Gen. Alexander only one of 'the Fighting McCooks'
In McCook, Neb., we naturally think of Gen. Alexander McCook, as the man after whom our city is named. But when we consider the family McCook, from Ohio, the "Fighting McCooks" we can be doubly -- no, 16 times as proud. As noted by the 39th Congress of the United States in 1866, "(The McCook family) has achieved a record of which the nation may well feel proud."
The McCook family is called the first family of the Civil War. Brothers, Daniel and John McCook and 14 of their sons fought in the Civil War.
The McCooks produced: three Major Generals, three Brigadier Generals, one Navy Lieutenant, three Surgeons, two Colonels, one Major, one Private, two Chaplains. Four of these men gave their lives to save the Union. It is doubtful that such a record will ever be achieved again in our country.
The McCooks were descended from George McCook, a fiery Irish Revolutionary, who immigrated to Pennsylvania in about 1780. When referring to the Fighting McCooks we find that we are mainly looking at two branches of the family, The Tribe of Dan and The Tribe of John. A third brother, George Jr. and his son, George III, both doctors, served as unpaid volunteer surgeons under Gen. McClellan in the Peninsular Campaign.
Dan and John received their educations in Pennsylvania, Daniel as an attorney, and John as a doctor. Later they settled in Ohio, Dan in Carrolton, John in Steubenville. By the time of the Civil War, in 1861, both were enjoying considerable success in their chosen fields. When war was declared both men were among the first to offer their services to Abraham Lincoln and the Union Army. They were followed into the service of their country almost immediately by their sons.
The Tribe of John: (Father) John, served as a Volunteer Surgeon.
(Sons): Edward Moody McCook 1833-1909, Major General. He was honored repeatedly for his competence and bravery, and during this time he became a friend of General Grant. As President, Grant sent Edward as Minister to the Hawaiian Islands, and later appointed him to be Governor of Colorado Territory. Edward became a leading attorney and retired in Central City CO as one of the territory's richest citizens.
Anson George McCook 1835-1917, Major General, served with distinction in a number of battles, notably at the Battle of Lookout Mountain under Gen. Thomas. After the war he served three terms in Congress, representing a district in metropolitan New York. He was founder and editor of the New York Law Review, and served as President of the New York Law Publishing Company until his death in 1917.
Henry Christopher McCook 1837-1911, Lieutenant, served as a Presbyterian Chaplain who tended to religious needs of the men, but also frequently fought in battles. After the war he served as a pastor of several churches, and wrote a number of books on nature (which were illustrated by Daniel Beard, the founder of the Boy Scouts of America). He served again as a Chaplain in the Spanish American War.
John James McCook 1843-1927, Lieutenant, served as a Presbyterian Chaplain. He was seriously wounded in action in The Battle of Shady Grove in Virginia. After the war he became a lawyer and set up s successful practice in NYC. A leading Presbyterian layman, he served on the Board of the Princeton Theological College.
Roderick S. McCook 1839-1886, Navy Commander. He was the first Naval officer to capture a Rebel Regiment. After the war he commanded ships in the West Indies and in Asian waters. Two US Navy ships have been named in his honor.
All the McCook members of the Tribe of John survived the war.
The Tribe of Dan: (Father) Daniel McCook Sr. 1798-1863, Major. Even though Daniel was 63 when the war began he offered his services to President Lincoln. He was made a paymaster and given the rank of Major. When Rebel Gen. John Morgan invaded Ohio Daniel gave up his "desk" job to join in confronting the invaders. He was killed in the skirmish known as The Battle of Buffington's Island.
Latimer A. McCook, MD 1820-1869, Major in the 31st Regiment of Illinois Volunteers. Latimer studied medicine with his uncle, Geo. McCook. He was badly wounded at Vicksburg, and again during Sherman's March to the Sea. He survived the war, but his health was permanently broken down from his wounds.
George Wythe McCook 1821-1877, Brigadier General. Studied law at Ohio U. and became a law partner of Edwin M. Stanton. He commanded a regiment from Ohio during the Mexican War. During the Civil War his contributions were mainly in the recruiting of Army units from Ohio. After the war he was a Democratic candidate for Governor of Ohio, but poor health caused him to withdraw from the race.
John James McCook 1823-1842, Midshipman. Educated at the United States Naval Academy. As a midshipman on the frigate "Delaware" he was taken ill with a fever and died. He is buried in an English cemetery in Rio de Janiero. Admiral Farragut, in his autobiography, paid high tribute to the high character and ability of John James.
Robert Latimer McCook 1827-1862, Major General. Studied law in the offices of Stanton & McCook. In the Civil War he commanded Union forces with distinction in West Virginia and Kentucky where he was severely wounded. Wounded again near Salem, Alabama, he was murdered by Rebel guerillas, who shot him while he lay helplessly in an ambulance, awaiting evacuation.
Alexander McDowell McCook 1831-1903, Major General. In addition to Alexander's service in various campaigns Gen. Grant sent Gen. McCook to thwart an attack on Washington during the time Grant was closing in on Richmond and Petersburg.
Daniel McCook Jr. 1834-1864, Brigadier General. When the war began Daniel was practicing law in Leavenworth, Kan. He served in several campaigns and was fatally wounded leading an attack on Kennesaw Mountain during Sherman's campaign in Georgia.
Edwin Stanton McCook 1837-1873. He was educated at the Naval Academy, but chose to serve in the Army during the Civil War. He was three times severely wounded, but survived the war, only to be assassinated while serving as Governor of Dakota.
Charles Morris McCook 1843-1861, Private R. Company 2nd Ohio Volunteers. Charles was the first McCook to die in the war, at the Battle of 1st Bull Run. His father, Dan, who had volunteered as a nurse, watched as his son was shot resisting the enemy and held his son in his arms as he died.
John J. McCook 1845-1911, Colonel. After the war he served as President of the Sante Fe Railroad in 1892. The Village of McCook, Ill., is named after him.
No account of the "Fighting McCooks" would be complete without mention of the wife and mother of the "Tribe of Dan," Martha Latimer McCook 1802-1879. Her husband, and all eight of her sons served in the Union Army. No battle could take place but some of her loved ones were in danger. Her husband and three sons died in the war, and others were severely wounded.
Her wartime experience was one of continuous prayer, for her country, her husband, and her sons. The story of this patriotic woman serves to illustrate the sacrifices and sufferings endured by the women of our country no less than by the men who fought on the battlefield.
Source: Carroll County Ohio Web site.