Champaign Co, ILGenWeb, The USGenWeb Project

Ezekiel Cook

SOURCE: "Portrait and Biographical Album of Champaign County, Illinois," Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1887
SURNAMES: COOK, LEADER, MANLY, YOUNG

EZEKIEL COOK, who has been a resident of tolono since 1875, is successfully carrying on a trade in hardware, and has built up a profitable patronage. He comes of substantial ancestry, and is a native of Bedford County, Pa., born July 6, 1834. His parents were Ezekiel and Elizabeth (LEADER) COOK, who had a family of eleven children, of whom our subject is the youngest. He was reared on his father's farm in the Keystone State, educated in the district schools, and was employed part of the time in the blacksmith-shop of his father, where he gained a good insight into that trade. He is a natural mechanic, and with little practice can manipulate almost any tool that is manufactured. He possessed more than ordinary ability, was bright and observant of what was going on around him, and when not in school, still pursued his studies in his leisure hours, and at an early age engaged in teaching.

During the progress of the late war Mr. Cook, in 1864, became a member of Co. K, 208th Pa. Vol. Inf., serving until the surrender of the Confederate army. After the war he returned to his native county, where he owned 120 acres of land which he cultivated until 1875. In the fall of that year he came to Illinois, and locating at Tolono established his present business. He still owns his farm in Pennsylvania, besides eighty acres of land in Tolono Township, and property in the town.

Out subject was marrried, in the spring of 1860, to Miss Matilda YOUNG, a native of his own county, and they became the parents of eight children. The first-born died in childhood. Seven are now living, namely, Laura B.; Addie, Mrs. George W. MANLY, of Decatur; John and Ella, twins; Mary J., Harvey E. and George H. Upon arriving at his majority, our subject commenced voting with the Republican party, whose principles he has since supported. He has held the local offices of his township, is a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and socially, belongs to the G. A. R. and the K. of H.