This is NOT my COOK line; posted FYI; please do not contact me for further information! Thanks! From: Comp. of Hist. & Biog. of Kalamazoo Co., MI; by D. Fisher & F. Little, ed.; pub. by A. W. Bowen & Co., Publishers, Engravers & Book Mfrs., Chicago (no date available), p. 505-6: Omar G. Cook This pioneer business man of Fulton, this county, is a native of Antwerp, Jefferson Co., NY, where he was born 1/6/1834. His parents, Benjamin & Lucinda (Foster) Cook, were also natives of the state of NY, where they died. The father was a farmer, millwright & surveyor. He was a soldier in the War of 1812 and during that short contest was on board a sloop of war and saw active service on the great lakes, afterward becoming a captain of a rifle company in NY state. He taught the first school in Jefferson Co., that state, and was in many ways a useful and influential citizen. the family comprised 6 sons and 2 daughters. Four of the sons and 1 of the daughters are living. Their grandfather, Miles Cook, was a native of NY and served 3 years as a drummer boy in a regiment of volunteers from his native state. He died in Jefferson Co., NY. Omar G. Cook grew to manhood and secured his education in his native county, and taught school there 6 terms. He also farmed, worked a! t his trade as a carpentry and engaged in saw milling. In the fall of 1863 he came to MI and bought 40 acres of land in Climax township, this bounty, which he improved, cultivated and lived on 6 years. In 1871 he sold his land and moved to the village of Fulton, where he bought a small grocery store, afterward adding drugs to his stock. he carried on this store until 1883, when it was destroyed by fire and in that disaster he lost all he had. He was not dismayed, however, but immediately began the erection of a brick business block and as soon as it was completed, he opened the business again. Sometime afterward he disposed of his groceries and substituted hardware in their place, also letting his son have the drug trade. He continued in business until 1900, and since then he has lived retired from active pursuits. In 1857 he was married in Jefferson Co., NY to Miss Maria Churchill, a native of Ontario, Canada, and the daughter of John & Anna Hewitt Churchill, the form! er born in NH and the latter in VT. Mr. & Mrs. Cook had 2 children, their sons Dell W. and Don J. The former is now conducting a drug business in Fulton. He married Miss Julia Mosgrove, of Wakeshma township, and has 1 child, his daughter Maud. Daniel J. is also a resident of Fulton. He married Miss Jessie Hampton. They have 3 sons and 1 daughter. Mrs. Cook died in 1902. Mr. Cook is a Republican and has served 3 terms as township clerk, and also as township treasurer. Fraternally he is a Freemason of long standing. He is the oldest business man now living at Fulton, and is everywhere highly respected. End of document. Hope this helps someone. Be well & God bless, Kate Beaugrand Cook Minnesota [email protected] or [email protected]