COOK BIOGRAPHIES, Henry County, Missouri ==================================================================== COOK, Jesse D. - b: 1880 Gower, MO source: 1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co - page: 677 residence: Clinton, Clinton Twp Jesse D. Cook, of the firm of Cook & Kincaid, well-known grocers of Clinton, was born in Gower, Missouri, December 22, 1880. He is a son of J. H. Cook and Lydia B. (Johnson) Cook. J. H. Cook was a native of Kentucky and came to Missouri when he was nineteen years of age, and bought a farm near Gower, where he spent his life engaged in farming and stock raising. He died at the age of seventy-four years. Lydia B. Johnson came to Missouri with her parents when she was eleven years of age and died at the age of fifty-five years, and her remains rest by the side of those of her husband, in New Harmony Cemetery at Gower, Missouri. They were the parents of the following children: Dr. Emmet F. Cook, a prominent physician and surgeon of St. Joseph, Missouri, who is now serving in the Medical Corps of the United States Army with the rank of Captain and was the first surgeon called to the service from St. Joseph; Ambie, now the wife of S. P. Hering, an electrician of Ft. Smith, Arkansas; Jesse D., the subject of this sketch, and James K., an employee of the Burlington railway at St. Joseph, Missouri. Jesse D. Cook was educated in the public schools of Missouri and the St. Joseph High School. After leaving school he engaged in farming, which he continued until 1914, when he engaged in the grocery business at Clinton in partnership with Mr. Kincaid. They succeeded to the business of O. A. Peckstein. The Cook & Kincaid firm is recognized as one of the live, up-to-date and substantial retail grocery houses of Clinton. Their store is located at 908 North Second street. Jesse D. Cook was married in 1902 to Miss Nellie Jones of Gower, Missouri. She is a daughter of W. H. and Lucy Jones of that place. Mrs. Jesse D. Cook is one of the following children born to her parents: Walter L., a traveling salesman, Kansas City, Missouri; Ed, farmer, Gower, Missouri; L. R., an electrician, Kansas City, Missouri; Lela, married Claud Kincaid of Clinton, Missouri; Mrs. Jesse D. Cook, wife of the subject of this sketch; Lotta, married Wyatt Kincaid of Gower, Missouri. Mr. Cook is one of the progressive business men of Clinton, and is rapidly making a business reputation that might well be envied by men who have been in business here for years. ==================================================================== COOK, John J. - b: 1844 Germany source: 1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co - page: 438 residence: Germantown, Deepwater Twp John J. Cook. One of the oldest living pioneers of Henry County is John J. Cook of Germantown, who enjoys the distinction of not only having resided in this county for a period of over fifty-seven years, but also served in the Union Army during the Civil War. For years Mr. Cook was the well known merchant of Germantown and became widely known throughout Henry County as a shrewd business man and an intelligent and enterprising citizen. He is now living in peaceful retirement at his home in Germantown. John J. Cook was born in Germany February 23, 1844, the son of John and Frances (Koch) Cook, who immigrated to America in 1851. John Koch was twice married, his first wife, Catherine, dying in 1848, and he then married Frances, his second wife. When he came to America he located in Henry County upon a farm situated just one-half mile west of Germantown, where his death occurred in June, 1877. There were four children by his first marriage, of whom John J. Cook, subject of this review, is the only survivor. Two children out of three born of the second marriage are living: Henry, deceased; Joseph, a farmer in Walker township; Anna, widow of William Rotert, resides in Nebraska. On February 23, 1863, John J. Cook enlisted for service in the Civil War in Company H, 7th Missouri Cavalry, under Captain Box and General Brown. He served until his honorable discharge, April 20, 1865. He enlisted at Greenfield, Missouri, and from that point went to Linden, in southeast Missouri, thence to Marshfield, always fighting the bushwhackers who infested the State during that troublesome period. It was the duty of his division to give protection to the loyal citizens of the territory assigned them for patrol. His next station was at Warsaw, then to Tipton, Missouri, thence to Warrensburg, Missouri, and from there he went to St. Louis, where he was mustered out of the service. His brother, Anton Cook, was shot three times while serving with the Union forces at the battle of Lone Jack. After his return from the war Mr. Cook tilled his father's place for three years, then after his marriage he purchased a farm of eighty acres near Montrose which he tilled for five years, eventually trading this farm for another tract, which he owned and farmed for twelve years. He then rented his farm and came to Germantown, where he engaged in the mercantile business for twenty-five years. Mr. Cook has done well. He has accumulated a comfortable competence, reared a splendid family and can now live in peace for the, remainder of his days. He retired from active business in 1911, but is still kept busily engaged in raising vegetables on his tract of four acres, which, as Mrs. Cook says, "the plot just furnishes enough vegetables to feed the children when they come to visit the old folks on Sundays and holidays." On May 19, 1867, John J. Cook and Elizabeth Schmedding were united in marriage. Mrs. Elizabeth Cook was born in Deepwater township April 16, 1869, and is the daughter of Bernard and Mary Schmedding, natives of Germany who came to America in 1830 and were among the very first settlers of the Germantown neighborhood, Bernard Schmedding locating near the site of the village as early as 1834. Seven children have been born to John J. and Elizabeth Cook, as follow: Mrs. May Cook, Montrose, Missouri, mother of six children; Mrs. Minnie Bettels, Deepwater township, mother of seven children; John F., a clothing merchant in Montana, has one child; Mrs. Kate Kirsch, lives in Texas and has two children; Mrs. Emma Fick, Deepwater township, has six children; George A., with Armour & Company, in Texas, father of two children; Andrew B., a farm owner in Deepwater township, married Anna Cook and has two children. Mr. and Mrs. Cook have five great-grandchildren. On May 21, 1918, Mr. and Mrs. Cook celebrated their golden wedding anniversary with their children and grandchildren. Despite his age Mr. Cook is still active and strong, and takes a keen interest in life. He and Mrs. Cook are a jolly, contented and happy couple who keep themselves well informed on what is going on during these interesting days. Mr. Cook is one of the finest gardeners in the State of Missouri and is proud of his accomplishments in this respect. He is a Republican and served sixteen years as postmaster of Germantown. He served for two years as justice of the peace and is a notary public. He and Mrs. Cook are good Catholics, and he is affiliated with the Grand Army of the Republic. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. 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