Virgil Young Cook (1848 - 1922)

Born 14 Nov 1848 in Boydsville, Graves, Kentucky, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Mildred Ophelia (Lamb) Cook — married 29 Jun 1871 (to 6 Jul 1916) in Jacksonport, Jackson, Arkansas, United States

Died 12 Mar 1922 at age 73 in Batesville, Independence, Arkansas, United States

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Biography

Virgil Cook is Notable.

Private Virgil Cook served in the United States Civil War.
Enlisted: Jun 1, 1861
Mustered out: May 16, 1865
Side: CSA
Regiment(s): 12th Regiment, Kentucky Cavalry (Confederate);7th Regiment, Kentucky Infantry (Confederate)Infantry

Colonel Virgil Cook served with the United States Army during the Spanish-American War.
Service Started: May 25, 1898
Unit(s): 2nd Arkansas Volunteer Infantry
Service Ended: Feb 25, 1899

Virgil Young Cook is a notable figure due to his remarkable journey from a young Confederate soldier who enlisted at the age of thirteen to a successful businessman and landowner in Arkansas after the Civil War. His dedication to the Confederate cause throughout his life, including his leadership in preserving Confederate history, further underscores his significance. Cook's commitment to his community, his support for churches, and his deep religious conviction also contribute to his noteworthiness. His story is a testament to resilience, entrepreneurial spirit, and unwavering loyalty to his principles and heritage, making him a notable and respected figure in the history of the American South.^[1][2][3][4]

Virgil Young Cook, born on November 14, 1848, in Boydsville, Graves County, Kentucky, came into the world as the son of William Ditterline Cook and Pernecia (Dodds) Cook.^[2] His early education took place in Boydville, Kentucky, and at Spring Hill Academy. The Cook family, as revealed in census records^[3], lived in District 1, Weakley County, Tennessee, both in 1850^[5] and 1860.^[6]

At a remarkably young age, in June 1861, Virgil Young Cook joined the Confederate army, enlisting at Waverly, Tennessee. Despite his father's objections due to his age, he fled home to join the 12th Kentucky Cavalry, Company E, and later transferred to Company H, 7th Kentucky Mounted Infantry. These units served under the command of the renowned General Nathan Bedford Forrest throughout the Civil War. Virgil Young Cook participated in numerous significant battles during this time, including the Battle of Fort Pillow in Tennessee on April 12, 1864, engagements at Brice's Cross Roads on June 10, 1864, and Harrisburg, Mississippi, on July 14-15. He also participated in raids into North Alabama and Tennessee, including the Hood's Nashville raid.^[2][7]

In the spring of 1865, Cook was involved in the Selma, Alabama campaign, fighting in battles at Monticello, Marion, Plantersville, Newhope Church, Bolger's Creek, and Selma itself on April 2, 1865, when the city fell into Union hands. Following the war, he and fellow survivors of his unit regrouped in Columbus, Mississippi, where they eventually surrendered. On May 16, 1865, at the age of not more than sixteen and a half, Virgil Young Cook was mustered out of the service in Paducah, Kentucky.^[2]

In late 1866, Cook relocated to Arkansas, where he began a successful career in merchandising in Jackson County. He partnered with M.F. Thomason, reorganizing his father's pre-war business, and operated under the firm name Cook & Thomason until 1874. At this time, Cook was offered a position as a railroad agent with the Cairo, Arkansas and Texas Railroad (CA&T), formerly known as the Cairo and Fulton Railroad. He played a pivotal role in representing and promoting the construction of a mainline railway from Jacksonport to Bradford, Arkansas, effectively bypassing Grand Glaize.^[1][2][3]

Census records from 1870 show Cook living in Glaize Township, Jackson County, Arkansas, working as a clerk in a local store.^[8] On June 29, 1871, he married Mildred Ophelia Lamb in Jacksonport, Jackson County, Arkansas. Together, they had four daughters and two sons, although one son tragically died in infancy and the other at the age of seventeen.^[1]

In 1874, Cook expanded his business endeavors by opening a mercantile store in Olyphant^[1][3][4], where he was appointed postmaster on September 8, 1874.^[9] He also ventured into the cotton industry, constructing a cotton gin in Olyphant. Over time, he amassed an impressive 8,000 acres of land in Jackson, Independence, Clay, and Greene Counties, with approximately 2,000 acres dedicated to cultivation.^[1][2][3][4]

The heart of Cook's vast land holdings was his Midland Holm plantation, situated on the fertile Oil Trough Bottoms along the White River. In 1874, he built a plantation house on 2,300 acres of primarily cotton land, known as "Midland Holm" or Midland Farm, with 1,600 acres under cultivation. Located about a mile and a half west of what would later become Elmo, Arkansas, this plantation relied on sharecroppers and tenant farmers, with Cook providing housing and necessities for laborers, including seasonal accommodations for migrant workers from the nearby Ozark Mountains. His bachelor brother, Barnett, also lived on the plantation, specializing in livestock, cattle, and horses.^[2][3][4]

By 1880, Cook lived in Glaize Township, Jackson County, Arkansas, and worked as a dry goods merchant.^[10] Ten years later, he moved the epicenter of his operations to Elmo, establishing a gin and a store on White River.^[1][2]

Colonel Cook's military service didn't end with the Civil War. At the time of the Spanish-American War, he held the rank of Major General in the Arkansas National Guard and reserve militia. When the state was called upon to provide troops, Governor Dan W. Jones appointed Cook the colonel of the 2nd Arkansas Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Although stationed at Chickamauga, Georgia, during this service, he saw no combat and was mustered out of service on February 25, 1899.^{[2][3][4][11]}

Throughout his life, Virgil Young Cook remained dedicated to the Confederate cause. He played an instrumental role in preserving and promoting Confederate history. Serving as Adjutant General on the staff of General Robert G. Shaver, who commanded the Arkansas Division of the United Confederate Veterans, Cook tirelessly organized camps across the state. He later assumed command of that division and extended his efforts throughout the Trans-Mississippi Department, which he led for three years before voluntarily retiring at the Chattanooga reunion in 1921. He also commanded the Trans-Mississippi Department of the Forrest Cavalry Association. His dedication made him one of the most prominent Confederate veterans in the South.^[2]

In the 1900 census, Cook was listed as a planter merchant, residing in Christian Township, Independence County, Arkansas.^[12] By 1910, he lived on Main Street in Batesville, Independence County, Arkansas.^[13]

After the passing of his first wife, Mildred, in July 1916, Cook married Sarah "Sallie" B. Lanier of Forest City, St. Francis County, on April 28, 1920, in New Orleans, Louisiana.^[1]

In his later years, Cook maintained his support for churches and experienced a deep religious conviction. He became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in Batesville, where he regularly attended services.^[2]

On March 12, 1922, Virgil Young Cook passed away at his home in Batesville, Independence County, Arkansas, following an acute indigestion attack.^[14][15] His funeral featured Confederate comrades as honorary pallbearers, and he was laid to rest at Oaklawn Cemetery in Batesville, surrounded by family, friends, and fellow veterans of the Confederacy. Service marked Virgil Young Cook's life, success, and unwavering commitment to the causes he held dear.^[16]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6} Rorie, Kenneth, Van Buren, Arkansas, Encyclopedia of Arkansas, 16 Jun 2023. "Virgil Young (V. Y.) Cook (1848–1922)." Accessed 25 Sep 2023.
2. ↑ ^{2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10} Confederate Veteran. United States: S.A. Cunningham, 1922. "Confederate Veteran." Accessed 25 Sep 2023.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6} Hempstead, Fay. Historical Review of Arkansas: Its Commerce, Industry and Modern Affairs. United States: Lewis publiching Company, 1911. "Historical Review of Arkansas, Its Commerce, Industry and Modern Affairs." Accessed 25 Sep 2023.
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4} The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography. United States: J.T. White, 1899. "The National Cyclopadia of American Biography." Accessed 25 Sep 2023.
5. ↑ 1850 United States Federal Census: The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M432; Residence Date: 1850; Home in 1850: District 1, Weakley, Tennessee; Roll: 899; Page: 389b Ancestry Record 8054 #1369858
6. ↑ 1860 United States Federal Census: The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M653; Residence Date: 1860; Home in 1860: District 1, Weakley, Tennessee; Roll: M653_1278; Page: 315; Family History Library Film: 805278 Ancestry Record 7667 #19572533
7. ↑ U.S., Civil War Soldiers, 1861-1865: National Park Service. U.S., Civil War Soldiers, 1861-1865 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. Original data: National Park Service, Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System, online <http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/>, acquired 2007. Ancestry Record 1138 #1414949
8. ↑ 1870 United States Federal Census: Year: 1870; Census Place: Glaize, Jackson, Arkansas; Roll: M593_56; Page: 324A Ancestry Record 7163 #12753038
9. ↑ U.S., Appointments of U. S. Postmasters, 1832-1971: The National Archives in Washington, DC; Washington, DC; Record of Appointment of Postmasters, 1832-Sept. 30, 1971; Record Group: Records of the Post Office Department; Record Group Number: 28; Series: M841; Roll Number: 7 Ancestry Record 1932 #224221
10. ↑ 1880 United States Federal Census: Year: 1880; Census Place: Glaize, Jackson, Arkansas; Roll: 47; Page: 476D; Enumeration District: 134 Ancestry Record 6742 #4774521
11. ↑ U.S., Spanish American War Volunteers Index to Compiled Military Service Records, 1898: Ancestry.com. U.S., Spanish American War Volunteers Index to Compiled Military Service Records, 1898 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012. This collection was indexed by Ancestry World Archives Project contributors. Original data: General Index to Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Soldiers who Served During the War with Spain. Microfilm publication M871, 126 rolls. NAID: 654543. Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1780s–1917, Record Group 94. The National Archives in Washington, D.C. Ancestry Record 2400 #258009
12. ↑ 1900 United States Federal Census: Year: 1900; Census Place: Christian, Independence, Arkansas; Roll: 61; Page: 7; Enumeration District: 0035 Ancestry Record 7602 #35569799
13. ↑ 1910 United States Federal Census: Year: 1910; Census Place: Batesville Ward 2, Independence, Arkansas; Roll: T624_52; Page: 17a; Enumeration District: 0041; FHL microfilm: 1374065 Ancestry Record 7884 #555509
14. ↑ Newspaper Clipping, Evening Star, Washington, District of Columbia, 13 May 1922, Mon. - Page 7. "Gen. V. Y. Cook Succumbs." Accessed 25 Sep 2023.
15. ↑ Newspaper Clipping, The Newark Journal, Newark, Arkansas, 16 Mar 1922, Thu. - Page 1. "Col. V. Y> Cook is Called by Death." Accessed 25 Sep 2023.
16. ↑ Burial: Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/16416975/virgil-young-cook: accessed 24 September 2023), memorial page for Col Virgil Young Cook (14 Nov 1848–12 Mar 1922), Find A Grave: Memorial #16416975, citing Oaklawn Cemetery, Batesville, Independence County, Arkansas, USA; Maintained by Patricia Heath (contributor 46555946).

See Also

• Wikidata: Item Q52300994