Nicolaus Aloysius Gallagher

Nicolaus Aloysius Gallagher (February 19, 1846 – January 21, 1918) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Galveston in Texas from 1892 until his death in 1918.

Biography

Early life One of eleven children, Nicolaus Gallagher was born in Temperanceville, Ohio, to John and Mary Ann (née Brinton) Gallagher. At age 10, he was tutored by a priest in Coshocton, Ohio, in English, grammar, Latin, and Greek for six years. In 1862, Gallagner entered Mount St. Mary's of the West Seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he studied philosophy and theology.

Priesthood Gallagher was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Columbus by Bishop Sylvester Rosecrans on December 25, 1868. After his ordination, Gallagher served as curate at St. Patrick's Parish in Columbus, Ohio. In 1871, he left St. Patrick's to become president of St. Aloysius Seminary in Columbus.

Coadjutor Bishop and Bishop of Galveston On January 10, 1882, Gallagher was appointed coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Galveston and titular bishop of Canopus by Pope Leo XIII.