“1865 St. Louis Directory.” Image. Ancestry.com. Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., n.d. Web.

“Application for Disability Compensation.” Image. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, n.d. Web.

"Application of Horace Kingsbury." Missouri Digital Heritage. Missouri Secretary of State, n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2014.

“Application of Horace Kingsbury.” Image. Missouri Digital Heritage. Missouri Secretary of State, n.d. Web.

Little information has been found on Cavanaugh’s existence prior to his sale in 1851. Cavanaugh was born sometime around 1834 in Cooper County, Missouri. He listed himself as a farmhand on his United States Colored Troops volunteer form, which is fitting with Horace Kingsbury’s focus on agricultural investments. Shortly after the turn of the war in favor of the Union, Cavanaugh enlisted in the 67th USCT Infantry on January 11, 1864, near Tipton, Missouri—a 31.2-mile hike from Cedar Grove. Cavanaugh enlisted at a dangerous time for Missouri slaves.

The Claim for Compensation for Enlisted