Richard Cassingham Obituary

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Richard Cassingham Obituary

(From the La Harper, La Harpe, IL, July 12, 1889 - Courtesy of Judy O'Flaherty)

The subject of this sketch, Richard Cassingham, was born in Kent County, England, June 8, 1804. He came to America with his father, mother, six brothers and one sister, when 14 years of age. They landed in Baltimore, came directly to Ohio, and settled in Muskingum County, near Zanesville. While living in Muskingum County, he was married to Margaret Morrison, Dec. 18, 1828. In 1852 they removed to this county and have been residents of La Harpe township ever since. When about 18 years old he joined the M. E. Church. Soon afterward he became a member of the Methodist Protestant Church and has been in good and regular standing ever since. As was often the case in those early days, meetings were held in his house for some time. Among the men who preached under his roof were Israel Thrapp, Wm. Tipton and others. He delighted to tell of the pioneer ministers he had heard preach. Geo. Brown seemed to be a favorite. His house was not only a meeting house for the public worship of God, but a stopping place and a house of refuge for the preachers. Here the weary itinerant always found a welcome and the good cheer that sent him on his way rejoicing in the privilege of preaching Christ and him crucified in the midst of dangers and hardships of which the younger generation knows but little. Father Cassingham settled in the woods when he came to Ohio, and cleared up his farm from the virgin forest. He accomplished this herculean task without breaking down in physical health. He was always a man of strong constitution. But alas, he found that the machinery of life run down sometime. For two or three years he has been in failing health. He died at the residence of his son, Wm. R. Cassingham, at 3 o'clock in the morning, July 5, 1889, at the ripe age of 85 years and 28 days. He died of a complication of diseases, due, perhaps, to old age. He leaves an aged and afflicted companion with whom he has lived and walked for over 60 years. To them were born ten children. As far as is known, six are living and four arte dead.

The funeral services were conducted at his sons' residence by his pastor, Rev. W. W. Lineberry, and was participated in by Revs. P. J. Strong and R. Pacey. The speaker took for his text, the last clause of Gen. 25-17. A large number of sympathizing friends took their final leave of him and followed him to the cemetery at LaHarpe, where his mortal remains were laid away to rest until the resurrection. The long and rough journey of life is over. All is well with Father Cassingham now and we can say with the poet:

Time is weeping on the earth for the lost,
There is bowing in grief to the ground;
But rejoicing and praise mid the sanctified host
For a spirit in Paradise is found.
Though brightness hath passed from the earth,
Yet a star is new born in the sky,
And a soul hath gone home to the land of its birth,
Where are pleasures and fullness of joy;
And a new harp is strung, and a new song is given
To the breezes that float o'er the garden of Heaven.