makes the tragedy all the more powerful to us looking back 85 years later. 

Ida Elizabeth Leary - Youth

Ida Elizabeth Barry (married name Leary)
Born: September 1, 1878, Brushton, Franklin County, NY
Died: January 7, 1981, St. Lawrence County, NY (Age 102)
Relation to Author: Great Grandmother

This is a great picture of Ida Leary - probably from some time in the mid-1890s. I love that we have this picture of her so young because most of the other pictures we have of her are much later in life. In the family picture at Helen and Hub's wedding she is 58. And then we have many pictures of her with her great grandchildren (including my brother, when she was 100).

But here we have Ida in her youth. Enjoy.

Another Wedding Picture

Helen Leary (married name Keenan)
Born: November 4, 1909, St. Lawrence County, New York
Died: May 1, 2004, Brasher Falls, St. Lawrence County, New York
Relation to Author: Grandmother

Hubert Keenan
Born: March 20, 1907, St. Lawrence, NY
Died: November 14, 1984, North Lawrence, St. Lawrence NY
Relation to Author: Grandfather

Yesterday was the anniversary of Helen Leary and Hubert Keenan's wedding. Below is another picture from the wedding. This one is the happy couple with their wedding party. From left: Barry Leary, Alta Martineau, James Keenan, Arthur Leary, Catherine Leary, Helen Leary, Hubert Keenan, Mrs. and Mr. Harold Garey (sorry - the newspaper only gives her married name - and not even her own first name).

The newspaper article says the breakfast reception took place at the home of the bride, which means it is the home of Walter and Ida Leary in North Lawrence. 

PS - I had previously posted the picture of the bride and groom with their parents.

Stats on the others pictured after the jump...

Happy 75th Anniversary Grandma and Grandpa!

Hubert Keenan
Born: March 20, 1907, St. Lawrence, NY
Died: November 14, 1984, North Lawrence, St. Lawrence NY
Relation to Author: Grandfather

Helen Leary (married name Keenan)
Born: November 4, 1909, St. Lawrence County, New York
Died: May 1, 2004, Brasher Falls, St. Lawrence County, New York
Relation to Author: Grandmother

On this day 75 years ago, Helen Leary and Hubert Keenan were married. Below is a lovely picture of the smiling couple. 

The Potsdam Courier and Freeman had a story on the wedding (the title of the story was "Miss Helen Leary is a Charming Bride of Hubert Keenan"). The story tells us that they married at the St. Lawrence Catholic Church. Arthur Leary performed the ceremony and celebrated the mass. Lilian Plumadore sang "Believe Me, if All Those Endearing Young Charms" (an Irish folk song according to Wikipedia) and "Ave Maria". Following the wedding there was a breakfast reception at the bride's home.

The bride's gifts to her attendants were gold crosses on neck chains. The grooms gifts to his attendants were leather wallets. The attendants were Catherine Leary, Alta Martineau, James Keenan, Barry Leary, and Mr. and Mrs. Harold Gary.

The article describes what everyone wore, but unfortunately the description of Helen's dress is too faded to read in the article. However, you can see for yourself in the picture - what isn't shown in the picture but can be made out in the article is that she wore a Juliet cap of seed(?) and something about a shoulder-length veil. (The maid of honor wore a rose gown with navy accessories and the bride's maids wore peach satin and halo hats.) The groom and best man wore white suits.

The article tells us that the bride's going away dress was a powder blue knitted suit with navy accessories. Their honeymoon was a trip through New England.

Sounds like an amazing day. Happy anniversary! We miss you.

Letter from Art to Helen

Rt. Reverend Monsignor Arthur Michael Leary
Born: December 15, 1903
Died: May 19, 1968
Relation to Author: Grand Uncle (Brother of Helen Leary)

Helen Leary (married name, Keenan)
Born: November 4, 1909, St. Lawrence, NY
Died: May 1, 2004, Brasher, St. Lawrence, NY
Relation to Author: Grandmother

The post below is a typed version of a letter from Arthur Leary to Helen Leary (married name Keenan). The letter is about Helen's engagement and upcoming marriage to Hubert Keenan. Arthur was in Washington, DC at the time getting his master's degree from Catholic University. Arthur talks about the plans and also gets philosophical and gives some advice. Enjoy!

Update:
I forgot to mention that this letter was sent 75 years ago today!

Update II: 
You can see the scanned version of the letter here: (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, envelope)

The Catholic University of America

Washington, D.C.

July 24, 1937

My Dear Helen,

Now that you have recovered from the shock of last Thursday I hasten to tell you that your plans sound mighty good to me. You have worked out every detail, and there is no reason why this should not be a grand affair unless “the parson” makes his usual quota of blunders i.e. the officiating minister in the person of your “over heated” brother. May I venture to suggest that it might be better if I spoke to the Father Hoffman about placing you in the sanctuary? He would prefer that himself I feel confident but he has said on other occasions that the sanctuary was too small. How about a collapsible bride and groom? However I shall gently and diplomatically suggest it to him in some way. The banns will be published for the 1st time tomorrow while the Learys will patronize the neighboring parish. If there is anything at all that I can do to help you for this big event in your lives be assured that I shall be very pleased. I’m sorry that I have not been home to officiate at the mock weddings or take part in them as a blushing bride or groom and to participate in all the planning. Perhaps it is well for I wouldn’t be of much help – all bachelors like me don’t know much of these things having never experienced the thrill of preparing for such an event.

I’m sure that you and the Hub will be very happy. You know each other as brother and sister. You know each other's little whims and weaknesses. You have each other in spite of them because you see the good points in each other. They must be magnified and developed as you walk along life’s road together. The others must be lost or forgotten or what may be even more ideal, recognized but understood in the light that every human being is far from perfect. Life has its heartaches and dark hours, let them be the means of binding you even more closely together. It has its joys and its hours of sunshine. Enjoy them, look forward to them and make them the means of driving away the dark clouds that may cross your path occasionally. It is a beautiful tribute to you both that knowing all these things you are nevertheless ready and wiling to face the future with courage and hope. God will guide your every step for you will both gently but firmly place your hands in His. He will lead you to understand everything, especially your selves, in the light of His loving Providence. You are both blessed by a long, steady and strong tradition in the Catholic faith. What a blessing! To live that faith every moment of the day is a certain guarantee of happiness. There is no other way. Faith and love in God; faith and love in yourselves; faith and love in others; let no one rob you of your priceless treasures. Be interested in each other, smile from dawn to dusk especially when the going is hardest, encourage one another, avoid arguments at all times, (the best way to ruin an argument is to avoid it), respect each other’s opinions, if you are ever wrong be the first to admit it, see things from the other’s point of view, be sympathetic, loyal and true, ever ready to concede a point for the sake of harmony, in a word, “Do unto others as you would want them to do unto you.” These, my dear are the natural virtues upon which you will build a rich and glorious supernatural life.

Have I preached too much? No, I can hear you say for you realize how interested I am that you start out rightly with very definite principles. We must plan for the future. We must lay down very definite rules of conduct if we are to reap the fruits of happiness. Nothing haphazard every succeeds. If ever either of you steps down from the ideals you have set up for yourselves – simply forget the fall – rise up courageously and start anew as though nothing had happened. Life can be such a joy in a humble cottage or in a stately mansion if we but make it so. My vote goes to the farmer for I think it has greater possibilities. Smile, be hopeful, rejoice in your mutual love for each other, thank God for everything with a humble request that He be kept close to you and you, above all, to Him. May God bless you both! I shall follow you daily at mass in my prayers, at all times, ready to encourage, help and love you as I always have and always will. Tonight I returned from Philadelphia where I went by train this A.M. to see the Mother General of the Grey Nuns.

We have had a splendid week. Weather man has been most kind. Hope the old boy can hold out for two more weeks. This heat gets me down. So, I says, says I, Art take it easy. You haven’t much to lose, so I sit and just let what will ooze out.

Aunt Eva will accompany us home. We should be an L.I. two weeks from tonight.

I have spoken my piece. I hope you have not been annoyed. I shall now take my rest. It is nearly 10 P.M.

Love to all the folks. I shall see you soon.

Art.

P.S. Should we invite Father Dan to the big affair? I suggested to him already that he should be there. He no doubt will.

A Wedding Shower!

Helen Leary (married name Keenan)
Born: November 4, 1909, St. Lawrence County, New York
Died: May 1, 2004, Brasher Falls, St. Lawrence County, New York
Relation to Author: Grandmother

On this day 75 years ago, the Potsdam Courier and Freeman announced that Mrs. Robert Hourihan and Miss Lillian Plumadore hosted a wedding shower for Helen Leary for her upcoming marriage to Hubert Keenan. I wonder what she got?

1940 Census: Keenan and Leary

In my first post about the 1940 census, I had looked at the records of my paternal grandparents and great grandparents (with a lot of help from my uncle). I have now searched and found my maternal grandparents and great grandparents in the 1940 census.

Here, the occupation information isn't quite as exciting. Walter and Ida Leary have no occupation listed, though we know from previous census records that Walter was previously a farmer.

Helen and Hubert Keenan are married and have their first child Michael. They are living on James Keenan's (Hubert's dad) farm. Hubert and James are listed as farmers.

What is interesting is the location. I had always understood that the farm my mom grew up on, the farm that Hubert, Helen, and Michael are living at, was not their father's farm. However, it seems that it is. The 1940 census entry for Hubert says he was working as a farmer "on father's farm". And James' location in the previous census records has not changed.

Family lore has it that Hubert's brother (Bernard) got the "good farm" in Helena. I think we had assumed that meant it was the family farm. However, it seems now that the Helena farm might have been better, but was not the family farm. Instead, Hubert, Helen, and Michael all lived on the family farm and took it over when James aged and then passed away. This is the same farm that my mother grew up on until her dad retired from farming (due to heart conditions) and they moved into North Lawrence.

I just find it interesting to now realize that the farm was in the family much longer than I had realized. Next time we drive by the farm, it will feel a little different knowing that it served three (at least) generations of farmers.

The (O')Learys

Dennis Leary  (also O'Leary)
Born: December, 1835, Canada
Died: 1916, St. Lawrence County, New York
Relation to Author: 2nd Great Grandfather

Katherine Leary (nee Burns)
Born: August 1835, Ireland
Died: March 3, 1911, St. Lawrence County, New York
Relation to Author: 2nd Great Grandmother

Above is a picture of Dennis and Katherine Leary. Dennis and Katherine were the parents of three children that I know of: Walter, Arthur, and Agnes. Walter was my great grandfather and the father of Helen Keenan (nee Leary). 

Dennis was born in Canada, but his father Cornelius was born in Ireland. It was pretty common for Irish immigrants to come through Canada, so I assume that Cornelius and family did that, stayed in Canada for at least a little while before coming into America via upstate New York. I have heard it told that Dennis didn't like mentioning - and maybe even outright denied - that he was born in Canada. So even back then people didn't like to admit that they were from Canada.

I don't know exactly when this picture was taken, although I will hazard a guess. Dennis lived to be 80 years old, Katherine to 75. If we guess they are maybe 65 or 70 years old in this picture, it would put it around 1900 (give or take a decade).

Wedding Picture!

(Left to right)
Mary Keenan (nee Leary)
Born: March 1, 1870, New York
Died: December 16, 1951, Lawrence, St. Lawrence, NY
Relation to Author: Great Grandmother

James J. Keenan
Born: March 21, 1865, Helena, St. Lawrence, NY
Died: September 28, 1955, North Lawrence, St. Lawrence, NY
Relation to Author: Great Grandfather

Helen Keenan (nee Leary)
Born: November 4, 1909, St. Lawrence, NY
Died: May 1, 2004, Brasher, St. Lawrence, NY
Relation to Author: Grandmother

Hubert Keenan
Born: March 20, 1907, St. Lawrence, NY
Died: November 14, 1984, North Lawrence, St. Lawrence NY
Relation to Author: Grandfather

Ida Leary (nee Barry)
Born: September 1, 1878, Brushton, Franklin, NY
Died: January 7, 1981, St. Lawrence, NY
Relation to Author: Great Grandmother

Walter Leary
Born: January 5, 1874, North Lawrence, St. Lawrence, NY
Died: July 19, 1960, Winthrop, St. Lawrence. NY
Relation to Author: Great Grandfather

This is a picture from Hubert and Helen's wedding day. They are surrounded by their parents.  The wedding was August 16, 1937, so the parents were 67, 72, 58, and 64 years old, respectively, at the time. Helen and Hubert were  27 and 30, respectively.

I have a few more pictures from the wedding, so look for more of these to go up on the blog in the future.

Arthur Leary - Catholic Education Superstar

Rt. Reverend Monsignor Arthur Michael Leary
Born: December 15, 1903
Died: May 19, 1968
Relation to Author: Grand Uncle
Brother of Helen Keenan (nee Leary)

Monsignor Leary's obituaries referred to the major role he had in state and national Catholic curriculum reform. However those references were not specific. In this post, we'll look at what Monsignor Leary did to change curriculum in Catholic schools at that state and national level.

First, let's get some historical context. In 1938, Pope Pius XI gave Catholic University in Washington, DC a special assignment on the anniversary of its golden jubilee (which seems like being given a special homework assignment on your birthday). The Pope was concerned about, "the global spread of theories and doctrines that he believed undermined Christianity." The Pope's directive, given more detail by the United States Bishops, "instructed the University to prepare materials of instruction in citizenship and Christian social living for use in the Catholic schools of the United States."

Monsignor Leary, in an interview with the North Country Catholic, said all of this work at revamping Catholic school curriculum was necessary because,

The strong secular spirit of American education during the nineteenth century had somewhat affected our Catholic school system. Our schools did not measure up to the Catholic ideal that religion and philosophy are the unifying forces of a sound educational system.

The commission at Catholic University began its work in 1939. You can see the results of the work by Catholic University here. The commission's work had three areas: an information service (public relations, press, periodicals), an elementary school curriculum called Guiding Growth in Christian Social Living, and textbooks and Basal readers for students. The curriculum (3 volumes) was produced between 1944 and 1946 and is described this way:

The materials they created are the first general curriculum offered to Catholic schools for their use in developing ideals of Christian doctrine for daily living [emphasis added].

While the commission was carrying out its work, Monsignor Leary was there at Catholic University studying for his master's degree. I have no evidence however that he worked on the curriculum while there. (I'll inquire to get a definitive answer.) Monsignor Leary graduated in 1943, after which he was named Secretary of Education for the Ogdensburg diocese.

In 1947 Monsignor Leary began working with the five upstate New York dioceses to develop and implement a single Catholic school curriculum across the dioceses using Guiding for Growth as the framework. Each summer the dioceses held workshops to develop the curriculum for their schools. Monsignor Leary, in describing how extensive the curriculum was, said in the same interview referenced above,

Text books for social studies, English, etc. are written by Catholics for Catholics and with a thoroughly Catholic spirit. In this way the teachings of the Popes and our entire Catholic philosophy are brought to the student not merely in religion but in every subject.

So Monsignor Leary had a major role in completely changing the curriculum of the five upstate dioceses. But he did not stop there; he continued his work nationally, serving at the National Catholic Educational Association, where from 1949-1951 he was National President of the Catholic School Superintendents (his name is listed if you follow the link), a group within the NCEA. (Note that two years after serving as president, in 1953, Arthur Leary was awarded the honor of Domestic Prelate with the right to the title of Rt. Reverend Monsignor almost definitely due to this education work.)

I might have more on his national work if I can get a hold of this book, but in the meantime, we can assume that as President of Catholic School Superintendents, he continued to promote / facilitate the complete revamping of curriculum in dioceses across the country with Guiding for Growth as the model.

In case I haven't done a great job of making this sound as big as it is, let me summarize. While Monsignor Leary was serving as secretary of education in Ogdensburg, catholic schools were undergoing a major change in their education model. For the first time, their entire curriculum would be one developed by Catholics - no longer relying on outside institutions and models - in order to instruct students according to Catholic values. And Father Leary had a major role in New York State and across the country in implementing this new model under this brand new paradigm.

Father Art at St. Elizabeth's

Rt. Reverend Monsignor Arthur Michael Leary
Born: December 15, 1903
Died: May 19, 1968
Relation to Author: Grand Uncle
Brother of Helen Keenan (nee Leary)

I have an exciting post on Father Art coming soon. In the meantime, enjoy this picture of him from June 21, 1960 - taken at St. Elizabeth's Church in Elizabethtown, New York.

The Fire: The Community Mourns

The Fire
November 24, 1927
North Lawrence, New York
Home of Walter and Ida Leary

In the previous post on the fire, I talked about the community's response to help the Learys. In the same article (from the Potsdam Courrier Freeman on 10/30/1927), it talks about how the community mourned the loss. I want to quote the article because I think it really shows how big of an event this was.

The funeral of the unfortunate victims was held Saturday morning and was very largely attended... Many people could not gain entrance to the church but remained outside until the close of the service... People were present from all of the surrounding towns. All business places were closed during the services.

The truth is, I am forever trying to wrap my head around this event. And this article is helping me see the scope of the tragedy - to really understand that is was one of the worst tragedies in the area ever. 

But my family persevered. Arthur went to seminary. Catherine went on to teach. Helen had a family and Barry had a family. And I can assume that the parents, Walter and Ida, took joy in watching their children succeed and getting to know their grandchildren and in the case of Ida, her great-grandchildren.

Also, in case you want to see the actual newspaper articles referenced in these two posts, you can find the article on the front page here and the continuation on page 3 here.

Cathleen Leary: More WAC

Catherine Leary
Born: October 7, 1907, North Lawrence, St. Lawrence, New York
Died: February 29, 1988, Plattsburgh, Clinton, New York
Relation to Author: Grand Aunt Since I found out about Catherine Leary's service in the Women's Army Corps I have had two questions: What did she do; and where did she serve? I now know where she served: Dayton Beach, Florida, and Camp Sutton near Charlotte, NC (in Monroe, Union County, NC). She received her training for promotion to Liuetenant at Fort Des Moines. So now I know she wasn't among the WAC that served overseas. Next I need to find out what she did.

Also, I want to post this picture of Catherine Leary in her WAC uniform. The resemblance to my mother's side of the family is remarkable. Plus, she does look like my memories of her when I knew her in the mid-1980s.

Picture: Mary Clare Leary

Mary Clare Leary
Born: November 10, 1905, North Lawrence, New York
Died: November 24, 1927, North Lawrence, New York
Relation to Author: Grand Aunt
Sister of Helen Leary KeenanAbove is a picture of Mary Clare Leary - older sister of Helen Leary Keenan. As you may remember, she died in the fire with the three young girls. 

This picture was apparently taken in 1926 - the year before the fire. If the picture was taken in the summer, as it appears to be, she would have been 20 (turning 21 in November of 1926). At the time of the fire, and probably at the time this picture was taken, Mary Clare had been attending St. Lawrence University.

I'm really happy that this picture exists. It is tragic that she died young - before even graduating college. But at least we have this picture to think of her. 

Before They Were Grandparents

Helen Leary Keenan
Born: November 4, 1909, North Lawrence, New York
Died: May 1, 2004, North Lawrence, New York
Relation to Author: Grandmother

Hubert Keenan
Born: March 20, 1907, St. Lawrence County, New York
Died: November 14, 1984, North Lawrence, New York
Relation to Author: Grandfather

My mother has a collection of old pictures from her side of the family. I have started scanning them and will be posting them on this blog from time to time.

I think it is fitting to start with this picture of Helen Keenan (nee Leary) and Hubert Keenan - my grandparents - because it is one of my favorites. I just love this picture. I love seeing them in their youth. I knew them when they were much older, of course. And to see them so young, vibrant, and happy is amazing. 

While I don't have a date or location for the picture, they look to be about the same age as in their wedding picture (coming soon to this blog) so I would guess the picture is from sometimes around 1937. If anyone has better information, definitely let me know. Otherwise, just enjoy!

The Fire and the Community

The Fire
November 24, 1927 (Thanksgiving)
Residence of Walter and Ida Leary
North Lawrence, NY

Died in the Fire
Arthur Leary (brother of Walter Leary) - Born: ABT 1867
Mary Clare Leary - Born: Sept 10, 1905
Evelyn Leary - Born: Feb 13, 1914
Rita Leary - Born: July 10, 1916
James Walter Leary - Born: Jan 31, 1920
Esther Leary - Born: Feb 27, 1918

Survived
Walter Leary - Born Jan 5, 1874; Died July 19, 1960
Ida Leary - Born Sep 1, 1878; Died Jan 7, 1981
Arthur Leary - Born Dec 15, 1903; Died May 19, 1968
Catherine Leary - Born Oct 7, 1907; Died Feb 29, 1988
Helen Leary Keenan - Born Nov 4, 1909; Died May 1, 2004
Barry Leary - Born Mar 2, 1912; Died Nov 29, 1969


I feel pretty comfortable assuming that all of the grandchildren of Helen Leary Keenan have at least heard the fire mentioned and probably briefly described. We all probably know the general story; it happened in the morning on Thanksgiving, the four youngest - Evelyn, Rita, James and Esther - and the second oldest - Mary Clare - died in the fire along with Helen’s uncle (her dad’s brother) Arthur. We also probably remember hearing that Mary Clare was found with the three young girls and that Jimmy, the youngest boy, was at the window but walked back into the fire.

The obituary of Walter Leary in 1960 says the following about the fire 33 years later: “The family received aid from all over the North Country after their plight. This fire is still considered one of the worst tragedies ever to occur in this area.”

I think these two sentences capture the two big aspects of this tragic event; how this affected our family and how the community responded. In this post I want to cover the community response.

Here is a quote from a Potsdam Courier Freeman article on the fire (Nov 30, 1927) regarding the community response.

The entire North country has moved swiftly in response to an appeal for members of the family. Prominent men from 16 different towns gathered in the stricken village Friday afternoon to render what aid was possible. In less than a moment $500 [author's note: this is $6,492 in today's dollars] was subscribed before the better plan was adopted of opening a subscription in each of the towns so that all who cared might contribute. About $2,000 was pledged up to yesterday [$25,968 in today's dollars].

The fund was opened by R.H. McEwen, former North Lawrence resident, and now Ogdensburg banker, with a check for $100 [$1,298 in today's dollars].

An organization meeting was held in the town hall in Winthrop Saturday night when representatives from the surrounding towns gathered to lay plans. Rev. Father Jacques of the St. Lawrence church, North Lawrence was named treasurer. Malone, Massena, Potsdam, Nicholville, Brasher, Wintrop and St. Regis Falls were represented.

In Potsdam Sunday morning the ministers brought the matter to the attention of the congregation and asked for help. A canvas was made Monday afternoon at 4 o'clock by the district Boy Scouts. The work will be continued for several days and checks may be made to Allan L. Gurley of Potsdam.

The women of Winthrop will provide furniture for one bedroom for the family.

Women and girls named Helen will contribute specifically for Miss Helen Leary and those named Katherine will aid Katherine Leary both of whom were sleeping on the ground floor of the house when the fire broke out. They escaped with Mr. and Mrs. Leary.

Aid for the two remaining sons will be provided by all Sunday school classes composed of boys in the North Country. The other son [Arthur] was in New Jersey when the fire occurred.

My first thought is how amazing it is that the community responded in this way. I want to believe that this type of generosity still exists, but I wonder if it is possible in an age of increased urbanization and the decline of the small community. Either way, the article shows that the community rallied to offer what they could to help a family that experienced one of the worst tragedies ever in the area.

Father Art: An Intro

Monsignor Arthur Michael Leary
Born: December 15, 1903
Died: May 19, 1968
Relation to Author: Grand Uncle
Brother of Helen Keenan (nee Leary)

Arthur Leary, the second oldest of Walter Leary and Ida Elizabeth Leary (nee Barry), was a Monsignor in the Catholic Church. To the family, he was known as Father Art. In future posts, I'll look at his work in the church. But here, I am going to introduce him and give an overview of his life.

Monsignor Leary began his post-high school education at Potsdam Teachers College, graduating in 1922. After teaching in public schools for 6 years, he got a bachelor of science degree from Fordham University in 1928. He entered Wadhams Hall Seminary in Ogdensburg, New York (which closed in 2002 due to low enrollment - a sign of changed times) the same year. After one year he transferred to Louvain Seminary in Belgium and was ordained in July of 1934.

When he returned to the US he would spend the rest of his career, excluding getting his master's degree, in the Ogdensburg Diocese (there are 196 diocese in the US). Just to give you some flavor for the diocese, it was created in 1872 out of the Albany diocese and covers 12,000 square miles including Lewis, Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Franklin, Clinton, and Essex Counties plus parts of Herkimer and Hamilton Counties. In 1949 it had 118,682 Catholics, 154 parishes, and 171 priests including Father Art.

Arthur Leary's first job after being ordained was as vice principal of St. Mary's Academy in Ogdensburg. He was named principal in 1936. In 1939, Father Art was transferred to St. John's Church in Plattsburgh, New York where he was principal of St. John's Academy. In 1943 he received a master's degree from Catholic University in Washington, DC. After receiving his master's degree, Father Leary was named Secretary of Education for the Ogdensburg diocese.

In August of 1953, Arthur Leary was awarded the honor of Domestic Prelate with the right to the title of Rt. Reverend Monsignor by Pope Pius XII. On April 14, 1959, Monsignor Leary was named pastor of St. Mary's Church in Massena, New York (which I believe was the biggest parish in the diocese).

The work that most interests me, and will be the focus of further posts on Father Art, is his education work. His obituary said that as Secretary of Education, he was instrumental in updating curriculum for the Catholic schools in upstate New York and had a major role nationally as well. I'll be exploring that in the future.