A GOOD CITIZEN GONE -- J.H. COOK

NELSON, COOK

Posted By: David (email)
Date: 12/13/2004 at 15:49:30

The Chariton Leader, Chariton, Iowa
Thursday, February 28, 2907

It scarcely can be realized that J.H. COOK is no more. He died at his home
in Russell last Thursday, his funeral occurring on Sunday afternoon.
Earlier in the winter he visited his daughter at Pasadena, California, and
shortly after returning home was taken ill with pneumonia. He got better
and was able to be at his office a day or two, then took suddenly worse with
the above results. It was his desire this spring to take a tour through the
south and visit some of the battlefields on which he fought during the
rebellion but a few weeks since he told the writer that he had given it up
as he had not the strength to make the trip. His had been a career of
success, bitter disappointment and sorrow. The death of his two daughters,
little granddaughter and later his wife, seemed to be the burthen that
finally undermined his vitality and made him an easy prey to disease. All
acquainted with the family will remember under what sad circumstances the
two daughters and little granddaughter died.

MR. COOK was a native of Henry County, Iowa, his parents settling there when
Iowa was a territory. In his early manhood he located in Russell with his
wife and engaged in the mercantile business, after a year or two spent on a
farm south of town. He was one of the first merchants of the place and one
of the best the county ever had. He was public spirited and took a deep
interest in all that would add to the moral and material welfare of the
community. He was the chief organizer of the Zero Coal Company and for
several years was manager of the mine, east of Russell, and when the Summit
Coal & Mining Co. took charge of the works was manager of the large company
store there.

These were hard and exacting years for him. Afterwards he was engaged in
the clothing trade but for the pat few years had an office and was handling
real estate. But it made no difference which line of pursuit he followed he
pushed it with vigor. He had always been a man of commanding influence and
was absolutely fearless in the things he conceived to be right. As a
magistrate of the law he believed in its enforcement without favor and was
never a "trimmer" in anything. He was loyal to his country in time of need;
loyal to his church, his family and friends and needs no fulsome encomiums
spoken now that he is gone. His name is indelibly stamped on the community
and will truly be missed.

One daughter, MRS. MERTIE NELSON, of Pasadena, California, survives him.
Also two brothers, J.C. COOK, of Russell and CAL. COOK, of Des Moines.
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Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
December 2, 2004
iggy29@rnetinc.net