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Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
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Biographical History of Cherokee County, Iowa
W. S. Dunbar & Co., Chigago - 1889

[page 619-620]

    I. C. COOK was born in Wayne County, Illinois, July 8, 1833, and is
    the son of JAMES and ELIZABETH (CLARK) COOK, natives of the State of
    Kentucky.  He is the youngest and only one of a family of six children
    living.  His mother died when he was between three and four years old,
    and he was thus early deprived of that tender love and care such as
    only a mother can give.  He was brought up on a farm, and received a
    very limited education in the common schools; however, by close obser-
    vation he has acquired a fund of information that enables him to attend
    to any  business in practical  life.  He continued to reside with his
    father until his twentieth year, when the father died.  He then removed
    to Carroll County, Illinois, where he spent two years, and in 1855 he
    came to Iowa, and settled in Jackson County; at that time he was
    engaged in drilling artesian wells, and remained there until 1860, when
    he went to St. Joe, Missouri, and there joined the JOHN DEEDS wagon
    train, and made an overland trip to California.  He remained in that
    State until 1866, engaged in mining and wood chopping.  He then re-
    turned as far east as Jackson County, Iowa, and there he resided until
    he came to Cherokee County, with the exception of one year spent in
    Clinton County, Iowa.  In 1871 he came to Cherokee County, and bought
    160 acres of railroad land in Amherst Township, paying $6 per acre; he
    then went back to Jackson County, and did not return to Cherokee County
    until 1873, when he brought his family, consisting of his wife and one
    child.  He first erected a small building which served as a temporary
    residence; as soon as something better could be provided the first one
    was deserted, and now serves as a store-house for tools and farming
    implements.  The stable was constructed of railroad ties, with a roof
    of hay. With these primitive buildings they began life in the new
    country, but from time to time have improved or replaced the old
    structures, and now have one of the best improved farms in the county.
    Mr. COOK has planted five acres of grove which surrounds his buildings,
    and presents a most attractive picture.  It is really difficult to
    realize that only a few short years ago the Indian's camp kettle smoked
    where there is now a beautiful lawn, and that his wigwam was stretched
    where the comfortable, cheery dwelling of a white man now stands.  Mr.
    COOK has done much toward the upbuilding of this portion of the county
    and well deserves the respect and esteem in which he is held, and he
    has not stood alone in these labors but has been cheered and encouraged
    by a faithful wife.  He was married December 5, 1866, to Miss KATE
    GUENTHER, a daughter of JACOB and ELIZABETH (YOND) GUENTHER, natives of
    Germany and Pennsylvania respectively.  Mrs. COOK was born in Lycoming
    County, Pennsylvanai, July 16, 1839.  The result of this union has been
    two children: LIZZIE, born September 10, 1870, and KATIE, born July 1,
    1876.  The parents are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
    Politically Mr. COOK is a stanch Republican, and has held the office of
    township trustee for thirteen years.  He is a member of the I.O.O.F.,
    Lodge No. 359, being one of the charter members; he was the first N.
    G., and has held the same position several times.

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