BIOGRAPHY: Cyrus O. Cook, Cayuga co., New York transcribed and submitted by: Ann Anderson (ann.g.anderson at gmail.com) ========================================================= Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ny/nyfiles.htm ========================================================= BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW THIS VOLUME CONTAINS BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF THE LEADING CITIZENS OF CAYUGA COUNTY NEW YORK BOSTON BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW PUBLISHING COMPANY 1894 CYRUS O. COOK, Pension Attorney and Government Claim Agent, comes of a family of illustrious ancestors, from whom he inherits that love of freedom and hatred of oppression which led him to offer his sendees and fight gallantly for the preservation of the nation. He was born in Troy, N.Y., July 11, 1846, and is the son of James M. and Eunice (Underwood) Cook, natives of Rensselaer County. The Cooks have been eminent in the history of the country, especially in the time of the colonies and the Revolution. Mrs. Cook's family, the Underwoods, came to this country from Scotland in the early part of the seventeenth century, and located their home in Massachusetts, where they were closely connected with the early life of the colony and prominent in the politics of those days. They were strong liberty lovers, and hated every kind of oppression, especially that of negro slavery, and were so strong in the anti-slavery cause that they never allowed any slaves kept within the borders of their estates, even in those days when this form of bond-service was a common custom in New York. They were also strong members of the Baptist church. Mrs. Cook was born at Sand Lake, Rensselaer County, N.Y., January, 1813, and was a daughter of Reuben Underwood, a soldier in the War of 1812 and a shoemaker and dealer of Sand Lake. James M. Cook resided in Troy after his marriage, where he was engaged in shipping. He died at the time of the cholera epidemic in 1849, at the age of thirty-six. After his death Mrs. Cook came with her father, Reuben Underwood, to Auburn, where he had the superintendence of the toll-gate on Clark Street, Plank Road, the Underwoods being stockholders in the toll road. Here she lived until the time of her death, in 1860. She left a family of three sons: Edward E., who is now Superintendent of Proof-room at the State Printing Office at Albany; Cyrus O., of Auburn; James M., Jr., who died in Ohio in 1865. Cyrus O. Cook received a common school education, and in his youth listened with the greatest interest to the discussions of the time upon political issues, so that, when the call came for volunteers, he was ready to offer himself for his country. He enlisted in February, 1862, although he was not yet sixteen years old; and it was with much boyish pride and manly enthusiasm that he became a member of Company K of the Seventy-fifth New York Volunteer Infantry. They were first ordered to Pensacola, Fla.; and then his company was ordered on detached garrison duty to Fort Pickens, Santa Rosa Island, where they were on duty until the following September. They were then sent to join the regiment at the barracks below New Orleans, where they were soon made a part of the Reserve Brigade, First Division, Nineteenth Army Corps, and then went up the river. During this trip Mr. Cook was taken seriously ill, and was left behind at Carrollton. He soon recovered, and joined his regiment again at Thibodeaux, where the regiment was camped for the winter. In the beginning of the year 1863 the regiment accompanied General Banks on his first Red River Expedition to Alexandria and back to Simmesport on the Atchafalaya, thence by way of the river to Port Hudson, and participated in the siege of that place from May 27 until June 14, 1863. Here Mr. Cook was wounded, having his right thumb cut off close to the hand, so that, much against his will, he was obliged to give up, and go to the University United States General Hospital at New Orleans. After three weeks here, and before his wound was fully healed, he was given charge of one of the largest wards in the hospital, which ward contained sixty-three men. This was a great responsibility for a boy of seventeen, and it shows the respect in which he was held by his superiors. After six months of this work, he was ordered to the Veteran Reserve Corps, when he managed, after a little sharp practice in using his disabled hand, to get back into the ranks, keeping his hand covered when he was examined. At length he rejoined his regiment at New Iberia; and, when soon after the regiment re-enlisted, he was ruled off on account of his hand, and with other veterans was transferred to the Fourteenth New York Cavalry, and went on Banks's second expedition with the cattle-drivers of the Second Brigade. He then, after the defeat at Sabine Cross Roads, returned by way of Morganzia to Carrollton. Being again disabled by illness, he was sent back to University Hospital; and, after he had partially recovered, he was given a position as Orderly of the hospital. This he retained until December 8, 1864, when he was honorably discharged on account of general disability and the numerous wounds he had received in his long service of two years and eleven months. Returning then to Auburn, after a few months of rest he engaged in farming, but soon found that his health did not allow of any heavy work; and for four months more he recruited, and then engaged in the painting business. After his marriage in 1865 he removed with his family to Toledo, Ohio, and engaged in farming. In 1867 he returned to Auburn, and once more took up the trade of painter and decorator, remaining here until 1870, when he went to Seneca Falls, where he carried on the same business for five years. He again removed to Auburn in 1876, and has since resided here. He first began his work with pensions in 1877, beginning simply to assist friends; and, finding himself successful, he adopted it as a regular business in 1890, and now has become the leading Pension Agent in the city. Mr. Cook has also been Census Enumerator. Mr. Cook was married September 13, 1865, to Miss Alice Goff, of Jordan, N.Y., who was born July 18, 1850, daughter of William J. and Louisa (Converse) Goff, and was well educated in the public schools. Her father was a cabinet manufacturer, and belonged to one of the pioneer families of the town. Mrs. Cook is the mother of nine children, namely: Rose, who is the wife of Rev. D. S. Brown of the Presbyterian church at Pike, Wyoming County, N.Y., and who has one child, Beatrice, born October, 1887; Clara E.; Amos W., commercial traveller; Eddie J., who died when four years of age: Pearl; Edith; Lyla; Keta; and' David, who died November 7, 1893, at the age of three years. Mr. Cook was formerly Adjutant of the Union Veterans' Union, which is not active now. He is also, as might well be expected, an active member of the Grand Army, being a member of Crocker Post, G. A. R. The numbers of the veterans of the late war are becoming smaller every year; and it is interesting to note here one who can tell his personal experiences, and who passed through so many thrilling scenes and saw so much active service. He went from his home a smoothfaced lad, with the thoughts and feelings of a boy, and came home a man, old not in years, but in experience; and in the three years spent upon the battlefield, in the camp, and in the hospital, he saw more of life and its sadness and glory than many men see in a life of threescore years and ten. That experience has fitted him for the different enterprises he has since undertaken, and has made it possible for him to be of great use to his fellow-townsmen. It is the earnest wish that his life may be preserved for many years, and that this veteran of the war may long be looked up to as one of those who went willingly to the front, ready to sacrifice everything in the name of liberty and union.