Excerpt from Ministers of the Philadelphia Baptist Association, Henry Allen Cooke

Henry Allen Cooke: b. Dec. 27, 1825, Mendon, Mass.; d. May 22, 1909, Cambridge, Mass.; . . . studied at Brown University for two years; briefly employed as a school teacher, while continuing his studies for the ministry; later awarded D.D.; . . . ord. pastor, Evansville, Ind., Dec. 1858- ? , when, “owing to his ardent Yankee patriotism,” which didn’t set well with some, he resigned and returned back East, residing for a time at Boston, pastor, Spring Garden Baptist, Phila., late 1863-Oct. 31, 1864, Second Baptist, Lawrence, Mass., 1865-1869, First Mariners’ (Baptist Bethel), Boston, Mass., (called July 16) Oct. 24, 1869-July 1885, when due to his health he retired from settled ministry. “After his retirement, Dr. Cooke never preached for remuneration, though frequently filling a pulpit for some clergyman. After the death of Henry W. Longfellow [in 1882], Dr. Cooke was asked to deliver an address upon the life and work of the poet, and he was often requested to repeat it elsewhere. He also delivered lectures upon Bryant, Holmes, Whittier and other American poets, always without charge. Not long after his second marriage Dr. and Mrs. Cooke united with the Tremont Temple Church [Boston], where both were greatly beloved, and to which they gave cordial support. Since the season of 1891-92 Dr. and Mrs. Cooke have spent the winters with one or two exceptions at Pasadena, Cal., where both were popular with old and young, especially with the school children” (obituary). He was also active in the temperance movement, “being especially successful in this line among sailors,” through his ministry at Boston Bethel.