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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Independence County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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George Cook, farmer, Independence County, Ark. Mr. Cook’s birth occurred in Tennessee, on the 28th of August, 1826, and he was reared and educated in his native State. He was also married there, on the 26th of November, 1846, to Miss Elizabeth Haskins, who was also born, reared and educated in Tennessee. His parents, John D. and Mary (Montgomery) Cook, were both natives of Tennessee, in which State they were married. George Cook came to Arkansas in 1849, locating near Sulphur Rock, Independence County, where he farmed for one season. He then moved to a farm west of Batesville, where he entered forty acres of land, and cleared about five acres, erected a single log house, etc., but in 1854 sold this. He then moved to a farm on White River, Washington Township, where he has resided for the past twelve years. His children were all born in Arkansas, except John D. Cook, his eldest son, who was born in Tennessee. The latter was married in Arkansas, and is now living on a farm in Oil Trough Bottom, where he rents a farm and carries on the business of general merchandising in connection with farming. Another son, William Thomas Cook, is deceased; Mary Ann Cook married Mr. John Morgan, and now resides in Oil Trough Bottom; J. H. Cook married Miss Mattie Glover, who is now deceased (J. H. resides on the farm with his father); B. A. Cook married Miss Rebecca Holloway, and now resides in Oil Trough Bottom; Jane M. Cook married Mr. G. F. Mannz, and now resides in Christian Township, Independence County ; Martha Price Cook married Mr. Thomas Glover (deceased), and is now residing with her father; George M. Cook resides at home with his parents. Our subject’s education was obtained in the subscription and public schools of this county. When he first came to Arkansas all was wild and unsettled, wild animals abounded, and all the hardships necessary in a new country were experienced by this pioneer. He is a Wheeler in politics. Mr. and Mrs. Cook are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as are also their daughters, Martha and Jane, and their son, J. D. Mr. Cook takes an active interest in religious and social progress, and has always been a liberal contributor to all such causes.

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This family biography is one of 158 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Independence County, Arkansas published in 1889.  View the complete description here: Independence County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Independence County, Arkansas family biographies here: Independence County, Arkansas Biographies

View a map of 1889 Independence County, Arkansas here: Independence County, Arkansas Map

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