William Cass

CASS, William, of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, was born on April 1, 1844 in Polk County, Tennessee, the son of John Cass, who was the son of John Cass of McMinn County, Tennessee and Virginia and Nancy White, daughter of John White (moved from South Carolina to Tennessee). John White was a Revolutionary soldier. Subject was a Democrat and a Missionary Baptist. He served in Company E, 5th Tennessee Cavalry, full time service in ranks and in prison. He married Hariett Cohea, daughter of Amos and Mary Cohea of Washington County, Arkansas in 1873. They were the parents of five sons; Ed and Maynard of Prairie Grove and Charles, William and Clifford, all living in Briggsdale, California. [1911 Arkansas Confederate Census]

CASS, William M. – Mr. William Cass, who lives southeast of town, has been very sick the past week and there is no improvement in his condition today. [Prairie Grove Herald 1/11.1917]

Mr. Clifford Cass of Greeley, Colorado, arrived here Wednesday morning to be with his father, Mr. William Cass, who is very sick. [Prairie Grove Herald 10/24/1917]

Mr. William Cass Dead – Mr. William Cass died at his home near Illinois Chapel, at an early hour Friday morning, October 26th, after an illness of ten months of leakage of the heart.

Mr. Cass was born in McMinn County, Tennessee, April 1, 1844. He moved from Tennessee to Texas, where he married Miss Martha Ates. To this union was born one child who died in infancy. He was again married to Miss Harriet Cohea, who survives him with their five sons.

At the breaking out of the Civil War, he enlisted in the Confederate army and served until the close of the war. The second year of the war he was converted and united with the Baptist church. Mr. Cass was a man devoted to his home and its interests. He did not, however, lose interest in the welfare of his neighbors and their homes, for he was ever ready to lend a helping hand when needed and gave freely of his time and means for the betterment of those things that are of common interest to a community. He was a devout Christian, which he practiced every day of his life. His long suffering was borne with patience and submission and he expressed himself to be glad for the rest and place that the end would bring to him.

The funeral services were held from his late home Friday afternoon, Rev. John F. Parker officiating, and the burial was made in the Harrison cemetery near Illinois Chapel, in the presence of a large gathering of relatives, friends and neighbors.

Beside his wife, he is survived by five sons, three of whom, Messrs. Clifford, Maynard and Edward Cass were with him in his last illness. Messrs. William and Charles Cass of Colorado visited him during the summer and were unable to come at this time. [Prairie Grove Herald 11/1/1917]