John Brisco Cook1,2,3

Family Chart
ID# 1206, (1846 - 1938)
FatherWilliam Cook4,5,6 (27 Apr 1815 - 27 Sep 1872)
MotherSophia Maria Cobb4,6 (3 Feb 1823 - 3 Aug 1859)

Key Events:

Birth: 17 Dec 1846, Columbus, Kentucky7,8,9
Marriage: 31 Oct 1871, Boyle Co., Kentucky, Martha Jane McJames (about 1851 - between 1885 and 1888)10,11
Marriage: 24 Oct 1888, Hickman Co., Kentucky, Cornelia Brummal (about 1867 - before 1900)12,13
Marriage: 15 Dec 1902, Kaufman Co., Texas, Adelia Creekmore (3 May 1861 - 6 Aug 1914)14,15
Death: 11 Aug 1938, 813 East Palestine, Mexia, Limestone Co., Texas16,17,18
Burial: 12 Aug 1938, Elmwood Cemetery, Wagoner, Wagoner Co., Oklahoma19,20
ChartsDescendants of Gideon Cobb
AncestryThe Cobbs of Pawlet, Vermont

Copyright Notice

Narrative:

     John Brisco Cook was born on 17 Dec 1846 in Columbus, Kentucky.7,8,9
     He appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Hickman Co., Kentucky, in the household of his parents, William Cook and Sophia Maria Cobb.21,22
     His mother died on 3 Aug 1859, when John was 12 years old.23,24,25
     John appeared with his father on the 1860 Federal Census of Columbus, Hickman Co., Kentucky, in the household of Elizabeth Rose, his paternal grandmother.26,27

Eager to Join the Confederate Army --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     John ran away from home to join the Conferate army in May 1863, at age 16, but was sent home because of his youth.3
     He was successful a year later, enlisting 1 Apr 1864 in Clinton, Kentucky, as a private in Co. B, 7th Kentucky Mounted Infantry.28,29 The 7th Kentucky had been organized at Camp Burnett, about two miles west of Clinton, Hickman Co., Kentucky, in Sep 1861. By the time John enlisted they had experienced a number of engagements.30
     In early July Federal forces advanced, reaching Harrisburg, Mississippi, 13 Jul 1864. The next day Confederate forces formed a line to make an attack. The Kentucky Brigade, composed of the 3rd, 7th, 8th, and 12th Regiments, were at the center of that line. Capt. J. T. Cochran, commanding the 7th Regiment, reported that when the enemy was discovered "the ardor of the men was such that they could not be restrained; they raised a yell and charged them." The Brigade lost 45 percent of their number in that battle. It is not clear John was with his unit in this battle. He is recorded in only two company muster rolls, Mar-Apr and May-Jun 1864, in both shown as absent, on leave. No further record of him being associated with the company have been found.31,32
     He was transferred to Gen. Nathan Forrest's Cavalry Corps and detailed as a courier, but just when is unclear.33 He was a courier when Federal forces attacked Confederate forces under Gen. Hylan B. Lyon, including the 7th Kentucky Regiment at Red Hill, Alabama, on 14 Jan 1865. The Regiment was routed, and fell back to Tuscaloosa. John was sent back to Paris, Tennessee, and joined Buckner's Company to go back across the Tennesse and Cumberland Rivers. The unit was scattered by an attack by Union cavalry, and he was separated from them.34,35
     Before he could re-join them the war was over, and a proclamation directed Confederate soldiers to come to be paroled. He went to Paducah, Kentucky, and was paroled there 17 May 1865.36

Returning to Civilian Life --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     John appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Columbus, Hickman Co., Kentucky, enumerated 13 Jun 1870, in the household of Caroline Dodd, a Black woman, and her three children. He appears to have been a boarder.37
     He was a grocer in 1870, and a sawmill man by 1880.38,39
     John married first Martha Jane McJames, daughter of Joseph McJames and Margaret Wood, on 31 Oct 1871 in Boyle Co., Kentucky.10,11
     John and Martha appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Columbus, Hickman Co., Kentucky, enumerated 26 Jun 1880. Their children Margaret and Ernest were listed as living with them.40
     His wife apparently died between 1885 and 1888, as she had a daughter born about 1882, and he husband remarried in 1888, but no record of her death has been found.41,42
     John married second Cornelia Brummal, daughter of John M. Brummal and Sarah Wakefield Davy, on 24 Oct 1888, at the Methodist Episcopal Church, Hickman Co., Kentucky, with W. O. Lamar offciating.12,13

Moving To the Western Frontier --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     John moved to Oklahoma Territory in Apr 1889, when the Territory was opened to non-Indian settlers for the first time. Cornelia and two of his children followed shortly afterward.43
     John and Cornelia appeared on the 1890 State Census East Guthrie, Logan Co., Oklahoma Territory, enumerated 7 Jun 1890. Their son Vernon and his children by his prior marriage, Margaret, Ernest and Anna, were listed as living with them, as was her brother, John Brummal.44
     John returned to Columbia shortly after that, where he was living as late as Jan 1894. Whether Cornelia returned there with him, or had died before that, is unknown.45 It seems clear she had died before 1900.46
     John moved to Wagoner, Indian Territory, on 14 Jul 1894.34 He was the bookkeeper and manager of the Muscogee Roller Mill Company's mill there until 13 Nov 1895, when he moved his family to Claremore, Indian Territory, to assume the same position in the company's mill there.47,48
     John had returned to Wagoner by 1900, where he was manager of the Wagoner Roller Mills. His son Ernest was also in the mill business there in 1900, presumably in the same mill. John had become owner of the mill, which was described as one of the largest in the southwest, by 1910.49,50,51,52
     John appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Wagoner, Creek Nation Co., Indian Territory, on Cassiver Place, enumerated 27 Jun 1900, reporting he rented his home. His children Ernest, Anna and Jensie were listed as living with him, as was Jillia McFarland, a 25-year-old divorcee, who as listed as a boarder.53
     John married third Adelia Creekmore, daughter of Alduston Creekmore and Adaline E. Miller, on 15 Dec 1902 in Kaufman Co., Texas, with Rev. C. A. Dickey offciating.14,15
     John and Adelia appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Wagoner, Wagoner Co., Oklahoma, enumerated 21 Apr 1910, reporting they owned their home, free of mortgage. Their daughter Ruth was listed as living with them.54

Becoming Active In Politics --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     John began his political career in Wagoner on 3 Apr 1900, when he was elected Councilman.55
     He was elected mayor of Wagoner 4 Apr 1911, becoming the first mayor after the city adopted a new charter to operate under the "commission form" of city government, with a mayor and two commissioners managing the city.56
     In Feb 1912 recall petitions were circulated charging John and the two commissioners who made up his administration with mismanaging the affairs of the city, appointing unsuitable persons to various positions, and letting contracts improperly. An election was held 2 Apr 1912, with the recall failing and all three officials retained in office.57 He did not run for reelection when his three-year term was completed. He did run again in 1920, but was defeated in the Democratic primary.58
     His third wife died on 6 Aug 1914.59
     He sold the Wagoner Roller Mill in May 1917, and retired.60,61,62
     John appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Wagoner, Wagoner Co., Oklahoma, on South Third St., enumerated 3 Jan 1920, reporting he owned his home. His children Anna and Ruth were listed as living with him.63

A Civil War Pension --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     John applied for an Oklahoma indigent pension based on his Civil War service 30 Jun 1926, stating that his only income was rent of his farm, which paid little more than his taxes, and he was unable to work other than around the house.3 The application asked for affidavits from two comrades to verify his service. John and his attorney were concerned that only one living comrade could be found, but submitted a 1914 letter from another who had since died, which together with confirmation of his service from the War Department proved sufficent.64
     The issue of the valuation of his property proved more troublesome. The commissioner found his initial statement inadequate, and requested more detail. John's response was delayed because he was in Muskogee where his daughter Anna was in the hospital. On 2 Mar 1927 the county assessor issued a statement that his only property was assessed at $1,200, while John stated he had a mortgage on it of $2,000.65 His pension was finally approved 4 Mar 1927, effective from the date of his application.66
     His daughter Anna had kept house for her father after the death of her step-mother in 1914. After Anna's death 16 Dec 1926, John began making extended visits to his surviving daughters. His youngest daughter, newly married Ruth and her husband, lived in Claremore, Oklahoma, for a few years, then moved to Kansas.67,68,69,70 His eldest daughter and her family lived in Muskogee, Oklahoma.71 His third daughter, Jensie, and her husband, lived in Mexia, Texas.72
     By the fall of 1931 the pension office was expressing concern about whether John was living in Oklahoma, which was a requirement to receive the state pension. Under state law, to be considered a resident one had to live continuously in the state for at least six months each year.73
     John moved to Mexia permanently to live with his daughter Jensie in 1933. His pension was dropped by the state in Jan 1934.74,75,76
     His daughter Margaret asked the pension office to reconsider in Aug 1938. The pension office responded that a new administration was in office, and it had reinstated his pension, at $81 per quarter. It said he must live in the state of Oklahoma unless he had an affidavit from a doctor showing a valid excuse. A doctor issued an affidavit on 7 Aug that he was unable to travel from Texas.77
     John died on 11 Aug 1938, at the home of his daughter Jensie and her husband, 813 East Palestine, Mexia, Limestone Co., Texas, at age 91.16,17,18 He was buried on 12 Aug 1938 in Elmwood Cemetery, Wagoner, Wagoner Co., Oklahoma.19,20

Children:
     Children with Martha Jane McJames:

  • Margaret Ella Cook78,40,44 (2 Jan 1875 - 7 Mar 1965)
  • Joseph J. Cook79 (abt 29 Mar 1877 - 27 Jan 1878)
  • Ernest Robert Cook80,40,44 (25 Oct 1878 - 11 Feb 1917)
  • Anna Mae Cook44,53,81 (17 Sep 1881 - 16 Dec 1926)
  • Jensie Cook53 (25 Dec 1884 - 20 Mar 1969)

Children:
     Child with Cornelia Brummal:

  • Vernon L. Cook44 (abt Jan 1890 - bef 1900)

Children:
     Child with Adelia Creekmore:

  • Ruth Cook54,63 (26 Jul 1904 - 28 Apr 1959)

Citations

  1. [S854] William Cook household, 1850 U.S. Census, Hickman Co., Kentucky, shows name as John Cook.
  2. [S12021] Caroline Dodd household, 1870 U.S. Census, Hickman Co., Kentucky, shows name as John B. Cook.
  3. [S12040] John Brisco Cook, A6384, Confederate Pension Records, application, 30 Jun 1926.
  4. [S854] William Cook household, 1850 U.S. Census, Hickman Co., Kentucky, shows them living apparently as parent and child.
  5. [S856] Elizabeth Cook household, 1860 U.S. Census, Hickman Co., Kentucky, shows them living apparently as parent and child, in the grandmother's household.
  6. [S12030] John B. Cook, Standard Certificate of Death.
  7. [S854] William Cook household, 1850 U.S. Census, Hickman Co., Kentucky, shows age 3 and state.
  8. [S12027] John C. Cook household, 1900 U.S. Census, Creek Nation Co., Indian Territory, shows month, year, as 1842, age 58, and state.
  9. [S12040] John Brisco Cook, A6384, Confederate Pension Records, application, 30 Jun 1926, shows date, city, and state.
  10. [S8894] Marriage Bonds, Boyle Co., Kentucky, 6:196, John B. Cook and Martha J. James, shows license date, city, county, and state.
  11. [S12025] John B. Cook household, 1880 U.S. Census, Hickman Co., Kentucky, shows married.
  12. [S12022] Marriage Register, Hickman Co., Kentucky, D:194, Jno. B. Cook and Nena Brummal, shows date, church, county, state, and officiant.
  13. [S12026] John B. Cook household, 1890 Oklahoma Territory State Census, Logan Co., Oklahoma Territory, East Guthrie, shows married.
  14. [S12034] Marriage Record, Kaufman Co., Texas, 8:458, no. 2195, John B. Cook and Miss Della Creekmore, shows date and offciant.
  15. [S12028] John B. Cook household, 1910 U.S. Census, Wagoner Co., Oklahoma, shows married 8 years.
  16. [S12030] John B. Cook, Standard Certificate of Death, shows date, address, city, county, and state.
  17. [S12054] "Death of Former Mayor John B. Cook Recalls Early Day Political History of Wagoner City," The Record-Democrat, 18 Aug 1938, shows died last Wednesday, city and state, at home of daughter.
  18. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, memorial # 35607144, Capt John B. Cook, shows date and includes tombstone photo showing same.
  19. [S12054] "Death of Former Mayor John B. Cook Recalls Early Day Political History of Wagoner City," The Record-Democrat, 18 Aug 1938, shows buried last Friday, and cemetery.
  20. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, memorial # 35607144, Capt John B. Cook, includes tombstone photo.
  21. [S854] William Cook household, 1850 U.S. Census, Hickman Co., Kentucky.
  22. [S855] William Cook, owner, 1850 U.S. Census, Hickman Co., Kentucky, slave schedule.
  23. [S1289] Register of Deaths, Commonwealth of Kentucky, Hickman Co., 1859, pg 239, S. M. Cook, shows date, and county.
  24. [S12019] S. M. Cook entry, 1860 U.S. Census, mortality schedule, Hickman Co., Kentucky, shows month and cause of death.
  25. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, memorial # 105812692, Sophia M Cobb Cook, shows date and includes tombstone photo showing same.
  26. [S856] Elizabeth Cook household, 1860 U.S. Census, Hickman Co., Kentucky.
  27. [S857] Elisabeth Cook, owner, 1860 U.S. Census, Hickman Co., Kentucky, slave schedule, also William Cook, owner, line 35 left, and R. E. Cook, owner, line 36-38 left.
  28. [S12038] John Cook, Compiled Service Records, Confederate, Kentucky, folder, shows rank, company and unit, as 7 Kentucky Mtd. Inf.; muster roll card Mar and Apr 1864, shows rank, date, city, state, company, and unit, a 7 Reg't Kentucky Cavalry.
  29. [S12040] John Brisco Cook, A6384, Confederate Pension Records, application, 30 Jun 1926, shows date, as May 1864, city, state, cavalry, and unit as Co. E 7th Kentucky regiment; affidavit of Christian D. Brenner, shows same unit.
  30. [S12039] George, History of the 3d, 7th, 8th and 12th Kentucky C.S.A, pg 27, shows organization of 7th.
  31. [S12039] George, History of the 3d, 7th, 8th and 12th Kentucky C.S.A, pp 98-99.
  32. [S12038] John Cook, Compiled Service Records, Confederate, Kentucky, muster roll cards Mar and Apr 1864 and May and Jun 1864.
  33. [S12040] John Brisco Cook, A6384, Confederate Pension Records, application, 30 Jun 1926, shows transferred, and detailed as courier.
  34. [S12040] John Brisco Cook, A6384, Confederate Pension Records, letter Jno B. Cook to State Bureau of Pension, 2 Nov 1926.
  35. [S1265] Wikipedia, online, article "Red Hill, Alabama," viewed Nov 2022.
  36. [S12040] John Brisco Cook, A6384, Confederate Pension Records, application, 30 Jun 1926, shows date, city, and state; letter Jno B. Cook to State Bureau of Pension, 2 Nov 1926, shows story of parole.
  37. [S12021] Caroline Dodd household, 1870 U.S. Census, Hickman Co., Kentucky.
  38. [S12021] Caroline Dodd household, 1870 U.S. Census, Hickman Co., Kentucky, shows occupation as grocer (unclear on image).
  39. [S12025] John B. Cook household, 1880 U.S. Census, Hickman Co., Kentucky, shows occupation as saw mill man.
  40. [S12025] John B. Cook household, 1880 U.S. Census, Hickman Co., Kentucky.
  41. [S12027] John C. Cook household, 1900 U.S. Census, Creek Nation Co., Indian Territory, shows her apparent daughter as born Feb 1885.
  42. [S12022] Marriage Register, Hickman Co., Kentucky, D:194, Jno. B. Cook and Nena Brummal, shows he re-married 24 Oct 1888.
  43. [S12026] John B. Cook household, 1890 Oklahoma Territory State Census, Logan Co., Oklahoma Territory, East Guthrie, shows John had been in the territory 13 months, and she and the children 12 months.
  44. [S12026] John B. Cook household, 1890 Oklahoma Territory State Census, Logan Co., Oklahoma Territory, East Guthrie.
  45. [S12043] "Purely Personal," Muskogee Phoenix, 4 Jan 1894, shows Mr. J. B. Cook, of Columbus, Kentucky, was there to visit his daugher Maggie.
  46. [S12027] John C. Cook household, 1900 U.S. Census, Creek Nation Co., Indian Territory, shows her husband as widowed.
  47. [S12044] Local item, Claremore Progress, 16 Nov 1895, crediting the Wagoner Sayings.
  48. [S12045] Local item, The Record-Democrat, 15 Nov 1895.
  49. [S12027] John C. Cook household, 1900 U.S. Census, Creek Nation Co., Indian Territory, shows occupation of each as grist mill manager.
  50. [S12046] "Local and General," The Record-Democrat, 27 Dec 1900, shows name of mill.
  51. [S12048] "Out-of-the-Way Wagoner," Wagoner Weekly Sayings, 3 Feb 1910, shows him as owner.
  52. [S12028] John B. Cook household, 1910 U.S. Census, Wagoner Co., Oklahoma, shows occupation as manager and industry as flour mill.
  53. [S12027] John C. Cook household, 1900 U.S. Census, Creek Nation Co., Indian Territory.
  54. [S12028] John B. Cook household, 1910 U.S. Census, Wagoner Co., Oklahoma.
  55. [S12047] "Democratic Ticket Elected," The Record-Democrat, 5 Apr 1900.
  56. [S12049] "Sweeping Democrat Vistory," Wagoner County Courier, 6 Apr 1911.
  57. [S12054] "Death of Former Mayor John B. Cook Recalls Early Day Political History of Wagoner City," The Record-Democrat, 18 Aug 1938.
  58. [S12051] "Can Not Believe It," The Wagoner Democrat, 25 Mar 1920.
  59. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, memorial # 35607119, Adelia Creekmore Cook, shows date and includes tombstone photo showing same.
  60. [S12050] "Capt. Cook Sells Mill," Wagoner County Record, 31 May 1917.
  61. [S12029] John B. Cook household, 1920 U.S. Census, Wagoner Co., Oklahoma, shows occupation as retired and industry as farmer.
  62. [S12030] John B. Cook, Standard Certificate of Death, shows retired, industry as flour mill.
  63. [S12029] John B. Cook household, 1920 U.S. Census, Wagoner Co., Oklahoma.
  64. [S12040] John Brisco Cook, A6384, Confederate Pension Records, letter Joe H. Ford to Commissioner of Pensions, 30 Jun 1926.
  65. [S12040] John Brisco Cook, A6384, Confederate Pension Records, letter Commissioner to John Briscoe Cook, 23 Jul 1926, letter John B. Cook to Department of State Pensions, 20 Nov 1926; and memorandum of County Assessor, 2 Mar 1926.
  66. [S12040] John Brisco Cook, A6384, Confederate Pension Records, application, 30 Jun 1926, reverse; and letter Commissioner to John Briscoe Cook, 7 Mar 1927.
  67. [S12031] Anna C Hamer obituary, The Record-Democrat, shows died this morning.
  68. [S12052] Anna Mae Cook obituary, The Wagoner Tribune, shows she had kept house for him since death of her step-mother.
  69. [S12053] Local item, The Wagoner Tribune, 21 Mar 1929, shows he was living in Claremore with Ruth.
  70. [S12040] John Brisco Cook, A6384, Confederate Pension Records, letter Margaret Cook Dill, 18 Jan 1934 to Commissioner, shows he has one daughter in Kansas.
  71. [S12040] John Brisco Cook, A6384, Confederate Pension Records, letter Margaret Cook Dill to Commissioner, 18 Jan 1934, shows her in Muskogee.
  72. [S12040] John Brisco Cook, A6384, Confederate Pension Records, letter Margaret Cook Dill, 18 Jan 1934 to Commissioner, shows he has one daughter in Texas.
  73. [S12040] John Brisco Cook, A6384, Confederate Pension Records, letter clerk to Mrs. John H. Dill, 15 Oct 1931.
  74. [S12054] "Death of Former Mayor John B. Cook Recalls Early Day Political History of Wagoner City," The Record-Democrat, 18 Aug 1938, shows he had lived there the last five years.
  75. [S12040] John Brisco Cook, A6384, Confederate Pension Records, letter Margaret Cook Dill to Commissioner, 3 Aug 1938, shows he had lived in Texas since 1933.
  76. [S12040] John Brisco Cook, A6384, Confederate Pension Records, letter Commissioner to Mrs. John H. Dill, 5 Aug 1938, shows dropped and date.
  77. [S12040] John Brisco Cook, A6384, Confederate Pension Records, letter Margaret Cook Dill to Commissioner, 3 Aug 1938; letter Commissioner to Mrs. John H. Dill, 5 Aug 1938; memo of Marion Brown, M.D. 7 Aug 1938.
  78. [S2922] Register of Births, Kentucky, Boyle Co., 1875, Maggie Cook.
  79. [S12060] Bolin, "Columbus Cemetery Record", pg 10, record for Joseph J. Cook.
  80. [S2922] Register of Births, Kentucky, Hickman Co., 1878, E. Cook.
  81. [S12032] Anna Mae Hamer obituary, The Record-Democrat.