Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

tics have been such t h.-it Father Preston
has had little time for outside matters.
He is progressive and interested in the
welfare of Enfield, l>ut i- not bound by
any particular views in politics, being an
Independent. I lis fraternal activities have
been with the organizations connected
with his labors and he lias taken an active
part in the Knights of Columbus order.
WALSH, Joseph William,
Physician.
The late Dr. Joseph W. Walsh was
among the most esteemed residents of
Portland, Connecticut, where he was very
successfully engaged in the practice of
medicine at the time of his untimely
death, October 20, 1918. During the great
influenza epidemic of that autumn, lie ex-
hausted himself so greatly in trying to
care fur the sufferers that he overtaxed
his strength and became the victim of that
monster from which he had rescued so
many others. A native of Middletown,
Connecticut, born August 29, 1885, Dr.
Walsh was a son of John J. Walsh, who
was a native of Portland, where for many
years he conducted a grocery business
and is now retired. His grandfather, Joseph
Walsh, was a native of Ireland, who
came to this country and was among the
enterprising pioneers of California in
1849. The son. John J. Walsh, married
Annie McAulitYe, a native of Portland, as
were her parents.
Dr. Joseph W. Walsh attended the
grammar schools and Middletown High
School, from which he was graduated
in 1901. Having decided to engage
in the healing art, he entered the
College of Physicians and Surgeons,
Baltimore, Maryland, from which he
was graduated M. I). in 1907. Following
his graduation, for two years he was
an interne in a hospital, where in time he
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BI< KiKAPIIY
271
became resident physician. He began independent
practice in I 'anbury, Connec-
ticut, when- he continued four year-, and
in [912 removed t Portland, win-re he
engaged in the general practice of medi-
cine and surgery, with great success. Dr.
Walsh gave little attention to matters
outside of his profession, and through his
earnest and faithful labor- was of great
use to the community. I [e was interested
in and an examiner for various fraternal
organizations, including the Junior Order
of American Mechanics, the Benevolent
and Protective' >rderof Elks, Loyal Order
of Moose, Fraternal Order of Eagles and
Improved Order of Red Men. He wa
member of the Portland Social Club, and
one of the faithful adherents of St. Mary's
Roman Catholic Church of Portland. A
Republican in politics, he was independ-
ent in political matters and did not seek
any share in their promulgation.
Dr. Walsh was married in Baltimore,
Maryland, in 1906, to Mary Catherine
( )'I\eefe, born October 17. [886, in Middletown,
daughter of J. W. and Martha
(McDonald) O'Keefe, of Middletown and
Portland, respectively. Dr. and Mrs.
Walsh were the parents of two children :
Geraldine Grace, born September 18,
1907: and Joseph William, born January
24. 1910.
HOLT, Thomas,
Public Official.
A highly esteemed citizen and one of
the most efficient and progressive dairymen
of the State, Thomas Holt, State
Dairy and Food Commissioner, is giving
to the Commonwealth the benefit of his
observation and experience. He is a na-
tive of England, born January 21, 1863, in
I.ittleboro, Lancashire, son of John and
Alice (Fletcher) Holt, of that place.
Before attaining his majority, Thomas