Representative women of New England/Evelyn T. Cook
EVELYN TUCK COOK, a Past Department President of the Woman's Relief Cor]is of Massachusptts, was born in Manchester, Mass., June 26, 1849, daughter of Captain Charles and Sophia (Lendall) Leach. Her father, who commanded the bark "Marguerite." died in March, 1852, on the voyage from South America to Boston, Mass. Evelyn was then in her third year. She was educated in the public schools of her native town. On February 24, 1869, .she was married to Colonel Benjamin Franklin Cook, of Gloucester, Mass., son of Captain Jeremiah Cook and his wife, Harriet Tarr, who was daughter of Captain Jabez Tarr, of Bunker Hill fame. For more than thirty years Mrs. Cook has been engaged in work for the Grand Army of the Republic. She was a charter member of Clara Barton Lodge, formed May 13, 1870, as an auxiliary to Colonel Allen Post, G. A. R., of Gloucester. She was elected its first Treasurer, and then served as President six consecutive terms. hen Colonel Allen Relief Corps was instituted, December 18, 1886, she was elected President, holding the office three years. She served in several other positions, and was Department Instituting and Installing Officer in 1889. In 1890 she was chief Aide on the staff of Mrs. Mary E. Knowles, Department President, and in 1891 was Department Corresponding Secretary. In 1892 she was chosen a member of the Department Executive Board, and the following year was elected Department Junior Vice-President. She was promoted to the office of Senior Vice-President in 1894, and at the annual convention held in Springfield, Mass., February, 1895, was unanimously elected Department President. When accepting the office she said; "I pledge my best efforts in every way. Tenderly as I have guarded my own name and honor during my life, so I will guard the honor of the Department of Massachusetts."
Mrs. Cook addressed many gatherings throughout the State, and her eloquent appeals always commanded attention. Great interest was manifested in all the work. In a general order issued July 13, 1895, she requested corps presidents to fill out an enclosed blank, containing a list of questions regarding the introduction of a flag salute in the public schools. Referring to this line oi work, she said: "At no time since the Civil War has the fact been more apparent that lessons of loyalty and love of country should be inculcated in the minds of the children. The members of this Department must realize that a grand opportunity is theirs to carry out one of the principles of our order."
On May 30, 1889, Mrs. Cook delivered a memorial address at Southbridge in the afternoon and one at West Medway in the evening. Her Memorial Day order to the corps was a heartfelt tribute to the nation's heroes. The following paragraph is worthy of preservation:
"As we scatter the chaplets and garlands, fragrant with the sweetness of spring, on the spot of green which covers the mounds of our nation's benefactors, may we open our hearts to the teachings of the hour and the sacredness of the ceremony, light anew the fires of patriotism, and renew our pledges of life and sacred honor to transmit unsullied to our children this noble heritage of ours! And, while we meet around these altars of our love, may we give a thought of affection to those far-off graves marked with that one word, 'Unknown'! Unknown, perhaps, the name; yet he was a soldier of the Union. Unknown, perhaps, his rank, his birthplace, or religion; but known he was a brother who gave his life for freedom. In this fair land are other graves still for us to approach with reverence. Our sister women, whose love of country was shown in action and whose sympathy for suffering was stronger than life, while we may not lay our offering of love upon their graves, we can give a tender thought to their memories and strive to make our womanhood as true as theirs. Bring into the day's service the young children, and teach them by our example, as well as by what is said to them, that we can hold the day sacred. Let them assist in preparing the flowers and the wreaths, and make them understand that it is a holy day as well as a holiday, to be kept sacredly. Let every member of our order feel it her especial duty to join in the service of the day."
Mrs. Cook had charge of the delegation to the Thirteenth National Convention, which met in Louisville, Ky., in September, 1895. At the opening session of the convention Mrs. Cook was appointed chairman of the Committee on Appeals, and made an able report. It was she who had the honor of nominating Mrs. Lizabeth A. Turner, of Boston, as a candidate for the office of National President. The National Tribune referred to this effort as "the gem of nominating speeches." Upon returning from Louisville Mrs. Cook again entered zealously into the work in Massachusetts. In a general order issued November 11 she made an appeal for additional contributions for the Department Relief Fund and also for the Soldiers' Home. She asked the corps to make "the coming Christmastide one long to be remembered by sending boxes of clothing and delicacies such as are common to this festive season."
When reviewing the work of the year in her address at the annual convention held in Lowell, February, 1896, she said: "I find that in point of numbers and in relief given we are still the banner department. I trust that we may be able to claim this in every department in which our line of work takes us. There is peace within our borders, and side by side with our comrades we stand for every good we can accomplish under the banner upon which is inscribed the principles of the Grand Army of the Republic—Fraternity, Charity, and Loyalty.
In referring to the Soldiers' Home she said: "If there is one spot more than another that the loving care and devotion of the true-hearted women of our department centres around, it is this home, where to-day rest in peace the war-worn and crippled veterans who have fought the battles of their country and are entitled to all that we can do to make their last days those of peace and comfort."
She recommended that all corps be requested to appoint a Soldiers' Home Committee, whether they have a room in the home or not, this committee to arrange that at least once a year a donation of either money or articles be sent to the home.
Among other subjects of interest that were ably considered by Mrs. Cook was the flag salute. Concerning this she expressed the following sentiments: "Our country's flag—how our hearts thrill with pride, as we watch its graceful folds as they float in the breeze of heaven, and think that on every sea, in every port where commerce finds its way, wherever civilization has its home and human freedom has an inspiration, that ensign is welcomed and beloved! It speaks to us by all the memories of the past to do all in our power to maintain this heritage. Realizing that in this symbol we do see the world's best hope for civil and religious liberty, our organization has taken upon itself the task, believing it to be a duty as well as a privilege, to use every legitimate means to have the salute to the flag introduced into the public schools. Should not our children be taught that the flag is the guardian of all their most treasured interests? By this we hope, too, that a new spirit of patriotism may be awakened in the community."
Her administration was a successful one, Mrs. Cook being guided by a sincere desire faithfully to serve the Department of Massachusetts, over which she had the honor to rule.
Benjamin F. Cook enlisted in April, 1861, as private in Company K, Twelfth Massachusetts Regiment. He was commissioned First Lieutenant, January 26, 1862; Captain, May 2, 1862; Major, July 23, 1863; and Lieutenant Colonel, May 6, 1864. The regiment, commanded by Colonel Fletcher Webster, left Boston July 24, and three days later was stationed on the Maryland side of the Potomac River, about a mile from Harper's Ferry. It participated in many of the leading battles of the war. On the skirmish line at Petersburg the Twelfth received orders "to drive the foe from their entrenchments on the railroad." Colonel Bates reported: "This was performed under Lieutenant Colonel Cook in gallant style, advancing so far that the remainder of the brigade thought they had been taken prisoners." In July, 1864, the regiment reached Boston with one hundred and seventy men. Colonel Cook commanded the regiment in several campaigns, principally with the Army of the Potomac, and was under fire more than sixty times. He has served as president of the regimental association, and he is the author of the interesting "History of the Twelfth Regiment," which was published in 1882. His wife aided him in collecting data for this volume, and served as his amanuensis.
Colonel Cook has been prominent in the affairs of Gloucester for many years, and has served three times as Mayor of the city. He represented Gloucester in the Legislature of Massachusetts for three years in succession. He is a member of Colonel Allen Post, G. A. R., and of other organizations.
Colonel and Mrs. Cook have had five children, three of whom—namely, Frank Howard (born in 1869), Edwin Friend (1875), and Fletcher Webster (1878)—died in infancy. The survivors are: Mary Franklin, born March 24, 1871, who married Professor Harrison Gray Otis Chase, of Tufts College; and Eva Lendall, born September 16, 1873, now teacher of Greek and Latin in the Taconic School, Lakeville, Conn.
Mrs. Cook has lived in Gloucester ever since her marriage, and is interested in all the good work of the city. She has been identified
with the Universalist church, but for the past few years has taken great interest in Christian Science, being an active member of the Gloucester church as well as of the "Mother Church" in Boston.