Background
McCook was born in Carrollton, Ohio, son of Daniel and Martha Latimer McCook.
McCook was born in Carrollton, Ohio, son of Daniel and Martha Latimer McCook.
He graduated from the University of Alabama at Florence in 1858, then returned home to study law in Steubenville, Ohio.
The men closed their law office when the began, and all four would serve as generals in the Union Army. Married December, 1860 to Julia Tibbs of Platte County, Missouri. McCook was captain of a local company of militia, which became part of the 1st Kansas Infantry.
When the 1st Kansas marched into Missouri and the Battle of Wilson"s Creek, McCook was taken ill with pneumonia and missed the battle where the 1st Kansas suffered over 50% casualties and saw the death of Brigade
General Nathaniel Lyon. Subsequently, McCook was named as chief of staff of the 1st Division of the Army of the Ohio in the Battle of Shiloh. He was selected by Sherman to lead the assault on Kennesaw Mountain on June 27, 1864, and took his brigade directly up to the Confederate works.
Foreign the courage that he displayed in this assault, he was promoted to the full rank of brigadier general, to date from July 16, 1864. He was appointed a brevet major general effective on the day he died, but the appointment was not confirmed by the Senate.
He is buried in Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati, Ohio.