George W. Kavanaugh

Col. George Washington Kavanaugh (May 22, 1862 – September 6, 1951) was an American politician and businessman originally from Waterford, New York.

Colonel
George W. Kavanaugh
Member of the New York State Assembly for Saratoga County
In office
January 1, 1897 – December 31, 1898
Preceded byCharles H. McNaughton
Succeeded byGeorge H. West
Personal details
Born
George Washington Kavanaugh

(1862-05-22)May 22, 1862
Waterford, New York
DiedSeptember 6, 1951(1951-09-06) (aged 89)
Spring Lake, New Jersey
Spouse
Marie Miller Haberle
​
​
(m. 1912)​
RelationsFrederick W. Kavanaugh (brother)
Children2
Parent(s)Luke Kavanaugh
Mary Monaghan Kavanaugh

Early life

Kavanaugh was born on May 22, 1862, in Waterford, New York, into a family that was prominent in the knitting industry.[1] He was the son of Mary (née Monaghan) Kavanaugh and Luke Kavanaugh, a pioneer manufacturer of knitting machinery and the inventor of a knitting burr that revolutionized the industry in this country. His younger brother was Frederick W. Kavanaugh, who served in the New York State Senate from 1921 to 1924 and owned significant real estate, including a hotel in Cody, Wyoming (named for his friend, William "Buffalo Bill" Cody); after years of ill-health, Frederick committed suicide in 1940.[2]

Career

After working for his father for several years, Kavanaugh went into business for himself as a Cotton Manufacturer in Cohoes, New York, in 1884.[1] In 1896, he was appointed to serve on New York Governor Levi Morton's staff, with the rank of Colonel. In the fall of that year, he was elected to the New York State Assembly from Saratoga County by a plurality of approximately 4,500.[3] His term in office began on January 1, 1897, he was re-elected in 1897 without opposition and served until December 31, 1898.

After his marriage, the Kavanaughs moved into an elegant eight-story Beaux-Arts townhouse at 10 East 62nd Street and soon began to appear in the Society columns.[4] They threw many elaborate parties at their residence, including for Marie's close friend, Elizabeth Hope de la Poer Beresford, Baroness Decies (the former Elizabeth Wharton Drexel).[5][6][7] In 1943, as commercial properties began to surround their residence, the Kavanaughs bought the house next door at 8 East 62nd Street to protect their property. The value of the combined properties was $211,000 in 1943.[8]

Personal life

In 1912, while in London, Kavanaugh was married to the Marie Magdalena (née Miller) Haberle (1868–1954). The widow of William Henry Haberle, a brewery heir from Syracuse, New York, she was a daughter of Andrew John Miller (a native of Urspringen in Bavaria) and Caroline (née Gratwohl) Miller (a native of Sigmaringen in Hohenzollern). From her first marriage to Haberle, she had two daughters: Virginia Haberle (who married Burns Lyman Smith) and Leonora Haberle (who married Charles Jolly Werner).[9] In July 1917, Kavanaugh adopted both of Marie's daughters. His wife became known for her extensive and expensive jewelry collection.[10][11]

Kavanaugh died on September 6, 1951, at their summer home in Spring Lake, New Jersey.[12] After a funeral at Christ Methodist Church at 60th Street and Park Avenue, he was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx. His widow died at their residence in New York City in January 1954.[13][14]

References
  1. "COL. G.W. KAVANAUGH, TEXTILES LEADER, 90". The New York Times. 8 September 1951. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  2. "EX-STATE SENATOR DEAD; F.W. Kavanaugh Ends Life by Shot at Waterford". The New York Times. 3 December 1940. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  3. "SARATOGANS HARMONIOUS.; George W. Kavanaugh Nominated for the Assembly". The New York Times. 5 August 1896. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  4. "Great Jewelry Collectors: Mrs. George Washington Kavanaugh". Katie Callahan & Co. 12 April 2019. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  5. "MRS. H.H. MORGAN IS GUEST OF HONOR; Mrs. G.W. Kavanaugh and Mrs. Leonora Warner Give Luncheon for Her. MEETS 100 AT THE PARTY Mrs. Julius E. Prior Entertains for Miss Alice Stevens, Debutante, at Pierre's". The New York Times. 16 January 1930. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  6. "LADY DECIES HONORED; Large Reception Given for Her by Mrs. George W. Kavanaugh". The New York Times. 12 May 1939. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  7. "CLIFFORD MALLORY HOST AT A DINNER; He and Wife Give a Birthday Fete for Two Children--Mrs. R.M. Phillips Entertains MRS. W.S. BROWN HOSTESS Parties Are Given by Mrs. G. W. Kavanaugh, Mrs. Jonathan Peterson and Miss Breen Mrs. Kavanaugh Hostess George Breens Entertain". The New York Times. 23 October 1940. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  8. "East Side Owner Gets Adjoining Residence". The New York Times. 1 May 1943. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  9. "Mrs. Leonora Warner Hostess". The New York Times. 9 March 1951. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  10. "$25,000 IN JEWELS REPORTED MISSING; Mrs. G.W. Kavanaugh Says They Vanished From 62d St. Home in October". The New York Times. 27 November 1936. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  11. "REGAINS $5,000 BRACELET; Mrs. G. W. Kavanaugh Rewards Finder With a $250 Check". The New York Times. 21 November 1946. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  12. "Deaths". The New York Times. 10 September 1951. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  13. "Deaths". The New York Times. 25 January 1954. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  14. "MRS. KAVANAUGH, LEADER IN SOCIETY; Widow of Ex-Assemblyman Dies at 87 Was Patron of 'Met' and Horse Show". The New York Times. 24 January 1954. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
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