Returning home in the latter part of November, 1865, he engaged in the grocery business. In 1875 Mr. Cannavan was appointed assistant city marshal, which office he occupied for two years. In 1878 he was for the second time appointed on the police force, in which capacity he has served the City of New Bedford continuously since that time, viz., thirty years. During all these years he has never met the man whom he could not handle alone, and in some instances he has had some pretty hard cases with crazy drunks, but in no instance has he cracked a skull or broken flesh with his policeman’s club. He is honored and respected by all the citizens of New Bedford. Even the rough classes yield when Cannavan is known to be after them. Now in the sixty-eighth year of his age he is hale and happy. He has never indulged in the ardent and never used tobacco. He spends his spare time with his family reading instructive books. He is held in high esteem by all the children of his patrol, for he always carries strings for tops, and marbles in his pockets for the little ones.
The city honored him in 1905 by making him chief marshal on Memorial Day. Taking all in all we believe we make no mistake in writing so extended a history of this remarkable man, of whom in our long acquaintance we have heard only good things. In the near future he expects to receive a medal of honor from this government for meritorious service rendered during the War of the Rebellion. His address is 427 North Chauncy Street, New Bedford, Mass.
These officers are but samples of the whole company. They were good fighters because they were well drilled; they were good soldiers because they were well disciplined; they are (those still living) good citizens, because they were good patriots; they have succeeded and made their mark in the world because the spirit of success is in them. Good officers make good soldiers, good soldiers make good citizens, and good citizens make a good country. Is it asked, “Where are the men who made the rank and file of Company F?” the answer comes, “Many have joined the great majority, who as young men responded to their country’s call in the hour of need.” They did their work well; peace to their ashes. A great and mighty Nation is reaping the fruits of their toil, and the haughty South has been brought back, not the raging maniac she was in ’61, but, cured of the past, she sits at the feet of Uncle Sam, “clothed and in her right mind.”
“God of the nations, be with us yet,
Lest we forget, lest we forget.”
Lest we forget what war has cost,
When we our greatness loudly boast.
Lest we forget our noble sons,
Who died to hold our nation one.