Cook, La Fayette



Mabel and Alma Irene Cook, daughters of Elliott Utley Cook (1849-1943) and Caroline Amelia Burgess Cook (1852-1933)
Mabel Cook married Jay Rhodes
Alma married Frank Joseph Biehn
(Source:  Photo and caption courtesy of Carolyn Biehn Caflisch)



Cook Family
Couple on the left:  Elliott Utley Cook and his wife Caroline Burgess.
The others are not identified.
These are postal card photos.
(Source:  Photo and caption courtesy of Carolyn Biehn Caflisch)



Caroline Burgess Cook and Elliott Utley Cook
(Source:  Photo and caption courtesy of Carolyn Biehn Caflisch)
 

Hattie C. Cook Wallace, daughter of Elliott Utley Cook and Harriet Clemons
Hattie C. Cook Wallace born 1872
(Source:  Photo and caption courtesy of Carolyn Biehn Caflisch)
 

LaFayette Cook
Oakwood Cemetery, Somers Township, Kenosha County
(Source of Photo: Larry & Linda Kopet, UWGenWebArchivesProjectWisconsin)

Bertha Cook, daughter of Elijah and Elvira Cook
Oakwood Cemetery, Somers Township, Kenosha County
(Source of Photo: Larry & Linda Kopet, UWGenWebArchivesProjectWisconsin)

Carrie and Elliott Cook
Oakwood Cemetery, Somers Township, Kenosha County
(Source of Photo: Larry & Linda Kopet, UWGenWebArchivesProjectWisconsin)

Elijah Cook
Oakwood Cemetery, Somers Township, Kenosha County
(Source of Photo: Larry & Linda Kopet, UWGenWebArchivesProjectWisconsin)

Elvira Cook, wife of Elijah Cook
Oakwood Cemetery, Somers Township, Kenosha County
(Source of Photo: Larry & Linda Kopet, UWGenWebArchivesProjectWisconsin)

Marcia Cook, daughter of Elijah and Elvira Cook
Oakwood Cemetery, Somers Township, Kenosha County
(Source of Photo: Larry & Linda Kopet, UWGenWebArchivesProjectWisconsin)

Emeretia Cook
Oakwood Cemetery, Somers Township, Kenosha County
(Source of Photo: Larry & Linda Kopet, UWGenWebArchivesProjectWisconsin)

Fritz W. Cook
Oakwood Cemetery, Somers Township, Kenosha County
(Source of Photo: Larry & Linda Kopet, UWGenWebArchivesProjectWisconsin)

La Fayette Cook

"La Fayette Cook, who is engaged in general merchandising at Somers Station, Kenosha County, is one of the honored pioneers and representative citizens of that community.  A native of New York, he was born in Jefferson County, March 29, 1838.  His father, Elijah Cook, was also a native of New York, born in 1802, and his paternal grandfather was likewise born in the Empire State.  The latter also served as a soldier in the War of 1812.  He was a New York farmer and in the State of nativity grew to manhood.
Elijah Cook spent the days of his childhood under the parental roof and when he had attained to mature years wedded Elvira Utley, who was also a native of New York, and a daughter of Alva Utley, a substantial farmer of Jefferson County.  After his marriage Mr. Cook engaged in agricultural pursuits in that county for a number of years and in 1846 emigrated Westward, by way of the Erie Canal to Buffalo and thence by way of the Great Lakes to Milwaukee, where with his family he arrived on the 24th of May, in the midst of a big snow storm.  Although so late in the season snow fell to the depth of six inches.  With a sleigh Mr. Cook removed his family to Racine, and thence by wagon to Kenosha, where he began life in the West by cutting cord-wood.  The following year he rented a farm and as many hardships and trials were to be borne in those pioneer days it was some time before he could purchased land.  After several years, however, he had accumulated some earnings and bought a tract of eighty acres in the Town of Somers, which he improved and developed, making there a good home for his family.  It also continued to be his place of abode until his death, which occurred in 1886.  His wife survived him only about six weeks.  They were highly respected people and many friends mourned their loss.
Our subject is the second in order of birth in their family of three sons and two daughters.  The eldest, Martin V.B., grew to manhood and was married in this county, where he engaged in farming for a number of years.  He served for three years as a soldier during the late war and afterward removed to Racine, where he resided until his death.  Elliott N. is a resident farmer of the Town of Somers.  Marcia died at the age of eighteen, and Martha died when twenty-two years of age.
The first eight years of his life La Fayette Cook spent in his native State and then came with his parents to Kenosha County.  With its interests he has since been identified.  Among the wild scenes of pioneer life he was reared to manhood and his educational advantages were those afforded by the common schools of the neighborhood.  On the 1st of January, 1868, in Mt. Pleasant Township, Racine County, he led to the marriage altar Miss Emeretia Burgess, who was born in that county and is a daughter of Alonzo Burgess, one of the honored pioneers of Southeastern Wisconsin.  Their marriage was celebrated by the boys in the neighborhood with an old-fashioned charivari, a custom much in vogue at that day.  The young couple began their domestic life on the old homestead and the farm was occupied by our subject for a number of years.
In 1875, Mr. Cook removed to Somers Station and erected the first building of any kind in the now thrifty village.  A station had been located there but no depot built.  He built a small storeroom and a residence and became the first merchant of the place.  His stock was limited when he first embarked in the enterprise but his trade increased and in consequence his facilities were enlarged.  He also made an addition to the building and carried on the business successfully for thirteen years, when he sold out his stock and rented his buildings, removing to Palmyra, Wisconsin in order that his children might have better educational advantages.  While residing in that place he carried on the ice business for two years.  In 1890, he returned to Somers Station and is again engaged in general merchandising, having a good trade.
Mr. Cook also handles farm and dairy produce and grain and does quite a shipping business.  He was appointed Postmaster under President Cleveland's administration and served in that capacity for four years, proving an efficient officer.
To Mr. and Mrs. Cook have been born four daughters:  Gertie, a school teacher of recognized ability; Carrie, who is also well educated and teaches instrumental music; Alice likewise engaged in school teaching; and Lula, now attending school.  The mother and daughters are members of the Methodist Church.  While Mr. Cook is not a member he gives liberally of his means to the support of the church and to charitable and benevolent interests.  he is a friend to all social, moral and educational interest and the poor and needy never go empty handed from his door.
During the years 1863 and 1864, Mr. Cook was a Government employee in the Quartermaster's Department and was buying and shipping horses.  During this time he travelled over eleven of the Southern states.  Almost his entire life has been passed in Kenosha County, and he is now one of the well-known citizens who have the confidence and respect of all with whom he comes in contact."
(Source:  Portrait and Biographical Album of Racine and Kenosha Counties, Lake City Publishing Co., 1892, Chicago)

Cook Obituary
"La Fayette H. Cook died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Charles A. Bullamore of Kenosha on Monday afternoon, September 7, 1914.  he was united in marriage to Emeretta Burgess.  Four daughters:  Mrs. Maurice L. Lieberof of Winnetka, Ill., Mrs. Charles F. Miller, Mrs. L.R. Fink, and Mrs. Charles H. Bullamore of Kenosha survive.  Also, one brother, Elliott Cook of Somers."
(Source:  Racine Journal Sept 14, 1914)