MO-STLOUIS-METRO-L Archives

From: "Cori Brendle" <>
Subject: [StL-Metro] Researching Cavagnaro family, also Greer and Boro
Date: Wed, 6 Nov 2002 15:07:02 -0500

I am seeking information regarding the Mario A. Cavagnaro family who last resided at 8 Aberdeen Place off of Skinker. Their previous addresses included 6127 Waterman Avenue (1930 census) and 6109 Clayton Avenue (1920 census.) I am not certain when they moved to 8 Aberdeen, but they were living there by December of 1945, and the house stayed in the family until Ted sold it in 1986.
According to records from 1930, Mario Aloysius Cavagnaro was a news photographer, the son of John C. and Sarafine (Sarafina) Cavagnaro, and was born around 1895 or 1896. According to the Missouri Historical Society, he was employed at the time by the St. Louis Star or Star-Times, and they have a number of his photographs pertaining to Lindbergh's flight in 1927. He was married to Margaret Greer, and his mother-in-law Agnes S. Greer was living with the family in 1930. Mario and Margaret had two sons; John Greer, born 11 June 1927, and Edward James (Ted,) born 17 Sept 1929. I know that Greer and Ted opened a photography studio together at some point, which they ran successfully for some time. Ted left St. Louis in 1975, and opened a silversmithing business which he operated until his death this past 19 March 2002 at age 72. Greer died at 51 in November 1978. Most of the family members are buried in Calvary Cemetery.
Boro and Cavagnaro, a saloon at 3402 Olive Street run by Mario's father John C. Cavagnaro and James Boro (who was married to Mary Cavagnaro,) and Cavagnaro Brothers, 4100 Page Avenue, a business of unknown type run by Anthony and Frank Cavagnaro. Both of these businesses are listed in the St. Louis City Directory for 1889-1890. John died in 1914, and by the 1920 Census Anthony listed his occupation as a proprietor and saloon keeper, and Frank listed his as a gardener. I am uncertain whether John was the brother or cousin of Anthony and Frank. All three were born in Italy, but I have been unable to go back any further as yet, and I do not know the region from which they emigrated.
Also, by the 1920 census, Agnes S. Greer was already a widow. I have no information regarding her husband's name, so any assistance there would be appreciated as well. Similarly, I have no idea what Sarafina Cavagnaro's maiden name was, although I know she arrived in the U.S. in 1886 and became a citizen in 1890, according to her 1920 census information.
Any and all information you could give me would be of great assistance in my research.
Thanks very much,
Cori MacNaughton Brendle

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• [StL-Metro] Researching Cavagnaro family, also Greer and Boro by "Cori Brendle" <>