Daniel Francis Feehan

Daniel Feehan was born in Athol, Massachusetts, to William and Joanna (née Foley) Feehan.[1] As a young child he moved with his parents to Millbury, where he attended the local public schools and befriended the future President William Howard Taft.[2] He completed his classical and philosophical studies at St. Mary's College in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1876.[3] He then studied theology at St. Joseph's Seminary in Troy, New York, for three years.[4]

Feehan was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Francis McNeirny on December 29, 1879.[5] His first assignment was as a curate at St. Bernard's Church in Fitchburg, where he remained for seven years.[1] He then served as pastor of St. Luke's Church in West Boylston (1886–89).[3] In 1889, he returned to St. Bernard's Church and served as permanent rector there until 1907.[2]

On July 2, 1907, Feehan was appointed the second Bishop of Fall River by Pope Pius X.[5] He received his episcopal consecration on the following September 19 from Bishop Thomas Beaven, with Bishops Matthew Harkins and Michael Tierney serving as co-consecrators.[5] During his 27-year tenure, he became known as the "Benevolent Bishop" and established thirty-six parishes.[2]

Feehan later died at age 78.

Bishop Feehan High School (often just referred to as Feehan), a parochial school in Attleboro, was named for him when it opened in 1961.