Bios: JAMES J. COOK: Lawrence County, Pennsylvania

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  Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Lawrence Co transcribers.
  Coordinated by Ed McClelland

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  Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens
  Lawrence County Pennsylvania
  Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo, N.Y., 1897
  
  An html version with search engine may be found at 
  
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/lawrence/1897/
  
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    JAMES J. COOK.
    
    [p. 423] It is always a matter of interest to review the lives of early
  settlers, and to note from the study of their careers the progress time had
  made in their surroundings while silvering their hair and implanting furrows
  of care on the forehead. The gentleman, whose name occurs above, a retired
  resident of New Castle, although a native of Darlington, Beaver Co., Pa., has
  been a citizen and one of the prominent men of the city of New Castle for the
  greater part of his life. Although practically retired, and living in
  comfortable circumstances, he has been long connected with the public life of
  the city and county as court crier.
    
    Mr. Cook was born in Darlington, Beaver Co., Pa., Sept. 10, 1828, on the
  anniversary of Commodore Perry's victory over the British on Lake Erie. His
  father, Benjamin Cook, also a native of Chambersburg Pa., was born in 1794,
  and died in 1845; when but a youth he served in the War of 1812, and was an
  intimate friend of Bird, who was executed for overstaying his furlough at a
  critical juncture. The execution was not so much for the gravity of the
  offense, but the time required strict discipline, and a terrible example must
  be held up before all in order that they perform their duty. Mr. Cook always
  regretted the action of the military authorities in this matter, and thought
  the sentence too severe. Our subject's father learned the wood-working
  trades, and became an expert carpenter, joiner and cabinet-maker. Later in
  life he entered into mercantile life, and owned and conducted a large general
  store in Darlington; he was so successful in this venture, that he established
  a branch store at Clinton, which also proved very profitable. His early demise
  at the age of fifty-one cut short a very promising career, but such is the
  uncertainty of life, the best, the fairest, and the noblest seem to succumb
  earliest to the final summons. Mr. Cook was a Presbyterian in his religious
  views, and in his politics was an old-line Whig of the deepest dye. He was
  ever active in politics, a good manager, and hard worker for his friends and
  their principles, but would never accept any office himself at the gift of
  the people. He married Susanna Johnson, daughter of Andrew Johnson of Beaver
  Co., Pa., and to them were born six children, as follows: Mary, deceased;
  Andrew Johnson; John C.; James J., our subject; Martha A., deceased; and
  Emeline, deceased.
    
    James J. Cook was reared until his eighteenth year in his native town,
  attending district school and the academy at Darlington until he was
  fourteen, following that up with a summer term in a school at Atwater, Ohio,
  where his sister, a teacher, induced him to go for a time in the hope that
  his somewhat feeble health might be improved. His health for many years was
  not of the best because his work at the trade of a tailor commenced when he
  was very young, and thus withheld from him many of the sports and good times
  that go as far toward building up the young frame. While still a lad of eight
  or nine years, instead of playing with other boys of his age in some healthful
  exercise, he would frequently work in the shop of a friendly tailor when there
  was anything he could do. From time to time he learned new things about the
  trade and more was entrusted to him, so that at the age of fourteen when he
  was apprenticed, he was really more proficient than many of the journeymen
  tailors of the place. He served two years as an apprentice under James
  Murray. In 1846, he came to New Castle, and after working there six months
  more as an apprentice, was given piece work, and then earned and saved enough
  to go into business for himself. This he did with John Blevins, the present
  city treasurer, and they were so associated until 1850, when Mr. Cook, seeing
  a good opening in his native place where there was then a large amount of
  railroad construction, opened a clothing store and tailoring establishment in
  Darlington, which he conducted until 1856. In the following year, he removed
  to New Castle, where he went into partnership with John Williams, and opened
  a store and tailor shop, but owing to the ill health of both partners, it was
  deemed advisable by Mr. Cook to go to other parts for a change of environment,
  climate, temperature or whatever was needed. Mr. Williams decided to remain,
  and so after invoicing their goods, Mr. Cook left for Ohio, where health
  steadily improved, while Mr. Williams lasted but a few months. At last it
  became apparent to our subject that indoor work was not suited to him, and so
  he secured a place on the police force of New Castle, and rose to the position
  of chief of police, was then elected tax collector and was finally seated in
  the mayor's chair. Having purchased a fine farm of ninety acres north of New
  Castle, he devoted his spare time to its management, and the two years he
  resided there were two of the happiest years of his life.
    
    For fifteen years, Mr. Cook served as court crier, and although he cared
  little for the position, it was at the request of his friends and family that
  he retained the office. Mr. Cook was a member of a New Castle Lodge of the I.
  O. O. F., but is not actively connected with the organization at present. He
  is a strong Republican, and has always been since its organization,
  previously voting the Democratic ticket.
    
    July 25, 1849, Mr. Cook was married to Mary E. Whitten, a native of Warren,
  Ohio, daughter of Oliver Whitten, a native of the State of Maine, who married
  Lavinia Percy, a daughter of Joseph and Lavinia (Reynolds) Percy. Joseph
  Percy was a soldier of the Revolution, and of English descent, his brother
  who remained in England being John Lord Percy of the English nobility. Of a
  family of six children born to Oliver Whitten, Mary E., the wife of our
  subject, was fifth. The union of our subject and wife has resulted in five
  children as follows: Charles W., who married Miss Lou Swall, and has four
  children. Edith, Mary E., James P., and Eber D.; Mary Lovan; Susanna J.;
  Albert J.; and Edward Percy. Mrs. Cook and her daughters are members of the
  First Methodist Episcopal Church of New Castle.