Name/Title
Obituary of Margaret A. CahoonEntry/Object ID
2000.FIC.02.356Scope and Content
Obituary of Margaret A, Cahoon
Cleveland Leader, June 26, 1894.
MRS. JOEL B. CAHOON.
An Early Settler of Cuyahoga County is Laid to Rest in Dover - A Tribute to the Memory of a Gifted Christian Woman
For the News.
No more pathetic incident connected with the settlement of Ohio has been related than the story of the French settlement soon after the Revolution, on the banks of the Ohio River at Gallipolis. The settlers were elegant and educated gentlemen and ladies who had never know hard work. Their history of privation and suffering had been repeated again and again by the pioneer fathers and mothers, who opened up the now great and rich country lying between the Hudson and the prairies - the greatest work ever done by any generation of mortal men. In the van of the army of educated and refined men and women who came to the Western Reserve at the beginning of the century were the Cahoons, of Dover, this county, among whom was the subject of this sketch, Mrs. Joel B. Cahoon. She had been reared in the atmosphere of luxury and refined society, such as existed in Old Virginia and Maryland a hundred years ago. In her father's house and elsewhere she met Chief Justice Marshall, Justice Jay, Randolph, Webster, Clay and other great men. She lived in Washington when it was burned by the British in 1814, and shook hands with Lafayette in 1824. From surrounding and society of this kind she was suddenly transferred to the wilds of Cuyahoga county and there entered upon the battle of subduing the great forest; raising in the meantime the family of ten or twelve children, who were thoroughly educated and in every way well equipped for life. Of a remarkably happy and cheerful temperament, she successfully met and overcame all the dangers and deprivations of the times and conditions of pioneer life in Northern Ohio. The daughters adopted the profession of teachers, and have successfully followed that calling; the sons becoming enterprising and successful business men of this community.
The old homestead of several hundred acres, called Rose Hill, after the Virginia and Maryland style, situated on the bank of the lake, in the township of Dover, is one of the most picturesque, beautiful, and highly cultivated farms in Northern Ohio-a vast vineyard covering a large part of the farm. It is now in charge of Mr. Marshall Cahoon, an enterprising man of energetic character. From a commanding promontory jetting into the lake his grandfather looked out toward the scene and heard the guns of Commodore Perry's victory in 1814.
At the lifelong home of this good woman the old neighbors and friends gathered in large numbers last Saturday, and laid tenderly by the side of her companion in life, who died ten or twelve years ago, all that remains to earth of Mrs. Cahoon. The spot where she rests is a most beautiful one on the bank of the lake, strewn and surrounded with roses and other flowers in great profusion. The most sacred love and friendship watered those flowers with tears, and she was where
"The storms that wreck in wintry sky,
No more disturbed her deep repose
Than summer's latest sigh
That shuts the rose."
(James Russell) Lowell asks: "What is so rare as a day in June! Days then, if ever, come perfect." I will answer, a life and character that of this noble pioneer Christian woman is more rare than even a day in June. Her life seemed as perfect as any day in June. Two predominant sentiments or passion stood out boldly in her life and conversation: love of country and love of church. She knew and associated with the fathers of the Republic and of the Methodist Church. Her admiration for Washington was only equaled by that for John Wesley. She was deeply read in the literature of the nation and of the church. Her reading to the very last was the highest and best, and her religious character the deepest and most sincere. Her sweet and precious memory will long be cherished, and her gentle life an inspiration to all who knew her.
"Life's race well run,
Life's work well done,
Life's crown well won,
Now comes rest."Collection
Early Family Papers: CahoonRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Wesley, JohnPerson or Organization
Webster, DanielPerson or Organization
Randolf, Mr.Person or Organization
Marshall, John, Chief JusticePerson or Organization
Cahoon, Joel B.Person or Organization
Cahoon, Margaret DicksonPerson or Organization
Cahoon, MarshallPerson or Organization
Clay, HenryPerson or Organization
Jay, John, JusticePerson or Organization
LaFayette, Du ComptPerson or Organization
Jay, JohnRelated Entries
Notes
2000.FIC.02.357.1, 2000.FIC.02.357.2, NP.03.02.002