Anthony Leonard MADISON (aka Tarzan) [1914-1987]

Submitted by moddsey on Fri, 08/16/2024 - 01:05
Names
Title
Father
Given
Anthony Leonard
Family
Madison
Alias / nickname
Tarzan
Sex
Male
Status
Deceased
Born
Date
Birthplace (town, state)
Syracuse, New York
Birthplace (country)
United States
Died
Date
Died in (town, state)
Syracuse, New York
Died in (country)
United States

Father Anthony Leonard Madison served the Maryknoll Mission. He was nicknamed "Tarzan" because of his 6 feet 4 inches height. He was ordained on 22 June 1941 and assigned to Kaying, Kwangtung (Meizhou/Meixian, Guangdong). Father Madison and his group of newly ordained priests had arrived in Hong Kong just before the Japanese invasion and became trapped in the city and not able to proceed to their inland missions.

He was captured together with Fathers Tackney and Knotek. They were manacled and held for three days in a garage on meagre rations, and then interned in Stanley Camp with other priests until September 1942 (see here). After release and having gained permission from the Japanese authorities to enter China, he and a group of fellow priests left Hong Kong and arrived safely in Kweilin (Guilin) at the end of January 1943. 

Father Madison later made his way to Kaying and became the assistant pastor and then pastor of the mission. He was recalled to the United States in January 1945

Source

1. Maryknoll Mission Archives: https://maryknollmissionarchives.org/deceased-fathers-bro/father-anthony-l-madison-mm/

2. Catholic News Service - Newsfeeds dated 23 June 1941. See here

3.  Catholic News Service - Newsfeeds dated 2 February 1943. See here

4.  Brooklyn Daily Eagle dated 5 February 1943. See here

5.  The Girl with the Butterfly Hands by Lynne William. See Google Book preview here

Photos that show this Person