My Genealogy Hound

MRS. JOANNA H. COOK, Normal, (widow of the late H. D. Cook); was born in Washington Co., N. Y., Dec. 23, 1817; she married Mr. H. D. Cook, Jan. 21, 1841; he was born in Madison Co., N. Y., March 6, 1817; he was raised in Oneida Co., where he was educated and learned the trade of a carpenter; he came to McLean Co., Ill., in 1852, and, for a number of years, was connected with the Illinois Central Railroad Company. In 1860, he was elected to the State Legislature. In 1861, he organized a company and entered the army, as Captain, with the 4th Illinois Cavalry, serving through the entire war; he was promoted to Colonel in 1864; and, through meritorious services, was appointed, in 1865, to the office of Military State Agent of Illinois; he came to Normal in 1869, and, in 1873, was appointed President of the Board of Railroad and Warehouse Commissioners, in which position he served until his death, which occurred Nov. 9, 1873. He was beloved by friends and relatives, and respected by all who knew him; he left a promising family of four children.