Cook, Lydia Congdon (Aldrich) 1818 – 1905

COOK, ALDRICH, DILLINGHAM

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/19/2024 at 21:00:45

Source: Decorah Republican Apr. 27, 1905 P7 C6

Lydia Congdon Aldrich was born in Worcester county, Massachusetts, Dec. 28, 1818. On the 2d day of December, 1840, she was married to William Cook of the same county, and in the fall of 1856 she came with her family to Hesper, Iowa, which was her home until April 22d, 1905. She passed on to the better land, preceded by her husband by more than twenty-three years. Two children survive her. Mrs. F. C. Dillingham of Hesper and W. O. Cook of Montevidio, Minn., also two brothers and a sister living in Massachusetts. As will be seen, from the date of her coming to Iowa she was here in the pioneer days and had her part of the privations and inconveniences which fall to the lot of the early settlers in a new country; and those who knew her best can testify to the cheerful hopefulness with which she accepted it. Cheerfulness and kindness were leading traits in her beautiful character. Her habit of saying bright, cheery things followed her to the close of a long life and brightened the tedious days of painful illness. She was a life member of the religious society of Friends, maintaining the character of a faithful consistent Christian to the end of life. As long as she was able to attend to the duties of her home, hospitality was the rule there. All comers found good cheer, and many a home, who would otherwise have been homeless. Many are her mourners outside her immediate family, and long will her influence for good upon the community in which she lived be felt. Truly her works do follow her. The funeral took place at Mrs. Cook’s late home Tuesday, April 25th. H. Carter, the pastor of Friends church, conducting the services.

Hesper Public Cemetery
 

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