Biography extracted from History of Sauk County, Wisconsin Chicago: Western Historical Company, published 1880.

Greenfield:

Orange H. Cook, is a fine illustration of Western enterprise, coupled with hard work and close economy. This son of Marvin and Clarissa Cook was born at Westfield, Medina Co., Ohio, December, 1825, and has in the composite of his blood the shrewdness of his Connecticut mother, and the comprehensiveness of York State men; he came to Sauk Co. in 1845, walking from Racine, and living on half-rations until he found employment at Prairie du Sac; in 1846, he claimed his present home in Sec. 32, but for twelve years, spent much of his time lumbering upon the Wisconsin and its tributaries. Meanwhile, he was married, Sept. 26, 1853, to Lucinda T., daughter of Asa Reed, of New Hampshire, who was born March 4, 1832, by whom he had a son, Edward M., born July 3, 1854, who died Sept. 8, 1867, and a daughter, Clarinda S., born August, 1856, who died Jan. 1, 1861. Mrs. Cook died of consumption Dec. 11, 1856, leaving her children in care of her sister, Clarinda F. Reed, whom Mr. Cook subsequently married, and by whom he has a daughter, Jennie L., born June 24, 1858; Frank S., born Dec. 19, 1859; Howard H., born April 18, 1862; Ada, born Sept. 8, 1864, who died Feb. 11, 1865; and on the 21st of March following, Mr. Cook’s home was again overshadowed by the death of his second most excellent wife, who like her sister, fell prey to hereditary consumption. The loss of these young children, and the sorrows and cares of their father were lightened by the tender and very efficient service of the present Mrs. Cook, daughter of Frederick and Barbara Felber, born in Fairfield, Ohio, Oct. 23, 1842 and married to Mr. Cook Nov. 12, 1865, by whom he has four children – George O., Alice A., Effa M. and Archibald. Mr. Cook has in his home farm, 406 acres of choicest land, with good barn, and upon which he is just completing one of the best farm dwellings in the county. He has no mood to go West, but contents himself with buying Greenfield farms from those who do, having just combined the Briar and Warner places, making a farm of 240 acres (probably for Frank, who is one of the most industrious and reliable boys in any town). These farms, with six forties of timber make up Mr. Cook’s land possessions, but his farms are heavily stocked with sheep, and about ninety horned cattle and sixteen horses. Mr. Cook is not one of those men who rusts out, living on money at large interest, which cannot be “resurrected” by the voice of any assessor, and for this reason his townsmen like to borrow his money. There is fresh life in it that is a tonic to the holder, which inspires the ability to repay it with use. Formerly a Democrat, he has for many years faithfully adhered to the Republicans; has held repeatedly the offices of Assessor and Treasurer and been for several years upon the Town Board.

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