This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: COOK, PIERSON, WHITMORE, CRONK, SLAGHT Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/iRB.2ACE/2773 Message Board Post: Hello, These are not my relatives, but I thought someone might like to have the history for their records. It came from the: "1892 Portrait & Biographical Album of Genesee, Lapeer & Tuscola Counties, Chapman Bros", in Michigan. Hope it helps someone. Colleen JOSEPH P. COOK, of the firm of Cook & Pierson, proprietors of the Grand Blanc Flouring Mills, resides in the village of Grand Blanc and is an old settler in the county. He is a native of Livingston County, N. Y., and was there born October 9, 1828. He is a son of Gordon G. and Wealthy (Pierson) Cook. The former was a native of Connecticut and the latter of New York State. On the paternal side our subject’s ancestors are traced back to the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock and it is said that his maternal ancestors were also English. In 1836 our subject with his parents emigrated to Genesee County, this State, coming by team from Avon, N. Y., to the place where they located. They stopped on their way hither wherever night overtook them. The family settled in Grand Blanc Township on section 20, and were among the earliest settlers of this locality, their home being made in the dense woods. His father purchased three eighty-acre tracts of land from the Government and remained in the township until his death, which occurred when he was fifty-nine years of age; his wife survived him until 1884, when she too died. Gordon and Wealthy Cook were the parents of four children who are named as follows: Joseph P., Sarah M., now the widow of the Rev. O. Whitmore, Henry H. and Ellen A., wife of A. J. Cronk. The father of our subject for years previous to his decease had served as Highway Commissioner of Grand Blanc Township and was one of the representative men of the county. Our subject was reared to manhood amid scenes of pioneer life and has accomplished his share of preparing this beautiful land for the present generation. The first team that he used in breaking the land were oxen. He received his education in the district school of Grand Blanc Township, but his mental growth only began in that institution, for he has since attained manhood’s stature in intellect. He is an intelligent and well-read gentleman whose opinions in regard to the issues of the day are characterized by depth and balance of thought. Mr. Cook was married October 20, 1852, to Miss Julia H. Slaght, sister of Dr. Andrew Slaght, of Grand Blanc. By this union seven children have been born, four of whom are still living and whose names are John G., Edwin H., George W. and Willis G. George W. is now engaged as a teacher in the State school for the death and dumb at Flint; Willis G. is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Principal of the High School at Flint. For years our subject resided on his farm on section 20, but in 1887 removed to Grand Blanc which has since been the place of his residence. In 1886 he formed a partnership with George B. Pierson in the milling business, which has continued up to the present time, he of whom we write being senior partner. He owns a good farm of one hundred and forty-four acres of land, which is well improved and a one-half interest in the milling property. Mr. Cook is a Republican in politics and has served as Justice of the Peace and Highway Commissioner. He has also been one of the Drainage Commissioners of the Township. In his church relations he is a Congregationalist. Our subject has been successful in life and is now among the leading and representative business men of Grand Blanc.