Judge Martin Jerome Keogh

Judge Martin Jerome Keogh 

We thought a bit of local Irish lore would be appropriate for St. Patrick's Day, so we culled the library's local history collection to offer this history gem:

Keogh Courthouse

Remember this charming building that was formerly located just east of the Glen Island access road? This was the courthouse of Martin Jerome Keogh, one of New Rochelle's most prominent Irish-Americans. 

Born in New Ross, Co. Wexfored in Ireland on September 11, 1853, Keogh arrived in New York in 1869, nearly penniless. By 1875, he had graduated from NYU Law School, the valedictorian of his calss. He moved to New Rochelle soon after, and built a sizable career and home life. 

Judge Martin Jerome Keogh

After amassing a great deal of money from a lucrative law practive, and coutnless friends of every walk of life, Keogh became judge in the second judicial district in Westchester County on January 1, 1895. He would serve 14 years until his forced retirement, at age 70. 

With nine children, it is no wonder that Keogh had a great interest in education! He established the New Rochelle School and Kindergarten (now the Thornton-Donovan School) in 1901.

New Rochelle School and Kindergarten in 1905 (left) and Emma Keogh (right)

The Iona schools and college all have roots in a 1916 invitation Keogh made to a group of Irish Christian Brothers to start a school in New Rochelle. The Brothers first resided in "The Castle," which was located off Webster Avenue.

The Castle

In 1903, Keogh started the New Rochelle Peoples Forum, bringing "numerous distinguished speakers," including Booker T. Washington, into town. It continued for some 25 years. In 1905, he founded the Westchester County Legal Aid Society, and made the services of leading lawyers free to those too poor to pay and to new immigants applying for citizenship. 

It was around 1908 that the small Greek Revival-style building was constructed on his Pelham Road property. The little courthouse-- believe to be the only privat eon in the country -- was used when courts were closed and for Special Term cases on Saturdays. It was also used for the marriage of New Rochelle native and soprano Susan Metcalfe to cellist Pablo Casals, on April 4, 1914.

Susan Metcalfe

Pablo Casals

Judge Martin Keogh died on October 24, 1928 and was buried in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.