This community mourns the loss of one of its leading citizens in the death of Ira E. Cahoon which occurred at his home in Fontanelle on Saturday evening, April 23rd, at eleven forty-five. He had suffered from the effects of cancer for nearly two years past. The first appearing on his lower lip. The danger of which seemed to be entirely eliminated after he had received expert medical treatment in Omaha but during the late fall months of the past year, the malady attacked him again under the disguise of an ulcerated tooth. It soon became so severe that medical and surgical aid seemed of no avail. He grew gradually weaker until death relieved him from suffering.

He was born at West Brewster, Massachusetts, on January 4th, 1858, where he received his early training which laid the foundation for his industrious and useful life. He came to Nebraska in 1880 and located in Fontanelle. For several years he followed the brick mason trade. Several substantial buildings in this community remain as visible monuments of the days of his operative masonic career, among the more prominent being the local Lutheran Church building. He founded the Fontanelle Creamery in 1893 and remained sole proprietor and manager of it until up to the time of his death.

On May 25, 1883 he was married to Mrs. Amanda Jones who was a prominent school teacher of this community at that time, and a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. William Reed Hamilton who were prominent pioneer settlers of this community. His home life was always of the most congenial nature and he will be greatly missed by the members of his immediate family circle.

The surviving members are the widow and the following children, Robert I. Cahoon and Mrs. E. M. Uehling, of Hooper, Nebr., Percy Cahoon, of Los Angeles, Cal., Irving C. Cahoon, of West Point, Nebr., Parke Cahoon, of Fontanelle and Dewy and Miss Lourene, who are living at home with their mother.

He was a member of Hiram Lodge No. 52 A.F. and A.M. at Arlington, and also held membership in the Modern Woodman of American and Royal Highlanders lodges.

The funeral services were held on Tuesday at 2 o’clock from his home in Fontanelle and the remains were laid to rest in Oak Lawn Cemetery south of town where the Masons had charge of the services at the grave.

#2-28 Apr., 1921 - The Enterprise

IRA E. CAHOON DIES

Ira E. Cahoon of Fontanelle died last Saturday night of cancer. Deceased came to this county in 1880, and for many years was interested in the creamery business in Fontanelle.

He was a man of intelligence and was a successful businessman, and had many warm friends in his vicinity who held him in high esteem.

The funeral services were held Tuesday with Rev. Foreman officiating, and the burial, in charge of the Masonic fraternity from Arlington and Hooper, was made in Oak Lawn cemetery just south of Fontanelle.

~~~Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clipping on file at the Blair Public Library.~~~