GEN. JOHN R. COOKE
Was born a soldier, at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, the son of Gen. P.
St. George Cooke, U. S. A. His first instruction in books was given by
a soldier of the 1st Dragoons, U. S. A., at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
He took a course of study in the Missouri University, at Columbia;
attended the school taught by Benjamin Hallowell, at Alexandria, Virginia,
later was a student in the Lawrence Scientific School connected
with Harvard University, Cambridge. He was educated for the profession
of civil engineer, and for a year after the completion of his studies
followed that profession. Then, in 1855, he was appointed second
lieutenant in the 8th U. S. Infantry, and served in Texas, New Mexico
and Arizona. He came from Arizona to Missouri on leave of absence in
1861, and when the war broke out resigned from the United States
Army and came to Virginia.
He entered the Confederate States army as first lieutenant and was
ordered to report to General Holmes at Fredericksburg, on whose staff
he served until after battle of First Manassas. In August, 1861, he
raised a battery of artillery in Fredericksburg. In February, 1862,
was promoted major of artillery, and sent with General Holmes as his
chief of artillery into the Department of North Carolina. In April,
1862, at the reorganization of the army he was elected colonel of the
27th North Carolina Infantry regiment. He was ordered with his regiment
into Virginia, and reached the field in time to be present in battle
of Seven Pines. The regiment was assigned to Ripley's brigade, Army
of Northern Virginia. In November, 1862, after Sharpsburg battle, he
was promoted brigadier-general, with which rank he served until the
surrender at Appomattox. General Cooke was slightly wounded at
Sharpsburg, severely at Fredericksburg (December 13, 1862), at Bristoe
(leg broken), and at near Spotsylvania C. H., in the Wilderness campaign
of 1864. The wound at Fredericksburg was received while General
Cooke, in command of Cooke's North Carolina Brigade in the
"sunken road" at the foot of "Marye's Heights" was holding the
"Stonewall," together with Cobb's brigade, the two brigades fighting
mingled together.
From the field at Appomattox General Cooke went to Charlottsville,
Virginia, where his wife was boarding, and in the fall of 1865 came to
Richmond, where he has since resided. He was for a time clerk in the
house of French & Crenshaw, then in various employments until, in
1876, he engaged on his own account in merchandising. He was prominent
in the founding of the Soldiers Home, at Richmond, and has been
one of its active and efficient managers, is at present President Board
of Directors of the Virginia Penitentiary.
His father, Gen. Phillip St. George Cooke, was born in Frederick county,
Virginia, son of Dr. Cooke, and married Rachel Hertzog. He is now on
the retired list, U. S. A., and they reside in Detroit, Michigan. The wife
of Gen. John R. Cooke, whom he married in Richmond, in January,
1864, is Nannie G., daughter of Dr. Wm. F. Patton, of Norfolk, Virginia,
formerly surgeon U. S. Navy. Her mother was a Miss Sheppard,
of Orange county, Virginia. General and Mrs. Cooke have eight children,
born in the order named: John R., jr., Farlie P., Ellen M., P. St.
George, Rachel, Hallie S., Nannie G., and Stuart.
