The death took place on Monday morning of Mr. John Cook, who for the last 6½  years has resided in the auction van on the Green, Rushden, next to the shop of Mr. C. H. Knight, tobacconist.  The deceased, who was one of the oldest licensed travelling auctioneers in England, was in his 89^th year, and had he lived until July next he would have entered upon the 90^th year of his existence.

  Mr. Cook, it will be remembered, figured prominently in the group of “Rushden Veterans” whose portraits were published in the “Rushden Echo” a few weeks ago.  A native of Ruddington, Nottingham, he had for over 80 years travelled throughout the length and breadth of England and Scotland, as a licensed auctioneer and van-man. Six years ago last October he retired from business and settled down in Rushden, residing in the well-fitted van on the Green.

  For many years he was an ardent Wesleyan Methodist, but when, in the year 1876, the hymn-book was revised he strongly objected to the change and resigned his membership of the Methodist Church.

  Physically he had

and had never, until the end drew near, had a week’s illness in his life.  On Friday evening, May 4^th, he became very unwell, but he was out on the Saturday for a short time, that being the last occasion on which he was about the town.  On Sunday, May 6^th, he took to his bed, and never rallied, passing away very peacefully in the van on Monday morning last.

  Mr. Cook, who was a staunch Liberal in politics, was a freeholder in the Bassetlaw Division of Notts, and, up to quite recently, he took a keen interest in politics. Up to the last he retained practically all his faculties.  During his fatal illness he was attended very assiduously by his son, Mr. William Cook, of Rushden.  Besides his son, the deceased leaves one daughter – Mrs. Storrs, of Barnsley.

The Funeral

took place on Wednesday at the cemetery, Rushden, the Rector (Archdeacon Kitchin) officiating.  The mourners included Mr. and Mrs. William Cook (son and daughter-in-law), Mrs. Storrs (daughter), Mr. Charles Robinson (the owner of the land on which deceased’s van stood), Mr. William Desborough, and Mr. Chas. Barker (old friends of the deceased).  Messrs. Walker and Butcher were the undertakers.