John Dollard (1801-1888)
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Rev. Patrick Dollard (1804-1868) a Native of Rochestown, Glenmore
Today, we are going to feature the Very Rev. Patrick Dollard (1 March 1804-12 Feb. 1868) a native of Rochestown, Glenmore. Patrick was the younger brother of John Dollard (1801-1888) who was featured last week as the man who named Glenmore, Wisconsin. Fr. Patrick Dollard built St. Mary’s Cathedral of Kingston, Ontario, Canada and became its first rector. The painting to the left of Fr. Dollard hangs in the Cathedral’s Rectory and was graciously sent to us by Angela Gambin, the Office Manager of St. Mary’s.
Unfortunately, the Arch-Diocese of Kingston closed its archives in 2023 as a new building to house the collection was planned. When we queried when the archives will re-open we were informed that the new building has not yet commenced. Undoubtedly at some point in the future we will update this post and share whatever other information we can find regarding Fr. Dollard. Until then we have relied heavily on newspaper searches that revealed a detailed obituary and interesting description of his funeral.
Early Life
According to his obituary, Fr. Dollard was born in Glaumore (sic) County Kilkenny, Ireland, in March 1804. Over the years Glenmore has been spelled in a variety ways, but Glaumore is most unusual. Fr. Dollard was educated at an ecclesiastical seminary in Waterford. We believe that Fr. Dollard probably attended St. John’s Seminary in Waterford City. St. John’s was established c. 1807 for the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore. Per Danny’s notes St. John’s was established from the merger of a classical school and an academy. St. John’s was originally on Manor Hill and in 1868 relocated to John’s Hill. In the 1830’s, St. John’s established a mission to Newfoundland, Canada.
Emigration to Canada
After “finishing his collegiate course” Fr. Dollard sailed to Canada. “having from an early period of his life devoted himself to the Church, began and completed his theological studies at Montreal.” Fr. Dollard was ordained by Bishop Lartique, on the Feast of the Ascension, 1836. Fr. Dollard was appointed to the Diocese of Kingston. Montreal is about 800 miles southwest of Newfoundland. Kingston is about 280 miles further west and almost half way between Montreal and Toronto (The Weekly British Whig, Thu. 20 Feb. 1868, p. 1). It is not clear why Fr. Dollard went further west than Newfoundland if he was sent by the seminary in Waterford.
At Kingston Fr. Dollard cared for his brother John’s young family when they emigrated around 1850. John Dollard left his wife and children in Kingston while he crossed into the United States and travelled west to Wisconsin where he obtained land and cleared the wilderness to establish a farm. See our post of 17 February 2025 for further details of John Dollard’s trip and life in Wisconsin.
Although a great distance separated the Dollard brothers, we were able to ascertain that they kept in contact. In fact, Fr. Dollard, in September 1863 was the Vicar General of Kingston. It was reported that he was in Brown County, Wisconsin “visiting relatives.” He celebrated the last Mass at St. Ignatius. A week or so later the church was destroyed by fire. See, Mary Kay & Dan Milquet (2006) De Pere of Yesteryear, vol. 1, Zander Press, Brillion (Wisconsin) p. 43.
Priest of the People
According to contemporary newspaper accounts Fr. Dollard often rolled up his sleeves to help care for the sick and dying particularly during epidemics that swept through Canada in the 19th century. “He was instrumental in caring for typhus victims when they arrived after the Famine,” (Angela Gambin, email of 18 Feb. 2025). Fr. Dollard served in Kingston for 32 years and is credited with building St. Mary’s Cathedral , being its first rector, becoming the Vicar General and working tirelessly on improving education.
The Kingston Whig-Standard (Mon. 10 Feb. 1868, p. 3) reported two days before his death, “We regret to say that the Very Revd. Mr. Dollard, so long Vicar General and Parish Priest of Kingston, is very ill, and may probably be no more when this sees the eye of the reader. Father Dollard is truly a good man.” For a concise biography of Fr. Patrick Dollard see, B. J. Price, “DOLLARD, PATRICK,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 9, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003–, accessed February 15, 2025. .
The Weekly British Whig (Thu. 20 Feb. 1868, p. 1) published the following editorial after his death.
Kingston has lost in the death of Very Rev. Father Dollard one of the best men that ever lived in it. For a long time (upwards of thirty years) he was Parish Priest, and in the performance of that arduous duty gained the love and good will of all his many Parishioners. On two occasions he administered the affairs of the Diocese when the See became vacant, to the great satisfaction of his superiors, and it was at the time greatly regretted that he had not been promoted to the vacancy. He was in every sense of the word an exemplary priest.
However, it is from his obituary that we found the most details regarding Fr. Dollard’s work. The Weekly British Whig (Thu. 20 Feb. 1868, p. 1) published a lengthy detailed obituary that was republished in the Weekly Register & Catholic Standard (London) (Sat. 14 March 1868, p. 5). The obituary is below and the sub-headings are not part of the original obituary.
Obituary of the Very Rev. Patrick Dollard (1804-1868)
It is with profound regret we record the death of the Very Rev. P. Dollard, V.G., at the Bishop’s residence, after a severe illness of four weeks. He was a truly good and pious Priest, and dies deeply lamented by all classes of the community.
Zealous Priest
How many varied acts of kindness he performed in that long period are known only to those for whom they were done. During the trying scenes of the Rebellion—the epidemics of cholera and typhus fever, he laboured unceasingly for the benefit of the people, and nobly performed the part of zealous priest, a loyal subject, and a good and charitable citizen. In alluding to his conduct during the dread ship fever, Mr. Maguire, in his recent book on “The Irish in America,” pays the following tribute to him:
‘Father Dollard, an Irish Clergyman, had to bear the chief share of the priestly duty, and from the first moment that the fever broke out, until the earth was beaten down on top of the grave mound, he was in the midst of the danger.’
Building of St. Mary’s Cathedral, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
He was entrusted with the entire management of the building of the Cathedral, a task, it is needless to say, he performed with singular prudence and economy. He also laboured strenuously in the struggle of Roman Catholics of Upper Canada for their educational rights begun in 1841. He took the liveliest interest in the working of the schools, and for the last year and several years previous was chairman of the Catholic School Board.
By the amiability of his character, but above all, by the purity of his life, he won the esteem and admiration of his fellow citizens of all denominations—and they particularly the old ones, will regret the departure from amongst them of one, whoa after so long a residence, leaves a record unsullied by the slightest suspicion. To almost every Catholic family he was endeared by the strongest ties, and they regarded him with most filial affection. His loss leaves a large blank in their ranks, and one very difficult to fill.
Death
His death was befitting his character—calm and tranquil—and his last days on earth were made as pleasing as possible by the unvaried kindness of the Bishop and the unceasing attention of his many friends (The Weekly British Whig, Thu. 20 Feb. 1868, p. 1).
Funeral Services
The following interesting article describes in detail the funeral services for Fr. Dollard (The Kingston-Whig Standard, Mon 17 Feb. 1868, p. 2).
On Saturday morning the last rights of the Catholic Church were accorded to the remains of the late Father Dollard. St. Mary’s Cathedral was tastefully draped, the altars, pulpit, ornaments, windows, pillars, etc. being covered with black, festoons and draperies falling from the roof.
The chancel window was hidden by a black curtain, bearing on it a large white cross. The whole Church bore a sombre appearance. The body was laying on a platform erected within the rails of the Sanctuary while the ceremony was being performed. A Grand Requiem Mass was sung by the Right Rev. Bishop Horan, assisted by the Rev. Mr. Rooney, of Toronto, as Archdeacon, with the Rev. Mr. Brown, of Napanee, as Deacon, and the Rev. Mr. O’Kean, of Port Hope, as Sub-deacon, the Rev. Mr. Gothier, of Regiopolis College officiating as Master of Ceremonies.
The funeral sermon was preached by the Right Rev. Dr. Farrell, Bishop of Hamilton, who from the time of his ordination as a Priest until his elevation to the Bishoprie (sic), served under the direction of Father Dollard. During the Mass the Choir, mostly composed of male voices, sung the solemn music incident to the service in a very fine style.
After Mass a procession was formed, headed by the crucifix and censor bearers, composed of the students of Regiopolis College, wearing surplices and soutanes, and all the clergy present, each person carrying in his hand a lighted candle and being bare-headed, preceding the body, which was borne on the shoulders of Messrs. James Harty, Michael Flanagan, Michal Macnamara, James Bermingham, Maurice Dinn and Wm. Hartey, four aged Priests acting as pall bearers.
The procession proceeded from the Sanctuary out of the Cathredral, and passed around to the side of the building, where it entered the passage leading to the vault underneath. Here the ceremony was brought to a close by a reading of prayers for the dead and sprinkling the coffin with Holy Water and incensing it. The vault is built immediately under the grand altar, and directly opposite that contains the remains of the late Bishops McDonell, Goulin and Phalin.
To say that the Cathedral was crowded throughout the ceremony would give no adequate idea of the numbers present, and the many tears shed by both Priests and people, as they followed his remains to their last resting place, spoke most eloquently of the worth of the late Father Dollard. He is gone from among us, and it is much to be hoped that whoever succeeds him as a Parish Priest of Kingston, will exhibit that same spirit of religious toleration and uprightness of character that have won for him the high esteem of all good men. [The article ends with a long list of priests who attended the funeral.]
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The photo of Fr. Dollard’s tomb was provided by Angela Gambin. For further photos of the tomb and nearby tombs in the crypt see Find a Grave. The photos on Find a Grave were taken by Callan Murphy.
Please send any corrections or further information to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Special thanks to Angela Gambin, the Office Manager of St. Mary’s Cathedral of Kingston, Ontario, Canada, for sharing a photo of Fr. Dollard’s portrait, the photo of his tomb and other information.
The photos of St. Mary’s Cathedral exterior and interior are from old post cards.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The Man Who Named Glenmore, Wisconsin: John Dollard (1801-1888)
Thanks to a reader’s query last week our post concerned James Heffernan (1825-1891) of Aylwardstown, Glenmore who emigrated, married, raised a family, farmed and died in Glenmore, Brown County, Wisconsin. We wondered if James named Glenmore, Wisconsin after his native parish in Co. Kilkenny. Happily, this query stirred the curiosity of Jeff Gilderson-Duwe, the Local History Specialist, of the Brown County Library who found the answer and identified other Glenmore emigrants. Special thanks to Jeff Gilderson-Duwe for going the extra mile!
The library has an unpublished manuscript concerning the origins of Brown County place names. In this manuscript Mr. Gilderson-Duwe found the following statement, “The name [Glenmore] was given by John Dollard of De Pere, County Supervisor, for a place near his birthplace in Ireland.”
Mr. Gilderson-Duwe also provided a biographical sketch of John Dollard from an 1885 Commemorative Biographical Record of the Fox River Valley Counties of Brown, Outagamie and Winnebago [Wisconsin]: containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families (J.H. Beers & Co., Chicago). With that title it had to be a heavy tome and best seller. The biographical sketch of John Dollard is found on pages 373 and 374 as follows, the sub-titles below are not in the original text:
Emigration to the Wisconsin Wilderness
Patrick E. and John Dollard, well known progressive farmers of De Pere township, Brown County, were born on the farm where they yet make their home, the former in August 1851, the later in August 1854.
Their father, John Dollard, was born June 5, 1801, in County Kilkenny, Ireland, where he married Bridget Heffernan, and while in Ireland two children were born to them, viz,: Kate, now the wife of Joseph Whalen, postmaster at South Milwaukee, Wis., and Ellen, Mrs. Michael Murray, of St. Paul, Minn. About 1850 John Dollard set out with his family, for America, and sailing from Waterford, landed at Quebec after a long voyage. His brother Patrick was a priest in Kingston, Canada, and there the family remained while John proceeded farther west, seeking a home for them.
After journeying over the State of Michigan, he crossed Lake Michigan to Manitowoc, Wis., and thence came on foot to Green Bay, a distance of thirty-five miles, through the wood, during which trip he met the first wolves he had ever seen, and other wild animals were also numerous. The only road was the one over which the United States mail was carried, and frequently there was nothing to guide him and point out the way except blazed trees. After looking over the land around Green Bay, Mr. Dollard selected a tract of 160 acres, in Section 31, De Pere Township, Brown County, for which he paid five hundred dollars. [From this biography it appears that John Dollard travelled alone, yet we believe that his brother-in-law James Heffernan (1825-1891) also came to the area circa 1850.]
Taming the Wisconsin Wilderness
The place was uncleared and totally unimproved, and Mr. Dollard made a few rude preparations for his family before returning to Canada and bringing them to their new home in the midst of the forest. The first cabin stood about twenty rods from the spot where the present substantial brick residence was built in 1885.
The father commenced the work of clearing the farm, an arduous task, and more especially so as during the first year he had no beasts of burden, and he hauled 100,000 feet of lumber to a point on East river, with a hired team of cattle, before he became the owner of a pair of oxen. The first crops raised on the farm consisted of oats and potatoes, and for some time their only farming implement was a hoe. On this place, Mr. Dollard passed the remainder of his life, dying January 30, 1888; he was buried in De Pere cemetery.
Civic Roles
In his political affiliations he was a staunch Democrat, and he held almost every office in the gift of the township. He was chairman of the township, and, of the county board; was the first township superintendent of schools elected under the new school laws, and continued to hold the office until it was abolished, being thus the only man to serve in that position in De Pere township. In whatever capacity he acted, his service was ever marked by the highest ability and integrity and satisfactory discharge of his duties.
He was a self-made man in the strictest sense, having won abundant success from a small beginning, by hard work and energy and application to his business. In his early life he had received a thorough education attending school until he was twenty-four years old, and few, if any, farmers of his time and section were his equals in this respect. From the time of his settlement he resided continually on the same farm, and saw it transformed from a wilderness abounding with wild animals to the fertile and productive tract it now is, taking, also, an active and prominent part in every movement of interest or benefit to his township generally, and was always ready and willing to assist any worthy enterprise.
Popular Settler
He was widely and favourably known all over the county, and had considerable influence in his community, his advice being sought on many questions. He also took a leading interest in Church matters, and was treasurer and trustee of St. Francis Catholic Church, of which he and his wife were both members. Mrs. Dollard survived her husband until April 22, 1891, when she was laid to rest by his side in De Pere cemetery. [It is not clear how a publication published in 1888 recorded an 1891 death].
Patrick E. and John Dollard were reared on the home farm, and received an education in the common schools of the home district. They have always remained on the homestead, which they now own, and where they carry on a general farming and stock raising business, in connection with the latter branch being extensive breeders of sheep. In their political affiliations they follow in the footsteps of their father, manifesting great interest in the welfare of the Democratic party, but having no aspirations for office, as they devote their time exclusively to the farm. They are systematic, industrious and prosperous agriculturalists, and quiet, unassuming men. Both are unmarried.
Glenmore Parish Records
John Dollard of Rochestown, Glenmore, married Bridget Heffernan, of Aylwardstown, Glenmore , on 15 February 1840. The witnesses were John Forestal and Mary Delaney. The marriage does not provide the names of the fathers of the bride and groom. From the year of birth recorded on the marker in De Pere, Wisconsin, Bridget was born in 1811. It is recorded in the Slieverue/Glenmore Parish records that Bridget Hefrin (sic) was baptized 7 July 1811 at Aylverstown (sic), Glenmore, daughter of James Hefrin (sic) and Mary Delaney. Her sponsors were Joane Strange and Honor Delany. [We know that her brother James Heffernan was born in 1825 and his father’s name was listed as John and his mother was Mary Delaney].
Children of John Dollard and Bridget Dollard née Heffernan born in Ireland
[1] Catherine Dollard , bapt. 27 June 1842 at Roachistown (sic) daughter of John Dollard and Bridget Heffernan. Sponsors: Richard Viracre [Vereker] and Alice Irish.
[2] Mary Dollard, bapt. 26 June 1845 at Rochestown, Glenmore daughter of John Dollard and Bridget Hefernan. Sponsors Patrick Heffernan and Ellen Murphy. [This child was not mentioned in the 1886 biography.]
[3] Ellen Dollard, bapt. 12 Nov. 1846, at Rochestown, daughter of John Dollard and Bridget Heffernan. Sponsors: James Forestal and Jude Heffernan.
[4] Patrick Dollard, bapt. 1 Feb. 1850 at Roachestown (sic), son of John Dollard and Bridget Heifernan. Sponsors: John Murphy and Mary Heifernan. [This child has a different year of birth than Patrick E. Dollard who was said to have been born in August 1851 on the Wisconsin farm. However, an obituary in the Green Bay Press-Gazette (2 Oct. 1925) records that Patrick was born in Co. Kilkenny, Ireland]. Patrick Dollard never married.
John & Patrick Dollards Parents?
Unfortunately, it is not clear from the surviving parish records who were the parents of John Dollard (5 June 1801-20 Jan. 1888) and his brother Rev. Patrick Dollard (1 March 1804- 12 Feb. 1868). We are awaiting further information from Ontario regarding the Very Rev. Patrick Dollard which we hope to be able to publish soon. It also seems apparent that if John Dollard was in education until the age of 24 he was most likely being trained to become a priest. How or why he left his education in 1825 is not apparent. It is also interesting that of the four Dollard children born in Glenmore during the Famine none of their sponsors were Dollard’s.
In terms of Rochestown records, we found that in the Tithe Applotment Books (1829) Edward Dollard farmed 36 acres. He was the only Dollard recorded in Rochestown. Griffith’s Valuation (1847-1864) also only records one Dollard in Rochestown, John Dollard, who leased a house, offices and 34 acres from Landlord Conn. The buildings were valued at £3 15s.
Per the biographical sketch it was stated that John Dollard stayed in education until he was 24. If his year of birth was 1801 he was in education until 1825, and he was about 50 when he began clearing his farm in Wisconsin. He and his wife named their eldest child Patrick which traditionally the eldest male child was named after the paternal grandfather. Hopefully, the records of the Very Rev. Patrick Dollard may shed some light on their parents.
Dollard Markers
Unfortunately, I was not able to find an obituary for John Dollard (5 June 1801-20 Jan. 1888). John Dollard is buried in Mount Olive Catholic Cemetery, De Pere, Brown County, Wisconsin. See, Find a Grave to view his marker .
I did locate a death notice for Bridget Dollard, née Heffernan. Green Bay Press-Gazette, (Fri. 24 April 1891, p. 3)—The funeral of Mrs. J. Dollard, of the town of De Pere, took place this morning, at De Pere. She was 80 years of age. Bridget Dollard née Heffernan (bapt. 7 July 1811-22 April 1891) is buried beside her husband in the Mount Olive Catholic Cemetery. See Find a Grave .
Katherine Marie Whalen née Dollard (1844-1928) died and is buried in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Katherine married Joseph Whalen (1844-1928) in 1869. The couple had at least four children. See, Find a Grave .
Ellen Alice Murray née Dollard (1846-1924) married Michael Norbert Murray (1840-1886) in 1871 in Brown County, Wisconsin. The couple had at least six children. Ellen died in Los Angelos and is buried in St. Paul Minnesota. See, Find a Grave.
Patrick E. Dollard (1850-1925) was born in Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny and was taken to Wisconsin as an infant. He farmed with his brother John and never married.
John Dollard (1853-1943) never married and outlived all of his siblings. He was the only sibling born in Wisconsin. When he gave up farming he lived with two nieces Mrs. M.E. Harty and Miss Stella Whalen in South Milwaukee. He is buried in Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery of De Pere Brown, County, Wisconsin. See, Find a Grave .
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Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com
The feature photo above is an old postcard from before 1900 depicting a business area on Broadway in De Pere with the Fox River visible behind the buildings.
An unusual fact that surfaced during research…author Stephen King lived in De Pere, Wisconsin for three years when he was a child.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh