Patrick Richard Heffron

Patrick Richard Heffron (June 1, 1856 – November 23, 1927) was an American prelate of the Catholic Church. He served as the second bishop of Winona in Minnesota from 1910 until his death.

Early life and education Patrick Richard Heffron was born in New York City on June 1, 1856, to Patrick and Margaret (née O'Brien) Heffron. The family later moved to Ripon, Wisconsin, and settled in Olmsted County, Minnesota, in 1864. He received his early education at public schools in New York and Wisconsin, and attended high school in Mantorville, Minnesota. Afterwards he attended business college and law school in Rochester, Minnesota. He then continued his studies at the Grand Séminaire de Montréal in Montreal, Quebec, where he received a Doctor of Divinity degree in 1883. Following his ordination, the diocese assigned Heffron to teach theology at St. Thomas Seminary for two years. In 1897, Heffron was promoted to the seminary's rector. By the time of his death in 1927, there was a Catholic population of nearly 69,000 with 130 priests, 125 churches, and 42 parochial schools with over 8,000 students. He opened Cotter High School in Winona in 1911 and St. Mary's College in Winona in 1912. Heffron survived and Lesches was committed to a mental hospital for life.

Heffron was named an assistant to the papal throne by Pope Benedict XV in November 1920.

Death and legacy Heffron died from brain cancer in Winona on November 23, 1927.