The Dickinson press., 1902-04-12
Obituary

Rev. VIM. Cooke was born in the.
countysof Cayan, Ireland, October az,
1896, and died at the home Of his. daugh-
err Mrs. John Little, Gladstone, March
SO. He married Miss Susanna Harvey
Oct. 22, 1863. Ten children were born
to them, seven of whom suTvive-Wit-
liam Henry, Mrs. John Little and Mrs.
w. G. Candee of Gladstone, Rev. Geo.
"a. Cooke, Winchendon, Mass, John,
Chas, Dickinson. DIR. T. F. Cooke,
Mediapolis, Iowa, andsRev. Edwin "A. Of
Hallock, Mimi.
For three years he attended the
Wesleyan Methodist Institute in Dublin.
He spent six years in the cityof Armagh,
Ireland, as Methodist teacher and local
preacher. During that time he won tie
hearts of the people, thereby making his
labors count for great good. After de-
Gliding to emigrate to America the peo-
pie among whom he had labored would
not allow him to depart without an ex-
preston of their loving attachment to
him. He was presented with a purse of
gold, andsasvery touching address signed
by DR. Lynn, who is we'll known to
Methodism.
With wife and family he arrived at
Evanston, Ill, May lst, 1870. where they
remained until October of the same year
when he joined the Wisconsin M. E.
conference. In the tall of 1882 he joined
the Minnesota conference and was sent
to Mandan. before there was an N. F..
conference in the state. He remained
stoneta and held services in the school
house for about a year, when he sue
ceeded in having a church erected. After
three years pastorate insthis place he re-
turned to Minnesota.
In the fall Of 1900 he and Mrs. Cooke
came back to Gladstone and made their
home withtheir daughter, Mrs. Little. He
was then on the superanuated list. but
his zeal for the cause of Christ led him
to render his service as pastor of Rich
ardton and Antelope, where he preached
for one year. 1t proved too much for his
strength and he was compelled to rest
from his labor which vas so dear to his
heart. Over a year ago he sank very low
in health but rallied and gained strength
during the summer. During the pastors
absence in the winter just past he sup
piled the pulpit at Gladstone several
times, but a return of the old ailmentl
brought him low again, but not until a
few days before his death was it thought
that the end was so near The sons at a
distance were informed of his serious
condition, but only w. H. and j. c. ar
rived.to hear his last words.
His last days were peaceful. His will
was fully resigned to Him who doeth all
things well. The funeral was held in
the church which he succeeded in hav-
ing built, and of which he was the first
pastor. RevS. M. Roadhouse of Dick-
inson, a former pastor, assisted in the
service and preached a very impressive
sermon from Numbers 23:Io: "Let me
die the death of the righteous, and let
my last end be like his He spoke of
the text as being appropriate for the oc-
casion, as the life of the departed had
been spent in a righteous cause, and his
end was peace. He was often heard re-
peating the 23rd psalm; it was very dear
to him. He had no fear of death, and
could say 20 death, where is tho sting7
o grave, where is thy v%ictorv!tir-1r was
a great Comfort I . MIN that two of his
sons are ministers of the gospel and all
of the family active christians.
He was a loving husband and father,
and will be greatly missed, but the
bereaved do not sorrow as those who
have nc hope. He has rested from his
labors and his works do follow him.
The pastor spoke Of him as a father in;
the church, who was always a ready
friend and counsellor, whom he had
learned to love, and how he had taken
part and enjoyed a prayermeeting that.
was held three days before his death at
the home where he resided.
AS he walked around he would repeat
passages of scripture that were comfort
ing to his soul, and no mournful tones
escaped his lips, His faith was strong.
His hope that reached beyond this
world was an anchor of the soul both
sure and steadfast. Those who knewshim
will ever feel the benediction of his con-
secrated life. F. F. BooTHBY,