Henry J. Cook Biography


	This biography appears on page 625 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				HENRY J. COOK. 

	Henry J. Cook, connected with mercantile interests in Java, was 
born in Ottawa county, Michigan, August 25, 1858, a son of Arie and 
Aleda (Walcott) Cook, both of whom were natives of Holland but were 
married after they came to this country. Their last days were spent in 
Michigan, where they resided for many years.  

	Henry J. Cook is one of a family of ten children, eight of whom 
are yet living. At the usual age he became a pupil in the public 
schools of his native state and latter attended and was graduated from 
the preparatory department of Hope College at Holland, Michigan. He 
remained under the parental roof until he reached the age of twenty-
four years, after which he devoted some time to teaching in Michigan. 
The spring of 1884 witnessed his arrival in Walworth county, Dakota 
territory, at which time he took up a preemption claim, and later he 
took up a homestead claim. He lived on his land for seven years. 
devoting his energies during that period to general agricultural 
pursuits. In 1901 he removed to Java, where he established a store and 
for fourteen years he has now been engaged in merchandising in that 
town, his trade increasing with the growth of the population in the 
town and surrounding country. He carries a good stock and his 
reasonable prices and straightforward business methods have been 
salient features in bringing to him success. 

	On September 23, 1891, Mr. Cook was married to Miss Leda 
Hoogwerf, who was born in Holland, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William 
Hoogwerf, who spent their entire lives in that country. Mr. and Mrs. 
Cook have become the parents of four children: Arie W., who is carrier 
on a rural mail route; Henry N., a high-school graduate; and Katherine 
and John M.. both at home. 

	In his political views Mr. Cook is a democrat. He has always been 
deeply interested in the cause of education and for four years served 
as county superintendent of schools in Walworth county, while at the 
present writing he is serving on the school board. He has been a member 
of the city council several times. He belongs to the Masonic lodge of 
Java, of which he is serving as secretary, and the Yeomen lodge, of 
which he is now treasurer. High and honorable principles have guided 
him in his relations with his fellow men and in business life his 
activity has been prompted by laudable ambition.