My great grandmother Catherine (Tierney) Connors/O'Connor in 1880 was a servant to a Priest who name was Father Eugene M. Mcdermott. She married her husband Patrick Connors/O'Connor in 1884. Patrick Connors/ O'Connor was from Cootehall County Roscommon. I found this article about Father McDermott's death. GOOD PRIEST GONE. ------------- Father McDermott of St. Stephen's Is Dead. ----------- Friend of the Poor ------ When Times Were Hard He Bought Coal at Wholesale for the Benefit of the Needy ---------- The Rev. Eugene M. McDermott, rector of St. Stephen's Catholic Church on Elk Street, and one of the most popular priests in the Roman Catholic diocese of Buffalo, died yesterday morning in St. Stephen's parish house No. 793 Elk Street. Thousands of sorrowing parishioners visited the bier in the parochial house last evening, and many a tear was shed by those who viewed the remains.. The dead rector had, for twenty- three years, been their spiritual father, and, In times of need, a warm personal friend. Eugene M. McDermott was born in the County of Roscommon, Ireland, in 1846. He came to this country when about 10 years old and became a student at Niagara University in 1864. He was ordained a priest on June 7, 1778 by the late Bishop Stephen Vincent Ryan. Soon after his ordination he was sent to Belmont, N. Y. where with that energy which characterized him through life, he set to work to build an addition to the church committed to his care. In the brief space of eighteen months the addition was completed and fine new pastoral residence was built. Building of St. Stephen's After leaving Belmont he was assigned as curate under the late Rev. Monsignor Gleason of St. Bridget's this city, with authority to begin the great work of his life, which was the creation of a new parish to be known as St. Stephens' . The young priest displayed such energy in his new field that the new parish was formed and St. Stephen's Church was opened and formally dedicated. December 25, 1875 -- not the handsome edifice of today. but a modest brick structure having a seating capacity for about 600. This was enough for the parish of that day when portion of South Buffalo seemed out in the country, and houses were few and far between. In the rear was a frame schoolhouse over which the hard-working young rector had his living apartments. The little parochial school taught by the Sisters soon grew until encroached on the living apartments of rector and in 1882 a new residence was built for priest. New Church Built. In 1886 St. Stephen's parish was found to have outgrown its church and school accommodations. Father McDermott was again equal to the emergency and took the entire work of his own shoulders as he had the upbuilding of the parish. A handsome new limestone church seating about 1,800 was built over the site of the primitive structure. It was formally dedicated March 13, 1887, by the late Bishop Ryan. The dedicatory sermon was preached by the late Bishop O' Farrell of Trenton, in the presence of a large concourse of priests and laity. Father McDermott's tireless energy was next directed to the erection of the Convent of the Sisters of Mercy a handsome structure adjoining the new church. The convent cost about $12,000. Three years later, 1896 witness the erection of St. Stephen's parochial School a three-story and basement building, where 375 scholars now receive tuition under the care of the Sisters. The school cost $25,000. His Enduring Monument St. Stephen's Church with the adjacent buildings which he planned in every detail. form an enduring monument to the memory of the good rector who passed away yesterday. But a more enduring monument than all this was the love inspired by a heart ever open to sympathize with the needy poor, a hand ever ready to succor the distressed. Many a poor man had reason to remember with gratitude the rector who had been to him a friend in need.. It is recorded of the dead rector that when traveling on the railroad anywhere or away from home where he was likely to meet people of influence, he never missed an opportunity when it came his way to put in a good word for someone in St. Stephen's parish. Many a deserving workingman obtained a good paying position in this way. Bought Coal for the Poor. During strikes and in times when the poor had difficulty in keeping the wolf from the door Father McDermott would buy fifteen or sixteen carloads of coal at wholesales rates. This would be distributed among the needy at a considerable saving and if anybody couldn't pay, why, the claim was never pressed. He hated everything savoring of hypocrisy. He had the courage of his convictions and when convinced he was right, would speak his mind absolutely without fear. Up to about four years ago he conducted the work of the parish without assistance. In 1894 the Rev. John J. Lee was appointed curate and he was succeeded by the Rev. Sebastian E. Alrey on March 13, 1897, the present curate. The Rev. Richard Burke latterly assisted the rector, who has not officiated in church since May 29th of this year, when he insisted on entering the church. After that he took to his bed for several days. The late rector has a sister in the Convent of the Holy Cross at Washington D.C. Another sister has been his housekeeper for years and attended him through his fatal illness. The funeral will take place from St. Stephen's on Friday at 10 o'clock. The burial will be in the Holy Cross Cemetery. The remains will probably be removed from parish house to the church tomorrow afternoon.