Gary: There is lots of information on people with the last name of COOK and COOKE in "The Past and Present of Rock Island, Illinois, 1877", you should really try to get a copy of the book through inter-library loan. Page 218: History of Rural Township "Rural was set off from Coal Valley Township and organized in 1871.... The first religious organization in the township was in the year 1852 ... this organization was called Homestead United Presbyterian; full membership was fifteen at organization, May 6th. ..... In the year 1858, the Associate and Associate Reformed Churches having united, Homestead Church came within the bounds of the United Presbytery of Monmoouth. In this year Rev. A.A. Rogers was released. In 1859 Rev. William Cook was ordained and installed. Mr. Cook was released in the year 1870. ...." Page 440 Biographical Directory of Hampton Township "Cook, Wm. Farmer and Stock-raiser; Sec. 22; P.O. Happy Hollow; born in Toulon County, Conn., June 18, 1813; left there in 1824, and went to Wayne County, Ill., and came to this County in 1835, and is among the very oldest settlers; has been married twice; first wife was Malivy Turner, born in Kentucky, June 17, 1814; married in 1833; she died March 9, 1872; has four children living, one son and three daughters; lost one son and two daughters; married again, to Mary A. Fast, April 9, 1876; born Dec. 5, 1828; has 350 acres, value $17,500; Democrat." Page 441 "Cox Williamson, Farmer; Sec. 21; P.O. Happy Hollow; born in this town, May 14, 1839; Republican; Protestant; owns 80 acres land, val. $4,000; son of Joseph B. and Ann Cox; volunteered in Co. D, 9th Illinois Volunteer Calvary, under Col. Hatch; married Mabel M. daughter of Wm. and Livy Cook, of this town, April 15, 1860; she was born Jan. 15, 1840; have two children living; Frank, born March 28, 1863, died Nov. 3, 1865; Wm. L. and Raymond." The above should give "some food for thought." Audrey Cox Vogelpohl Seattle, Washington Gary E Cooke wrote: > Hello Audrey, > > I wonder if I might be able to get you to take a look at you book for a minister of Presbitarian faith in Coal Valley Illinois between 1870 and 1895 by the name of William COOK. His wife's name was Mary and he had three children; Zachariah, Abraham, and Miriam. ANYTHING you can find about him would be fantastic! Thanks in advance... > > Gary Cooke E-mail: gcooke@mwonline.net