Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-24
NEARING The CENTURY MARK
NINETY-FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF
]. d. CATHELL's BIRTHDAY.
Long Time Resident Of the District
and Vice President Of Oldest In
habitants' Association.

Today Is the ninety-f1rst birthday Of Capt
Jonathan D. Cathell. who was born the
oath day of September, A. D. 1917. His
present residence Is 1854 street north.
west. He is enjoying very good health and
is In possession Of his faculties excepting
his eyesight, which Is somewhat impaired
Mr.. Cathell has been a resident Of George
town since 1S49 He has five children liv-
ing. Among them are Mrs. Nixon Brewer
wife Of Mr.. Nixon Brewer: Mrs. Margaret
Fuller. Mrs. William H. Connelley, Rev
DR.. j. E. Cathell, rector Of st. Pauls Par
ish. Des Moines, Iowa. and Mr.. James H
Cathel who Is in the employ Of the Penn
sylvania railroad In this city.
Capt. Jonathan D. Cathell was superin-
tendent of the Georgetown Gaslight Com
pany from February 8, 1854, till January /
1893, at which time he was retired during
the administration of the late John Leetch
who was then president of the company.
He has also been a very active member OF
the Congress Street Methodist Protestant
Church of Georgetown, D. c.: has been a
member of Covenant Lodge; l. o. o. F.,
for the past hfty-five years. and also one
of the vice presidents of the Oldest Inhab-
itants' Association in this city.
Became a Sailor.
Away back In 1882 Capt Cathell's father
thought proper to start him on the career of
a sailor and shipped him on a Chesapeake
bay craft as cook. Later he was employed
on vessel his father built. AS an ordinary
seaman he sailed with his father on a voy-
age up the Mediterranean. This was the
beginning of his experience in a life on the
ocean wave"
Capt. Cathell was married to Miss Mar
garet Ann Penuel December u, 1898, the
ceremony taking place in the same house
in which he was born. few weeks later,
by another coincidence, they went to house.
keeping in the house in which Mrs. Cathell
was born.
Capt. Cathell was an earnest Christian
worker In the early days Of Washington,
and it is said formed several Sunday schools
and congregations. He Is also said to have
been at the head of the first organized char
tiles in the District, which was brought into
existence because Of the rigors of the win
ter of 1852-1853, and the great snowstorm
In March. 1853, which continued four days.
In this charity work he was Joined by Rob-
ert p. Dodge and others after he had taken
the initiative.
His Activities.
He was, as stated, made superintendent
Of the Georgetown Gaslight Company soon
after 1t was formed. in 1853. At the close
Of the civil war Capt. Cathell did mission
airy work among the canal boatmen that
came to Georgetown. in connection with his
pastor, Rev. T. D. Valiant. He also took
the initiative In establishing church home
for the aged and infirm members Of the
Methodist Protestant Church.
Capt Cathell was married tho second
time July 8. 1900. his first wife having died
May Z, $780, after a happy married life
Of more than sixty-one years. His second
partner was Mrs. Anna s. Wallace Of
gress Street M. P. Church. He was also
honored several times by being sent to the
annual conference of the NJ. P. Church and
once to the general conference.