Cahill Family Papers

Collection

Identifier: MSS-2282

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Cahill family papers

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Scope and Contents note

The Cahill Family Papers consists of personal correspondence and business papers of the Cahill Family of Ohio. The bulk of the correspondence consists of letters sent to Clyde M. Cahill. Included in these are letters from Grace, his first wife, Mary F. Shanor, his second wife, Mary Ashworth, a college friend who writes of life in Depression-era New York, and "Maude," a woman with whom Cahill apparently had an affair.

Letters to and from Belle Cahill, Clyde's mother, also constitutes a significant amount of the correspondence, including the courtship letters from Michael J. Cahill. An interesting note is that of the 22 courtship letters, Michael J. Cahill signs his name as "Mike" in nine of the letters and "Joe" in seven of them. The other six are signed variously as M.J.C., M.J., M. Joe Cahill, and Mike Cahill.

Business papers include receipts, chattel mortgages, and collections notices from various banks and their representatives. The last folder in the collections contains unidentified samples of hair.

Dates

Creation: 1886-1935

Biographical/Historical note

Michael Cahill was born on September 13, 1861, in Euphemia, Ohio, to Daniel and Bridgette, immigrants from Ireland. Cahill attended the Western Ohio Normal and Business institute for two years, and became Justice of the Peace of Harrison Township in 1889. In July 1889, he married Margaret Belle Mills of Montgomery County, Ohio. In 1910, Michael Cahill was elected to the State Senate from the 3rd District.

Belle Mills Cahill was born in November 1862 to Jewett and Mary J. Mills. Belle had eight siblings: Mary L, James P, Amanda, Joshua, Mariah, Florida, Alice, and Virginia. Belle died on December 5, 1933, after being struck by a car.

Clyde M. Cahill was born in February of 1898. He attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, enlisted with the Army on October 1, 1918, received honorable discharge on December 21, 1918, and became a teacher. In the early 1920s, Clyde may have married Grace (see correspondence). Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, Clyde worked as an itenerant teacher. Around 1930 Clyde left Grace, and on September 19, 1935 he married Mary F. Shanor. Records indicate that Clyde may have died in 1987.

Extent

1.2 Linear Feet (311 letters and other documents)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Cahill Family Papers consist of personal correspondence to and from Clyde M., Michael J., and Belle Mills Cahill of Ohio. Also included in the collection are receipts and miscellaneous financial documents.