Encyclopedia Dubuque
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KEANE, John J.
KEANE, John J. (Ballyshannon, County Donegal, Ireland, Sept. 12, 1839-Dubuque, IA, June 22,1918). Second of Dubuque's ARCHBISHOPS. Rev. Keane was named to succeed Archbishop John HENNESSY on July 24, 1900. While in Washington, D.C., Keane founded the Carroll Institute for Catholic young men and the Tabernacle Society that worked among poor churches throughout the United States.
Keane was a zealot in the cause of temperance and took nearly every opportunity to speak out against the evils of liquor. On March 31, 1901 while speaking at ST. RAPHAEL'S CATHEDRAL he stated:
I have been told and I was ashamed to hear it that the liquor
traffic controls the city government in Dubuque. If I thought
the people in Dubuque were in sympathy with the saloons in their
damnable business of destroying men's souls I would send in my
resignation to Rome immediately and would leave Dubuque double
quick. (1)
He was also remembered for his aid to Saint Joseph's College (now LORAS COLLEGE).
Keane's service in Dubuque was shortened by poor health that forced his retirement in 1911. He was succeeded by Rev. James J. KEANE.
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Source:
1. "Decried Saloons," Dubuque Daily Telegraph, April 1, 1901, p. 2