Sarah Cooke Acheson was born in Washington, Pennsylvania in 1844. Her childhood was spent in the town of her birth. At the age of 19, she married Capt. Alexander W. Acheson in 1864. The marriage took place while Capt. Acheson was on furlough recovering from a gunshot wound in the face. He left for the front ten days after their marriage, encouraged by his young wife.

Dr. and Mrs. Acheson moved to Texas in 1872, settling in Denison.

1866 - 1871	Catherine Acheson	died in infancy
1868 - 1923	Jean W. Acheson	never married
1873 - 1874	Helen Beatty Acheson
1876 - 1880	Alexander Wilson Acheson III
1883 - 1945	Alice Lucy Acheson	m. Ira F. Sproule

Early Days In Denison
Items of Local and General Interest from the columns of the Denison News
Week ending January 21, 1880
. . . Alex W. Acheson, age 4 years, the only son of Dr. A.W. Acheson, died Monday of spinal meningitis.  The doctor and his estimable wife had the heartfelt sympathy of the entire community. The remains, accompanied by the mother, were taken to Washington, Pennsylvania, where they were laid to rest in the family burying ground. Mrs. W. H. Sanford accompanied Mrs. Acheson as far as Sedalia, Missouri . . .


Sarah Acheson was a moral force, her influence was felt strongly, not only in Denison where she resided, but throughout the state of Texas.  Her generous nature has been shown in heroic deeds of a kind which the world seldom sees.

In May 1880, a cyclone struck the village of Savoy, leaving many inhabitants badly wounded, killed, and homeless. Mrs. Acheson traveled by train to reach them, doing duty as nurse and special provider for the suffering.
Other acts of public service include:
Three years of active service to the Women's Christian Temperance Union
Helped organize the Denison Equal Rights Association (1st suffrage club in Texas); served as 1st President
1883-1888: President of the Denison Chapter of the Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU)
1888-1891: President of the Texas WCTU, guiding it into a haven of financial safety
1893: Texas Equal Rights Organization formed; served as the 4th Vice President
1894: Superintendent of Educational Opportunities for Women and Children
1895: Served on the Business Committee

The Sunday Gazetteer
Sunday, December 13, 1891
pg 4
A LOYAL PRESBYTERIAN GONE
Communicated

Died at his home, No. 1419 W. Woodard Street, December 11, George, beloved horse of Dr. and Mrs. A. W. Acheson, at the advanced age of 31 years.
The old citizens of Denison, we feel sure, will read the above notice with regret, and we trust drop a tear while recalling and extolling the many virtues of this truly noble animal.
When purchased by Dr. Acheson nearly 19 years ago, he was a beutiful, spirited animal, often displaying his fine blood (Morgan) by passing everything on the race track located where the residence of  R. C. Foster now stands; and yet, with all his spirit, as gentle and tractable as a kitten, ever ready to obey the voice of his mistress.
In pioneer days of the Presbyterian church, being the only horse belonging to its membership, he stood loyally to its needs, until his faithfulness brought out the gratitude of the Ladies' Aid Society in the resolve to bury him from the church when he died. Later on he became identified with the White Ribbon movement, having, during the past eight years, transported to and from the depot many notable women engaged in the grand work for humanity. Miss Willard, Mrs. Palmer, Mrs. Wells, Miss Ida Clothier, Mrs. Carse, Mrs. Lathrop, Mrs. Perkins, Miss Griffin, women whose names will pass into history along with the great ones of earth's heroes. Who can tell of the deeds of kindness performed by this dear horse; wherever sickness or sorrow or want hovered there stood "old George." Before the door of the out cast woman and drinking man, ready to do his part toward their reformation. How many sorrowing mothers he has bourn to old Oakwood with the dead baby by their side; how many happy, joyous young people he has trotted through our streets?  All this work performed faithfully, cheerfully. Well might we write as his epitaph the motto of the old French guard< "Faithful unto death." Farewell, dear old George, and although we will never again see your familiar form on our streets, we feel sure that "He who notes even a sparrow's tail" has taken knowledge of your goodness and perhaps in his kind providence has even a place for your future.  S.C.A.


Dr. Alexander W. Acheson Jr, Sarah C. Acheson, and Jean W. Achison are buried at Fairview Cemetery, Denison, TX.


American Women, Fifteen Hundred Biographies, Vol.1, Publ. 1897. Transcribed by Marla Snow
Ancestry.com
Art Work of Grayson County, 1895