— Greater Bangor Region —
an article on the night he spent with Thomas Edison in his laboratory. Although Dunn had great success in the newspaper world, he returned to the study of law at Boston University Law School. But the newspaper world came calling once again, when he was offered a prominent position with the Worcester Telegram. This he could not refuse. After a few years, Dunn’s writings again received wide attention, and he was soon working for Senator Hoar, accompanying him on his many speechmaking tours. After this he returned to the Worcester paper for a time and then resumed his law studies. Dunn was eventually admitted to the bar, for Worcester and the state of Massachusetts. Brian J. Dunn operated a law office in Boston for several years before returning to Bangor, where he opened an office at the turn of the 20th century. On June 5, 1900, he married Mary A. Donovan of Bangor. They made their home in Brewer, where Dunn served as an alderman and as city solicitor. Ever restless, Dunn moved his family to Bangor about 1903, where he was elected as a member of the Common Council. He became a leader in Penobscot County Democratic circles. Dunn wrote for many periodicals, and his work continued to be recognized and ac-
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claimed for the rest of his short life. His “clever verse” often appeared in a magazine called The Clay-Worker, an organ for brick and clay workers. Due to Dunn’s masterful work in this journal, he was honored with the title, “The Poet Laureate of the Brick Yard.” He was often in demand at the annual conventions of clay workers, especially in Bangor. Dunn was long interested in establishing a Gaelic Revival organization in Bangor, a group that would foster Irish language and literature. The Gaelic Revival was initiated by Douglas Hyde in Ireland in the early 1890s. Dunn, along with fellow Bangor attorney William H. Grady, and John F. Ford, organized the PhiloCeltic Society of Bangor in the fall of 1903. On January 10, 1904, at a meeting of the society, Dunn, along with John Ford, Miss Letitia Day, J. George Mooney, and Miss Ella Mullen, was elected a member of the executive committee of the group. William Grady was chosen to teach classes in the Irish Gaelic language (see page 38 for an article on Grady). Dunn became one of the most prominent members of the Philo-Celtic Society and was one of the leaders of the local United Irish League. He was also a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Knights of Columbus.
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Brian J. Dunn contracted typhoid fever, from which he succumbed to on October 1, 1904, at the age of 41. He was survived by his wife Mary and three sons, as well as by his mother, four sisters, and a brother. The Boston Pilot, of which Dunn was a frequent contributor, wrote on October 8th: “Brian J. Dunn has many friends because of his genial and kindly manner and he was ever ready to do a good deed, but he was modest in his charities and few, except those to whom he has extended the helping hand, know of his generosity.” This paper also wrote that Dunn was “a fine type of the Catholic Celtic young man, a man of splendid character and high ideals, patriotic to both his native land and that of his forefathers, brainy and progressive.” Now, in the year 2011, Brian J. Dunn is forgotten, one of countless natives of Maine who contributed much to his community and to his state, yet little remembered, if at all, by the present generation. But perhaps somewhere one of his descendants is aware of their ancestor and will someday explore more of the life and times of “The Poet Laureate of the Brick Yard.” Other businesses from this area are featured in the color section.
Steve Hachey’s ruST proofing & underCoATing Car & Light Duty Trucks
207-478-2616
PeARSoN Auto Recycling CASh pAid for junk CArS
uSed CArS for $2,500 & under
Reliable Pickup Service
942-8521
Autobody & Paint Shop
Cell: 356-5950
Scott Pearson • Glenburn, Maine
Roger Cormier, Owner
41
478-4016