JAMES CAVANAUGH

James Cavanaugh was born in Ulster, Northern Ireland, on Feb. 2, 1852, son of James and Ann Cavanaugh. He was educated in the national schools and was 16 years of age when his father died. He continued to live on the old place for a time, but soon took stock of conditions and realized that his possibilities would be greater in America. Five months after his 18th birthday he took passage on a vessel at Liverpool and reached New York City on June 15, 1872. The old steamer on which he had crossed the ocean sank during its return voyage.

With few dollars to spare, James Cavanaugh made his way west as far as Tiffin, Ohio, in Seneca County. He worked in that locality as a farm laborer for four years, at that end of which time he came to Deshler in Henry County and became a foreman for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. He put in two years at that and having a special liking for railroad work, he entered the service of the Wabash Co. in 1877, first living in Cecil in Paulding Co., later going to Wabash, Ind. and after four years being transferred to various other points along the line. His last home in the railway service was Danville, Ill.

In 1893, Mr. Cavanaugh left railroading and came to his farm in Section 24 of Marion Township. He had bought the land in 1881. He put the land in a state of cultivation, drained and well fenced and built two fine barns and comfortable home.

He was married to Mary Collins, daughter of the late Michael Collins, early settler of Marion Township. They were married on her 21st birthday, Oct. 19, 1877. She was the mother of four children. James was born April 3, 1881, and graduated from Valparaiso University in Indiana in 1907. He married Minnie Yetter and they had a son, James William. John B., second son was born May 14, 1882, and also graduated from Valparaiso University. Another son, Bernard, was killed in an urban car accident in Deshler. Joseph, the youngest son of Mr. Cavanaugh's children by his first wife, also graduated from Valparaiso U. and married Elizabeth Worth. They had a son, Joseph.

Mary Cavanaugh died Feb. 22, 1896. For his second wife, Mr. Cavanaugh married Mary Carroll in Napoleon. She was born in Perry Co. Feb. 19, 1871. Their family included Leonard, Philip, Thomas O., and Leo M.

The story of the Leonard Cavanaugh family is listed elsewhere in this book.

Philip Cavanaugh married Rose Clementina Dibling (daughter of Joseph and Magdelena Blust Dibling) in St. Paul's Catholic Church in Hamler on Feb. 22, 1927. They are the parents of the following children: Catherine Veronica, Anthony Bernard, Robert Joseph, Mary Margaret, Madonna Rose, Teresa Phyllis, Patrick Alfonse, and Philip Michael. All were graduates of Hamler High School.

Catherine Veronica married Howard Foos. They are farmers living northeast of Bowling Green and they have ten children.

Anthony Bernard, a trucker, married Audrey Wischmier of Putnam Co. They reside north of Ottawa on Ohio 109 and have a family of five.

Robert Joseph married Clara Schroeder from New Cleveland. They are Amway distributors and have a family of three (two daughters adopted). Their home is in the New Cleveland community.

Mary Margaret Sheets lives in the Jewell area in Defiance Co. and has eight children.

Madonna Rose took as her husband George Alt of Miller City in Putnam Co. They presently reside in Phoenix, Ariz. where he is a plumber. They have five children.

Teresa Phyllis is married to Henry Panning and they reside in Ottawa. Henry is an employee of Sylvania and they have a family of four.

Patrick Alphonse and Joan Bartosek were married in Sacred Heart Church, New Bavaria. They have three children and live in Ottawa where Pat is a foreman with Sylvania Co.

Philip Michael married Janet Krebs of Custar in Wood Co. He owns and operates a tavern in Custar. They have six children.

Philip Cavanaugh and his wife Rose reside on the original Cavanaugh farm. Philip is active as the farm operator and is assisted by his unmarried brother, Leo M., who makes his home with Philip and Rose.

Thomas O. Cavanaugh married Helen Baumeir of Putnam Co. on Nov. 29, 1928. They had three children, Thomas, Agnes, Gertrude. Thomas is a retired highway employee. The Cavanaughs have remained active members of St. Paul's Catholic Church in Hamler.

Submitted by the Family