William Silas Cockayne 1848-1898

COCKAYNE, RIGGS

Posted By: Deb (email)
Date: 9/5/2015 at 22:55:52

The late Silas Cockayne, whose remains were interred Wednesday at the Catholic Cemetery in Dodgeville, was born in Flint River Township, Des Moines County, Iowa. His father's name was Hiram Cockayne, well and favorably known to all the old settlers. His mother's name was Elizabeth Riggs Cockayne, a native of Virginia. Most of Mr. Cockayne's life was spent on a farm until about eight years ago, when he moved to Burlington and found employment at the Northwestern Furniture Factory where his services were well appreciated, owing to his steadiness, promptitude, regularity, and sobriety. In disposition he was a most agreeable man and was well and favorably liked among his fellow workmen, a fact which was well emphasized by their devoted attention at his bedside during his entire illness. Mr. Cockayne was a faithful and ardent Catholic and well devoted to the religious requirements of his church. He was also a member of the Modern Woodmen. Four brothers and four sisters survive him. Of his own immediate relatives, he leaves a wife, two sons, Michael and Harry, and one daughter, Ida, to mourn the loss of a faithful husband and father. Industry is considered to be one of the most commendable and valuable elements in the character of human life, and it can be truthfully said of the late Silas Cockayne, that he was the embodiment of honest industry. Burlington Hawkeye, 29 July 1898