John LaFayette Cook Genealogy

182 John LaFayette Cook, son of Martin, b. August 12, 1826, in Wayne County; m. January 23, 1848, Mary Ann Johnson (383), b. July 11, 1832. They established their home in the Shady Grove Community on a large farm situated in Range 11, Section 4 and 5 in Wayne County. A part of this farm was purchased by John L. in 1872 from the other heirs of his father, Martin. The purchase price was $3,500.00. A copy of the deed to this land, dated July 15, 1872, is in possession of the writer. Signers of the deed, as other heirs of Martin Cook, were R. M. Moore, J. E. Moore, W. M. Moore, Catherine E. (Moore) Brown, B. S. Hardin and N. M. Hardin.

John L. Cook was known as one of the most successful farmers in his community. He was said to have been a man of strong character with a smooth and even temperament. He was a leader in his community and a strong supporter of the Shady Grove Methodist Church of which he and his wife were members and in which he served as steward. He served in the Quartermasters Corps of the Confederate Army from 1863 to 1865 (H. T., p. 858). He d. September 6, 1876. His wife d. April 28, 1901. They are both buried in the Cook Cemetery on their old home farm. A reprint of his will follows on the next page.

Children:

191. William Martin, b. March 22, 1849.

192. Nathaniel Timothy, b. August 26, 1850.

193. Kenneth LaFayette, b. September 13, 1852, in Wayne County. He was a medical doctor who owned and operated a drugstore and livery stable in Clifton and who practiced medicine in Wayne County for many years. He m. December 7, 1892, Anna Bell Johnson, b. October 11, 1860, dau. of Capt. Johnnie Johnson (382), of Florence, Alabama. He was a democrat and he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They had no children but reared one of her nephews, Eugene Duncan. Dr. Cook d. April 10, 1938. His wife d. about 1951. They are buried in the Clifton, Tennessee, Cemetery.

194. Mary Jane (Molly), b. October 30, 1854.

195. James Tom, b. September 13, 1856, in Wayne County. He, like two of his brothers, was a medical doctor. He lived in the small town of Flatwoods, and had a successful practice in the northwest section of Wayne County. He m. (1) February 4, 1890, Anna McLemore. She d. November 22, 1899. He m. (2) Elizabeth Goodman. He d. July 27, 1907, leaving no issue. He was buried in the Flatwoods Cemetery.

196. Nancy Elizabeth, b. August 4, 1858, in Wayne County, Tennessee. She m. May 5, 1881, William Henry Grimes and became the mother of six children of whom the author is one. She was a wonderful mother who accepted the responsibilities of making a home for a large family, during a difficult period in the South, with faith, courage, patience, and devotion. For a history of her family see William Henry Grimes.

197. John Henry Cook, b. February 17, 1860.

198. Anna Frances (Fannie) Cook, b. September 26, 1862.

199. Martha Catherine (Kate) Cook, b. December 14, 1865.

200. Cordelia Bell Cook, b. March 22, 1871.

Note: Descendents of John LaFayette Cook were taken from Bible record in possession of the author.