Family of John Darwin Shepard Cook (1834-1909)
Hello to all the members of the Cook Family!
My names is Randal J. Loy, and I am researching the histories of the major memorial gifts, including the stained glass windows, in the Nave of the church I attend, Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral (Episcopal), Kansas City, Missouri.I am writing a small book for the use of the congregation on this subject.
I am looking for the parents of John Darwin Shepard Cook (1834-1909).
We have two windows which are dedicated to John Darwin Shepard Cook who was born on November 21, 1834, in the small town of Mexico, New York.I don't know anything else about his early life, because his obituary merely states when and where he was born, and then skips all the way up to his graduation from Union College in 1859.It makes no mention of his parents or family at all.
Perhaps there was a rift with his family, which might explain the "John" I found living with Keziah Cook in the 1850 Federal Census in Mexico, New York.If he had never forgiven them for making him leave -- or perhaps his father disowned him!Something happened, because John was 25 years old when he graduated from college, which seems old to me, considering the age of his contemporaries I have researched, who were anywhere from 15 to 18 when they graduated from college.One of his contemporaries was already practicing law at the age of 22!
John D. S. Cook was a highly-respected attorney in Kansas City, from the time he came here in 1879.
John D. S. Cook died in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1909.
I have contacted the town historian of Mexico, New York, and she was not able to find any information on any Cooks in Mexico who had a son named "John".
In the 1850 Federal Census, I found a Joseph Cook (b. 1786) and his wife, Maryette (b. 1802), living in Mexico, New York.They listed three children in that Census which were 20 years old, 18 years old and 14 years old.That leaves a spot for young John, who would have been (almost) 16 in August of 1850, when the Census was taken.
John D. S. Cook does not appear in the 1850 Census in Mexico, New York, unless at the moment the Census was taken, he was with his grandmother, Keziah Cook.There is a "John" listed in that household who was 15, but without a surname, and the surname of the head of that household was not "Cook".
Also, it is important, I think, to keep in mind that John D. S. Cook named his oldest child "Josephine".
Can anyone assist me in my search for John's parents?I would just like to confirm that Joseph and Maryette are his parents, and then find their death dates (just the years will be sufficient.)
I am assuming that either "Darwin" or "Shepard" is the maiden name of Maryette -- or whoever John's mother was.
If you have information that will assist me, please feel free to send it directly to my e-mail account at "[email protected]".
Thank you for your assistance in this matter.