Oldham Obituaries

AN OLD PIONEER DEAD

Samuel Marling Oldham was the oldest resident of Cambridge, who was bon in the township, died at the residence of his son, Isaac A. Oldham, Saturday, August 2d, and was buried Sunday August 3d. He was born in Cambridge township in 1809 and resided here till 1870, when he removed to Charleston, Coles County and has since resided with his son. He was first married to Mary Sherad, to them were born six children, subsequently to Mary Wilson to whom were born seven children. Four of the children are living, viz: Mrs. S.M. Cook, of Washington , Isaac A. of Cambridge, John L., of Paola, Kansas and Armintha, who resides in Terre Hante, Indiana. All were present at the funeral except Mrs. Cook In early life he became a member of the Associate Reformed church, and after the union, with the U.P. church of which he remained a consistent member during life.

He was one of the five original Abolitionists of Cambridge township, afterwards a Republican. And for the last few years a Prohibitionist. The funeral services were conducted by Dr. McFarland, assisted by Dr. Milligan.

Death Of A Pioneer - from Sadie's scrapebook

Samuel M. Oldham died on Saturday last at the home of his son; Isaac A. Oldham, on North Seventh street, of injuries received by a fall a few weeks ago which caused a fracture of the thigh. The deceased was one of the pioneer citizens of Cambridge town ship. He was born on the home farm north of town in 1809 and resided in Cambridge until 1870. for the following eighteen years he resided first at Charleston, Illinois, and later at Terre Haute, Indiana. Since 1888 he has made his home here with his son. He was twice married, the first time to Mary Sherrard, who died a good many years ago. The maiden name of his second wife was Mary Wilson, and she died in the latter part of January 1888. In all there were eleven children, only four of whom are living namely: Mrs. Sarah M. Cook, of the state of Washington; I. A. Oldham of this place; John L., of Paola Kansas, and Mis Minta Oldham of Terre Haute, Indiana. Mr. Oldham was in early life a member of the Associate Reformed church and late a Presbyterian. Upon his return here he joined the United Presbyterian church. The funeral on Sabbath afternoon was conducted by the Rev. Dr. McFarland assisted by the Rev. Dr. Millgan.

Son of a Pioneer - Death of Marling Oldham at the Age of Seventy-Five

On Tuesday morning March 13, 1894 Marling Oldham, one of our oldest and best known citizens was stricken with paralysis after rising from the breakfast table. A physician was immediately summoned and children and friends hastened to his bedside, but a second stroke quickly followed the first the and medical skill and tender care was of no avail, and though he retained his consciousness until the last, his eves remained closed and he could only speak in a scarcely audible whisper until the following Sabbath when he peacefully passed away. Surrounded by wife, children., grandchildren and friends.

Funeral services were conducted at his late home on Monday, March 19, at 1:00 p.m. by his pastor, Rev. J.H. Nash, assisted by Rev. Dr. McFarland and Rev. Dr. Milligan, all of whom spoke feelingly of their old time friend and Christian brother, after which interment was made in Cambridge cemetery. Mr. Oldham was a son of Isaac Oldham, one of the early pioneers of Guernsey county, who settled in 1807 on the farm where his grandson, Isaac J. Oldham now resides and where the subject of this notice was born in the year 1819; and where until his marriage he continued to reside, when he purchased and removed to an adjacent farm and here has always been his home until his death. There were five brothers and four sisters of his father's family all of whom have "passed over to the other side" except one sister older than himself, Mrs. Sarah Baxter of Iowa.

Mr. Oldham was married in 1841 to Isabel Marling and to whom were born five children, two of whom died in infancy, and the remaining three are, Mrs. Elizabeth Campbell, wife of John S Campbell who lives on a farm adjacent to her father's, Isaac J who lives as before stated on the old home farm, and Mrs. Ellen Linn, wife of David Linn of Westland township. At the age of 23, Mr. Oldham united with the Reformed Dissenting Church, under the ministry of his brother, Rev. Moses Oldham and when their church became dissolved, he joined the Associate Reformed, now the United Presbyterian Church of Cambridge. At the time of his death he held his membership in Pleasant Hill U.P. Church.

Mr. Oldham was a man of great energy of character. He was of a cheerful disposition and never seemed elevated by success nor depressed by reverses. He was a man who kept himself well informed on all the political and current events of the day and was therefore a very intelligent talker' being of good judgment, his advice was often sought, Of a generous disposition, he was always willing and ready to give of his substance in every good cause, and in him the poor always found a warm friend and helper.

A kind husband and indulgent father, he will especially be missed in his home, and the members of that home have the sympathy of the entire community in their sore bereavement, but they have the comforting assurance that he is now in the enjoyment of that home not made with hands eternal in the heavens.

The may add to the foregoing written by a neighbor, that Marling Oldham was a friend of freedom and in full co-operation with the so-called underground railway system that assisted so many fugitive slaves to the land of emancipation. He was one of our most intelligent Republicans and sternest protectionists, having lived long enough to know not alone from study but practical experience under the different tariffs the effects upon farmers and general laborers. It is a little remarkable that he spent most of the week preceding his death in the cemetery supervising the vault where his remains now rest in peace.

There were present from abroad at the funeral of Marling Oldham on Monday, Dr. J.C. Oldham of Springfield, Ohio, James Oldham and son, John and Josiah Marling of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.

Death of Marling Oldham

- (Second Obituary-- has wrong father for Marling)
Marling Oldham, died at his home, three miles north of Cambridge, Mar. 13, the result of two strokes of paralysis.

Mr. Oldham was a son of Thomas Oldham, one of the pioneers of Guernsey county who settled on the farm now owned by Isaac J. Oldham. On this farm Marling Oldham was born in the year 1819, where until his marriage he continued to reside. Mr. Oldham married Isabel Marling in 1841, and during this year purchased the farm upon which he has since resided. Mr. Oldham was the father of five children, two of whom died in infancy, the remaining three being Mrs. J.S. Campbell, Mrs, David Linn and Isaac J Oldham, all residents of this county.

At the age of 23 years, the deceased united with the Reformed Dissenting Church under the ministry of his brother Rev. Moses Oldham. When this congregation dissolved he joined the Associate Reformed church, now the United Presbyterian church of Cambridge, and at the time of his death held his membership in the Pleasant Hill U.P. church. By many years of industry he had accumulated much of this world's goods, and at the time of his death was perhaps one among the wealthiest farmers in this county.

Mr. Oldham was of a generous disposition and was at all time ready and willing to contribute to every good cause, and in him the poor and distressed always found a ready friend.

Although much of his time had been devoted to labor yet he was a great reader and kept himself will informed on the current events of the day and took a deep interest in religious and political matters. In his family relations Mr. Oldham was a kind and indulgent father and will be especially missed by the members of his family, who have the sympathy of the entire community in their bereavement, and in addition they have the comforting assurances that he is now in the enjoyment of that home, not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Nash, assisted by Revs, Dr, McFarland and Milligan, Monday, March, 19 and internment in Cambridge cemetery, Monday afternoon.

Obituary

Mrs. Sarah E. Marling, daughter of John and Florence Oldham, was born near Cambridge, Ohio, in 1836, and departed this life November 20, 1915 May 4, 1858 she was united in marriage to Josiah Marling. To this union four children were born, two preceding her, in infancy, to the spirit world. Those left to mourn her departure are her two daughters, Mrs. Benjamin Middleton, of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, two brothers, James Oldham and Samuel Oldham, of Columbus, Ohio, one sister, Mrs. A.E. Jones, Reynoldsburg, Ohio, six grandchilren, one great-grandson and a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held Monday, November 22; at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Benjamin Middleton, with whom she made her home. Rev Robert McElroy officiated and paid a glowing...

Death's doing Mrs. Thomas Oldham

Mrs. Thomas Oldham died at the family residence; three-miles north of this city, Wednesday morning at 1 o'clock; aged eighty-three years, nine months and eight days. Mrs. Oldham was the daughter of Thomas and Mary Davis, who for many years, owned by Commissioner Graves, east of Cambridge. Mrs. Oldham was born in West Alexander, Washington County, Pa., August 15, 1810, and was married to Hon. Thomas Oldham in Ohio county, W.Va., September 7, 1837, returning with her husband to Guernsey county, on horseback. For fourteen years they resided at what is now known as Barnes' Mills, Mr. Oldham and his brother Samuel operating the mill until it was destroyed by fire, in 1851. During this year they moved to the farm upon which Mrs. Oldham died. To them were born seven children, four of whom died in infancy. Mary Adeline died when fourteen years old, and William F., in September, of last year, leaving but one child, J. T. Oldham, who resides on the old homestead. In this connection it's proper to say that this remaining son and his family have faithfully administered to the wants of their aged parents and left nothing undone to make them comfortable and happy in their last years. Mrs. Oldham united with the Cambridge Presbyterian church, October 9, 1841, and has from that time until her death continued her membership in the same organization, forty years of which has been under the pastorate of Rev. Dr. Milliagan. For some years she had been an invalid and confined to her room most of the time, yet during this period she bore her suffering patiently and without murmuring, anxiously awaiting the final summons. Mrs. Oldham was a quiet unassuming woman, with a deep interest in her family and a kind regard for her friends and neighbors, whose unlimited confidence she possessed. We have had the pleasure of knowing Mrs. Oldham and her honored husband as far back as our recollection carries us, and as we looked upon the face of this departed mother we were deeply impressed with the changes that have taken place in our old home community iin the past thirty-five years, and the question crossed out mind, Who will next answer the summons of death? The aged husband, who is but waiting the expiration of this allotted time, has the sympathy of his many friends and neighbors in the loss of his estimable wife, and will receive the tender care of a kind son and his family in the few years he may yet remain.

Her remains were interred in the Cambridge cemetery Friday afternoon. Rev Dr. Milliagan conduction the funeral ceremony.

In Memory of Mrs. E.A. Oldham

Sorrow broods on blackened wings.
Death has com with cruel sting
Hearts are bleeding, bleeding crushed
Rooms are darkened and voices hushed

A mother sleeps, a world of care.
Has passed from the brow of marble there
And the sweet white lips closed for aye
Heedless at last to the children's cry

But night has fallen, the day is done
And sorrow reigns on his dread black throne
"Mother is dead" is our wailing cry
And Hollow echoes go hurrying by.

Oh who can tell of a mother's love
Who can measure, save God above
And who can tell of a mother's loss
Save those who bear that heavy cross.

Mrs. Oldham Dead

Again has one of the homes in this city been made desolate of the death messenger, and taken from husband and children a true wife and fond and loving mother. On Thursday morning, at 8 o'clock, Mrs. Lettie A. Oldham, wife of John L. Oldham, died, aged 42 years.

Mrs. Oldham was born in Brookfield, Michigan, February 16, 1856, where the major part of her young life was spent. At about 14 years of age, together with her mother and sister, they moved to Paola. Kansas, where the balance of her life was spent until she was summoned 'to that home not made with hands eternal in the Heavens." At an early age she became a member of the Baptist church, and from that time until her death the living principles of a Christian controlled her life. In the home, in society, and everywhere she went, if not by words, by that more potent force of example, she tried to point people to Christ. Modest and retiring in disposition, there was an innate something about her that told you that to do the Master's work was the crowning idea of life with her. For the past nineteen weeks she has been a great sufferer, but she is now enjoying the reward o those whose 'robes have been washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb." There are no words that can be said to bring comfort and consolation to husband, mother, daughters, son and sister in this great sorrow; but only the memory of her life and the promise of a reunion bye and bye can abate the sorrow. She has gone, but her memory is the one bright flower we can keep with us all through life. She leaves a husband, two daughters, a son, mother, sister and many friends to mourn her loss.

The funeral services will take place from her late residence this Friday afternoon at 3 o'clock after which the remains will be interred in Oak Grove cemetery.

The Passing of a Pioneer

The death of Mrs. Sarah M. Cook, who passed away at her home on Ebeys prairie on Wednesday evening of last week removes from out midst another of the early pioneers of Island County who came here in the 50's and 60's to carve for themselves and families a home in an almost virgin wilderness. At the time of her death, which was due to advanced age, Mrs. Cook was 82 years. 8 months and 3 months old, having been born on March 25, 1833, at Cambridge, Guernsey county, Ohio her maiden name being Sarah Marling Oldham. On August 2, 1853, she was married to Cyrus E. Cook and five years later, in the month of December, 1858 just 57 ago, she and her husband determined to seek a home in the great, and them almost unknown, Northwest, and started for Puget Sound coming by way of New York City. They went by boat to Panama crossed over to Whidby island and settled on Smiths Prairie and built a log house where they resided for some time. This pioneer cabin is still standing. The first school on Smiths Prairie was taught by Mrs. Cook. This was one of the earliest schools on the Island and the old building still stands, altho it is in rather a dilapidated condition. Mr. Cook after wards bought land on the west side of Ebeys Prairie where they built a house in 1876 and here Mrs. Cook and her son Win have ever since made their home. Mr Cook died in 1906 and was buried at Port Townsend. Three children was born to Mr. and Mrs. Cook; Howard, who died about 30 years ago, Marietta who was the wife of J. B. Libbey and who died over 25 years ago, and A. W. who still resides on the old home and has been with his mother during " the whole 60 years of his life and taken the most tender care of her and been solicitous of her every need. Mrs. Cook was well and widely known and highly esteemed for her many excellent qualities and will be greatly missed, not only by her hundreds of friends on Whidby Island but by those pioneer associates throughout the state with whom she yearly met at the annual Pioneer's Associations to talk of the early days when settlers were few and far between.

The funeral was held from the residence on Friday afternoon, services going conducted by Rev. C.E. Newberry, of Kirkland, assisted by Rev. Robert Murray Pratt of this place, and the remains were laid at rest in Sunnyside cemetery beside the bodies of the son and daughter who had preceded the mother to that great and mysterious beyond. The floral offerings were very beautiful and the services were attended by many of the old-time neighbors and friends of the deceased.