Smyrna times., 1885-08-12
Death of VIM. R. Cahoon.

VIM. Il. CahOOn, Sr., of Dover, a for
mer resident of this town, near which
he was born and raised, died very sud
denly on Sunday morning, in the 72nd
year of his age, having been born
on the first of October, 1913. The
death occurred at the Penrose Camp.
where he had q family tent and where
he had preached the evening before,
being in his usual health, other than
some rheumatic pains. The tent was
a twO-stOry one, he occupying the
lower room. The family arose at the
usual signal and on descending to the
lower room his daughter found him
sitting on the stair-step, reclining
gently to one side. She spoke to him
but received no reply, and on looking
in his face found that he was dead.
The shock to the family and the
whole encampment can well be i'm
agined. During the morning a corO-
ner's inquest was held, after which
the body was carried to his home,
three miles from Dover, the physi-
clans prOnOuncing the death to have
resulted from a sudden attack of
rheumatism of the heart. His friends
had noticed for the past two or three
years shrinking of the flesh and Il
failing in that vital force that has
been marked characteristic of his
busy useful life, but he attended to
his usual duties in town and country
with the same methOdical care uncOm-
plainingly, having all the time in mind
IA final result, whether life be pro-
longed indefinitely, or stop as it did, in
moment.
The incidents of his early life belong
to this town and vicinity. He was one
Of the bright boys of that time that de
VelOped into strong men. He was one
of the subjects Of the great revival of
1929 that had such marked impress
on this community, sending some six
of his older companions into the min-
istpy, he being at that time in his 10th
year-a circumstance that he eyer after
referred to with great qualification a.
saving him from Il thousand snares. :"
About the time or before reaching his
majority he married Miss Louisa Ben
son, daughter of Benz. Benson, lead
ing business man of the town, and
went to merchandising at COwgills
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success, and some time after this he
taught school in KentOn and filled at
the same time the office of Justice Of
the Peace, in both positions giving
more than usual satisfaction. About
40 years ago he formed partnership
with Joseph CarrOw, who had also
married daughter of Mr.. Benson, the
new firm succeeding to the business of
the Widely-kpOwn firm of Benson Il
Oats, carriage mapufacturers. This
was pursued some fifteen years, but his
business was seriously crippled by the
panic Of '57 and the subsequent war,
and failed shortly after the latter oOm-
menced. From this he went to farm
ing near town from which he was called
to Dover to fill the Office of Clerk of
the Orphans Court, (receiving his ap.
pOintment from Governor Cannon)
where he has since resided, successful
in every enterprise, respected and hon
Ored by larger acquaintance, busi-
ness and social, in his native county
and the adjoining counties of Mary
land, than is accorded to most men.
While in business in this town his
first wife died and he subsequently,
married a daughter of the late Josenh
HOffecker. From both of these he
reared large families of children
Shortly after going to Dover he com
menced again in n small way the car
rage business, taking in partnership
with him his eldest son, William. who
mad grown to manhood, the business
steadily growing until it is recognized
as one of the important business en-
terprises of the town.
Mr.. CahOOn was u man of moro tbor
usual natural endOWments counled
WIN WIN wnlch was an honesty and integ-
rity OF character that was never doubI-
ed, and had success instead of re-
verses characterized his early life bo
might have been chosen to high nosi-
ions, for qny of which in the gift Of
me people he had abundant a6iIity
AS member Of the Legislature aaIi
otherr places i9 his earlier life ~"
Wnleh he was chosen, he alwavs se,,,a9 ~
Win nigh distinction, and ne n rd4
Der OF eonYentiOns-pOlitioai and a. az
of moral Peform-ho me- ~ ' vl'e
sraliyone OfthOse chosen in the fomnse '1 sep-
iH ana declaration of Opinions TsL
lau sought in starting out In EGa ne
business s for which he was the best ana Snat
& gu &9y mental qualities, it nerSap. S,.S
Eoulu 1ou nave been the law. A man ps
Yep convictions, ,indomitable indnstnO.' t VI
.gcIslon ,'j.i OF character, unwavan;y, SSly,
oo'l a,.n, d manifest respect for the 0faE fanE
U.s. pss ana opinions of others. whiIa ''eI 81
'aS ready TO sacrifice himself ne" ~
~ S,ps ue saw what he was ever ain;,.