Fayette L. Cook Biography


	This biography appears on pages 298-301 in "History of Dakota Territory" 
	by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				PROFESSOR FAYETTE L. COOK.  

	In educational circles the name of Professor Fayette L. Cook, of 
Spearfish, now president of the State Normal School, is well known. He 
was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, August 22, 1850, a son of Martin W. 
and Mary (Barnes) Cook. The father's birth occurred in Canada, near the 
Vermont line, but the mother was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and 
died in that state when her son Fayette was a youth of ten years. Mr. 
Cook engaged in the nursery and fruit growing business in Michigan and 
afterward removed to Rochester, Minnesota. where he continued in the 
same line of activity, spending his remaining days there, his death 
occurring in 1897. His family numbered four children, of whom Fayette 
L. Cook is the eldest.  

	During his early boyhood days Professor Cook was a pupil in the 
public schools of Michigan and afterward continued his education in the 
high school at Rochester, Minnesota; in the State Normal School at 
Winona, Minnesota; and in a commercial college in Minneapolis. He also 
had three years of private instruction from Dr. Irwin Shepard, who was 
for many years secretary of the National Education Association and has 
charge of the educational work for the approaching world's congress. He 
has been president of the State Normal School at Winona, Minnesota, and 
has won recognition as a most able and progressive educator.  

	Into the educational field Professor Cook directed his energies 
when a youth of seventeen years. He began teaching in the rural schools 
of Minnesota, in which connection he was employed during eight months 
of the year. He was superintendent of the schools of Sauk Center, that 
state, for three years; held a similar position at Zumbrota, Minnesota, 
one year; was connected with the state department of education in 
Minnesota for two terms; was county superintendent of Goodhue county 
one year; and also state instructor. Gradually he advanced and 
ultimately became one of the faculty of the State Normal School at 
Winona, where he continued for three years and then was elected county 
superintendent of schools at Rochester, Olmsted county, where he served 
through the years 1883, 1884 and 1885. He resigned, however, in the 
middle of his term as superintendent and removed to Spearfish, South 
Dakota, accepting the presidency of the State Normal School, in which 
capacity he has since continued.  

	In August, 1892, Professor Cook was married to Miss Wenona 
Culbertson, who was born at Winona, Minnesota, a daughter of Mr. and 
Mrs. Samuel Culbertson, the former a native of Virginia and the latter 
of Kentucky. The father was a carpenter and contractor. After living in 
Minnesota for a number of years he removed to Spearfish, South Dakota, 
and there spent the later years of his life in retirement from 
business, his last year being spent in the home of Professor and Mrs. 
Cook.  

	There is an interesting military chapter in the life record of 
Professor Cook, for in March, 1865, when he was a youth of but fourteen 
years, he enlisted for service in the Civil war, joining the First 
Minnesota Infantry. However, he was taken ill and was sent to the 
hospital, where he was confined until he received his discharge. There 
are few men of his years who can claim connection with the army that 
defended the Union during the Civil war. In politics Professor Cook is 
a progressive republican and he studies closely the leading political 
questions and issues of the day, believing it to be the duty of every 
true American citizen to keep well informed concerning those things 
which have to do most with shaping the history of the country. He is a 
Mason and has taken all the work in Masonry save the thirty-third 
degree. He has served as master of the blue lodge, as high priest of 
the chapter and in other important offices. For thirty-two years he has 
been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and he also has 
membership with the Modern Woodmen of America. His religious faith is 
that of the Congregational church. Professor Cook has entered upon his 
thirtieth year as president of the State Normal School at Spearfish and 
at all times he has stood for the advancement and improvement of the 
school being quick to employ progressive methods and new ideas of his 
own initiative or those set forth by other educators. He believes that 
the true purpose of education is to fit the individual for life's 
responsibilities and his methods have therefore been practical and 
resultant. He is in no sense of the word a faddist, yet he believes in 
the broadest possible education, realizing the scope that comes to the 
individual through the development of his various powers. To the 
fullest possible extent he studies the individual and assists him in 
directing his efforts along the line that will prove most helpful. He 
has the confidence and respect of the pupils of his school, the 
cooperation of his teachers and the endorsement of the general public.