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File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project
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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Fulton County
Munsell Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908

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The Biography of Charles A. COOK 

Transcribed exactly according to the original complete text by Anne Marie Willis. 

[Surnames: COOK, HAND, RICHARDSON] 

[Page 838] 

    
COOK, Charles A., a successful building contractor of Fairview, Fulton County, Ill., was born in that town in October, 1861. His father, Charles L. Cook, and his mother, Ann (Richardson) Cook, first made their home in Fairview in 1851. The former came to this country from Germany early in life, and the latter was a native of the State of New Jersey. Charles L. Cook conducted a cabinet maker's and wagon maker's shop for some time after his arrival, and subsequently devoted his attention to contracting and carpenter work. He was an honest, well disposed and industrious man, and did full justice to his patrons. His decease occurred in 1904. 
    
After finishing his schooling in Fairview Charles A. Cook learned the trade of a carpenter and has always continued in that occupation in the place of his birth. He does a general contracting business and attends to all kinds of building. In this line he has been quite successful, and his services are in constant demand. He has constructed some of the best stores and residences in Fairview and its vicinity. His work bears the evidence of exceptional skill, care and a diligent application to details, which have given him an excellent reputation and a profitable patronage. Besides his duties as a contractor Mr. Cook keeps a stock of builders' hardware, and also sells and installs hot air furnaces. In 1899 he erected the attractive and commodious residence which has since been his home. 
    
Mr. Cook was married in Canton, Ill., in 1882, to Elizabeth Hand, who was born in the vicinity of Canton. This union resulted in one child, Minnie J., who is with her parents. Fraternally Mr. Cook is identified with the A. F. & A. M. He is a frank, straightforward man, and enjoys the confidence and respect of his neighbors and of all who have dealings with him.