FRITZ COOK

Fritz Cook, a retired agriculturist residing in Sunbury, was long and successfully identified with farming interests in this county. His birth occurred on the island of Fenmern, Germany, on the 10th of August, 1850, his parents being Fritz and Annie (Wandschneider) Cook, who were likewise born on that island. The father’s natal day was June 29, 1817, while the mother’s birth occurred on the 19th of April, 1821. Fritz Cook, Sr., who crossed the Atlantic to the United states in 1867, passed away in Sunbury, Iowa, on the 28th of July, 1890, while his wife was called to her final rest on the 16th of June, 1900. Their union was blessed with eight children, seven sons and one daughter, all of whom were born in Germany and three of whom are deceased.

Fritz Cook obtained his education in the schools of the fatherland and there spent the first seventeen years of his life. In 1867 he emigrated to America in company with his brother, Andrew, first locating in Davenport, Iowa, where he worked as a farm hand for two years. On the expiration of that period he rented a farm of two hundred acres in association with his father and two brothers, while later he purchased eighty acres of land in Farmington township, Cedar county. Subsequently, in 1889, he bought a tract of eighty acres on which the village of Sunbury now stands. He likewise purchased three hundred and twenty acres in Lyon county, later trading the property for a quarter section of land near Durant. He also owns three hundred and twenty acres of improved land thirty-five miles south of Winnipeg, Canada, one hundred and sixty acres in Cedar county and the place where he is now living retired. Through the careful conduct of his agricultural interests in former years he won the competence that now enables him to enjoy well earned rest, surrounded by all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.

On the 15th of January, 1876, Mr. Cook was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Fredericka Bull, a daughter of John and Megretha (Miller) Bull, both of whom were natives of Holstein, Germany. They made the voyage to the new world in 1857, first settling in Davenport, Iowa, while in the spring of 1864 they came to Cedar county, here spending the remainder of their lives. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cook were born seven children. William, whose natal day was February 7, 1879, died on the 10th of December of the same year. John, who was born on the 19th of November, 1876, is a resident of Sunbury. Annie G. is the wife of George Schlunsen and resides in South Dakota. Celia G., who gave her hand in marriage to Henry Dettman, makes her home in Bennett, Iowa. Albert, who was born on the 11th of July, 1882, lives in Sunbury. Herman H. and Hugo H., twins, were born on the 24th of April, 1884, and are now engaged in the banking business in South Dakota.

Where national questions and issues are involved Mr. Cook supports the democracy but at local elections casts an independent ballot. He served as school director for nine years and has been township trustee for six years, ever discharging his official duties in a most prompt and able manner. Both he and his wife are consistent members of the Lutheran church, exemplifying its teachings in their daily lives. His friends—and they are many—know him to be a man of high principles and stalwart purpose and throughout the community in which he lives he commands the respect and confidence of those with whom he has come in contact.