River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1906-01-04
tFrom the Pierce County Herald.)
DR.. HANCOCK DEAD.
Passes Away Thursday, Dec.
Is, at 5 o'clock P. M. Con
SciOnS Nearly to
the End.

DR.. Joseph Warren Hancock died
at his residence in this village last
Thursday evening at s o'clock. His
death had been long expected and yet
its announcement was distinctly
shock to his friends and neiehbors.
His health had been gradually fail
ing tor several years and last winter
he visited the South in the hope of re-
gaining it, but came home a very sick
man. Much to every ones surprise
and qualification he suddenly recruit
ed and remained comparatively well
until September, from which time his
last illness dates. He bore all physi-
cal pain with fortitude. and viewed
composedly the approach of death,
being conscious nearly to the end.
DR.. Hancock was rarely gifted
man, with unusual attachments, and
his ability, subordinate to heart fill
ed with kindly impulses, made for
him legion of friends.
He was born in Worcester, VT,
June 80, l84S, and came to Red Wing
in 1854 where his father, David Han
cock, still lives. He acquired an aca-
demic education in Hamine Univer-
sity and chose the profession of medi-
cine graduating at Buffalo in 1870.
He began the practice of medicine in
Maiden Rock shortly after gradua-
ting and remained there in active
work for seven years.
He was married to Marie A Besan-
con, Dec. 10, 1877, in which year he
came to Ellsworth, having been APP
pointed County Clerk to fill the nnex-
PRED term of Hans b. Warner who
had been elected Secretary of State
He was elected County Clerk in 1878.
In 1885 he was elected County Judge
and reelected in 1889. He was presi-
dent of the State Board of Health
from 1892 to 1895, and for many years
has been president of the Bank of
Ellsworth, president Of our county
fair, and treasurer of the village
school board which offices he held at
the time of his death.
He was Mason of high degree be-
longing to Commandery No. and
Hope Chapter Royal Arch Masons, of
Lake City, and Hancock Lodge of this
place.
The funeral service was held on
Monday in the Firemen's hall, under
Masonic auspices, and was largely at
tended. The Fraternity marched
from their hall to the Hancock resi-
dence where prayer was offered by
Rev K. j. Lewis, who conducted the
religious ceremonies, after which the
casket was borne to the hall The
sermon of Rev. Lewis was earnest.
able, eloquent and fitting, and the
choir singing exceptionally good. At
ter the church service the Masons,
under acting Master. j. l.. Moody,
took charge. Chaplain John Haw Of
fered prayer, and Dir d. w. Wood
worth gave short eulogy after which
the remains were borne to Maple
Grove Cemetery where the beautiful
ritualistic ceremonies were conduct
ed
There was a large attendance of
Masons from River Falls, Hudson,
Baldwin, Spring Valley, Maiden Rock
and other places The Doctors aged
father Of Red Wing, in his Oath year
hale and strong was present, as were
also other relatives of the Doctor and
Mrs Hancock.
Business houses were closed out of
respect for the dead and it is the gen.
eral sense of this community that an
able and honorable man, devoted
friend, and good citizen, has passed
out of this life.
The burial arrangements were per-
fected and we'll carried out by Under
taker Glass, assisted by Marshal Spin
ney.