KAVANAUGH, Thomas

KAVANAUGH, Thomas. (County Galway, Ireland, Dec. 3, 1823--June 3, 1887). Kavanaugh gained his reputation by creating a statue of Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert. (1) Emigrating from Ireland, Kavanaugh settled in Dubuque and became a stone mason. He was one of the contracors who built the CHICAGO, DUBUQUE AND MINNESOTA RAILROAD that became part of the Milwaukee system. Kavanaugh was also a leader in the Irish National Land League, a political organization founded in Ireland dedicated to helping poor tenant farmers. The organization was active in Dubuque in the 1880s. (2)

Living in the area of Southern Avenue, he was also a sculptor and made a wooden sculpture reinforced with iron of Andrew Jackson on horseback. In 1874 this statue, paid for by John DEERY, was lifted to the top of the SHOT TOWER where it remained until 1881. (3)

Kavanaugh served as an alderman for the First District. (4)

John J. KAVANAUGH, his son, became one of Dubuque's artists.

---

Source:

1. National Register of Historic Places," Online: http://weblink.cityofdubuque.org/WebLink8/1/doc/16333/Page79.aspx,

2. "Late Dubuque Artist Fames for Sculptures, Paintings," Telegraph-Herald, July 13, 1937, p. 14

3. Ibid. p. 81

4. Ibid. p. 80

J. J. Kavanaugh Artist-Dubuque http://boards.ancestry.co.uk/thread.aspx?mv=flat&m=3892&p=localities.northam.usa.states.iowa.counties.dubuque