John Cook

John Cook (November 28, 1791 – November 8, 1877) was a merchant and political figure in Upper Canada and Canada West.

He was born on what was later known as Crysler's Farm in Williamsburgh Township in Upper Canada in 1791; he later sold that property to John Crysler. He served with the Dundas County Militia during the War of 1812 and fought at the Battle of Crysler's Farm.

Cook exchanged his land at Crysler's Farm, which fronted on the Saint Lawrence, with a tract of land in Williamsburg Township, owned by John Crysler. He operated a timber business and ran a general store in North Williamsburg. A vigorous man, he was known to walk to Montreal when he had business there, rather than travel by boat on the Saint Lawrence. He was generous to the poor and needy, and contributed a large sum towards the building of the first Lutheran church in the area. In the first session, he was one of the ultra-Reformers, who supported the union, but consistently voted against the Governor-General, Lord Sydenham. In later sessions, he was a dependable vote for Reform. Cook stood for re-election in the 1844 general election, but was defeated by George Macdonell, who supported the Governor-General's government.

The sons of his brother George, James William, Hermon Henry and Simon, became merchants and political figures in Ontario.

Three of his grandsons, John William Cook (1834-1864), Ira Jacob Cook (1838-1910), and Rufus George Cook (1843-1924), were born in Dundas county and moved to Iowa, fighting with the 31st Iowa Infantry Regiment in the American Civil War. John W. Cook died of wounds from the Battle of Atlanta.