THOMAS A. KAVANAGH

THOMAS A. KAVANAGH, Justice of the Peace, Panama, Iowa, is among the leading young business men of the county. His residence in the village of Panama began May 26, 1885, when he established a harness and saddler's business there. He sold this business and stock April 18, 1889, to Burdick & Company, but he intends remaining in the county and studying law. He was born in Carlton County, Ontario, March 26, 1863, and is the son of Walter and Mary (Larkin) Kavanagh. They were the parents of eight children -- Peter, John, Walter, Matthew (deceased), Joseph, Patrick, Thomas A. and Michael. Walter Kavanagh, Sr., and wife were both natives of Canada. Mr. Kavanagh is still living in Canada at the age of sixty-four years; he has followed the occupation of farming all his life. His wife was born December 24, 1827, and died February 17, 1875. She was of Irish ancestry, and Mr. Kavanagh is of English and Irish extraction. Thomas A. Kavanagh has been a member of the town council since the organization of Panama. He is a staunch advocate of the principles of the Democratic party; he has usually attended the State, congressional and county conventions of his party. He was elected justice of the peace of Washington Township in November, 1888, by a large majority. He is a member of the Roman Catholic church.

Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 617-618. Transcribed by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs.