Home > United States of America > Iowa > Dallas County > Waukee > Waukee Cemetery > William Cook

William Cook

Birth	:	8 Jun 1831 Saxony (Sachsen), Germany
Death	:	27 Dec 1915 Valley Junction, Polk County, Iowa, USA
Burial	:	Waukee Cemetery, Waukee, Dallas County, USA
Coordinate	:	41.6016998, -93.8842010
Description	:	Past and Present of Dallas County, Iowa Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907 William Cook, of Waukee, is esteemed and respected by all who know him as one who has been an active and honorable factor in business life and public interests of Dallas county. He located here at an early period when there were many evidences of frontier life. Much of the land was wild and unclaimed and a number of the now thriving towns and villages had not yet been founded but the district was rich in its possibilities and, hoping to find opportunity here... Read More	Past and Present of Dallas County, Iowa Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907 William Cook, of Waukee, is esteemed and respected by all who know him as one who has been an active and honorable factor in business life and public interests of Dallas county. He located here at an early period when there were many evidences of frontier life. Much of the land was wild and unclaimed and a number of the now thriving towns and villages had not yet been founded but the district was rich in its possibilities and, hoping to find opportunity here for successful work, he took up his abode in Dallas county in 1862. Forty-five years have since passed and he is today the owner of six hundred acres of rich and valuable land, while with the farming and stockraising interests he has long been actively associated. Mr. Cook was born in Saxony, Germany, June 8, 1831. His father, John G. Cook, was also a native of that country and was there reared and married. Five children were added to the household ere the parents crossed the Atlantic to the new world in 1845, settling in Buffalo, New York. The father was a carpenter and cooper--in fact possessed considerable mechanical ingenuity and ability. Both he and his second wife remained residents of Buffalo until called to their final rest. The first wife, however, died in Germany. William Cook was reared in Buffalo and in Erie county and, starting out in business life for himself, he was employed at farm labor for about five years. About 1850 he went to Illinois, settling in Warren county, where he was employed on a farm near Monmouth. He spent five years in that county, after which he removed to Gentry county, Missouri, now Worth county. There he continued to work as a farm hand and it was while he was living in Gentry county that he was married, on the 2d of September, 1860, to Miss Eliza Robinson, who was born in Shelby county, Ohio, January 10, 1832, and was a daughter of William B. and Sarah (Madearis) Robinson. Her great-great-grandfather, John Robinson, came to the new world in the Mayflower. Her great-great-half uncle was John Bull, who helped to frame the constitution of the United States. Her grandfather was Thomas Robinson, who was a soldier of the war of 1812. The family was also represented in the Revolutionary war. Her mother's cousin, Ephraim Elmer Ellsworth, was a soldier of the Civil war--long mourned by the nation. It is said that when Lincoln saw him in his coffin he wept over him. David Robinson, Mrs. Cook's brother, was in the Home Guard in Missouri. Later he went to a place of safety in Illinois with his family and enlisted in the Union army as an Illinois soldier. Mrs. Cook's father was a farmer and stock-raiser of Ohio whence he removed to Missouri but the family were driven out of that state because of the troubles which arose just prior to the Civil war. His father, Thomas Robinson, had entered one hundred and sixty acres of land from the government in Shelby county, Ohio, at an early day and later William Robinson purchased that farm. As stated, however, he left the Buckeye state and went to Missouri. When he was forced to leave the latter state in 1860 he went to Illinois. His wife was a daughter of John R. Madearis. Her great-grandfather was Oliver Madearis and belonged to a family related to the crown of England. Following his marriage Mr. Cook carried on farming in Missouri and raised one crop in that state. On coming to Iowa he settled in Adair county, thence removing to Dallas county, in 1862, where he rented a farm for three years. Desirous of having a home of his own, he then invested his savings in eighty acres of land, to which he afterward added forty acres. The original tract was raw prairie land, which he placed under the plow and in its midst he erected a comfortable residence. As the years passed he continued the further improvement and development of the place and bought more land from time to time. At length he sold his first farm and purchased two hundred and eighty acres in Calhoun county, Iowa. This he rented, however, and bought another farm of one hundred and twenty acres, adding thereto at a later date until he had four hundred acres. Here he built a commodious and comfortable residence and large barn, and in fact added all the modern equipments and accessories to his place. He tiled the land, thus adding much to its productiveness, fenced the fields, set out an orchard and made an excellent property. The years passed and he annually harvested good crops as a reward for the care and labor he bestowed upon the fields. He also made a business of raising and feeding good stock and he continued upon the farm until 1902, when he purchased a residence in Waukee, where he has since resided. He has been interested in mining for three or four years, having investments in gold and silver mines in Colorado near Colorado Springs, from which the minerals are now being taken. As the years passed by five children were added to the Cook household who are still living. Emma J. became the wife of John C. Emerick, now deceased, and by that marriage had four children. She has since married James Richie, of Valley Junction, and they have two children. William J. Cook, the second of the family, is a farmer and stock-raiser, having a large ranch in South Dakota. Harvey J. married Rosella Nutt, by whom he has four children. He follows farming in Calhoun county, Iowa, and also engages in merchandising at Farmville. B. R. wedded Myrtle J. Lord and has one child, their home being upon a farm in Boone township. Charles E., who married Hattie Smith, is a farmer and stock-raiser of Boone township, living on the old homestead. He has one daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Cook lost a daughter in infancy. In March, 1907, Mr. Cook gave to each of his children a farm of one hundred acres valued at one hundred dollars per acre. He has always been very generous with his family and has found his greatest happiness in providing for the welfare and comfort of those dependent upon him. He still retains one hundred acres and his home upon his farm is one of the finest of the county. Mr. Cook exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and while living on the farm served as road supervisor and justice of the peace. He was also connected with the school board for a number of years and did much to further the interests of good schools. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church at Waukee and is a Master Mason of Van Meter lodge. He has also been connected with the Odd Fellows for many years, affiliating with Commerce lodge, in which he has passed all of the chairs and is now a past grand. In the early days of his residence here he could drive half way to Des Moines without seeing a house or fence, such was the unimproved condition of the country. Great changes have occurred as man has wrought for the improvement and development of this portion of the state and in the work of general progress he has borne his full share. His business career is that of a man whose strong purpose and laudable ambition have constituted the secret of his success. He has ever been straightforward and upright in his dealings, has displayed keen sagacity and unfaltering diligence and as the years have gone by has made a most creditable record.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is William Cook's memorial?
William Cook's memorial is located at: Waukee Cemetery, Waukee, Dallas County, USA.
When did William Cook death?
William Cook death on 27 Dec 1915 in Valley Junction, Polk County, Iowa, USA
Where are the coordinates of the William Cook's memorial?
Latitude: 41.6016998
Longitude: -93.8842010

Family Members:

Spouse

Eliza Jane Robinson Cook

(1832 - 1912)

Children

William J Cook

(1863 - 1908)

Harvey James Cook

(1867 - 1908)

Bert Robert Cook

(1869 - 1954)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Waukee Cemetery
Waukee, Dallas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6016998, -93.8842010

2. SBT Cemetery
Van Meter, Dallas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5569000, -93.9297028

3. Williams Cemetery
Dallas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5886002, -93.9606018

4. Huston Cemetery
Boone Township, Dallas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5596120, -93.8283660

5. Miller Cemetery
Adel, Dallas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6133003, -93.9749985

6. Merical Cemetery
Adams Township, Dallas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6321360, -93.9702060

7. Booneville Cemetery
Booneville, Dallas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5293999, -93.8843994

8. Iowa Veterans Cemetery
Adel, Dallas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5453300, -93.9520035

9. Otterman Cemetery
De Soto, Dallas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5661011, -93.9835968

10. Van Meter Cemetery
Van Meter, Dallas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5269012, -93.9439011

11. IOOF Cemetery
Adel Township, Dallas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6192017, -93.9991989

12. Clayton Cemetery
Van Meter, Dallas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5175018, -93.9250031

13. Kinnick Cemetery
Adel, Dallas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6392000, -93.9993000

14. Brethren Cemetery
Dallas Center, Dallas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6920013, -93.9319992

15. West Des Moines Christian Church Memory Garden
West Des Moines, Polk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5613180, -93.7660090

16. Hoff Prairie Cemetery
Dallas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6880722, -93.8226013

17. Masonic Cemetery
Dallas Center, Dallas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6739006, -93.9785995

18. Union Chapel Cemetery
Jefferson Township, Madison County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4961815, -93.9056015

19. Sunny Hill Cemetery
Grimes, Polk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6833000, -93.7893982

20. Oakdale Cemetery
Adel, Dallas County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6253014, -94.0267029

21. Saint Timothy Espiscopal Church Columbarium
West Des Moines, Polk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5851000, -93.7390000

22. Jordan Cemetery
West Des Moines, Polk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5588989, -93.7450027

23. Maffitt Cemetery
Bloomfield Township, Polk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5128200, -93.7855680

24. Resthaven Cemetery
West Des Moines, Polk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5806007, -93.7300034