Biography: Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin: David Cavanagh ************************************************************************ Submitted by Kathy Grace, August 2004 © All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************************************ David Cavanagh, farmer, Sec. 8; P.O. Osceola; born in Dingle, County Kerry, Ireland, Feb. 2, 1831; is a son of James and Ellen Cavanagh, who emigrated to America in 1834, stopping a short time in Bangor, Me., then settling in Waltham, Mass., where Daniel received his schooling; the family settled on a farm in Washington Co., Wis., in 1842, remaining until April, 1849, when they settled on Government land on Sec. 3, Osceola, being the second Irish family to locate here. The subject of this sketch continued his studies in Wisconsin, living on the homestead until 1869, when he bought his farm of 220 acres; his mother died in September, 1853, and his father in January, 1868. Mr. Cavanagh has proved himself a capable farmer, having built a basement barn 46x71 feet, with twenty-two foot posts, and a handsome square, two story residence; has also brought 135 acres of his farm to a good state of improvement. In politics, a Democrat, Mr. Cavanagh was elected in 1861 Town Treasurer; then followed his election as Chairman of Osceola from 1864 to 1877, with the exception of three years; in 1869, he was elected to the Wisconsin Assembly, and to the State Senate in 1875. He married Miss Margaret, daughter of Henry Hardgrove, one of the Irish pioneers of Forest, on the 20th of February, 1854, they having seven children- Ella, Mary, James T. Daniel, Anna, Henry and Jennie; Mary is the wife of E.H. Lyons, of Osceola. Mr. Cavanagh and family are Roman Catholics. Transcribed from The History of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin Chicago : Western Historical Company, 1880 pg. 972