Newspaper about the 80th anniversary Cahoon celebration

Archive

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Bay Village Historical Society

Name/Title

Newspaper about the 80th anniversary Cahoon celebration

Entry/Object ID

2000.FIC.02.308

Scope and Content

Plain Dealer article: October 11, 1890, p. 8. "80 Years Ago Happy Reunion of the Cahoon Family at Dover. Pioneer Days in the early history of Cuyahoga - the Roar of the cannon in the Battle of Lake Erie. Interesting speeches by family and guests" and those who were present." EIGHTY YEARS AGO. Happy Reunion of the Cahoon Family at Dover. Pioneer Days in the Early History of Cuyahoga County-The Roar of the Canon During the Famous Battle of Lake Erie-Interesting Speeches by Members of the Family and Guests-Those Who Were Present The Cahoon family held a reunion at the old homestead in Dover township yesterday in celebration of the eightieth anniversary of their settlement in Cuyahoga county. The close identification of members of this family with the early settlement and continued growth of the county made the affair a most enjoyable one as well as of deep public interest. To the Cahoons Dover owes its first grist mill and its first bride, the county owes one of its earliest, sturdiest pioneers and the state many of its leading citizens. Joseph Cahoon, with his wife and eight children, came in a covered wagon from Vergennes, Vt., and settled on Cahoon creek in the autumn of 1810. With the assistance of his elder sons and the few pioneers who had preceded him, he built a comfortable log cabin at the mouth of the creek and set about clearing away the timber and planting orchards and vineyards. Eight years later a more commodious house was erected in a most picturesque spot a short distance back from the lake, and this is the homestead in which his descendants live today and in which the reunion was held. In 1812 he established a mill at Ridgeville, Lorain county, and two years later built another near his home at the mouth of Cahoon creek. It is of interest that this mill was not only the first in the county west of the Cuyahoga river, but was raised on the day of Perry’s victory. The neighbors had all gathered together to assist in the raising and heard the roar of the artillery. This mill has long since been torn down and that two millstones occupy proud positions on the lawn. Joel B. Cahoon, the eldest son, served through the war of 1812 and afterwards settled in the south. In 1842, his father having died, he returned and taking charge of the farm, lived the rest of his life in the county and was prominent in its affairs. His widow, Margaret A. Cahoon is still living, 80 years of age, but in excellent health, and it was she who made the pies for the banquet yesterday. Seven children are living J. Marshall Cahoon lives with his mother and sister Martha W. at the homestead; Thomas H. lives at No. 374 Franklin avenue, John T. is in Memphis, Tenn., and Lydia E., Laura E. and Ida M. are teachers in the city schools and reside at 1916 Broadway. In 1860 Joel B. Cahoon and his wife established the custom of holding a family reunion every October. Not only was the family gathered together on that day but many friends and neighbors took part in the celebration. It was so enjoyable that the day was observed thereafter for twentytwo years. The older members of the family had nearly passed away in that time and the annual reunions ceased but the younger generation still meet together once in every five years. A large number of the county’s most prominent people were among the 150 guests yesterday. Some of those from the city were Rev. Y.P. Morgan, Mrs. W.P. Ranney, Jay C. Andrews, Mrs. N.W. Taylor, Dr. H.C. Barnes, Father H.M. Addison, T.S. Clymonts, E.F. Young, James Wright and Walter E. Wright. Among the guests from Elyria were John B. Cahoon, William E. Cahoon, Hon. D.J. Nye and Rev. E.E. Williams. Many neighbors from Dover were present, among them J.N. Hurst, R. and Z. Hall, John Clemens and two members of the Osborn family. Mrs. Julia Skinner came from West Randolph, Vt. to attend. Letters of regret were received from many unable to attend, among them Senator H.B. Payne, Hon. T.E. Burton, Mr. and Mrs. Dudley Baldwin, Dr. J.W. Campbell, Mr. and Mrs. W.L. Lord, Hon. Harvey Rice, Hon. Lester Taylor of Chardon, Louis G. Rice of Amboy, Ill. and James Cahoon of Pennfield. Nearly all those present and invited are either related to the family or closely attached to it by events of the past. The tables were spread upon the lawn in the place that afforded the best possible view of the picturesque scenery but a rain coming up at the noon hour made it necessary to carry them into the large barn. Here plenty of room was found and never before did guests sit down to a more tempting banquet. The tables were heavily laden with good things and beautifully decorated with flowers and fruits. Sprays of barberry, the old Scottish coat of arms of the family, were worn by the gentlemen. Dinner was followed by a choice program of music and speechmaking. Mr. Thomas H. Cahoon presided over the exercises and Miss Ida M. Cahoon made out a careful record. A beautiful poem of welcome was read by Miss Laura Cahoon, and a sketch of the family’s history by Leverett Hubbard Johnson followed. Mrs. James McCrosky of Collamer responded to the sentiment “Our pioneer mothers.” The sentiment “Looking backward, a sunshine and shadow on the hearth,” was responded to my Miss Ida M. Cahoon. “The Day We Celebrate” was the subject of interesting remarks by D.J. Nye, devoted to the struggles and achievements of the early pioneers. Rev. E.E. Williams followed in an eloquent and witty address in which he said he knew little about the early pioneer and added, pointing to his stomach, “but I know something about pie in ’ere.” Rev. Y.P. Morgan followed with a few remarks. His grandfather, Yelverton Peyton, was Mrs. Margaret Cahoon’s pastor in Washington, D.C., fifty years ago. Father Addison gave some interesting reminiscences of pioneer days. In closing his remarks he said there seemed to be a good many different churches represented, “I am a Campbellite, or Disciple, myself,” he continued, “and I want to sing you a good Campbellite hymn.” He did so and the guests were deeply impressed, but Rev. Mr. Williams set them in a roar again by requesting Father Addison to sing “The Campbells are Coming.” The exercises were closed by all joining in the hymn “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name.”

Collection

Early Family Papers: Cahoon

Relationships

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Young, E.F.

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Wright, Walter E.

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Wright, James

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Williams, E.E., Rev.

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Taylor, N.W., Mrs.

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Taylor, Lester, Hon.

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Skinner, Julia, Mrs.

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Rice, Louis G.

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Rice, Harvey, Hon.

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Peyton, Yelberton

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Payne, H.B., Senator

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Nye, D.J., Hon.

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Morgan, Y.P.

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McCrosky, James, Mrs.

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Lord, W. L., Mrs.

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Lord, W. L.

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Johnson, Leverett Hubbard

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Hurst, J.N.

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Hall, Z.

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Hall, R.

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Clymounts, T.S.

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Clemens, John

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Campbell, J.W., Dr.

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Cahoon, William E.

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Cahoon, Thomas H.

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Addison, H.M., Fr.

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Andrews, Jay C.

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Baldwin, Dudley, Mrs.

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Baldwin, Dudley

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Barnes, H.C., Dr.

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Burton, T.E., Hon.

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Cahoon, Ida M.

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Cahoon, J. Marshall

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Cahoon, Joel B.

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Cahoon, John B.

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Cahoon, John T.

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Cahoon, Joseph

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Cahoon, Laura E.

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Cahoon, Lydia E.

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Cahoon, Margaret Dickson

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Cahoon, Martha W.

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Ranney, W.P., Mrs.