Fayette County PA Archives Biographies.....Cook, John Bell August 26, 1808 - ????
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Marta Burns marta43@juno.com September 1, 2024, 8:36 am

Source: Gresham and Wiley, 1889: Biographical & Portrait Cyclopedia, Fayette Co, PA, pg 325
Author: John H. Gresham & Samuel T. Wiley

    John Bell Cook, a grandson of Colonel Edward Cook of 
Revolutionary fame, is a son of James Cook and Mary Bell 
Cook, and was born on the old Cook homestead in Washington 
township, August 26, 1808.
    Colonel Edward Cook, grandfather, has rightfully been 
called the pioneer of civilization in Washington township.  
He came in 1770 from Conococheague, Franklin county.  His 
wife was Miss Martha Crawford, born on Christmas, 1743, died 
April 20, 1837, and had one child, James Cook.
    Colonel Edward Cook was prominent during the Revolution 
in the frontier history of Fayette county.  He died November 
27, 1808, in the seventieth year of his age.
    From the truthful tribute placed on his tomb by his 
pastor, Rev William Wylie, we quote in part: "Few men have 
deserved and possessed more eminently than Colonel Cook, the 
consideration and esteem of the people in the western 
country.  In public spirit, disinterestedness, and zeal for 
the general welfare, he was excelled by none.  In private 
life, his unsullied integrity, his liberality, the amiable 
benevolence of his temper, endeared him to his friends, and 
marked him as a sanctuary to which the poor might 
confidently resort for relief."
    James Cook, father, was born in Washington township, 
August 13, 1772, and engaged in farming as his life pursuit. 
 On May 6, 1806, he was married to Miss Mary Bell, a native 
of Ireland, and has six children.    
    John Bell Cook was reared on a farm, and received his 
early education in the old subscription schools.  When he 
reached his majority he engaged in farming, and has 
continued in that business ever since.
    On October 18, 1837, he was married to Miss Matilda 
Cunningham, daughter of William Cunningham and Nancy 
Forsythe Cunningham: both Presbyterians and came out with 
Colonel Cook.  The former died in 1816.
    James Cook, a son, was born May 14, 1840, enlisted in 
Company F, Eighteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, was taken 
prisoner and exchanged, thrown by a horse and instantly 
killed August 16, 1864, at City Point, and now sleeps in the 
cemetery at Rehoboth church; Sarah A Cook, was born August 
23, 1842, was finely educated, married A M Fulton, and died 
December 12, 1874; William J Cook, died in infancy; Joseph A 
Cook, born December 11, 1846, and Robert Johnson Cook, born 
March 21, 1849.  He was graduated from Yale in 1876, was 
captain of the Yale boat crew from 1873 to 1876, read law, 
and was admitted to the Pittsburgh bar in 1878.  He married 
Miss Annie Wells of Pittsburgh, April 26, 1881, and in 1882 
took a special course in a German university.
    John Bell Cook is now in his eighty second year.  His 
wife died December 12, 1887.  She was an estimable woman and 
a devout Christian.  Mr Cook is an honored citizen, and a 
highly esteemed member of the Presbyterian church. 

Additional Comments:
Originally submitted 2000.

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