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