Thomas J. Cook

COOK, SMITH

Posted By: Ida Morse (email)
Date: 4/2/2006 at 17:48:33

Winterset Madisonian, June 14, 1889, Pg 1
Winterset, Iowa

OBITUARY NOTICE

Cook-Died at his home in Monroe township, Madison county, Iowa, May 28, 1889, Mr. Thomas J. Cook, in the 42d year of his age, after a long and painful illness.

Thomas J. Cook was born in Indiana, June 6, 1847, removed to Marion county, Iowa, about the 20th year of his age. In early life became a Christian. He was married to Manda J. Smith in the 21st year of his age. After several years he removed to Madison county, where he resided until his death.

His death has left a vacancy that can not be filled here. Always so mild and patient, so little to condemn, so few criticisms to make in his Christian character, that we feel like exclaiming; “Behold the perfect man.” He died as he had lived, in full faith in the promises of God, exhorting all his family to be ready to meet him in Heaven. He leaves a wife and five children to mourn his departure. We miss thee, oh, we miss thee, but we hope to meet again where parting will be no more.

How many, oh the spirit grieves
Have gone with coming of the leaves;
When all around was opening life,
So gentle ceased the lingering strife.
The winter’s cold had wrought in vain.
The golden bowl had stood the strain;
But with the warmth the silver cord
Is loosed fonr soul flight to the Lord.

Now is the opening life above
Inspiring by its calls of love;
The soul from out its prison wall
To realms where light reigns over all.
To close the eyes in bright spring morn
Is sad to those left here to mourn;
But opening on Heaven’s summer day,
Those eyes may plead for those who stay.
Then may we not bewail, complain,
Since loss to us to them is gain;
Since ne’er to them on earth could be
Aught like this find felicity.