A native of the United States, Bishop Cosgrove was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, December 19, 1834.  His father, John Cosgrove, was a native of Ireland, who emigrated to this country with his young wife and settled in Pennsylvania in 1830.  In 1845 the family removed to Dubuque, Iowa, and it was here that Bishop Henry Cosgrove received his early education.  As a boy he was one of the acolytes in the old cathedral of Dubuque, when Bishop Loras was at the head of the diocese, and his early inclinations were toward the priesthood.  When he was fifteen years of age he began the course of study which was to fit him for holy orders under the tutelage of Rev. Joseph Cretin, then vicar-general of the diocese of Dubuque, and later first bishop of the diocese of St. Paul.  After the course of study with Father Cretin he went to St. Mary's seminary in Missouri, where he completed a three years' classical course and then entered the noted seminary at Carondelet, Missouri, where he took a full course in theology.  Returning to Dubuque when he had completed his studies, he was ordained priest by Bishop Smyth, coadjutor of Bishop Loras, on the 27th of August, 1857, and a few days later he became assistant pastor of St. Marguerite's church in Davenport.  Rev. A. Trevis, who at that time held the pastorate of St. Marguerite's, resigned for a long absence in Europe, and at the end of a few years Father Cosgrove succeeded to the full pastorate, which he held up to the time of his appointment as bishop.  During the twenty-five years of his pastoral connection with this church, he sharnk from no responsibility, neglected no duty and overlooked no opportunity to advance the cause to which he had consecrated himself.  The church and its schools flourished, large and handsome buildings were erected for their accomodation under his supervision and in many ways the pastor of St. Marguerite's demonstrated that he was a man of superior executive ability, as well as an able preacher.  His relations with the non-Catholic population of Davenport were of a most friendly character, and his appointment to the vacant bishopric was hailed with delight by Catholics and Protestants alike.  When his commission as bishop had been received and duly presented to Archbishop Kendrick at St. Louis, Bishop Cosgrove returned to his home to be greeted by churchmen of his own faith, city officials of Davenport, representatives of various social and business organizations and the public generally, with an enthusiasm which evidenced a remarkable attachment to him in the city with which he had been identifed for a quarter of a century.  The solemn and impressive ceremony of consecration took place in St. Marguerite's cathedral on the 14th of September, 1884, and clothed with the full powers of a bishop, Rev. Dr. Cosgrove went forth to carry forward the work of which he had in reality had charge for many months previous to that time.  His faithful and efficient labors during his administration are evidenced by the fact that the membership of the Catholic church in this diocese increased from 40,000 to 56,000. Debbie Clough G-erischer G-erischer Family Web Site http://gerischer.rootsweb.com/ Assistant CC, Iowa Gen Web, Scott County http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/ List Manager for: IASCOTT-L * G-erischer-L * D-encker-L Fitzpatirck-L * V-lerebome-L * Huntington-L * Otis-L * Algar-L EIGS-L * Pickens-L * McNab-L * Patris-L - Rankin-L