John C. Devereux
John C. Devereux (1774–1848) was a pioneering Catholic in Utica, New York and its first mayor.[1]
Devereux was born in Wexford, Ireland. His brother Walter was in several battles in the Rebellion of 1798, and his brother James was killed in the Battle of Vinegar Hill. His sister was the Superior of the Presentation convent in Enniscorthy.
He landed at New York about 1797, and in 1802 opened a store in Utica. He was elected mayor of Utica in 1840. With his brother Nicholas he founded the Utica Savings Bank.
He was an active Catholic; in 1813 he was a trustee of St. Mary's, in Albany. Missionary priests would stay at Devereux's home, where Mass was celebrated. He and his brother brought the Sisters of Charity to Utica to open an orphanage and each gave $5,000 towards the object.
References
- ^ John C. Devereux – Catholic Encyclopedia article
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