Miller County ArArchives Biographies.....Cook, James D. ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ar/arfiles.html ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Robert Sanchez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00027.html#0006574 June 10, 2009, 4:18 pm Author: S. J. Clarke (Publisher, 1922) JAMES D. COOK. James D. Cook, a leading member of the Texarkana bar, was born on a farm about seven miles from Lansing, Michigan, on the 8th of September, 1853. The family comes of Scotch ancestry. His parents were William and Janette (King) Cook, both of whom were natives of Scotland, whence they came to the United States in 1842, settling in Michigan. Both were reared about fifty miles from Glasgow, but the opportunities of the new world attracted them and they came to the United States to try their fortune. Their son, James D. Cook, spent his youthful days in his native state and almost as soon as old enough to reach the plow handle he began work in the fields, devoting much of the summer season to the task of assisting his father in the operation of the old homestead. Liberal educational advantages, however, were accorded him and after attending the common schools and an academy he continued his studies under a private tutor. In 1875 he went to Corinth, Mississippi, where he engaged in teaching school for two years, and in 1877 he came to Texarkana and again took up the profession of teaching in the Cook Brothers Academy, which was established by his brother, W. G. Cook, in the previous year. James D. Cook was one of the instructors in the institution for a time and while thus engaged he devoted the hours which are usually termed leisure to the study of law. In the spring of 1878 he was admitted to the bar and opened an office in partnership with his brother, a business relation that was maintained for fifteen years. He then began practicing alone but later was in partnership for two years with R. M. Wallace. His son, James D., Jr., is now associated with him in practice and the firm has a large clientele. Their business is extensive and of an important character and they have made for themselves a most creditable name in connection with the work of the courts. Mr. Cook is regarded as both an able advocate and wise counselor and in the course of his practice he has tried all kinds of cases and tried them well. On the 15th of November, 1881, Mr. Cook was united in marriage to Miss Susan Pride Martin and to them were born seven children, of whom three are now living, as follows: Flippin M., now a lawyer at El Dorado, Arkansas; Miss Leta M. and James D., Jr., both of Texarkana. In point of time Mr. Cook is the oldest practicing attorney of Texarkana with the exception of Paul Jones. In 1882 he was elected the first city attorney and filled the position for one term. Following the death of Colonel Al. H. Payton he was appointed to fill the vacancy in the state legislature in 1881. In 1917 he became municipal judge of Texarkana and served upon the bench of that court for two terms or until 1921. He was also alderman for several years and at all times he has stood for those interests which most fully uphold and sustain the legal, social and moral status of the community. He is a member of the Presbyterian church and his entire life has been cast in harmony with his professions. Arkansas gained a most substantial citizen when he removed to Texarkana and one whose worth along many lines has been most tangibly demonstrated. Additional Comments: Citation: Centennial History of Arkansas Volume II Chicago-Little Rock: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company 1922 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ar/miller/bios/cook70bs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/arfiles/ File size: 3.9 Kb