Chapter 20 cont. BISHOP DAVIS James Davis, bishop of Davenport, was the third permanent pastor of Sacred Heart cathedral.  He was born in November, 1852, near the village of Knocktopher, County Kilkenny, Ireland.  He received his first religious instruction under the direction of Very Rev. P. Fogarty, P. P., at Donemargin.  His boyhood days were spent in the college of St. Carmel at Knocktopher, where he began his studies for the church under the direction of the Carmelite fathers.  After studying the classics there he entered St. Patrick's Ecclesiastical college, Carlow, where he completed his theological course and was ordained by Right Rev. Bishop Walsh of the diocese of Kildare and Loughlin, on  June 21, 1878.  Shortly after his ordination he left his native land to enter on his duties in the diocese of Dubuque, into which he had been adopted by the then Bishop Hennessy.  After a short stay at St. Raphael's cathedral, he was assigned to St. Peter's congregation, Windham, Johnson county, Iowa.  About two years later he was sent to St. Mary's parish, Oxford.  It was during his four years' pastorate at Oxford that the see of Davenport was erected, Oxford being in the new diocese; and also that the death of Bishop McMullen occurred.  In 1884 Bishop Cosgrove assigned Father Davis to St. Michael's congregation at Holbrook.  In this large and extensive parish Father Davis labored until November, 1889, when he was called by Bishop Cosgrove to be rector of St. Marguerite's cathedral, to succeed Very Rev. A. Trevis, resigned.  He arrived in Davenport on November 12th and was introduced by Bishop Cosgrove to the congregation on November 17th as the successor of Father Trevis. Father Davis at once set to work on the completion of the cathedral project, and when that great work was accomplished others followed.  The $100,000 structure was completed and dedicated on November 15, 1891 and under his direction the parish grew and prospered wonderfully.  He remained in charge even after he was made coadjutor bishop and the Sacred Heart Cathedral parish, as it has been known since the building of the new cathedral, is today among the greatest parishes in the whole state of Iowa.  His high merit and worth finally received the climax of appreciation, for on October 19, 1905, upon the recommendation of the archbishop and bishops of the province of Dubuque, and the priests of the Davenport diocese, Vicar General Davis was raised by the Holy See to the rank of Bishop of Milopotamus and Coadjutor Bishop of Davenport.  His consecration on November 30, 1905, was the occasion of a notable gathering of prelates and clergy, and was an occasion of great rejoicing among the cathedral parishioners, the priests and the people of Davenport and the diocese in general; and tokens of esteem from the Knights of Columbus, the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the several church societies.  The occasion of his return from his visit to Rome in the fall of that year was marked by another warm greeting from his congregation. 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