Peter P. Beaghan (1859-1945) was the manager of the Cantrall mine for 18 years. Born December 13, 1858, in County Durham, England, Mr. Beaghan came to the United States in 1880 and married Ellen McManus (1865-1937) who was born in County Mayos, Ireland. Mr. Beaghan was a member of the Holy Name Society of St. Agnes Church and honorary member of the Knights of Columbus council No. 364. The Beaghan Family were very active in Springfield’s Catholic community.
There were eight children born to Peter and Ellen Beaghan: Katherine, Mary, Josephine, Anna, Helen, Peter Jr., Philip, and John Beaghan. Rev. Philip V. Beaghan (1896-1983) attended Springfield High School and went to St. Francis College in Quincy, Illinois. Afterwards, Beaghan entered the seminary in Notre Dame, Indiana, where he attended Holy Cross Seminary. He was a priest for more than 50 years.
The collection includes Beaghan family scrapbooks, photos, newspaper clippings, envelopes, and announcements. The materials in this collection date between the 1890s to 1940s.