Ada County ID Archives Biographies.....Gorman, Daniel M. 1861 - 
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Source: See Below
Author: S. J. Clarke (Publisher, 1920)

RT. REV. DANIEL M. GORMAN, of Boise, Catholic bishop of Idaho, was born April
12, 1861, in Wyoming, Iowa, in the little cottage home of John and Mary (Rooney)
Gorman, who had there settled on coming from Ireland to America. The father
served as a soldier in the war with Mexico and the spirit of patriotic loyalty
and devotion to American interests seemed inborn in the son, Daniel, and has
ever remained a dominating factor in his life. He pursued his early education in
his native village and after completing a course in the local academy took up
the profession of teaching, which he followed successfully for a few terms. He
then entered upon preparation for the priesthood in St. Joseph's, now Dubuque
College. After receiving his diploma there he entered St. Francis Seminary of
Milwaukee and on the completion of his studies was ordained a priest by the late
Bishop Zardetti in St. Francis chapel, June 24, 1893. He was first assigned to a
pastorate at State Center, Iowa, where a contemporary biographer said, "his
labors were eminently successful, as was attested by the remarkable loyalty of
his flock and their enthusiasm for every good project that he proposed." In 1894
Archbishop Hennessy named him as one of the professors of the diocesan college
and with the same spirit of loyalty and determination that he had previously
displayed he entered upon his new duties and was soon a favorite with all the
students of the institution, his early experience as a teacher serving him well
in this connection. He was at the head of the Latin department and later was
transferred to the office of disciplinarian, usually a most unenviable position
in a boarding school. Bishop Gorman, however, cheerfully accepted the new task
and inaugurated the policy of leading, not driving, his students, who soon
recognizing the spirit back of the new regime gave to it their enthusiasm and
loyal support. As a professor he had been a friend of the students and as a
disciplinarian he sought always their highest welfare. His methods were
extremely successful, resulting in a largely increased enrollment of students,
so that it was necessary in 1900 to secure greater space. A large wing was added
to the main building of the school that year and ten years later a beautiful
chapel, together with a spacious auditorium, were erected. In 1904 he was chosen
to the presidency of Dubuque College to succeed Dr. Carroll, who had been
appointed to the see of Helena, Montana. Following his promotion Bishop Gorman
carried out a most progressive policy, proving an inspiring leader and a
champion of everything that tended to noble Christian manhood. One who has known
him well wrote of him: "Meanwhile the influence of Father Gorman was not
confined to the college alone. His personality as a priest and his ability as a
speaker drew numerous invitations to address important gatherings. For the good
of the college and the service he could render his fellowmen, he accepted many
of these requests, and surrounding states came to know the spirit, the work and
the methods of St. Joseph's College. Men have ever been as eager to listen to
him as the students, and the Knights of Columbus have made him the principal
speaker at several big conventions   *   *   *   The name of such a man must,
perforce, become known beyond the confines of his immediate activities. Mount
St. Mary's College in far away Emmitsburg, Maryland, heard of the work of Father
Gorman and the progress of the school in which he wielded so benign an
influence, and on October 15, 1908, that institution conferred on him the degree
of Doctor of Laws."

   Dr. Gorman, ever realizing the importance of athletics in college life,
brought about the erection of a new gymnasium adequate to the needs of Dubuque
College in 1913. Loras Hall was also added to the buildings of the institution
in 1914, together with St. Francis Hall, a service building, and in 1916 a new
science hall was erected. All this work was greatly promoted through the
efforts, enthusiasm and wise direction of Bishop Gorman. As a member of the
Catholic Educational Association his influence was strongly felt and his views
have always carried weight in the councils of that organization. Due to the
efforts of Bishop Gorman, Dubuque College became affiliated with the Catholic
University of America at Washington and a branch of the University summer school
has been conducted at Dubuque College for several years. Bishop Gorman also
instituted military training in the school, to which the war department at his
request sent two military officers, who instruct the students in the theoretical
and practical phases of military science. Again we turn to a contemporary
biographer for an estimate of the worth of the Bishop in relation to the
developent of Dubuque College. "To promote the interests of the college,
Monsignor Gorman is giving his life and his all. Self-sacrificing, patient,
serious and determined, our rector has placed God's will before all else. We
find him on duty early and late, using his remarkable gifts in the service of
the great cause he has espoused. Looking back over his twenty-three years
association with the college, we cannot but quote a few figures to emphasize its
growth. In 1894 the enrollment was sixty with twelve professors; today it is
nearly six hundred, with thirty professors. This growth has not been
haphazard—it has been due to right order, foresight and persevering work on the
part of our president and his devoted band of co-laborers."

   After fourteen years as president of Dubuque College, Bishop Gorman was
appointed to the Idaho diocese in May, 1918, and became a resident of Boise,
having been elevated to the rank of bishop on the 1st of May of that year. With
the same earnestness, zeal and consecration he took up his new duties in the
northwest and is now most wisely guiding the efforts of the Catholic church in
the state.


Additional Comments:

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IDAHO
DELUXE SUPPLEMENT
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1920


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