The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1910-11-25
ANOTHER STURDY
PIONEER IS GONE
Unci, JSSSn Cook Passes
Away at Home of Son,
Aged 81 Years.
STRICTLY A SELF-MADE MAN
Example of Industry, Perseverance
and Honest Manhood Worthy
of Emulation.

OF
Uncle John Cook, whom everyone
was pleased to call his friend, has
gone. After short illness he passed
away at the home OF his son in Porter
township, on Tuesday morning of this
week.
John Cook was born on August 27,
1926, being past "a years of age at the
time of his death. His baptismal regis
ter Is on the records OF the Parish church
of Old Boliugbroke, Lincolnshire, Eng
land. He was the second OF large
family of children of poor, but unusual
ly industrious and respectable parents.
Capt. James Cook, was one OF his
ancestors, and Thos. Cook and son,
Tourist agents OF London, are his rela-
tives.
Deceased had no school training, and
as was the custom among the peasant
class at that time, he commenced a life
of toll as shepard lad at the age of
seyen years. Then followed ten years
OF life as servant, and it was in this
capacity that he learned much about
the care Of stock and the handling of
good horses.
He started for America or March 4th,
1851, and after a stormy voyage landed
in New York April l6. Thence he came
steamboat and emigrant train to Paw
Paw reaching here on April 27. In
Uncle Johns own language he had
ID English soveeelseem % d his pocket,
good watch, was we'll clothed, had a
good constitution, sober habits and was
right willing to work.. His knowledge
of horses earned him a job in the Ex-
change tavern, now the Dyckman house
stables, and was employed there as
hostler for many years. He was an en-
ployee good portion OF the time there
OF the late j M. Longwell Notwith-
standing the rn@ny temptations that
surrounded young man at that time
and in such a position, he always held
firm to the temperance pledge be had
taken 10 England, and never drank as a
beverage. He left the Dyckman house
stables in 1873, and located on a farm
in northeast Decatur, which place he
owned at the time of his death He was
a good farmer and took much pride in
the deve elopment OF his land.
He was hardworking, industrious
man. Generous and public spirited
.sourttng no mans favor, and fearing no
mans frown. He was one of the men
who met at the old court house IN
Paw Paw in 1854 and organic I'd the
republican party. Later however, he
left this party, and was a Jealous and
patriotic dem )crat during the remainder
of his days. He was the nominee at one
time of his party for state senator
While be had no advantages of an early
education, he worked hard to get the
rud,ments of learning end was a fair
student. He was a great reader, and
was better informed on the topics of
the day, than the MAORI ty of educated
. men.
! He has been twice married, both
wives having preceded him to the great
beyond. One daughter by his first wife,
survives him, and was at his bedside
, during his last sickness. Four children
by -hf5 second wife are left to mourn his
death. William, John, Mrs. Burlington
OF Porter and one daughter in Three
Rivers.
Uncle John had been in his usual
rugged and robust health up until few
weeks ago. He was in Paw Paw during
the fair last fall, and stated to the writer
at that time that she attended the first
fair ever held in Paw Paw, and wanted
to come to this one, as it would prob
ly be his last.
Toe funeral will be held from the
Porler church on Friday.
He had large acq cquantance in Van
Buren, county, and it will be safe to say,
that in all his large circle of acquain-
tances he had not single enemy. He
was friend to all. and will be missed by
all as kind and affectionate father, a
good neighbor, good maz and a true
friapd