Phineas Wolcott Cook Family Tree

BIRTH: 1900 Census: March 1859 in Michigan. On the 1860 census, "Frederick" was 1 year old. (1860 Census,Niles, Berrien Co., Michigan, p. 209: Family History Library film 14798.) 4th child Frederick Wadhams Cook, b. 22 Mar., 1859; m. Mary Margaret Flaherty. (Wadhams Genealogy, By Mrs. Harriet Weeks (Wadhams) Stevenson, p. 274)

NILES, BERRIEN, MICHIGAN 1860 CENSUS: Darius B. Cook is 46, Jane M is 41 (or 42). Darius is listed as "Editor, Niles Independent" and gave the value of his real estate $6,000, his personal estate $2,000. Children are Frank D., 12; Emma Jane, 10, Frederick, 1 and three boarders (1 domestic, 1 printer and 1 apprentice). (1860 Census,Niles, Berrien Co., Michigan, p. 209: Family History Library film 14798.) 1870 CENSUS: Niles, Berrien, Michigan, D.B. Cook is age 55, born about 1815 in Connecticut. His occupation is Editor and his real estate is valued at $20,000, personal estate at $2,000. His wife Jane M. Cook is age 51, born Connecticut. Children are Emma J. Cook, age 20, born Michigan and listed with "No Occupation;" Frederick W. Cook age 12, born Michigan, and Harriet Cook age 10, born Pennsylvania. No relationships are noted on this census. ("United States Census, 1870," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MHHZ-V7W) 1880 CENSUS: Niles, Berrien, Michigan, Fredk W. Cook, age 21, was born in Michigan in 1859. His wife Mary Cook, age 22. She was born in Michigan in 1858; her parents born in Ireland. (Ancestry.com 1880; Census, Niles, Berrien, Michigan; Roll: 572; Family History Film: 1254572; Page: 249B; Enumeration District: 013; Image: 0654.) 1900 CENSUS: Niles, Berrien, Michigan ED 71 Niles city Ward 3-4: Frederick W. Cook, age 41, born in Michigan March 1859. Married 20 years. He was born in Michigan, parents both born in Connecticut. His occupation is publisher and owns his own home. His wife is Mary Margaret Flaherty Cook. She is age 42, and was born March 1858 in Michigan. Her parents born in Ireland. She has been married 20 years. she has had two children, both of whom are alive. Their son is Fred D., born August 1880 in Michigan, age 19 and single. Occupation is a compositor. Also in the household are Bridget Flaherty, Mary's mother. She is 68 years old, born in Ireland June 1832 and has been married 34 years. She is the mother of 5 children, 4 of whom are still alive. She and parents were born in Ireland and she immigrated in 1849 and has been in America 51 years. ("United States Census, 1900," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M91L-V1C) There are three boarders in the household, Harry Gross, age 19. He and parents born in Michigan. He is a compositor. Also Frederick F. Gibson, age 24, He and his father born in Michigan and his mother in England. He is a compositor. Samuel Herne, age 51. He and parents born in Virginia, and he is also a compositor. 1910 CENSUS: Niles City, Berrien, Michigan. Fred W. Cook is age 51, born in Michigan. He is a newspaper editor. His wife Mary M. Cook is age 52. She is the mother of two children and both are still living. 1920 CENSUS: Niles Ward 4, Berrien, Michigan. Fred W. Cook is age 60. Mary M. Cook is age 61. She was born in Michigan and parents born in Ireland. No one else in the home. (Ancestry.com 1920; Census, Niles Ward 4, Berrien, Michigan; Roll: T625_757; Page: 14A; Enumeration District: 98; Image: 885.) 1930 CENSUS: Mary M. Cook, age 72, lives alone and is head of household. She was born in Michigan in 1858, and parents born in Ireland. She is widowed. (Ancestry.com, 1930; Census, Niles, Berrien, Michigan; Roll: 976; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 40; Image: 1106.0; FHL microfilm: 2340711.)

DEATH "Michigan, Deaths and Burials, 1800-1995," index, <i>FamilySearch</i> (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FHCD-PH3 : Fred W. Cook, died 27 Feb 1921 at Niles, Berrien, Michigan. His parents were Darius B. Cook and "Mabel Jane Wadhaus," both born in Connecticut. In 1929 Fred D. Cook was named in the obituary of his grandfather Darius because Fred W. Cook had died by then.

BIOGRAPHY printed in the Niles Daily Star Nov. 23, 2009 Fred W. was the only one of the children to remain in Niles. He attended public school here for eight years and began setting type for his father when he was only 5. Young Fred shared hisf ather's passion for print. He learned the trade at an early age from his Dad becoming the publisher of the Niles Mirror when he was only 17. After his father's death he continued the publication of the paper for a time then sold out. On the 24th of March in 1886 he issued the first copy of what we now know as the Niles Daily Star, the first daily newspaper to be published in Berrien County. At the writing of the piece in"The History of Berrien County," Cook had "never missed an issue up to the present time, covering a period of 22 years. He has been very successful in conducting this publication and owns the building and all its contents, having a well-equipped newspaper plant. "The character of the paper is indicated by the liberal patronage accorded it. It has good circulation and advertising patronage and from the beginning the enterprise has proven a profitable venture." Frederick Cook married another Niles native, Marry Flaherty in September of 1878. They had two sons. His namesake Fred D, continued job printing in a plant connected to his father's newspaper. Harry W. moved to New York City where he opened a wholesale tea and coffee business. Fred W. is said to have been independent in politics with no aspiration for public office. He was a member of the Modern Woodsmen of America-featured in an earlier column-and of the order of Patricians and the Owls. Cook spent his entire life in Niles as a newspaperman and continued his father's championship of progressive public measures through the paper. It seems only proper that we celebrate his life on the pages of the paper he founded more than 142 years ago. For more information on Friends of Silverbrook with regards to memberships and work days to help restore and catalog the monuments contact: Friends of Silverbrook Cemetery c/o 508 E. Main St. Niles MI 49120, Tim and Candace Skalla at 684-2455, wskalla@sbcglobal.net or contact Ginny Tyler at 684-3687,SPHINX1974@aol.com.

Frederick W. Cook and Mary Flaherty were married 24 Sept. 1879 at Niles. He is 20, born in Niles 1859. She is 21, born in Niles. No parents named. ( "Michigan, Marriages, 1822-1995," index, <i>FamilySearch</i> (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FCDT-ZVM : accessed 01 Oct 2013), Frederick W. Cook and Mary Flaherty, 24 Sep 1879.