The Cook Family

Seth Cook in public-domain records

The full biographical sketch as printed, transcribed from the public-domain book. Spelling and wording are the original author’s; a few scanning errors may remain.

SETH COOK.

Seth Cook is a representative of one of the pioneer families of the county and his interests are thoroughly identified with those of the locality, every movement looking toward the betterment of the county being certain of his support. He owns and operates a fine farm on section 10, Harrison township, and was born in that town- ship, November 11, 1856, a son of Benjamin and Susanna (Hill) Cook. The Cook family came originally from Holland. Stephen Cook, the grandfather of our subject, was married September 2, 18 1 2, to Miss Elizabeth Evans, who was of Welsh descent. He was born in Virginia but was taken to Ohio when a child and was there reared. In 1844 he came to Lee county, Tcnva, and soon entered

land in Harrison township, a part of which was owned by his son Benjamin and is now owned by the subject of this review. Stephen Cook and two of his sons took up altogether about six hundred and forty acres of land in Harrison township, and began the improve- ment of their property. The father passed away shortly after the close of the Civil war at an advanced age. He was a Quaker in religious belief.

His son, Benjamin Cook, father of Seth, was born in Warren county, Ohio, January 12, 1825, and came with the family on the removal to Iowa. He was a farmer and stockman by occupation and was very successful in his undertakings. His political belief was that of the republican party and he was reared a Quaker. He died on his home farm on section 11, Harrison township, February 10. 1898. An older brother, Jason Cook, carried on farming on section 10, Harrison township, and passed away in February, 1894. Susanna (Hill) Cook, the wife of Benjamin Cook, was born January 2, 1832, at Richmond, Indiana, a daughter of William and Zylpha Hill, the latter of whom was left an orphan at an early age. William Hill came with his family to Lee county in the early '40s and they were among the first settlers of Harrison township. Mr. Hill died during the Civil war, but his widow survived until 1894, when she passed away, having attained the ripe old age of more than eighty years. She, too, was a Quaker in her religious belief. She was the mother of three daughters and two sons, including Mrs. Cook. Of these Edmund died while serving in the Civil war; Robert, who was a farmer and stock-raiser of Harrison township, is also deceased; and the three daughters are deceased. Mrs. Susanna (Hill) Cook was called to her reward September 16, 1901, and her demise was deeply regretted by a wide circle of friends. By her marriage she became the mother of five children, as follows: Evans, who was born Oc- tober 24, 1852, and resides in Calif ronia; Robert, who was born October 13, 1854, and is now a resident of Murray, Iowa; Seth, of this review; Elizabeth, born November 11, i860, who became the wife of Joel McCuUoch, and at her demise left two sons; and Ella, who was born April 5, 1862, and became the second wife of Joel McCuUoch, passing away June i, 1913.

Seth Cook was reared upon the home farm in Harrison town- ship and acquired his education in the common schools of the neigh- borhood. He has spent his entire life in his native township and is today known as one of the progressive and well-to-do farmers of the county. His well kept buildings and grounds and the splendid

crops growing in the fields are all indications of his energy and business ability.

Mr. Cook, was united in marriage on the 21st of December, 1881, to Miss Maggie Williamson, who was born at Primrose, Harrison township, December 21, i860. Her parents were Francis and Sarah Elizabeth (McKeehan) Williamson. Her father is now a resident of Fort Madison, having reached the eighty-second milestone on life's journey in February, 1914. He was reared in Coshocton county, Ohio, but came to Lee county, Iowa, many years ago. He was a stock dealer while actively engaged in business and resided at Prim- rose. His wife was a native of Harrison township, born February 17, 1842, and was a sister of Isaiah McKeehan, a resident of that township. She was called to her reward April 9, 1899, at Fort Madison when fifty-seven years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Williamson were married February 19, i860, and had five children, of whom Mrs. Cook is the oldest. The others are: Dollie, the wife of Norris McGoun, of St. Louis; Jennie, now Mrs. Sylvester Griflis, of St. Louis; and Ora and Roy, of the same city. Mr. and Mrs. Cook have a son, Benjamin Rex, who was born May 29, 1896, and is still at home. Politically the father gives his allegiance to the republican party and manifests a laudable interest in everything pertaining to the progress of Lee county.

Source: public-domain records. See the original pages at the Internet Archive.