The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1866-10-24
FoR THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
General John H. Cooke.

effect often greater tnan that produced by their
example, while they lived Rivalry is now out
of the question, and the grief and candor which |
ensue prepare the public mind for all the best
principles manifested in their lives-hence the
value, to the public, of fair reputation, which |
does Justice to the character of an eminent man.
Hence, too, the mischievous malignity which |
detracts from the fair fame of conspicuous citi |
zens. |
A better instance of this influence does not |
often occur than in the case of the late General
John H. Cooke, who died June oath 1866, at the |
advanced age of eighty-six. Originally of deli |
cate constitution, his strict and persistent habits
of temperance prolonged his earthly existence
much beyond the ordinary age Of man. Beloved
while he lived, and lamented when he died, by
an unusually large circle of friends and acquain.
tances, and preeminently useful in every depart
ment of life, within his sphere, his last end was
conspicuously that of the righteous.
General Cooke was born in Surry county, Va,
the 10Th of September, 17SO-entered the Gram
marschool at William and Mary College in 1893
was married 25th of December, 1S02-removed
from Surry county to Bremo, Fluvanna county,
in 1908 His first impressions in religious things
and consequent change of views and feelings
occurred about the close of the year 1916, and
were occasioned by the convincing evidence OF
faith, patience and resignation, which were then
brought strongly before him during the last i'll
ness of his first wife-who died December 25th,
1916. From 1918 he was in the habit of com
muning with Christian Church members, though
he never connected himself with any particular
denomination till about the year 1854-when an
intimate friend, to whom he was particularly at
tached by their deep mutual interest in the Tenn
perance movement, in his last illness united
himself with the Baptist Church, by immersion,
and General Cooke was immersed at the same
time. But he did not, on that account ever
cease to partake of the Holy communion with
the members, or when administered by the clergy
of other Christian denominations. In the last
war with Great Britain, he commanded Bri-
gade in Virginia, stationed mostly at Camp Car
ter East of Richmond, near the Chickahominy,
and was distinguished as a good soldier and
strict disoiplinarian. His advocacy of Temper
ance commenced with the very first signs of that
moral reform. He was one of the six members
named by the Executive of Virginia, in 1916 to
form the Board of Visitors for the Central
College," the act for the establishment of which
passed February 18th, 1S16-and was afterwards
extended, as to the plan and appropriations, and
thus formed the foundation of the present Uni
versity of Virginia. The 8th of April, 1917,
was proposed as the day of the first meeting of
the Board, and it is believed that General Cooke
was never absent from any of its meetings, dur
ing period of forty years, during which he con-
tinued member. The Board, as at first APP
pointed, was composed of Mr.. Jefferson, Mr..
Madison, Mr. Monroe, Mr.. Jas. c. Cabell, Gen.
John H. Cooke, and David Watson, Esq. Only
Mr.. Jefferson, Mr. Cabell, and General Cooke
attended the first appointment. They, having
examined various sites, made conditional
choice and purchase of the present location of
the University, which was approved by Mr.. Mad
ison and Mr. Monroe at their next meeting on
the 9th of May, the same year.
General Cooke connected himself with the
Colonization Society, at its first organization,
and was firm friend of the cause through life.
In every way, he showed himself true friend of
the colored race. He fervently desired and la
bored for their moral, spiritual, and intellectual
elevation, especially of those for whom he was
more especially responsible. For his own slaves
land the number was large he erected fine
brick church, on his estate, for Christian worship
and employed chaplain for their benefit and
instruction. He also built, at Upper Bremo, a
brick school-house, and employed teacher for
the benefit of the slave children and adults on
his estate. He sent some of the very best fami-
lies of his servants to Liberia with liberal out
fts-and afterwards established plantation in
Alabama, where others might work out their
freedom and become prepared, lin transition
climate, and by appropriate culture to enjoy it
in Africa. Some he sent to Norfolk, in Virginia,
where, as he was told, by physicians, the climate
would most speedily and safely fit them for
healthy and safe residence in Liberia.
General Cooke was, fromthe very first, friend
and liberal promoter of the Bible Society, the
Tract Society, and, for many years. member of
the American Board of Commissions of Foreign
Missions, and always showed himself greatly in
terested in the progress and work of these be-
neyolent institutions, until, (sad to say, the 'cdr
turned some of them to perverted uses.
The attack, which closed his life was not of
long duration. For weeks, indeed for months,
before the last summons" he seemed anxious
as the days passed round, that he might be called
to depart, and often said he feared he was too
impatient to be gone His work seemed to be
done; and feeling that there was no more active
service he could do, the weight of years bearing
heavily on his then attenuated form, he would
often sigh for admission to that rest which re-
maineth for the people of God, of which he
felt assured; and, as often would he chide him
self for the wish to depart. His latest suffering
was chiefly from prostration, from which, for
short period before the last scene he seemed to
be relieved, and then, calmly, quietly passed
away, as if he had fallen into pleasant slum-
Der. Thus, the last end of this good man was
peace.
Intellectually, Gen. Cooke was remarkable for
a felicitous combination of heOretic, and practi-
cal good sense. In this respect he was not al
ways understood but an intimate acquaintance
of more than thirty years, has convinced the
writer that this was the distinguishing feature OF
his mind. With mere Empires, 4. e. purely
practical men, he often passed for heorist, and
so he was, in the best sense of that term. He al
ways was ready to correct and improve practice
by principle, and to elucidate principle by care
full observation and induction of facts. But,
though he was too disinterested and patriotic to
desist from any well considered enterprise, mere
ly because it would not, at once, result in an in
crease of capital. He never added much to his
patrimony,) he rarely failed in the end, to
commend to the sound judgment of his fellow
citizens, even his boldest innovations in Agricul
ture Ito which he was specially devoted,) and
the Arts. The students of the University of