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Newspaper
Muscatine Journal
Location
Muscatine, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Dec 24, 1906
Page
6
The Catholic Church mourns Rt. Rev. Henry Cosgrove Davenport, a bishop who served through months of duty before his death. He oversaw 2,257 baptisms and presented 1,500 individuals for confirmation during his pastorate.
The text recounts Father Cosgrove becoming bishop after Bishop McMullen's death. Priests favored Cosgrove, sent petitions to Rome, and Pope Leo appointed him, the first native American in the role. A papal appointment process included messages to Rome and a provisional administrator period. Consecration was planned for Sept. 14, 1884 with J. Ireland preaching.
The narrative recalls Father Cosgrove’s long service in Davenport beginning at St. Marguerite's. He built a growing church, supported mission works at LeClaire and Long Grove, and oversaw the 1865 completion of St. Marguerite's Church. Under his leadership the parish also expanded its school by 1869.
The Davenport diocese was created in July 1881 to relieve the growing Dubuque diocese. Bishop McMullen led the new see from Chicago arrival to Davenport where St Marguerites became the cathedral. Cosgrove was elevated to vicar general as the bishop fell ill and died within two years.
Bishop Cosgrove marked his twenty-fifth year as a priest with a Davenport celebration on August 27 1882 after being urged by diocese priests. The event drew about twenty five clergymen from across the diocese and thousands of parishioners. Father Laurent in Muscatine helped stage the surprise. Rev Nicholas Scanlan of Waterloo preached at St Marguerites as the day-long festivities concluded with gratitude letters to Pope Leo.
Over two decades since his consecration Bishop Cosgrove tirelessly visited southern Iowa, guiding pastors and shaping the Davenport diocese. He traveled constantly, building a church network from sparse parishes to a broad system under Pope Leo’s delegation, leaving a lasting stewardship record.
Henry Cosgrove was consecrated bishop of Davenport on Sunday September 14 1884 with Most Rev P Feehan of Chicago as consecrator and Most Rev John Ireland delivering the sermon. Other prelates present included Rt Rev J Hennessey bishop of Dubuque Rt Rev J O Connor bishop of Omaha and Rt Rev J Freland bishop of St Paul. The officers and assistants named include J Grieser Keokuk J Kempher Davenport D J Flannery Davenport M Fisvin Davenport and Rev Laurent Muscatine.
Nearly every city, town and village of any importance in southern Iowa has benefited from his work. His career focused on up-building and organization, and he now leaves to his successor a foundation guiding a large flock to fields of greater usefulness.
The article recalls Bishop Cosgrove and his Davenport circle of pioneers including Antoine and Marguerite LeClaire who funded the cathedral property. It notes Marguerite’s Le Claire homestead as an episcopal residence and mentions lifelong friends Father Pelamourgues Father Laurent Father Niermann and Archbishop Ireland who honored Cosgrove at a banquet after consecration.
A historical account describes bishops serving in the Northwest and shares several incidents illustrating the hardships and challenges faced by early ministers in frontier days.
A portrait of Father Cosgrove, a devoted pioneer priest in Davenport, who built up the church, directed missionary efforts, and became a respected bishop figure despite health challenges. His clear voice and leadership drew diverse believers, with his episcopal blessing marking masses at the cathedral.
The text praises a person for mental attainments and hard work guiding his people. It notes his prowess as a theologian versed in ecclesiastical law and commends foresight and scholarship while avoiding past mistakes.
The aging bishop, chronically ill, abandoned daily duties at the cathedral for over a year, performing private rites at home with his household as witnesses. A coadjutor was chosen to assume prerogatives, and the bishop retreated to await his Master while facing an exhausted, limited tenure.
A Davenport church leader, archbishop and head of a major Roman Catholic diocese, died after a long illness. He valued privacy, shunning publicity and wore plain clothes despite ceremonial duties. He aided St Ambrose College Immaculate Conception Academy and St Vincent's Home, visiting them weeks before his confinement.
Success recognized by Rome leads to an unusual permission for a living succession. The current holder appoints a successor before death to ensure duties are ably handled while he rests in his final days.
The article honors Bishop Cosgrove for the growth of St Ambrose College Davenport since its 1883 founding by Bishop McMullen. It notes the 1885 incorporation, 1885 day school opening, and successive expansions in 1893 and 1901 funded largely by Cosgrove. It laments Cosgrove's later feebleness and death and his enduring impact on the institution and its students.
The St Vincents Orphans Home in Davenport traces back to 1886 when Bishop Cosgrove brought the Sisters of the Humility of Mary to establish a care and education institution. It moved from the Roraback house to a permanent brick home near Central Park, with additions and 20 acres of land, housing about 128 orphans, funded by diocesan support and Cosgrove’s gifts.
Recalled from thirty years ago a pastor narrowly escaped death when burglars held him at gunpoint in his Davenport residence after a mission at St. Marguerite. The bullet lodged in the bedstead above his head as the intruders fled, later captured and jailed. one died in prison. The bedstead bears the bullet mark as a reminder of the night.
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