Elizabeth (Wilson) Cassingham Obituaries

Elizabeth Wilson Cassingham
Death of an old resident

Mrs. Cassingham, mother of our townsman John W. Cassingham, died yesterday at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Davis, in Cincinnati. Mr. Cassingham (her son) went to Cincinnati a week ago, and continued with her to the end. The age of the deceased was 84 years the 6th of last Oct., and nearly all of that long and useful life was passed in Coshocton, where she was universally known and respected. Only the last few months of her life have been spent away from Coshocton and with her daughter in Cincinnati. The remains will be brought here to the residence of C. L. Cassingham, and interment will be made Thursday at an hour not yet fixed upon.

GRANDMA CASSINGHAM AT REST
Her Life Was Full of Goodness, and Her Death Was Calm and Peaceful.

Like the worn and weary traveler, upon life's dusty highway, Grandma Cassingham fell into the endless sleep. For many years she had slowly climbed the hill, where life's rewards are gathered, and all the while upon her brow there rested the sacred light of Hope. The world is better for her having lived here. What greater eulogy could be accorded mortal? And the tender tears and sincere aching hearts beside her still form attested a heartfelt grief which conquerors may have coveted, yet never gained.

"She raised every boy upon our street," said one, now in the full strength of years, and his heart welled up thoughts of the days, when as a boy, he romped amid green and flower-jeweled fields, chasing butterflies, listening to the songs of birds, and buoyant with resolves. "If one of us was in trouble," he continued, "we could always secure sympathy and comfort from Grandma Cassingham, for she took all the boys in the neighborhood to be her grandchildren."

Such was the life of this good, old fashioned grandmother, whose thread of love was spun by hand, on life's busy wheel, and longer and stronger than they spin it now. Of her it can most truly be said: "Her heart was open as the gates of day. She shed kindness as the sun sheds light. If all her dees were flowers, the air would be faint with perfume. If all her charities could change to melodies, a symphony would fill the sky."

Elizabeth Wilson was born in Huntington county, Pa., Oct. 6, 1814, consequently she was in the 85th year of her age. She was married to Geo. F. Cassingham, May 23rd, 1833. Four children were born, viz: Julia Harriet McNeil, Sarah Davis, Mary Jane Williams and John W. Cassingham. Mrs. D. E. Davis, now a resident of Cincinnati, and Mr. John W. Cassingham, of this city, are the only members of the family now living. The husband, Geo. F. Cassingham, died March 14, 1889. Since her marriage, Mrs. Cassingham had lived almost continuously at the corner of Fourth and Locust streets. Four years ago she went to the home of her only living daughter, in Cincinnati, where her death occurred last Tuesday morning, after several weeks' illness, and upon the anniversary of the death of her husband, which occurred ten years previous.

Funeral services were held at the residence of the deceased's grandson, Mr. Chas. L. Cassingham, yesterday afternon, conducted by Rev. W. E. Hunt and Rev. J. W. Toland. The services were beautiful in simplicity, and in proper keeping with the unselfish and unostentatious life of the dead. Rev. Hunt spoke feelingly of her great goodness and her thoughtfulness for those about her, and Dr. Toland offered a fervent prayer. A quartette, consisting of Mrs. Julia Cromer Kerlin, Miss Mary Mortley and Messrs. E. A. Dawson and Chas. J. Glover sang "Nearer, My God, to Thee" and "Lead, Kindly Light." The pall bearers were the grandsons, Messrs. Chas. L. and Geo. W. Cassingham, William, David and Carl Williams and Geo. C. McNeil. The interment took place in Oak Ridge cemetery.

The following relations from out of town attended the obsequies: Mrs. Wm. B. Hanlon and niece, Miss Georgia Williams, of Cleveland, O.; Mrs. Wm. Hughes and niece, Miss Bell Williams, of Columbus; Mrs. D. E. Davis and Mrs. Robert Lillard, of Cincinnati, Messrs. Wm. Wilson, of Frazeysburg, and George C. McNeil, of Cleveland.