Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 3.djvu/414

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VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

and cause of that disease, but he was pre- vented from serving by failing health. He was for several years also a member of the town council and board of health of Nor- folk. Early in his career he was offered pro- fessorships at the universities of Virginia and Pennsylvania. His declination was deeply regretted, since it was felt that with his wide and profound knowledge of many subjects he would have been an invaluable adjunct to any institution of learning. Un- fortunately, Dr. Selden wrote very little, most of his productions being short articles published in the medical magazines. Flis two best known are: "History of the Yel- low Fever Epidemic of 1855 in Norfolk," and his paper "On Fractures of the Neck of the Femur." In the latter paper he report- ed some of the earliest cases of bony union as a result of the now recognized method of treatment. Although deeply deploring the necessity for secession he was loyal to his state, and accepted appointment as surgeon in the Confederate service in the hospitals at Liberty, Virginia. Dr. Selden was mar- ried to Lucinda, daughter of Dr. Daniel Wilson, of Louisville, Kentucky, by whom he had nine children. He died in Norfolk, \'irgini;i. November 7, 1887.

McGill, John, born in Philadelphia, Penn- sylvania, November 4, 1809, son of James and Lavinia (Dougherty) McGill, who were natives of Ireland. His parents subsequently removed to Kentucky, where they located at Bardstown. John was placed at school in .St. Joseph's College and was graduated at that institution in 1828. Pie subsequently studied law, but afterwards deciding to de- vote himself to the priesthood entered St. Thomas' Seminarv at Bardstown for his

theological studies, completing them at St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore. Mr. McGill v/as ordained on June 13, 1835, by Bishop David, at Bardstown, Kentucky. He was first made assistant pastor of St. Peter's Church, Lexington, and was afterwards appointed assistant to the Rev. Martin J. Spalding at Louisville. In 1838 he was sent to Europe to escort Bishop Flaget home, returning in 1839. In addition to his duties as assistant to Dr. Spalding he was also given editorial charge of the "Catholic Advocate." It was through the columns of this paper that he became widely known as a dogmatic writer. He also delivered a series of dogmatic lec- tures, which subsequently became identified with the religious history of Louisville. During his residence there he published two religious works, "The True Church" and the "Life of Calvin." In 1830, when the see of Richmond was divided. Father McGill was appointed bishop of Richmond. He was consecrated at Bardstown on November 10, 1830, by Most Rev. Peter Richard Kenrick, archbishop of St. Louis, assisted by Bishops Spalding and Miles. Bishop McGill at once assumed charge of the diocese, which was not only poor in numbers but in resources of every kind and in a greatly embarrassed condition, which made the prospects of his episcopate l)oth arduous and discouraging. He entered upon them with a zeal and en- ergy that could not but forecast success. Bishop McGill at once set about improving the condition of his diocese and began build- ing churches and schools, and offered in- ducements to religious communities to es- tablish themselves in his see. He erected and dedicated churches at Richmond, Nor- folk, Fortress Monroe. Fredericksburg, l^iirfax Station and \\'arrcnton. There