I am part of the fifth generation of Kavanaghs who have worked at and owned the Joseph Kavanagh Company. The company is over 150 years old. Always owned and operated by the Kavanagh family. The original Joseph Kavanagh was my great-great-grandfather's brother. He was a coppersmith by trade and started the Shop as a coppersmith shop. We've changed and evolved over the years into a metal bending business. We're still here. Still bending and rolling metal. We hope to be doing that for a long time yet. We shall see.
Groundhog Day is celebrated for the first time across the U. S. Punxsutawney Phil does see his shadow. Six more weeks of winter is predicted. The Shop stays steady through the cold winter. Not super busy, but certainly enough work to carry them through. Young Joe is still home with his parents. He goes door to door trying to sell insurance. He hates it, but it it will due until he can get back on the road singing and dancing.
March 22
Spring arrives with a very large repair of a steamship. They need stack work, gauges and a new bilge pump chamber. Joe is happy to have it. The pump chamber is similar to their still work. They’ve made them before, but this one is a good bit larger. Joe, Martin and two helpers work on the chamber while, the rest of the work is divvied up between the remaining crew. Meanwhile, Young Joe has rejoined his troupe in New York. Musician Joe is quite happy to be back on stage where he belongs.
May 27
The Shop finishes some distillery parts for a company in Virginia and one in Georgia. These out of state jobs are largely due to Martin. He is friendly with a few men in the industry. Through them, he has put the word out about Joseph M. Kavanagh, Coppersmith and Joe’s work has backed it up. Joe’s area of operation is expanding to the South. The parts are made and then shipped by train to their destination. They are not stills which would take a great deal of freighting, but Joe hopes to get to that eventually. They send out the valves, fittings and sundry and move on to the next day.
June 7
The Pennsylvania Steel Company purchases land in Sparrows Point, MD to build a blast furnace.
July 18
A very busy hot week begins. Joe has received an order to build and install a still in Southern PA just across the state line. This is complicated, but Joe is excited to further expand their area of customers. The build begins today and the install will be next week. It’s a 40 gallon unit with all the assorted fittings, valves and man-holes. Martin takes the lead on this project while Joe works on a small ornamental church rail. Martin has come a long way from the young waif who first worked with his uncle. Joe’s proud of him but still leery. Martin is young and headstrong.
August 6
James and the Brooklyn Kavanaghs return to Baltimore for a visit. Just for a week, but the family is happy. Most of all, Alice, their matriarch. She has her three boys and her girl together again in her home. She must have recalled almost 40 years ago, when they took that long voyage across the Atlantic.
September 3
The crew finishes a long week on this Saturday. They are getting more calls for still repairs, mineral water apparatus work and kettles. Every day seems to bring more and more into the Shop. Joe is very excited. His name is clearly becoming known. Joe is proud, certainly, but mostly anxious to push his company further along. He wants this business to grow and be a source of security for his family. His mother, himself and his nephews and nieces. Joe hopes to have another nephew to join his crew in a few years. He gives thought to waiting through the winter for any more hires. He nixes that idea and instructs Martin to find two more able-bodied men.
September 12
The City of Baltimore has officially begun a re-alignment of sorts. The center and dividing point of Baltimore becomes Charles and Baltimore streets. This requires the changing of street numbers all across town. 16 W. Lombard Street becomes 708 E. Lombard Street. Despite the change in address, the workers are unfazed. They have copper to shape. Things to make.
October 12
Martin takes a train to Atlanta. He will take some measurements for a potential 40 gallon still. A local crew will do the install. Martin gets all the necessary numbers and notes. He offers a price and spends the night. The next morning he is headed to Baltimore with a signed agreement to make their still.
November 18
The newly numbered 708 E. Lombard St. building is full of work. Joe is pleased as his crew finishes the Atlanta still. Martin and three men haul the still to the train station in the Shop’s wagon. Joe has plenty of work to do and a lot scheduled through the winter. His confidence is growing. He knows he has a very good crew. He has the right building and the right location. Baltimore is a great city for distilling. The Maryland rye is still the most popular in the country. There will always be customers, but eventually they will all have stills. Leaving only service and repair. By moving into other markets, Joe has a great opportunity. The Shop has a great opportunity. Joe is less concerned than ever at the approaching winter.
Grover Cleveland is the President. The Navy begins leasing Pearl Harbor in Hawaii as a base. The first female mayor in the U. S. is elected. Susanna Salter in Argonia, Kansas. The cornerstone of Stanford University is laid. The National Institute of Health is founded. Chico Marx is born. Walt Whitman dies.
The Enoch Pratt Free Library opens its doors on Mulberry Street. Within a few months, several other branches open throughout Baltimore.
January 18
The Shop has stayed busy through the winter so far. The New Year is more of the same. Joe’s reputation for quality stills and distillery work is beginning to grow. The Shop has received some inquiries from distillers from Western Maryland and Southern PA. The workers are spread throughout the Lombard Street building on several stills. Two small 10 gallon units for patent medicines and one 40 gallon one for Hannis Distilling. Hannis is right up the road. Also on Lombard St. That will make the delivery and installation easier. Joe and his boys are working hard enough that the cold is easily ignored. Joe’s nephew, Martin, is gaining more and more confidence. Joe trusts him to run the crew, to take measurements for jobs and is allowing him the freedom to quote work to customers. Joe is hoping Martin’s progress will allow him to take a trip to New York this summer.
March 11
A very busy Monday. A wagon from Baltimore Copper Smelting arrives early and needs to be unloaded. They are stocking up on copper block and sheet due to the amount of work. Joe speaks to Martin. They are pretty busy with more work promised. Today it is a small steamship repair and more cooking vessels. Joe tells Martin to hire the first two men he can find.
April 15
The pedestal for the Statue of Liberty is completed. Within days, the construction and assembly of the Statue begins.
May 10
Joe makes plans to visit his brother, James, in New York. He wants to see James and his family, but just as much he wants to see this tremendous work being made in copper. Martin will run the Shop in his stead. Martin’s experience and the extra manpower helps Joe to decide to go. It is also a test for Martin. To see how well he will do on his own. Joe will go to NY next month.
June 5
Joe prepares for his trip on this sunny Saturday. He packs a small bag to take along with his tool box just in case. The Kavanaghs have received a letter from Young Joe, the traveling musician. His troupe is out west then heading to Canada again. Young Joe is also selling insurance where he goes. Anything to add to his pocket is good. Singing still isn’t paying very well yet. The family is happy to hear from him. They track his movements as best they can, but still wish he were home.
June 7
Joe arrives early for his train ride. Packed and ready to go, he bids his Mother and family goodbye. He’ll be back in several weeks. No more than a month. It must have been very exciting for Joe. His first real trip or vacation from the Shop in 20 years. Plus, he is very anxious to see the Statue. He has decided to offer his coppersmithing skills. He would love to take part in this amazing project. It is almost a coppersmith’s dream. He’s greeted by James who meets him at the station. Happy to see each other they head to Brooklyn. James and his family live at 273 E. 9th Street.
June 10
After spending a couple days visiting with the now Brooklyn Kavanaghs, James and Joe leave early this morning to head to the Statue. They walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. As the site and partially built Statue come into view, Joe is in awe. He has never seen anything like it. Unfortunately, they can not get any closer. The ferries are for workers only. Joe asks to speak to someone in authority. He converses with one of the foreman at the ferry. He says he is a coppersmith and would gladly take a job working on the Liberty Statue. He’s crestfallen when he is told that all of the coppersmith work was done in France. His offer is appreciated, but they need laborers. Workers of a more general sense rather than a tradesman such as Joe. He accepts this answer and heads back to Brooklyn with James.
June 11
After a night’s sleep, Joe decides to return to the site of the Statue and offer himself as a laborer. He is 50 years old now, but still a hard worker. He is confident he can help in some way and, in fact, they seem fairly desperate for help. This time he walks by himself across the bridge toting his toolbox with him. After a lengthy conversation with several supervisors, Joe is hired. He is ecstatic. They need the laborers, for sure, but it’s likely that Joe’s background with copper may have played a part. He joins a throng of other workers, mostly immigrants, on the ferry to Bedloe’s Island. At this juncture, the steel beams that support the structure have been erected from the pedestal. The Statue’s crew is busily unpacking its pieces and assembling them. The sections of “skin” must be raised by rope to their positions then attached to the beams. As a slightly senior worker, Joe is assigned to assist in the raising of the pieces. He is thrilled. He must know this is a big deal at least in size. Its historical effect may have eluded him. These workers knew it was a very important American event. They still could not look at it from our view. So very far in the future. Such a strong symbol of our nation that it is now.
June 12
This Saturday finds Joe working on Bedloe’s Island. He assists in some unpacking, but is primarily involved in rigging the pieces before they are elevated. Joe’s mechanical mind is evident to his foreman. He does have some metal skills. Joe works through the day all the while in wonder at the lady being built before him. He marvels as the younger gents hang by ropes to place the sections. The pedestal and structure are too wide for scaffolding. They work as safely as they can. Each day a few more sections are raised and attached. In Baltimore, Martin and the boys are pounding away at the Shop. Several distillers pay a visit. They speak with Martin about the Continuous Column Still that the Kavanaghs make. Martin invites the group out for a night of tasting some rye.
June 21
Joe takes his early long walk across the bridge to the ferry. He and his fellow workers continue the arduous task of assembly. The Statue is coming together now. Joe enjoys the work. He is not smithing, but he’s working with others. He feels a bond with these other fellows as he hasn’t felt in some time. He is concerned about the Shop, but trusts Martin. He will stay another several weeks. The Statue will not be finished by then. Joe knows he can’t stay away from his business much longer than that. Still, he unpacks crates, he rigs them safely and helps haul each piece to its position. He is not envious of the men hanging by ropes to attach them. That seems dangerous to him, though no one dies or is gravely injured during the entire construction phase of the Statue of Liberty.
June 29
Martin’s schmoozing may have paid off for the Shop. Several more stills are ordered. The work keeps rolling in and the crew stays busy. The Lombard Street building is a sweltering hot mess of heat, sweat and non-stop hammering. Martin knows his uncle will be happy. He also knows he might be a tad dubious of Martin drinking with potential customers. Joe is quite the expert on distilling. He enjoys a glass of whiskey sure, but not much more than a glass. Despite his skills in distilling, he’s a great believer in moderation.
July 4
Joe spends Independence Day with James and Martha Kavanagh and their children. New York is a big town. Their celebration of the 4th dwarfs the ones in Baltimore. Fireworks and parades and parties. Joe celebrates our nation’s independence while working on Liberty. Certainly, a holiday he will never forget.
July 8
Joe has decided to return to his home next Monday. He must get back to the Shop. He makes a point of staying long enough for the opening of the crate containing the Statue’s face. It’s not ready to go up, but he wants to see it. To touch it. He feels a strange pride in what he’s doing. He’s known pride in his work before, but after seeing it come together, I’m quite certain the scope of what they are doing is definitely getting through to him. I think it’s pride in being an American. That’s what he feels.
July 12
Joe leaves New York and returns to Baltimore. He has insisted that his brother and the family visit next year. James has promised they will. They will return to Albemarle Street next year and see all the Kavanaghs. Joe sits in thought on his ride home. He has changed. He has found his love for work again. He is enthused to get back to the Shop. To make it more successful. To do more work. Mostly, I think he feels more uniquely American now. Yes, he’s an Irish immigrant, but he also feels more American than he has ever felt before.
August 3
Joe has come back to work energized. He will always mourn his wife and child that were lost. But, he will focus his life on his family and his trade. On his Shop. He is a true smith. He loved his work and now he does again. Whether it was the work he did in NY or the trip itself, Joe feels better. He’s working today with several of his apprentices on a decorative brass railing. Some fancy engraving and leaf work on it. Martin has taken 2 boys on a distillery repair while the rest prep for another.
September 13
Another week of work begins at the Shop. The crew is working on the usual cooking vessels and still parts. This is augmented by a very large boiler repair job for E. J. Codd. Several boilers that need some tube and fitting replacements and a complete sets of brass bearings. The men work their way through the day. Saturday’s win by the Orioles over the Louisville Colonels is discussed. It’s another rough year for the Birds, but they’ve won three in a row. That’s something.
September 20
Rachel Uhlfelder gives birth to a daughter, Catherine. Martin is the girl’s father. They are not married. For this time, it was quite scandalous. The family is shocked. Patrick encourages his son to do the right thing. He makes it clear that Martin’s proper action should be to marry Rachel. Her parents decide to call Baby Catherine, Kitty.
October 28
The Statue of Liberty is unveiled and dedicated. (Coincidentally, 109 years in the future, I will be married on this day). President Grover Cleveland presides over the dedication ceremony. A raucous crowd cheers from across the harbor. Only dignitaries were allowed on Bedloe’s Island. A power plant is installed on the island to illuminate the torch. Lady Liberty stands 150 feet tall, holding out a light, a guide for those who seek our great land. She’s real and symbolic.
December 14
Martin Kavanagh marries (Mary) Rachel Ulfelder at St. Leo’s Church. They call her Mary essentially because it sounded Catholic. Rachel is a Jewish girl. Again, for this time, a bit scandalous and certainly out of the ordinary to marry out of your faith. The name Mary is used to conceal that somewhat. The family does attend. They are happy Martin and Mary Rachel are wed. Uncle Joe and Patrick both hope this will calm Martin down a bit. He’s a good worker, but a bit of a hard partier. Perhaps being a husband and father will change him.
December 25
Another Christmas with the Kavanaghs. Young Joe is home for a visit. Longer than before, as he will stay through the winter. He is not giving up on his musical dream, but rather taking a brief respite. He’ll try to sell some insurance in Baltimore for a bit. He doesn’t want to endure a Boston winter or a chilly tour of the Mid-West. The family relishes the holiday. Their time together. The spirit of the season and their shared faith. Joe smiles as he watches the younger Kavanaghs in mid-party. He has retold the story of his trip to NY many times. Over the generations, the details will get lost a tad. This one man of many working on this large creation is a microcosm of the Shop’s work. We do a small part of something. Almost never a big part. Some small piece to a greater project. Some tiny add-on. Still, we do our part as Joe did. Just one of many who worked together for something so grand. At the very least, he has touched the face of Liberty.
Grover Cleveland is the President of the United States. He becomes the only sitting President to be married in office. After the Haymarket riots, the 8 hour work day becomes standard for all American workers. Coca-Cola is invented. Al Jolson and Ty Cobb are born.
There are still 38 states in the Union.
Statue of Liberty courtesy of the National Park Service.
Today would have been Joe and Mary’s 5th Anniversary. He still mourns for her and their child and the family he could have had. He is doing better though. He is more comfortable working with his crew and spending time with his family.
March 4
The crew at Kavanagh’s are working on a fountain job and a brass railing for a theater. A very ornamental rail and something slightly out of the ordinary for Joe. Very much a heat and bend job. These two items keep the Shop busy for several days with other things coming in. So far, it is a good start to the year.
April 4
James Kavanagh, his wife and their two children take a train to Brooklyn, NY. He promises to visit and asks the same of his family. He would love to show off NY to them once he knows it. It is a tearful farewell, but a hopeful one. They are convinced that distance will not effect the closeness the Kavanaghs feel for each other.
May 11
Some big cookers and another still are being cranked out today. Also, some small brass parts for a steamship. The Shop is filling up with work. Young Joe visits on his way back to Boston. The troupe will be playing at F. P. Keith’s theater where they started out. Then another tour of Canada will begin.
June 17
The Statue of Liberty arrives in New York aboard the french steamship Isere in crates. The sections will be assembled on Bedloe’s Island. That will have to wait though as the pedestal itself is not yet completed. Joe reads the story in the newspaper. Upwards of 200,000 pounds of copper. Absolutely amazing to Joe. Eighty years from now on this day, I am born.
July 21
The Shop is swamped. Martin and a helper are taking measurements at one distillery while Joe and 3 boys do a small install at another. Cooking vessels are being made in the Shop itself at the same time. Joe knows they are hitting on all cylinders now.
August 3
Baltimore-Penn Passenger Railway Co. begins building the first electric street railway in the U. S. Right here in Baltimore.
September 8
A rainy soggy day does nothing to dampen the spirits of Joe’s crew. The work is plentiful and all thoughts of the slowdown of the last few years are forgotten. More parts for maintaining and repairing stills are made, the usual jacket kettles and some brass bearings for a steam boiler repair. The last a job for E. J. Codd & Co. They are a local foundry, machine shop and boiler works. So begins a business relationship that will last over 100 years.
November 27
For the first time in years, Joe is not very worried about the winter. They have a backlog of work and several commitments from distillers for maintenance over the coming months. He feels better about the Shop and its future. If Baltimore and America keep growing, he knows the Shop will too. He gives serious consideration to visiting his brother in New York. Perhaps, he could see this copper colossus being built.
Grover Cleveland is the President of the United States. In Baltimore, the Bryn Mawr School and the Women’s College of Baltimore, which will become Goucher College, are founded. Charles Dow publishes the first edition of the Dow Jones Industrial Average. There were 14 stocks listed. AT & T is incorporated in NY. Dr. Pepper is served for the first time. Bess Truman is born. Ulysses S. Grant dies.
There are still 38 states in the Union.
Vintage postcard depicting the face of the Statue of Liberty before assembly.
The New Year starts cold. The Shop’s crew works on a 40 gallon still. It’s not sold or ordered, but Joe decides to make it as a sample. The work is trickling. Of course, it’s just the beginning of the year. Joe wants this unit to be as exact and the pots as truly round as possible. A nearly perfect still to display to his distiller customers. He’s confident the economy will turn around.
February 9
The Kavanaghs gather on Albemarle Street. A big meal to discuss the family and the week. Katherine has received a letter from Young Joe. He’s written monthly since leaving Baltimore. He’s been performing periodically in Boston. Singing and also as piano accompaniment. The money is light so, he took a job in an insurance office. He hates the Boston winter. He’s hoping to catch on with a traveling troupe. He’ll see the country and hopefully get away from the cold.
April 2
Spring has arrived with an influx of work. Martin has the crew working on a condenser for Monticello Distilling and the usual jacket kettles. Joe tinkers with the large still in his building. Carefully examining, measuring and taking notes. He wants to be sure they can reproduce this unit as accurately as possible.
June 11
The firm of Joseph M. Kavanagh, Coppersmith is having a good week. A mix of everything they do has tweaked the work up. A ship’s emergency stack repair, six large commercial kettles and the sale of a 40 gallon continuous still have all hit at the same time. They will have to duplicate Joe’s big still for Orient Distilling. Joe knows you have to do the work while it is out there. They work extra hours today to finish the stack. Tomorrow, the crew will split between the two other projects. A letter to home informs the Kavanaghs that Young Joe has caught on with a minstrel troupe. He’ll be seeing the country, just not this one. The tour heads north for summer shows in Canada.
July 9
The Orient 40 gallon still is ready. The install will take all day and requires four men plus Joe & Martin. Joe supervises every step of the installation. He watches silently, but for the occasional instruction. Martin and the crew discuss the last Oriole baseball game. Another loss during a losing streak. This time to the Louisville Eclipse. A close one. 4-3, but still a loss. Joe is not the fan that his nephew and the younger fellows are. He listens, but focuses on the job. For the workers, discussing the last game or the team in general is a pleasant way to pass a long day. That is still true at the Shop. When the job is finished, they head back to 16. W. Lombard and then home.
September 30
An Indian Summer presents another hot day at the Shop. The work is steady right now and the boys are busy. Joe is restless nonetheless. Oncoming winter is always a concern. News from Young Joe is that he will stay with this troupe as it moves south across the mid-west. Finally, he’ll see more of the U. S.
November 22
A cool, but sunny Saturday is spent on some small distilling parts. Not the stills, but some latches, tubes and man-hole covers. Joe is still thinking about the winter. He knows this year has turned out better than expected. He decides to trust that it will be fine. Perhaps, it will be a mild winter. The milder the weather. The more work there will be. The Kavanaghs are excited for Young Joe has promised to return for the holidays.
December 25
Christmas with the Kavanaghs. Alice and her children and her children’s children gather for a holiday feast. Young Joe is home for a week. He will re-join his touring troupe in Atlanta. They are all together for the holiday. This is especially important because Joe’s brother, James, has told them he and his family are moving to Brooklyn, NY. His wife has family there. James works as a printer at the Baltimore Sun. NY his a mecca for news so, James is confident he will be able to find employment. The holiday is joyful focusing on the children through the day. The evening finds Joe in discussion with his brothers, Patrick and James. They discuss James’ impending move. New York was and is a much bigger city than Baltimore. The subject of the Statue of Liberty comes up. James is excited to see it. This massive marvel and salute to America and freedom. Patrick, the ship’s carpenter, wonders at the job they will have to transport it from France to the U. S. Joe listens intently. He concurs with both of them, but for him the marvel is the copper. The sheer amount of copper and work involved in it. To him, it’s an astonishing undertaking.
Chester A. Arthur is the sitting President. In November, New York Governor Grover Cleveland defeats James G. Blaine to become president-elect. The eight-hour work day is established by the Federation of Organized Trades and Unions on May 1. Eventually, this day is celebrated as May Day around the world. The Statue of Liberty’s cornerstone is laid on Bedloe’s Island. The Prime Meridian is set permanently in Greenwich at a conference in DC. The Washington Monument is built. Mark Twain writes “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” Harry Truman and Eleanor Roosevelt are born.
Another cold winter’s day in the Shop. They have work, but not nearly the amount they’ve had for the last several years. Still, Joe’s 9 man crew are busy. Today, it’s more cooking vessels and some overflow pans for Orient Distilling. Joe prefers to work alone. Making the pans while Martin and the other men deal with the rest. Joe’s not much better. He’s still in mourning. He throws all he has into his work. Keeping himself busy helps to keep him from thinking about Mary and their child.
April 9
Today is the 17th anniversary of the Shop. It passes with no celebration or fanfare. It’s an accomplishment certainly. Not of the order of 152 years, but still an impressive achievement. They are making some man-hole covers for stills. These give access to the still during production. They get a lot of wear and tear. They do have to be replaced occasionally. Joe decides to make a few to have in stock. A good use of some slow time and a good idea to have them on hand for quick repairs.
May 6
Another Sunday service at St. Vincent De Paul Church. The Kavanaghs pray and worship. Patrick’s wife, Katherine, is expecting again. Another baby on the way for the family. Joe is still struggling with his loss. His faith and his family sustain him and aid him.
May 25
In France, Edouard Laboulaye dies. He was a french statesman and author. Laboulaye is the man who first dreamed up the idea of the Statue of Liberty. The idea of the United States as a bastion of freedom and liberty for the world. The work on the statue continues in Paris led by sculptor Frederic Bartholdi and engineer Gustav Eiffel. Joe reads of Laboulaye’s death in the newspaper. He’s an immigrant and a coppersmith. A giant copper statue would, of course, pique his interest at least a little.
June 18
The Chesapeake & Potomac Telephone Company is founded. Eventually, this will be shortened to simply, C & P. Telephone service is on the way to Baltimore. Another innovation and new technology that will change the life of every resident. The effects of these new devices will be both immediate and long term. Whether it be phones, electric lights or vehicles, Baltimore and all of America will never be the same.
July 3
Frances Aloysius Kavanagh is born. The ninth and final child of Patrick and Katherine. The family is thankful and excited for a new baby. Frank, as he is called, is over 20 years younger than his oldest brother, Martin.
July 25
It is Young Joseph A. Kavanagh’s 17th birthday. The family enjoys a pleasant meal together. Afterward, the Kavanagh men, Uncle Joe, Patrick and brother Martin, enjoy a toast or two with Young Joe. Rye, of course. They discuss Young Joe coming to work at the Shop. Joe declines to his uncle, father and brother’s chagrin. He informs them that he is serious about working as a musician. He’s now been singing and playing the piano for 10 years. He sings at church and local events. Whenever he can. He wants to see the world and be an entertainer. His father and mother have long enjoyed his musical talents, but had no thoughts of it being a profession. The conversation grows a bit heated. The elder Kavanagh men emphasize to Young Joe how difficult a life of music could be. They assure him of the importance that the security of the coppersmith trade can provide. Plus, the benefits of working for family. Joe is unmoved. He’s determined to give it a shot. Though disappointed, his family gives their blessing at the urging of his mother. Katherine loves her children dearly and she wants nothing more than for Young Joe to be happy.
August 18
On this Saturday, Young Joe boards a train to Boston. He’s heard of a theater that has opened there for something they are calling vaudeville. Music, singing and acting on one stage. His parents wish him well. Along with Uncle Joe, they give the young man some cash to find lodging and meals. They are all concerned, but supportive. They make Young Joe promise to return or let them know if he is in need of anything. He guarantees he will be fine and keep in touch. He’s nervous, but beyond excited to pursue his dream. The train pulls away while a weeping Katherine waves goodbye to her second son.
September 10
Another Monday to start a week of work. The Shop is still plodding along. With work, but hardly swamped. Joe decides to finish closing in the back of the Shop’s plot. To complete the building. It will be a wise use of this idle time and give them the room they need. Joe knows the work will come back soon in full force.
October 3
The construction is complete on the Shop. The rear of the property is completely enclosed. 16 W. Lombard Street is now approximately 40 feet wide by 140 feet long. Plenty of room to grow and with winter on its way a good investment against the coming weather.
November 15
Joe works alone on a small still for one of the local patent medicine companies. He still prefers to work by himself. He’s slowly healing, but seems in a fog some days. Despite himself, his thoughts are consumed by his lost love. Work is the best distraction he has. Martin leads the rest of the crew on an extensive repair job for a steamship. This one is not the usual rush as the ship is docked for several weeks. Some wood repairs are being done for the deck, as well. This affords the Shop a little more time to fix the stacks. In addition, some repair and clean up is down on the brass gauges. True brazier work. Martin takes care of those himself.
December 5
An early heavy snowfall hits Baltimore. The Shop works through it, as always. Martin and Joe have a long discussion. They are both worried about the decreased volume of work that will likely be worse through the winter. Martin encourages Joe to let several of his workers go. Joe refuses. He will not run the risk of losing a skilled tradesman. He’s invested a great deal of time in teaching and training them. He won’t “start over” again when the work returns. He tells his nephew that they must wait. They must ride out the hard times and the winter. Once again, hoping for a better spring.
Chester A. Arthur is the President. In Boston, B.F. Keith opens the second story of his Gaiety Museum for musical performances. The first vaudeville theater. The Brooklyn Bridge is completed and opened for traffic. The first rodeo is held in Pacos, Texas. American and Canadian railroads establish 5 time zones in North America.
Joe & Mary celebrate their second wedding anniversary. Fr. Didier makes mention of it during the service at St. Vincent’s. After mass with the family, they have a nice dinner out. They talk about the coming baby and make plans as any expectant parents would. They return home to Albemarle to enjoy the rest of their night together.
March 1
Joe spends a busy day finishing a very large still for Sherwood Distilling. His crew working in tandem with him. Joe is always sure to not let their tolerances slip at all. They continue to keep their work to the exacting standards that started their success with stills. In fact, Joe requires his workers maintain that same level of quality in all their work. If such accuracy helps the function of stills, it would do the same for any of his other products. Martin is doing very well and is clearly Joe’s #1 man now. Joe is considering when his nephew, Joe, might join them in the business. The younger Joe will be 16 in July. Perhaps, next year, another Kavanagh will work at the Shop.
May 2
The Baltimore Orioles play their first baseball game ever. A road game in Philadelphia. The Orioles owned by Harry Vonderhorst are new members of the American Association. A pre-cursor to the National League. The Orioles lose to the Athletics, 10-7. They will play their home games at Newington Park and start a long tradition of Orioles baseball in Baltimore. The Kavanaghs, especially Joe’s nephews quickly become passionate fans.
May 7
Joe & his family attend church together, but for Mary, his wife. She’s ill. The baby is not due for several more months. She seems to be developing some sort of rash or red blotches on her skin. She is not too worried, but not up to going to St. Vincent’s. Joe is worried and they decide to have Dr. Dautsch take a look at her on Monday.
May 8
Dr. Pierre Dautsch examines Mary. He seems concerned, but not overly at the moment. He recommends Mary confine herself to her bed. Prescribing as much rest as possible.
May 15
Mary hemorrhages. Dr. Dautsch does all he can to stop the bleeding. He can not. Both Mary and her child die. Joe is inconsolable. Before his eyes, his love, his family, his future is all gone. The Kavanaghs grieve with him but, they can provide little solace. Joe is lost. He doesn’t know what to do. So, he does the only thing he knows. After he buries his family, he goes back to work.
May 25
Martin and his crew are installing a new still. Joe and the rest of the workers labor on four large cooking vessels. Baltimore’s citizens need more places to eat. This keeps the need for kettles going. Joe works through his sorrow. If his craft suffers, he makes up for it by working earlier, later and harder.
July 14
The Shop is still busy with work. The business has hit its stride with the perfect combination of several experienced smiths, hard-working apprentices and an abundance of work. Joe takes little comfort from it. Rather, he uses the volume of work as a reason to spend more time at the Shop. Less time at home. His mother, Alice, worries but trusts that he will heal.
September 7
A small economic correction has hit the nation. The work slows down some. Fortunately, for Joe he stays fairly busy. There are enough varieties of products and services that the Shop offers to keep them working. He does trim his workers’ hours back to 8 per day. He is able to keep all of his employees that way. Joe is determined not to lose any skilled and trained metalsmiths. Today, Martin and the boys work on several repairs and modifications for some distilling equipment. Joe, himself, focuses on tools. He works alone to craft new brass hammers and wooden mallets. He wants to take advantage of this somewhat slow time to build up his assortment of hand tools and clamps. He still works late into the night. Walking the short distance home each evening to Albemarle St. His thoughts to himself.
December 20
A cold winter day at 16 W. Lombard Street, as the Kavanagh crew fights off the chill with heat and hard work. Some smaller copper pans and pots are produced for commercial and private use. Joe still working alone primarily. He puts aside a single-man job for himself every day to avoid contact. He’s mourning in his own way. Martin runs the crew while Joe is unable to do so. Martin, also, begins to have more face to face dealings with customers. Joe is relieved to just heat and hammer alone in silence. Over and over. Just as he did when he started. 17 years ago.
Chester A. Arthur is the President of the United States. The Knights of Columbus is founded by Fr. Michael McGivney. Thomas Edison starts the nation’s first commercial power plant. Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show debuts. Franklin Delano Roosevelt is born. Jesse James and the poets Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Ralph Waldo Emerson die.
Joe celebrates his 45th birthday after work. His first birthday as a married man. The house on Albemarle Street is filled with song as the children take turns on the piano. The younger Joe singing several solos. He sings well having done so in church and at any other opportunity. He’s developed a strong love of music. The Kavanaghs eat and drink together. Sharing their joy. Joe looks around at his always expanding family and smiles to think how far they’ve come. A mother and her children on a ship from far away. It seems so long ago yet still close in his mind.
March 14
Another work week begins. The year so far has been a busy one. With the weather breaking in spring, the Shop’s volume of work increases still. This day is full of emergency repair work for a visiting steamship. Baltimore is a busy town with steamship traffic becoming more and more common. Joe allows Martin and his crew to tackle this job. Joe’s grown quite fond of Martin. He’s a talented coppersmith for his young age. Joe knows he must give Martin more freedom to run a complete job from start to finish. It’s difficult. Joe is accustomed to overseeing or doing any and all work. With such a crew and so much work, Joe has no choice. In addition, he knows the best way for Martin to learn to run a job is to do it. The ship is repaired. Job finished.
May 4
The Shop workers are busy today on several stills. The heat of blow-pipes and the sound of hammers is relentless. That’s the nature of their work. It’s a constant. Heat and hammering. Sometimes you do not notice either of them. You do your job and the rest is background. Of course, some days the heat is oppressive and the hammering deafening no matter what you do. Today it’s white noise. They pound out the work. The stills are both large commercial vessels. Three men on each one while others attend to smaller duties. One day in many, but a productive one.
July 2
President James A. Garfield is assassinated. He’s shot by Charles Guiteau in Washington, DC at the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station. He survives but is gravely wounded.
July 22
A sweltering humid day in the Shop. Torches are lit when the place is steaming hot already. Joe receives a visit from a gentleman representing a patent medicine company. They produce and sell tonics and such for a variety of medicinal purposes. Joe listens wearily until the fellow informs him that one of the ingredients in their products is alcohol. They have a need for a small still for their facility. Joe’s reputation in the distilling industry seems to have been noticed by these folks. Joe tells him he will visit them tomorrow, Saturday. Discuss and measure the space then give them a price. Joe is slightly amused and rather curious as his visitor leaves.
August 2
The Shop is hired to make its first still for the patent medicine industry. Very popular at the time. Potions and elixirs for coughs, aches, pains, insomnia and anything else. The still is smaller than the whiskey stills, so it will be a quicker build and a quicker install. Joe’s pleased to get the job, but still skeptical that this is a serious market for his work and skills.
September 12
The beat goes on for the Shop. Joe is amazed at how things are going. He watches these eight young men laboring for him. He sees them crammed in this small building. Supplies and equipment in addition to personel have made for a tight squeeze in his space. He wanders behind his building and thinks. He decides to purchase the back lot behind 708 E. Lombard Street. Essentially, this could double his work area.
October 13
The purchase of the property is finalized. Joe builds a small porch extending out from the back of his building. The workers are excited, as well. No more standing in each other’s way. No more feeling the heat from someone else’s torch plus your own. Supplies, tools and parts are stored in the building proper. Work is done both in and out of the Shop on Lombard Street now. Depending on the weather, the preferred space can be either inside or outside. Joe is feeling very proud. Steady, constant work, a bigger Shop, a bigger crew. He has put himself in a position to succeed and to continue to grow.
December 20
A very good year for the Shop and Joe Kavanagh is coming to an end. The holidays are upon Baltimore. The Kavanagh children and adults alike look forward to the welcome break from work and every day life. Joe enjoys a quiet meal with his mother and his wife. After dinner, Mary tells Joe she is pregnant. Joe is going to be a father. They are going to have a family. He’s, again, happier than he’s ever been and happier than he ever thought he could be.
President Garfield dies from his assassin’s wound on September 19. Chester A. Arthur becomes the 21st President of the United States. Kansas becomes the first state to ban all alcoholic beverages. The Red Cross is founded by Clara Barton. Billy the Kid is shot dead by Pat Garrett. The Gunfight at the OK Corral is fought. Cecil B. DeMille and William Boeing are born.
Joseph Michael Kavanagh weds Mary Ann Doyle at St. Vincent De Paul’s Church. They are married by Rev. Edmund Didier before friends and the entire Kavanagh clan. It’s a joyous day. Joe and Mary are happy and excited to begin their life together. Mary moves in with Joe and his Mother at 89 Albemarle Street.
February 29
The year has started off quite busy for the Shop. The newly married Joe is finishing a still on this Saturday. He’s amazed by the increase in work so quickly. Baltimore is growing by leaps and bounds. More people means more work. This is true all over the nation as the time of cities has truly arrived. Urban centers are expanding in population thus, the needs and services required for the residents increases too. The Shop is on the up-swing along with the rest of the United States.
March 28
The Kavanaghs celebrate Easter at St. Vincent’s church. They have many reasons to be happy. The Shop is doing well, Joe and Mary are blissfully happy newlyweds and Patrick and Katherine are going to have another baby. Katherine is due in August. They share their joy as a family and are thankful for their good fortune.
June 5
Joe has a lunch meeting with the owners of Orient and Sherwood Distilleries. It’s cordual and pleasant. The distillers press Joe a bit as to the efficiency of his stills. Joe makes a modest proposal to begin replacing the bulk of their stills with his. They are interested, but, again, they question why his stills work better than theirs. He assures them he has not changed the design or added any steps. He’s doing exactly what others have done before. He just does it better. Lunch ends amid handshakes and a guarantee to give due consideration to Joe’s offer.
June 10
Orient is the first to respond to Joe’s offer. It seems they may have wanted to get a leg up on the others. The distilling industry is growing at a sudden rapid rate in MD. The MD rye is becoming popular around the country. Joe and his crew will begin removing and replacing the stills in Orient Distillery. This will be a long process and will assure work for six months. Joe has never had such a back log of guaranteed work. He quickly hires several more men. His crew now at 9. Joe has 2 apprentices as does Martin and Joe’s most experiences helper. Three crews of three. One crew will constantly work on making the stills. Another will focus on removing and installing at Orient. The third crew will do the other coppersmith work that lands in the Shop. It will be a lot of hours for all 3 crews, but the potential for profit and growth are exponential. Joe’s confidence is high and the sky seems to be the limit.
August 7
Vincent De Paul Kavanagh is born. Patrick and Katherine’s 8th child and 6th son. He is named for the church they attend. The family welcomes the baby. The clan still is growing. In fact, Patrick and Katherine move with their children to 64 Albemarle Street. Several blocks away, but it’s a larger home. Better suited for them and their kids.
October 11
The Shop begins another work-filled week. They are working six10-12 hour days with no end in sight. Joe is proud of the long-awaited success of his Shop. They have a mix of cooking kettles, distillery work, steamship repairs and general coppersmithing. It seems all segments of their industry are rolling forward at the same time.
December 31
After work on this Friday, Joe rings in the new year with his bride and her mother and his mother. A quiet dinner is celebration enough. Joe listens as the ladies chat. He enjoys the relaxed conversation. They talk of the neighborhood and the changes that are happening. Electricity was introduced to Baltimore in the Sun building this year. Telephones are here. They speak in wonder at these new technologies that are changing their lives. They must have felt they were in an almost magical time. Joe has a holiday tomorrow so a nice weekend with his bride is at hand. He can not believe his wonderful good luck. He’s tasting some success for himself and his family. He’s in love and married, as well. He can’t think of a better year ever in his life. He can’t wait to see what the next one will bring.
James Garfield defeats Winfield S. Hancock to become the 20th President of the United States. Wabash, Indiana installs the first electric streetlight in February. Within 2 months, Wabash becomes the first city in the world to be electrically lit. Edison begins testing his electric railway. The cash register is patented by James and John Ritty. W. C. Fields and Helen Keller are born.
The number of states is still 38.
Marriage Announcement Baltimore Sun January 26, 1880. Joseph M. Kavanagh weds Mary A. Doyle. As happens often, Kavanagh is misspelled.
Patrick and Katherine welcome another child. Number 7 is a son, Charles Leo. The family is excited and thrilled for another Kavanagh. Mother and child are doing well though Charles is a rather small frail infant. Still, the family has another reason to be grateful and happy.
February 5
Things are going much better for the Shop. This winter was the busiest they’ve had in five years. There is no more working just 3 days. They are back to Mon-Sat. hours. Joe continues to make a night trip or two during the week to one of the distilleries. The repair work has paid off. Joe’s reputation for accuracy and skill in copper work is spreading. The distillers are learning his name. One by one. Very soon, the distillery work will be the backbone of the Shop’s work and will remain so for some time.
April 22
A terrible tragedy. Baby Charles grows sick. He doesn’t gain much weight and is ill. Dr. Dausch attends to him as best he can, but to no avail. The baby passes away on this day. The family is crushed. Deaths at infancy were much more common at this time. I know this must have been a blow to all of them. He’s buried and the family supports each other through their grief.
May 3
A busy work week comes to an end. The family is recovering but still grieving for young Charles Leo. They are moving forward as best as can be expected. Supported by each other and their faith. Joe’s Shop is humming along with work. Martin is doing very well as are Joe’s other apprentices. The steamboat work is coming back in addition to the still work. The Shop is on secure footing now and ready to grow.
June 8
The family is at mass on this Sunday. Like any other Sunday but, today Joe notices a woman. Some one he does not know. She sits with an older woman. Most likely her Mother. Joe is correct as after mass, the priest introduces some new congregants. New to St. Vincent’s and new to Baltimore. Helen Doyle and her daughter, Mary. They recently moved to this city from Philadelphia after Helen’s husband had passed away. Joe can’t keep his eyes off Mary. He smiles at her and she smiles back.
June 15
Joe musters up all the courage he can and approaches the Doyle ladies after mass. He introduces himself and chats a bit with both. His mother, Alice, offers any help they might need as they are new to the area. Alice speaks with Helen while Joe talks to Mary Doyle. He nervously asks if he may call on her some time. She tells him, of course, he may.
June 29
Joe escorts Mary and her mother to mass at St. Vincent’s. Joe has had tea at their house earlier in the week. The Doyle ladies will visit Joe’s home on Alemarle for dinner with the Kavanaghs. Joe is clearly smitten.
August 7
Baltimore is clearly on the rebound as is the country. Joe suddenly is swamped with work. Several stills in production and today a steamship arrives with some damaged stacks. Joe is hired to repair them in quick order. The ship needs to return to sea on Saturday. Today is Thursday. Joe and his crew jump right on this job to make sure they meet their deadline. Like any rush repair, a premium can be charged. It’s a long busy couple of days, but the repair is finished.
September 17
The Shop is almost overwhelmed with work. All facets of what Joe does are clicking at the same time. Joe decides to hire another helper. No considering it this time. He asks Martin if he knows of any interested young man. If so, hire him on the spot is what Joe tells Martin. Joe continues to court Miss Mary Doyle. She seems to return the affection he feels for her.
November 16
After mass, Joe asks Mary Doyle for her hand in marriage. He professes his love for her and she returns in kind. They agree to marry in the beginning of the following year. Joe is as happy as he has ever been. At 42 years of age, he’s found the love of his life and his business is rolling along at a great pace. This year will end which was a mix of bitter sadness and unexpected joy.
Rutherford B. Hayes is the President. The first artificial ice rink in North America is built in Madison Square Garden. Frank Woolworth opens the first of many five and dime stores. Thomas Edison demonstrates incandescent lighting to the public at Menlo Park, New Jersey. Telephone exchange opens in Baltimore. The Gilded Age hits this nation at full speed.
Joe & the Shop make it through their first winter without George Smith. Joe has taken his nephew, Martin, under his wing as much as possible. It’s been 6 months since Martin came to work. He’s progressing and Joe is very motivated to teach his skills to his nephew. The opportunity to pass on his trade within the family is very appealing to Joe. The Shop is still slow but there has been a small uptick of work. Mostly, from additional distillery repairs.
April 15
Joe opens the Shop on a lovely Spring morning. Finally, Joe sees some more positive movement as far as work goes. He receives several orders for some cooking vessels for a restaurant. Also, Monticello distilling orders another small still from him. Not one of the large size for heavy production, but still, a still is a still. (I had to used that joke at some point.) He’s busy enough now to consider hiring another young man to help. If he hires another helper, he can pair off with one worker and Martin with the other. They may be able to double what they can produce. He will think about it.
May 24
Joe hires another young teen as an apprentice. The work is suddenly moving in the right direction. There is an order to make some carbonating and bottling apparatus as they did before. More kettles are sold and Orient Distilling orders a new large 40 gallon still. Joe is excited that his business may be taking off, finally. He does lament his partners departure. Perhaps if George could have waited, they would still be working together. That being said. Joe is happy the Shop is moving forward and he has young Martin to work with now. He hopes for more Kavanaghs working there down the road.
August 18
A hot, humid Baltimore Sunday is spent outside on Albemarle Street. The Kavanaghs watch the children play and talk. Plain family talk. After dinner, they sit and listen to the younger Joe play the piano. At 12, he’s quite talented. The room is filled with music, song and laughter. He plays as the sun goes down. There was still no electricity so, darkness brought out oil lamps and candles. Besides, no electricity, there was no indoor plumbing. The basic amenities of our time were still a long way ahead. The Kavanaghs cherished their family time. Their time together to eat, drink, talk, play and worship was the highlight of their weeks.
November 28
Thanksgiving with the Kavanaghs. And much to be thankful for. Joe is enjoying the resurgence of work at the Shop. He’s sold another large still. There were even more walk-ups for purchases in the last two months. Joe feels much more confident and secure about his future. Perhaps, he can influence the future of his family, as well. He considers again the younger Kavanagh boys working for him. This will truly turn into a family business. He is sure of it. Yes, he’s happy and content. And most definitely grateful.
December 14
Martin Kavanagh turns 16. He has a bit of rye with his Father and his Uncle Joe. He’s a working man now and the elder Kavanaghs are pleased to have a drink or two with him. Adulthood at 16. Times have changed.
Rutherford B. Hayes is the President. The U. S. begins minting the Morgan Silver Dollar. A. A. Pope begins marketing the high wheel bicycle. They will become all the rage. Carl Sandburg, Lionel Barrymore and George M. Cohan are born.
The Shop - A History of the Joseph Kavanagh Company 