He was born in 1841/42 (3 (19 in 1861), 5 (19 in 1861)). He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (5).
When he enlisted, he was a clerk (5).
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet tall, and had a light complexion, grey eyes, and light hair (5).
He was enlisted on 24 September 1861, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (3, 5). He was mustered into service on 24 September 1861, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Captain Smith (1, 3, 5). He was enlisted for three years, by Captain Casner (5). He was a private, in company K (9, 10, 11).
He was discharged on 1 April 1865 on surgeon's certificate of disability (1 [1 Apr 1865], 2, 3, 4). He was a private, in company K (9, 10, 11).
On 30 April 1865, he seems to have been reported absent sick (8).
He also served (perhaps after the war?) in "D Gen[eral] Serv[ice] USA" (6, 7).
On 28 September 1869, he applied successfully for a pension (6, 7).
1 Bates, Samuel Penniman. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, state printer, 1869-71. 5 volumes. 'Ninety-first regiment', volume 3, pages 186-233. (In the roster)
2 consolidated morning report, 9 June 1864 (Pri Cork [or Cook?])
3 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 25 November 2004 (William J Corke; rolls have 'Cooke')
4 company K, register of men discharged, #20 (William J Cooke)
5 company K, descriptive roll (William J Cooke)
6 pension index, by name (William J Cook)
7 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company K (William J Cook)
8 company K, monthly report, April 1865 (Wm O Conker [?] [uncertain ID])
9 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (William Cook)
10 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (William J Cooke)
11 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (William Cooke)