OBITUARY

Died, on Saturday last, at Oakland, where he has resided for so many years, Samuel Cootes, in the 90^th year of his age.

Mr. Cootes’ life has been closely associated with the history of Rockingham county. Engaged for years actively in the mercantile business, his acquaintance with the people was necessarily extensive, and he was popular among all classes of his customers as a trader and neighbor. His vigorous mind and energetic habits brought him at an early period of his residence in the county into conspicuous notice. He was a Magistrate of the old regime, and was associated on the Bench with Dr. Harrison, Lewis, Gratan, Yancey, Bear, Spears, Coffman and men of that stamp, whose services to the county will long be gratefully appreciated by the citizens who are old enough to remember their official career. Mrs. Cootes was a staunch and zealous Democrat,--having brought his political opinions with him from old Berks county Pennsylvania, which was his birth place--and as such was elected to the Legislature of Virginia from Rockingham, where he served his county with honor and fidelity. Mr. Cootes immigrated to Virginia about the period of the last war with England, and marched with the Virginia forces to Craney Island to confront the enemy, after which his life was cheerful spent in Rockingham. He was twice married; first to Miss Emily Graham of Harrisonburg, then to Miss Pauline Neff, whom he survived 18 years. He had two sons, Dr. J. G. Cootes, who now resides at Oakland, and Frank Cootes, who died about a year ago in Staunton, and who was so justly popular among the merchants of Baltimore as a salesman and reliable business man. His daughters, we believe, are all dead, but he has numerous representatives in his grandchldren.

Mr. Cootes was noted for his genial social tastes, and there are many alive still who will remember passages of wit and humor which abounded at his board, as he dispensed a generous hospitality, and related with gleeful mood the incidents of his boyhood days, when the sturdy citizens of Old Berks turned out to fairs or engaged in the excitement of political affairs.

Nearly 100 years old, he turned his face to death in firm reliance on the teachings of Christianity and the blessings of an immortality conferred on all the just.

The funeral services were conducted at the Presbyterian church in Harrisonburg, by Rev. J. R. Bowman assisted Rev. Mr. Price.