The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1879-07-11

TYf DEATH or Hon. SAMUEL. T.
yoykE.-Thc death cf Judge Cook,
fc9h,c us II sorrowful surprise 10 mos
" his townsmcu, who had hardly hear,
vof his sickness when his deccase wa
announced. lie had been well enough
to attend TO the necessary dniics of hi
position, though conscious of growing
weakness, until Monday night of las
week, when his condition was such tina
DIR. Allen of Rutland, was sent for {,
consult with bis attending physician
DIR. ID. +. Sutton. lie pronounced tn,
case hopeless. From that tire unit
death on Sunday afternoon, about foul
O'Clock, the Judge grew weaker rapid
ly, though occasionally arising from
his bed, and even going into his garden
once or twice. He was last mp on Fri.
day, the Fourth, for short time
From that time his stupor became more
aud more pronounced until the end, al.
though he could recognise his friends
on Saturday, and shook hands with his
pastor. He could not speak, however.
The cause of his death was urGmia, OF
poisoning Of the blood by urea, the re-
suit of inherited kidney disease.
Judge Cooke was born June q, 1920,
aud consequently was fitty.nine years
and nine days old at the time of his
death. lie was the son of the late
Chauncey Cooke of Cornwall. lie re-
ceived common school education, to
which he added by observation and
study during his life, and was always
well-intormcd far beyond the average
of men of his age. He early attracted
the attention of his fellow citizens by
his strength and soundness. lie en-
tered public lite ut the age of thirty
nine, being elected assistant Judge of
the county court in 1859; he was re-
ing year he was elected representative
of the town of Weybridge in the state
legislative. On the death of Judge &.
G.. Tilden in 1868, Mr.. Cooke was APP
pointed by the governor to fill the va
cancy, beginning his duties Dec. | in
that year. lie has held the Office contin-
uously since.
In the death of Judge Cooke all who
know him feel q sense of personal loss.
lie was the best of neighbors and
friends. No man over stood higher in
the estimation of his fellow citizens for
the possession of all the qualities which
go to make up strong, earnest and
manly man. His honesty was never
questioned, and a marked trait was his
thorough detestation of all dishonesty
and lrickcry. Whatever position he
filled, he conscicntiously sought to do
his whole duty, without fear or favor.
In his decisions as judge of probate he
always sought for prccedcnts, but if
preccdents were not TO be found he ask
ed himself which was the right side and
having satisfied himself nothing could
move him from his position. \ mum
Der of noted cases tried by him show
this trait conspicuously. lie took q
deep interest in political matters. and
his judgment OH local and state politics
was rarely if ever at fault. He exer-
,cised much influence in all local affairs,
10 which his good sense and imDartial1
spirit entitled him. Although not an
active worker in such matters, his ST.
lent influence often made itself felt eff
fectively, and on several occasions he
showed that he could labor most siren
nously for cause he deemed worthy of
his efforts.
Judge Cooke was sincere christian.
He was earnest in his duties as men,
Der Of The church, and was constant in
his attendance at church and prayer
meeting, when his health would per-
nit, and did his full share for their sup
port. The Congregational church of
Middlebury has lost in him one of its
pillars. lie had recently been elected
a deacon of the church, and the day of
his death was the first one on which he
Il lao ,oI ho l,,t a..
office.
An element of sadness was cast over
his laler years by the loss of his Only
two children, of whom his daughter,
Miss Eva, bright and Lovely young
lady, died in the fall OF 1871, and his
son Charles, a promising young man,
who graduated from college in 1872,
died in the fall of 1873. His own death
leaves his estimablc wife alone, and the
sympathy of many hearts are with her
in her sad bereavement.
His funeral took place at the Congre-
gatonal church on Wednesday at four
o'clock, being delayed for the arrival of
his only brother, Hon. Milo ID. Cooke,
of Galesburg, III. After prayer at the
house by Rev. Mr.. Hooker, the funeral
procession moved TO the church, where
a large number of citizens of this and
surrounding towns had gathered. The
casket was substantial and elegant
one, and as il lay in the vestibule of the
church, there were upon it three appro-
priately arranged bouquets of white
flowers. The bearers were Hon. j. ID.
Smith of Vergennes, probate judge of
the New Haven District, Col. l.. f.
KnapD. Hon. Henry Lane. DIR. Ii. II.
Sutton, Deacon Samuel James and Mr..
ii. G.. Langworthy. Mr.. Hooker gave
just and discriminating ealogy of the
deceased. Rev. W. ii. Rowsom assist
ed in the services, and appropriate
music was finely rendered by members
of the choir. The body was then car
ried TO the cemetery and laid beside
the dust of his loved children. His tall
form and genial face will no more be
seen upon our streets, but the love of
many friends will long hold his memo
ny dear