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Portrait and biographical album of Newayco (sp) County, Mich.
containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and
representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and
biographies of all the governors of Michigan and of the presidents
of the United States: also containing a complete history of the county,
from its earliest settlement to the present time.

Published by Chapman Bros., Chicago, IL, 1884

Transcribed by Linda Talbott

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Page 197
ROOKE, John
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John Rooke, son of William and Sarah Rooke, natives of England, was born
Oct. 28, 1814.  His education was limited; was employed eight years in a
flouring mill, in his native country; when 23 years of age he came to
America, and worked one year in a flouring mill in Canada; in the spring
of 1837 he came to Michigan and was employed four and a half years in a
mill in Oakland County, and thirteen years in Grand Rapids.  In the summer
of 1855 he bought a grist-mill in Denver Township, this county, which he
operated until the fall of 1882, and moved his family to Dayton Township,
upon 100 acres of land, which he had bought in 1856, at $1.25 an acre.
About 50 acres are improved.

Mr. Rooke was married in Ada, Kent Co., Mich., Oct. 23, 1854, to Jane M.,
daughter of Caleb and Maria Wilcox, natives of New York, where Mrs. R. was
born, April 23, 1833.  The following are the dates of birth and names of
their children:  Ella I., born Aug. 27, 1855; Mary Jessie, Nov. 4, 1856;
William C., July 24, 1858; John I., Feb. 25, 1860; Daniel W. L., July 25,
1861; Maria J., Jan. 1, 1863; Sarah J., March 14, 1864; Clara M., Dec. 4,
1865; Ida M., Nov. 25, 1867; Arthur A., Sept. 4, 1869; Lizzie A., Dec. 6,
1870; Ralph C., June 30, 1872; Almy G., Feb. 27, 1874.  All these thirteen
children are now living.

Mr. R. was formerly an Odd Fellow, in Canada; has always been a hard-
working man, being obliged to work late at night.  He commenced with no
capital but by his industry and economy he has gained a competency.  He
crossed the Atlantic in a sailing vessel, being 43 days on the journey,
and suffered much from sea-sickness.  In political matters Mr. R. is a
Republican.