Charles and his brother, Fred Cook
Charles Ray ("Jinks" or "Jinx") Cook and his brother, Fred William "Bud" Cook in the late 1930's or early 1940's in Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio. They were the sons of Lena (Tribbey) and Charles Cook. Charles Ray was born in 1916 and Fred William was born in Dec. 1919. They were both born with the last name of Henry but probably didn't know it. They probably thought they didn't have birth certificates. It was believed their mother married their father, Charles Cook in 1914 but she didn't marry him until 1920. Leroy Henry was not their father. Their mother was married to Leroy Henry from 1903-about 1920. In the March 25, 1915 Butler County Democrat newspaper it said that Lena was suing Leroy for divorce because he deserted the family. Charles Cook was a boarder in Leroy and Lena's home from about 1918-1919 while Leroy was supposedly in the U.S.A. (United States Army). The 1920 census shows Lena and her children living with Leroy but Leroy was not there. Maybe someone else gave the wrong information for Lena. Charles' sister, Mary (Cook) Cartwright was married to Leroy's brother, Edward Henry. They all knew each other well. No records have been found in Butler County, Ohio on Leroy after the Jan. 1920 census. No family members ever talked about him. His oldest grandson, Mark "Gene" Henry (born 1934) said he never thought about asking about his paternal grandfather and nobody talked about him. He also said his paternal grandmother, Lena wasn't the grandmotherly type. He was closer to his maternal grandparents instead (The Sositko family). No photographs have been found of an adult Charles Cook but his son, Charles was suppose to have looked something like him.
Update: In 2016 a 1945 death certificate was found for Leroy Henry in Indiana. His death certificate said he was divorced. We still do not know why he left Ohio and his family.
Update: On May 20, 2018 proof has been found that Fred's father was Charles Cook through DNA relative matches of Fred's grandaughter, Pamela Tuttle and other descendants of Charles Cook's (maternal) Diver grandparents.
Update: In 2016 a 1945 death certificate was found for Leroy Henry in Indiana. His death certificate said he was divorced. We still do not know why he left Ohio and his family.
Update: On May 20, 2018 proof has been found that Fred's father was Charles Cook through DNA relative matches of Fred's grandaughter, Pamela Tuttle and other descendants of Charles Cook's (maternal) Diver grandparents.
Date & Place:
in Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio United States