Obituary: Winnebago County, Wisconsin: Cornelius McCABE

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Submitted by Kathy Grace, <gendiva@charter.net> July 2004

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Daily Northwestern July 31, 1890

Claimed by Death

Cornelius McCabe No More

Another old settler has passed over the river of death.  At just a quarter
past eight this morning at his home on Washington street Cornelius McCabe
breathes his last.  The news of his death will be a surprise to many for it
was but a few weeks ago that Mr. McCabe was taken sick and it was only
within the last four days that his condition was considered at all serious.
Tuesday the last rites of the Roman Catholic church were administered to
him.

The deceased was born August 15, 1827, in County Cavan Ireland where his
boyhood days were spent.  In 1843 he emigrated to America, and first took
up his residence in the city of Albany, N.Y., where he was employed in a
mustard store and afterwards in a furniture factory.  In 1845 he removed to
New York city where he turned his hand to blacksmithing.  After a short
stay in the metropolis, he removed to Canton, Massachusetts, where he was
engaged in the coopers trade.  In 1848 he came to Oshkosh, and purchased a
claim in the town of Vinland.  Afterward he was engaged in the construction
of the Paytonia a steam boat, which was built at Neenah for the Mississippi
river trade, and after its completion, Mr. McCabe was employed upon the
craft as its second engineer and for two years he plied the "Father of
Waters" in this capacity.  In 1854 he settled in Le Claire, Iowa, where he
ran a merchandise store, and when the war broke out, he was commissioned as
a recruiting officer at that point.  In 1866 he again removed to Oshkosh,
where he operated a second hand store until 1882, during which time he
suffered three disastrous fires.  In 1882 he retired from active business
and soon after he commenced agitating the scheme of a street railway.  By
dint of much perserverence he succeeded in obtaining a franchise for the
enterprise and was for the first two years the Superintendent of the
company.  After placing the corporation firmly on its feet he retired from
the management and since that time has not been engaged in active business.
In 1862 McCabe was united in marriage at Oshkosh with Miss Mary Haben.
Nine children resulted from this union of whom six, John, Andrew, Frank,
Carl, George and Mollie are still living, Michael Reginald and Cornelius
being dead.  Mrs. McCabe survives her husband.

As a business man Mr. McCabe was known as a person of sterling qualities
and he was greatly respected by his fellow citizens.  In politics he was a
Democrat, and some years ago as the candidate of that party was elected by
the Fourth ward as alderman in the city council.  This office was held by
him for ten years.  He also acted for four years as an assessor.  Mr.
McCabe was a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and was at one time
president of that society.  He was also an honored member of St. Peter's
church from which place the funeral will be held Sunday afternoon at two
o'clock.  During his life Mr. McCabe accumulated considerable money and he
leaves his family in comfortable circumstances.  He had some life
insurance, but the amount is not yet known.