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Judson COOK and Alma DEAN
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Mr. and Mrs. Judson A. Cook, of this city, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on February 27th at their home in this city. The event was observed by relatives and friends who gathered at the home to help the worthy couple celebrate the event. Mr. and Mrs. Cook were married in the town of Sylvan and they resided on the home farm for 50 years, the past ten years having been spent in this city. The old house in which they were married 60 years ago still stands and it was planned to hold the event there, but cold weather and bad roads caused the plan to be given up. The ceremony 60 years ago was performed by Dr. L. Dean, an old resident of the town of Sylvan. There are seven children now living, together with 18 grand-childrena nd 26 great-grandchildren. Mr. Cook was a soldier in the Civil War, enlisting when he was but sixteen years of age and he served throughout the war. All the children except two, emerson, of Idaho, and J.D. of Missouri, were present at the celebration. Both Mr. and mrs. Cook are well and they have been receiving the congratulations of their many friends on this occasion and with them we join in extending best wishes and the hope that Mr. and mrs. Cook will live to celebrate many more happy wedding anniversaries.
Judson A. Cook, son of Horace and Mary Cook, was born in Lancaster, Grant county, May 30, 1845, and departed this life at his home in Richland Center March 31, 1928, at the age of 82 years and 10 months. He was the oldest of a family of 8 children. AT the age of 10 years he came with his parents to Richland county and moved to Sylvan. Mr. Cook was a veteran of the Civil war, enlisting at the age of 16 years and served throughout the war. He was in the battle of Vicksburg when General Lee surrendered. A brother Clinton, died at Savannah in defense of his country.
Mr. Cook was married to Alma Dean, daughter of Dr. L. Dean, of Sylvan, on Feb. 27, 1866. To this union were born six sons and two daughters, Mrs. Alma Fish, Richland Center; Dean, of Aurora, Mo.; Mrs. Myrtle Walker, Richland Center; Horace, who died in 1905; Lee and Logan, of Sylvan; and Stephen, of Richland Center; and Emerson, of Couer De Alene, Idaho. Six of his children were at his bedside until the end. Dean was unable to be present because of sickness. Fifty-two years ago Mr. Cook was converted and united with the Baptist church at Sylvan and about ten years ago he united with the local Baptist church. He had been a sufferer the past winter. During his last illness he longed for something more than church membership. It was wonderful to be in his room and to see his happy face when most of his children and several of his grandchildren knelt around his bed and vowed to be Christians and meet him in Heaven. He had found such joy, he begged and plead for all to give their lives to the Lord. Several times a goodly number of friends and neighbors with relatives gathered in his room and prayed and sang the old hymns he loved. He also sang and prayed with them. The day before he left us he reached up his hand and said, "I'm at the foot of the Cross, good bye, good bye."
Mr. Cook leaves to mourn his departure his devoted wife, who has walked by his side for over 62 years. Mrs. Cook never left his bedside for many minutes at a time, ministering to his needs. Five sons and two daughters, 18 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and one great, great grandchild, one aged brother, H.N. Cook, of Canby, Oregon, also one sister, Mrs. Elvira Davis, of Mound City, Kansas, with many other relatives and friends. He was patient to the end not wanting to make anyone any trouble.
Brief services were held from the Pratt Funeral Home on Monday afternoon in charge of his pastor, Rev. Jas. Mac Owan Wilson, assisted by Rev. Rice. Mrs. J. M. Wilson and Mrs. O.G. Klein sang "The Old Rugged Cross". Services were continued at the U.B. Church of Sylvan.
Pall beareres were six grandsons, Lavern and Ray Fish, Leward, Elton, Robert and Glen Cook. The American Legion had charge at the grave.
Another old soldier has answered the last roll call and been laid to rest in the Sylvan cemetery.
Those loving lips are silent
The gentle laugh is o'er
They have taken our dear father
And we'll hear his voice no more.
Just one day of silent suffering
Pain and aches his body bore
Then the angels took dear father
to a brighter, happier shore.
In vain we question why it happened
How could it be for the best,
Asking why those feet so swift
On the journey needed rest.
Though Today we're filled with mourning
Mercy still is on the throne
With they smiles of love returning
We can say they will be done
Brief funeral services were held from the Pratt Funeral Home, April 2, at 12:45 p.m. in charge of his pastor, Rev. James Wilson, assisted by Rev. Rice of the Nazarene church. Mrs. James Wilson and Mrs. O.G. Klein sang "The Old Rugged Cross." Funeral services were continued at the United Brethren church at Sylvan at 2:30 p.m. Pastors Wilson and Rice officiated. Text used was Job 5:26, as requested by Mr. Cook. Mrs. Olive Sheffield and John Buroker sang "I Will Meet You in the Mornin, " and "Going Down the Valley." Pall bearers were six grandsons, Lavern and Ray Fish, Leonard, Elton, Robert and Glen Cook.
The Legion boys had charge at the grave. Another old soldier has answered the last roll call and has been laid to rest in the Sylvan cemetery.
Judson Cook, Civil War veteran, has two flags engraved upon his tombstone. Mr. Cook was a member of Co. D 11th Wis. Infantry. Mr. Cook, "Jud", as he was called by his many friends, was a member of one of the early pioneers families of Sylvan. He was born in Grant county May 30, 1845. His parents came from the east in 1831 and passed through Chicago in a covered wagon when the place was but a village and Lancaster had but two or three log houses. Mr. Cook's father became the first sheriff of Grant county. The family came to Richland county and here they spent the remainder of their days. "Jud" was the eldest of the family of seven. When he was 16 he enlisted in the army in 1861 and served until the fall of 1865. In 1866 he married Alma Dean, a daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Luke Dean. She was born in 1846 and died in 1938. Mr. Cook passed on in 1928.
Alma Dean Cook, one of the city's oldest people and one of the county's longest time residents, passed away at the home of her son, Stephen, in this city, Monday afternoon, March 2nd at the advanced age of 89 years and 4 months.
Mrs. Cook's life had been full of rich experiences attendant upon pioneering in this and Vernon counties. Born in Indiana where her father was a physician and surgeon, she came to Wisconsin with her parents in 1850, when her father located at Lynxville, in Crawford county. Mrs. Cook received her education in Wisconsin and after her father, Dr. Luke Dean, removed to Viroqua, she engaged in teaching school in Richland and Vernon counties.
It was while engaged in teaching a school near Viroqua that she went through the experience of losing her mother and her home by the Viroqua cyclone. (ed. note: stepmother)
In 1866 she was united in marriage with Judson A. Cook and settled on a farm in the town of Sylvan, where they reared their family amidst the environment of typical pioneer life as it was lived at that time.
Eight children blessed that happy union, all save one of whom survive her. They are Mrs. Arthur Fish, of this city and St. Petersburg, Florida; Dean, whose home is in Oklahoma, but who is visiting here at present; Mrs. Myrtle Walker, of this city; Lee, of Sylvan; Stephen, of Richland Center; Amos, who lives on the old home farm in Sylvan; and Emerson, of Idaho. A son, Horace, died many years ago. The husband, Judson A. Cook, passed away a few years ago.
Definite funeral arrangements have not been made at the hour this paper is being printed, awaiting the arrival of the daughter, Mrs. Fish, who is on her way here from Florida, and presumably the arrival of the son who lives in Idaho.
Judson A. Cook, whose parents came from the New England states, was born in Grant County May 30, 1845. His parents were Horace and Mary Cook. Horace worked in the lead mines in Grant county for a time, afterwards taking up farming. At an early date he came to Richland County, bringing his family with him, locating in the town of Sylvan where he entered land on sections 32 and 33 and raised his family of seven children, four boys and three girls. Judson was the oldest and when the war broke out between the states he volunteered in April, 1861, enlisting in the 11th Regiment, Co., D., and stayed with that company throughout the conflict. A brother Clinton also enlisted in the army but never returned. Judson went to Camp Randall, probably barefoot. The next morning after reaching there he found his father sleeping with him, having brought his son's clothes, which in his haste, he had left behind.
From Camp Randall in September 1861, Judson went to Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, afoot, passing through Illinois to St. Louis. He was placed on guard at a railroad in the winter of 1861-62. From there down the Mississippi, crossing into the state of Mississippi at Milkins Bend. The rebels were met at Vicksburg, where the lines and breastworks were charged. The charge failed. Then the siege of Vicksburg came on which lasted for many weeks. Judson received his small pay, sending what he could to his mother for keeping.
Returning home he purchased the home now occupied by Logan A. Cook, where he and his faithful wife Alma raised eight children to manhood. The homestead has been in the Cook possession nearly 100 years. If brother Lee and I can hold on another eight or ten years the desire may be fulfilled. the old stone door step which served so long is at the Cook home today. L.A. Cook, The 5th in Command.
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