Weaste Cemetery

Biographies of people buried between 1920 & 29

Peter Cooke (1860 - 1929)


 

Peter Cooke was a Dairyman and Milk Dealer in Salford and took over his father's business. He was an executive member of the Manchester and Salford Milk Dealers Association and delegate to the National Federation of Dairymen's Association. He was also a Vicar's Sidesman at St Stephen's Church, Salford, for many years.

 

He was born in 1860 in the Greengate area of Salford, and was baptised at Sacred Trinity Church, Salford on 6th October 1861. His father was Thomas Cooke (born 1829 in Salford), who was initially an Engraver to a Calico Printer, then became a Milk Dealer, and his mother was Ann (nee Barnes) Cooke (born 1829 in Bolton). They were married in 1850 at St Mary the Virgin Church, Eccles. Their children, all born in Salford, were Thomas (born 1851), William (born 1854, but died young), Sarah Ellen (born 1857, but died young), Peter (born 1860), John (born 1862), James (born 1865).

 

The 1871 census shows that the family lived at Cable Street, Salford, where father Thomas was aged 42 and an Engraver to a Calico printer and mother Ann was aged 42. Peter's brother Thomas was aged 20 and an Apprentice Engraver. Peter age 11, John aged 8 and James aged 5 were all Scholars. In 1881 the family lived at 29 King Street, Salford. Father Thomas was aged 53 and now a Dairyman and Ann was aged 52. Peter was now aged 20 and a Dairyman and James was aged 16 and a Dairyman.

 

In the 4th quarter of 1887, Peter Cooke married Elizabeth Yates at St Matthias Church, Salford. Elizabeth (born 1862 in Salford) was the daughter of John Yates (born 1830 in Salford) and Elizabeth (nee Hilton) Yates (born 1835 in Salford), who were married in 1857 at St Simon's Church, Salford). Peter and Elizabeth Cooke had three sons all born in the Greengate area of Salford. John Herbert (1888), Frank (1890) and Albert (born 1894). The 1891 census shows the family lived at 1 Browning Street, Salford, where Peter was a Dairyman. In 1901 they lived at 5 St.Stephen Street, Salford where Peter was aged 40 and a Dairyman/Milk Dealer, and Elizabeth was aged 49. John Herbert was aged 12, Frank was aged 10 and Albert was aged 6. Also in the house was Peter's nephew William Cooke aged 18, a Dairyman's Assistant; and Elizabeth's widowed sister Sarah Ann Hardman, aged 33 with her daughter Florence aged 10.

 

On 10th April 1908, Peter's wife Elizabeth sadly died at her brother's house, at South Shore, Blackpool, aged 46. She was buried at Weaste Cemetery, grave F/CE/278 on 14th April. The 1911 census shows Peter Cooke as a widower, aged 50, and a Milk Dealer; John Herbert aged 22, an Assistant Milk Dealer, and Albert aged 16, an Architect's Assistant. Also in the house was Peter's sister-in-law, Sarah Ann Hardman, widow, aged 46, who was Housekeeper, and her daughter Florence aged 20 who was an Underclothing Machinist. In 1921 Peter lived at 11 St Stephen Street, Salford as a Milk Retailer aged 61. Also in the house was his son John Herbert aged 32 who was a Manager Wholesale Dairy Trade, and his wife Ada and two children.

 

In April 1929, Peter's health was failing, and on 18th April he was found dead with his head in the gas oven at his home. He was 68 years old. Peter was re-united with his wife Elizabeth at Weaste Cemetery, grave F/CE/278, on 23rd April.