| Joseph E. Montgomery Division 65 History |
From that Sunday afternoon in April of 1898 to today, Division 65 remains rich in history and pride. Early meetings of the Division were held in Boyle’s Hall at 21st and Market Streets. In the early 1900’s, meetings moved to Saint Patrick’s Parish Hall (Shannon River Ballroom) at 21st and Naudain Streets, every 3rd Tuesday.
During this period of strong dedication to the Order, the Division found itself dealing with the turmoil that was occurring in Ireland over the slaughter of Irish Regiments in the Crimea, and the sacrifice of Patrick Pearse and the men of 1916. In O’Dea’s history of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, he noted the significant participation of the Philadelphia Divisions toward the $15,000 raised for the families of the martyrs and those imprisoned after the Rising. As much as some things change, some things always seem to remain the same. Today, Division 65 participates in the support of families of Irish political prisoners and Irish Northern Aid.
Though the spirit of freedom stood firm in the Division, in the years to come the tenor of the nation was mirrored in the Order. Exhausted after the “war to end all wars” and the Great Depression, new life was breathed into the A.O.H. In 1930, a Division membership drive was announced in the “Catholic Standard & Times”. The drive was organized by then Vice President, Peter Higgins, at the Grand Fraternity Hall located at 1626 Arch Street. Despite the hard economic times, the drive succeeded and A.O.H. flourished.
The nineteen twenties and thirties saw the formation of a very active drama club in Division 65. Motivated by the late Jimmy Mullan and his brother Joe Mullan, and in conjunction with Division 65’s Ladies Auxiliary (forerunner of the LAOH), it was in demand by many of the parish halls of the diocese. In a Sesquicentennial portrayal, President John J. O’Reilly could be seen as one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
Amidst this renewal, those farseeing had their greatest fears realized and World War II exploded at Pearl Harbor. Young member Joe Montgomery, who had volunteered two years previous, joined many members of the Division in the overseas theaters.
With the end of the war and the ensuing prosperity, A.O.H. 65 again took off. The Divison was a major participant in the Anti-Partition Movement of the 1950’s, the 41st Eucharistic Congress and the Irish Heritage Council during our nation’s Bicentennial. The Division was, and is, active in the Federation of the United Irish-American Societies, the Society of Commodore John Barry U.S.N., and the American Irish Immigration Committee. Many of its members labored diligently to have a Saint Patrick’s Day Parade that would reflect on our race and religion. Their efforts resulted in the formation of the Saint Patrick’s Day Observance Committee. When the “gulags” were opened in Northern Ireland, our former President, Joe Montgomery, was on the picket lines. Over these last forty years of struggle, Joe has remained focused on the ideal of freedom, having served as National Freedom for All Ireland Committee Chairman.
We who have been given the torch by those of another day, ask your help and support in seeing that day of freedom is reached. We want to see that the ideals of our religion are preserved, and the culture of our race is sensitively portrayed. We also must pay tribute to the wives of our members, without whose partnership we would most certainly have failed.
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