William Gavigan and Catherine Frances Daley
William Gavigan
MONROE INDEPENDENT May 8, 1889
William Gavigan, who a few weeks ago fell from a fence, struck his head, and was supposed to have been fatally injured, it is now reported that he committed suicide.
He left Mr. Crotty’s residence in Adams Township yesterday at 1:00 armed with a revolver.
Eight cartridges, his hat and coat were found yesterday, pants and socks were found this morning but at the time of this writing, nothing further.
He left a letter with Sarah Crotty saying she should keep it until his return. He also stated that when she would hear the report of a revolver he would be no more.
Since the above was reported Gavigan was found near Mr. Crotty’s under some hay.
When he was first discovered he shot at those hunting him and then shot himself in the left side. He was not dead at the time, but it is supposed death must soon follow.
November 27, 1895 – Monroe Times
William Gavigan of the township of Adams perished with Monday night’s storm. He was found yesterday afternoon frozen stiff in a field with nothing but his boots protruding from the snow. Monday he attended a grubbing bee at the home of Rube Garrison. Returning home in the evening, he rode as far as Kelly’s Corner with Michael Monohan and left to go across the field to his house a short distance away. It seems he had not gone far for but 15 rods away is where his lifeless body was found almost 36 hours later. An over supply of liquor was no doubt the cause of his death.
He was about 70 years of age and found much comfort in intoxicants. It is supposed he became too weak to reach home. He lay down and froze to death. He was an upright citizen and had an only fault and the manner in which he died is much regretted. A wife and seven children in good circumstances survive. The remains will be buried at Puddledock tomorrow.
A “grubbing bee” in the 1800s would have referred to a communal gathering of people to perform the arduous task of removing stumps and roots from land being prepared for cultivation.
The Gavigan, the Collentine and Daley families all emigrated from County Westmeath, Ireland and probably were acquainted there.
William Gavigan married Fanny Daley in 1870, probably in Wisconsin as her family had been in Adams as early as 1860 and Fanny; Frances was born in Chicago in 1845.
Edward Daley, an older brother of Frances married as her second husband, Elizabeth Collentine-Gavigan, the widow of Timothy above.
Catherine Frances Daley
Mrs. Fanny Gavigan died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Wm. Gavigan, July 10, from infirmities of age. The deceased was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thos. Daley, and she was born in Chicago, Feb. 10, 1845.
At an early age she came with her parents to the town of Adams where she spent the remainder of her life. In 1870 she was united in marriage with Wm. Gavigan who died 25 years ago.
This union was blessed with seven children, six of whom are still living. They are Frank, John W., Mrs. Margaret Gavigan, Mrs. P.J. Galway, William and Eddie. Elizabeth died in infancy. There are 17 grandchildren and one great grandchild.
The funeral obsequies were held at St. Francis church in Adams, on Monday, July 12, at 10 am with High Requiem Mass, and a sermon by Father McNulty, who took his text from St. Mathew 25-21. A large congregation assembled to pay their respects to a beloved friend and neighbor.
Six granddaughters, under the direction of Mrs. Margaret Purcell, acted as flower girls. They were Fay Galway, May Galway, Alice Gavigan, Margret Gavigan, and Ethel Gavigan.
