| Birth: | Apr. 7, 1873
Cleveland
Bradley County
Tennessee, USA | | Death: | May 10, 1940
Rockdale (Milam County)
Milam County
Texas, USA | 
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John Esten Cooke was the editor of the Rockdale Reporter and Messenger from 1911 until 1936. Before coming to Rockdale he had begun his newspaper career with the Denton County News with which he was associated for a period of six years. He was with the San Angelo Standard for the years 1898 - 1899 and was co-owner of the Clarendon Banner Stockman from 1899 - 1900. In 1910 he established the Brady Standard which was sold to purchase the Rockdale Reporter and Messenger from R.W.H. Kennon in June, 1911.
Mr. Cooke brought Rockdale its first modern, prize-winning newspaper which tradition has been carried on by his son, W. H., and grandson, Bill Cooke. This outstanding early day editor was a member of the Texas Press Association, serving as president, 1920 - 1921, South Texas Press Association, and the National Editorial Association. It was his expertise that led the Texas Press Association in the adoption of a code of ethics for newspapers.
He was active in all civic organizations and a perpetual booster for his town, Rockdale. His sense of humor was unmatched and in a quiet way he stood firm in his convictions. His service as a school board member was marked by his sound judgment and his remarkable ability to put problems into proper perspective. He was a member of First Baptist Church and the Masonic Lodge. Mr. Cooke's final service to Rockdale was his appointment as Postmaster in 1936. He served in this capacity until his death in May, 1940. From A History of Rockdale, Texas 1874-1974
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From his Texas certificate of death
Name: John Esten Cooke
Death Date: 10 May 1940
Death Place: Milam Co., Texas
Gender: Male
Race: White
Death Age: 67 years 1 month 3 days
Birth Date: Apr 1873
Birthplace: Cleveland, Tennessee
Marital Status: Married
Father's Name: W.H. Cooke
Father's Birthplace: Tennessee
Mother's Name: Mary Kantz
Mother's Birthplace: Missouri
Occupation: Postmaster, Rockdale Tex.
Place of Residence: Rockdale, Milam, Texas
Cemetery: I.O.O.F.
Burial Place: Rockdale, Texas
Burial Date: 11 May 1940
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Family links:
Parents:
William Henderson Cooke (1831 - 1907)
Mary A Kants Cooke (1839 - 1908)
Spouses:
Agnes Bushey Cooke (1879 - 1920)
Leona Gray Cooke (1874 - 1955)
Leona Leota Gray Cooke (1873 - 1955)*
Children:
Agnes Cooke Wallis (1900 - 1999)*
Clara Esten Cooke Kohlenberg (1905 - 2000)*
William Henderson Cooke (1907 - 1991)*
*Calculated relationship
| | | Burial:
Odd Fellows Cemetery
Rockdale (Milam County)
Milam County
Texas, USA |
Created by: BeNotForgot
Record added: Jun 04, 2011
Find A Grave Memorial# 70845377 |
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