Sarah Jane (Cassingham) McGee Obituary

Sarah Jane Cassingham, daughter of Richard and Margaret Cassingham, and widow of Joshua McGee, deceased, was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, Aug. 22nd, 1831, and died at her home two miles north of Liberty church in McDonough count, Illinois, February 14, 1894, aged 62 years, 5 months and 22 days.

She came with her parents to Illinois in 1853 and settled near LaHarpe, and was married to Joshua McGee, May 1st, 1857, and two years later with her husband moved to the farm in the north-east corner of Blandinsville township, where she continued to reside until her death. The husband and father of her children was removed from her by death, December 13, 1876, since which time she walked life's pathway a widow. There was born to her six children, three sons and three daughters. One daughter, Lula, died November 3, 1870, and five living to comfort and bless the mother In her declining years, viz: Oscar, in Brown county, Kan., Clara Rush, in Kansas, Edgar, Sam'l and Cora at the old home, and besides these to mourn there is living of her father's family, Geo. Cassingham, in Kan. and Wm. Cassingham, Phoebe Tarman and Sophia Tarman, living near LaHarpe, Ill. She was converted and joined the Methodist Episcopal church when sixteen years of age, and for 46 years she was loyal, faithful and true to the church of her choice and died in its faith with an abounding hope of a glorious immortality. She was kind, loving and indulgent mother, ever ready and willing to make any sacrifice for the good of her children, whom she dearly loved. She was an obliging neighborly neighbor, loved and respected by all in the community where she lived.

She was a great sufferer for a number of years from a complication of ailments which finally caused her death. Her last sickness dates from Jan. 3, and during these five weeks her suffering was intense, but bore it all with patience and resigned submission. Everything was done for her by the attending physicians that medical skill could do, but to no avail, and her faithful daughter and son, Cora and Samuel, with her friends and neighbors, gladly done all that kind hands and loving hearts could do, but she gradually grew worse until the end.

She had a great desire to live to enjoy the society of her children, for this she pleaded with God, but God had ordered otherwise. On Saturday morning with her son Samuel with whom she had often held sweet council, they two alone in the room she said, "I don't think I can live but a few days, but I have tried to be a Christian and live right before God and men, but regret that I have not been more faithful. I have not aught against any one, and freely forgive all." Then together mother and son prayed for strength and willingness to submit and suffer God's will, believing that he knoweth best, and doeth all things well. She had a great desire to see all her children and grand children but not being thus privileged she prayed for all, and surrendered all to God and made requests that they all meet her in heaven. Then her testimony was, "I have trusted God and I shall not be disappointed," and she would shout praises to God if she had the strength so to do, and at 3:30 p. m. Wednesday, Feb. 14 she fell in sleep and her spirit returned to the God who gave it.

Her funeral took place from Liberty Methodist Episcopal church, Saturday, Feb. 17, at 10:30 a. m., conducted by the pastor, Rev. Vincent Aten, and attended by a large company of the old neighbors and friends, taxing the church to its utmost capacity. Appropriate singing was rendered by the choir, composed of the young people, after which the company followed to Wesley Chapel Cemetery where the burial took place.-Blandinstine Gazette