McCook, Thomas Jr. 1852 - 1911

MCCOOK, MATHER, HOLBROOK

Posted By: Janice Sowers (email)
Date: 12/12/2006 at 16:57:52

From the Scrapbook of Newspaper Articles by Mrs. Lillian Wheeler

Thomas McCook, Jr., was born in Philadephia, Penn., November 16,1852. When but a child he came to Riceville with his parents in 1856. Since that time he has resided either on the old homestead or on his own farm southeast of Riceville.

On July 18th, 1875, he was married to Eva Mather. Eight children were born to them, five of whom are still living: Arthur R. of Shell Rock, Clifford and Thomas E. of Riceville, Mrs. H. A. Holbrook of Osage, and John F. of Spokane, Wash.

His was a quiet, unostentatious life. He tried to play the man with all whom he came in contact. His religion was one of practical doing rather than creed. When he gave, he did it with a liberal hand, and in a Biblical way; he was a man who attended strictly to his own affairs, and was not interested in other people's business. He was known as a congenial neighbor, doing good to all whenever the opportunity presented itself. By his family he was beloved and revered as a tender and loving father and his departure will be deeply mourned and lamented by them. His place in the community will not easily be filled. His life will have an influence in this world, and he will be remembered with love though divided from us by the river of death. Truly it may be said of him

"A voice has from our household gone
A form we loved is stilled
A place is vacant in the home
That never can be filled."

A beautiful and fitting tribute was paid to his life and memory in the funeral sermon preached by the Rev. J St. Aubyn James in the Congregational church on Tuesday last. The discourse was based on the words "And he died," "And behold at eveningtide trouble, and before the morning he is not." Gen. 5:5, Isaiah 17. 14. The cause of death was heart failure, being called away whilst performing his work on Friday afternoon last. He lived to attain the age of 59 years. "Gone, but not forgotten."

"Saviour, in they gracious keeping,
Leave we now our father sleeping."