Sacramento County
Biographies
EDWARD C. KAVANAUGH
An association with the Native Sons of the
Golden West comes to Mr. Kavanaugh by reason of his
nativity in California, where he was born at Michigan Bluff, Placer county, July 29, 1872,
into the home of Edward and Ann Kavanaugh. The
family descends from a long line of Celtic ancestry. His father, who was
born and reared in County
Kerry, Ireland, crossed the ocean to America during 1838 when very young in years and poor in purse,
but rich in hope and courage for the future. After twelve years as a farm
laborer in Illinois, he was induced to cross the plains to California through hearing remarkable reports concerning the
discovery of gold. Joining a large expedition of argonauts
during the spring of 1850 he entered upon a journey of long duration and
innumerable privations, but which finally reached a safe conclusion at Hangtown, Eldorado county.
The country was filled with miners, some
joyful over discovered gold, some disappointed concerning hopes long
deferred. The population was cosmopolitan. Hither had come people from every quarter of the civilized world.
As a consequence of the sudden aggregation of newcomers there was little
attempt at law and order. In his old age the elder Kavanaugh
used frequently to narrate interesting incidents concerning the problems faced
by those pioneer communities temporarily collected at mining camps. He
himself did not remain long at Hangtown, but soon
drifted to other mining camps and as early as 1851 became a permanent resident
of Michigan Bluff, where his death in 1894 terminated an identification of
forty-four years with the mining interests of the west.
At the age of sixteen years, after having
concluded the studies of the public schools, Edward C. Kavanaugh
became interested in mining and for a long period he was directly or indirectly
connected with that industry, but in 1893 he turned his attention in large
degree to other activities. For two years he was engaged as clerk in the
Forest Hill hotel in Placer county. This place
he purchased in 1895 and conducted the inn besides managing several
mines. Upon selling the hotel in 1904 he removed to Sacramento and embarked in the wholesale liquor business with J. S.
Casey under the firm name of Casey & Kavanaugh.
During May of 1911 he bought out the interest of his partner and has since been
sole proprietor of the place at No. 401 J street. In addition he operates mines in Placer and Tuolunme counties. Throughout all of his life he has
been a devoted and generous member of the Roman Catholic Church, while since
attaining his majority he has given his ballot in the interests of the
Democratic party. During November of 1897, at Forest Hill, Cal., he was united in marriage with Miss Anna McHale, and
three sons have blessed their union, namely: Emmet
and Edward, who are pupils in the Christian
Brothers College; and Allen, who attends the Sacramento public schools.
Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.
Source: Willis,
William L., History of Sacramento
County, California, Pages 619-620. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1913.
© 2005 Sally Kaleta.