Biography - R Cook
R. W. H. COOK. In a comprehensive work of this kind, dealing with industrial pursuits, sciences, arts and professions, it is only lit and right that the medical profession should be noticed. Dr. W. H. Cook, whose skill in the healing art is well known, not only throughout East Fork Township, but also throughout Montgomery County, was born in Shelby County, Ky., on the 27th of March, 1834, and his father, Fielding B. Cook, was also a native of that county, but came of a prominent Virginia family. The grandfather, James Cook, was born near Richmond, Va. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Meekee Rosebery, was born in Shelby County, Ky., where she passed her entire life. Her father, Charles Rosebery, was born in Berkeley County, Va., and was a son of Hugh Rosebery, a Highland Scotchman, who was in the Revolutionary War and who lived to be one hundred and fifteen years old. All were long-lived people on the mother's side. Our subject's grandmother on his mother's side, Nancy Thurston, was a native of Virginia, but was brought to Kentucky when twelve years of age. Her father, Ezekiel Thurston, was also a native of the Old Dominion.
The parents of our subject were married in Shelby County, Ky., in 1832, and afterward located on a farm in the same place. There Mrs. Cook died in 1836, when our subject was two years old. Two children were born of this union, but the younger died. The father's second marriage was to Miss Susan McDonald, who bore him six children, five sons and one daughter. Our subject, the only child living of the first marriage, received his early schooling in the subscription schools of his native county, and was thirteen years of age when his father died. He remained with his stepmother until eighteen years of age, and after reaching his nineteenth year came to Putnam County, Ind., where he taught school and clerked in a store for some time.
In 1856, he commenced the, study of medicine with Dr. R. B. Denny, of Fillmore, Ind., and continued with him for about two years. During that time he ran a drug store, and in the spring of 1861 lie located in Montgomery County, Ill., where he now resides.' In 1867 he graduated from the St. Louis Medical College, and since then has been actively engaged in practicing his profession here. He has gained a wide reputation for what he has accomplished, especially in difficult cases, as he has carried through to success some cases which are considered almost miraculous. The Doctor is a member of the Montgomery County Medical Society, the District Medical Society of Central Illinois, and the Illinois State Medical Society. He is a member of Lodge No. 51, A. F. & A. M., of Hillsboro, and has been a member of the order since the year 1856. He is a stanch supporter of Democratic principles, was twice County Coroner, and once Supervisor of East Fork Township.
His marriage with Miss Elizabeth F. Robinson, a native of Putnam County, Ind. occurred in 1856, and four children were given them. One died in infancy, and the other three are: Charles E., a native of Fillmore, Ind., now a prominent lawyer of Greenville, Bond County, Ill.; Ella J., wife of Joseph J. Wright, of Montgomery County, Ill.; and Melville T., a student of De Pauw University, at DePauw, Ind.
Extracted 10 Jan 2017 by Norma Hass from 1892 Portrait and Biographical Record of Montgomery and Bond Counties, Illinois, pages 272-275.
