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- Obituary from Watkins Democrat:
Death of M. M. Cass, Sr.
One of Watkins Pioneer Residents Passes the Great Divide.
Many Other Deaths Cast Shadow Over Stricken Families.
Marcus Marcellus Cass, Sr. M. M. Cass, Sr., died Saturday, August 3, 1907, at about one o'clock p.m. The end came peacefully. Mr. Cass arose in his usual health, but early in the morning complained of pains about his stomach and heart. He gradually weakened and passed into unconsciousness. The news of his death passed over the town like a shock, he having been in wonderfully good health for a man of his age.
Marcus Marcellus Cass, Sr., was born in March, 1824, in the town of Hector, the youngest son of Josiah and Eunice French Cass. The family was of noted antecedents, Aaron Cass, the father of Josiah, came from Connecticut, the son of Jonathan Cass [note: this is NOT correct]. Aaron Cass was a soldier of the Revolution and the war of 1812, being killed in the latter war. The mother of the subject of this sketch was Eunice, the daughter of John French, a noted lawyer of Otsego county, and bore children as follows: Cynthia Ann, Moses, Caroline, Abraham, John B., and Marcus Marcellus.
Cynthia Ann, the eldest child, about 1840 became the wife of Dr. Samuel Watkins, the founder and namesake of the village of Watkins. At the doctor's death in 1851, he left his large estate to his widow, who used a large portion of it in endowing the village, whose name she changed from Jefferson to Watkins, in honor of her husband, with parks, the academy and other improvements. She later married Judge George G. Freer, but died shortly childless. The estate was willed to her relatives and M. M. Cass, Sr., received a goodly portion.
Mr. Cass was given unusual advantages in travel and education. After a college course he began the study of law at Rochester with Selah Matthews. Later he engaged in legal practice with Norton A. Halbert, of New York city. In 1856 he removed to Watkins and since has enjoyed a life suited to his scholarly tastes.
He married Sarah A., daughter of Stephen Hurd, a woman of noted lineage and fine attainments. To this union seven children were born: M. M. Jr., the present editor of the Watkins Express, who inherits his father's fine abilities; Cynthia, Mrs. George L. Meddick; Jessie, Mrs. John M. Roe; John, of Montour Falls; Schuyler, of Watkins; Sarah Grace, Mrs. A. H. Olmstead, of Rochester; and W. H. Seward, of Rochester.
Mr. Cass was a life long Republican in politics and although he never held office, he was recognized as one of the most faithful of his party's adherents. He served on the Republican state committee and was a delegate to the national convention which placed President Lincoln in nomination for the second time.
He was a man of fine literary tastes and insight and contributed many polished articles and sketches to both local and national publications. He was a keen student of economies and nature and to the day of his dissolution never lost his comprehensive grip on public affairs.
The funeral services were held from the house Tuesday at two p.m., Rev. F. W. Sessions officiating. The bearers were E. B. Russell, George D. Norman, A. F. Chapman, G. P. Hurd, A. S. Abbey and W. H. Baldwin. Interment in Glenwood. His body was interred 6 Aug 1907 in Watkins, Schuyler, NY, Glenwood Cemetery.(2160) I have not been able yet to find his tombstone at Glenwood.
He married Sarah A. Hurd in Watkins, Schuyler, NY, about 1856. Sarah was born in Rock Stream, Yates, NY about 1837. Mr. Linder, in his letter, lists Sarah's birth year as 1828. Sarah(2161) was the daughter of Stephen Hurd and Laura Bodman.
Sarah died about 1918. Her body was interred 1918 in Watkins, Schuyler, NY, Glenwood Cemetery.(2162) Tombstone inscription reads:
"Sarah A. Hurd Cass 1837-1918"
He made a will in Watkins, Schuyler, NY, 21 Mar 1894. " Watkins, March 21st, 1894
I Marcus M. Cass being of sound mind declare this to be my last will and testament. I leave and give all my property to my wife Sarah A. Cass for and during her natural life and after her death to the heirs of my body equally, and I will that she and my son Marcus M. Cass Jr. be my executors.
My object in this leaving my estate is to enable my wife to keep up the house where we now live as a home for herself and to enable her to provide assistance for such of my children as may be most unfortunate and in need of help.
Should my wife die before my son Seward is of the age of twenty one, I will that he shall receive the income of the Havana Glen until he is of the age of twenty one to assist him in obtaining an education. Said Glen to be kept in repair out of the income thereof. I recommend my heirs to an amicable division of the estate left them by their Aunt Cynthia Ann Freer without recourse to a partition suit or legal proceedings.
In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand in the presence of my oldest son Marcus M. Cass Jr. and my youngest daughter Sarah Grace Cass and requested that they sign this instrument as witnesses of my signature. Marcus Marcellus Cass
Witnesses: Marcus M. Cass Sarah Grace Cass Emmett B. Russell James W. Hennessy"
His funeral was held in Watkins, Schuyler, NY, 6 Aug 1907.(2163) Rev. F. W. Sessions, officiating.
Marcus's will was probated in Watkins, Schuyler, NY, 11 Nov 1907.(2164) Marcus was a definite spiritualist, participating in seances several times per week and writing thousands of pages of notes on these events, which are stored in a collection at Cornell University. He owned the area called Havana Glen and apparently made improvements to it for tourists. He served on the Board of Trustees of Watkins Union School District from 1865-1880(?) and the Board of Education.
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