Adams County Wisconsin Genealogy

Transcribed by Robert Schieber

Source: Memorial and Biographical Record and Illustrated Compendium of Biography of Citizens of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, Wisconsin, published 1901 by G. A. Ogle & Co., Chicago, 1901, Pages 645 - 646

Perry Cavanaugh, an enlightened and progressive farmer, has a pleasant and attractive home on section 33, Lincoln township, Adams county, and is a good representative of the sturdy yeomanry whose stout arms and mighty spirits have done so much to redeem the wilderness and make Wisconsin blossom like a garden. He was born in Erin, Cheming county, New York, December 24, 1855, He is a farmer by choice, and is an honor to his calling.

Perry Cavanaugh is a son of Charles and Mary (Catchim) Cavanaugh, who were married in 1850. They were then living in Dryden, New York. They remained in the east some twenty years, and in 1870 found their way to Adams county, where the senior Cavanaugh invested in a farm of two hundred acres, which is now the home of the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Charles Cavanaugh was a woman of many marked traits. She was much respected by the community in which she lived, and beloved by her friends to an unusual degree. In her home circle her character shone supreme, and in this neighborhood who was treasured in many hearts. She was a daughter of John and Julie (Perry) Catchim, and with her parents was a native of New Jersey, John Catchim was a man of more than ordinary ability. In his early life he was a school teacher, and when twenty-three years of age moved to Chemung county, New York, where he set up a general store, and served as justice of the peace for nine years. After this he sold his store and bought a farm, on which the rest of his life was spent. He died in 1855.

Charles Cavanaugh was born in the state of New York and was apprenticed early in life to the trade of a blacksmith, which business he followed for over forty years, more than twenty years of that time in Wisconsin, his sons running the farm while he worked at his trade. Mrs. C. Cavanaugh was a member of the Methodist church while in her native state.

Perry Cavanaugh came to Wisconsin with his parents, and at once took an active part in the busy world around him. He became a farmer, and the family homestead, on which he resides, has become, through his care and toil, a model farm in many respects. He pushed himself to the front early in life, and is regarded today as one of the leading men in his end of the county. He is a Republican in his political relations and is an active party worker. He was married October 12, 1879, to Miss Delphine Bidwell of the town of Easton, Adams county. She is a daughter of William Bidwell of the town of New Haven, a sketch of whose life appears elsewhere in this volume. The union has proved a happy one and has been blessed by the coming of four children: Charles, Mary, Frank, and Fred, deceased. The last two named were twins.