Cook Family

 

Submitted by Linda Garrett, who says she doesn't have the name of the paper, however, the clipping has "Oct 11 - 1934 Thursday" written at the top in pencil. That was the wedding date, so it was in the paper shortly thereafter.

MISS COOK
J.R. POWELL
ARE MARRIED

Miss Barbara Cook, daughter of Mrs. Goldie Cook, 504 East Chalmers Street, and the late Frank Cook, became the bride of Joseph Ronald Powell, son of Malcolm Powell of Alton, in an impressive ceremony performed at 10 o'clock, Thursday morning at McKinley Foundation.

Rev. Roy M. Smith, associate pastor of McKinley Foundation, read the double ring service in the presence of the immediate family and a few friends. Miss Celia Bernice Cook, the bride's cousin, accompanied at the organ by Miss Mary Ellen Arseneau sang, "O Promise Me."

Miss Dorothy Cook of Rantoul attended the bride as maid of honor while Frederick Donald Powell of Wood River, twin brother of the bridegroom, served as best man. John D. Cook, the bride's brother, gave her in marriage. The ushers were Kieth Shell of Farmer City and Bill Cook, brother of the bride.

In her wedding gown of white spider web lace over white satin made along princess lines with a train, and a tulle veil with a lace cap, the bride was a lovely picture. She carried a hand-drawn linen handkerchief, over 75 years old, which belonged to her great-grandmother. Her bridal bouquet was of white roses.

The maid of honor was attired in royal blue satin, with which she wore a hat of gold sequins, gold gloves and shoes.

Following the ceremony a wedding breakfast was served to the wedding guests at the Cook home. Later, the couple left on a short wedding trip and will make their future home at 424 Ferguson Avenue, Wood River.

Mrs. Powell is a graduate of the Champaign High School with class of 1930. Mr. Powell was graduated from the University of Illinois in 1933 in architectural engineering. He is now employed by the Western Cartridge Company (Alton, IL).

Out-of-towner guests at the wedding included; the three sisters of the bridegroom, Mrs. Loyal Palmer (Marie Powell), Miss Malinda Powell, both of Wood River and Mrs. Otto Gnerich (Helen Powell) of Alton; Miss Ethelyn Lucas of Wood River; Mr. and Mrs. John H. Cook of Rantoul; Mr. and Mrs. Will Shell of Farmer City; Mr. and Mrs. Cifford Fry of Crawfordsville, Ind; and Mr. and Mrs. Walter White of Richmond, Ind.

**Note by submitter: Mrs. Will Shell and Mrs. Walter White were sisters of Goldie (Clary) Cook, mother of the bride.

 

Joseph R. Powell and Barbara L. Cook on their wedding day in front of the McKinley Foundation — October 11, 1934.

 

Last year I was contacted by Kathleen Brown. She is a descendant of Ezekiel Cook, Jr. and Matilda (Young) Cook. She sent me this picture (above), but didn't know if it was of John or Ezekiel. They were brothers, born in Bedford Co., PA and enlisted in the Union Army. Ezekiel enlisted on Sept 7, 1864, in the 208th PA Infantry, and John 12 days later on Sept. 19th, in the 99th PA Infantry. I know this was shortly after the Battle of the Crater on July 30, 1864 near Petersburg, VA where many who died were PA miners. Perhaps this spurred both of them to enlist at what was only about 7 months before the end of the War. John was 38 at the time and Ezekiel was 30. I do know that John's unit was a part of the Siege of Petersburg and were part of the Union Army that chased Lee's Army to it's end at Appomatax Courthouse and was there at the surrender.

Kathleen has told me there is another picture of the two of them together in uniform that is at her mother's and she promised the next time she visits there to see if she can find it. Hopefully, we can tell who is who by their ages. A span of 8 years might help us to determine which is which.

Kathleen also told me that when Ezekiel, Jr finally left PA after their mother died in 1875, he was taking his family to settle in Colorado. They stopped in Tolono to visit with his brother, John who had a prominent lumber business. John was able to talk Ezekiel into staying there in Champaign Co. because he said he'd build a house for them. Ezekiel had a hardware store in Tolono and it was said of him that he had learned to use all of the farm equipment on his father's farm in PA and had taught himself how to fix any kind of farm equipment.