Cassidy, Lawrence A. (1895-1977) Photograph Collection, ca. 1916-1940s
Held by The Filson Historical Society
Creator: Cassidy, Lawrence A., 1895-1977
Title: Lawrence A. Cassidy Photograph Collection, ca. 1916-1940s
Rights: For information regarding literary and copyright interest for these photographs, contact the Collections Department.
Size of Collection: 1 medium box
Location Number: 023PC23
Scope and Content Note
This collection consists of 8 photographs documenting Lawrence A. Cassidy and the Cassidy Tire Service Company in Louisville, Kentucky, as well as photographs of him in the 1940s with various local people and a one-off Courier-Journal photograph of the towboat, Duffy. Also included in the collection is an album of photographs by Lawrence A. Cassidy of his and the 2nd Indiana Infantry’s experiences at Llano Grande Camp and in Mercedes, Texas, from 1916-1917.
Biographical Note
Lawrence Alfred Cassidy was born April 12, 1895, in Perry County, Indiana, to Abraham Martin and Mary A. Hallam Cassidy. He enlisted in the Indiana National Guard in 1915 and served in active duty on the Mexico-United States border prior to the United States’ entry into World War I. Cassidy enlisted in the U. S. Army on April 6, 1917. He married Eva M. Casper in Perry County on April 6, 1918, while still in the army. He was sent overseas in October 1918 as part of the Supply Company 152nd Infantry and was discharged at Camp Taylor, Louisville, Kentucky, in 1919, where he would go onto settle. In his early life, Cassidy worked for newspapers in Tell City and Evansville. From 1925 to 1942 he was president and general manager of Cassidy Tire Service Company, a dealer of Seiberling Tires, located at 629 S. 3rd St. in Louisville. Cassidy was a founding member of the Louisville City Salesman’s Club in 1930.
Cassidy was first employed by the Office of Price Administration in June 1942 as an investigator in the legal department. From April 1943, he served as a price specialist in charge of services and restaurants. Appointed as the Louisville District Information Executive of the O. P. A. in 1944, he handled press and radio relations and worked with service clubs and civic groups as part of a campaign to spread knowledge of O. P. A. regulations after World War II. In 1947, he organized Southern Surveys, an opinion poll and market research firm. He was a partner in Cassidy & Renneisen public relations counselors, president of the Kentucky Society of the Sons of the American Revolution and was a member of the Jefferson American Legion Post. He also served on the Selective Service Board for 10 years.
His son, Robert Irving Cassidy, fought as a second lieutenant during WWII. He was tragically killed in June 1943 when two air bombers collided near Howard, SD. The bomber he was in crashed and burned killing 11 airmen. It is noted that his grandfather was on the board of directors for Falls City Brewing Company– this would have to have been John Michael Cassidy (1848-1937).
Item List
023PC23.01: Group photo of Charles Casper, James Melton (the singer), and Lawrence Cassidy outside Cassidy’s Tire Company. Back of photo has stamp “photo made by Standard Gravure Corporation Service Dept. 724 Breckinridge St. Louisville, KY.”
023PC23.02: Photo of Lawrence A. Cassidy and others outside of Cassidy Tire Service Company at 629 S. 3rd St. in Louisville, with an advertising vehicle equipped with Seiberling tires.
023PC23.03: Building model of Cassidy Tire Service Company located at 629 S. 3rd Street.
023PC23.04: Lawrence Cassidy and Edward Cohn (local representative) in a buggy outside of Cassidy Tire Co., 1940. In the background is a Seiberling sign.
023PC23.05: Group photo at a dinner party, May 11, 1948. Photo stamp notes “Wilson’s Foto Service, Brock Bldg. 639 S. 9th WA 6143 Louisville, KY”
023PC23.06: Lawrence Cassidy pictured with Albert Meyzeek and two African American women.
023PC23.07: WGRC, Tri-City forum group photo, December 23, 1945. Pictured are Roscoe Dalton, Lawrence A. Cassidy, Bert Harmon, William Friedlander, and two unidentified others. The discussion topic of the radio broadcast that session according to the Courier Journal was “how to provide housing units.”
023PC23.08: The towboat Duffy, June 24, 1944. NOTED: this is from a Courier-Journal and Louisville Times photographer; Dick Ferguson. Not to be published without authorization. Back of photograph lists names: Lola Butler, Venus Mae Ruffer, Gene Darling Rowell, Olivia Higdon.
023PC23.09: Album of Lawrence A. Cassidy and the 2nd Indiana Infantry at Llano Grande Camp and in Mercedes, Texas, from 1916-1917.
Subject Headings
Automobiles—Equipment and supplies.
Civil leaders—Kentucky—Louisville.
Mexican-American Border Region—History.
Mexican-American Border Region—History—photographs.
Mexican-American Border Region—History, Military—20th century.
Radio broadcasting—Kentucky.
Radio stations—Kentucky—Louisville.
Soldiers—United States—History—20th century.
Tire industry—United States—History—20th century.
Tire industry—employees.
War photography—20th century.
War photography—Mexico—20th century.
WGRC (Radio Station: Louisville, Ky.).
