Biography of Ancell Cook, 1902, Baker Co. Oregon: Surnames: Cook, Brewen, Boyce, Spencer

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Transcribed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
W. David Samuelsen - November 2001
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An Illustrated History of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties, pub. 1902
by Western Historical Pub. Co. of Chicago. page 335

Ancell Cook

Mr. Cook was born in Hickory county, near Quincy, Missouri, on October 7,
1846. The educational advantages of that time and place were very limited, but
the industry and application of our subject largely made up for that by
careful reading and investigation as opportunity afforded. When thirteen years
of age he took the long and weary journey across the plains with ox teams to
California, and settled six miles from Chico, on the Sacramento river, and
engaged in raising stock until 1882. At this date he came to Baker county and
bought the place where he now resides one and three-fourths miles southeast
from McEwen, on the Baker City road. Here he owns one of the finest farms in
the county; while it is not as large as some, still its productiveness is most
marked, and an abundance of fine water adds greatly to its general fertility.
He gathers annually bountiful harvests of good timothy hay and other crops. He
owns a large herd of good cattle, and his ranch is well improved, having one
of the most handsome and commodious residences in the valley. In every
particular pertaining to the home and business of Mr. Cook there is an air of
thrift and careful attention that gives rest and comfort to his rural abode.

In 1873 the marriage of Mr. Cook and Miss Anna E., daughter of Eli and
Caroline Brewen, was celebrated in Contra Costa county, California. The have
become the parents of six children: Della G., wife of Mark Boyce, living near
Baker City; Walter; Carrie M.; Sylvia P., wife of Ervin Spencer, of Sumpter;
Jessie M.; Frank. In educational matters Mr. Cook is quite active, and has
been instrumental in assisting the cause of education materially in the
valley. He and his wife are very active in church work, and are affiliated
with that body in McEwen, where he is widely and favorably known.

By way of reminiscence it is interesting to note that while en route to
California, although Mr. Cook had several hard struggles with the Indians, and
he himself but young in years, he was victorious at every onset and escaped
uninjured., although they determined to take his life. This speaks highly both
of his courage and his intrepidity as well as of his physical activity.