Marriage date: May 12, 1864 in Lake County, Ohio.
The Painesville Telegraph dated 22 Dec 1881 page 3
Death of Daniel T. Casement
"Our Father, human wisdom is so small that we
Dare not beseech Thy love for anything
With too great urgency, and so we bring
Our stricken hearts, that, silent, turn to Thee,
Shunning all common speech, as 'twere too free-
As if a taint of willfulness might cling
To our best chosen words, and the clear spring
Of true obedience fail in purity"
Another of Painesville's prominent men has passed through the "Gates Ajar" to the better life beyond. It is with aching hearts that we note so frequently of late the passing away of those who can least be spared; men whom the world needs-who in their lives recognized the human brotherhood, and were ever ready to help the needy, to raise the fallen; honest and true men , ennobling labor, fighting bravely the manifold battles of life; men of strong individuality living their own lives fearlessly that the good they did might live after them. They leave their impress on the human family, and the world is better for their having lived.
Prominent amongst such men was D. T. Casement, and now Painesville mourns his loss, for she claimed him as her own, and men of his ability and capabilities are rare.
"Ashes to ashes, Dust to dust,
He is gone; but nothing can bereave him
Of the force he made his own."
Mr. Casement came to Ohio in 1855, graduated from the Cleveland Commercial College, having previously taken a university course in another state. At the age of 20 years he entered upon a successful railroad career, commencing as cashier and bookkeeper in the office of his brother, J. S. Casement, who was then ballasting and building the second track of the Lake Shore Road, and subsequently commenced building the Philadelphia and Erie and Erie and Pittsburgh Roads. At the commencement of the war, his brother entered the army. leaving him in full charge of all his business. During the war the firm of J. S. and D. T. Casement was formed (the co-partnership still existing), and upon the younger member devolved the responsibility of completing the unfinished roads. At the close of the war, after General Casement returned home, they contracted for laying the track of the Union Pacific Railroad, stipulating to lay as fast as required, not to exceed three miles per day. This they accomplished so easily that about two thirds of the grading of the whole road was added to their contract. Mr. Casement was a man of large brain, cultivated intellect, indomitable will and untiring energy and courage that had no bounds. The greater the obstacles to be overcome, the happier he seemed, always equal to the emergency and inspiring others with much of his heroic spirit. His integrity and honesty of purpose were never questioned. His refined tastes, his love of the beautiful in nature and art, his genial, happy temperament, his rare social qualities, his wit and humor, his generous impulses and large benevolence, his personal magnetism combined, won for him hosts of warm friends who now mourn his loss. Letters and telegrams of sorrow and sympathy have come to his family and relatives from all parts of the country, notably from the far west, where he was widely known and greatly beloved. Just previous to the completion of the Pacific road, Mr. Casement attempted to reach home. The train was snow bound, and he with a few stout-hearted companions started on foot, knowing the country well, he attempted to shorten the distance by avoiding a detour and crossing in a direct line. A blinding storm came on, the party were lost, and wandered through the trackle3ss snow until Mr. Casement, who was not well when they started, gave out, and begged the others to leave him and save themselves. This they refused to do. Providentially, they found the railroad track and were assisted to reach a place of shelter. This was the beginning of ill health which soon compelled him to abandon all business and seek change in travel. He passed one winter in Colorado, some months in California and a year in Europe. He returned from abroad with health much improved, and again engaged in active business. In constructing a road on Coney Island, he contracted malarial fever, suffering from its effects during the past year. Some three months ago he was prostrated by illness and confined to his bed. Receiving no benefit from medical treatment at home, he went to New York accompanied by his brother, General Casement, to consult ex-Surgeon General Hammond and remained for treatment, as Dr. Hammond was of the opinion that he could be cured. Subsequently an abscess was found in the liver. Dr. Hammond operated successfully, taking seven ounces of matter from the abscess. After this Mr. Casement's friends were very hopeful of complete restoration to health, but in a few days he began to fail, and from that time there was but little hope. The night previous to his death Dr. Hammond telegraphed General Casement that his brother was very weak and much exhausted. The morning brought another telegram from the Dr. saying that he died at 3 o'clock a.m., passing away as peacefully as a weary child drops to sleep. A post mortem examination disclosed the fact that some of the membrane and coating of the brain were not only much inflamed but had adhered to the skull, showing that the operation had been performed too late. Mr. Casement was 46 years of age. The intelligence of his death came not wholly unexpected to his family, but the blow fell heavily on his wife, on the brother with whom he was so closely associated all his life, who was so proud of him, who loved him as the better part of himself and all of his family who knew his generous kindness to them had no limit. His three children are yet too young to realize the irreparable loss they have sustained in the death of their father.
Mr. Casement's remains arrived here from New York on Wednesday, the 14th and were conveyed to his residence. The funeral took place from St. James Church on the following Friday. Although not a communicant of the vestry for several years, and in his death the church loses one of its most liberal supporters. On this occasion the large building was filled with relatives and friends, many of them from a distance, who came to participate in the funeral rites, and show by their presence their love for him who had gone and their deep sympathy for his sorrowing family. The coffin preceded by the clergy was borne reverently down the aisle of the Church by his friends, Hon. J. B. Burrows, C. C. Paige and S. R. King, of Painesville; Judge Douglas of Meadville, Pa., John Todd, Wm. Edwards, Aaron M. Wilcox and Peter M. Hitchcock, of Cleveland, Ralph K. Paige acting as usher for the procession of relatives and friends, for whom seats had been reserved in the body of the church. The service was impressive, and when Rev. Dr. T. B. Wells, the former Rector and intimate friend of the deceased tried to say a few words (of which we give a brief synopsis) expressive of his love and sorrow for the loss of his "own familiar friend" with quivering lips and broken voice, eyes unused to weep overflowed and the young wept unrestrainedly. Mr. Wells said:
Friends-It is but a short year since I left you for another field of labor. During that time we have often thought and spoken of you and wondered what was transpiring there at our former home. During that short time how many changes death has made in this community. You have been called upon to part with the loved, the respected and influential. The shadow of the great sorrow has shrouded many of your once happy homes. And now I stand here to speak the last words at the funeral of your friend and my friend. I am not here as a priest to force texts or point a moral. I come simply as a friend of Mr. Casement, to render the service of a friend on the occasion of his burial. He was a brave man, full of energy, possessing the ability and determination to carry on successfully important enterprises. He had an extensive acquaintance and was esteemed by all who knew him. In his busy life he found time to cultivate and enjoy the social and domestic virtues. I only speak what you all know when I say of him that he was generous and benevolent in every relation in life and that his heart was as tender as a woman's. And now in middle life, in the prime of manhood, he is lost to his family, his friends and to society. His career is ended. His life work done. We must surrender him to the inexorable claims which death holds upon humanity. In this hour of bitter sorrow we must remember that death is not the end of life. It is but the portal leading to a higher and better life. We cannot doubt but that our dear brother, whose earthly life is ended, has entered upon the enjoyment of a life eternal and that God will find employment for the energies of this brave and faithful soul. There is comfort, too, in the thought suggested by the motto placed at his head. He rests at last from the struggles, temptations and trials that belong to our common humanity. And now as members of a family when the work of the day is done, cover up the embers and say good night; so we say to our friend whose earthly day is ended, good night, brave, gentle soul, good night.
Rev. W. H. Knowlton, the present Rector of St. James, and Rev. A. Phelps, also a warm personal friend of Mr. Casement, assisted in the services. The music under the direction of Professor S. B. Hamlin with Miss Palmer at the organ, was satisfactory. A solo was sung by Miss Estelle Smith, Aria, "Come Unto Me," from the "Messiah." A solo by Mrs. F. M. Radcliffe, "Lead Kindly Light." The Psalter was chanted responsively, and the hymn, "Peacefully Lay Him Down to Rest," sung by sympathetic voices. The floral tributes were very beautiful. Conspicuous amongst them was "Gates Ajar," of Marshal Neil roses, white azaleas and fine white flowers with white ground and the word "Rest" in violet from Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Standart, of Detroit, was placed at the head of the casket. There was a cross of rare flowers and other tributes of affection from Flora's treasures, from friends who had known and loved the silent sleeper whose weary body was at "rest" in the casket before them.
The Joie de Vie Club, of Adrian, Michigan, who had made Mr. Casement an honorary member of the club, an honor never bestowed by them upon on any other man, had appointed a committee to attend his funeral, and had prepared appropriate floral offerings, but a telegram informed them they could not reach Painesville in time for funeral ceremonies. Amongst those who were present from other cities were: Mrs. Rev. R. L. Ganter and Mr. Albert T. Paige, of Akron, O., Mrs. Charles M. Reed and Mrs. P. M. Gilson, of Erie, Pa., Mr. W. A. Gosline of Toledo, O., Mr. J. F. Card, Gov. Fitch, Capt. Wetmaugh, Fred Ives, Capt. J. C. Shields and others from Cleveland, O.
Much sympathy is felt for Mr. Edward Casement, an older brother, resident here, who although he has not been so closely associated with the deceased as General Casement was, will feel that much of the brightness of his life is obscured by this great sorrow which has come to him in the death of his younger and early beloved brother.
"Death with his healing hand
Shall once more knit the band,
Which needs but that one link which none may sever,
Till through the only good
Heard, felt and understood,
Their life in God shall reunited them forever."