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generality of these appointees were Catholics for the reason that most of the non-Catholics belonged to the Federal party - the party of Father Gallitzin himself.
There were of Catholics, James C. Maguire, first county Treasurer and afterwards Prothonotary; James Meloy, the first Sheriff; Edward V. James, also Prothonotary, and later on David T. Storm, Prothonotary; Cornelius McDonald, Philip Noon, Associate Judge and afterwards Sheriff; John Murray, Sheriff, later on, and others who with their families formed a congregation of respectable size.
It must not be supposed that the early governors of Pennsylvania appointed people solely from political or religious predilections. President Judge John Young was a Swedenborgian, Associate Judge Abraham Hildebrand belonged to some Protestant denomination, Associate Judge George Roberts was a Congregational minister and probably a Federalist.
About the year 1816, Father Gallitzin organized in Ebensburg the church of St. Patrick, which in reality is the canonical name of the present church and parish. The first pastor was Rev. Patrick Rafferty. Afterwards Father Felix McGirr, who lived on a farm near Ebensburg and also assisted Father Gallitzin at Loretto, attended the congregation. Fathers P. Duffy and Bradley also served this congregation, before Father Lemke.
The Grave of the First Priest to Die Within the
Bounds of the Diocese of Altoona.
Underneath a brownstone flag placed horizontally on supports about eighteen inches high, underneath the figure of an urn and the usual I. H. S. with a cross on the H, is following inscription:
HERE LIE THE REMAINS OF REV. THOMAS GA-
HAGAN, A NATIVE OF THE PARISH OF TUBBER-
CLAIRE, COUNTY OF WESTMEATH, IRELAND,
AND
FORMERLY PASTOR OF MANAYUNK AND TRENTON,
LATELY ASSISTANT PASTOR OF ST. PATRICK'S,
PITTSBURG,
Who departed this life at Newry on the 15th day of July, 1833, in the 33rd
year of his age and the third of his ministry, respected and beloved for
his amiable man-
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