The Bernard Hanavan Family of Carroll County Missouri

A Memorial Tribute to The Bernard Hanavan Family
of Carroll County, Missouri

Their Immigration from Ireland to New York was by boat and took many months to cross the vast Atlantic Ocean, landing in New York about 1838. Their oldest daughter was just an infant when they began this part of their two part journey to their new home. They picked Buffalo, New York to live for a period of about five or six years. Then late in 1845 after their twins were born or the beginning
of 1846 Bernard and Catherine packed up their belongings into two oxen-driven wagons and began their long overland journey arriving in Carroll County, Missouri later in that same year. It is possible that others made the trip with them, possibly some of Catherine's relatives or even Bernard's. However, sometime during 1846 they arrived in their new home in Carroll County, Missouri.

Many thanks to all of the Hanavan cousins who have submitted pictures and stories in their memory or their Irish ancestors. Including Perry Hanavan, Garry Belt, and Peggy (Belt) Harre, who graciously allowed me to use pictures, obituaries and headstones on this page. I am sure their are others that contributed to them, but unsure as to their names. If anyone has any pictures of the missing children of Bernard and Catherine Hanavan please email them to me at lscraig1951@yahoo.com.


Bernard Hanavan on his horse during the Civil War in 1863. His unit information is listed below.	Catherine (Short) Hanavan on left, wife of Bernard also born in Ireland. Lady unknown on right.	This is the home of the Hanavan family, taken in the late 1800's in Carroll County, Missouri	Headstone at St. Mary's Cemetery	Headstone at St. Mary's Cemetery

Bernard Hanavan born around 1816 and his wife Catherine (Short) Hanavan. also born around 1816. They were married in Ireland about 1837. Their first child Catharine Lee Hanavan was born in Ireland in 1838. After her birth Bernard, Catherine and their little daughter immigrated to America where they settled in Buffalo, New York. Their next three children: Mary, Bernard and James were born in Buffalo. After the birth of their twins, Bernard and James they packed up their belongings in ox driven wagons and began moving furthur west. They arrived in Carroll County, Missouri in 1846. The birth of their sons, Phillip, Patrick and John followed. Bernard purchased 103+ acres in Carroll County, Missouri January 18, 1856 according to Federal Land Records. The birth of their last son, Thomas occured later in that same year. When the civil war broke out, Bernard enlisted as a private in Company L, Unit 7, Missouri Cavalry on August 15, 1861. He was under Captain Love. He was promoted to the rank of Corporal on December 1, 1862 and then reduced back to a private on July 16, 1863. His unit was envolved in the battles at Lone Jack and Pea Ridge. He was taken captive at Prairie Grove, Arkansas at one point. He was discharged in 1865. The Wakenda Record dated March 27, 1874 recorded his death record, stating: We received a notice last week before going to press of the death of Mr. Hanavan, but through the hurry of getting the Record to press on time it was overlooked. Mr. Hanavan died at his residence, a few miles north of De Witt, last Tuesday one week ago. His illness was from pneumonia, followed by an attack of heart disease which terminated his exsistence. Mr. Hanavan had lived for many years in Carroll County, was a straightforward man in life, courteous, and clever and was universally respected. Physical description of Bernard from his enlistment papers indicate that he was five foot eleven inches in height, had black hair, blue eyes, with a dark complextion. He indicates he was a farmer and native of Monghain, Ireland and was living at Campions Ferry in Carroll County at the time of enlistment.

Catherine (Short) Hanavan aged 84 years died Monday evening at 7 o'clock at the home of her son, Phillip. The deceased was born in Ireland and together with her husband, Bernard Hanavan, moved to Carroll County in 1846, which place has been her home ever since. Her husband died March 17, 1874. Of their union six children were born, five boys and one girl were born. Viz: Thomas, John, Phillip, James, Barney and Mrs. Michael McKinney, all of whom reside in Carroll County except John, who is a citizen of Marceline. The funeral services were conducted by the Rev. Father Hurley of Marceline and were quite impressive. The remains were taken to the Catholic Cemetery for internment, followed by a large concourse of friends and neighbors who by their presence attested to the high esteem in which the deceased was held. Although she is gone yet the memory of her will live among those who have known and loved her for a half century. Pease to her ashes, rest to her soul. Bosworth/Sentiniel.

Most of the children of Bernard and Catherine Hanavan have continued to live in the Carroll County, Missouri area through out their lives.

	Catherine Lee Hanavan was born in about 1838 is Ireland and immigrated with her parents as an infant to America. She spent a good portion of her young life in Buffalo, New York. She then moved with the rest of her family to Carroll County, Missouri in 1846. It is recorded that she died in 1854, at the age of about 16 years of age and is probably buried in Hanavan Cemetery.
	Mary Louise Hanavan was born May 20, 1841 in Buffalo, New York and died on May 15,1917 in Carroll County, Missouri. Mary was a member of one of the pioneer families of Carroll County. She married a Michael William McKinney interestingly he also was born in County Monagahan, Ireland so the families must have been friends and raised the two children together. For a a few years Mary and Michael went to Brookfield, but later returned to Carroll County near Combs were Michael farmed. They had nine children, five of those children are James, Catherine, Margaret, Elizabeth, and Thomas W. There are no known photos of Mary and her family. Her husband Michael served in the civil war in Co G of the 38th Missouri Infantry enlisting May 1862 and discharging March 1864 according to the 1890 veterans census. She is buried in St. Mary's Cemetery.
	James Hanavan was born on Feb. 11, 1845 he died Sept. 9, 1896 . He is buried in Wharton Cemetery with all of his family. His wife was Lucindan (Lucy) Helm, daughter of Richard Pope Helm and Joanna Eleanor Smith. They had several children born to their union. First was James Thomas, Mary Eola, James Henry, Thomas, Allie, Emma, Franklin, and John. They lived in the Carroll County area all of their married live. James was a farmer. (I might add as a personal note, his wife Lucy was an older sibling to my great grandfather Lina Helm). According to the 1890 veterans census James was in Company F of the 18th Mo Infantry, enlisting on Feb. 1864 and discharged July 1864. It is also indicated that he received an injury to his eye, which agrees with passed down family stories.
	Bernard Hanavan was born in Buffalo, New York, February, 11, 1845. The following year he was brought to Missouri by his parents, Bernard and Katherine (Short) Hanavan, who made the trip with two wagons and two yoke of oxen and were several weeks in reaching their destination. Bernard Hanavan, was reared to agricultural pursuits on the family homestead and during his childhood and youth attended the public schools. On the 15th day of August 1863 he enlisted in Company F, Forty-fourth Missouri Infantry, with which he rendered valiant service for the national union until the close of the Civil war, being discharged on August 16, 1864. Previous to the above date he was for seven months in the Home Guards, or state militia, during which time he participated in several irregular engagements, the experience fitting him for the more arduous service which he afterwards rendered as a soldier in some of the noted campaigns and bloody battles of the southland. Returning to Carroll county at the cessation of hostilities, Mr. Hanavan, turned his attention to the pursuit of agriculture and from the beginning of his career as a farmer he, appears to have prospered and this, too, beyond his, expectations. In connection with tilling the soil, he engaged in the raising of cattle upon quite an extensive scale, and to this important branch of farming he still devotes a great deal of attention, feeding and shipping as much, live stock perhaps as any other man in the county and meeting with success such as few achieve. He owns at this time six hundred and forty acres of fine land which is especially adapted to agriculture and pasturage, and by his energy, sound judgment and exceptional business ability he has accumulated a fortune which places him among the wealthiest farmers of the county. In February, 1905, he left the farm and took up his residence in Bosworth, where he owns a beautiful modern home; he still manages his large agricultural and live stock interests, though no longer under the necessity of laboring as in former years, this feature of the business having long since been turned over to other hands. Mr. Hanavan, on December 7, 1869, was married to Elizabeth Phillips, whose father, one of the original California gold seekers or "forty-niners," died in the far West and lies in an unmarked and unknown grave. Mrs. Phillips subsequently became the wife of James R. Boley, a farmer of Carroll county, both having died some years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Hanavan have five children, whose names are as follows: William H., a farmer and stock raiser of Carroll county; Bernard L., who lives on the home place; Lily May, wife of Charles Taylor, of this county; Ed, who lives at home, and one that died in infancy. Mr. Hanavan owns three fine city properties, and ever since moving to Bosworth has been active and prominent in public affairs. He has represented his ward four years in the common council and as a member of that body was instrumental in bringing about much needed municipal legislation. He is a Republican in politics and a zealous worker for his party and its candidates, though never an office seeker himself nor an aspirant for public honors of any kind. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and for a number of years he has been a leading spirit in the Grand Army of the Republic post of Carrollton, which has honored him at various times with important official positions. Source: 20th Century Men of Carroll County.
	Phillip was born on Sept. 11, 1849 and died on Feb. 1903. The cause of death was accidental from lumber shifting on a wagon. He was buried in Anthon Cemetery, Arapahoe, Custer, Oklahoma. He married Sara Cecilia Deavers they moved to Oklahoma and that is where they raised there family and set up a trading post for the Indians that is still a historical site. He and Sara had many children. Their children are as follows: O'Della Elizabeth, Lawrence Robbin, Albert Patrick, Harriet Elizabeth, Phillip Harmon, Francis Leo, Catherine Ruth, John Joseph, Patrick, Mary Agnes, Charlies Linis (Sr.), and Raymond Bernard.
	Patrick Hanavan was born December 19, 1851 in Carroll County, Missouri and died December 7, 1867 in Carroll County, Missouri. The cause of death was caught in crossfire and shot accidentally. He was buried in the Hanavan Cemetery.
	John Hanavan was born on May 19, 1854 in Carroll County, Missouri. He married Mary Anna Doyle. They had the following children: Catherine Lee (Katie), Joseph Edward, Etta, Clifton, Beulah, Pearl Alice, infant that was born and died in 1900, and Hary Leland. John died on February 28, 1928 at Grand River, Livingston County, Missouri and is buried in the Cameron Cemetery.
	Thomas O'Conner Hanavan was born in June 8, 1857 in Carroll County, Missouri. He married Laura Lilly in Carrollton on January 31, 1883. They had many children together. Children I have found so far are Bernard Paul, Elizabeth, Joseph Thomas, Peter Benedict, Charles, Francis David, Mary Winifred, Ernest and Lucile so far. He died in Norborne, Carroll County on March 19, 1904 and Laura followed him in death on February 17, 1910. Thomas and his wife are buried in Norborne in the Cemetery that is located there instead of Big Creek or St. Mary's with the remainder of his family.