John Cook

COOK, BENNETT, MAXWELL, GLEW, FENWICH

Posted By: Vicki (email)
Date: 2/1/2013 at 13:38:36

Death of Rev. John Cook
Well Known and Beloved Pastor Dead at Epworth

Special to the Times Journal

Epworth, IA. Nov. 18. Rev. John Cook, who died here, was born in England, Feb 10., 1826 and came with his parents to Pennsylvania at the age of three years. His parents were Thomas N. and Jane Cook, and he came to Dubuque, IA., in 1835. His father was a local preacher and through his influence the subject of this sketch joined the M.E.Church in his twentieth year and continued living and speaking for his Master up to the last hours of his life on earth, which was on November 12, 1909.

January 12, 1852, he was married to Elizabeth Glew, and soon after his marriage he was given license to exhort and soon after to preach. Shortly after his marriage his wife joined the church and held that relation until her death two years ago. Five sons and two daughters were born: Susan A. Maxwell, of Epworth, Ia; Elliott R. Cook, of Mount Vernon, IA; Sarah B., deceased; Rev. Thomas N. Cook, who died while pastor of the M.E. Church at New Hampton, in 1895; Joseph ?. Cook, of Algona; John Harry, deceased and Edward Cook, of Hobart, Iowa. The deceased was an uncle of Postmaster Cook, of Farley.

Rev. Mr. Cook was a strong, virile character. His labors in the vineyard of the Master were untiring. Often after working hard all week, he would go to the church, ?burnish work and light and o the?_ preparatory to Sunday worship. Then taking his horse on Sunday to go to distant points and preach one or two more sermons, without re???ation other than what came from a love for souls. In the vicinity of Cottage Hill, where he labored so long, his name is cherished with reverence and affection. Twenty years ago he moved to Hobart, where he continued to preach. In 1902 he came to Epworth. He suffered intense agony from the ravages of a cancer on his face, but he murmured not. He sang sacred hymns the day before his departure and his last words repeated four times were: "It's all right. It's all right."

Rev. F. Q. Brown conducted the funeral services on Tuesday morning at 11 o'clock. Five ministers joined in the eulogy of praise above his ?bler. Interment was made at High View Cemetery. Four brothers, Joseph of Rickardsville, Walter of East Dubuque, Ill., Robert of Mona, Wyo., Thomas G., of Sturgis, S.D. and one sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Fenwich of LaSalle, ILL., also survive. Seventeen grandchidren and three great grandchildren also mourn his death.

From the Dubuque Daily Times Journal, Friday, November 1909, page 9.