REV. THOMAS P. BROUGHAM, dean of St. Joseph's church of Batavia, was born in County Carlow, Ireland, in 1843, a son of Dennis and Catherine (Doyle) Brougham. He came to the United States in 1864. He was educated at St. Patrick's Monastery in Tullow, Ireland and at Niagara University, New York, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1871 by Bishop Ryan of Buffalo.

His first pastorate was that of Westfield, Chautauqua County, where he remained fifteen months, and was then transferred to Newfane, Niagara County, fulfilling his duties there until 1882. In the latter year he came to Batavia, where he has since been in charge of St. Joseph's parish. Under his care the church has increased largely in membership, being at the present time about 2,700. He has erected the school and convent, also the parochial residence, to which he has given his best energies and gained the respect and confidence of all classes. The church under his guidance has become one of the leading societies of Western New York outside of Buffalo. Father Brougham has endeared himself not only to the members of his own parish but to those of other religious organizations and the public generally.

Source: Our County and its people, A descriptive work on Genesee County, New York, Edited by: F. W. Beers, J.W. Vose & Co., Publishers, Syracuse, N. Y. 1890