Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
SMYTH, Clement
SMYTH, Clement. (Finlea, near Killaloe, County Clare, Ireland, Jan. 24, 1810-Sept. 23, 1865). Second bishop of Dubuque. Father Smyth founded the monastery of New Melleray near Dubuque. With a group of monks from the Abbey of Melleray, County of Waterford, Ireland, Father Smyth came to America in 1849 and moved to Dubuque where they were received by Bishop Mathias LORAS. The failing health of Father Loras made a coadjutor necessary. Father Smyth, the unanimous choice, was consecrated on May 3, 1857, and became a diocese administrator. He assumed all the duties of bishop when Loras died in 1858.
Smyth saw the accomplishment of many goals during his tenure. A school of higher education for boys was established. His hopes to build a home for the Christian Brothers who taught at the school were cut short by his death. A strong proponent of his faith, Smyth saw eighty churches built, twenty "out-missions" established, and forty-six priests ordained in the Diocese of Dubuque before he died.