Name/Title
Margaret A. Cahoon obituaryEntry/Object ID
2000.FIC.02.357.1Scope and Content
Obituary of Margaret A. Cahoon
OBITUARY
Mrs. Margaret A. Cahoon
(CONTRIBUTED)
Mrs. Margaret A. Cahoon, who passed from earth to immortality at the residence of her daughter in this city last Thursday, was so rare, so worthy a character that more than the usual mention should be made when life is ended.
She was the only child of John Calhoun Dickson of Washington, D.C. She was born in that city when this wonderful century was but ten years old. Her girlhood was passed most favorably in the best select schools, associated with many choice spirits, whoever remained dear to her. The great capital city was then a mere village and statesmen of her time, such as Webster, Clay, Everett, Story, Marshall and Buchanan, were familiar acquaintances. In 1827 she married John Douglass VanAllen, a marble cutter engaged in the building of the capital, but soon removed to New York, afterward to Philadelphia, from whence she returned at 19 a widow and an orphan.
July 14, 1831, she married Joel P. Cahoon at Frederick, Md., living in that vicinity for a few years while her husband carried on contracts for constructing several sections of the B. & O. railroad.
Kentucky, Indiana and North Bend, Ohio in tern furnished a residence till in 1842 the family came to the farm in Dover settled by Mr. Cahoon's father in 1810, which for more than 50 years has been her loved home, where she has dispensed free-hearted hospitality and cheered every heart her influence reached.
Her intellectual attainments were a delight to all. Her love of books and her excellent memory gave her great power to entertain, while the patriotism which filled her inspired others.
With her father and mother she joined the first church of the Methodist Episcopal denomination in Washington. At the time Rev. Yelverton Payton was pastor and when the messenger was ready to bear her away his grandson, Rev. Yelverton Payton Morgan, sent from St. Paul, Minn. his message of love and consolation.
Sorrows had accumulated fast in recent years, each one leaving its impress upon her brave heart and healthy frame, till she had less strength than courage. Her devoted husband and three manly sons were laid away still she could say;
" My hope I cannot measure,
My Savior has my treasure
And he will walk with me"
She came to the city to make an address in one of our public schools Memorial day being most successful in her effort, and spent the following week very pleasantly after which the fatal Illness occurred. From beautiful Rose Hill on Saturday afternoon, June 23, were held the last services according to her wish. Mr. Walter E. Wright saying "In Heavenly Love Abiding". Rev. Dr. F.S.Hoyt read psalm 103 and St. John 14, versus 1 to 28, and followed with a tender tribute to one whose Christian character, womanly exalted life had for years inspired him.
Rev. Levi Gilbert, D.D., very feelingly spoke of her later years and those last beautiful days, when he found her waiting at the gate ready to enter into the city of God. Rev. Dr. Russel B. Hope offered a prayer of thanksgiving that this life had been so beautiful, so helpful, so patriotic, ideal and complete.
Mrs. Holliday and Mr. Wright saying "Spirit, Leave Thy House of Clay," and the loved form was born by her two sons and four nephews to be laid with her husband and five children in Lakeside cemetery. In connection with the burial service Dr. Pope read at the open grave the hymn beginning
"Shall man, Oh God of the light and the life,
Forever molder in the grave?"
As she lay there surrounded by her own roses we could but think.
Fold back thy mantle, fringed with green,
Broidered with leaf and blossom,
And take her tenderly to rest,
Dear earth upon thy bosom
In the June sunshine, honored by a large acquaintance, loved by hosts of friends, with the glory of immortality upon her quiet face, with gratitude to God Who gave, and to God who took, under tears and lilies she sleeps till the glad resurrection morn.Collection
Early Family Papers: CahoonRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Buchanan, JamesPerson or Organization
Cahoon, Joel B.Person or Organization
Cahoon, Margaret DicksonPerson or Organization
Clay, HenryPerson or Organization
Dickson, John CalhounPerson or Organization
Gilbert, Levi, Rev., D.D.Person or Organization
Holliday, Mrs.Person or Organization
Hoyt, F.S., Rev., Dr.Person or Organization
Marshall, JohnPerson or Organization
Peyton, Morgan YelvertonPerson or Organization
Peyton, Yelverton, Rev.Person or Organization
Pope, Russell R., Rev., Dr.Person or Organization
Story, Mr.Person or Organization
Van Allen, John DouglasPerson or Organization
Webster, DanielPerson or Organization
Wright, Walter E.Person or Organization
Everett, EdwardRelated Entries
Notes
2000.FIC.02.356, 2000.FIC.02.357.2, NP.03.02.002