Charles Cook Biography


	This biography appears on page 853 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. I (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

	This file may be freely copied by individuals and non-profit 
	organizations for their private use. 

	Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval 
	system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other 
	means requires the written approval of the file's author.

	This file is part of the SDGENWEB Archives. If you arrived here 
	Inside a frame or from a link from somewhere else, our front door 
	is at

	http://www.usgwarchives.net/sd/sdfiles.htm


	CHARLES COOK is a representative citizen of Yankton county, of 
foreign birth, having first opened his eyes to the light of day in 
Germany in December, 1845. His parents were Henry and Elizabeth 
(Hyland) Cook. He was educated in the schools of his native country and 
when twenty-two years of age crossed the Atlantic to the United States, 
settling in Missouri, where he remained for two years, following 
blacksmithing. He then went to California, walking most of the way and 
carrying his provisions on his back. He suffered many hardships and 
trials during that long journey, but ultimately reached his destination 
and remained in the Golden state for five years, working at the 
blacksmith's trade. At that time wages were high on the coast and 
ordinary workmen often made as much as twenty dollars per day. About 
1872 Mr. Cook left California for New York, making the journey by way 
of the Panama route. For a short period he lived in the metropolis of 
the east and then paid a visit to his friends in Germany, remaining for 
six months in the fatherland. His interest, however, centered in the 
new world, for he believed that its privileges and advantages were far 
superior to those of his native country. Accordingly, he returned to 
this country, and, making his way to Missouri, he was there united in 
marriage to Miss Catherine Hoffman, of Canton, Missouri, the wedding 
taking place on the 3d of June, 1877. Her parents were Michael and 
Marguerite (Buchner) Hoffman, both of whom were natives of Germany and, 
coming to this country, established their home in Missouri.  

	After his marriage Mr. Cook remained in Missouri for three years 
and then removed to Illinois, where he spent one year. In 1882 he came 
to Yankton county, South Dakota, where he purchased one hundred and 
sixty acres of land, which he has since owned and operated' having now 
a well developed farm. As the years have passed he has extended the 
boundaries of his property by additional purchases until he now owns 
about four hundred acres of land in this county. His business affairs 
are capably conducted and his energy, diligence and strong 
determination have formed the foundation upon which he has builded his 
success.  

	Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cook have been born nine children, but four of 
the number have passed away. Those still living are George, now 
seventeen years of age; Mary, sixteen years of age; Clara, a maiden of 
fourteen; Charlie, a youth of ten; and Willie, who completes the family 
and is seven years of age. All are still under the parental roof and 
are attending school. The parents and family are members of the 
Lutheran church of Yankton and Mr. Cook is an active Republican, but 
has never sought or desired office, preferring to give his time and 
attention to his business affairs, in which he has met with creditable 
success. His wife has been to him an able assistant on the journey of 
life and is a most estimable lady. Both enjoy the warm regard of many 
friends and the life record of Mr. Cook stands an exemplification of 
what may be attained through industry if one has the perseverance to 
continue in a given course and guides his efforts by sound judgment and 
integrity.