Name/Title
Obituary of Joel B. CahoonEntry/Object ID
2000.FIC.02.350.3Scope and Content
An obituary of Joel B. Cahoon.
Joel passed away on September 28, 1882 at Rose Hill.
2000.FIC.02.350.3A
OBITUARY.
Death always comes unbidden; whether it be at the dawn or sunset of life he is alike an unwelcome guest who goes not away without taking with him a household idol and wounding many fond hearts.
In the recent removal of Mr. Joel B. Cahoon, another of the men of early days was swept from earth, he being the last of the original Cahoon family who settled Dover seventy-two years ago.
Mr. Cahoon was born in Salisbury, Herkimer Co., N.Y. Aug. 27th, 1793. In his boyhood his father's family went to Vergennes, Vt, where his only opportunities of an education were improved. This locality not suiting them as a permanent dwelling place, in 1810 the family consisting of five sons and three daughters, started to the then wilderness of Ohio, traveling in a covered wagon drawn by four horses. Six weeks they journeyed westward, through forest paths, fording rivers, climbing steep hillsides, cooking their meals by the wayside and sleeping wherever darkness overtook them.
So great an undertaking was regarded by the people of Vergennes with consternation, and upon the morning of their departure religious services were held upon the village green and with many foreboding, farewells were exchanged. Upon the morning of Oct. 10th, at the mouth of a little brook which makes its
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way to Erie, between two rock bound cliffs, Joseph Cahoon established the first home in Dover. Three years later, a house and two grist mills having been built, Joel joined the army, continuing in service under M j. Croghan till the close of the war of 1812.
In 1822 he went to visit friends at the place of his birth and a fine opportunity offering he remained some time engaging in several little business enterprises, then went to Pennsylvania, contracting work upon several canals which were being constructed.
When the second railroad in America was chartered, he in company with Hon. J.K. Morehead of Pa, built three sections of the B.&O.R.R. between Baltimore and Frederick, Md. This was in 1830, and the following year he built the Lateral Branch of this road from Frederick to Point of Rocks.
An excavation upon this road, though half a century has passed, is still known as "Cahoon's deep cut." While in Frederick he formed the acquaintance of Miss M.A. VanAllen, a talented young lady from Washington, D.C., to whom July 14th, 1831, he was married. His business proved very lucrative for some time, enabling him to possess quite a competence. Four years after his marriage, with his wife and two little sons, he visited Dover, coming by stage and returning to Maryland with horses and conveyance purchased for the purpose. Shortly after, through an error of the engineers, he suffered a disastrous financial loss and removed to Kentucky and then to Indiana; but when engaged upon a heavy contract the latter state suspended payment, again causing extensive losses. The latest contracts upon Public works were taken in 1842 at North Bend at Cincinnati, O. At this time occurred the death of his brother Daniel who was associated with him in business, which following his misfortune
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in business, caused him to think of returning to his farm in Dover. In the autumn - thirty-two years after his first arrival he again took possession of the homestead, farming and milling till age prevented a continuance of active life. His remaining years were passed in the enjoyment which none but those who have performed life's duties will, can have. Three years ago he received a slight shock of paralysis and a year later another which for a time threatened his life; but a few months served to establish good general health while his limbs alone refused to perform their office. Sitting in cheerfulness with unimpaired vision; mental faculties strong, he looked for the time to come when he again could walk in and out among his loved ones. Upon July 14th, 1881, he celebrated with his much loved wife the golden anniversary of their marriage. None who saw him that day sitting beneath the golden marriage bell, with face lighted with an inexpressible happiness, can forget the picture. Indeed his snowy locks and long white beard gave him so venerable an appearance that one was reminded of the patriarchs of old time when in his presence. About the middle of Aug, he felt indisposed, and later suffered greatly each day though often bright and cheerful.
On the evening of Sept. 28th, the end came and Joel B. Cahoon belongs no more to the present except in memory. How precious the memories which cluster around his name! His life was an unwritten history, full of interest, rich in story. He was a man; a true citizen who by his strict integrity, sound judgment, unsullied, temperate, Christian life, won the respect of all associated with him. For many years he had been a member of the Baptist church, and though loving life, home and kindred, expressed a willingness to obey the Master's word.
His funeral was largely attended at his beautiful Rose Hill home, Sunday, Oct. 1.
The same sun which cast its golden light upon the forests in Oct. 1810, sent bright beams to illuminate his funeral day. Soft breezes gently waved the branches which had spread beneath his watchful eyes; the pebbly shore was washed by tiny waves from Erie's blue expanse and the little birds sang requiems above his still form. Rev. T. Tolhurst of Cleveland and Rev. J.R. Jewett of Oberlin conducted the services which were brief but impressive. Mr. Tolhurst spoke of the beautiful life ended, of the cheerfulness and patience which had made lovely the sunset of life. He spoke of the trust in Christ whose blood had cleansed him from all sin and of the good name he bore while living and bequeathed as a legacy to his children.
The five sons bore the casket to the lawn, where in the shade of the tree which had grown from a sprout used as a riding whip sixty-eight years before, came those who honored him in life and respected his memory to look upon the face so peaceful in death. Slowly and sadly they bore him away from the home of his father, his home, made happy by his presence and sacred by his death, but now to know him no more forever, for he had gained an abundant entrance into the beautiful city of God.Collection
Early Family Papers: CahoonRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Croghan, M.J.Person or Organization
Cahoon, Joel B.Person or Organization
Tolhurst, T., Rev.Person or Organization
Van Allen, M.J.Person or Organization
Morehead, J.K., Hon.Person or Organization
Jewett, J.R., Rev.
