Cook, Peter

Peter Cook.—Many of the most prosperous, thrifty and respected citizens of Mercer county are of foreign birth, prominent among the number being Peter Cook, who is carrying on a substantial business as a dealer in real estate and a fire insurance agent, and is rendering excellent service as justice of the peace. A native of Germany, he was born, March 31, 1844, in Rhenish Prussia, near Trier. His father, Nicholas Cook, spent his entire life in Germany, dying there in 1856. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Kahl, subsequently came to America and lived in Mercer county.

Brought up on the home farm, Peter Cook assisted in its care after the death of his father, remaining in Trier until he was twenty years of age. Accompanied then by his widowed mother, he emigrated to this country, joining his brothers, Mathias and Nicholas, in Hickory township, where they were then living, although both are now dead. In partnership with his brother Nicholas, Mr. Cook purchased a tract of land, and in connection with general farming worked in the coal mines for a number of years. Disposing of that property in 1879, he bought another farm in Mercer county, and was profitably engaged in its management until 1900, when he sold at an advantage. Coming then to South Sharon, .Mr. Cook embarked in the real estate and fire insurance business, and, assisted by his youngest son, Frank J. Cook, has met with genuine success in his operations. He is an active and faithful worker in the Democratic ranks, and having been elected justice of the peace in 1902, was re-elected in 1907 and has held the office ever since. In July, 1908, he attended the Democratic National Convention in Denver, going, however, as a visitor, not as a delegate. Since 1867 he has been a member of the German Catholic church of Sharon and a generous contributor towards its support.

Mr. Cook married, in 1870, Mary Kahl, a native of Trier, Germany, and of the ten children born of their union six are living.