Monday, December 30, 2013

John L. & Evelyn McGee Moonan



Miss. McGee, J. L. Moonan Are Married - Turin NY

Miss. Evelyn McGee, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert McGee was married to John Lawrence Moonan, son of Mrs. Dorothy Cavanagh Moonan and the late William J. Moonan, Boonville 10 a.m. Saturday in St. Hedwig's church.  
The Rev. Victor Balcerak, pastor, celebrated the nuptial Mass.  He performed the double ring ceremony. William Moonan the bridegroom's brother, was soloist and Miss. Madeline Hoffman, Boonville, accompanied him.
Escorted by her father, the bride wore a white slipper satin gown styled with a close fitted bodice of lace applique and mother of pearl embroidery lace, a lace appliqued wing collar, long pointed sleeves and full skirt inserted with bands of Chantilly lace and ending in a long train.  Her fingertip illusion veil was caught to a pleated satin cap with pearl embroidery.  She wore gold brocade heirloom shoes that had been worn by her mother as a bride and carried a white orchid on an ivory prayer book.  
Miss. Irene Adaline McGee, the bride's sister, was the only attendant.  She was attired in a floor-length sea green metallic net gown with tight bodice, full skirt and cap sleeves.  Her elbow length gloves and crown were made of the same material.  She carried sweetheart roses.  
Edward Moonan, Boonville, was best man, and Eugene Marks and Gordon Henry, both of Lowville, were ushers.        
A reception was held at the McGee home in the afternoon with Mrs. Michael Kelpy as pianist while William Moonan and John Burrows, Buffalo, presented solos.  A wedding trip to Canada was planned.  
Mrs. Moonan is a graduate of Turin Union School and Cayuga College and has been employed as manager of Veelean Service Co. of Burlington, Ala.  Mr. Moonan, a Boonville High School and Central City Business Institute, Syracuse, graduate, is employed in Binghamton.

 <http://fultonhistory.com/>; Rome Daily Sentinel, Rome, NY, Thurs. Evening, Feb. 18, 1953; on 12/30/2013. 





Dorothy Moonan, John & Evelyn McGee Moonan, Mr. & Mrs. Herbert McGee, Feb. 14, 1953.



John L. Moonan, Navy 1944.

Sunday, December 22, 2013


From the Boonville Herald, "Bygone Years".




John Moonan approx. 1944, with "Mickie".




Kenny, Dorothy & John Moonan




John, Dorothy & Ed Moonan




Kenny, John & Ed Moonan


Saturday, December 21, 2013


Photo of oil on canvas painting done by William J. Moonan, Sr., 
St. Joseph's Church Sanctuary, Boonville, NY.  
Commissioned about 1935, Fr. McNeill, pastor.  
Taken down around 1950, Fr. Driscoll, pastor.

Friday, December 20, 2013

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Romey & Bessie Vaughn



Bessie McCulloch Vaughn









 Romey Vaughn




 Ed Moonan with China Doll, Labor Day 1944




Kenny , Bessie Vaughn, Dorothy, Teenie & Romey Vaughn




Kenny, Dorothy & Teenie




Romey Vaughn & Mickie, March 24, 1946 




Romey Vaughn at farm with Bud




Romey Vaughn on Smokey, V J day 1945


Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Dorothy with her parents.



Mrs. J. T. Cavanagh
Died Saturday at Her Home in Boonville
at Age of 62

Mrs. J. T. Cavanagh died May 1, at her home in Boonville, having been ill for some time.  Christina Pirnie Cavanagh was born at Medina, August 11, 1863, and was married Feb. 11, 1886, to J. T. Cavanagh of Boonville, who survives.  Three sons and one daughter were born. Kenneth Cavanagh died July 20, 1898. The surviving children are Edward A. Cavanagh, of Boonville; Reginald A. Cavanagh, of Syracuse; and Mrs. William J. Moonan, of Boonville.  She is also survived by two brothers, Alex and Peter Pirnie, of San Diego, California, and two sisters, Mrs. Henry J. Freeman, of Mount Holly, N.J., and Miss. Jessie Pirnie, of Boonville, who has always resided with Mr. and Mrs. Cavanagh, and two grandchildren, William J. Moonan, Jr., and John L. Moonan.  Mrs. Cavanagh was of a quiet disposition and a great lover of her home and family.  Funeral services were held yesterday. 

Lowville Journal & Republician; April June 1926; <http://news.nnyln.net/>; on Aug. 10, 2013.





John T. Cavanagh
Born in Leyden, March 9, 1863; Died in Boonville, January 21, 1935

John T. Cavanagh, 71, merchant and one of Boonville's best known residents, died Monday afternoon at the home of his son, E. A. Cavanagh, Erwin Street.

Mr. Cavanagh had been in ill health for several months, but had been at his place of business a part of each day.  About 10 days ago he was taken ill while spending the day at the home of his son and had since been confined to his bed.

John Thomas Cavanagh was the son of the late John and Catherine Allen Cavanagh and was born in Leyden, March 9, 1863.

He attended Boonville school and when about 15 years old he entered the employ of Fred T. Clark, custom tailor.  About 50 years ago he conducted the leading tailor establishment in that village, to which several years ago he added ready made clothing and furnishings.  He was a member of St. Joseph's church and for over 25 years had held the office of trustee.  For several years he served as a member of the board of directors of Erwin Library.  In politics, Mr. Cavanagh was a staunch Democrat.  February 11, 1886, he was married to Miss. Christina Pirnie, who died May 1, 1926.  He is survived by two sons, Edward A. Cavanagh, Boonville, and Reginald A. Cavanagh, Syracuse; one daughter, Mrs. William J. Moonan, who made her home with her father.  A son, Kenneth died several years ago at the age of 11 years.
He is also survived by two brothers, Austin H. Cavanagh, Utica and Charles G. Cavanagh, Boonville; three sisters, Catherine, Mary and Helen Cavanagh, Boonville, and the following grandchildren, William, John, Edward, Christina and Kenneth Moonan, Boonville, and Joyce Cavanagh, Syracuse.

Utica Daily Press; Tues., January 22, 1935; <http://www.fultonhistory.com/>; on Jan. 26, 2014.





John T. Cavanagh, Dean of Boonville Merchants, Dies
Merchant Tailor in Village Over 50 years
 Community Saddened

Boonville mourns the loss of one of its most highly esteemed citizens and oldest business man in the death of John T. Cavanagh, who passed away Monday afternoon at the home of his son, Edward A. Cavanagh, on Erwin Street.  Because of the many years - nearly a half century - engaged in business here, he was rightfully known as the dean of Boonville merchants, and a wide circle of friends are saddened by his demise.  

Mr. Cavanagh, although in ill health for several months, regularly attended his place of business a part of each day.  About ten days ago he was taken ill while spending the day at the home of his son and since had been confined to his bed.  

John Thomas Cavanagh was the son of the late John and Catherine Allen Cavanagh and was born in Leyden March 9, 1863.  As a boy he moved with his parents to Boonville and received his education in the Boonville school.

When only a lad of 15 he entered the employ of Fred T. Clark, custom tailor.  Here he learned the tailor trade in which he continued active until a short time before his death.

About fifty years ago he purchased the business of Mr. Clark.  This business he had successfully conducted ever since, and it became known as the leading tailoring establishment in the village.  Before the popularity of ready-made clothing.  Mr. Cavanagh did an extensive custom tailoring business and many can remember when the establishment employed as many as 15 or 20 hands.  Throughout the many years, clothes from this store enjoyed an exceptionally fine reputation for quality and workmanship.  Later he added ready-made clothing and furnishings to his custom line.

His business to which he was greatly devoted always engaged the greater part of his time.  Outside of business hours, however, his main interest was his home and the church.  He was a faithful member of St. Joseph's Church and had served as trustee for over 25 years.  He was also a member of the Holy Rosary Society.

For several years he served as a member of the Board of Trustees of Erwin Library.

In politics, Mr. Cavanagh was a staunch Democrat, but never sought public office.  February 11, 1886, he was married to Christina Pirnie, who died May 1, 1926.

Mr. Cavanagh boasted but one hobby and that was baseball.  Despite the fact that his work compelled him to give up active participation in the sport as a young man, yet his interest in the grand old game never lessened.  He loved to witness a ball game and was a great reader of the sports page in the newspaper. Through the daily newspapers he came to know the career and life history of practically every player of prominence in the major leagues.  Only about one year ago he enjoyed one of the greatest treats of his life when he attended an exhibition game at St. Lawrence University, Canton, and witnessed Hal Schumacher of the Giants' pitching staff perform in the box.  

Mr. Cavanagh was well known for his exceptionally keen memory and could vividly and correctly recall events that occurred in the community years ago, even to the exact date.  As a result many turned to him for data and information concerning local events in the sphere of his life-time.

Mr. Cavanagh, by his kindly ways and manner, his quiet but cheerful disposition, won the esteem and love of all who came to know him.  He was always held in the highest regard and there are many who will miss him. 

Boonville stores will close for 15 minutes during the funeral hour out of respect to his memory.  

Long Business Career Ended 

Few in Boonville who did not know or at least have some acquaintance with Boonville's dean of merchants, John T. Cavanagh, whose long span of active identity with the store which bears his name came to an end with his death here Monday.  To lose this citizen, one who for a half century was so closely allied with the business life of Boonville, is the occasion for widespread sorrow in this community which he loved so well, and where he will be greatly missed.

Mr. Cavanagh's close application to business was undoubtedly his most outstanding characteristic.  Day in and day out he was at his store.  For a great many years he never missed a day and it was only in the last few years that due to failing health he was compelled to occasionally absent himself from his place of business.  Even in sickness, it was his desire to be at work.  During the past few months, just before his last illness, he insisted on going to the store for a half a day at least.  He would never take a vacation.

Close as he was to his business, yet he always welcomed callers at the store and would frequently find time for a friendly chat.  Always congenial, he was rich in friends who will long cherish and revere his memory. 

Source:  The Boonville Herald, Thursday, January 24, 1935 (Original newspaper clipping).

Link to Hal Schumacher bio:  http://sabr.org/bioproj/person/a514a6bf

Monday, December 16, 2013

John Cavanagh & Son, Dealers in Boots, Shoes and Rubbers. Est. 1891


Early picture of John Cavanagh, shoemaker.




Charles Gavin Cavanagh




Charlie Cavanagh in later years.


In 1889 the present day building at 135 Main St. was erected by John Cavanagh and Eugene Hayes.  In one side Mr. Hayes had a grocery store and John Cavanagh & Son moved into the other side.  On April 1, 1891 John Cavanagh, together with his son Charles G., formed a partnership to conduct a retail store featuring handmade boots, shoes and footwear repair. It was then that custom made shoes were made available.  The fashion was changing and the trend of the times had to be followed.  The second floor of the block was known as Hayes and Cavanagh Hall.  It had a hardwood floor and was used for dances and suppers and also served as the headquarters for the fast growing Cornell Community Club.

After graduating from high school Mary, Charles' sister, came into the store to clerk and the family business flourished for many years.  John Cavanagh died in 1916.  Charles and Mary continued to serve the village and surrounding areas for over fifty years.  They were proud to say there were several cases where they fitted shoes to five generations of a family.

On July 1, 1947 the business was sold to Donald Robinson of Lowville, NY.  On May 1, 1954 the business was purchased by Edward R. Moonan, great-grandson of John Cavanagh.  He changed the name to 
"The Family Shoe Store", which he owned and operated until July 1994.   








                                                  Original cash box from the shoe store.







  Original cobbler's bench from the shoe store.





1927 Kalamazoo Cookstove used by the Boonville Grange in the hall above the shoe store.






                                                                      Notebook from 1896.








Handmade boots and fitting stool from the shoe store.




Baby shoes worn by Ed Moonan circa 1928.




Ed Moonan, The Family Shoe Store, Main St., Boonville, NY  1994














Ed & Betty Moonan 1994


Letters from John T. to son Reginald Cavanagh 1919













































John T. Cavanagh, Merchant Tailor













In the late 1890's, John T. Cavanagh established a successful tailor shop on Main St.,
Boonville, NY, which he ran until the time of his death in 1935.



John T. Cavanagh, our popular merchant tailor, has moved into his new and commodious store on Main Street (Boonville).  During the week his time has been largely employed in welcoming his friends and customers to his new place of business, and the general verdict is, that his is the finest store in town. 
Utica, NY Sunday Journal; July 24, 1896 or 1897; <http://www.fultonhistory.com/>; on March 30, 2015.



Tailor John T. Cavanagh recently took a long winter's ride into the town of Wilmurt; starting out from Prospect to the woods camp of the Trenton Falls Lumber Company, some miles beyond Wagner's where he measured and took orders for ten suits of his nicely made and well-fitted garments.  Mr. Cavanagh is a successful tailor and as a result of his large out of town trade keeps several more hands than he would otherwise employ, thus causing his industry to contribute to the welfare of other business men in town.  
The Boonville Herald and Adirondack TouristThursday, Feb. 14, 1891; <http://www.fultonhistory.com/>; 
on March 30, 2015.