Ethel Mary Cook-Class of 1924, Part 4

Ethel Mary Cook - Bainbridge High Class of 1924

 

 

Ethel Mary Cook, 16 years

"Here she comes, just take a look,

Our tennis star, Miss Ethel Cook."

"The Echo" 1924

 

Ethel Mary Cook was born 26 July 1907 in Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY, the daughter of George W. and Lillian (Foster) Cook.  Following her graduation from Bainbridge High School in 1924, she attended Oneonta Normal where she studied teaching.  On 18 August 1929, at the age of 22 years, she married  Harold Ceylon Hamilton.  He was the son of  Herman and Alice (Hopkins) Hamilton. No evidence has been found that they had any children.  She taught in the Otego, Otsego Co., NY, school system as a first grade teacher for 33 years, retiring in 1964.  Ethel and Harold Hamilton had been married for 62 years when he died 30 March 1992.  Mrs. Ethel Hamilton died February 2, 2000 in Johnson City, Broome Co., NY, at the age of 92 years, having survived her husband by seven years.

 

Birth Announcement, 1907:  Born, Friday, July 26, 1907, to Mr. and Mrs. Geo. W. Cook, Jr., a daughter, Ethel Mary, weight 8 lbs 6 ounces.  Their son, Master Earl Merton Cook, is visiting with his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. G.W. Cook, on South Hill. [Bainbridge Republican, Aug. 1, 1907]

Retirement, 1964:  "Children today are much better informed; their general knowledge is excellent due partly to television, and they are more independent and over-stimulated," observed Mrs. Ethel Hamilton who retires from teaching in Otego Central School [Otsego Co., NY] this year.  Mrs. Hamilton has taught first grade for 33 years, 32 years in the Otego school system and one year in Endicott.  She took a leave of absence during the war to travel in Wisconsin and the Southern states with her husband, which she admits "was an education in itself."  When he was shipped overseas, she resumed her teaching responsibilities in Otego.  For several years after Mrs. Hamilton began teaching first grade in Otego in February, 1932, pre-first grade and first grade were together accommodating much large groups.  When the number reached 45 students the grade was divided into two first grades.  "Now" she says, "grades are much smaller and health and educational facilities much better."  There are two first grades at Otego school averaging 25 students per grade, one formerly taught by Mrs. Hamilton, the other by Mrs. Dorothy Carrington.  Mrs. Hamilton is a graduate of Oneonta Normal, including additional summer courses, all in Elementary Education.  When asked what has kept her in the profession for 33 years, she replied, "Just the love of children and the wonderful feeling of accomplishment when you see them progress through the year."  Some of Mrs. Hamilton's former students are presently on the teaching staff at Otego High School.  Another is a locally known cartoon artist, Donald Sherwood.  Mrs. Hamilton said that "Teachers everywhere are deeply concerned about the increasing numbers of emotionally disturbed children who come to school from unhappy or broken homes.  Children who come to school from happy homes where a deep reverence for God is taught, and where respect for authority becomes a part of daily living, are much better equipped to meet the problems of today.  She expressed appreciation for the cooperation received form the parents through the years and she wishes to thank the mothers of this year's class for  the lovely gift which was presented to her on the closing day of school.  Mrs. Hamilton leaves the teaching profession with mixed emotions noting that she will be "Very, Very busy.  All the things I have put off, I'm going to do" and "I'm going to miss it next fall."  Miss Barbara Walker, a 1963 graduate of State university Teacher's College at Oneonta, will replace Mrs. Hamilton. [Oneonta Star, July 2, 1964]

 

 

Mrs. Ethel (Cook) Hamilton

"Ategan" yearbook, Otsego High School, 1961

 

 

Obituary, 2000:  Johnson City [Broome Co., NY]:  Ethel C. Hamilton, 92, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2000, at the Susquehanna Nursing home in Johnson City.  She was born in Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] on July 26, 1907, the daughter of George W. Cook and Lillian Foster Cook.  She married Harold Ceylon Hamilton on Aug. 18, 1929.  He died March 30, 1992.  She lived in Otego, teaching school for more than 30 years in Otego Central School (now Unatego).  She was a member of the Otego Baptist church, the W.C.T.U., the New York State Retired Teachers Association and the Otsego Retired Teachers Association. Surviving are two great-nephews and wives, Robert and Patricia Cook of Kirkwood and James and Joanne Cook of Endwell; great-great-nephew, Christopher Cook, son of Robert and Patricia Cook; and one niece, Janette Cook of Johnson City; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Coralin and Ed Crandall of Gilboa; and cousins.  Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5, 2000, at the Otego Baptist Church, Main Street, Otego, with the Rev. Robert Wesley officiating.   [GenLookups.com]

 

Mother's Obituary, (Lillian Foster Cook) 1966:  Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY]:  Mrs. Lillian M. Cook, 86, of 28 South Main St., Bainbridge, died Monday, Sept. 12, 1966, at The Hospital, Sidney.  Funeral and committal services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at The Sherman-Terhune Funeral Home, Bainbridge, with Rev. Donald Washburn, pastor of the First Methodist Church, officiating.  Mrs. Cook was born Nov. 29, 1879, in the Town of Butternuts [Otsego Co., NY], daughter of Lucretia and William Foster.  She was married to George W. Cook Oct. 30, 1901, at Dingman Hill, Bainbridge. She was a housewife, and had lived in the area for 63 years.  She was a member of the First Methodist Church of Bainbridge and the WCTU and WSCS of that church.  Surviving are her husband; a daughter, Mrs. Harold Hamilton of Otego; a son, Earl Cook of Endicott; a grandson, Robert Cook of Endicott, three great grandchildren, three sisters, Mrs. William (Jenny) Thomas of Bainbridge; Mrs. Theodore (Daisy) Purvis of Bainbridge; Mrs. William (Minnie) Snyder of Bainbridge.  [Sidney Record & Bainbridge News, Sept. 14, 1966]

 

Father's Obituary (George W. Cook), 1971: Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY]:  George W. Cook, 92, died February 12 in his home at 28 South Main Street, Bainbridge, after a long illness.  Funeral and committal services will be held in the F.J. Terhune Funeral Home, 58 West Main Street, Bainbridge, at 2 p.m. Monday, February 15 with the Rev. Donald Washburn, pastor of the First United Methodist Church, Bainbridge, officiating.  Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery, Bainbridge.  Mr. Cook was born February 22, 1878, in Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], a son of George W. and Mary (Pierce) Cook.  He married Lillian M. Foster October 30, 1901 at Dingman Hill, Bainbridge, the Rev. John Crompton officiating.  He had been a resident of Bainbridge since the early 1900s.  He had worked for a while as a blacksmith in Oxford and Bainbridge.  For 26 years he was employed by the American Separator Company.  In the early 1930s he went into business in his own sheet metal and repair shop.  During World War Two he worked in the dry milk processing plant at Borden's.  He retired in 1947.  He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Bainbridge, having served in many different capabilities through the years.  he is survived by a son Earl M. Cook of Endicott, a daughter, Mrs. Harold (Ethel) Hamilton of Otego, a grandson Robert Earl Cook, three great grandsons, Robert J. Cook, serving in Vietnam, and James and George Cook; also three nephews, Raymond Youmans of Binghamton, Ernest Youmans of Sherburne and Stanley Youmans of Greenwich. [Oneonta Star, Feb. 13, 1971]

 

Husband's Obituary (Harold C. Hamilton), 1992:  Otego [Otsego Co., NY]:  Mr. Harold "Hammy" C. Hamilton, 85, of Otego, died Monday, March 30, 1992 at his home.  He was born March 9, 1907, in Otego, the son of Herman and Alice (Hopkins) Hamilton.  He was married to Ethel M. Cook, August 18, 1929 in Pennsylvania.  Mr. Hamilton served his country in the U.S. Army from 1942-1945.  He participated in the Battle of the Bulge, Belgium and took part in the Red Ball Express, helping to take supplies to the front lines.  When Sergeant Hamilton was honorably discharged, he resumed his hobbies of hunting, fishing and camping.  Mr. Hamilton was self-employed as a contractor and builder, building homes in the Sidney, Bainbridge, Otego and throughout the Tri-county area.  He owned a sawmill on Flax Island Road in Otego and operated a planing mill from his shop at home.  Mr. Hamilton was a life-long resident of Otego.  He was a member of the Otego Baptist church, a member since 1920; the Otego Fireman, The American Post 1555, Otego, the Otego Rod and Gun Club; and Otego Boys Club.  He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Ethel Hamilton, at home; a sister and brother-in-law, Coralin and Ed Crandell of Gilboa, six nephews; two nieces and cousins.  Funeral and committal services will be private for the family at the Otego Baptist church, Otego, with the Rev. Alen C. Hatch, pastor of the Otego Baptist church, Otego.  Burial will be at the Otego Evergreen Cemetery, Otego.  [Tri-Town News, April 1, 1992]