York County ME Archives Biographies.....Cook, John W. May 1, 1837 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Carol Eddleman carolcurrieeddleman@gmail.com January 24, 2024, 5:58 pm

Author: J. W. Dearborn

JAMES W. COOK,
Second son of Nathaniel H. and Fannie (Chamberlin) Cook, and one
of a family of seven children, was born in Wakefield, New Hampshire,
May 1, 1837, where he resided until February, 1845, when his father
removed with his family to North Parsonsfield to avail himself of the
benefits afforded by Parsonsfield Seminary. At the age of sixteen
years he went to Manchester, New Hampshire, with a view to learning
mercantile business, where he remained one year. Then in consequence of the 
failing health of his father, he was obliged to return to
his home, where he engaged in farming for several years. In the
spring of 1857, he went to New York, and found ready employment as clerk in 
Lovejoy's Hotel. There he tarried till November, 1858, when
he again returned to his Parsonsfield home, saddened by the death of
his mother and two of his sisters. As the family was thus well-nigh
broken up, he, at the urgent request of the surviving members, decided
to open a store for general merchandise at North Parsonsfield, near the
residence of his father. In connection therewith, he carried on farming
and lumbering, meeting with marked success in his business enterprises
for a period of thirteen years.

On November 24, 1859, he married Miss Sarah J. Emerson, daughter
of Joseph P. Emerson and great-granddaughter of Thomas Parsons,
and they have three children, two sons, William H. and Charles E.,
and one daughter, Fannie S. [Frances?]. In 1872, he sold his entire property in 
Parsonsfield and removed
with his family to Boston, Massachusetts, purchasing the old established
business of John Devereux and others, of pianoforte moving, established in 1823. 
He conducted this business until January 1, 1887,
when his son William H. entered into partnership with him under the
firm name of "J. W. Cook & Son." Here, by strict attention to business, he has 
acquired a large property.

While in Parsonsfield, he enjoyed the confidence of the community,
being one of the municipal officers of the town, actively interested in the 
moral reforms and progress of the times, a charter member of
Drummond Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, at North
Parsonsfield, and, after removing to Boston, becoming interested in
religious matters, joining the Baptists worshiping at Tremont Temple.

A few years since, he purchased "Elmwood Farm " in Parsonsfield,
well known as the Emerson homestead, being the late residence of
Joseph P. Emerson, deceased, and earlier the farm of Thomas Parsons,
the proprietor of the town, on which stands the original house erected
by him, which Mr. Cook has remodeled and enlarged for a summer
residence. On this farm he has at a great expense erected large farm
buildings, and is successfully engaged in farming enterprise, making
many and valuable improvements.


Additional Comments:
from A History of the First Century of the Town of Parsonsfield, Maine, Portland, 
Me., Brown Thurston and Co., 1888, pp. 249-250.

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