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Note: Thomas J. Cook enlisted as a confederate soldier in Company E, 30th Tennessee Volunteer Infantry and served the full time of the Civil War. After which time he came to Texas in 1866, and settled on a farm in Eastern Denton County near what was long known as High Point School House.
Tom`s mother, Anna, as she was known, lived with Tom and Salina after her husband, Lewis, died. George remembered that she always wore a red shawl. When Thos. J. came to Texas, they worked oxen instead of mules and horses. In those days, the stagecoach came in to Lebanon pulled by oxen. It entered Texas at Texarkana, then went to Paris, Bonham, Lebanon, then Dallas. At that time, Lebanon had two grocery stores, two dry goods stores, two blacksmith shops, a hardware, livery, drug store, and barber shop. During the years after the railroad came through Frisco, bypassing Lebanon, most of these businesses moved to Frisco.
Tom Cook enjoyed gardening and farming. I was told that on one trip back to Tennessee, he brought back a flowering vine, perhaps a trumpet vine, to plant around his house. He also raised many other crops and made many trips from Frisco to Dallas to sell them. He always planted several acres of sweet potatoes. Farmers from all over the country ordered potatoslips from him by mailing their orders to "Tater Cook, Frisco, Texas." In 1882, Tom gave land at the corner of the Cook farm for the High Point School. He financially helped quite a few young people to get a college education. He was a man of his word, and I am told that he always said what he thought! He also loved to attend reunions with other veterans of the Civil War. He relived the battles many times, as did other men who served in the war. He proudly showed his uniform to his grandchildren.
After Salina's death in 1921, his health began to decline. His house was up on a hill about ½ mile from the main road. His son, Ed, lived with him and took care of him. By this time, George and Tom H. were married and each lived in houses built on part of the land. In late 1926, his grandson, Joe and his wife, Ruth, who had married in January, moved from town to a house across the main road from T. J.`s pasture. When Ed had to go out of town, Joe and Ruth (my father and mother) stayed at T. J.`s house and took care of him. He told "Miss Ruth" that her cooking was a whole lot better than Ed's! And he always requested a peach cobbler.
In April of 1928, Joe and Ruth moved back to Frisco to be near Joe`s work with the gas company, as they did not yet own a car. Soon thereafter, Tom suffered a fall in which he broke several ribs. This fall caused a lot of health problems and he was taken to a hospital in Dallas, where he died of pneumonia on December 23rd at the age of 86. He was appropriately buried in his Civil War uniform at Rowlett Cemetery.
The following newspaper clipping was found in Thomas Jefferson Cook`s Bible:
SONG SAVED LIFE OF LONE SENTRY
Two Americans who were crossing the Atlantic met in the cabin on Sunday night to sing hymns, says the Pittsburg Gazette.
As they sang the last hymn, "Jesus, Lover of My Soul," one of them heard an exceedingly rich and beautiful voice behind him. He looked around, and, although he did not know the face, he thought that he knew the voice. So when the music ceased he turned and asked the man if he had been in the Civil War. The man replied that he had been a Confederate soldier.
"Were you at such a place` on such a night?`"
"Yes," he replied, "and a curious thing happened that night which this hymn has recalled to my mind. I was posted on sentry duty near the edge of a wood. It was a dark night and very cold, and I was a little frightened because the enemy was supposed to be very near. About midnight when everything was very still, and I was feeling homesick and miserable and weary, I thought that I would comfort myself by praying and singing a hymn. I remember singing this hymn:
All my trust on thee is stayed.
All my help from thee I Bring:
Cover my defenseless head
With the shadow of thy wing.
After singing that, a strange peace of mind came down upon me, and through the long night I felt no more fear."
"Now," said the other, "listen to my story. I was a Union soldier and was in the wood that night with a party of scouts. I saw you standing, although I did not see your face. My men had their rifles focused upon you, waitingthe word to fire, but when you sang out:
Cover my defenseless head
With the shadow of thy wing.`
I said, boys, lower your rifles; we will go home. "
Martha Jean Cook Vaughan
Duncanville, Texas 2001
Thomas Jefferson Cook, (Confederate Soldier, Private) Enlisted November 4, 1862 30th Tennessee Volunteer Infantry, Company E Fountain Head, Sumner County, Tennessee Sent to and fought in the Battle of Chickasaw Bayou, MS, December 31, 1862 Ordered to Port Hudson, LA, January 6, 1863. Arrived on the 8th of January, 1863. Fought against McPherson`s Corp of 12,500 at Port Hudson, LA, March 19 May 4, 1863 and drove the Yankees back. Ordered to Jackson, MS, May 4, 1863. Arrived at Jackson and immediately sent to Raymond. Marched to and fought in the Battle of Raymond, MS, May 12-14, 1863. Marched through Missionary Ridge, MS and on to Canton, MS on May 22, 1863. Recorded to have marched through the following in Mississippi (by order of Gen. Joseph E. Johnston) in order to deceive the enemy (Gen. McPherson) as to their numbers: Yazoo City, June 1, 1863. Big Black River, June 12, 1863. (The Battle of Big Black River was a Union victory on May 17, 1863.) Marched back to Jackson, July 4, 1863. Morton`s Station, July 19th, 1863. Enterprise, August 1, 1863. James K. Cook (Thomas' Brother) died of a congested chill on the march between Morton`s Station and Enterprise on July 31, 1863. Thomas wrapped him in a blanket, helped dig his grave and buried him under a little walnut tree. Thomas and the 30th Tennessee Infantry left Mississippi on September 10, 1863 and headed for Georgia to join in with Gen. John Gregg`s Army near Ringgold, GA. Arrived the evening of September 17, 1863. Marched to and fought in the Battle of Chickamauga, GA, September 18-20, 1863. Despite the Confederate Victory, the 30th Tennessee Infantry suffered heavy losses. There were over 18,000 CSA losses and over 16,000 Union losses. After the Battle of Chickamauga, Gen. Gregg`s Army was dissolved and the 30th Tennessee Infantry was assigned to Brigadier General William B. Bate. This Brigade was known as Tyler`s Brigade of Bate`s Division. Attacked November 25, 1863 at Lookout Mountain, TN, by Gen. Hooker`s Union Division. The 30th Tennessee Infantry retreated to Missionary Ridge. Thomas J. Cook re-enlisted with the 30th Tennessee Infantry on February 1, 1864 near Dalton, GA. Tyler`s Brigade began the march from Rocky Face Ridge to Atlanta in May of 1864. Marched to and fought in the Battle of Resaca, GA, May 13-15, 1864. Marched to and fought in the Battle of Atlanta, GA, July 22, 1864. Marched to and fought in the Battle of Jonesborough, GA, August 31 September 1, 1864. Thomas J. Cook was furloughed on September 7, 1864 after being admitted to Ocmulgee Hospital in Macon, Georgia for a gunshot wound to the big toe. While admitted to Ocmulgee Hospital, his big toe was removed. He was shepherded (for some distance into Tennessee) with Gen. Hood`s Brigade. At the close of the Georgia Campaign, Lt. Col. Robert H. Murphy reported the 30th Tennessee Infantry had lost about one-half of its number in killed, wounded and captured. The 30th Tennessee Volunteer Infantry went on to fight the following battles of the Tennessee Campaign: Battle of Franklin, TN, November 30th 1864 where there were 6261 CSA Soldiers killed. Battle of Murfreesboro, TN Battle of Nashville, TN, December 15-16, 1864. Battle of Bentonville, NC, March 19-21, 1865. On April 26th, 1865, the 30th Tennessee Volunteer Infantry surrendered to Sherman`s Army. The 30th Tennessee Volunteer Infantry was paroled at Greensboro, NC, on May 1, 1865.
Source: Gary Wiley, Email 6/22/2009
Census Records:
1850 Simpson County, KY, living with father
James E. Cook 33 M KY (Lewis E. Cook, could father's name have been James?)
S. A. 29 F UNK (Syntha Ann)
E. H. 13 F KY (Isabell Helen)
M. 12 M KY (Moses)
A. 10 M KY (Absalom)
T. 8 M KY (Thomas Jefferson)
J. K. P.? 6 M KY (James K.)
W. C. 4 M KY (William C.)
B. L. C. 1 M KY (Beverly Lon)
1860 Davidson County, TN, living with father, Louis E. Cook
Louis E Cook 43
Cinthy a Cook 41
Moris Cook 21
Absalom Cook 19
Thomas J Cook 17
James K Cook 15
William C Cook 13
Beverly L Cook 11
Nancy A Cook 9
Mary A Cook 7
Josiah D Cook 1
1870 Sumner County, TN Census
Cook, Thomas 27 b. KY
Cook, Isabella 17 b. TN
Living next door to brother Absolom
1880 Collin County, TX Census (Listed as Thomas I. Cook in Index)
Thomas I. Cook 36
Susan Cook 35
James W. Cook 9
John F. Cook 2
Effie Ann Cook 7M
1900 Denton County, TX Census ( Listed as Thomas C. Cooke in Index)
Thomas J. Cooke 57
Salina J. Cooke 46
John F Cooke 22
Effie A Cooke 20
Henry F Cooke 19
Mary E Cooke 15
Maggie E Cooke 14
Thomas H Cooke 13
George E Cooke 8
Edward M Cooke 7
Bessie F Cooke 5
1910 Denton County, TX Census (Listed as T. J. Cosh in Index)
T J Cosh 67 (Cook)
S J Cosh 57
Ed Cosh 17
Bessie Cosh 14
1920 Denton County, TX
Thomas J Cook 77
Lelina Cook 65 (Selina)
Edward M Cook 27
WILL OF THOMAS JEFFERSON COOK
(Transcribed by Hazel Smith Bonner)
THE STATE OF TEXAS
COUNTY OF DENTON KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:
That I, Thomas J. Cook, of the County of Denton, State of Texas, being of sound and disposing mind and memory, do make and publish this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all other wills by me at any time heretofore made:
I. I direct my executors hereinafter named to pay out of my estate my funeral charges and just debts, if any, owing by me at the time of decease as soon after my death as may be by them found convenient.
II. After payment of the charges mentioned in the foregoing item, I give and bequeath one dollar to Arthur Cook, whom I have never seen that I know of, son of J. W. Cook, one of my deceased sons, to be paid out of my estate by my said executors. My said son J. W. Cook married and of said marriage was born one son, whose name I understand to be Arthur Cook; but whether his name is Arhur Cook or some other name, this bequest is made to him, the said son of the said J. W. Cook, whatever his name may be, shall receive anything under this will except the sum of one dollar herein bequeathed to him.
III. After the payment of the charges and special legacy mentioned in the foregoing items, I give and bequeath all the property, real, personal or mixed, of which I shall die seized and possessed or to which I may be entitled at the time of my decease, share and share alike, to my son John F. Cook, to my daughter, Effie A. Christie, wife of D. Christie, to my son Henry H. Cook, to my daughter, Susie Smith, wife of N. A. Smith (called Noel Smith), to my daughter Ella Smith, wife of W. B. Smith, to my daughter Maggie Kemp, wife of Fred T. Kemp, to my son Thomas H. Cook, to my son George L. Cook, to my son Edward M. Cook and to my daughter Bessie Henson, wife of Herman S. Henson, it being intended hereby to give, and my said children named in this itme shall receive, equal shares of my estate.
IV. Should any of my said children predecease me, leaving issue surviving him or her, then the share which said decedent or decedents should take hereunder shall go to and vest in the children of such decedent or decedents; but should any of my said children predecease me or die before the distribution of my estate, without issue surviving him or her, then the share which said decedent or decedents would take hereunder shall revert to my estate and go and vest as herein provided. In other words, I direct that my estate shall go to and vest in my said children, share and share alike, and in the event of the death of any one of my said children before the distribution of my estate, the share which said decedent or decedents should take shall go to his or her children, in the event issue survive him or her; but in the event any of my children above herein named should die before the distribution of my estate, without issue surviving him or her, then the share of such decedent or decedents shall go to and vest in my surviving children, share and share alike. It being distinctly understood that should any children survive any of my said children, such children shall jointly take one share; but in no event shall the said Arthur Cook or any child of my deceased son, J. W. Cook, take anything hereunder except the special legacy of one dollar made to him in Item II hereof.
V. In the event I should make any advancements to any of my said children hereinabove named prior to my death, then such child to whom such advancements may be made shall be charged therewith, together with eight per cent interest thereon from the date of such advancement, and in making the distribution of my estate such advancements shall be charged against the legatees and devisees hereunder receiving the same.
VI. I nominate and appoint my son John F. Cook and my son-in-law W. B. Smith to be executors of this will, and direct that no security shall be required of them or of either of them as such executor, and that no action be had in any court in the administration of my estate other than to prove and record this will and to file an inventory and appraisement and list of claims of my estate as required by law.
In the event either the said John F. Cook or W. B. Smith should fail or refuse to act, then the survivor may act alone hereunder, without bond or other security and without any action in any court other than above herein provided.
VII. I have endeavored to deal fairly with my said children and I earnestly implore them to accept under this will, believing it to be a fair and just distribution of the property, to accumulate which I have put forth all my efforts; and in the event any of my legatees and devisees hereunder should refuse to accept under this will and should undertake to annul the same or any part thereof, directly or indirectly, then I direct that such child so contesting this will or who should seek to set aside or annul the same or any part thereof, shall take nothing hereunder, and the share of such contestant or contestants shall go to and vest in those who do accept hereunder in the shares as hereinabove set out.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, witness my hand on this the 21st day of April, A. D., 1922, in the presence of A. H. McNeese and C. L. Savage, each of whom is over fourteen years of age, and who at my request and in my presence and in the presence of each other, sign their names hereto as attesting witnesses.
Thomas J. Cook
THE ABOVE INSTRUMENT was now here subscribed by Thomas J. Cook, the testator, in our presence, and we, at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other, sign our names hereto as attesting witnesses on this 21st day of April A. D., 1922.
A. H. McNeese
C. L. Savage
Cause of Death: pneumonia, following a fall at home that broke several ribs and caused many health problems.
Texas Death Index, 1903-2000 Record
Name: Thomas Jefferson Cook
Death Date: 23 Dec 1928
Death County: Dallas
Certificate: 51978
Cook, Thomas Jefferson 10904298
b. Aug. 22, 1842 d. Dec. 23, 1928 Rowlett Creek Cemetery
Plano
Collin County
Texas, USA
Parents:
Lewis Edward Cook (1817 - 1886)
Syntha A. Cook (1819 - 1899)
Spouses:
Isabella Rice Cook (1852 - 1875)
Susan Felker Cook (1845 - 1882)
Salina Jane Harrell Cook (1853 - 1921)
Children:
James William Cook (1871 - 1905)
Infant Cook (1874 - 1874)
Effie Ann Cook Christie (1879 - 1966)
Henry Hood Cook (1881 - 1949)
Susan Cook Smith (1882 - 1965)
Mary Eleanor Cook Smith (1884 - 1970)
Thomas Harrell Cook (1887 - 1973)
Infant Cook (1889 - 1889)
George Lane Cook (1890 - 1984)
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=10904298
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