Paul Asher Cook Biography

The following biography was written by Mary Cook, Paul's wife.  A copy of the information was given to me by Susan {Cook} Edwards, daughter.

Paul Asher Cook was born on August 30, 1916.  He came into this world to Annie {Anna} Heimsar Cook, age 24, and Walter Ross Cook, age 29, at 8:30 a.m. in the township of Liberty, Labette County, Kansas, USA.

Photo provided by Susan Cook Edwards,

daughter of Paul Asher Cook.

Paul's sisters are Beulah Cook born October 29, 1910, Mabel Cook born August 15, 1912, and Ruth born November 3, 1924.  Paul A. Cook attended Center School for 8 years and Labette County High School.  He spent all his life in the same house until he went into the army in March 1942. 

May 12, 1942

(Photo provided by Richard and Linda Cook,

Paul's son and daughter-n-law.)

March 3, 1942 Paul A. Cook was inducted into the army and went to Fort Leavenworth for 10 days.  He then went on to Reno, Nevada, guarding bridges and watching out for the Japanese.  Paul shipped out to Oakland for 6 weeks at an army base. 

We believe this picture was taken in Alaska.

(Photo provided by Richard and Linda Cook.)

On June 18, 1942 he shipped out to Cold Bay, Alaska and patrolled the coast looking for Japanese.  Paul A. Cook stayed there until May 25, 1944.  He then returned to the U.S.A. June 1944 at Fort Benning, Georgia. 

Paul A. Cook and infantry landed at England and South Western France, and on January 26, 1945 Paul A. Cook went to Rhineland, Germany, Central Europe, Austria, and Germany.  He was back in the U.S.A. October 7, 1945.  Date of separation from the army was October 25, 1945.  His total length of service in the Continental U.S.A. was 11 months 17 days.  Foreign service was 2 years and 8 months, March 1942 through October 25, 1945.

December 23, 1944

While home on leave, Paul Asher Cook married Mary Golden on December 23, 1944.  Paul A. and Mary Cook's 3 children are Barbara Cook, Richard Cook and Susan Cook.

After being discharged, he started farming an 80 acre farm west of Altamont.  They raised chickens, milked cows, and raised hogs as well as farmed.  He also worked at Ravs (?)  plant two years.  They lived on the 80 acre farm near Altamont for 13 years until 1959.  Then they moved to the Lavendar farm in 1959 on 240 acres and lived there until 1973, a total of 14 years.  After selling the farm, they moved to a 160 acre farm North of Erie and lived there for 3 years, 1973-1976.  After that they moved to a 10 acres farm North of Fort Scott in 1976 where they breed dogs.  They lived on their 10 acre farm until 1999.
Paul Asher Cook passed away on March 22, 1999.  He is buried in the National Cemetery in Fort Scott, Kansas.

**Please email me with any corrections or more information.