Jasper F Cavness

Personal and Family Information

Jasper was born on 5 Feb 1860 in Benton County, Arkansas , the son of unknown parents.

He died on 1 Dec 1910 in Washington County, Arkansas.

His wife was Martha Irene Woods, who he married on 15 FEB 1885 in Benton County, Arkansas . Their three known children were Infant Son (1886-1886), Mattie Belle (1888-1889) and Myrtle (1889-1955).

Events

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Notes

Note 1

Professor” Jasper F. Cavness and Martha “Mattie” Jane Woods Cavness

A brief biography by John A. Skaggs

Jasper F. Cavness (aka Caviness) was born on Pea Ridge in Benton County, Arkansas, on February 5, 1860.

Ancestry
His father was John Perry Cavness (January 22, 1835 to March 7, 1862) who, with his brother, died fighting for Arkansas at Elk Horn Tavern during the Civil War Battle of Pea Ridge. John Perry Cavness was born at Sugar Creek, Benton County, and was only 27 at the time of his death. His mother was Louisa F. Walker Cavness.
 Jasper had one brother, William D. “Willie” Cavness, born 1861, who died in 1870.

His paternal grandparents were Edmund Demond Cavness and Rebecca Mitchell Cavness. Rebecca was born in 1811 in Tennessee and died after 19 Jun 1880. Both Edmund and Rebecca are buried in the Cherokee Cemetery, Cherokee, San Saba, Texas. Jasper's widowed mother apparently married a Mr. Garrett, there being a half- brother, Professor J. E. Garrett, and four half- sisters.

Education
From youth, Jasper F. Cavness showed a desire for a good education and by personal energy and effort he obtained a liberal education through the high schools and academies of the county. He received the highest grade certificates from county examiners.

Marriage & Children
On February 15, 1884, he married Miss Martha Jane Woods, aka “Mattie,” born May 17, 1864 in Benton County, to Robert Samuel Woods and Martha Jane Maxwell Woods. Jasper and Mattie were the parents of three children, two of whom died in infancy. A Cavness infant son born and died 1886 is buried in the Woods Cemetery. Their child Mattie Belle Cavness, born March 17, 1888, in Little Flock, and died June 9, 1889, is also buried in the Woods Cemetery. Their surviving child was Mrs. V. S. (Myrtle Cavness) Williams Guthrie (1889- 1955).

Career
The title of “Professor” was conferred upon Jasper F. Cavness as a courtesy after having taught in schools of Arkansas and Oklahoma for twenty-five years, according to his published obituary, “giving general satisfaction to his students and patrons.” He was also Superintendent of the Schools at Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

Citizenship
At the time of his death, Professor Cavness and his wife resided in Star Hill, Washington County, Arkansas. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, a member of the I.O.O.F. “He was a man of some prominence where he was reared and was highly esteemed. He took considerable interest in politics and was often solicited to stand for office in Benton County, but preferred to use his influence for his friends.”

Christian Faith
In an obituary Rev. Peter Carnahan stated, “Some years ago (Professor Cavness) professed faith in Christ as his Savior, but, neglecting the means of grace essential to spiritual growth and development, he became cold and careless – had lost the “joy of salvation.” September, 1909, he sought and obtained this joy, united with the Presbyterian Church at Lincoln, Ark. and entered upon the faithful discharge of Christian Duties and was happy in his Christian life and work until his triumphant death.”

Death and Legacy
In 1910 while visiting his half-brother, Prof. J. “Elmer” Garrett, Professor Cavness became critically ill with “Bright's disease” with little hope of recovery. His wife and family gathered to attend him at his death on December 1, 1910 in Springdale, Washington County, Arkansas, at the age of 50 years. He is buried next to his children in the Woods Cemetery, Little Flock, Benton County, Arkansas. Martha “Mattie” Jane Wood Cavness died on December 17, 1946, in Neosho, Missouri and is buried there with her second husband, having resided with her daughter for many years. She was 82 years of age.

A legacy of Jasper F. and Mattie Jane Cavness is the beloved family of their descendants. They are among those who lived their lives, did their work, enjoyed their time, grieved their losses and are often forgotten. Mattie was a lady, like so many others of her time, who gave her life to be a faithful wife and mother, a link for generations to come. As a faithful teacher of youngsters for 30 years, Professor Cavness's influence now silent and seldom recalled, is nevertheless of great importance to thousands of current citizens whose lives are enriched by the knowledge and life lessons long ago passed to his many students.

Woods Cemetery Association Newsletter, Spring 2018, Volume 1, Issue 2 — edited to correct burial Mattie Irene Stipp in Nesho, and daughter 2nd marriage to Guthrie. 20 Sept 2019.

Note 2

Mattie as nickname and both married names are noted in the attached “Woods History by Denton Woods” written in 1935 to document family and ancestors of father Robert Samuel Woods. Opening paragraph on page 1 lists living children including Martha ( Mrs. N.P. Stipp), page 6: Martha (Mattie) (1864- ) first married Jasper Caviness, later N.P. Stipp. Then again page 11: “Martha Woods, now called Mattie, Mattie Caviness Stipp ……worshiped by brothers….home at Neosho, Mo……..”

Note 3

*Obituary, Benton County Democrat, Thursday December 8, 1910

CAVNESS, Jasper - Died December 1, 1910 at the home of his brother, Elmer Garrett in Springdale, Ark., Jasper Cavness, age fifty years nine months and twenty-six days. Deceased was born in Benton county, Ark. February 5, 1860. From his youth he manifested a great desire for a good education and by personal energy and effort he obtained through the high schools and academies of the county a liberal education. He received the highest grade certificates from county examiners and taught in the public schools of Arkansas and Oklahoma for thirty years, giving general satisfaction to his students and patrons.

February 1884 he was married to Miss Martha Woods. To them were born three children, two of whom died in infancy. Mrs. V.S. Williams, the only living daughter, upon whom he doted so lovingly, was with him in his last illness, who, together with all the dear loved ones, did all that human help could do to support and comfort him in his sufferings until the end came.

Some years ago he professed faith in Christ as his Savior, but, neglecting the means of grace essential to spiritual growth and development, he became cold and careless - had lost the "joy of salvation." September 1909 he sought and obtained this joy, united with the Presbyterian Church at Lincoln, Ark. and entered upon the faithful discharge of christian duties and was happy in his christian life and work until his triumphant death. The funeral service, held at Woods' church, notwithstanding the inclement weather, was attended by a great company of his kindred, friends and old neighbors, thus extending sympathy and condolence to the sorrowing. The remains were laid to rest in the family burying ground on the farm of J.N. Woods, where so many of the kindred and loved ones are "sleeping in Jesus." May the Holy Spirit comfort the disconsolate and broken hearted. P. Carnahan.