LAGAN

Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Wednesday, October 22, 2008 at 04:59:46 :

The Marin Journal
Thursday, December 29, 1904
Page 1
[Note: the newspaper was damaged prior to filming]

Father Lagan Dies In San Francisco
Beloved Priest Answers Final Summons And Is Laid To Rest in San Mateo

Rev. Father Hugh Lagan, so well known and popular in San Rafael, passed away at lane Hospital in San Francisco, Friday afternoon, December 23, 1904, aged 52 yeas and three months. News of his serious illness and subsequent death came as a severe shock to his many friends in San Rafael.

Las April the lamented pastor left San Francisco in company with the late Rev. Father Scanlan with the intention of visiting Europe. Father Scanlan was stricken with pneumonia while in New York and died at St. Vincent’s Hospital.

Later Father Lagan paid his visit to the old country, and on his return to San Francisco, November 29th last, he was found to be suffering acutely from an abscess in the ear, which led to spinal meningitis.

His condition was such as to cause his relatives and friends anxiety. In response to the wishes of his medical advisors he went into Lane Hospital to be treated by Dr. Barkan. Las Wednesday he submitted to an operation, which was successful. On Thursday afternoon, at about 4:30 o’clock, however, he suddenly sank into unconsciousness from which he never recovered.

Throughout his illness Father Lagan was surrounded by loving relatives and the priests of his church.

The Rev. Father Philip Byrne, who…..(illegible) pastor of Sacred……(illegible) departure last April, the Rev. Father Sestion (?), the Rev. Father Thomas Comerford and the Rev. Father William Fleming were constantly at the patient’s side, as were also his brothers, Dr. John Lagan and Bernard Lagan.

Others who ministered to the late ..ctor’s comfort during his trying illness were his cousins, Miss Mary Lagan and Dr. Edward and Dr. Hugh Lagan.

Hugh Lagan was born September …, 1852 in County Derry, Ireland; …d at /a/kk Gakkiws; College, Ireland…ordained priest June, 1875; came immediately to California. After a … months as assistant pastor in Napa, transferred to Oakland as assistant to Father King in January, 1876. After three years there was promoted to assistant in old St. Mary’s Cathedral, where his sermons attracted considerable attention for about four years. He was then assigned as assistant to St. Joseph’s church, Tenth …, San Francisco, and three years… March, 1884, was appointed… pastor of San Rafael. Here he… ared himself to the people and… much for the church and people. …emoved the cemetery from the…h grounds to Mt. Olivet; re… the church; later enlarged it to …ing capacity of 800; built Hall… where he introduced Dominican Sisters to teach the Parochial…; built priests’ residence and… the Catholic church property of … Rafael not unworthy of the town… appearance. He built churches in Tiburon and Larkspur, and for … years attended Nicasio, Olema and Bolinas churches as well as San Rafael.

..ost notably he attended San Quentin prison, gaining the esteem of all the officers and directors, and the… idence of the convicts.

Father Lagan was most popular in … Rafael with all classes of all, and …o religious. He was promoted to …ed Heart church, Fell and Fillmore streets, San Francisco, one of the most important Catholic parishes in the city, in July, 1899. There he continued his work of building by fut… up a parochial school for the …ar grades in charge of Domoni… Sisters, and laid foundations for … school to cost $25,000 for pri… grades.

…funeral services were conducted in Sacred Heart church on Monday. A high mass of requiem was offered with Archbishop Montgomery …m Rev. P. H. Cuminius dea… Rev. T. Caraher subdeacon and … Foley of St. Joseph’s church.