James Joseph “Joe” Caveney

James Joseph "Joe" Caveney (1910-1961)
James Joseph "Joe" Caveney (1910-1961)

James Joseph Caveney known as “Joe” was born January 10th, 1910 in Cleveland, Ohio . His parents were John Thomas Caveney (born 1884 WV and died 1938 OH) and Elizabeth Bridget “Bessie” McDermott (born 1879 IRE and died 1949 OH).
The family address was 1028 E. 145th Street in Cleveland, Ohio

College

On June 14th, 1931 in the Cleveland Plain Dealer newspaper, James is listed as a graduate of the University of Dayton.
During college James was Captain of the baseball team. He was known as Joe “Cagle” Caveney, second baseman. In addition he played back up quarterback for the football team. James studied the Knute Rockne way of coaching in college and coached in Dayton. His degree was in accounting and business.

Dayton Herald 9-20-1929 Beginning of Junior Year of College
Dayton Herald 9-20-1929 Beginning of Junior Year of College
James 1931 grad photo
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After graduation James was employed at the General Motors Acceptance Corp. as an assistant bookkeeper.

Perhaps he had aspirations to play professional ball as well. He was accepted as an active member of a semi-pro baseball team: Favorite Knits. This team was considered one of the best in the league and Joe Caveney played second base.

Sandusky Star Journal June 18, 1932
Sandusky Star Journal June 18, 1932

In 1932 Elizabeth Jane Lamson was born to an unwed mother named Mildred Lamson. Through DNA it is proven that Joe fathered Elizabeth "Betty" Lamson.

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In 1935 the 1940 census infers that he was living in Clarksfield, Ohio about 15 minutes from Norwalk, Ohio. He was also listed in the 1935 directory with his parents in Cleveland. Perhaps he was on location for the GM corporation which had a Fisher autobody plant in Norwalk, Ohio.

West Virginia county courthouse record housed at wvculture.org
West Virginia county courthouse record housed at wvculture.org

Marriage

He married Esther Virginia Caveney (born 5-31-1915 WV and died on her birthdate 1998 WV). Esther’s parents were William E. Ackermann and Louise Fehrenbach.
Their marriage ceremony was held at St. Michael’s Church in Wheeling West Virginia on August 3rd, 1940.
It is noted that James recently transferred to Uniontown, PA from Wheeling WV earning his living as an accountant at GMAC (General Motors) at the time of their marriage.
Joe had four boys with Esther from 1942 to 1956. Three of James' children are living.
Their deceased son was William John Caveney born August 5th, 1944 in West Virginia and died March 15th, 2011 in Evanston, Cook County, Illinois. William's accomplishments in his career were as an American former pharmaceutical company executive and lawyer. He was an advanced professional certified in Finance and a graduate in Business Administration, 1979; bar: New York 1972, Supreme Court of the United States Court 1976.
William died leaving behind a wife, son and daughter.

Military

James was living in Scioto County, Ohio and went to Huntington, West Virginia to enlist in the Army on November 8th, 1943. He was marked as weighing 170 lbs at 5’ 8” with blue eyes, brown hair and a ruddy complexion. I have not found any information that he served overseas. His 1940 registration appears below.

Fold3_Page_1_Selective_Service_Registration_Cards_World_War_II_Multiple_Registrations
Procured from Fold3 Military records. Confirmed NARA
Procured from Fold3 Military records. Confirmed NARA

Death

James Joseph died February 11th, 1961 at the age of 51 yrs from hemorrhaging of the esophageal varices brought on by portal hepatic cirrhosis.
When James died two of his children were in elementary school.

His occupation listed on his death record indicated he was still an Industrial Engineer. His residence was in Wheeling, West Virginia with his wife Esther.
He is buried in her Ackermann family plot at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Section 15 Lot 127 3 East. Services were held at St. Vincent De Paul Church.

familysearch.com records
familysearch.com records

Documents and Newspaper Articles:

Click on photo to enlarge. If you need a larger document contact me on the form at the home page. Additional articles are available. Procured from various sources of newspaper archives. Specifics upon request.