Orleans

COOK, John Bray

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, pp 79-80

John Bray COOK, of Greensboro [Vermont], was born 03 July 1836 at Greensboro 
[Orleans County, Vermont], son of Charles and Caroline (HUNTINGTON) COOK, Jr. 
Mr. COOK's grandfather removed to Greensboro in 1801, settling on the farm 
on which he now resides. His educational training was received at the 
Greensboro public schools and in two terms each at the academies of St. 
Johnsbury and Barre. Until the age of twenty-two he remained and labored 
upon the farm, and removed to Iowa in the spring of 1861.

In October 1861 he enlisted for three years in Company A, Fourteenth Iowa 
Infantry, and expected to be sent immediately to the front, but the trouble 
with the Sioux Indians occurring at this time, the regiment was ordered to 
Fort Randall in South Dakota. Here Mr. COOK remained for two years, sharing 
in many of the exciting events of the campaign under General SULLY. After 
the Minnesota massacre, he was detailed with a party of twenty-five to pursue 
the Sioux Indians, and after a successful skirmish captured six, who were 
carried to the fort, but who subsequently escaped. By the command of General 
SULLY, Mr. COOK was assigned to the quartermaster's department, in which he 
remained until the expiration of his term of service. His company built the 
first building at Fort Sully. And as wagon master, under a strong Indian 
guard, he drew the logs for the first warehouse erected at Fort Rice.

He has been elected to several town offices, and appointed justice of the 
peace. Republican. Affiliated with Caledonia Grange No. 9, of Hardwick; 
member of the Congregational church; teacher in the Sabbath school. On 14 
November 1865 he [John Bray COOK] married Katharine, daughter of Capt. 
Charles and Hannah (LEWIS) KALLAMYER. Captain KALLAMYER left the service of 
the German Emperor for political reasons, and afterwards entered the regular 
army of the U. S.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly