OBITUARY: Esther Ann Cook, 1835-1888, Mitchell County, Iowa



                        Mrs. Esther Ann Cook

Mrs. Esther Ann Cook died at the residence of Mr. D.W. Fritcher, Friday,
February 2, 1888.

She was born in March, 1835 in Canada, during a temporary residence of her
parents in that country.  In 1842 she was married and resided in Jefferson
county, New York.  She came with her family to Wisconsin in 1852, and there
her husband died in 1869.  In the fall of that year she came to Iowa to 
live with her children, settling in Mitchell and afterward in St. Ansgar.

Before coming to Osage she made her home with her son Stephen, in Dakota.
She was the mother of six children, four of whom were present to follow
her remains to the grave.

At the age of twelve she united with the Methodist church, and during health
was an active and efficient member.  But strange and sad to relate, she had
been an invalid for nineteen years.  In 1870 supported by others, she walked
to church for the last time.  During fourteen years she had been virtually
bed-fast, and scarcely able to move herself in bed.  But during those years
she had the clear and vigorous use of her mind, and was able to read, and
receive company. She was an easy and interesting conversationalist; and
having a practical and enduring faith in God, she was cheerful, patient,
and hopeful.  She knew well that she was a helpless dependent upon the
love and fidelity of her children and was considerate and thankful.  Pain
followed her to the very last, but finally ended, as above stated, in God's
great peace.


    Copyright 2005 - Marilyn Oconnor