Charles Lewis Cocke, Founder of Hollins CollegeSmith, William Robert Lee
History
Charles Lewis Cocke, Founder of Hollins College
Smith, William Robert Lee
Cocke, Charles Lewis, 1820-1901; Hollins College
Mrs. Turner, Mr. Cocke's oldest daughter, was born in Richmond,
Virginia, February 5th, 1844. She was educated at Hollins and taught
twenty-one years in the Institution. Brightly gifted, ardent, magnetic,
witty and companionable, she had peculiar power to win and hold the
hearts of students and friends. She was happily married to Professor
Joseph A. Turner in 1871, and was consigned to early widowhood in 1878.
Two little children were left to her care. The daughter, now Mrs. Erich
Rath, teaches in the College, and the son, Mr. Joseph A. Turner, is its
Business Manager.
[Illustration: MRS. ANNE HOLLINS]
_Miss Sallie Lewis Cocke_
This gentle and accomplished daughter was born in Richmond, Virginia,
May 25th, 1845. She was a graduate of Hollins, and taught many years in
the college. Though frail in body, she was alert in mind, and lovingly
responsive to all those tasks wherein she could do her father service.
Gentleness and spiritual refinement were eminent qualities. Friendliness
and social grace seemed native to her character. Her teaching was in the
department of Literature and Languages, and to this day her pupils speak
in praise of her taste and skill in the teaching art. She was a model of
feminine culture, and filled her mission well. On the 29th of July,
1900, the lovable life faded away, at Hollins.
_Mr. Charles Henry Cocke_
This nobly useful man was born at Hollins, May 21st, 1853. He took a
course at Richmond College and in early manhood became an invaluable
helper to his father in the business affairs at Hollins. The growth of
the Institution, with the multiplying years and cares of the President,
made assistance imperative. No more timely relief could have been given
than that which came when young Charles H. Cocke threw his fresh
energies and enthusiasm into this work. On the new manager a
multitudinous and bewildering mass of incessant duties descended. He
discharged them with surprising swiftness and ability. A friendlier
manner or a kinder heart could not be. He had patience even with the
trivial and senseless interruptions that arose. Everybody leaned on him
and everybody loved him. His work at Hollins was one of the finest
contributions given by any one to the success and stability of the
Institution. All honor to his name. His health began to fail before the
end of twenty-five years of service, and, too late, he began to recruit
his spent vitalities. On May 3rd, 1900, his labors closed in death. All
Hollins wept and mourned his loss. Mr. Cocke said: "He was the right arm
of my strength. Without him the school would never have reached the
commanding position it now holds." With the precious company on the hill
he rests in peace. One is glad to see his son, M. Estes Cocke, a
prominent member of the Faculty.
_Mrs. Eliza Speiden Childs_
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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