Statewide County HI Archives Biographies.....Cooke, Joseph Platt December 15, 1870 - July 26, 1918
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
J. Orr orr@hawaii.com August 31, 2009, 7:03 pm

Source: The Story of Hawaii and Its Builders. Published by Honolulu Star Bulletin, Ltd., Territory of Hawaii, 1925.
Author: Edited by George F. Nellist

JOSEPH PLATT COOKE, Business Builder. Closely associated with the industrial 
history of Hawaii is the name of the late Joseph Platt Coke, a leader in the 
development of the sugar industry and a man who, in public life, and as a 
philanthropist, rendered his service to his homeland and its people.
  For more than twenty years an outstanding figure in the business life of the 
Territory, his powerful influence for constructive progress and substantial 
achievement, socially, ethically and commercially, will long be felt in the 
islands.
  Son of Joseph Platt Cooke and a grandson of Amos Starr Cooke, early 
missionary, educator and merchant, Mr. Cooke returned to Hawaii after being 
connected in San Francisco with the firm of Alexander & Baldwin subsequent to 
his graduation from Yale in 1894.
  In Honolulu in 1897, Mr. Cooke established the Honolulu business of 
Alexander & Baldwin, Ltd. Early in his career he became an outstanding figure 
of the sugar industry.
  Upon the incorporation of the firm, July 1, 1900, he became treasurer and 
manager of Alexander & Baldwin. After the death of H. P. Baldwin, his father-
in-law and partner, Mr. Cooke was made president and manager of Alexander & 
Baldwin in 1911 and retained that post until his death, July 26, 1918. It was 
largely due to his ability that the firm of which he was president today 
occupies a leading position in the sugar industry of Hawaii.
  In public and private life Mr. Cooke was esteemed by his friends and 
business associates for his generosity in assisting charity, for his keen 
sense of justice and unfailing support of worthy public movements.
  Mr. Cooke was credited with being the first supporter of the Pan-Pacific 
movement in Hawaii, assisting in the organization of the Pan-Pacific Union, of 
which he remained a director until his death. His aid made possible the 
foundation of the Outrigger Canoe Club.
  Interested in the problems of the Pacific he extended financial aid to Yale 
University for work in China and to agencies in Hawaii which are furthering 
the cause of Christian Americanization.
  An officer and director of many sugar plantations, Mr. Cooke served terms as 
president of the Hawaiian Sugar Planters’ Association and the Sugar Factors’ 
Co., Ltd. He was a member of the Hawaiian Society of the Sons of the American 
Revolution, the Social Science Association, the Pacific Club, University Club, 
Commercial Club and Oahu Country Club.
  Mr. Cooke was born in Honolulu, Dec. 15, 1870, the son of Joseph Platt and 
Harriet Emilita (Wilder) Cooke. He was educated at Oakland High School, 
Calif.; Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass., and Yale University, B.A., 1894. He 
married Maud M. Baldwin at Haiku, Maui, July 18, 1895. Their six children are 
Platt, Emily, Henry, Douglas, Fred and Maud Cooke.


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