The following humble tribute is written in memory of one who was prominent in the palmy days of DeRuyter Institute as a teacher of music, and for half a century in our own and other churches was so helpful as leader of the singing in church and evangelistic work.
Henry Clark Coon, son of Clark and Betsey Burdick Coon, was born in DeRuyter, N. Y., Nov. 19, 1820. When about three years old, his parents and a number of relatives moved to the town of German, now Lincklaen, about seven miles south of DeRuyter village. They settled on the hill, in an unbroken wilderness, following the trail by marked trees. Here they chopped the massive timber and built themselves houses and barns, and here the children grew up healthy and happy.
When Mr. Coon was about seventeen years old the DeRuyter Institute was opened, with Eben Rollo as Principal, and he attended it for some years under the tuition of Solomon Carpenter, Giles Langworthy, and Prof. Badger.
In 1836, the Seventh-day Baptist church of Lincklaen was erected, under the pastorate of Elder Sebeus M. Burdick; Elder Eli S. Bailey joined with him, in revival work, with much success, so that seventeen young people, including Bro. Coon, put on Christ and joined the church. In 1842, he came to DeRuyter to work for Colonel Elmer D. Jencks, then a prosperous merchant, and continued to live in ReRuyter, until failing health compelled him to live with the children.
On Feb. 18, 1849, he was married to N. Maria, daughter of Thomas and Jane Maxson, and to them were born nine children, five having gone on before, while Willis H., Louis C. and Benjamin M., of Rochester, and Mrs. W. P. Campbell, of Seneca Falls, are left to care for and comfort their mother. Of his father's family only one sister, Mrs. Horatio Marble, survives. Bro. Coon inherited a fine talent for music which he carefully cultivated, and all through life used for the glory of God and the inspiration of others. In district singing-schools, in church choirs, in musical conventions, in scores of revival seasons, and on funeral occasions, for half a century, he was the recognized and honored leader.
In his Memoirs, written by himself ten years ago, he says: "I have led the choir in the Baptist church during the pastorates of Elders Fisher and Gage, and the choir in the Union church during the pastorates of Elders Johnson and Carver, and helped organize the M. E. choir; I have been called to sing at nearly fifteen hundred funerals, singing in joy and singing in sorrow, when the world smiled and when it wept. For fifty years leading the choir of the Seventh-day Baptist church, and organizing many quartets, so that music has, indeed, been the joy of my life."
In prayer-meetings and in revival seasons he was the accepted and inspiring leader in all our churches in Central New York. Such a life, spent, in the best and loftiest music, has been a blessing to thousands of people.
For many years he has been failing in health, and for two years his beloved children have tenderly cared for him, doing all in their power to make father and mother comfortable, till finally, he peacefully passed into rest at the home of his daughter, Mr. Campbell, at Seneca Falls, Nov. 24, 1902.
The body was brought to De Ruyter, and services were held in the old church he loved so well, Nov. 28, Dr. D. W. Bull, of the Congregational church, preaching, the pastor being at the bedside of his wife in her critical illness. So has passed away a great musician and a great leader in the services of the church.
L. R. S.
