John Wesley Cook (1844-1932)

COOK, EDWARDS, JACKSON, COUGHENOUR, FRENCH, SWANK, CLEMMER

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 8/27/2021 at 20:50:22

From Nevada Evening Journal December 8, 1932 (page 1)

COUNTY PIONEER CALLED BY DEATH

JOHN W. COOK, SR. DIED WEDNESDAY == FUNERAL ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON

John W. Cook Sr., 88, for over 68 years a resident of this community, died Wednesday afternoon at 3:30 from complications incident to old age.

The funeral will be held Friday at 2:00 o'clock, at the Methodist church, with Rev. Geo. A. Lawton in charge. Interment will be in the Nevada cemetery by the side of his wife, who died May 25, 1914.

Mr. Cook had been a pioneer in the Richland township community for many years, until he retired and moved into Nevada in 1898. Since that time his residence has been at 1034 Eighth street.

John Wesley Cook was a son of John Wesley and Nancy Edwards Cook, born in Licking county, Ohio, May 25, 1844. The father died when the son John next to the youngest of six children, was but three years of age.

The widow kept her family of children together and helped in supporting the by weaving, while the children assisted by farm work until all were grown.

It was in 1864 that the other with the daughter Frances and the sons Mike and John W. came out to Story county, where the older son James had preceded them in 1859. All settled in the vicinity of Nevada and this continued to be the home of that stalwart family.

John Cook settled on a farm in the southwest corner of Section 22, Richland township, which is still owned and occupied by the son Jesse Cook, a few years after coming to the county.

He was united in marriage to Rebecca Emeline Jackson February 21, 1867, and to this union nine children were born. Three children Mildred, William and Charles preceded him in death, as did the wife, who passed away May 25, 1914. Surviving children are Mrs. Della Coughenour of Nevada, Mrs. Charles French of Fernald, Jesse who owns and occupies the old homestead in Richland township, Dr. O. I. Cook of Des Moines, Mrs. E. R. Swank of Des Moines and Mrs. Chloe Clemmer of 1034 Eighth street, with whom the father had made his home since the death of the wife.

Mr. Cook was a successful farmer and business man and by his industry and thrift accumulated a comfortable fortune consisting of money and lands.

Retiring from work he brought his family to Nevada where the children were educated and were married to establish homes of their own.

After the death of the wife he continued his home at 1034 Eighth street and here for many years he lived with and was cared for during his declining years, by his daughter Mrs. J. Neal Clemmer and family.

While a man of remarkable physical strength and activity until a few years ago, he had began to failing during the past few years and it was about three weeks ago that he was moved to the homme of his daughter Mrs. Coughenour, 903 Eighth street, that she might share in his care. It was but a few days ago that he was taken to his bed, and there he passed away Wednesday afternoon, amid all the care and comfort that his children could give him.

Next to the youngest of this remarkable family, he was the last to pass away and has long been recognized as a man of remarkable fortitude and strength of character and a resident of the very highest type in the community.

He had been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for over a half century and until later years had been one of the active spirits in that organization in Nevada.

He will be greatly missed in the community and by his large family of children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.