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- Funeral services for George G. COON, who died, Feb.
3, were held at the home of
- his daughter Mrs. Byron E. COON, Milton, Feb. 6, at
2:30 p.m., Rev. J. L. Skaggs and Dr. Edwin Shaw officiating.
Especially pleasing piano music was played by Miss Lois WELLS
preceding and following the service. One selection was sung by
a male quartet. Burial was in Milton cemetery with his son Durwood,
his sons-in-law Byron COON and Geo. TRUMAN, and
his nephew D. L. COON as pallbearers.
- Relatives from away who attended were Mr. and Mrs. George
TRUMAN of New
- Auburn, D. L. COON of Minneapolis, Mr. and Mrs. Roy
COON of Stoughton and Mr. and Mrs. Fred PALMITER
of Albion.
- Nearly a century ago, during a time which represents to us
a romantic pioneering
- background, George Greenman COON was born in Brookfield,
N.Y., on May 23, 1837. He was the son of Thomas and Abby DAVIS
COON. His grandfather, Elder Abram COON, was one
of the staunchest, most enthusiastic organizers of the Seventh
Day Baptist general conference movement at that time, and was
its president for eight or nine years.
- As was customary in those days George COON worked
out at the neighbors during
- the summer months and attended district school during the
winter time, making the most of his opportunities to secure as
much education as possible at that time. When he was fifteen,
he was baptised by Elder Joshua CLARK and united with
the Brookfield Seventh Day Baptist church.
- The urge for new advantages, new experiences, new life brought
him to Illinois when
- he was a young man of twenty. It was near Rockford that he
taught for several years. While here he became an inveterate
reader, rounding out an education already thoroughly begun in
New York State.
- In July, 1862, he was married in Utica, Wis., to Miss Marian
COLGROVE. The
- following March saw the courageous couple slowly making their
way in a covered wagon over untrod, western trails. They were
nearing their new home in New Auburn, Minn., a home which was
built after hours of untiring faithful labor upon land which
was purchased from the government. For sixty-four years Mr. and
Mrs. COON worked together, endured sorrows and hardships
together, enjoyed happiness together with a love eternal which
bound them in this world and stretched its cords into eternity.
Fifty years were spent in Minnesota, forty years of this time,
Mr. COON was notary public at New Auburn, Minn., and he
handled the many cases which came before him with the skill of
a lawyer.
- He resumed his teaching here in the new territory at New
Auburn and Glencoe. His
- teaching did not consist merely of the three "R's",
but he taught as he lived - kindness, honor, justice, determination
to carry on, generosity, reverence for the things eternal. And
his reward? Not pecuniary gain; but friends. Friends who came
to him for advice and encouragement; friends who loved him. He
was an understanding, sympathetic father, not only to his own
three children, Durwood, Nellie and Minnie, but to the two nephews
whose father had died when they were still young. These two men,
D. Burdette COON and Delano COON loved and respected
him as an own father. Mr. COON was devoted to his 5 great-grandchildren
and they returned his love unreservedly.
- For the past sixteen years, "Uncle George", as
he was affectionately called by many
- who knew him, has lived in Milton, and for the past five
or six years his home has been with his daughter, Mrs. Byron
COON. Although unable to walk around much, or to read
during the last few years, his mind has been unusually alert
and keen for a man of his age. His waking hours were filled recalling
faces and experiences which were dear to him. His mind was a
veritable treasure house from which could be taken Bible passages
and hymns to be quoted or sung as he willed. Only two weeks ago
he had finished his lunch and returned to his own room, when
suddenly he was inspired to sing a verse of "Joy to the
World." To the listeners in the next room, his voice came
as clear and vibrant as a bell with scarcely a break in it. He
was praising God as long as the power of speech was given him
to use. His later years have been filled with a joy and contentment,
a peace and happiness - a gift which only God in his mercy and
loving-kindness can bestow upon one of his trusting children.
[Thursday edition, p. 2]
-
- Courtesy of Jon Saunders
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