Lucy M. Kavanagh

Lucy M. Kavanagh

• Father: John Kavanagh b. circa December 1843, d. 9 November 1904
• Mother: Lucy Fitzsimmons b. November 1863, d. 11 January 1933

• Lucy M. Kavanagh was born on 16 March 1892 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York.
• John Kavanagh and Lucy Fitzsimmons appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Manhattan, New York, at 963 Columbus Circle. Other members of the household included Lucy M. Kavanagh, Josephine K. Kavanagh.
• The following appeared on 10 November 1904 in The World: John Kavanagh, fifty-nine years old, a patrolman attached to the West One Hundredth street station, was found dead in a clump of bushes within ten feet of the New York Central tracks at Ninety-ninth street to-day.
       His body was badly mangled, both legs being broken and twisted. It is believed he was killed by a train while pursuing freight thieves.
       Kavanagh had the early tour, and was warned by his captain to keep a sharp lookout for the thieves who have been plundering the frieght cars of late.
       He made one tour from One Hundred and Tenth street to Ninety-Sixth street, making a thorough search of the yards for thieves. It was on his return trip that he was evidently killed. He did not show up at midnight for the rollcall and policemen were sent in search of him. They did not find him.
       Engineer John Harvey, who was riding on a train, saw the body lying in a clump of bushes and pulled the bell cord, stopping the train.
       Policeman Hickey was summoned, and Dr. Westoott, from the J. Hood Wright Hospital, said Kavanagh had been dead some time. His head was smashed badly, both legs were broken and there were other bruises indicating injuries that undoubtedly killed him.
       Kavanagh had a splendid record on the force, having been appointed in 1873. He lived with his family at No. 85 West One Hundred and Fourth street.
       He was married twice, and leaves, in addition to his second wife, eight children. Two of these are by his second wife, a boy of nine and a girl of six. The other six are older, and are by his first wife. One of the girls is married to Policeman John Mullen, of the same station.
       Kavanagh got honorable mention and a medal from the Police Board of 1883 for jumping overboard from a steamer and saving the life of a boy on July 22, 1883.
       He wore a silver plate in his skull as a souvenir ofhis fight with burglars in a butcher shop twelve years ago. In this case he found two burglars at work in a butcher shop and tackled them single-handed. One of them struck him on the head with a cleaver, but he held on to him and blew his whistle until help arrived. The second crook got away. Kavanagh went to the hospital, and was there for several months.
• The following appeared on 10 November 1904 in The Brooklyn Daily Eagle: The body of Patrolman John Kavanagh of the West One Hundredth street police station, Manhattan, was found about 2 o'clock this morning lying near the railroad track of the New York Central Hudson River Railroad at Ninety-ninth street and North River. He had been struck by a train, his legs broken and skull fractured. Kavanagh was 59 years old and lived with his wife and children at 85 West One Hundred and Fourth street, Manhattan.
• The following appeared on 11 November 1904 in The Brooklyn Daily Eagle: Police Commissioner McAdoo talked to the reporters this morning on a number of questions. . .
       Commissioner McAdoo expressed his regret at the death of Policeman John Kavanagh, who was killed on the New York Central tracks at West Ninety-ninth street early yesterday morning, by a train, while pursuing thieves. Kavanagh was 60 years old and had served thirty-two years on the force. He was a familiar character because of his long service and was called "Old John" by His brother officers.
       "I have arranged that the widow will get $1,000 without delay from the police fund, and the full pension," said the commissioner. "If I find that she is in need of it, I shall give her a place making beds or something like that, in one of the station houses, so she may add to her income. I have given permission for the police band and Kavanagh's platoon to attend his funeral as is the custom where policemen lose their lives in the performance of their duties."
       The commissioner was told that there was much criticism of the police officials for keeping such an old and faithful policeman out on post and not giving him an easy detail, while hundreds of strong and healthy young policemen fill these "soft snaps."
       "Had I known of Kavanagh's case, I should certainly have given him an easier place," he said, "but now that he is dead I can only see that his widow and children are cared for as best I can."
• Lucy Fitzsimmons appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in Manhattan, New York, at 216 West 108th Street. Other members of the household included Lucy M. Kavanagh, Josephine K. Kavanagh.
• She was employed as a telegraph operator in a railroad office, according to the 1910 census.
• The following appeared on 11 February 1911 in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle: (Died) Josephine Rascoll (nee Kavanagh), April 10, 1950, beloved wife of Alfred; devoted mother of Alfred, John, Thomas and Gerard; sister of Mrs. Lucy Stroup. Funeral Thursday 9:15 a.m., from the McManus Funeral Home, 2001 Flatbush Avenue. Requiem Mass 9:45 a.m., St. Thomas Aquinas R. C. Church.
• She married August Gustav Grieger, son of Julius Grieger and Augusta Rutz, on 8 September 1917 in Manhattan, New York, at Church of the Holy Cross, witnessed by Edward R. Moriarity and Ethel E. Madigan.. Residence of the groom was 322 West 42nd Street, and of the bride, 25 West 98th Street..
• Lucy M. Kavanagh became a widow at the 20 March 1918 death of her husband August Gustav Grieger.
• Lucy Fitzsimmons appeared in the US federal census of 1 January 1920 in Ridgewood, Queens County, New York, at 2940 Indiana Place. Other members of the household included Lucy M. Kavanagh.
• She was employed by Western Union as a telegrapher, according to the 1920 census.
• She married Richard Perry Stroup, son of Charles Stroup and Sarah (?), circa 1921.
• Richard Perry Stroup and Lucy M. Kavanagh appeared in the New York state census of 1 June 1925 in Woodhaven, Queens, New York, at 9308 75th Street. Other members of the household included Joan L. Stroup and Lucy Fitzsimmons.
• Richard Perry Stroup and Lucy M. Kavanagh appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1930 in Woodhaven, Queens, New York, at 9308 Seventy-Fifth Street. Other members of the household included Joan L. Stroup and Lucy Fitzsimmons.
• Richard Perry Stroup and Lucy M. Kavanagh appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1940 in Woodhaven, Queens County, New York, at 9235 Seventy-Sixth Street. Other members of the household included Joan L. Stroup.
• Lucy M. Kavanagh died on 22 March 1986 at age 94 in Bay Shore, Suffolk County, New York, at Southside Hospital.
• The following appeared on 27 March 1986 in The Smithtown News: Lucy M. Stroup, 96, died March 22 at Southside Hospital, Bay Shore.
       A Smithtown resident for10 years, she owned a fuel oil business in Queens. She is survived by her daughter Joan Gibson Maguire and four grandchildren.
       A Commital Service was held at Cypress Hills Cemetery March 24. Arrangements were handled by the O.R. Davis Funeral Home, Smithtown.

• Last Edited: 27 Apr 2017