    Alexander W. Acheson 1842 - 1934     Sarah C. Acheson 1843 - 1899 Sunday Gazetteer
Sunday, January 22, 1899 Mrs. Sarah Cook Acheson, wife of Dr. Alex W. Acheson, died at 10 o'clock Monday evening. Though death was not unexpected at any time by family and friends yet they were unprepared for the sudden summons, but to the weary, waiting sufferer, it must have been sweetly welcome release. "Sunset and evening star, And one clear call for me." Mrs. Acheson had been an invalid for nearly two years, suffering from an incurable disease. The most devoted selfsacrifide of husband and daughters could not alleviate the pain of weary days, but cheered by the tenderest devotion and sustained by the christian's faith and hope she patiently awaited the call. She attended church, as usual, Sunday, and had taken the customary drives with her daughter on Monday, calling on a number of friends in the afternoon. Though they observed she was not looking so well as usual, no thought of the nearness of death occurred to them. After reaching home at 5:30 p.m. and taking supper with the family, Mrs. Acheson was suddenly stricken and sank gradually until the peaceful end came shortly before 10 o'clock. Her death has cast a shadow over the city, everyone expressing the deepest sorrow. No one has done more to win the love and respect of all classes than had Mrs. Acheson whose life, during health, was one long effort for the uplifting of the lowly and unfortunate. Was there sickness? She was ever ready to minister to the suffering. Was enough to sympathize with all the wrongdoers, for the wrong itself she had only righteous indignation, and she labored as long as strength was given to undo wrong and build up the right. Though the loving heart and helping hand are chilled in death the memory of her example will stimulate her friends and co-workers to follow in her footsteps. Mrs. Acheson was born in Washington, Pa., Feb. 2, 1844, and came of one of the oldest and most noted families of that region. He maiden name was Cook, she being a lineal descendant of General Morgan of Revolutionary fame. Miss Sarah Cook and Dr. A. W. Acheson were married in Washington, Pa., June 20, 1864, and resided in that state until 1872 when they came to Texas, locating at 331 W. Sears street, where they lived for many years, the hospitable home being the center around which the culture and refinement to be found here in the early days of the town, gathered. Having cast her lot among the rough elements always to be found in a railway town on the borders of civilization, Mrs. Acheson at once began to formulate plans for the betterment of her surroundings. In response to her efforts the first church organization in the city came into existence - the Presbyterian church. She remained identified with and a faithful worker in that church for years. Then began with her husband, Dr. A. W. Acheson, efforts to organize a Congregational church and erect a house of worship for the congregation. Both organizations now have flourishing congregations and comfortable houses of worship, monuments to the well directed energies of the faithful worker. She was the leader in the organization of literary and musical societies, in fact no plan for the improvement of the people of the city, socially, morally and religiously but was given her hearty aid and co-operation. From the inception of the W.C.T.U. Mrs. Acheson entered heart and soul into the cause of temperance reform. She was an active, aggressive working member of the local union until the heavy hand of disease was laid upon her. She was president of the state organization, member of the Prison Visiting committee of the state, and a most enthusiastic worker in the Rescue department. Her kindly, womanly sympathy went out to all women, none could fall so low as to be outside its pale. She had the utmost faith that finally good must prevail and the very genius of patience to wait and hope for its triumph. No present failure, no temporary set-back could damp her ardor. Her mantle of charity was broad as humanity itself. She asked not of the past but of the present, and always had a loving word of helpfulness and hope to guide the weakest feet struggling to find a better way. The end of the journey is reached, the loving life is ended, and she has passed into rest. Besides hosts of sorrowing friends Mrs. Acheson leaves a husband and two daughters to mourn her loss. The ties strengthened by years of loving companionship are rudely broken. The beauty of the final devotion of the eldest daughter who gave up all outside association that she might minister to her invalid mother; the gentleness, the tenderness that anticipated every want, the loving watchfulness through months of weary days and nights touched every heart. The funeral took place at the home, 1419 west Woodard street at 3 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, Rev. Dr. Little, an old friend and former pastor of Mrs. Acheson conducting the service. Many old time friends gathered around the bier to pay the last tribute of respect and by their presence and sympathy console the living. The pall bearers, Messers E. T. Hathaway, J. Brutsche, Sam Hanna, Col. R. C. Foster, C. Swarts and George Jarvis were among the pioneer citizens of Denison, tried and true friends of Dr. and Mrs. Acheson through all the viscissitudes of twenty odd checkered years. At the close of the funeral service the funeral cortege took up the line of march to Fairview cemetery where all that was mortal of wife, mother and friend was laid to rest. Tender hands in obedience to the promptings of loving hearts covered the mound of flowers, then turned sadly homeward to pick up the broken threads and face life's duties anew. After the battle, victory and the calm, sweet sleep of death.  Jean W. Acheson 1868 - 1923 Fairview Cemetery Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson CountyTXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |