In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1851
From History of Morrow County and Ohio : containing a brief history of the state of Ohio ... a history of Morrow County ... biographical sketches, portraits of some of the early settlers and prominent men, (1880)
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 History of Morrow County and Ohio : containing a brief history of the state of Ohio ... a history of Morrow County ... biographical sketches, portraits of some of the early settlers and prominent men, (1880). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1880. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.