JOHN W. COOK, SR., Crittenden County, was born in Pittsburgh, Penn., May 6, 1822, and is a son of J. W. and Salomi (Traxx) Cook. His father was born in Strasbourg, came to this country when twenty-three years of age, and settled down in Pennsylvania, where he married and resided until 1857. In that year he came to Kentucky, and here resided until his death in 1861. He was a member of the Lutheran Church; the mother died about 1867. Subject is the eldest of two children, both living: Lewis, in Weston, and John W. The latter remained at home until twenty-one years of age. He learned the trade of a cabinet-maker and followed it in Pittsburgh until 1849, when he came to Kentucky and settled at Bell's Mines, which were then just being opened. A stock company was formed, consisting of Mr. Cook and four other gentlemen from Pittsburgh, and Mr. Cook was made the general manager of the company at this point. He remained in this business until 1862, and then turned his attention to farming, first settling within three miles of his present farm. In 1863 he came to his present location, where he now owns about 200 acres, with about 120 acres in cultivation. He also pays some attention to stock raising and trading, handling about 100 head per year. Mr. Cook was married in November, 1847, to Miss Mary A. Wheatcroft, a native of Pittsburgh, and a daughter of of Samuel Wheatcroft. She died July, 1850. The result of this union was two children: J. W., Jr., and Mary A., wife of James Cooper. Mr. Cook's second marriage was to Miss Zarelda J. Clinton, daughter of Peter Clinton; she died in 1865. She was the mother of five children: W. L. (in Union County), James F., Alice (wife of James G. Gilbert), Peter E. and Joseph F. His third marriage was July 25, 1866, to Miss Ann Walker, daughter of Robert Walker. Two children have blessed the union: Ella M. and George R. Mr. Cook and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
Source: J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin, & G. C. Kniffin. Kentucky. A History of the State. Louisville, KY, Chicago, IL: Battey, 1885. Page 724.