Father Mathew

Rev. Theobold Mathew, or Father Mathew(1790-1856), was an Irish temperance reformer who founded a mission in Cork, Ireland. The Father Mathew Total Abstinence Society, almost exclusively made up of Irish, was to encourage males to abjure alcohol. He encouraged wholesome social activities, including picnics, dances and sporting events. Within 9 months, no less than 150,000 people enrolled and took his abstinence pledge. His movement was also successful in Liverpool, Manchester and London. Despite ill health, Father Mathew lead a successful campaign across the United States. For two years he made his way across the U.S., visiting President Taylor in the White House and making a visit to Salem in Sept. of 1849. A statue was erected in 1875 in his honor. In 1916, the statue was moved from Central and Charter Street to its present location, the corner of Derby and Hawthorne Boulevard (also named Bertram Park)