In Walworth, Wis., April 13, 1899, Deacon Harlow M. Coon, in the 81st year of his age.
Harlow Merrill Coon, the eldest son of Ezra and Cyrena Burdick Coon was born in West Edmeston, Otsego County, N. Y., Feb. 14, 1819, and died in Walworth, Wis., April 13, 1899, aged 80 years, 1 month and 26 days. Prof. Henry C. Coon, late of Alfred University, was his own brother, and Mrs. Phebe Bassett and Mrs. Cyrena Burdick were his own sisters, and Mr. Morrell Coon and Miss Martha Coon, of Leonardsville, N. Y., and Mrs. Lucetta Coon Hunting, of Alfred, N. Y., were brothers and sisters by his father’s second marriage. In his early life he was a successful teacher in the public schools of his native state. In 1843, he came to Wisconsin and continued school-teaching for a short time. He married Miss Harriet Crumb Dec. 14, 1844, and soon afterwards settled on a farm he had bought in the openings east of Big Foot Prairie. After a few years he moved to the village of Walworth, and engaged in mercantile pursuits for some time, but eventually returned to his farm, where he passed the remainder of his life. In a revival in 1846 he professed Christ and with his sister, Mrs. Cyrena Burdick, and Mrs. W. S. Clarke, he was baptized by Elder Stillman Coon and joined the Seventh-day Baptist church in Walworth, of which he has since remained a faithful and consistent member. His zeal for the Master’s cause found expression in his habitual attendance of the general denominational gatherings and his scrupulous fidelity and consistency of the performance of his personal duties. He was ordained a deacon in 1880, and bore an active part in all the work of the church and Sabbath-school until failing health deprived him of those much-loved privileges. His hospitalities, generously and liberally bestowed, betokened the spiritual wealth of his heart. For the last seven years he was practically shut in by incurable disease. During this time the blessed ministries of the Holy Spirit wrought wonderfully in the ripening of his heart, and drew him nearer to the great Father, day by day. Though suffering most distressing agonies of body, for long periods, he was cheerful and even buoyant through the inner consciousness of the Saviour’s abiding presence. Memory for him was a store-house well filled with the Scriptures and sacred songs, which were truly "spiritual hymns." "In the Christian's Home is Glory," or some kindred song of gospel love or spiritual triumph, brought to his spirit's vision, as he sang, that blissful "Rest For the Weary," for which he had so long and earnestly prayed, and into which by the sure promises of God, we are assured, he has now fully entered. He leaves one son and two daughters: Mr. H. I. Coon and Miss Phoebe S. Coon, who have cared for him most tenderly during his long and painful illness, and Mrs. Eva McLearn, of Rockville, R. I.; his wife having preceded him to the better land in November, 1884. As a citizen, he was public spirited and kept pace with the affairs of the day until nearly the last. He was a staunch promoter of religious and educational enterprises, freely using his time, labor and means in the erection and support of Walworth Academy, and the building of the Seventh-day Baptist church. He had the respect and confidence of his townsmen, and was called to places of honor and trust by them continuously for many years. The sentiment of the community was well voiced by one who unconsciously paid him the highest possible tribute, by saying of him, “A good man is gone from us.” As the weary autumn day glides gently through the mellow radiance of the multi-blended tints into the deeper growing shadows, gathering newer splendors for the coming morn, so his ripened spirit, redeemed and glorified, joyously sped through the chill valley and the darkling shadow to the heavenly hilltops, resplendent in the soft cerulean skies of the immortal glories of God. Funeral services were held at the church, conducted by Pastor Maxson, assisted by President W. C. Whitford, of Milton College, and Rev. M. N. Clarke, pastor of the Congregational church, on Sabbath-day, April 15, 1899.
S. L. M.
