L. P. COOK,  farmer, P.O. Rinard, was born in Kentucky May 14, 1824, to Joseph and Parmelia (Morse) Cook. The father was a native of Virginia, the mother of the Carolinas.  In 1840, they moved to Clay County, Ill., and settled on what is now the county farm.  In 1845, they moved to Wayne County, near the Clay County line, where they died.  They were the parents of twelve children; two died in infancey, but the remainder were brought to Illinois.  Only four of the number are now living, viz., Susan M. McDaniel, Elizabeth W. Long and Ellen Sly.  Mr. Joseph Cook for many years was a local minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church.  Our subject remained at home till his marriage to Miss Louisa Price, April 3, 1851.  She was born in Indiana, to Gillison and Polly Price.  Mr. and Mrs. Cook have seven children, viz., Mary E., wife of John Gray; Joseph F.; Samantha, wife of W. Gray; William G.; Louis R.; Parmelia A. and L. James.  Soon after marriage, Mr. Cook setled on his present farm, and 150 acres of which he entered from the government.  Mr. Cook has been an energetic, successful farmer, and now owns over 600 acres of land.  He has seen he development of the county to what it now is.  Part of the time, since he was married, they have raised their own cotton and flax and made their clothing from the raw material.  He and wife are members of the Methodist Church, and he has been since he was sixteen years of age.  In politics, he is Republican, and has been since the party started.  He has held the office of Township Supervisor.