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COL John James McCook

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COL John James McCook

Birth
Carrollton, Carroll County, Ohio, USA
Death
17 Sep 1911 (aged 66)
Sea Bright, Monmouth County, New Jersey, USA
Burial
Princeton, Mercer County, New Jersey, USA Add to Map
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Folk Figure. One of "the Fighting McCooks", who had 17 members fight for the Union, he was at Kenyon College in 1862 when his attempt to enlist was denied because he was underage. He accompanied the 52nd Ohio Infantry as a volunteer aide, and was later commissioned a Lieutenant on the XXI Corps staff, Army of the Cumberland. Promoted to Captain in 1863, he transferred to the Army of the Potomac, was wounded at Spotsylvania, and received brevet promotions for heroism to Major, Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel, at age 19 one of the youngest Civil War soldiers to attain such distinction. After the war he received bachelor's and master's degrees from Kenyon, graduated from Harvard Law School, and became a New York City attorney. He rose to senior partner at one of the nation's most prominent firms, was a Director of banks and railroads, and a Kenyon College and Princeton Theological Seminary Trustee. In 1892 he funded a new stadium at the University of Kansas. When his friend William McKinley became President, McCook declined appointment as Attorney General or Interior Secretary. In 1897 he led a syndicate that nearly annexed Cuba by paying its debt to Spain, an action that might have averted the Spanish-American War. Active in the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA), during that war he was Chairman of the Army and Navy Christian Commission. The village of McCook, Illinois, and McCook Street at the University of Kansas are named for him.
Folk Figure. One of "the Fighting McCooks", who had 17 members fight for the Union, he was at Kenyon College in 1862 when his attempt to enlist was denied because he was underage. He accompanied the 52nd Ohio Infantry as a volunteer aide, and was later commissioned a Lieutenant on the XXI Corps staff, Army of the Cumberland. Promoted to Captain in 1863, he transferred to the Army of the Potomac, was wounded at Spotsylvania, and received brevet promotions for heroism to Major, Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel, at age 19 one of the youngest Civil War soldiers to attain such distinction. After the war he received bachelor's and master's degrees from Kenyon, graduated from Harvard Law School, and became a New York City attorney. He rose to senior partner at one of the nation's most prominent firms, was a Director of banks and railroads, and a Kenyon College and Princeton Theological Seminary Trustee. In 1892 he funded a new stadium at the University of Kansas. When his friend William McKinley became President, McCook declined appointment as Attorney General or Interior Secretary. In 1897 he led a syndicate that nearly annexed Cuba by paying its debt to Spain, an action that might have averted the Spanish-American War. Active in the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA), during that war he was Chairman of the Army and Navy Christian Commission. The village of McCook, Illinois, and McCook Street at the University of Kansas are named for him.

Bio by: Bill McKern

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