Schley County GaArchives Obituaries.....Cook, Jack R. December 9, 1938
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Haris Hill harishill@starband.net April 19, 2006, 6:31 pm

The Ellaville Sun  Friday, December 16, 1938  No. 2
DEATH CLAIMS J.R. COOK, 78
Schley Man Breeder of Famed Cotton Seed
J.R. Cook, 78, prominent retired Schley county farmer who earned recognition 
throughout the cotton belt early in the century as the breeder of an improved 
cotton seed, died at his home in Concord community last Friday afternoon.

Funeral services were conducted from Phillippi Primitive Baptist church 
Saturday afternoon.  The pastor, Elder Hassell McCrorkle, officiated.

Mr. Cook had been in declining health for a long period, but his death 
followed an illness of only one day.

He married Miss Nancy Murray of Schley county in December (17) of 1885.  He 
was a leading member of Phillipi Primitive Baptist church since 1888, being a 
deacon.

His wife was credited with discovering the volunteer cotton stalk which led to 
breeding of the cotton seed.  Finding the stalk in the vegetable garden, Mrs. 
Cook picked the locks and seeded them by hand.  They planted them for several 
years and continued to seed them by hand.  About 1900 the variety was placed 
on the market as "Cook's Improved Cotton Seed, " and the first bushel sold for 
$10.  Farmers accepted it as the most productive and resistant of the time and 
its use spread quickly over the entire cotton belt.

Survivors include two sons, Charles Cook of Moultrie and T.J. Cook of Schley 
county; two daughters, Mrs. Lois Wade of Cochran and Mrs. Ruth Williams of 
Cordele; eight grandchildren, J.R., Murray and Charles Cook, Sardis, Pauline 
and Ruth Cook of Schley county, Julian, Jack, Sarah and Betty Williams of 
Cordele.

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