McAvoy, Anthony

The following data is extracted from Racine, Belle City of the lakes, and Racine County, Wisconsin : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement.

Racine classed Anthony McAvoy as one of its representative citizens and leading business men_ He was long prominently identified with carriage manufacturing and his activities were at all times wisely and successfully directed. Re was born in County Down, Ireland, October 30, 1846, and the following year was taken by his parents to London, Canada, where he resided until 1865, when he became a resident of Chicago. Illinois. After about a year passed in that city he removed to Racine and soon afterward went to Elkhorn, Walworth County, Wisconsin, where he remained until 1872. He then returned to Racine, where he made permanent location, and through the intervening period to the time or his death was one of its leading and influential citizens, prominently connected with its industrial development and with the public life as well. In March, 1874, he turned his attention to the manufacture of carriages in connection with Morris Noonan, the partnership being established under the name of the Novelty Carriage Works. Their plant was situated on Wisconsin street, between Fourth and Fifth streets, and there they engaged in the manufacture of carriages, phaetons, buggies and light road wagons. For many years this was one of the leading industries of the kind in Racine and the output was sold in various parts of the country. They enjoyed a liberal patronage for an extended period and when at length Mr. McAvoy closed out his interests in that connection he established a livery business, becoming one of the largest and most successfully conducted stables in the state. A few years prior to his death he disposed of that business to the late W. O. Thomas and again entered manufacturing circles, becoming president of the Wisconsin Auto Top Company and the vice president and one of the directors of the Racine File Company. Both of these enterprises proved profitable and Mr. McAvoy was active in their management and control. In business affairs he readily discriminated between the essential and the non-essential. He seemed quickly to realize what was of worth and what was not, and he so combined and directed his interests as to win the best possible results.

On the 15th of August, 1868, in Delavan, Wisconsin, Mr. McAvoy was married to Miss Alice May Bowers and they became the parents of thirteen children, as follows: Frank J. and Hugh, both of Chicago; John A., of New York; Myron I., Edward P. and Charles V., all of Racine; Mrs. X. B. Kalamatiano, of Odessa. Russia; Mrs. F. A. Tooley, of Chicago, Ill.; Cora M. and Lucille, both of Racine, and Bessie, Katherine and Alice, deceased. The family residence is at, No. 1012 College Avenue, where Mrs. McAvoy still makes her home.

The family mourned a devoted husband and father when Mr. McAvoy was called from this life March 11, 1914, and Racine lost one of its prominent, influential and valued citizens. He was widely known in fraternal circles, being a member of Racine Council, No. 220, R. A.; Beta Council, No. 2, R. L.; the Knights of Columbus; the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin; the Catholic Knights of America; and the Catholic Foresters. He was also one of the leading members of St. Rose Catholic church and his political allegiance was given to the Democratic Party, in the success of which he was deeply and helpfully interested. The first ward elected him a member of the board of supervisors and he served for a number of years on the County board. Of him it was said: "He was a man of strong determination unwavering in his support of the right, and his word was as readily received as his bond. He probably had as large a circle of acquaintances throughout. the community as any other citizen and was held in the very highest esteem for his sterling worth and integrity. His private and his public life had always been above reproach. In the work of upbuilding and developing the County he ever bore his share and had been an eye witness of that growth which has made Racine one of the foremost cities of Wisconsin. The poor and needy found in him a friend and he gave his support. to many worthy societies, while in his own household he was a most indulgent husband and father." High indeed was the regard entertained for him throughout the community in which he lived and his record is an example \ yell worthy of emulation.

Source: Racine, Belle City of the lakes, and Racine County, Wisconsin : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement

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