He was born in New Jersey (4). He was 44 years old when he was enlisted (4).
He was a teams[ter] when he was enlisted (4).
He was 6 feet 2 inches tall, and had a light complexion, blue eyes, and light hair (4).
He was enlisted and mustered into service on 19 October 1861 (1, 4). He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Lieutenant Murphy (4). He served as a private in company G (1).
He was discharged at camp near Falmouth, Virginia, on 6 February 1863 on surgeon's certificate of disability, by order of Major General Sykes (1, 2 [5 Feb], 3 [6 Feb], 4 [6 Feb]).
On 3 June 1865, he applied unsuccessfully for a pension (5).
His widow applied successfully for a pension (5).
1 Bates, Samuel Penniman. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, state printer, 1869-71. 5 volumes. 'Ninety-first regiment', volume 3, pages 186-233. (In the roster)
2 consolidated morning report, 7 February 1863
3 company G, register of men discharged, #18 (Jos Cook)
4 company G, descriptive roll, entry 14 (Joseph Cook)
5 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company G (Joseph Cooke)