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. 

Mt. Vernon Register News October 4, 1937 
SUBMITTED BY: William H Kinison

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