John J. Cook
John J. Cook, a prosperous farmer, owning two hundred acres of land in Harlem Township, Delaware County, Ohio, comes of one of the oldest families of the county. He was born in this township December 14, 1868, is a son of John, Sr., and Helen (Tompkins) Cook, and a grandson of Benjamin Cook.
Benjamin Cook, the grandfather, was born in New Jersey, and was one of the pioneers of Delaware County, Ohio, where he located about the year of 1800. He at that time made the first purchase of land recorded in Harlem Township, buying of a man named Duncan nearly 4,000 acres of timberland. There he erected a home, made a clearing and followed farming the remainder of his life. He was married before coming to this country and his large estate was divided among his six children, much of it being still owned by his descendants.
John Cook, Sr.. was born on the old homestead in Harlem Township, and was educated in the primitive schools of that period. He came into possession of 400 acres of the old Cook farm, which he cleared and improved, erecting a home and good substantial farm buildings. He was a prosperous man and was highly regarded by his fellow-citizens. He lived to a ripe old age, dying in his 82nd year. He married Helen Tompkins, who was born in New York State and was a young girl when her parents came west to Ohio. Her father conducted the first mercantile establishment in the town of Harlem, where he lived until the latter years of his life when he moved to the West. Mr. and Mrs. Cook became parents of six children, two sons and four daughters.
John J. Cook was reared on the old home place in Harlem Township and attended the public schools of the home district. Early in life he began farming and this has been his life work. When married he moved to his present farm of two hundred acres, made many improvements, and now has one of the most valuable farm properties in this section of the county. Energetic and of undoubted ability he has made a success of his work and takes rank among the substantial citizens of Harlem.
John J. Cook was married November 23, 1892, to Miss Millie Gorsuch, who was born in Harlem Township and is a daughter of David Gorsuch, who also was a native of that township. Her grandfather came here from the East early in the Nineteenth century. Four children were born of this union: Forrest J.; Harry Dean; Byron, deceased; and Eunice F. Our subject has been a life long Republican and has taken an earnest interest in the success of that party. Fraternally, he belongs to the Knights of Pythias.
20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Edited and compiled by James R. Lytle, Delaware, Ohio, Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908