Otis Cook

Narrative:

     Otis Cook was born on 18 Jun 1852 in Columbus, Hickman Co., Kentucky.^7,8
     His mother died on 3 Aug 1859, when Otis was 7 years old.^16,17,18
     Otis appeared with his father on the 1860 Federal Census of Columbus, Hickman Co., Kentucky, in the household of Elizabeth Rose, his paternal grandmother.^2,19
     He appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Columbus, Hickman Co., Kentucky, in the household of his father, William Cook, and step-mother, Margaret [surname unknown].²⁰
     Otis appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Columbus, Hickman Co., Kentucky, enumerated 17 Jun 1880. His brother Isaac, his wife, and their young son, were listed as living in the same building.²¹
     He was a clerk in 1870. What business he engaged in after that is unknown, but he seems to have successful at it. In 1894 a newspaper report of his dealings in Atlanta described him as "a wealthy Kentuckian."^22,23
     Otis married Jane V. Cunningham, daughter of Andrew Cunningham and Jane A. Venable, on 7 Jun 1888 in Talladega Co., Alabama, at her father's home, with Rev. James M. McLean offciating.^9,10,11
     Otis and Jane settled in Columbus, Kentucky, after their marriage, but they apparently spent considerable time Talladega. An Oct 1890 newspaper item reported they were "back in Talladega for the winter."^24,25

Administering His Father-in-Law's Estate --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     Otis was issued letters of administration on 25 Nov 1889 in Talladega Co., Alabama, for the estate of Andrew Cunningham, his wife's father, who had died intestate (without leaving a will). He posted a bond of $36,000, with the widow, the only son, three daughters, two sons-in-law, and a grandson as surities.²⁶ Five days before all the heirs had signed an agreement in which they requested that Otis act as administrator, and agreeing to pay him 5% of the value of the estate as his fee.²⁷
     On 2 Jan 1890, having received permission from the court and advertising three weeks in the newspaper, he sold the "perishable" property of the estate. It consisted of cattle, pigs, horses and a mule, for which he received $416.²⁸ On 30 Jan 1890, having received permission from the court, he sold the personal property of the estate, consisting of farm implements, for a total of $131.²⁹
     Otis filed the partial settlement of the estate of his father-in-law on 4 Jan 1893. He reported he had collected $10,737, a small part from sale of farm produce, but $5,000 contributed by five heirs, including his wife, and $3,000 from his wife's purchase of land in Texas. He reported expenses of $11,252, largely for payment of debts of the estate. The estate owed him $515.³⁰ On 3 Feb 1893, he petitioned the court for permission to sell the lands of the estate, about 1,360 acres, for distribution of the proceeds to the heirs, because they could not be divided equitably among the heirs. After taking depositions to establish that the land could not be divided, the petition as approved 1 May 1893.^29,31 On 14 Jun 1893, he reported he had offered the land for sale at the courthouse door 24 Jul 1893 and his wife, represented by her brother, was the highest bider, at $5,000. The court approved the sale, and ordered him to pay from the proceeds the widow $833 as her dower interest.³²
     Otis filed the final settlement of the estate of his father-in-law on 6 Nov 1893. He reported he had collected the $5,000 from the sale of land, and had paid $561 in expenses, including his commission of $250. After paying the widow's dower there was $3,091 left for distribution. He also filed a list of distributions Andrew had made to several children prior to his death. The court accepted the settlement, and after considering the prior distributions, ordered that his daughter Agnes was due $683, and his daughter Jane, Otis's wife, $2,470, and the other heirs had already received their shares or more.³³

Expanding His Business Horizons --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     By 1890, Otis, had purchased real estate in Talladega.³⁴
     In early 1891 he was advertising Shetland ponies imported from the Shetland Islands in the Atlanta newspapers. He said he only had 30 head available, and they were cheaper than ever before, costing no more than a common horse. He gave his address as Talladega, Alabama.³⁵
     Otis and Jane seem to have moved full time to Talladega by 1892.³⁶ They moved to Atlanta about 1893.^37,38
     In mid-1894 Otis bought the half interest of Capt. A. T. Abbott in the livery, feed, and sales stable at 55 Loyd St., Atlanta, which had been operating ad Abbott & Parker. The stable was a large one having capacity for 500 head of stock, specializing in the mule business. The business was to be known as Paker & Cook.²³ By Oct 1894 Otis had bought out his remaining partner, P. N. Parker. He said in an announcement that "we have had our stables put in a first-class condition and added largely to our livery." He said he was now in a position to give "special inducement" to stock dealers, and also asked their horses and fine livery his business.³⁹
     By Dec 1894 Otis had closed the stables and sold off the horses, carriages, buggies, and other equipment. An advertisement claimed some of the finest carriage teams, single drivers, and saddle horses in the South were being sold, along with some of the highest priced and latest fashioned landaus.⁴⁰ Otis sued the previous owners of the business, claiming it was not as represented to him when he bought it. He claimed he had been told the business would net $8,000 per year, and paid $3,500 for half interest, while in fact it barely paid expenses. He said he had no experience in the livery business but was expecting to benefit from the experience of Mr. Parker. But was soon forced to buy his interest as well. In his suit he asked that the notes he had signed for the purchase be set aside. The defendants claimed he failed because of he was lacking in ability and enterprise. The case was decided 22 Feb 1896, with his suit being denied.^41,42

Returning to Talladega --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     Otis and Jane returned to Talladega in the fall of 1897.⁴³
     Back in Talladega, Otis engaged in a range of business activities, reporting his occupation as capitalist in 1900. In the fall of 1898 Otis opened a furniture store in Talladega. He was reported as traveling "to the East" to purchase stock for the store. By Jan 1900 he had sold that business to a new firm that also bought the store of C. S. Jones.^44,45,46,47
     Otis and Jane appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Talladega, Talladega Co., Alabama, enumerated 16 Jun 1900, reporting they rented their home. Anna Jones, a servant, was also listed in the househoold.⁴⁸
     By 1904 Otis had become interested in peach farming. He posted a newspaper article in Sep 1904 stating he was setting out 20,000 peach trees that fall, and would do the same the next year, which would be as many as he could care for. He offered to help any farmers within three or four miles of Talladega, Lincoln or any railroad station, who was interested in starting a peach orchard. In 1907 he explored establishing a canning factory, traveling "North" to secure the equipment. There is no record that it was actually constructed.^49,50
     Otis and Jane appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Talladega, Talladega Co., Alabama, at 187 South St., enumerated 22 Apr 1910, reporting they owned their home, which was mortgaged.⁵¹
     Otis and Jane appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Talladega, Talladega Co., Alabama, at 189 South St., enumerated 5 Jan 1920, reporting they owned their home, free of mortgage.⁵²
     He remained active in managing his farming properties and other business interests until he retired, before 1930.^53,54,55
     Otis and Jane appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Talladega, Talladega Co., Alabama, at 183 South St., enumerated 7 Apr 1930, reporting they owned a home valued at $10,000, and did not own a radio.⁵⁶
     His wife died on 30 Nov 1934, at their home on South St., Talladega, Alabama.^57,58,59
     Otis died on 17 May 1936 in Talladega, Alabama, at age 83.^12,13 He was buried that afternoon in Oak Hill Cemetery, Talladega, Talladega Co., Alabama.^14,15