Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1886-03-04
Sketch of John B. Cough Life.

John b. Cough, who died recently, was born
August %, 1917, at Sangate, Kent county,
England, a romantic little watering place fire.
Iuented by many Of the aristocracy and gen.
ry. His father was an infantry soldier and
served from 79S, when he enlisted, until dis
,harged in 1923, with pension OF e20 year.
ne was in the peninsula war, and obtained q
medal with six clasps, for Corunna, Talavera,
salamanca, Badajos, Blombal and Busaco.
Having nothing but his pension he could not
liforu to give his son very liberal education
m u, the age OF ten years John finally left
school
90. ,.,ne, 1929, Johns father paid family,
SLowere about 10 cmigrate To America, ten
guineas in consideration of which they agreed
% take him with them, teach hun "a trade and
provide Tor him until he should become II
iears old. After a voyage OF ffty-four days
he ship on which young Cough was passen-
GER ar wed at New YORK, where the party re-
nained about two months previous to settling
~ II farm in Oneida county, where John re-
nam ii learning the duties of a farm hand
lntll Lecsmber, 1881, when he left his protect
Jrs and made his Way TO New lork city, where
ne secui eel situation as errand boy and book
binders apprentice in the Methodist book
concern at a salary OF 50 rs week.
In 1883, having secured employment with n.
J. White at higher wages than he was receiv-
ing at the book concern, Cough sent TO Eng
land for his father, mother and sister, but
only the last Two named came In July, 1894,
his mother died, and as he bad no means to
prevent was buried in the potte field
Within year or two aft, his mothers
eIth Cough became intimate 18th set OF
Dung men, through whose influence he en-
tered upon those convivlai habit, which ended
n making him a drunkard. His habits caused
h IN to ose his situation, though he was a
goo won kman, and he then turned his imi-
Live laculles to account and went upon the
age as low comedian aDd singer. lie did
not succeed At this; obtained work at his
AIDE hut lost il; shipped as a hand on fish
ug 5, ac.,, but steadily grew more and more
victim of liquor, though he had In the mean
me married. 1t is needless in this connection
% follow his career of partial REFORMATION and
on>tant relapse, which is the history of every
lruukard; let it suffice TO say that he did not
reach the very bottom OF the gulf OF
drunkenness until death had mercifully taken
as VIE from er lite of heart-breakiDg trials.
In lS42, friendless, poverty stricken and
iespalrlns, cold, hungry and In rags, Cough
TODD up ~ the lower town hall, Worcester
1t the Invitation of Joel Strattor, told his
tory an, signed the pledge. lie attended
emperance meetings regularly, and from
Speaking few words occasionally when called
.pon, gradually came to be looked upon as an
orator, and on the 3lst day of December was
jOr the nrst time ADVERTISED as temperance
advocate. In about five months after he had
.igned the pledge he broke it in Boston, bul
WpCH tu anu again dssuIntu ltS ODilkdllOu.
md lro Al that time until the present he has
been continually before the public as lecturer
and autdCr
Noyem ,er "a, 1s43, Mr.. Cough was married,
1t ore ster, Mass, to Miss Mary Whitcomb,
II 30 ,,Iton, and went to Roxbury to live.
cjul cr lS4S, Mr.. Coughs father, accom-
panied by FIVE years old boy, the son OF a
,rcOhu marriage, came TO this country TO re-
;.de wItn The now noted orator.
In 1853 Mr.. Cough made his first visit, as
ecturer, to Great Britain, arriving at Liver
90. July %, and speaking throughout Eng
and m scotland until August 4, 1854, when
le lett for this country, and remained here
Until July IA, 1c57. He then made his second
Asit TO England, and it was during this visit
hat he won his celebrated libel suit against
frederick X. Lecce, who accused him of un-
illness, insincerity, etc. lie embarked for
home August IL, 1850, and summarized his
work in England as follows: The first two
iears in Great Britain | delivered 43S lectures
md travelled 23,2A m les; the last three years
O5 lectures and 40,2l7 miles.