The Jersey City news., 1891-09-10
FIFTY YEARS Welded.
Mr.. and Mrs. Cooks Golden Anni-
versary-sOme Interesting
"reminiscences.

The Golden Wedding" of old Pop"
Cook, the genial doorkeeper at the Court
House, was celebrated yesterday aud last
night. The celebration yesterday took
place at Colonel Browns Court House
Cottage. and was participated in by all
the officials attached to the Court House.
John Cook, fifty years ago yesterday,
was married to MARITIME b. Roome at the
corner of Eighth avenue and Twenty
third street, New York, the present site of
the Grand Opera House. Mr.. Cook was
then twenty-five years old and his wife
two years Younger.
The officials about the Court House
learned some time ago that Mr Cook
would properly observe the hftieth ami.
versary of his wedding. aud they con-
cluded to take part in the proceedings.
For this purpose dinner WAS given at
Colonel Browns. After the good things
were disposed of Assistant District Attor-
uey John NJ. NoonaD, in q clever speech,
presented to Mr. Cook an elegant gold
badge of office on behalf OF his brother
Constables. Mr.. Cook was visibly affected
by this valuable token of esteem, and
when he replied, it was in tones SO earnest
that each contributor to the token knew
that he had never performed an act more
sincerely appreciated.
In the evening when Mr. and Mrs.
Cook received their numerous friends,
they were aided by three children, nine
grandchildren and two grcat-grand
daughters. During the fifty years of
marriei: life of MI. and Mrs. Cook nine
children have been born to them, but SIX
of the number are no more. But one
son, the eldest child, and two daughters
remain to cheer the aged couple in the
evening of their long life.
nm TnN
During the evening Mr. Cook could be
frequently heard saying to some guest:-
ibid you meet Brother Tom !? Come, /
want you to know him. Hey, Tom, this
is Mr.. -. Now, which is the oldest,
Tom or Z"
Mr.. Thomas Cook is four years and one
half Younger than Pop" and for thirty
years he mas lived in Illinois. He is the
County Collector OF McHenry county,
and is pleasant old gentleman, who ap-
peared to be much attached to his older
brother. Mr.. Thomas Cook and his wife
had come from their Illinois home to be
present at last nights festivities.
There is piece of history about Pop"
Cook which has not yet been told, al
though columns have been devoted to
his eventful life, and his connection with
the New York Volunteer Fire Depart
ment. He was assistant foreman of No.
6, the old .Goose Neck" Company, and
ne was al HCDlV0 WOFhef III tu0 yEGdU COLI
tiagration of 1885, Mr.. Cooks mothers
great grandfather was q half-brother Of
Louis XIV of France. Records in possess
ion OF Mr.. Cooks family show that the
half brother. who was known as Fran
co.'s Coquet, was driven out of France b e.
cause OF the part he took in one OF the re-
ligious wars. He came to this country
aud settled at what is now called New
Rochelle. He named the village Rochelle
after his native town in France. Coquet
was discovered'by his enemies, and he
fled to the hills, in what is now Rocklaud
county, N. Y, and lived there. He as
suined the Fame of Coquelettee.
A HANDSOME PRESENT.
During the evening a handsome bed of
roses was carried into the parlor and Mr.
Cook was told to examine it. He found
in it five elegant silk purses each Contain
ing $50 gold piece. The present came
from Lhe judges, clerks of the courts
aud heads of other departments in the
Court House. No one but Court House
men was permitted to contribute to the
present. A letter was also received by
Mr.. Cook from Judge Hoffman, who is in
Paris The letter was full Of tender CO n
gratulations to Mr.. and Mrs. Cook, aud
was filled with hope that their peace and
happiness was by no msaus near its
close. 1t is needless to say chat in all
Hudson County last night there
was no couple SO happy as Mr.
and Mrs. Cook. Mr.. Thomas Cook will
celebrate his golden wedding two years
from May next.
Mr.. Thomas Cook. in referring to the
of his brother John, said that
one day John and a brother, now dead,
Thomas and friend met at friends
house four girls. who were total strangers
to them. Each man selected his partner
for life from the four and all were mar
ried soon afterward. Johns golden we'd
ding was celebrated last night, their
friends will take place next year and the
year following Thomas celebrates his.