Vermilion county Illinois, SAMUEL COOK ==================================================================== Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Joy Fisher ==================================================================== p. 236-238 SAMUEL COOK, the son of a pioneer family of Vermilion County, as one of its practical, well-to-do farmers, a man of sound sense and good understanding, is classed among its most desirable citizens. His homestead on section 11, Catlin Township, comprising 160 acres, is one of the finest in the vicinity, and he has 100 acres of excellent farming land in Georgetown Township besides valuable property in Danville. James Cook, the father of our subject, was born either in Maryland or Virginia, June 23, 1797. In early manhood he was united in marriage to Miss Susanna Moyer, their union taking place Oct. 6, 1822. She was born in Pennsylvania, Dec. 2, 1803, and is still living at an advanced age. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Cook settled in Clermont County, Ohio, living there among its early pioneers till 1834, when they migrated across the country with their family to Vermilion County and became early settlers of Brook's Point in Georgetown. There the father rounded out a useful life, holding the respect and esteem of all about him as he was in all respects a good man. The wedded life of himself and wife was blessed to them by the birth of six sons and five daughters. Our subject was the second child of the family, and he was born in Clermont County, Ohio, Oct. 4, 1825. He was nine years old when he came to Vermilion County with his parents more than fifty years ago, but he still retains a recollection of that memorable journey through the forests primeval and over the wild prairies to this then sparsely settled country. He grew to man's estate in Georgetown Township, and gleaned an education in the old log school-house in which the children of the pioneers were taught the rudiments of learning. He remained with his father and mother till he was twenty-six and a half years old, when he married and established a home of his own. He has devoted himself principally to farming, and through many years of persistent toil has accumulated a goodly amount of property, including one of the best farms in Catlin Township. He has his land under fine tillage, and has erected a substantial, conveniently arranged set of buildings, including a handsome, roomy residence, replete with all the comforts of life. When he was a young man Mr. Cook assisted in making five flatboats to go clown the Vermilion River into the Wabash, and thence down the Ohio and Mississippi, and once he took a trip to Memphis. Mr. Cook has been twice married. He was first wedded to Miss Amanda M. Graves, April 1, 1852, in Georgetown Township. She was a native of that place, born Aug. 18, 1833, to James and Margaret (Blackbourn) Graves, who were among its earliest pioneers, coming there from Kentucky in 1829, and spending their remaining days on their homestead in that township. By that marriage our subject became the father of six children, of whom the following is recorded: George W. married Eliza Douglas; James P. married Miss Eveline O'Neal; Mary married John H. Wherry; Margaret died when she was eighteen years old; Charles married Miss Celia Padgett; Ellen died when about six months old. Aug. 19, 1866, after a happy married life of fourteen years Mrs. Cook passed away from the scene of her usefulness, and thus was lost to her household a wife who had always striven to aid her husband and make his home pleasant and comfortable, a mother who was devoted to her children, a neighbor who was a kind and true friend. Mr. Cook was married to his present wife, formerly Mrs. Martha E. (Citizen) Moreland, in Lafayette, Ind., April 14, 1870. Their wedded life has been blessed to them by the birth of three children: Bertie J., John F., and Fred. Mrs. Cook was the fourth of the nine children, six sons and three daughters, born to William and Esther (Parker) Citizen, and her birth occurred in Dark County, Ind., July 25, 1838. Her father was born in Maryland, Nov. 10, 1809, and her mother in North Carolina, Aug. 4, 1812, her death occurring in Warren County, Ind. The father survives at an advanced age. When she was two years old Mrs. Cook's parents moved to Wayne County, Ind., and when she was thirteen years old her father brought her to this State. She was married in Warren County, Ind., Aug. 25, 1854, to Joseph Moreland. Of this union there was one son, Charles W., an intelligent, well educated young man, who has been engaged in the profession of school-teaching seven years. It is said of Mr. and Mrs. Cook that "they are people whom it is a pleasure to meet, so friendly and generous are they toward all who come under their influence, and so kind and considerate are they in their relations with all about them." They are consistent members of the Christian Church — of which he is an elder—contribute liberally to its support, and are never backward in aiding all schemes that look to the moral or social advancement of the community. In our subject the Democratic party finds one of its most honest supporters and the township one of the promoters of education within its borders, he having held several of the school offices, and also being School Director for years, discharging the duties thus devolving upon him with characteristic fidelity and to the eminent satisfaction of all concerned.