Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-05-27
IN MEMORIAM.
Mr., WILLIAM D. COOKE

ker. Esq, in this city. Wednesday morning. the
Goth inst, aged seventy-four years.
| Mr.. Cooke was native of Vermont and ed
ucated at Middlebury College In that State. In
early life, he became a member of the Presby-
| terrain Church, and continued q consistent and
jealous follower of the Saviour to the end of his
days. or cheerful disposition and pleasant adj
| Dress kind in words and winning in manner,
| he was particularly attractive to the young,
| and In these characteristics his early associa-
| lions psrpetuated his name and good deeds to
| many far separated from him in after life.
| The deceased came to Staunton about 1888 for
| the purpose of pursuing the profession ofteach-
| ing. Marrying, in 1884. Miss Lucy Ann. a
daughter Of the late Lyttleton Waddell. Princi-
pal Of the Staunton Male Academy, he became
associated with his fathsr-in-law in the conduct
| of that school. An older brother, Robert L.,
preceded him year or two, and at that time
was Principal ofthe Female Seminary, which
was on the hill just above the Presbyterian
Church of that day. Robert was a leading
member of that church. He was the Sabbath
School Superintendent, and led the singing
during worship in the church. There was no
choir.
Referring to the elder brother, revives recol-
lections of the younger, and OF in teresting pas
times and recreations, in which he was, also, q
participant. On the corner of Frederick and
Market streets, where three new brick build
ings are now under construction, was the resi-
dence and large workshops and ware-rooms
OF Mr.. David Gilkeson, who manufactured
house furniture. He was aged and exam
plary member of the Presbyterian church, and
his hospitable abode was at all times home for
the brotherhood and many friends. At that
time, William w. Trimble, who afterwards be-
came an eminent Presbyterian minister, was
pursuinga classical course at the Academy
The Rev. John Steele was the pastor of the
church. Mr.. Steele and the two Cookies were
amateurs in handcraft-work and artisans OF
skill an / taste. Mr.. Trimble had learned in his
boyhood to become worker In wood Mr..
Gilkeson's roomy shops had an abundance of
work benches and full supplies of tools and ev-
cry variety of our beautiful native woods. To
these fine opportunities for recreation and sx-
erciss, as we'll as to cultivate their tastes, the
four were often In a grOup-Mr. Steele making
presses, tables. and book ceases for his library
room; the brothers shaping and completing
household ornaments; and Mr.. Trimble build
ing small model of the bridge Caesar erected
during his campaigns in Gaul. Science, his
tory, mechanics, and the arts were often SUBJ
jects of discussion by the four, very much to the
delight and entertainment of the venerable
chief of the establishment. as well as his jour-
neymen and apprentice boys. 1t is hardly ne
cessary to say that more than a welcome re-
ception at all times awaited the four men of
genius. talents, and cultivation.
Subsequent to this period, Mr.. William D.
Cooke taught in Waynesboro and when the
State Institution for the education of the Deaf
and the Dumb and the Blind was established
here. he became accomplished teacher in 1t.
-, off
tion of the kind. and obtained the privilege Of
sending here some Of the young of her unfortu-
nate children for instruction. Impressed with
the Importance of making permanent provi-
sion for the afflicted OF his own State, the dis
tinguished Governor Morehead sought Mr..
Cooke and invited him to visit Raleigh, in
der to obtain his valuable assistance in the de-
sign. He repaired thither, taking with him
David Albright of that State, who had been ed
ucated here. Mr.. Cooke appeared before the
Legislature with an ability which all who knew
him can well estimate.
The appropriation was Immediately made,
and Mr.. Cooke was associated with the archi-
tect in perfecting the plans and specifications
for the buildings. The Institution was estab-
| lshed; he was Its founder; and for eighteen
years its superintendent.
In 1880, Georgia followed the example of North
Carolina, and here again Mr.. Cookies talents
| and experience were called into requisition for
| the benefit of that State. The war, however,
| coming on, many of the institutions of the
South-the humane as well as others-for the
| time being had to make sacrifices, consequent
upon failure of necessary support.
Shortly after the commencement of hostili-
ties, the Southern Presbyterian Board of Pub
| LEGATION called Mr. Cooke into its service at
| Richmond, where he remained In discharge of
his important duties till 1865.
Shortly after that time, he was called to Mary
land, and aided the State authorities in the ss-
tablishment of an Institution, and for awhile
| he was the Principal of it.
Called second time to North Carolina,
| he returned there, and after spending several
years amid the scenes Of his long and valuable
| services in the past to that State, he sought
again his old Virginia home, and again render
ed useful service in his loved work as a teach
| er in the Institution in which he had won his
! first distinction.
With advancing years disease and age united
, to make inroads upon his constitution, and to
bow his erect form. Gradually the casket in
which mind and genius and high purposes had
|, long and successfully displayed their worth,
gave signs that the day for surrendering its
jewels was rapidly approaching. In the
blended beauties of Christian experience in as
sociation with the hope Of the blissful crown
which the righteous shall wear, the philanthro-
pist and the good man passed, in the language
OF the hymn sung at his funeral over ION the
other side OF jordan" to ''rest" in the Chris
tian's home in glory" where the tree of life is
blooming"
The funeral Thursday morning was from the
First Presbyterian Church, Rev. J. P. Strider,
services The Splpp-
ton OF scripture read by him, the hymn sung,
and the prayers at the church and the grave,
must have conveyed to the afflicted family the
consultations which flow from the recognition
that LIES mission was ended in the fulness Of
Its aims. and that the soul was securely anchor
ed in the bounds of an eternal home "ln the
sweet fl elds of Eden.''
The following named gentlemen were pail
bearers VIM. B. Kayser, r. NJ. Guy, Harvey
Burdett, P. H. Trout, H. NJ. McIlhany, VIM. NJ.
Berkeley, Henry A. Bear, EsQs., and Drs. N.
Wayt and Carter Berkeley, and Capt. T. S.
Doyle
Mr. W. B. Kayser is the only survivor Of the
attendants of the deceased at his marriage, more
| than fifty years ago.
Mrs. Cooke survives her husband as do their
children named follows Miss Maria, Mrs.
Jas. Gordon, of Richmond, Mrs. G. P Baker, of
W. 10
| and Messrs. c. L. and J. A. Cooke, of this city.
All were present to comfort him during his
last hours.
DEATH OF REV. JOHN F. BAKER.-On the
10th In slant, Rev. John F. Baker died OF brain
| fever at his residence in Austin, Pulaski CO.,
| Arkansas. He was well known In this coun-
| ty. being at one time pastor OF Hebron Church.
| He was an able minister. Whilst he was pas
tor of Hebron Church. we heard him preach a
series of sermons at protracted meeting in the
| Presby terian Church at Lewisburg, ". Va,
which we thought were good as any we ever
| heard. He was a brother of Rev. VIM. E. Ba-
ker, who was for % years pastor of the First
| Presbyterian Church of this city. He was the
brother-in-law Of ]. G. Steele. ESQ.,, OF Lexing-
| ton, Va, his wife, who survives him, being a
daughter of Mr.. John Steele, of Rock bridge CO.
| He was about 81 years of age.
AID FOR THE Y. NJ. G. A. HalI.--There is no
object which can make stronger or more deserv-
| ed pleas of recognition for aid than to give the
" AT n +l1i att Of ito No