James Nathaniel Cook

Recollections of James Nathaniel COOK

By his Granddaughters: Agnes, Edna and Vendetta

     He was a Black Hawk War Veteran, a guard when the Black Hawk Indians were so bad. The Indians

knew Grandfather and respected him. He could talk to them when it seemed not many others could.

     He was a great admirer of President Brigham Young. Grandfather told of sleeping out under the stars with President Young, and of the control the Prophet had of himself. Quoting Grandfather, “We would lie talking with the men about, until he thought it was time to get to sleep, then he (the Prophet) would say, “Well Brigham, it is time to go to sleep,” and in a few minutes he would be asleep.”

     As a young man, a team of horses ran away with Grandfather, throwing him from the wagon and breaking his leg. In setting his leg, it was set short. Grandfather always walked with a limp.

James Nathaniel and Agnes Cook 

     My father, James Edward Cook, said he could remember as a child, of Indians coming to their door. Grandfather would tell Grandmother to fix them something to eat. They were always welcomed and asked to eat at the table with the family. The Indians loved to come to Grandfather and Grandmother’s (Agnes Beverage Morgan Cook) home. He very often told them of his religion. They sometimes would make light of him, but would soon be listening to him with great interest. They would always do what Grandfather told them. Wherever they met him they would always come and shake hands with him and call him “brother.” They would say, “Hello brother, Hello brother,” very pleased to see him.

     As a small boy Grandfather said he remembered walking down the street with his father, (in Nauvoo, Illinois) and meeting the Prophet Joseph Smith. They stopped and talked with him. Grandfather said the Prophet put his hand on his head and it was as if an electric shock passed through him.

     Grandfather was very kind to his family. He didn't believe in whipping a child. Grandmother told of him whipping one of the children and he couldn't sleep all night afterwards. He believed as Brigham Young, that in whipping a child, you might be whipping an older spirit.

     He was very careful of accusing his family of anything without proof. Father, James Edward Cook tells of one time, Grandfather accused him of something he hadn't done, and of how he came and put his arm around him and apologized when he found out he had been wrong.

     He loved to tell stories to his grandchildren, about Nauvoo and the hard times and how the Lord had blessed the people through those times.

     He was a poor man, but one of great Faith and Humility.

1900 Federal Census

     He was given his Second Endowment, recommended by President Walker. Because of this, he was troubled for fear he wasn’t worthy of them so he was administered to by our father and Bishop Morgan.

Just before he died, he got up from his bed and walked across the room and then came back to his bed. He looked across the room and called the names of several of his departed brothers and sisters, also his eldest daughter, who had passed on. He said, “Hello, David,” and held out his hand to him and said, “Oh, you won’t shake hands? Alright.”

1910 Federal Census LaBelle, Idaho

     He asked our father, James Edward Cook, if he could see them, Father said no. Grandfather said they were there, then he called Grandmother, he always called her Agnes. She came in from the kitchen, he put his arms around her and said, “I didn’t want to go first, but I must,” and he passed on.

     Grandfather worked as a freighter. He owned a Grocery store at one time in Levan. Our father worked there also. He worked a great deal of his live in the timber and did some farming.