I recently used a neat feature of my all-in-one HP Printer to scan and convert to text an obituary that was published in 1950 for Michael Brennan McHugh by The Freindly Sons of St. Patrick - NYC.

I have created a document in my word processor that I saved in RTF format so that it could be opened by a variety of Word Processing programs.

There is a LOT of detail about Michael's lifetime as well as his lineage back to Ireland. I have copied Nadege McHugh who is Michael's great grand daughter and Bill Carney who's family is related to the wife of Michael's Uncle Lawrence of Bay City, Michigan. (Catherine Carney)

You should see an attachment on this e-mail ( a paperclip symbol) It is safe to store this document and open it. I created this file on a computer with the very latest virus scanning software

Regards Bob rvcrane@@attglobal.net Home E-Mail account for Bob Crane

MICHAEL BRENNAN McHUGH

The name of one of the most popular members of the Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick was stricken from the roll by the hand of death on June 25, 1949, when the Hon. Michael Brennan McHugh passed away in his home after a heart attack. Judge McHugh or "Mike", as he was affectionately called by hundreds of friends, was not only proud of his membership in this Society but for a number of years had served with distinction as a member of the Board of Stewards under appointments by Presidents J oseph F. Higgins, Edward A. Arnold, William J. Deegan and John F. Brosnan. His absence from future meetings and dinners will be noted with sincere regret.

Michael Brennan McHugh was born in Saginaw, Michigan, on March 23, 1886. His family background is so interesting and in some respects unusual that it will be set forth in greater detail than is customary.

The paternal grandparents of Judge McHugh, Richard McHugh and Anne Kelley McHugh, were natives of County Sligo, Ireland. They came to America in the year 1835. Unlike many of their countrymen, however, they did not settle in one of the large cities on the Atlantic seaboard of the United States. They went well into the interior of the continent and made their first home in the tiny town of Mara at the base of Georgian Bay, near Lake Simcoe, Ontario Province, Canada. After a few years they made another move, crossed the border and established a permanent home in the State of Michigan. Richard and Anne McHugh were blessed with four sons, Michael Joseph (the father of Michael Brennan), Lawrence, Thomas and Patrick. The oldest sons, Michael Joseph and Lawrence each studied law at the University of Michigan and were admitted to the bar of that state. The former thereafter practiced law in Saginaw, Michigan, and the latter in Bay City, Michigan, where he later was elected to the judiciary as a member of the Municipal Court.

In 1878, one year after he had been admitted to the bar, Michael Joseph McHugh married Mary A. Brennan of Saginaw, Michigan. The parents of his bride were natives of County Mayo, Ireland. Michael Joseph and Mary McHugh eventually resided in Saginaw, Michigan. To them were born six children, namely, Malachi, Charles Henry, Mollie, Isma, Michael Brennan and Anne. The first two died at the age of three years and twenty-one years, respectively, and Anne passed away in 1930 Mollie and Isma survived the death of their brother Michael Brennan McHugh.

At St. Mary's Parochial School, Saginaw, Michigan, and at Saginaw High School, young Michael prepared to follow the footsteps of his father and his uncle to the University of Michigan. It was natural that the son and nephew of attorneys should study law and after receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1909, he entered the University of Michigan Law School and received the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1911. In June of ,that year he was admitted to the bar of Michigan, but that same month he left his home state and came to New York City.

While awaiting the passage of the period of residence essential for admission to the bar in New York, Michael was employed as a reporter by the City News Association and the New York Times. On March 12, 1912, he was admitted to practice in this state and immediately opened an office at 115 Broadway, New York City. Later that year he took up residence in what was then called the Town of Westchester and for the balance of his lifetime he lived in that locality. In 1914 the rising young attorney moved his law office from lower Broadway to the Town of Westchester which, in .the interim, had become part of the newly created County of The Bronx.

For a number of years thereafter Michael engaged in the general practice of the law and then began to specialize in the real estate and insurance branches of the profession. During the latter years of his practice, he was an active member of the Chester Taxpayers Association and served as attorney for the Unionport Taxpayers Association. Because of his knowledge of real estate values and real estate law, he was designated chairman of the Condemnation Commission appointed to fix awards in connection with the widening of the Harlem River. His splendid work in that capacity brought high praise from public officials as well as the representatives of the private property owners.

On October 10, 1932, Acting Mayor Joseph V. McKee appointed Michael Brennan McHugh to fill, for the balance of the year, the vacancy created by the death of William A. Keating in the office of Justice of the Municipal Court, Second District, Borough of The Bronx. In November of that same year, Judge McHugh was elected as a justice of that court for a full term of ten years. Possessed of true judicial temperament, and well versed in the law, he proved himself to be an outstanding judge and was well on his way to a splendid record as a member of the judiciary when he was called to higher office by the Justices of the Appellate Division, Supreme Court, First Department. On December 22, 1937, Presiding Justice Francis Martin and Associate Justices James O'Malley, Alfred H. Townley, Edward J. Glennon, Irwin Untermyer, Edward S. Dore, Albert Cohn and J oseph M. Callahan, after a careful scrutiny of a large field of qualified candidates, appointed him County Clerk of the County of The Bronx. That appointment was made in compliance with a Constitutional Amendment under which, effective January I, 1938, the County Clerk was to be the appointee of the justices and not elected by the people of the county. The Judge promptly entered upon the performance of his new duties which were many, varied and responsible, including the supervision of the jury system of the entire county, the filing and preservation of the records of the county and of the Supreme Court, and the direction of the Bronx Branch of the Motor Vehicle Bureau.

The capable and expeditious manner in which the work of the entire staff was performed was a splendid compliment, not only to his executive ability but to his knowledge of human nature. He possessed the unusual but desirable quality of being able to get the finest results from all under his supervision. Every member of the staff of t)he office of the County Clerk was devoted to Judge McHugh and they were sorely stricken at the tragic news of his sudden death.

Judge McHugh was deeply interested in a great variety of activities. He was extremely fond of the theatre and of music. The performances of our Glee Club and soloists at the quarterly meetings found him a delightful listener. He and Mrs. McHugh were lovers of the opera and for a number of years they subscribed to season tickets at the Metropolitan Opera House. An ardent follower of all types of athletics, the Judge was often seen at the Yankee Stadium and the Polo Grounds at baseball and football games. A very capable golfer, he played the game at his beloved Winged Foot Golf Club whenever the opportunity was presented.

Like most charitable men, Judge McHugh did not publicize his many acts of kindness. However, the public record discloses that for a number of years, while engaged in general practice, he devoted part of his time to service as an assistant attorney without compensation, of course, for the Legal Aid Society. He managed to conceal from the public eye many of his other contributions, but his intimate friends well knew of his generous heart which was ever ready when someone was in need.

Because of his genial nature, friendliness, modesty and sincerity, Judge McHugh had a host of friends in all walks of life. He was a popular and active member of many organizations including Winged Foot Golf Club, Orienta Beach Club, Schnorer Club, University of Michigan Club of New York, Seventh Regiment Veterans Association, Rotary Club of the Bronx and St. Raymond's Council of the Knights of Columbus. For many years he served as a trustee of St. Raymond's Roman Catholic Church of The Bronx. For some ten years, prior to his elevation to judicial office, he had served as President of the Chippewa Democratic Club, the regular Democratic organization of the Sixth Assembly District.

It was natural .that a man of Judge McHugh's kindly, gentle nature should be a splendid husband and father. For all the pleasures he derived from the companionship of his many friends, Michael Brennan McHugh was happiest in his home with his wife, his children and later his grandchildren. On July 6, 1915, at St. Stephen's Roman Catholic Church, New York City, he married Ethel M. Rigby who had been born in Lawrence, Massachusetts and had spent her early days in Lynn in that state. The newly married couple established their first home at 2563 Maclay Avenue, Bronx, and later moved to 1329 Purdy Street where they still lived at the time of his death.

Judge and Mrs. McHugh were the parents of four fine children and the home life of this lovely family could well serve as a model. The affection and respect he showered upon his wife and children were repaid in full measure. All four children are now married. Ruth Anne, the oldest daughter, is now Mrs. Matthew R. Dwyer. The only son, Charles Henry, is a life member of this Society, and like his father and grandfather, an alumnus of the University of Michigan. Young Charles is presently engaged in the general practice of the law in New York City, but for a time prior to his entry into the armed forces and upon his return to civilian life, he served as an Assistant District Attorney in New York County. The two younger daughters are Constance Mary, now Mrs. Nicholas Tangney and Nancy Bernice, now Mrs. Clement G. Young. To Mrs. Ethel R. McHugh, her four children and to the two sisters of our late associate, we extend our sincere sympathy. We appreciate the loss they have sustained since he passed away on the morning of June 25, 1949 at his home in the presence of members of his immediate family.

Monsignor Thaddeus Tierney, a close personal friend of Judge McHugh presided at a high mass of requiem on June 28, 1949 at St. Raymond's Roman Catholic Church in the presence of grieving relatives, friends and neighbors. Interment took place that same day in the family plot in St. Raymond's Cemetery, The Bronx.

The members of this memorial committee were the friends and associates of "Mike" McHugh. We will remember him as long as we live, for knowing him, we learned to respect and admire him. In abundant measure he possessed the desirable qualities of a cultured, Catholic gentleman. As a practicing lawyer he was a courageous and competent advocate devoted to the interests of his clients and the true administration of justice. In his public career, he was a capable and just judge, and an efficient County Clerk. In private life he was kind and considerate, a loyal and sincere friend. At home he was a loving and gentle husband and a devoted and affectionate father. Michael Brennan McHugh was truly a Friendly Son of St. Patrick.

May his soul rest in Peace. SAMUEL J. FOLEY, JOHN J. HANLEY, EDWARD J. GLENNON, JOSEPH M. CALLAHAN, ROBERT L. MORAN, JAMES L. DALTON, Committee.