Cavana, Alvin J. 1864-1916

CAVANA, BATES, LEE, RICHARDS

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 3/16/2011 at 15:00:17

The Grinnell (IA) Herald; May 12, 1916

OBITUARY.

ALVIN J. CAVANA

Alvin J. Cavana was born at Holland Patent, N.Y., March 18, 1864. He came to Iowa with his parents and family in 1878, was educated in the city schools of Iowa Falls and graduated from the State University of Iowa in the class of 1892. He was superintendent of the schools at Steamboat Rock, Union and Eldora for a number of years and was elected to the presidency of Ellsworth college at Iowa Falls in 1902, serving four years in this capacity.

In 1894 Mr. Cavana was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Bates of Union, and to this union one daughter, Lucille, nineteen years of age, is their only child.

Mr. Cavana removed from Eldora to Grinnell in June, 1912, to engage in the mercantile business. His death occurred at the university hospital at Iowa City on May 6 as the result of infection following a slight surgical operation, performed on April 23. Mr. Cavana was a member of the Baptist church of Eldora and had been an active church worker during his adult life. He is survived by his wife and daughter and three brothers, William E., of Iowa Falls; Chester, of Ogden; Dr. Martin Cavana,of Sylvan Beach, N.Y.; and two sisters, Mrs. Mary E. Lee, of Webster City, and Mrs. Jennie I. Richards of Grinnell. Burial took place at Union, Ia., Monday afternoon, May 8.

During his short business career in Grinnell Mr. Cavana made many friends who were greatly saddened by news of his unexpected passing. He was a thoroughly good man, husband and father, and worked earnestly and conscientiously at his every undertaking.