[1] Larue Cavanah died in 1872, leaving the infant Charles in the care of family members.

[1] Cavanah attended public schools in North Carolina and in Texas, where he also worked as a store clerk.

[1] Cavanah read law in the office of William Borah, and he lived at the home of Judge Joseph W.

[1][4] Cavanah was nominated by President Calvin Coolidge on December 22, 1926, to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Idaho vacated by Judge Frank Sigel Dietrich.

[5] He was confirmed by the United States Senate on January 3, 1927, and received his commission the same day.