Joseph Dutton

Joseph Dutton (April 27, 1843 – March 26, 1931) was an American Civil War veteran and Union Army lieutenant, who converted to Catholicism and later worked as a missionary with Saint Damien of Molokai. He was a Third Order Secular Franciscan. His cause for canonization was opened in 2022.

Biography

He was born Ira Barnes Dutton in Stowe, Vermont, and was the son of Ezra Dutton and Abigail Barnes. His father was a cobbler and his mother was a schoolteacher. In 1861, Dutton enlisted in 13th Wisconsin Infantry under Colonel Maurice Maloney. Dutton began in the Union Army as a private and left as a first lieutenant and the regimental quartermaster. He married during the Civil War. Prior to his marriage, Dutton was warned about his future wife's reputation for promiscuity, but had hoped he could change her. The marriage did not last as his wife (who he never mentioned by name) was unfaithful and Dutton developed alcoholism. His wife was an oniomaniac who left him broke and ran off with another man. He adopted the name Joseph as his religious name on his 40th birthday. He was often known as "Brother Joseph." and composed and sent many letters detailing life on the island, and U. S. President Theodore Roosevelt was one of those who read of his service to the ailing. He was so impressed by the veteran's work that he ordered the United States Navy's Great White Fleet to pay tribute to him by dipping their flags as they passed by the island. In December 2015, the Joseph Dutton Guild was established by the Diocese of Honolulu to petition the Diocese of Honolulu to start the formal cause of beatification and canonization. His cause for canonization was opened in 2022.