REV. COOK KINISON, RETIRED MINISTER DIED EARLY TODAY
HAD LONG AND DISTINGUISHED RECORD OF CONSECRATED SERVICE
IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS M. E. CONFERENCE

Rev. Josiah Cook KINISON, died at the family home, 1729 Main Street, this morning at 8:30 o'clock. Mr. KINISON's condition had been serious some time, and he had been in impaired health the last few years.

Mr. KINISON was a son of the late Richard and Matilda Cook KINISON, and he was born in Parsons, Kansas, November 29, 1958. He had been a resident of Jefferson County 70 years. His age at the time of death was 78 years, 10 months, and 5 days.

He united with the Methodist Episcopal church in early life, while living in Belle Rive. He was a member of the A. F. and A. M. of Belle Rive 52 years.

On January 1, 1879, he was married to miss Elinor MILLER.

To this union were born nine children, two of whom, Willie and Joey died in infancy, the others who survive and mourn their loss are Mrs. Stella PHILLIPS of Centralia, Il.; Hugh M. of Benton, Il.; Miss Blanche of Tacoma, Wash; Chas. R. of ATHENS, Ohio; Frank W. and J. Paul of Mt. Vernon, Illinois and Harmon F. of West Frankfort, Ill.

Besides the children, there are 15 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

His wife died Sept. 29, 1926 having served with him faithfully and well through the years.

On Sept. 21, 1927, he was married to Mrs. Sarah GREEN, who served him faithfully and well through his last two ministerial appointment and in years of retired life. She survives to mourn her loss, together with her daughter, Mrs. Hattie ULRICH and her sisters, Mrs. Rose KENEDY and Mrs. Vana CROSS, both of who, together with the other children gave to him in his last illness, the very utmost in devotion and loving care, doing everything in their power to make his last days as comfortable as was humanly possible.

The following data has been furnished the Register-News:

A short time after Mr. KINISON's birth, his parents moved to Moores Prairie township in Jefferson County, and there set up a home of love and devotion and christianity, teaching their children to love God and to walk in the Christian way.

Mr. KINISON's education was obtained at Fairplay school about one mile from the family home. After completing the grades there, he had a desire for higher learning and through the assistance of his parents and the most rigid economy, for about two years he attended Smith's Academy, then located in Belle Rive. After this, he taught school for several terms and then owned and operated a general store in Belle Rive. About this time he was soundly converted to God and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church. Almost at once, the call to preach came to him so definitely and forcefully, that he was literally compelled to enter the ministry.

He was admitted into the Southern Illinois conference of the Methodist Episcopal church in 1889. He was ordained deacon in Mt. Vernon in 1891 by Bishop WARREN. He was ordained Elder at Flora in 1893 by Bishop FOWLER.

He served the following charges, all in Southern Illinois: Du Quoin circuit, Corinth circuit, Jonesboro, Mt. Vernon circuit, Herrin, Johnston City, Kane, Mt. Vernon Wesley, West Frankfort, Christopher, Mt. Vernon Epworth.

He served six years as missionary of the American Sunday School Union and one year as conference evangelist. He retired in 1923 and settled in Mt. Vernon. After his wife died in 1926 he again felt the urge to preach regularly. He Married again in 1927 and was appointed to and served Shawneetown and Epworth charges. However, ill health again compelled him to retire to his home in Mt. Vernon in 1930, where he resided until his death.

Funeral services will be held at First M. E. church, Wednesday, October 6th at 2 p m in charge of, Dr. C. C. Hall, district superintendent of Centralia District Southern Illinois M. E. Conference, assisted by Harry C. BROWN and other ministers. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery. The body will lie in state at Myers Funeral Parlors until shortly before the funeral hour.

Source: Mt. Vernon Register News
Date: October 4, 1937
Submitted by: William H Kinison