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biography from Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
S. S. COOK, deceased, was a physician and surgeon, the son of Ira and Irene Cook, who now reside in Hardin County, Iowa. He was born in Indiana, July 15, 1832, and received but a limited education in the public schools, but by subsequent reading and study became a well-posted man upon most subjects of interest, and might properly be termed self-educated. In 1853 he came to Mahaska County, and located at Fremont. On the 13th day of April, 1854, he was married to Sarah A. Eastburn, a daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Haigh) Eastburn, born in Indiana Dec. 15, 1834. Her father died in 1872, and her mother in 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Cook became the parents of five children: Alice M., Laura E. and Albert N. are deceased; Rosa B. is the wife of Dr. William Bair, a graduate of the medical department of the Nebraska State University. and resides in Oxford, Neb.; Sylvanus S. is married, and lives in Jasper County, Iowa. From his youth Mr. Cook desired to become a physician, while his father desired him to learn the tanner's trade. But he could not give up his cherished ambition, therefore read medicine, and in 1855 began its practice at Fremont, subsequently removing to Richland, Keokuk Co., Iowa. After commencing the practice of medicine, he attended lectures at the Cincinnati Medical College, from which institution he received his diploma in 1858, when he entered actively into the practice of medicine and surgery, and continued in the work until 1863. He was then commissioned, July 13, as Assistant Surgeon of the 24th Iowa Infantry, serving as such for six months, when he was sent to Vicksburg as a Contract Surgeon, and died of disease contracted in the service Jan. 15, 1864. Dr. Cook was a member of the Baptist Church, and was a sincere Christian man. He was highly esteemed by all who knew him. After the death of her husband Mrs. Cook returned to Mahaska County, where she has since continued to live. She is the owner of forty acres of good land, has a good house and small barn, and other excellent improvements about the place, and is a lady highly esteemed for her many excellent qualities of head and heart by an extended circle of friends and acquaintances. Mrs. Cook is a member of the Baptist Church.
Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy