William Cook (1824-1905)
COOK, SWAYNE, FLEISHER
Posted By: CJeanealogy (email)
Date: 4/15/2020 at 21:34:58
The Marion Pilot Thursday March 30, 1905
THE OBITUARY RECORD.
WILLIAM COOK.
William Cook, one of the honored pioneers of Linn county, passed away Wednesday morning, Mch. 22, 1905, at the home of his son, Charles Cook, on north Eleventh street, at the age of 81, his death being due to the diseases incident to old age. He had been in poor health for some time and about a year ago he left his farm south of town and since that time has made his home with his son. His death came as a great shock to his many friends. For a number of years he has lived retired and rented his farm since 1894. He was an honored member of the Old Settler's Society of Linn county and all his life was a popular and influential man in his community.
William Cook was born in Chatham, Chester county, Pennsylvania, Mary 28, 1824. He was educated in the rural school of his native county and after leaving school engaged in farming for three years. Then he went to Delaware and afterward returned to Pennsylvania, farming for a while in Lancaster county. In the spring of 1851 he started for Iowa, traveling by rail to Blairstown, Pennsylvania, by canal to Pittsburg and the Ohio and Mississippi rivers by way of Cairo and St. Louis to Muscatine. The remainder of the journey to Cedar Rapids was made by stage and wagon and the trip occupied about two weeks.
Cedar Rapids at that time had a population of some five hundred. The country was nearly all unimproved. His brother Isaac took up 120 acres in Marion township and they held the property for several years. Mr. Cook lived for a time in Jasper county but removed to Marion January 2, 1853, and at once commenced the improvement of the farm. He built a part of the present farm house and he and his family moved in December of that year. At the time of his death he had 507 acres of valuable land in Marion township.
Mr. Cook was married in Philadelphia February 17, 1848, to Mary C. Swayne, of Newcastle county, Delaware. Their children were: Mary Elizabeth, a resident of Marion; Annabel, who died in infancy; Ella and Eva, twins, both of whom are now deceased, the latter having died July 4, 1900; Emma, wife of Marshal Swayne, of Marion township, and Charles H., who married Miss Amy Belle Kerr at whose home he died.
Mr. Cook was a member of the old Whig party and had been a stalwart supporter of the republican party ever since its organization. He was ever loyal to the republican faith and principles and a man who could give a reason for the faith that was in him. He had held many township and county offices and had discharged every one of them to the entire satisfaction of the people. He was as honest as the day, courteous and obliging. From January 1, 1860 to 1864, he was treasurer and recorder of Linn county, and from 1870 to 1897 was connected with the Iowa Railroad Land Company, acting as tax paving agent for the company, with office in Cedar Rapids.
The funeral service was held from the residence of his son Charles Cook, on north Eleventh street, at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon. The service was in charge of Rev. T.M. Evans of the Methodist church.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/11368987
Linn Obituaries maintained by Cindy Booth Maher.
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