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Below is a family biography included in The History of Moniteau County, Missouri 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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Washington Cook, one of the prominent old pioneers of Moniteau County, Mo., was born in East Tennessee, in 1813, on the 3rd of January, and was the fifth in a family of nine children born to Henry and Catherine (Snyder) Cook, who were Pennsylvanians, and moved to Tennessee at quite an early date. They located on a farm in the latter State, and there they both died many years ago. Washington Cook remained with and assisted his father until twenty years of age; then determined to fight his own way in the world, and came to Cole County, Mo., locating near his present farm, and in 1839 entered eighty acres of land, afterward becoming the owner of nearly 1,000 acres. The country was in a very wild condition at that time, and his first house was made of logs, but he continued his endeavors to clear his land and made some valuable improvements. He has resided at his present place of abode for many years, his farm now consisting of 208 acres. He raises some stock of a good grade. At the time of his location Marion was the nearest market, and their grist-mill, which was operated by horse-power, was ten miles distant. Religious services were held in the homes of the settlers, and at that time the people were much more hospitable and friendly than those of the present day. He is a Democrat in politics, but is not an active partisan. He assisted in organizing Moniteau County, the townships in the same, and also the school districts, and was one of the first trustees of his township. He has been in every respect the architect of his own fortunes, and deserves much credit for the success which has attended his efforts. He was married in Moniteau County, in 1833, to Elizabeth Phelan, a native of Tennessee and a daughter of Thomas and Jemimah (Fowler) Phelan, who were born in Georgia and Tennessee, respectively, and came to Missouri in 1832, afterward moving to Arkansas, where they spent the remainder of their days. To Mr. and Mrs. Cook the following family has been born: Francis Marion, residing in Morgan County; Andrew Jackson, a resident of Miller County; William R., living near his father; Henry H., living in Clarksburg; Jemimah C., Mrs. Milburn, living in the county; Sarah Ann, Mrs. Milburn, living in Pilot Grove Township; Abijah Lafayette, a resident of Vernon County, Mo.; Christopher M., a resident of Moniteau County; Isaac R., living near home, and Larkin P., also of this county. Three children are deceased. The family worship in the Baptist Church, of which Mr. Cook is a liberal supporter.

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This family biography is one of 187 biographies included in The History of Moniteau County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Moniteau County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Moniteau County, Missouri family biographies here: Moniteau County, Missouri Biographies

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