According to family tradition, John Cook was born on a ship off of Northern Ireland. His father, Charles Cook, was a soldier in the Dragoons Guards who married Mary King of South Leith, daughter of John King, a porter, on Oct. 9, 1827 by Rev. James Kirkwood. So far, there has been no genealogical evidence found regarding John's birth.
According to family tradition, John Cook was in the honor guard for Edward, Prince of Wales. In the fall of 1860, Prince Edward, at the age of 19, became the first member of the British royal family to visit North America. His tour included Canada and the United States. During one of the tours through the city, a young Susannah Bish reached out to the young Prince; however, the ever-ready John Cook stopped her. Apparently, the couple became enamored with each other. John Cook finished his tour with the Prince and returned to England. However, he soon retired his position and returned to Canada to marry Susannah. John and Susannah were married July 13, 1863 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. According to the marriage record, John Cook of Niagara, age 25, born in Ireland to Charles Cook and Mary King, wed Susanah Bish of Toronto, age 21, born in Canada to William Bish and J. Bright. The ceremony was witnessed by Jacob Shafer of Toronto.
According to her death certificate, Jane Agnes Cook was born May 21, 1864 in Pennsylvania.
1870 Federal Census: John Cook household, Erie (Ward 1), Erie County, PA, Page 298B. John (32-Ireland), Susan (26-Canada), Jane (6-PA), Chas (3-Can), John (1-Can). All members of the household have foreign born parents. John works as a boiler maker, while Susan keeps house. Kids all stay home
David J. Cook was born August 1870 in Pennsylvania.
He was born Jan. 3, 1873, at Titusville, Crawford County, Pa.
Mary Margaret Cook was born March 1876 in Pennsylvania.
1880 Federal Census: John Cook household, Buffalo, Erie County, NY, ED 167, Page 215A. John (husband-42-M-Ire-Eng-Scot), Susan (wife-37-M-Can-Eng-Scot), Jane (Dtr-16-S-PA-Ire-Can), Charles (son-14-S-Can-Ire-Can), John (son-12-S-Can-Ire-Can), David J. (son-9-S-PA-Ire-Can), William (son-7-S-PA-Ire-Can), Mary (dtr-4-S-PA-Ire-Can). John is a boiler maker. Susan keeps house. Kids are all at home. Charles, John and David attended school this year.
Samuel Eddington married Mary Margaret Cook on June 3, 1895 in Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois. According to Samuel's grandson, Samuel George Eddington, Samuel was courting Mary Margaret's older sister, Jane. Apparently, Sam and Mary Margaret took an interest in one another. Sam ran off marrying Jane's younger sister. The marriage record was never returned to the courthouse however.
William A. Cook and Edith May Thomas were married April 25, 1900 in Grafton, Jersey County, Illinois.
1900 Federal Census: John Cook household, Springfield, Sangamon County, IL, ED 122, Page 231B. John (head-62-Jan 1838-M-Ire-Ire-Scot), Susan (wife-57-May 1843-M-Can-Eng-Eng), David J. (son-29-Aug 1870-S-PA-Ire-Can), Jennie A. (dtr-34-May 1866-S-PA-Ire-Can), William A. (son-27-Jan 1873-M-PA-Ire-Can), Edith M. (DIL-21-Mar 1879-M-IL-PA-IL). John and Susan have been married for 36 years. They came to America in 1865, about 35 years ago. John is a naturalized citizen. Susan has given birth to 7 children, 6 still living. William and Edith have been married 0 years and have 0 children. John, David and William are all working as boiler makers.
1910 Federal Census: John Cook household, Capital Township, Sangamon County, IL, ED 153, Page 225. John (head-72-M-Ire-Eng-Scot), Susanna (wife-66-M-Can-Eng-Scot), Jennie (dtr-45-S-Pa-Ire-Can). John and Susanna have been married 46 years. Susanna gave birth to 7 children, 6 living. John immigrated to US in 1871(?) and is a naturalized citizen.
1920 Federal Census: John Cook household, Capital Township, Sangamon County, IL, ED 172, Page 9A. John (Head-81-M-Ire-Scot-Scot), Susana (wife-75-M-Can-Eng-Scot), Jennie (dtr-55-S-PA-Ire-Can). The house at 2119 E. Capital Ave. is rented. John working as boiler maker. John immigrated in 1842? And naturalized in 1870. Susanna naturalized in 1894.
Susannah Bish Cook died September 22, 1926 at the age of 82 years, 4 months, 10 days. She had been treated by Dr. Hulbert(?) from June 15, 1926 until the time of her death for diseases associated with old-age, athma and chronic nephritis. She was buried September 24, 1926 at Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield, Sangamon County, IL in Block 38, Lot 153 N1/2, grave 3. The funeral was handled by Bisch & Son, Springfield, IL.
1930 Federal Census: John Cook Household, Springfield, Sangamon County, IL, ED 37, Page 7A. John (head-92-W-Ire-Eng-Scot), Jennie (dtr-65-S-PA-Ire-Can). John age at 1st marriage 25. Unable to read immigration info.
John Cook died Oct. 22, 1930 in Springfield, Sangamon County, IL. He had been treated from Oct. 2 until the time of his death for myo cardio (chronic) nephritis. He was buried Oct. 25, 1930 in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield, Sangamon County, IL, in block 38, lot 153 N1/2, grave 2, next to his wife. Bisch Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
1870 Federal Census: BOILER MAKER: A person who worked with metal in any industrial setting. Makes and repairs boilers, tanks, vats and other containers of sheet and plate steel. Selects metal, marks it according to specifications, and cuts using power shears or flame-cutting equipment. Drills and punches holes for rivets and bolts, and shapes parts in power-press. Bolts, rivets or welds prefabricated parts together, and caulks seams. Smoothes edges and fixes tubes, valves, taps and other fittings in position. Installs boilers or other sheet or plate steel containers.
According to http://www.victorianweb.org/history/census.html, the U.K. census returns listed the following number of people in the respective census: 1851 (0), 1861 (13,020) and 1871 (---).