From "HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY,"  Vol. I, page 254.
Brant & Fuller, 1890.


REV. WILLIAM HENRY COOKE
 
Rev. William Henry Cooke, D. D., pastor of the Second Presbyterian 
church, of Wheeling, was born in Baltimore, Md., December 3, 1839.  
He is the son of John and Sarah (Brown) Cooke.  Both parents are 
deceased.  The father died in 1864, and the mother, in 1857.  Dr. 
Cooke was reared to manhood in his native city.  He graduated at the 
city college, and then taught school, while pursuing the study of 
law.  This study he was constrained in conscience to abandon, very 
much against his own inclination, and the judgment of many friends.  
In 1855 he became a member of the Central Presbyterian church of 
Baltimore, then under charge of Rev. Stuart Robinson, D. D. In the 
fall of 1859, he entered the theological seminary at Danville, Ky., 
where he studied divinity.  He was licensed to preach in April, 1861, 
by the presbytery of Transylvania; and on June 10, 1869, he was 
ordained by the presbytery of New Castle, as pastor of the Fort 
Deposit church, Md.  His next charge was at Havre de Grace, in the 
same state, where he was pastor from 1867 until 1882.  He was 
installed in his present position, October 29, 1882, and in the years 
that have since elapsed, has labored with great zeal and efficiency 
for the up-building of his charge.  In general church work he has had 
a large share; and has had frequent occasion to acknowledge the 
confidence of his brethren when selected for posts of honor or trust.  
On all questions in debate relating to doctrine, or order, or 
worship, he has always taken a decided and prominent part in the 
church courts.  The degree of doctor of divinity was conferred upon 
him by Centre college, Ky.  June 30, 1868, Dr. Cooke was married to 
Mary M. Hitchcock, of Havre de Grace, Md.  She died at Wheeling, 
November 17, 1883.  She was the daughter of Charles B. and Mary 
(Bartol) Hitchcock, the former a native of Utica, N. Y., and the 
latter of Havre de Grace. There are three children: Charles Bartol, 
William Brown and Mary Hitchcock. 


(Linda Fluharty)