53. William5 McCausland (William4, James3, William2, James1) was born in Omagh, Co. Tyrone, Ireland 14 February 1846. William died 17 November 1909 in Collingdale, Pennsylvania, at 63 years of age. His body was interred 19 November 1909 in Fernwood Cemetery, Collingdale, Pa.
He married Ruth Naomi Connor in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 4 May 1871. Ruth was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 10 August 1849. Ruth was the daughter of Thomas Connor and Rachel Hyde Marion. Ruth died August 1929 in Collingdale, Pennsylvania, at 80 years of age. Her body was interred 23 September 1929 in Fernwood Cemetery, Collingdale, Pa. Helped found the Reformed Episcopal Church in Collingdale and was the church organist until she died.
Occupation: Harness & Saddle Maker. His office was on Market Street and in 1990 was an Antique Fair. The original family home was at 1823 Reed Street, Philadelphia. Buried with his wife in lot 752, section 45. He helped build the Reformed Episcopal Church in Collingdale. William came to this country at the age of 9. Some 5 or 6 years later he was placed with a harness and saddle manufacturer as an apprentice. In 1885 he succeeded his employer and finally became the leading riding saddle manufacturer in Philadelphia and the eastern states. He made the first leather tree English saddle that afterwards became famous in the racing world. At his death the sons inherited the business. He was prominent in all temperance conferences and work in eastern Pennsylvania. The following is quoted from a Philadelphia newspaper in speaking of his death. "He was one of the most gifted and gallant men - a man who bravely stood for civic righteousness and who nobly challenged the right of the liquor traffic to live." "McCausland, the Prohibitionist, is dead; but prohibition, the choicest flower in our public life, will spring from his grave to give fragrance and beauty to this fair State, and eternity will yet ring with the praises of those who will live in the pure atmosphere made possible by the principles of such faithful and courageous lives." The following came from an obituary that Helen V. McCausland had. William McCausland "Dared to be a Daniel, Dared to stand alone, Dared to have a purpose firm, Dared to make it known." All that was mortal of this truly courageous man was borne to its last resting place last Friday, the 19th. With William McCausland the one question was, "What is right?" When that was settled he went fearlessly forward, regardless of all opposition, all persecution, all criticism. The man who will face the world's opinions has more sublime courage than he who marches to the cannon's mouth. Wm. McCausland early in life enlisted in the fight for the cause of temperance and prohibition; first as an active Son of Temperance, then as a Good Templar. When the Prohibition Party organized he entered vigorously in its support, casting the vote for God, home and native land, though at times his would be the only vote in his precinct for the cause. William McCausland has been called home. May there be others to espouse the great principle that he advocated in his faithful, courageous life. He is a slave who dare not be in the right with two or three. He is a slave who will in silence shrink from the truth he needs must think. P.Z.S.
William McCausland and Ruth Naomi Connor had the following children:
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i.
William6 McCausland was born 1870.
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ii.
Ruth Lydia McCausland was born 15 March 1872.
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iii.
Arthur McCausland was born 1876. Arthur died 12 June 1883 at 6 years of age. His body was interred in
Fernwood Cemetery, Collingdale, Pa. Arthur is buried in the same plot as William and Ruth. Because of this we believe he is another son. Ed
McCausland found the card at the cemetery showing William, Ruth, Arthur and a still born girl all buried in the same plot (he did this in
Oct 1991). This is the first reference to Arthur that we have heard of.
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iv.
Howard McCausland was born about 1878. Howard died about 1879. Another piece of info had Howard dying at about 12
years of age.
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v.
Alexander Newton McCausland was born 5 March 1880.
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vi.
Edwin Louis McCausland was born 25 October 1882.
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vii.
Albert Thomas McCausland was born 19 August 1883.
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viii.
Elmer Sidney McCausland was born 3 June 1885.
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ix.
Norman Stanley McCausland was born 1 June 1890.
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