The Cook Families of Morrow County, Ohio

WILLIAM P. COOK, farmer; P. O., Levering; son of John Cook, whose history appears in the sketch of Stephen Cook. His mother’s maiden name was Ida Van Liew. Both parents were natives of Monmouth Co., N. J. Mr. Cook was born May 31, 1800, in Washington Co., Maryland. He was 12 years old when he came with his father to Franklin Tp.; his memory therefore extends over a longer period of the township’s history than almost any other person in it. He attended school in Maryland when a boy, and only went to school about thirty days in this county. He worked with his father until his death, which occurred when William was 22 years old. From this time he divided his attention between farming and teaching for three years. Receiving a quarter section of land from his father’s estate, he moved on the present site in 1825. He married Louisa Mann, a daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Lawhead) Mann, who came from Bedford Co., Pa., in 1813, settling just west of Cook’s. She was born Dec. 15, 1807, in Bedford Co., Pa. They have two sons and two daughters — Dinah, now Mrs. Samuel T. Gallegber, and has two children; Mary, now Mrs. William Peoples, and has four children; Simon J. Cook and Aleet R. Cook. William P. united with the Harmony Baptist Church at 20 years of age, where he remained eleven years'. Subsequently he identified with the Disciple Church, ol which his w.fe is also a member, where he has been a faithful and consistent member tor over 40 years. During that period he has repeatedly been chosen to fill the office of elder. In his youth he purchased an interest in the Fredericktown Library, and step by step these records of the past were forced to yield their treasures to the earnest youth who was struggling for development of mind and heart, amid the wild scenes of pioneer life. Mr. Cook has for many years voted the Democratic ticket, casting his first vote for that prince of orators, Henry Clay. His son, Aleet R. Cook, who married Alvina Stackhouse, is living with his father, and has one son.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

REV. STEPHEN COOK, farmer; P. O., Levering; was born Feb. 25, 1811, in Washington Co., Md. He is a son of John and Rachel (Bryson) Cook; his parents came here when Stephen was about 18 months old. It was in the fall of 1812 that the family of Rev. John Cook began their journey to Ohio with a five-horse team; they arrived in October, cutting their way through the woods to a cabin and a small clearing, made by John Cook, a son, some three months before, on the land purchased by the father in 1810. Rev. John Cook enlisted under Captain John Schenk for one year, and then became a “Minute Man,” fig-thing: in the battles of Germantown and Flat-bush, of the Revolution. The Cook family, along with five or six others, fled to Daniel Levering’s during the Indian troubles, where they erected a blockhouse, near Waterford; the men working on building, while the women and children were crowded in the dwelling for two days, until Mrs. Cook, being a lady of culture and refinement, said that she would rather face the Indians than remain longer. At one time, Tom Lion, a friendly Indian, was there on butchering day, and they asked if the Indians could furnish hams of denison for the winter, and tallow of the deer for medical purposes. Some time later two Indians came on Sunday with six saddles of denison; no one was at home but Mrs. Cook, so she gave them a dinner and told them to help themselves to potatoes, which they did, taking six bushels in payment for the denison. The winter of 1812 brought many hardships to the family, owing to the difficulty of procuring provisions; corn was to be found below Mt. Vernon, and the family lived on corn-bread and blue denison that winter. Mr. Cook began preaching in Maryland, where he united with the regular Baptist Church in an early day, and he continued his ministrations in this county, organizing the first Church in the house of Benjamin Hart. He was married to Ida Van Liew of New Jersey, by whom he had six children — John, Asher, William P., Polly, Dinah and Elizabeth. The wife of his youth dying, he married Rachel Bryson; by this marriage five children were born — Ida, Stephen, Joseph, Nathan and Ruth. The Bryson’s were directly related to the old Stevens family, of which Thaddeus Stevens is the illustrious representative. The ancestry points also to the Hale family, whose progenitors were of the nobility of England. Rev. John Cook departed this life Aug. 22, 1822, when Stephen was only twelve years old; he attended school the following winter, and from that time the care of the bereaved family and the interests of the farm claimed his attention; taking charge of the home place when he was 15, he continued to farm it until 1837, when he purchased 100 acres, where he has lived ever since, near a beautiful spring of clear, sparkling water, which scarcely varies in its ceaseless flow from year to year. He was married to Mary Van Cleve October 27, 1833; she was a daughter of William and Rebecca (Powell) Van Cleve, and came to Ohio about 1831, with Lawrence Van Buskirk, from Bedford Co., Penn. This marriage has been blessed with ten children — Caius M. C., Stephen M., John M. C., Ida, Mary C. and Lua R., are living; while Lovina, Mary, Louisa and Caroline are dead; two of these are ministers of the Disciple Church, and all are married except John M. C. and Lua D., who are still at home. Stephen, when a boy, became a subscriber to the Fredericktown Circulating Library, and by the flickering light of a lard lamp he might be found night after night, pouring over the pages of all the ancient and modern histories extant, in those days; from these lessons of “ Philosophy teaching by example,” he obtained a conception of human life, which aided him in the education of his own family, which claimed his attention for thirty-five years; Mr. Cook votes the Democratic ticket, but is not a strict partisan; he and his family are members of the Disciple Church, in which he has preached for forty-five years, beginning at the age of 24. His labors in the cause of the Master for nearly half a century have been prompted by an untiring zeal for humanity.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

SIMON J. COOK, farmer; P. O. Levering; is the oldest son of William P. and Louisa (Mann) Cook; was born October 5, 1835, in Franklin Tp.; he passed his boyhood on his father's farm, attending, during a part of the year, in the common school, until he was prepared to enter the Chesterville High School, which he did, pursuing a course of study under the instruction of Professor J. B.

Selby, then Principal. For a time he divided his attention between teaching and farming, having taught in all six terms. He was married.Jan. 9, 1802, to Mary C. Hull, born Jan. 11, 1838, in Center Co., Pennsylvania; she is the youngest living daughter of Peter and Sarah (Huckley) Hull; her parents were natives of Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio in 1843, settling permanently in Franklin Tp. in 1844. They had eight children — Samuel S., Isaac, James, William, Elizabeth, Charlotte D., Mary C. and Ellen, who died in Pennsylvania. Mr. Cook is known as a successful farmer, and has a desirable farm, with ired, substantial buildings; he and w.fe are members of the Disciple Church; votes with Democratic party; he has two adopted children, J. Clinton and Addie R.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

DR. S. M. COOK, minister; Levering; is a native of Franklin Tp., being the second son of Rev. Stephen Cook; his mother’s maiden name was Mary Van Cleve; lie was born Oct. 1, 1845, and passed his boyhood amid the scenes and labors of rural life, until he reached his 20th year. In 18(50 he attended the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware. After his return he taught school for some time. Subsequently he began reading medicine in the office of Dr. W. N. King, ot Mansfield, Ohio; after remaining here one year he went to the Michigan University, receiving instruction in the Medical department one year; he next visited Iowa, and found employment in the schools of that State; when his school reached a successful close he entered the Iowa Business College at Des Moines, completing his course there; he returned to Ohio and united his fortune with Margaret A. Hardgrove, of Knox Co., Sept. 4, 1870. In October following he entered the Ohio Medical College, graduating March 1, 1871, with the first honors of his class. He began the practice of Medicine in Pulaskivi lie, Ohio, remaining one year; he removed to Waterford, Ohio, where he remained five years, building up a large and lucrative practice in Knox, Morrow and Richland Counties. In 1877 Dr. Cook sold his property in Waterford, closed his office, and purchased his present home of thirty-two acres in Franklin Tp., and entered the ministry under the auspices of the Disciple Church, leaving a profession where wealth and distinction awaited him in the near future; from a sense of duty to his God and a love for his fellow being, he engaged in a cause where only sacrifices sweeten toil; and a conscious presence of Him who said it is more blessed to give than to receive, is more than riches. He united with the North Branch Church at the age of 13 years, following his Master in the ordinance of baptism, under the administration of Rev. N. A. Walker, of Indianapolis, Ind. During the first year of his ministry Mr. Cook baptised 60 persons, who came confessing their sins; he is now preaching for different churches in Morrow, Knox and Licking counties. Although Dr. Cook would gladly retire from the practice of medicine, he is called to many a home where disease and want go hand in hand, and fees are never thought of or demanded. He has gathered a fine collection of miscellaneous books, embracing 150 volumes, in addition to his medical library. They treat of theology, history, science and literature. He has a family of two sons and three daughters — Lovina R. was born June 19, 1871; Van Cleve, July 20, 1873; Scott, June 9, 1875; Connie L., Aug. 14, 1877; Etha, Sept. 5. 1879.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

WILLIAM COOK, school teacher, Cardington; was born in this township, Feb. 11, 1854, near the east branch of “Whetstone.” His father, John Cook, who deserves most especial mention as one of the earliest pioneers of this township, was born at Lancaster, O., Dec. 5, 1811. His parents came from Virginia to Ohio, about four years before the latter became a state — and came to Delaware Co., and settled at Fort Morrow, near Norton, in 1813, and a year later in this township. Of his father, David Cook, especial mention is made in the general township history. His mother’s maiden name was Ruth McLung. Mr. Cook married Louisa Nicholas, March 9, 1837, who was born in Shenandoah Co., Va., in 1814. They had a family of eight children, six of whom are now living, and five residents of this county. Mr. Cook lias been a resident of this township over sixty years, but nearly twenty years ago the light was forever vanished from his sight, and he became totally blind, and sadly he said to the writer: “Many grandchildren have grown up around me, the face of not one of whom have I ever seen.” William is a young man of rare promise, and great energy. He improved his early advantages, although only permitted to attend school in the winter, his services being required the balance of the time. At the age of twenty he went to Cardington, where he spent one year in school, to fit himself for teaching, applying himself closely, especially in the study of languages, making a specialty of German. He intends shortly to enter on the study of medicine, and he will without doubt, make his mark as a physician. His grandfather was a soldier of the war of 1812, and his great grandfather of the Revolutionary war.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

MARK COOK, merchant; AndreAvs. The rising young merchant of Williamsport, Mr. Mark Cook, was born March 14, 1851, in Peru Tp.; is a son of McArthur and Nancy Cook, whose maiden name was Mitchell. Mark began business for himself at the age of 16 years, making his father’s house his home; bought and sold lumber in logs and groAving timber, and farmer; he wielded the birch as “ye school. master ” one term, which vocation he abandoned, and continued farming and trading up to November, 1879, Avhen he bought out J. E. Reynolds, of Williamsport, and has since been engaged in merchandising; he keeps a good stock of dry goods, groceries, queensware, notions, etc., etc., and sells strictly for cash; call and see him, and you will get bottom prices, and more for your money than at any other store in the town. He is also agent for buggies and harness, which he has made to order, and sells them under his guarantee, and at prices that will command patronage.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOHN W. COOK, farmer; P. O., Mt. Gilead; was born April 8, 1835, in England. His father, Peter, was born in 1797, and his mother, Charlotte (Preedy) Cook, in 1805, both natives of England. His father was a confectioner and matter; he had fifteen children, by his union with Charlotte, three of whom survive. John W. is the only one in this county. Our subject attended school until he was eight years old, at which time he was compelled to nurse his younger sister;

at the age of eleven he began to learn the baker’s trade, at which he continued for twenty-one years. In 1854, he came to Morrow County and engaged in farming for Richard Hammond, and continued in his employ for some time, and then engaged with James Auld, and was next employed by Joseph Guage, in Union Co. In the fall of 1857, he was married to Harriet, daughter of Robert and Mary May; she was born in England. Mr. Cook sent for her to come over when he felt that his means would justify him in taking unto himself a help-mate; this celebration was witnessed by Rev. George Gordon, of Iberia, this county; this companion soon died, in 1859. He was again married in 1862 to Matilda J. Waters; she was born in 1832. They had five children — Mary A., Harriet M,. Charlotte E., James M. and John W. He then rented in Washington Tp., until 1864, when he enlisted for 100 days in Co. A, 13th O. N. G. In 1866 he settled on 40 acres in Gilead Tp., buying the same of Lee Russell, and in 1875 sold the same to James Brown, and bought the present farm of 73 acres. He has been energetic, and has very much improved the farm. He is making a specialty of grain and stock. This is more than likely the best watered farm in the county; he has filled some township offices. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church; they were married by Rev. Mr. Shedd. Mr. Cook is the only member of the Prohibitionist party in this township.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.