Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Karen D. Foster for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================== U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================== Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. ========================================================================== SOURCE: History of Genesee County, Michigan pub. Everts and Abbott - 1879 Page 248 - 249 GURDON G. COOK The ancestors of Mr. Cook were among the early English settlers of New England. Deacon Gurdon W. Cook was a native of Connecticut, and in 1805 removed with his family to Western New York, and settled at Lima, Livingston Co. He reared a family of four sons and four daughters, of whom Gurdon G. was the second son. He was born at the old home in Connecticut on the 7th day of June, 1802. He was reared on the farm, and at the age of seventeen went to learn the trade of a tanner; he followed that occupation at Avon and Bethany for several years, during which time he became acquainted with Miss Wealthy Pierson, daughter of Joseph and Sarah Pierson, old settlers of Avon. They were united in marriage, Feb. 15, 1827. After his marriage he continued the same business until 1834, when he took charge of and managed the farm of his father-in-law. In the spring of 1836 he made a trip to Michigan in quest of a home; he selected and purchased of the government two hundred and forty acres of land in the present township of Grand Blanc, Genesee Co., about ten miles south of the city of Flint. He then returned to New York, settled up his business, and in the full of the same year removed with his family to their new home in the wilds of Michigan. The family moved into their new log house in the following February. Then followed the usual routine of chopping, logging, clearing off the timber, and all the other hard work, hardships and privations incident to pioneer life, together with anxieties and fears of wolves and Indians on the part of the mother, for the first year or two. But in a few years the Indians and wild animals disappeared, and were replaced by settlers and neighbors; and, under the sturdy stroke of the pioneer axe, the forest had given place to fields of waving grain. The adventurous family, who a few years before had braved all the discomforts and dangers of settlers in the wilderness, had fully realized all that their hopes and anticipations had pictured to them of a comfortable home with peace and plenty smiling around them. Mr. Cook was a man of genuine piety, and an honored member of the Congregational Church for upwards of forty years. For the last fourteen years of his life he was blind, the result of an accident in early life and subsequent inflammation; but under this terrible affliction he always ========================================================================== Page 249 maintained a cheerful and hopeful spirit, and continued to manage his farm and business with all his accustomed precision and sagacity. In 1853 he made an addition of eighty acres to his farm, so that at his death, which occurred Oct. 6, 1860, it consisted of three hundred and twenty acres. He left to his bereaved widow and children a comfortable fortune and an unblemished character. Mrs. Wealthy Cook, his widow, comes of a long line of honored ancestors. The Pierson family is also of English origin, and embraces some of the earliest settlers of New England. Ephraim, the grandfather of Mrs. Cook, lived and died in Connecticut. He left a family of ten children, —six sons and four daughters. Joseph, the fifth son, was born at the old Connecticut home, and while a young man went to Albany, N. Y., where he was married to Sarah Watrous. He first settled on a farm in Albany County, but in a few years he removed to Livingston County, bought a farm, and settled at Avon. He reared a family of three sons and six daughters, of whom Mrs. Cook was the sixth child. She was born at Avon, Dec. 26, 1801; was reared on a farm, and in the pure atmosphere of farm life, along with its duties, habits, and toils, she acquired a strong and vigorous constitution, and a knowledge and experience which in after-years were of great value to her husband and children. She resides at the old home in Grand Blanc, tranquil and happy, enjoying a ripe old age in the society of her children and time-honored friends. She and her deceased husband are the parents of four children, named Joseph P., Sarah M., Henry H., and Ellen A., all of whom are living. Joseph is married to Julia H. Slaght and has six children; he resides on a part of the old home-farm, and is a man of much consideration and influence in his locality. Sarah is unmarried, and resides with her mother at the old home. Henry is married to Sarah D. Parker, and has four children; he also owns and resides on a part of the old home farm. Ellen is the wife of Andrew J. Cronk, and resides on their farm in the town of Burton; they have two children. On another page may be found a view of the home of this old pioneer couple. ========================================================================== If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access more of our free online information by going to the following url: http://www.us-data.org/ ==========================================================================