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George Judah Cohen (1820–1889)

It is with feelings of deep sorrow that we find ourselves called upon to record the death of Mr. George Cohen J.P., well-known in the north and north-western districts through long personal residence as well as by his large and influential family connection. The sad event took place early on Sunday morning at "Fairview," Marius-street, a villa occupied by the deceased for a little over twelve months, and where he came to reside after withdrawing from business in Gunnedah, of which place he has been a prominent townsman and leading storekeeper for thirty years. Previous to that, however, he had been a resident of Tamworth for about 10 years, having moved from Scone, where he first engaged in business. From his earliest start in life he acquired troops of friends, and to the day of death maintained the respect and esteem of everyone who had the privilege of his acquaintance either personally or by repute. About four or five months ago Mr. Cohen's health became seriously impaired. Always a large-hearted man, frequently beyond the bounds of even exceptional generosity, Mr. Cohen was, nevertheless, physically, a man of weak heart, and of late years was incapable of ordinary exertion. The weakness assuming a mere serious form, Dr. Harris was called in, and succeeded almost beyond hope in defeating the disease and prolonging the life of his patient and friend. A few days ago, however, an unexpected internal complication occurred which would not yield to any remedy. Dr. Harris called Dr. Walley to his aid, and all that could be undertaken with safety was tried, but to no purpose. The good old man's time had come, and he passed away peacefully and quietly in the early hours of Sunday morning, in the presence of his now grief-stricken widow, and surrounded by a large family of affectionate and reverential sons and daughters and other loving relatives and friends. He retained consciousness up to the last moment of his life, and not many hours before the end came he enquired for some members of the family and also expressed thanks and gratitude for loving kindnesses and attention that had been bestowed upon him during his sickness.

In accordance with the custom of the denomination to which Mr. Cohen belonged, and of which he was an observant member, the last offices were performed by his own people, and then the trebly encoffined remains were sent to Maitland for interment. Sad and solemn was the funeral procession which passed along Marius-street to the railway station in the dead of the night to catch the 4 a.m. train for the last resting place of the deceased, who was accompanied on the journey by five out of his six sons, and also by his son-in-law.

Surmounting the coffin was quite a wealth of lovely flowers in the form of wreaths and other devices, being tributes of affection and sympathy which almost poured into the family residence nearly all day Sunday. These and other tokens from many quarters bore testimony to the worth of deceased, and to the respect entertained for him by a large circle of friends.

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Citation details

'Cohen, George Judah (1820–1889)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/cohen-george-judah-19852/text31090, accessed 29 April 2024.

© Copyright Obituaries Australia, 2010-2024

Life Summary [details]

Birth

1820
England

Death

20 October, 1889 (aged ~ 69)
Maitland, New South Wales, Australia

Cause of Death

heart disease

Cultural Heritage

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Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.

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