Early Life
Cook was born in Belleville, Illinois, to a well connected political family. His maternal grandfather, Ninian Edwards, was a U.S. Senator and the Governor of Illinois. His father was Daniel Cook, who was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives at the time. Following Daniel's untimely death at the age of 33, his widow Julia Catherine Cook moved with their only child, John, back to Belleville, where she died three years later, leaving Cook as an orphan.
Cook received a good education and entered the practice of law. He was elected mayor of Springfield, Illinois, in 1855. Cook was the captain and commander of a military company called the Springfield Grays. He also served as quartermaster general of the Illinois militia.
Read more about this topic: John Cook (US Army Officer)
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