Joseph Dutton
Joseph Dutton (April 27, 1843, Stowe, Vermont[1] – March 26, 1931, Honolulu, Hawaii), was a Civil War veteran and Union Army lieutenant, who converted to Catholicism and later worked as a missionary with Father Damien.
Biography
He was born Ira Barnes Dutton in Stowe, Vermont, son of Ezra Dutton and Abigail Barnes.[2]
Dutton carried out his studies at Old Academy and Milton Academy, Wisconsin and in 1861 enlisted in 13th Wisconsin Infantry under Colonel Maurice Malooney.[2] He served in the 13th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment during the American Civil War. He had been raised Protestant in Baptist Sunday schools[1] and was for a time married. The marriage did not last as his wife (who he never mentioned by name)[3] was unfaithful and Dutton developed problems with alcohol. He quit drinking in 1876 and later took the name Joseph.
He converted to Roman Catholicism in 1883 and afterward spent 20 months at the Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani. In 1886 Dutton went to Molokai to aid the dying Father Damien, who was grateful for his assistance. Dutton remembered that he told Father Damien “My name is Joseph Dutton; I’ve come to help, and I’ve come to stay.” upon meeting him - and he did stay, for the remainder of his life.[4] After Father Damien's death Dutton founded the Baldwin Home for men and boys with financial assistance from Henry Perrine Baldwin.
Dutton was a member of the Secular Franciscan Order.[5] He was often called "Brother Joseph."[3]
Dutton composed and sent many letters detailing life on the island, and U. S. President Theodore Roosevelt was one of those who read of his service to the ailing. He was so impressed by the veteran's work that he ordered the United States Navy's Great White Fleet to pay tribute to him by dipping their flags as they passed by the island.[4]
Dutton died in Honolulu on March 26, 1931. He was buried at St. Philomena Catholic Church Cemetery, Kalaupapa. In 2015, the Diocese of Honolulu set up a committee to evaluate the possibility of canonization.[1][6] In December 2015, the Joseph Dutton Guild was established by the Diocese of Honolulu to petition the Diocese of Honolulu to start the formal cause of beatification and canonization.
References
- ^ a b c "Another Molokai Saint? Diocese Of Honolulu Investigates Brother Dutton's Life". The Wanderer Newspaper. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
- ^ a b The Catholic Encyclopedia and its makers. New York: The Encyclopedia Press. 1917. p. 51.
- ^ a b "A Servant of the Lepers: Brother Joseph of Molokai". patheos.com. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
- ^ a b vonBuol, Peter (November–December 2014). "Saint Damien's Soldier". MauiMagazine.com. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date format (link) - ^ Encyclopedia Americana (1969 edition), Volume 9 page 501
- ^ "The Path to Sainthood: Brother Joseph Dutton". KHON2. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
External links
- Brother Joseph Dutton at Kalaupapaa National Historic Park
- A Servant of the Lepers: Brother Joseph of Molokai
- Ira B. Dutton at Wisconsin Veterans Museum
- Joseph Dutton papers at Notre Dame
- Diocese Of Honolulu Investigates Brother Dutton's Life
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
- 1843 births
- 1931 deaths
- Roman Catholic missionaries in Hawaii
- American Roman Catholic missionaries
- Converts to Roman Catholicism from Baptist denominations
- American Roman Catholics
- Milton College alumni
- Members of the Third Order of Saint Francis
- Union Army officers
- People from Lamoille County, Vermont
- People from Janesville, Wisconsin
- People of Wisconsin in the American Civil War
- People from Molokai
- 20th-century venerated Christians
- People from Kalawao County, Hawaii