James Hervey Cook
Mr. James Hervey Cook of this city and his twin brother, Dr. Thomas McCurdy Cook, of Sandusky, were seventy years old Friday. The two gentlemen celebrated the anniversary by driving out to their birth-place, the old Cook farm two miles and a half southwest of the city, and spending the day there. Part of the old log-house in which they were born is still standing. Their father, Jabez Cook, who died February 6th., 1875, resided there forty years. It is at present known as the Finney farm. They have one brother living, younger than themselves, Mortimer Cook of Sedrow, W.T., and four sisters, Mrs. Alice C. Anderson and Mrs. Jennie Harrison of California, Mrs. Lizzie Shepard of Iowa, and Mrs. Emily Voorhes of Mt. Gilead, O. Thomas Cook, a brother of Jabez, resides at Lexington, and a sister of his was the mother of Judge Moses R. Dickey of Cleveland and Judge Jabez Dickey of this city. Mr. J.H. Cook married Miss Mary A. Wiler, a daughter of John Wiler, deceased, who lived to be over a hundred years old. They have four children, three daughters and one son, all well known residents of Mansfield. Mr. T.M. Cook also has four children, three sons and a daughter, and is a physician engaged in the practice at Sandusky (OH). J.H. Cook was for a number of years proprietor of the Wiler House, which belonged to the Wiler estate. Yesterday the two brothers wrote their autographs on the hotel register. The two men resemble each other very closely and one has frequently been taken for the other. They are both hale and hearty and look twenty years younger than they are.
From Mansfield Herald: September 9, 1886
It is seldom that the SHIELD is called upon to record an event that gives it more genuine pleasure than that of the celebration of the fiftieth wedding anniversary of such excellent people as Mr. & Mrs. J.H. Cook. Their host of friends, and everybody knows them and are therefore there friends, join in this felicitation. James Harvey Cook and wife, as stated above, celebrated their fiftieth anniversary of their marriage, or golden wedding, at their residence on West Third Street yesterday. Mrs. Cook's maiden name was Mary Ann Wiler, she being the eldest daughter of John Wiler, who was formerly owner of the Wiler House, the famous hostelry, which retains its name to the present time although not in use as a hotel. The marriage took place fifty years ago in the sitting room of the hotel mentioned at 4 o'clock Sunday afternoon, March 27, 1842, the Rev. James Rowland, a Presbyterian minister, officiating. Only a few persons were present, Mrs. McLaughlin, widow of the late Gen. McLaughlin, of this city, being the only one now living who witnessed the ceremony. Dr. T.M. Cook, of Sandusky, twin brother of J.H. Cook, and George W. Blymyer, son-in-law, were present and partook of the anniversary repast at 4 o'clock in the afternoon yesterday. J.M. Cook, a son, who is located at Wichita, Kansas, who had made arrangement to be present, did not arrive until late in the afternoon. A congratulatory letter was received from Mrs. Pierre Hyacinth Loyson, of Paris, France. Mrs. Loyson is by marriage a full cousin of Mr. Cook and has written a great deal from France for American journals. Her marriage to the eminent Catholic divine some time ago created intense interest all over the world. Other messages containing good wishes were received from friends and relatives in Florida, Kansas and other states. Rev. Dr. J.W. Hubbell, pastor of the First Congregational church of this city, presented Mr. & Mrs. Cook with a beautiful floral offering, as a reminder of the occasion. Mr. and Mrs. Cook were both born in Madison Township, Richland County, and have lived here all their lives. Mr. Cook was born on the old Cook farm, south of the city, upon which his parents settled in 1815. J.H. and J.M., the twin brothers, who are as much alike in personal appearance as two peas ever dared be, made their debut the following year, 1816. The twin brothers were rocked in a sugar trough cradle and worked on the farm for a number of years. Mrs. cook was born in the old Wiler House property on Main Street, this city. They are, therefore, no doubt the oldest living pioneer resident couple in the county. a most remarkable incident in this distinguished family is the fact that three golden weddings have been celebrated in it. The golden wedding of Mr. Cook's parents was celebrated in 1865, that of his twin brother at Sandusky in 1889, and the one of yesterday making the third. A most unusual record of longevity indeed. At present Mr. Cook's health is excellent, going to and from his office on the coldest days without an overcoat, a condition, the thought of which would make men many years his junior shiver. Mr. Cook has never held an elective office, although no man is more highly esteemed for probity and integrity than he. At present he is president of the Richland Mutual Fire Insurance Company and of the Mansfield Cemetery Association, which he laughingly declares are all the offices he wants.
From Richland Shield & Banner: April 2, 1892, Vol. XXIV, No. 45