Patrick Cartney
Margaret Colgan Bankie writes: "I have recently come in possession of a large hardbound volume of "Biographical History Illustrated of Bureau, Marshall, Putnam and Stark counties. It was published in 1897 in Chicago by S.J. Clark publishing company. In it I found a biography of my great grandparents who resided in LaPrarie Township, Marshall county. Here are some exerpts from that:
Patrick Cartney, one of the self made men of LaPrairie Twsp, whose early home was on the other side of the Atlantic, commenced life without capitol other than his strong hands and resolute will, has attained a fine position, socially and financially among his fellow citizens. Mr Cartney was born in County Louth, Ireland in 1824. In1860 he emigrated to Peoria Ill where he worked on farms for about five years . he had saved $1500 and purchased 72 acres of land in LaPrairie Twsp, Marshall co,He later added 400 acres and built a fine home. In1865 he married Mary Mackin who was also born in County Louth Ireland,
To them were born five children Kate, John, Thomas, Jane, who maried Wm Green and Margaret (my grandmother) who married Frank Colgan. The family attended church at Camp Grove. Mr Cartney held the position of school director, discharging his duties faithfully and well.
The Biographical Record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois, Published in Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company. 1896. - Marshall county Biographical extractions pages 100-199
Transcribed March 2011 by Norma Hass
Washington E. COOK, deceased, was for sixteen years county clerk of Marshall county, and, in due deference to all others, he may be said to have been the democratic leader in the county. Personally known by nearly every person having business at the county seat, he exercised an influence that was felt and acknowledged by all. He traced his ancestry back to one Elijah COOK, who came with the Pilgrim fathers and afterward located in Connecticut. One of the descendants of Elijah COOK, Ebenezer, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and in a very early day settled in Oneida county, New York, and there reared a family of eleven sons and two daughters. The neighborhood was known as "Cook's corners." One of his sons, also named Ebenezer, married Leonora COMBS, and to them, on the 29th of December, 1809, was born the subject of this sketch. Ebenezer COOK, Sr., was a soldier in the war of 1812, and until her death his widow received a pension from the general government.
When our subject was but eleven years of age his father died, and soon after he commenced to learn the hatter's trade, but abandoned this and secured a position as clerk in a general store, where he remained some years, going from thence to New York city, where he served one year as clerk in a hotel. Hen then went to Honesdale, Pennsylvania, where, on the 16th of May, 1832, he was united in marriage with Miss Eunice KELLOGG. Here purchasing a hotel, he continued in its management for four years, when he removed to Dunkirk, New York, and assisted in surveying the Buffalo & Erie railroad. In June, 1838, he removed to Birmingham, Ohio, where for nine years he was engaged in merchandising. He now determined to go still farther west, and came to Marshall county, locating three miles west of Henry, where he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land for four dollars per acre, and commenced a farmer's life. This farm has since been known as the Harney farm, Mr. COOK disposing of it after three years' ownership.
Mr. COOK was not long a resident of the county before his abilities were known and recognized by his fellow citizens. In the fall of 1849 he was nominated and elected to the office of county clerk, and removed with his family to Lacon, December 1, of that year. In that city he continued to reside until his death. He was re-elected county clerk three times, serving in all sixteen years. He also served ten years as township supervisor, and in whatever position he was called upon to fill he discharged its duties with fidelity and to the satisfaction of his constituents.
In 1860 Mr. COOK was sent as a delegate to the Charleston convention and voted continuously for Stephen A. Douglas. With the remainder of the Illinois delegation he withdrew from the convention when it was clearly shown that their rights were not to be respected. In 1868 he was a delegate to the national democratic convention, which met that year at Philadelphia. His faith in the principles of the democratic party as enunciated by Jefferson and Jackson never wavered, and he died as he lived, a democrat.
Fraternally, Mr. COOK was a Mason and had attained the thirty-second degree of that order. For some years he was a member of Apollo commandery, Chicago, and was a charter member of Peoria commandery. On his death, which occurred January 7, 1879, the Masons took charge of his funeral, attending in large numbers from Peoria and elsewhere. The circuit court, which was then in session, adjourned out of respect to his memory.
Mr. COOK was a self-educated man, having little opportunity to attend either public or private schools. His father dying when he was so young necessitated his shifting for himself in a great degree, but he was a great reader and kept himself thoroughly informed on all the questions of the day, as well as in general literature. Few men had a greater knowledge of American history, especially its political aspect. Physically he was large and strong, able to endure almost any hardship. In Chicago, the great metropolis of the west, he had unlimited faith, and there invested nearly all his spare means. Some of the real estate which he there purchased yet remains in the hands of his son, George.
Notwithstanding she was almost a life-long invalid, Mrs. COOK survived her husband some sixteen years, dying March 25, 1895. Although her sufferings at times were very great, she remained cheerful and bore it all with Christian fortitude. For very many years she was a member of the Congregational church, and used her every talent for the advancement of the Master's cause, dying in the full assurance of faith.
Of the family of Mr. and Mrs. COOK, Helen J. married D. W. WARNER, and now resides in Boulder, Montana; Belle V. is now the widow of S. M. GARRETT, of Lacon, while George W. E. still resides in Lacon, enjoying the respect and esteem of all its citizens. He resides on the old homestead in the north part of Lacon, which has been in possession of the family since 1855, the brick part of the house having been erected in 1837. To such men as Washington E. COOK much is due, and the lesson of their lives must be an inspiration to all.
George W. E. COOK is a native of Bethany, Pennsylvania, born June 23, 1834. Like his father before him, he has been quite active as a democratic politician and has served in various official positions to the satisfaction of every one. He has been an alderman and mayor of Lacon, a member of the school board for twelve years, seven of which he acted as president of the board. In county and state conventions he has represented his party as a delegate, and for some years was president of the democratic club of Lacon. He has been a delegate from his club to the national democratic club conventions, and in every way has shown a knowledge of men and measures, entitling him to deserved recognition.
Not only as a politician has Mr. COOK been active and influential, but as a horticulturist he has taken high rank, having given much attention and study to that subject. About three acres of the home place he has set aside for use in experimenting in horticultural products, especially the strawberry. He is a member of the National Pomological society, and is its vice-president for Illinois. He has also been a member of several farmer clubs, in which he has taken an active part. In educational matters, also, he has given much time and attention, and has ever been a true friend of the public school contributing to educational journals and being consulted by legislators on legislation pertaining to the public schools. For some years he was a regular contributor to the Prairie Farmer, and has contributed more or less to various horticultural journals in the country. As has been stated, his mother was almost a life long invalid, and to her he gave the love and affection of a dutiful son, ministering unto her wants and doing all in his power to alleviate her misery. To do this work he remained under the parental roof until the mother was called to the upper and better world.
Washington E. Cook
Taken From the Henry Republican
January 16, 1879
The Republican, in its last issue, gave the announcement of the death of Hon. Washington E. Cook, which took place suddenly at the Matteson House, Chicago, on Tuesday of last week, and this unwelcome news was as sudden to the people of this county as it was unexpected and sudden to the family of which he was the honored head.
Mr. Cook was a New Yorker by birth, his native town being Cook's Corners, Oneida county. He was a holiday gift to the family, the little stranger appearing December 19, 1808. As he grew in statue he become a boy, and in time was apprenticed to a hatter at Clinton, N.Y. He completed his time at the hat business, but his inclinations and opportunities led him to abandon this calling, and about the year 1830 he went to New York City, where he was a clerk for some time, remaining in the city about a year. He then left New York, and at Honesdale, Pa., made the acquaintance of Miss Eunice A. Kellogg of Bethany, Pa., a lady of culture and refinement, whom he married. She was the daughter of Eliphalet Kellogg, a man of prominence in his time, and one highly esteemed in the community.
He afterwards "run a hotel" at Bethany, with success; engaged in the mercantile business at Birmingham, Ohio, for 10 years, when in 1846 or 7 he removed with his family to Marshall county, Illinois and opened the place three miles west of this city, now owned and occupied by Mr. Daniel Harney. Here he resided for some three years, and while farming on a considerable scale, with James Andrews and Samuel J. McFadden, then young men, as assistants, he found he had the faculty, by being in town more than on the farm, that there was an easier way of securing a livelihood than by plowing the soil. It led him to dislike agriculture. So he sold the place to B. & S. Eldridge, and moved to Henry.
This change was the making of W. E. Cook Being a man of excellent business qualifications, foresight, judgment and tact, he became a prominent man, and a popular one, as his genial manners and high social proclivities made him friends everywhere. He was a staunch democrat and a rising man. The county was democratic at that time, and his ambition secured the nomination and election to the office of county clerk. This office was a lucrative one to him, and he held it three successive terms, and from it he became one of the leading politician of his party in the state, and the most prominent one in his district. He favored all important enterprises, and gave his influence for general improvement of the state, in constructing railroads, etc., and held some stock therein. He was farseeing and successful in whatever he undertook, and his "financial rod" blossomed as the rose. His estate at the time of his death was estimated at about $75,000.
For several terms he allowed his name to be used as a candidate for congress and also for state senator, but the changed political complexion of the district and county, gave the honors to his opponent.
His illness and death is told by the Lacon Democrat as follows: "When he died Mr. Cook was 70 years and 10 days old; the last day he spent with his family being his 70th birthday. His disease was something in the nature of quick consumption. He had always been troubled some with his lungs, and had at times suffered severe prostration. A year ago he was quite ill, but in the past few months seemed to be fully recovered; his friends remarking on his unusual spirit and buoyancy. In transacting his business in Chicago, during the late severe weather, he contracted a cold and age and past infirmities rendered its impossible for the system to resist the attack. He died calmly and peacefully and was consigned to his tomb looking as natural as when last month he moved amongst us."
Mr. Cook was a leading Mason and Odd Fellow, and highly revered by members of the two orders. He was well schooled in Masonic lore, and was a member of Peoria commandery at the time of his death.
The funeral was held at the Congregational church in Lacon on Friday last, where assembled a large congregation of weeping friends to pay their last sad rite over the demise of their revered friend. The solemn service was conducted by Rev. W. Tracy, assisted by Revs. Norris and Price. My Tracy's sermon was brief, practical and appropriate, while the singing, conducted by Mr. Stire, was of a high order. At the close of the sermon, the Peoria commandery took charge of the body of its deceased brother. The burial service was then read at the church, and concluded at the grave. Some 100 Masons were in line as the procession proceeded to the cemetery.
The bereft embrace Mrs. Cook, the son George, Mrs. S. M. Garratt of Pontiac and Mrs. D. G. Warner of Dakota territory. All present at the obsequies except the latter. Mrs. Clara Morgan, postmistress of Snachwine, is a sister of the deceased.
Mr. Cook has closed a long, somewhat eventful and useful life. In many respects he was a remarkable man. He had a strong constitution, was a good liver, and enjoyed life with the rest of his fellows. He made money rapidly and spent it generously. His business capacity was above the average and his operations were large. His church connection was Congregational, and the church in which the obsequies were held was of his founding. He was of a very social disposition, very indulgent as husband and father, and a very agreeable man in his family. He surrenders to the summons of death, and a conspicuous life is thus ended. Peace to his ashes.
CULTON, Miss Jessie F., journalist, born in Henry, Ill., 14th February, 1860. Her grandfather on her father’s side was a native of Tennessee. On her mother’s side she is descended from the Blanchards of Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Culton moved to Chicago when Jessie was but a few months old, and there she grew up. She removed to Richmond, Ind., in 1883, and took a position on the editorial staff of the “Register,” in which capacity she served nearly a year, in the meantime doing reportorial work on the “Palladium” and "Item," daily papers of Richmond. In 1884 she went to California with her father, as Mr. Culton's health demanded a change of climate. They traveled extensively throughout the State, and settled in San Diego, where they built a pleasant home. She also has a home on a ranch in Garden Grove. Her duties as housekeeper prevent, to some extent, her journalistic work, but she contributes articles to St. Louis, Chicago and other eastern papers.
(American Women, by Frances Elizabeth Willard, Mary Ashton Rice Livermore, Volume 1, Publ. 1897, Transcribed by Marla Snow.)