Sunday's Obituary: Nancy J. (Kirkpatrick) Cook

Nancy Jane was the daughter of Joseph Rankin and Lucretia (Zion) Kirkpatrick. She was the wife of my maternal great, great grand-uncle, Allison Cook, son of Giles and Martha (Brown) Cook. 

Obituary - Knightstown Banner 2 Oct 1914

   In loving memory of a dear mother, who has passed from labor to reward.

I love each furrow in thy face,

The silver in thy hair,

There's naught but beauty I can trace,

There's none that's half so fair.

The love shone out from those dear eyes,

How well I knew the sign

Of kindness, sweetness, all that's good,

Dear mother, mother mine.

You nursed me through my infant years,

You loved me as a child,

You shared with me my hopes and fears,

With counsel good and mild.

And when my erring footstep strayed

How sad that heart of thine,

You loved me better than before--

Dear mother, mother mine.

  And so today, neighbors, friends and kindred have met to pay a tribute of respect to a good woman, who had traveled down life's rugged journey, lo these many years.

   Nancy Jane Cook, daughter of Rankin and Lucy Kirkpatrick, was born in Rush county, Indiana, July 10, 1842, and departed this life September 23, 1914. She was the second child of a family of thirteen children.

    She was married to Jacob Johnson, January 21st, 1858, and to this happy union was born two daughters, Elnora and Lucretia, the latter dying in early childhood.

     On May 26, 1864, death again entered this home and took away her beloved companion. 

   November 16, 1865, she was married to Allison Cook. Three children came to bless this home, Mrs. Ollie Harrold, now residing in Indianapolis; Mrs. William Moffitt, who died in Emporia, Kansas, a bride of only six weeks; Joseph R. Cook, of Knightstown, with whom she has made her home for more than twelve years past.

 The death angel again visited this home and took away her companion and left her to tread life's weary pathway all alone, her children all having married and gone away to set up omes of their own.

     She became a christian in early life and was buried with her lord in christian baptism. She united with the Missionary Baptist church in Grant county, that being her home at that time. On moving back to Rush county she, with her husband, identified themselves with the Christian church at Center, Indiana, and was a humble worshiper in the sanctuary of the Lord. When she came to make her home with her son in Knightstown, she transferred her membership to the local congregation and was in harmony and sympathy and attended the services faithfully until deprived of the privilege by her late afflictions and loved to talk of her hopes and desires of the christian life, until the Master said - "It is enough; come up higher," and she went to join that company of redeemed who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the lamb.

    Her last few years were full of suffering, but she bore it with christian fortitude, never complaining, but in her weakness of body battled on, ever ready to meet and greet her friends with a happy smile, and saying as life was drawing to a close that she was ready and willing to depart and be with the Savior.

    She leaves to mourn her departure six sisters, two brothers, three children- Mrs. Columbus Moffitt and Joseph Cook of Knightstown, and Mrs. Ollie Harrold of Indianapolis; also eleven grand children and ten great-grand children, and many friends and neighbors who have only words of praise for her.

    The following poem is one she expressed a desire to have read in connection with the last sad rites:

"Home is not home, for mother is not there,

Angels have taken her out of our care;

Dark is our home and vacant her chair,

Home is not home, for mother is not there.

She has gone from her dear ones,

Her children and friends,

Whom she willing toiled for

And loved as her life,

Never shall her memory fade;

Sweetest thoughts shall ever linger,

Around the cemetery where she is laid,

Often comes from our hearts a bitter cry,

Why did our dear mother die?

Yet again we hope to meet her

When the days of life have fled,

And in heaven with joy to greet her

When no farewell tears are shed."

________________ 

CARD OF THANKS.

     By this means we want to thank our neighbors and friends for the beautiful flowers and the many kind acts done during the sickness and death of our mother.
                                                           Joseph and May Cook,

                                                           Elnora Moffitt,

                                                           Ollie Harrold.

________________

     The following persons from a distance were in attendance at the funeral of Mrs. Cook: Mrs. Ollie B. Harrold, Miss Fern Harrold and Clarence Harrold, Indianapolis; John Cook, Windfall, Ind.; George Kirkpatrick and wife and Mr. and Mrs. McKay, Kokomo, Ind.; J. W. Cooper and wife, Greenfield; E. M. Tentmyers, Elwood; Mrs. Elizabeth Farrington, Anderson; Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Pickering, of Kennard; Mrs. Frank Livezey and Mrs. E. S. Jackson, New Castle; Mrs. Harry Griffith, Delphi; Mrs. Horace Worth, of Morristown; Mr. and Mrs. Otto Price, of New Castle.


Nancy and Allison are buried in Center Cemetery, Mays, Rush Co., Indiana.

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