Storey County
Andrew J. Canavan
Biography
(Transcribed by Andaleen Whitney)
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Nevada Genealogy Trails Storey County Andrew J. Canavan Biography (Transcribed by Andaleen Whitney) |
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ANDREW JOSEPH CANAVAN, the popular foreman of the Justice mine at Gold Hill, Nevada, and one of the state's most intelligent, progressive and enterprising mining men, was born in San Francisco, California, on the 18th of January, 1872, and has spent his entire life in the west. His father, Mathew Canavan, was a native of county Fermanagh, Ireland, and left there at the age of seven years for Australia. In 1852 he emigrated to California, and was married in San Francisco to Miss Maggie Farrell, who was born in New York City. As a contractor and builder he was engaged in business in California for many years, and erected the courthouse at Jackson, Amador county. He was a prominent politician and a man of marked influence, and took a very active part in public affairs, serving as a member of the California state legislature from the San Francisco district. He was instrumental in introducing the bill for the exclusion of Chinamen from the state and was recognized as an important factor in political circles in California during his residence there. In 1872 he came to Gold Hill, Nevada, and accepted the position of superintendent of the Rhode Island quartz mill, which was a large plant crushing much of the ore taken from Gold Hill mines. He continued his active connection with the Democratic party after coming to this state, and served as county commissioner in Storey county and was a delegate to the national convention which nominated Grover Cleveland for president of the United States. When on his way home from that convention he contracted a cold, which resulted in his death in 1884, when in his fifty-fourth year. His estimable wife still survives him and resides in San Francisco. To them were born eleven children, five of whom are still living, four being residents of California, while Andrew J. makes his home at Gold Hill, Nevada. Mr. Canavan received his early education in the public schools of Gold Hill and is now taking a course at the University of Nevada in meteorology, chemistry, free-hand drawing, assaying and surveying, to better fit him for his chosen occupation. He is an expert, practical miner, having followed that vocation continually since his early manhood, and as foreman of the Justice mines has met with very gratifying success. In 1893 Mr. Canavan was happily married to Miss Annie Healey, a native of New Brunswick, Canada, and they have become the parents of five children: Roger, Mary, Mabel, Claude and Thelma, all born in Gold Hill. Mr. Canavan is an ardent Democrat, and is a prominent member of the Elks and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, being past foreman in the latter organization. He and his family are worthy members of the Roman Catholic church and are held in high regard by all who know them.
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