PETER HANCOCK

          Brief mention was last week made of the death of this aged and
honored citizen, who died of uraemia poison at the home of his daughter,
Mrs. J. C. Harkness, Wednesday evening, May 8, at 7:20 o'clock.  Funeral
services conducted by Rev. W. F. Laidley of the Baptist Church, were from
the house Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock, after which the remains were
reposed beside his wife, in Kahoka's beautiful Cemetery.  He was aged 81
years and 18 days.
          Our subject was born in Dearborn County, Indiana, April 20, 1827,
and was the son of Daniel & Margaret Hancock, both of Maryland.  With his
parents he removed from his native state in 1831 and became a resident of
the state of Iowa, and about 1857 came to Missouri and located on a farm
south of Luray.  Here he remained until about 1872 when he exchanged with
Abraham Stauffer for a store in Luray, and for a few years, subsequently
engaged in merchandising, but finally drifted back to the old farm.  About
seventeen years ago he removed to a farm just northeast of Kahoka and later
to the property now owned and occupied by Dr. Hiller, and where Mrs.
Hancock died, about eight years ago.  She was a Miss Mary E. Carr and was
married to Mr. Hancock in 1853.  Six children were born to the Union, four
of whom survive: Mrs. John M. Harkness, of Montrose, Colo., Mrs. Lloyd S.
and Mrs. Frank M. Stauffer, of Denver, and Mrs. James C. Harkness, of
Kahoka.  All, excepting Mrs. Frank M. Stauffer, who was unable to make the
long journey, were present to receive a last message from their father.
          Mr. Hancock was a member of the Masonic fraternity and was buried
under their beautiful rites.  A large concourse of people attended the
funeral, and the floral offerings were very beautiful.
          In the long ago, when in the "simple life" down on the farm -
when that mother, than whom there were none more noble - none more beloved
- reigned and ruled as only mothers can; when this father, who always
seemed more a chum than a father to his daughters, performed cheerily the
dual duties of husband and father, then there seemed a paradise of rural
life - a perfect bond of family unison.  There was a home of happiness, of
culture and of refinement, wherein a generous hospitality seemed unlimited.
          Until the fatal stroke of illness fell no one would have guessed
deceased to be of that great age.  Erect and supple, he looked many years
younger and seemed to have a promise of many more years.  His death reduced
by one the comparatively few of his compatriots yet remaining and reminds
us that the ranks of the men of his day, and of his type, are indeed thin
and deeply whitened.  All honor to their memory.

Copyright © 2002, Duane A. Pierce
Last Revised: February 10, 2002
URL: http://conexion.rootsweb.com/home.htm