ANDREW KAHO                           

The Oswego Independent, Friday, Mar. 19, 1920, Pg. 1

Died:  Mar. 13, 1920

ANOTHER PIONEER PASSES.

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Judge A. Kaho Who Came Here in ‘66

Ended a Long and Useful Life

Saturday Afternoon.

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  With the death of Judge Andy Kaho which occurred at his home on West Third street in this city at 2:30 o’clock Saturday afternoon, March 13, Oswego and Labette County lost one of the very earliest settlers and most useful citizens.  He came to this county in 1866 and had been a continuous resident of the city and community since.  He was stricken while at his office a few weeks ago with an attack of heart trouble.  R. A. Hill discovered his condition and he was taken home.  He rallied, but never to the point where he was his old self and despite a wonderful constitution and a brave battle, his condition gradually grew more discouraging and death claimed him at the age of 73 years and 18 days.

  Funeral services were held from the family home at two o’clock Monday afternoon, March 15, conducted by Rev. J. H. Lamb, pastor of the Presbyterian church.  A large concourse of relatives and warm friends of the deceased and family was in attendance.  The Masonic Fraternity, of which he had long been a most devout member, had charge of the services at the grave, under direction of Acting Master, Clarence Montgomery.  Interment was made in the Masonic Block in Oswego Cemetery.

  Andrew Kaho was born in Paris, Illinois, February 25, 1847, and it was at the place of his birth where he spent his boyhood years and received his early training.  In January 1864, when the Civil War was approaching its most critical period, lacking a month of being 16 years of age, he enlisted in the Union Army, Co. E, 66th ILL. Vol. Infantry, a unit known as “sharpshooters”, in which he served bravely and efficiently until the close of the war, a period of nearly a year and a half.  He was one of the glorious army that with Sherman marched triumphantly to the sea.  Rev. Lamb in his funeral address paid fitting tribute to the great civil conflict, the ranks of whose revered group are rapidly being depleted, and recalled the unselfish service so conscientiously given for the preservation of the great nation of which he was a part, and which he loved, remarking “We cannot help but be revived to a zeal to follow this splendid example of patriotism, and to express in feelings that we have no words to say, our appreciation of his service and sacrifice.”  He marched with the victorious army in the Grand Review in Washington, and there was mustered out of the service.  He was a member of the Oswego Post G. A. R. and was its Commander for two terms.  The few remaining members of that order in this community were there to pay their last respects to a departed Comrade.

  After being mustered out of the army he returned to Paris, Ills., and attended school for a year.  In July, 1866, he came West and located on a claim three miles southeast of Oswego which was still in his possession at the time of his death.  For 42 years he faithfully tended to this farm, then retired and moved to Oswego, and has lived here the past 12 years.  For 54 years he has been a citizen of this county and especially of the community of Oswego.  Here he has been tested and tried and has proven himself to be a clean, honest, honorable, successful, patriotic and loyal citizen.

  He was one of the charter shareholders in the original Oswego Town Company and took an active part in its organization.

  November 16, 1868, he was united in marriage with Aramentus Mason King.  Three children were born to this union.  They are J. Frank Kaho of Topeka, Kansas; Harry H. Kaho of Claremore, Oklahoma, and Mrs. C. R. Daily of University Place, Nebraska, all of whom were here during his illness and at his death, and with the faithful companion of 52 years, are left to mourn his loss.  In January of 1876, Rev. F. L. Walker, a Baptist Minister of exceptionay (sic) activity and greatly beloved, was holding special meeting in the Stice School House, south of Oswego.  It was in this meeting that Mr. Kaho made his profession of faith and became identified with the Baptist Church.  He has ever been constant in his loyalty to the Master’s church.  In his home, in his daily life and in the church, he has let his light shine.  So much has his influence been felt that he will leave a place in each hard to be filled.  For 45 years he had been an active member of the Baptist church here, has been the lead Deacon for years, and for a long time as Chairman of the Board of Deacons, being relieved of it only at his request a short time ago, on account of defective hearing.  He was regular in church attendance and he made his religion on of the chief obligations of his life, and this sincerity bore its own blessed fruit in his last days.

  He was one of the oldest members of Adams Lodge No. 68 A. F. and A. M., becoming a member in 1878, and has always been looked upon as having exemplified the principles of Masonry in his splendid life.  During his life time he had been honored with many offices of public trust, and for the past 12 years had been a Justice of the Peace in this city.

  On last Thursday when the end was drawing near, he called to his bedside the Chairman of the Board of Deacons of the Baptist church.  To him he restated his belief in the Great Saviour and that in Him was his hope, and requested that the church be called on that evening to pray for him, that if it be God’s will, that his life might be spared, but if not, that he might have the grace to bravely go to meet his Lord.  The prayer meeting was held.  It was God’s will to give him that which was better and He took him unto Himself, and in a beautiful peace he passed out.

  A few weeks ago he ran across the following poem by Gordon Johnstone in Good Housekeeping, he was impressed with its beautiful sentiment and the way it fitted into the lives of himself and his aged companion.  He clipped it out and showed it to her, stating that it expressed his sentiments exactly, and in his effects it was found after his death.

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Dear Heart

We’ve gleaned the good from life,

sweetheart,

We’ve straggled side by side;

In paths so filled with strife, dear

heart,

You were a faithful guide;

And when the way was ‘straught with

pain,

With sorrow, care and woe,

You helped me to my feet again

From many a crushing blow.

The years are rushing past, brave

heart,

They’re bending you and me;

Still, love like ours shall last, staunch

heart,

Through all eternity;

And should I be first to leave

For realms beyond the blue,

Remember this, and do not grieve;

I’m waiting there for you.