For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 495
BERNARD KOOK....From very early times in the settlement of America by Europeans, Holland has contributed of her sons and daughters to this country and many of the leading families in the United States trace their lineage to the little country in northern Europe that has been redeemed from the sea. The characteristics of perseverance, patience, frugality and honesty possessed of the people of the mother country have been inherited by their descendants and have contributed in shaping the lives of many men and women in America.Bernard Kook, whose name appears at the head of this review, is a native of Holland, born October 14, 1847, and is a son of Henry and Wilhelmina ( Williams ) Kook. The father, a farmer by occupation, was born in Holland in 1792 and departed this life in 1873 at the age of eighty-one years. The mother was also a native of Holland. There were eleven children in the family, two of its members coming to America, the subject of this review and his brother Henry, who located in Scott county, Iowa, north of the town of Walcott.
Bernard Kook was reared in the parental home and educated in the region where he was born, under his father's instruction becoming thoroughly familiar with farm work. He continued with his parents until he was twenty-three years of age and then bade farewell to familiar faces and scenes and set out to seek his fortune in the new world. He came directly to Scott county, Iowa, and began at once to work upon a farm, where he remained for fifteen years. By persistent application and economy he was able to purchase land, which he cultivated until 1895, when he removed to the place he now occupies, near Durant. He is the owner of two hundred and forty acres in Wilton township, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation, so that it yields a handsome income. He specializes as a breeder of horses and owns two fine imported Percherons.
In 1876 Mr. Kook was united in marriage to Miss Dora Buckhouse, of Scott county, and to them seven children were born, one of whom died in infancy, the others being : Henry, a farmer of Wilton township ; John, who died at the age of eighteen years ; Lewis, now engaging in farming in Muscatine county, Iowa ; Frank and Elizabeth, at home ; and Theodore, who died at the age of five years. The wife and mother passed away September 22, 1898, and was laid to rest in Wilton cemetery. In 1903 Mr. Kook was again married, the lady of his choice being Mrs. Maggie Moylan, the widow of Edward Moylan, by whom she had two children, James Edward and Mary Josephine . Four children have blessed the second union, two of whom died in infancy. The others are Ellen, now three years of age ; and Florence, one year old.
Politically My. Kook gives his support to the democratic party. He has not sought public office but has served most acceptably as a member of the school board. He is a man of excellent character and affiliates with the Catholic church at Wilton Junction. Forty years ago Mr. Kook came to the United States and here he has met with the success which he merits because of his thorough application and undaunted perseverance. He has conquered many obstacles and is now enjoying the well earned fruits of his labors. In 1901 he paid a visit to his birthplace in Holland, but he has ever been content to make America his home.
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