FAMOUS MCGINLEYS

 

Ciothruadh

Mag Fhionnghail

c. 1460-1514

MONK & SCRIBE

 

 

This is one of the earliest known members of our clan, who called himself “the Man from Tory”. He was a noted scribe, monk and man of learning who lived on the beautiful but windswept Tory Island, an island overlooking the Tullaghobegly area. He was the writer of the well known book "Leabhar Chlainne Suibhne" known in English as The Clan Sweeney Book (a book containing personal clan prayers as well as the clan history). He wrote this book in the year 1513 until around June of 1514 for Máire Mhic Shuibhne/Mary Sweeney, wife of the then chieftain of the Sweeneys of Fanad. It is known that he had an assistant (Éanóg Ó Giolláin) who helped him with some of the Latin to Irish translation.

Capt. John McGinley

B.c.1740, fl. 1778

SOLDIER

Born John McGinley around 1740, John was in America at an early date. We are not sure if he was born in America or Ireland. He may have arrived as a slave, given the early date. He quickly made himself known in American public life. He bought land and settled in Mifflin County in Pennsylvania.

In the 1779, John McGinley rose to the position of captain during the War of Independance. He was given charge of Fort Island Battery (also known as Mud Island Fort). It was a strategic fort during the war with Britain. It was constructed in 1777 with wooden palisades, earthen walls, was star shaped and had three blockhouses and a water battery. Earlier the fort was taken by the British and almost totally destroyed by them. It was regained in 1779 and Capt. John McGinley was put in charge of the fort with a large garrison of men (one report mentions 165 men). It is not known if Capt. John McGinley was part of the 're-taking' of the fort, but it seems possible and that he was given control of it as a reward for his efforts.

 

Amos A. McGinley

1778-1856

PRESBYTERIAN MINISTER

The noted Reverend Amos A. McGinley was born on the 4th March 1778, in Fairfield, Pennsylvania. He was the son of John McGinley and Jane Alexander and grandson of the first recorded McGinley in America. He was a very influential figure of the period in the state of Pennsylvania. He was unusually for a McGinley, of the Presbyterian faith. During his lifetime he was probably the most influential Presbyterian Minister in Pennsylvania. During his lifetime, he married over 697 couples and acquired the nickname of ‘The Marrying Parson’.

T.C. McGinley

1830-1887

SCHOLAR/WRITER

T.C. Mcginley was a noted teacher and writer who was born at Meenacross, near Glencolmcille in the south west of Donegal. He was born Thomas Colin McGinley in 1830, but wrote under the pen name of Kinnfaela. He was a very bright pupil and received his first trainer teaching post in 1847 at the age of seventeen at Fintra National School in Ardara. In 1850 he attended the Marlborough Street Training College in Dublin. After his graduation, his first full time post was in Belfast. While in Belfast his interest grew in Irish history, the Gaelic language, republican politics as well as the Greek and Latin languages. In 1855 he was appointed Head Teacher at Croagh National School in Dunkineely, close to his birthplace. He remained as teacher there for the next twenty three years. In 1879 he was Principal Teacher at the Niall Mór School at nearby Killybegs until his death in 1887. His love of the Irish Gaelic language led him to be one of the pioneers in the setting up of the Gaelic League. In 1874 he published a Treatise on Biology. It was so impressive that for years it was part of the standard student textbooks for Biology at the Science and Art Department of South Kensington, London.

Ben Maginley

1832-1888

CLOWN, ACTOR & SINGER

Benjamin R. Maginley was born on November 18th,1832 in Philadelphia. He made his debut as an actor in 1853, aged 21, at the Old Chestnut Theatre, Philadelphia playing Ludovico in “Evadne”. By the late 1850’s he was working as a noted actor in Memphis and for a while was the Stage Manager of the New Memphis Theatre Company between the years 1861 and 1864. In the year 1856 Ben was one of the founding members of the National Dramatic Association in America. In the same year he starred in the Peoples Theatre in Cincinnati and worked there on and off until 1878. He was a member of the 'Fair and Thompsons Minstrels' in 1861. In the following year,1862, Ben made his first appearance in New York as Tony in “The French Spy” which was very successful. Ben was also a competent singer who sung to large audiences mostly around the north east of America. In 1867 a small booklet was issued detailing his favourite songs. The booklet entitled "A Collection of Favorite Songs as Sung By Ben Maginley, the Clown and Jester of Great Consolidation". The text comprised 67 pages including the words to several songs. As evidence of his popularity, in the New York Clipper his name appears 16 times between 1887 and 1888, the year of his death.

While working as an actor in New York he was also working in the circus as a very successful clown, his first love. He is best remembered for his long association with the circus in which he was a clown first and foremost but also as a Ringmaster for the world famous Baileys Circus in 1869, an Equestrian Manager/Director with Baileys Circus in 1870 and with Barnums Circus in 1876. He became a Circus Advisor (to Bailey Circus), and Promotor and Circus Owner! He owned his first Circus as early as 1865 with “Ben Maginleys Circus” which was closely followed by “Maginley and Carrolls Circus”, "Maginley Royal Circus" in 1874 and finally as “Maginley and Co Circus” in 1876. His well known circus and menagerie toured all over the United States from 1865 until the early 1880's. During all this time, employed in many positions as well as in his own circus's, singing and acting, he felt most at home as a lovable clown.

 

Seán Mhosaí

Mag Fhionnghaile

1848-unknown

MUSICIAN and SEANCHAÍ (STORY TELLER)

 

County Donegal has a long and rich store of traditional music, indeed it is famous for it. The reknowned fiddle player Seán Mhosaí Mag Fhionnghaile a.k.a John Mhosie McGinley is up there with the best of them. The south west of the county has always been the heart of Donegal Fiddle music. By the late 1600’s and early 1700’s, the fiddle or violin, had become firmly established among musicians in Ireland. In Donegal the Sweeney, Doherty, McConnell and McGinley families have a long tradition of the ‘Travelling Fiddler’ and the McGinleys were possibly the earliest local fiddle dynasties. This McGinley family came from Loch Inse, an elevated townland to the west of the road between Carrick and Glencolmcille. One of the most noted of all was the legendary John Mhosie McGinley, a native of the Glencolmcille area. His date of birth is sometimes given as 1848 and his year of death is not known. Among the many tunes that he composed that have survived are ‘The Rambling Pony’ and ‘The Harvest Moon’ (also known as ‘John McGinleys Reel’). Another much played tune was/is 'The Atlantic Roar', a tune that is also known by its Irish title 'Tuaim na Farraige'.

 

Michael McGinley

1852-1940

POET & LYRICIST

Michael was the celebrated writer of the song ‘The Hills of Glenswilly’, one of the most poignant pieces about emigration and the subject of a much later documentary entitled "Erin's Exiled Daughters". This tune was recorded by many artists, the most notable being The Wolfe Tones. He emigrated himself to New Zealand in the year 1878 aboard the ‘Invercargill’ steam/sail ship. He also wrote another popular tune called ‘An Emigrant's Fairwell’. This was written during his long sea crossing to New Zealand in search of a better life. He was twenty six years of age when he left his homeland, not knowing if he would ever see it again. He was originally from Breenagh in Glenswilly, Co Donegal.

An avid Nationalist, Michael joined the Fenian Movement and then the Irish Republican Brotherhood. By now, his political views were well re-inforced by daily events happening in Ireland. He wrote another popular tune, the ‘Drumboe Martyrs’ as a memorial to the four Irish patriots who were executed at Drumboe, Stranorlar, Co Donegal during the Irish Civil War. The four Republican soldiers fought against the British but were captured on November 2nd 1922 and taken to Drumboe Castle. They were sentenced to death by firing squad on March 14th 1923 (not on St Patricks day as mentioned in the song). A monument to the men can be seen in Drumboe Woods. Michael McGinley was seventy one years old at the time when he felt obliged to record this event. He died aged eighty eight years of age in 1940.

 

Laurence Ginnell

1854-1923

SINN FÉIN POLITICIAN & PATRIOT

Laurence was born at Clonabrack, near Delvin in Co Westmeath. He is the most noteworthy of the McGinleys who settled in that county from the sixteenth century. He was only educated to standard national school level but afterwards studied privately and eventually was called to the English and Irish bars. He joined the Land League organisation and took a prominent part in their affairs. Later he, along with William O’Brien, formed the United Irish League. He contested the North Westmeath election of 1901 but lost. By the next election in 1906 he was more prominent and won the seat. He held the seat (under Westminster administration and then under Dáil Éireann – the Republics own parliament) until his death in 1923.
He took part in the ‘cattle driving’ campaigns which occurred just prior to the 1916 Easter Rising. His famous saying was…”The land for the people, the road for the bullock”. His ‘campaign’ was successful. In 1916 Laurence actively campaigned for the election of Count Plunkett in Co Roscommon. He joined Sinn Fein in 1917 and at their Annual Party Conference that year Laurence Ginnell and W.T. Cosgrave were elected as Honorary Treasurers. De Valera then appointed him as one of his twelve Council of State members. A very strong republican, it was said that the Irish flag (a green background with gold writing) that flew over the General Post Office as a sign of Ireland's declaration of independence during the Easter Rising in 1916 was made from his bed clothing!

 

Tim McGinley

1854-1899

BASEBALL STAR

Timothy S. McGinley was born in the year 1854 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Irish parents. Timothy (or Tim as he was known) was a bright young baseball player, whose promising talent was spotted at an early age. He did not attend college but went straight from school into minor league baseball. This was at a time when the sport was young and the rules often changed. He first played with the Philadelphia Centennials in 1875 (The National Association) and The New Haven Elm Citys (The National League) before being talent spotted and moving up to the big leagues with the Boston Red Socks. On April 22nd 1876 Tim started his first game for Boston. His playing career only lasted about two and a half years when it was curtailed by injury. His last game, sadly, was on July 25th in 1876. Despite such a short career at the top, it was an eventful one. Tim holds the honour of being the first player in baseball history to score a home run in the Baseball National League. A crowd of more than 3,000 spectators witnessed the event on a day full of drama. On that day his team recorded a 6-5 victory. In this eventful season, Boston finished fourth in the league that year. For the last game of the season, the team were watched by 52,000 fans.

Tim entered the record books with his famous first 'home run' in baseball history. Tim McGinley was also one of the first baseball players to attract a recognised fan base. Around Philadelphia he attracted many young ladies due to his handsome good looks. He was always ready to talk to his many fans. A fan club was established in the Philadelphia area and it lasted for a couple of years. No doubt it would have lasted much longer if it were not for his enforced retirement from the sport. Tim McGinley and his friend Tim Murnane, both witty and full of Irish charm, became popular after dinner speakers for a while. It is recognised that Tim was not one of the greatest baseball stars, but was nevertheless a pretty good player. Tim McGinley died on November 2nd in 1899, Oakland, California.

 

P.T. McGinley (Cú Uladh)

1856-1942

WRITER, PATRIOT & SENATOR

Born as Peter Toner MacGinley, he was a noted writer and protagonist of the Irish Gaelic language. He used the pen name of Cú Uladh which means ‘hound/warrior of Ulster’. He was born on a small farm in the townland of Alt an Iarainn in Glenswilly in the year of 1856. He spoke Irish since childhood and developed a great love for it. He attended St Eunans College in Letterkenny and also Blackrock College. He gained the position of Customs and Excise Officer in London. He was eventually transferred back to Glenswilly in 1893 and to Belfast in 1895. While in Belfast, his love of Ireland, the Irish Language and writing grew. He established The Donegal Christmas Annual in 1882 and in it we find some of his early writings in Irish. He wrote many articles on Irish subjects that were printed in many publications. He was a regular contributor to the esteemed Republican periodical Shan Van Vocht (other notable contributors included James Connolly, Douglas Hyde, Arthur Griffiths, Maud Gonne etc). One interesting article entitled ‘An Piobaire Mór at Home’ (about the celebrated Donegal piper Turlough MacSweeney) was printed in the January 1899 issue. He also worked for a while as a Customs and Excise man.

The Gaelic League was founded in 1893 by Douglas Hyde, Eoin Mac Néill, Seoirse Laoide and Fr Owen O’Growney. In 1895, P.T. McGinley established the first branch in Ulster. He gained his greatest moment when he was unanimously elected to the distinguished position of the President of the Gaelic League between the years 1923 and 1925. From 1926 until 1928 he was their Tánaiste (second in Command). He was Acting President in 1929 while the actual President was abroad. In 1929 Peter was President of “An Fáinne” (The Ring). He served a second term as President of the Gaelic League during the years 1933 to 1940. He was nominated a Senator in the Irish Government in 1938. During his time as a Senator he always talked through Irish only in the Parliament. In 1925 he said, "nobody had a right to mutilate Ireland, and least of all that little body of foreign colonists in the north-east whose forebears had come to this country for robbery and spoliation".

 

Brigid McGinley

1863-1894

POETESS

Brigid was a sister of the reknowned P.T. McGinley/Cú Uladh. Brigid was to become a very well respected local poet in Co Donegal. She wrote many poems depicting the plight of the down-trodden native people of the county and she aimed to give them some hope for the future. She witnessed daily their way of life, being one of them. She noticed the hardships they endured and the tyranny of the foreign landlords. It was very unusual, and refreshing, to hear the words of one of the 'ordinary people', even moreso from a local woman. Three of her best and most moving pieces of poetry were..."The Stubble Moon", "A Wreath of Shamrocks" (which was dedicated to her brother Michael who emigrated to New Zealand) and "The Swallows Return".

During her short life (she died aged only thirty one), Brigid contributed much to the poetry history of north Donegal. The late William Harkin in his book "North-West Donegal" paid her a glowing tribute under the heading of "Poetess of Donegal". He was referring, in particular to two poems that were published in the "Donegal Christmas Annual" called "The Maid of Rutland Isle" and also "The Hills of Donegal". Harkin said....."At a time when verse makers are so often found upon the rack straining after forced conceits and out-of-the-way modes of expression, by way of showing their claims to originality, it is refreshing to meet with a writer who can at one be forcible without being affected, impressive without being maudlin, and pictureque without being showy or fantastic." He compliments her style of telling a story as well as her descriptive touches and her ability to transport the reader into the heart of the Donegal landscape and experience. Brigid McGinley....Poetess of Glenswilly....died in 1894.

William J. McGinley

1864-1947

SUPREME SECRETARY OF

THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

William J. McGinley was born in Cooperstown, New York on the 11th of April, 1864 to Irish parents Patrick McGinley and Elizabeth Doyle McGinley. He was educated at Cooperstown Union School and Academy. William went on to become one of the most influential Catholics in his day in America. After his schooling, which was above average but not spectacular, he became a Deputy Postmaster in Cooperstown. Later William was employed by the Finance Department of the City of New York, a position which he was to hold for many years.

Always a devoted Catholic, William joined the Knights of Columbus in April of 1897. The Knights of Columbus are an influential fraternal organization of Catholics. William J. McGinley served as a Charter Member of the New Amsterdam Council No. 217 and later served as the First Warden of that council. He was soon to be elected as the Deputy Grand Knight. From the years 1899 to 1901 William served as Grand Knight after his years of fundraising for Catholic charities and causes was recognised. By the year 1907 he was appointed as Master of the Fourth Degree for the Second New York District. He was given the great honour, in 1909, of being elected as Supreme Secretary of the Knights of Columbus (for the whole of America). William served as Supreme Secretary with great distinction until 1939. He was most active in this roll in the 1920's when he often wrote in defence of the Catholic cause against verbal (and sometime physical attacks) by the Klu Klux Clan on Catholicism and Catholics. During his time as the Supreme Secretary, William was responsible for setting up an educational fund given out to students of American history and studies. He was trying to promote the study of America's history, from the angle of the people.

He received many distinctive honours such as the Papal Decoration of Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Sylvester. He was also presented with the Knight Commander of the Order of St Gregory the Great. William also received from the Government of France, the Legion of Honour, an award that he was particularly thankful for. Belgium also recognised him with the Order of Leopold 11. William J. McGinley died on April 19th 1947 aged eighty three. He is buried in the cemetry at Cooperstown, New York.

Walter McGinley

1869-1932

OIL TYCOON, MULTI-MILLIONNAIRE,

CINEMA PIONEER, PHILANTHROPIST

Walter was born in Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania on November 17th 1869 and as a youth he had a great love for the travelling circus after his father John W. took him to his first circus. He entered into this profession for many years, very successfully. He held down some pretty important positions such as Executive and Manager with Ringling Brothers Circus, Wallace Brothers Circus and Sells-Floto Circus. He achieved great international note in the year 1908 when he took an American circus on tour throughout Europe. Visiting such places as Berlin, Dublin, London, Paris and the Riviera, his tour was hugely popular and financially very successful. At school he showed an aptitude for business and law. He became one of the best known legal adjusters in the circus world. During this period he visited nearly every city and town in America. Walter was a very clever businessman, alway looking out for a new challenge. In the early part of the twentieth century a new form of entertainment was born, the Cinema. He was among the very earliest figures in America to recognise the possibilities in motion pictures. He became one of the earliest to establish a chain of proper movie theatres in America! He played a crucial role in the early developement of the cinema in America and therefore the world.

He was a very important and successful race horse owner in the early 1900's, some say the most successful in America. He had much success in America, England, Ireland and throughout Europe. His racing stable was renowned across America. He also was highly successful at dog racing and had one of the finest kennels in the country winning many coveted prizes. Walter was highly regarded in the sporting world. He became friends with the enigmatic Lucky Baldwin who invited him to his celebrated ranch at Sierra Madre. He moved to California in 1915. He became the Manager of Baldwin Stocker properties. Through his involvement with the Baldwin Stocker's, he became interested in property buying/ developement and the oil industry. He bought some land from Lucky Baldwin and struck it rich! He eventually was President of his own powerful oil corporation, The McGinley Oil Company, of which he was the sole owner. He was the successful developer of thirty six productive oil wells! At this point in his career he was one of the richest men in America.

Roger A. McGinley

1870-1936

MONSIGNOR

The Right Reverend Monsignor Roger A. Mcginley was born in New York City on August 6th in 1870 to immigrant Irish parents. Roger was baptised in the Holy Cross Church, New York City on the same day. He was educated at the prestigious St Laurents College in Montreal and also at Seton Hall in East Orange County, New Jersey where he studied philosophy. Roger was to become a much loved and well respected figure among the whole community in New Jersey and also New York. He had an early calling to religion and was ordained as a Catholic priest on June 8th 1895 at St Patricks Pro–Cathedral, Newark. A man of great character, he was known to be a kind man, of good values and a devoted Catholic. He was interested in Irish history and culture. He had a special devotion to St Michael, probably after he became Curate at St Michaels Church in Jersey City. Later he was Curate at St Josephs and then he organized St Brigids in New Durham. The well known landmark of McGinley Square in Jersey City, New Jersey is dedicated to his memory, as befits a man of his great stature.

The highlight of his great work, what he will be best remembered for, was the construction of the magnificent church building in the late 1920’s and early 1930's. The cornerstone to this impressive building was laid on June 15th 1930 and the church was dedicated on October 4th 1931. It was an instant success with the local community. Today it remains one of the finest and grandest churches in Jersey City, or in the north east of America. The older church held nearly 200 people while this glorious new setting could hold 1,400. The people of New Jersey owe a dept of gratitude to this genuine, caring man who changed the face of their city, for the betterment of all.

 

John B. McGinley

1871-1969

BISHOP

Born John Bernard McGinley in the year 1871 on August 17th, he is generally remembered as John B. McGinley. He was a son of the noted scholar and writer T.C. McGinley. He was to become the first Bishop of the Phillipines and later went on to become the highly regarded Bishop of Fresno in California. John Bernard was consecrated in the year 1910. His preparation for the priesthood began at Blackrock College near Dublin. When he finished his studies there, he was accepted by Archbishop Patrick Ryan for the expanding Archdiocese of Philadelphia, where so many Irish and McGinleys had gone before. He continued his studies at the North American College in Rome and was ordained in the Corsini Chapel of St John Lateran's Basilica on June 8th 1895. Shortly after obtaining his doctorate from the Collegio Urbano de Propaganda Fide in 1896, he journeyed to America where he became curate at Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Philadelphia. Two years later, John B. was named Professor of Classics and Moral Theology at St. Charles Seminary.

In 1922, the new Catholic diocese of Monterey/Fresno in California was established and Bishop John B. McGinley was chosen to become its first ‘shepherd’ in the year 1924. St Therese was recently canonized a saint by Pope Pius XI in 1925. Bishop McGinley happened to be in Rome at the time of her canonization and he asked for an audience with the Pope. John asked the Pope to name St Therese as the Principal Patronese of the Monterey/Fresno Diocese. Pope Pius XI granted him his wish on the condition that one church and one parish in the diocese should be named after her. Bishop McGinley officiated at the opening of the new St Therese Church at Floradora near Wishon on May 2nd 1926 (although the first mass was celebrated on Christmas Day 1925 before the completion of the church). After the formal dedications to St Therese, Bishop McGinley featured in a ceremony unveiling a statue of the saint. He blessed the statue which was made, at great expence, by artisans from Lisieux, her homeland. Bishop John McGinley served many more fruitful years within the Catholic church in America but never forgot his homeland or his family back in Donegal.

 

Dr. J. P. McGinley

1894-1974

DOCTOR & POLITICIAN

Joseph Patrick McGinley was born at Breenagh, about seven miles west of Letterkenny in Glenswilly. The date was 23rd April 1894 and the country was still ruled from Westminster. His father was Patrick (brother of Cú Uladh and Bridget). He had two sister, Susie and Bridget. His primary education was at Trian Caol National School while his secondary education was at the recently opened St Eunan's College in Letterkenny. In 1911 he went to Queen's University Belfast where he took to medicine like a fish to water and in 1916 won a Gold Medal 'for distinguished answering on the disease of infancy and childhood'.

When Eoin Mac Neill formed the Irish National Volunteers in 1913, J.P and hundreds of others joined and drilled under the instructions of the veteran of the Boer War. His father was chairman of the company. When John Redmond invited the Volunteers to join the British Army to fight in the First World War (in return for a promise of Home Rule), some did. J.P. and others throughout Ireland would have nothing to do with the British. The Minister for Finance, Michael Collins, floated an Irish Government loan and J.P. was arrested for advocating this 'illegal' loan in public. He spent six months in Derry and Mountjoy jails between 1919 and mid 1920.

He served as an Irish MP in the second Irish Parliament in 1921 and 1922 where he supported Michael Collins. Dr McGinley was on the committee which set up the new police force An Garda Síochána in February 1922. He arranged the transfer of many police barracks in Donegal from the previous British police force, the Royal Irish Constabulary to the new force in 1922 and the proudest moment of his life was when he met the first batch if unarmed Garda Síochána at Letterkenny Station and marched with them through Letterkenny in September 1922. He did everything in his power to help the nascent Irish army to get established. In 1923 he resigned from the Government to concentrate on his medical career.

 

Phyllis McGinley

1905-1978

POET, AUTHOR & PULITZER PRIZE WINNER

Born on March 21st 1905, Phyllis Louise McGinley was a unique Irish–American writer. She was also a highly regarded poet. Born in Ontario, Oregan, (her parents were Daniel McGinley and Julia Kiesel McGinley) she moved with her family to Colorado aged three. After her father died, the family moved to Ogden, Ohio. She studied at the University of Southern California and the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. While at Utah University she started seriously to write short stories and poetry under various pseudonyms. She twice won awards for her work while at the University. She graduated with her University Diploma in 1927.

For many years she was dismissed as simply a childrens writer, but in 1954, The Love Letters of Phyllis McGinley won the Edna Saint Vincent Millay Memorial Award. In 1955 she got the praise and recognition she deserved when she was elected a member of the ‘National Academy of Arts and Letters’. She won the Catholic Institute of the Press Award (1960), the Laetare Medal from the University of Notre Dame (1964) and the Catholic Book Club's Campion Award (1967). She received many 'honorary' Doctor of Letters awards from such esteemed establishments as the Boston College, Dartmouth College, Smith College, Wheaton College, Wilson College, Marquette University and St John's University.

Among her collected works of poems are ‘On the Contrary’ 1934, ‘One More Manhattan’ 1937, ‘Husbands are Difficult’ 1941, 'Stones From a Glass House' 1946, ‘Times Three; Selected Verse from Three Decades’ 1960 (for which she won the coveted Pulitzer Prize), 'Confessions of a Reluctant Optimist' 1973 and many more. She was the first person to win the coveted Pulitzer prize for 'light verse'. Among her childrens books are ‘The Horse that Lived Upstairs’ 1944, ‘All Around the Town’ 1948, ‘Blunderbus’ 1951 and ‘How Mrs Santa Claus Saved Christmas’ in 1963. Much of her work is still in print and various books have been written about her such as ‘Phyllis McGinley’ by Linda Wagner-Martin (Twayne Publishers, 1971). Her first book of verse was published in 1934 and was followed by seventeen more books, all selling very well. Her last book was "Saint Watching" published in 1969. One of the best writers and poets of her generation, Phyllis had her image on the front cover of the reknowned TIME Magazine as well as getting her own Postage Stamp (The Oregan State Commemorative Stamp).

Laurence J. McGinley

1905-1992

TEACHER, THEOLOGIAN

Born Laurence Joseph McGinley on September 6th 1905, Laurence went on to become one of the most important and influential churchmen in the north east of America. He was the celebrated President of Fordham University from 1949 to 1963 and this is how he is best remembered.

The Very Rev. Laurence J. McGinley entered into the Society of Jesuits in 1922 at St Andrews-on-Hudson, Poughkeepsie and Woodstock College in Maryland. He was ordained a priest in 1935. He received his licentiate in Sacred Theology in 1936. In 1937 he began graduate work in Rome at the famed Gregorian University and Biblical Institute. He received his Doctorate in Sacred Theology in 1939. For a few months prior to the outbreak iof the second Anglo-German War, he ran, in his spare time, the Vatican City radio station!

 

DON MCGINLEY

1920-2005

POLITICIAN

Born Donald Francis McGinley, on June 20th 1920, Don McGinley was one of the best known politicians of his day. He earned a Batchelors Degree from Notre Dame University in 1942 and a Law Degree from Georgetown University Law School in 1949. He lived a full and active life. He was a reporter and copywriter for the Denvir Register 1945/46, Lawyer (private practice) from 1950, an Arthur City Attorney 1951-55, a Member of Nebraska State Legislator 1955-59, elected Democratic Politician 1959-61, Judge for the Courts of Industrial Relations, Lincoln, Nebraska 1976-80 and Lieutenant Governor of the State of Nebraska 1983-87. Among his pioneer legislative work was his support for the formation of a public employee pension system. He also served three terms (of two years) in the Nebraska Unicameral (1955-57, 1957-59, and 1963-65) and spent three years in the army. He was also a dedicated member of the Order of Columbus, a fraternal organisation of Catholic men.