CORNISH, H.P.

CORNISH, TUCKER, MILLARD, FULLER, WARREN, MACALLISTER

Posted By: Lynette Edsall (email)
Date: 10/24/2004 at 16:46:59

From the Cherokean Democrat October 14, 1891

H.P. CORNISH IS DEAD.

A GOOD CITIZEN PASSES AWAY.

After A Brief Illness the Traveling Man Starts on His Last Journey, Surrounded by Family and Friends-He Leaves a Good Record

“Hill Cornish is dead!” That is the sad message which came to our people and passed from lip to lip at an early hour Monday morning, bringing sorrow to the heart of every citizen. Although such a message was looked for very shortly, it came as did death to him more suddenly than was anticipated. Just a week previous to his death he came home from Chicago, and from the time of his arrival was a very sick man. The nature of his complaint-a combination of heart, stomach and kidney troubles-made his case a critical one and there was doubt from the first as to his recovery. All that medical skill could do was done to bring relief, but his suffering was intense. His strength did not give out, however, and only a few minutes previous to his death he was able to get up and sit in his easy chair. The immediate cause of death was heart failure. He was conscious to the last and passed peacefully away at 7 o’clock in the morning. He talked freely of coming dissolution, and a comfort to his wife now are his expressions of willingness and readiness to go and be with the loved little ones gone before.

The deceased was 44 years of age on September 21st last. He was born at Lee, Western New York, where, and at Covington and Perry N.Y., his younger days were spent. In 1869 he moved to Manchester, this state, and in March, 1871, came to Cherokee and engaged in the hardware business with his brother, H.N. Cornish, whose death occurred at Manchester some eight years ago. The brothers remained in business three years, when T.B. Millard bought the interest of H.N. After a few years W.H. Millard succeeded his father and the firm of Cornish & Millard carried on the business. In 1880 Mr. Cornish retired, being succeeded by Frank Millard. Since that time the deceased has been in the employ of the Fuller-Warren Co. The past few years he has had charge of the company’s furnace business in the west, and a good share of his time has been spent on the road in the western states. He had the complete confidence of his employers and the public, and in a business way had few equals. All through this western country he had warm personal friends who will deeply regret his untimely death. Hill Cornish was a friend maker. He was a member of the Masonic and A.O. U. W.* orders.

On December 27, 1871, he was united in marriage with Jennie Tucker, at Homer, Iowa. Three children were born to them, two of whom have gone on before. The youngest son, Herbert and the wife, whose devotion was as unspeakable as is their grief, remain to bear their greatest burden of life.

We know of no man in Cherokee who would be missed more than will Hill Cornish. Of an extremely generous and jovial nature we were always glad to see him when he arrived home from his numerous pilgrimages. The occasions when he wasn’t cheerful and ready to crack a joke were few and far between, and his sociability was a chief characteristic. He was generous almost to a fault, charitable in thought and deed, and with him no opportunity to do a kindly act was lost. He leaves behind a good record. And when the public shall so miss a man that shall be said of the wife and son? There was a home full of devotion-full of cheerfulness and comfort-kind, indulgent husband and father, devoted wife and mother, affectionate son. Will the husband be missed there? Ah, yes How much only those to whose homes similar affliction has come can know. Why it should be thus we do not know. We can only feel that He who rules doeth all things well. Expressions of sympathy are freely given, but neither the tongue nor pen can portray the heart’s best offering.

The funeral services were held at the family residence at 2 o’clock yesterday and were largely attended, the Masonic fraternity attending in a body. The services, conducted by Rev. J. MacAllister, were impressive, and a large concourse followed the remains to Oak Hill, where Masonic burial rites were observed.

Numerous beautiful floral tributes were offered by friends, all showing the great esteem in which the deceased was held.

*Ancient Order of United Workmen