John Timon

John Timon, C.M. (February 12, 1797 – April 16, 1867) was an American Catholic prelate who served as the first bishop of Buffalo in New York State from 1847 to 1867.

Timon previously served as prefect apostolic of the Republic of Texas from 1840 to 1847. He founded the Brothers of the Holy Infancy and was a member of the Vincentians.

Biography

Early life

John Timon was born in Conewago, Pennsylvania on February 12, 1797, to James Timon and Margaret Leddy Timon, immigrants from County Cavan in the Kingdom of Ireland. In 1803, the family moved to Baltimore, Maryland, where James Timon started a dry goods store. In 1811, John Timon was enrolled in St. Mary's College in Baltimore. After graduation he worked in the family dry goods business. In 1818, the family moved to Louisville, Kentucky. They relocated a year later to St. Louis, Missouri.

A financial panic in 1823 ruined the family finances. Timon was also shaken by the death of a young woman he loved. As he later said, the panic made him think about what was really important to him and he decided to enter the priesthood. That same year, he enrolled at the St. Mary of the Barrens Seminary in Perryville, Missouri, where he studied philosophy and theology. One of his professors was the Reverend Jean-Marie Odin, later bishop of Galveston. Timon himself taught English and the natural sciences.

In 1824, Timon accompanied Odin on a missionary trip through Texas and then Arkansas. This trip included many nights sleeping on floors, days traveling through rough terrain, and patience with prejudice from some non-Catholics. He met one host who told him that Catholics were idolaters. Timon asked her if she worshipped a picture of US President George Washington that was hanging on her wall. She replied certainly not, that the picture was a source of inspiration. Timon then showed the woman a crucifix. He said that he did not worship the crucifix, but instead used it to remind him of the suffering of Christ. That conversation opened a new understanding between them. Timon spent the remaining 20 years of his life in Buffalo. Beginning with 16 priests for 16 counties, he immediately began to build churches, and establish schools. He appointed Reverend Bernard O'Reilly as his vicar-general.

St. Bonaventure University in St. Bonaventure, New York, was founded by Utica, New York, financier Nicholas Devereux, with assistance from Timon. The two invited the Franciscan order to Western New York, and a small group under Reverend Pamfilo of Magliano arrived in 1856.

Death and legacy John Timon died in Buffalo on April 16, 1867, at the age of 70. He was buried in the crypt of Saint Joseph's Cathedral in Buffalo.