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CHARLES COOK.
Mr. Cook, who is a successful and highly respected farmer of Madison township, Williams county, is a native
of Pennsylvania, born December 27, 1840, in Lehigh county, and is a representative of a family of German origin
which was founded in that State at an early day.
Henry Cook, father of our subject. was also born there, where he grew to manhood and wedded Miss Mary Laub, they
making that State their home until 1848, when they removed to Wayne county, Ohio. Later they lived in Holmes county,
whence they removed to Seneca county, and in 1858 became residents of Brady township, Williams county. The father
was a man of limited means, never owning a farm until coming to Williams county, when he purchased a wooded tract,
which he improved, but afterward sold and bought another farm. His wife died in 1883, and he passed away in 1890.
Both held membership in the German Reformed Church, and in politics he was a Democrat, by which party he was elected
to some minor offices. Their children were Jonas, now living in the West; Mrs. Clarissa Woodring; Daniel and Henry,
who were both Union soldiers during the Rebellion; Mary, wife of J. Osburn, also a Union soldier; Charles, the
subject of this sketch; Angeline, wife of Mr. Keller, who was in the army; William, who also served his country;
Franklin and Benjamin, who died when young; Mrs. Susan Critchfield; and Elizabeth, wife of J. Burch.
During his boyhood Charles Cook received a limited common school education and upon the home farm obtained an excellent
knowledge of agricultural pursuits. After reaching man's estate he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed
to a considerable extent until 1861, when he laid aside personal interests and enlisted for ninety days. With the
army of the Potomac he was on duty in and around Washington, D. C., and in Virginia, taking part in many skirmishes.
On the expiration of his term, he returned to Columbus, Ohio, and was honorably discharged at Tod's Barracks. Returning
to his home he resumed carpentering, and in 1863 was married, but the following year he left his bride, again going
to the front as a member of Company H, One Hundred and Ninety seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was assigned
to the army of the Potomac. He was in active service in Virginia and Tennessee, and at the close of the war was
stationed at Dover, Delaware, whence he went to Washington, D. C., where he was mustered out, receiving his final
discharge at Columbus.
The winter after his return to Williams county, Mr. Cook purchased eighty acres of heavy timbered land in Madison
township, to which he later added another eighty acre tract, but has since sold forty acres, so that he now has
one hundred and twenty acres, ninety of which he has placed under a high state of cultivation. In 1883 he replaced
his log house with a commodious two story frame residence, which is a model of beauty and convenience, and in 1879
he erected a good barn. Upon the place there is a good orchard, a windmill, sheep barn and other buildings, in
fact it is one of the model farms of the community.
In 1863 Mr. Cook married Miss Barbara Daso, who was reared in Williams county, a daughter of Nicholas Daso, a native
of Germany and a prosperous farmer of this section of the State. He is a member of the German Reformed Church.
Mrs. Daso was killed in a cyclone which occurred here in 1893. In their family were six children: Barbara; Christopher,
who died after his return home from the army; Elizabeth; John; Levi (deceased); and Jacob. Mrs. Cook, who was a
member of the German Reformed Church, died in March, 1872, leaving two children, namely: Elizabeth, now the wife
of M. Ebaugh; and George W., a resident of Montpelier, Williams county. In the fall of 1872, Mr. Cook married Miss
Helen A. Richeson, who was also reared in Williams county, her father, a farmer by occupation, having removed here
from New York State at an early day. Mrs. Cook was one of four children, the others being Miram, a Union soldier
in the Civil war; Sarah, wife of G. Andre; and Matilda, wife of R. Shafer. By his second marriage our subject has
three children: Adam H., of Montpelier; Mary A. and Ella, at home. The mother of these children was a member of
the Winebrennerian Church, and died in that faith in 1888. In the same year Mr. Cook wedded Miss Catherine Pfingsday,
of Richland county, Ohio, a daughter of Christopher Pfingsday, a stone mason and farmer, who when a young man came
from Germany to this country, where he died in 1871. He was a Democrat in politics. Mrs. Pfingsday is still living,
as are her children: Christina; Catherine (Mrs. Cook); and Jane Annis, of Pioneer; Leah (wife of C. Snow); Elizabeth
(wife of G. Crawford, deceased); and Lotta (wife of J. Grasher). One daughter, Leona, was born of the third marriage,
but died at the age of seven months.
Politically Mr. Cook was first a Democrat, later voted independently, but at the present time generally supports
the People's party. Socially he affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Grand Army Post, No. 655,
of Montpelier, while in religious faith he and his wife are both identified with the Presbyterian Church.
From:
Commemorative Biographical Record of Northwestern, Ohio
Including the counties of
Defiance, Henry, Williams and Fulton
Published by: J. H. Beers and Company
Chicago, Illinois
1899
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