A. H. Cook
A. H. Cook was a lad of but twelve years when he first crossed the threshold of the business world, and since that time he has been dependent upon his own resources, the success which has come to him being the direct result of his own unaided efforts.
One of Iowa's native sons, he was born in Jackson county, near Green Island, May 5, 1872, a son of Henry and Mary Cook, both natives of Germany. In the fatherland the parents resided until 1872 when, crossing the Atlantic to America, they made their way direct to Iowa and located first in J ackson county. They resided in various parts of that county for about eight years and in 1880 the family started for Crawford county, the father, accompanied by one son, coming with the stock. He was last heard of in Cedar Rapids, where he was seen talking with three men, and it is supposed that he met with foul play.
In the meantime the mother with the rest of the family, traveling by rail, had arrived in Crawford county, and she established her home in Hanover township, where she remained for a time, later removing to Paradise township and subsequently to Charter Oak, where her last days were spent.
She passed away in 1902. She was the second wife of Henry Cook, and by her marriage became the mother of four children: A. H., of this review; Mary, deceased; Anna, who has also passed away; and Louisa, the wife of John Thielman, of Charter Oak, Iowa. By the former marriage of Mr. Cook there were three sons: Fred, of Wyoming, Iowa; Henry, of Mapleton, Iowa; and William, likewise of Wyoming.
A. H. Cook spent the first eight years of his life in Jackson county, after which he came with his mother to Crawford county and was a pupil in the public schools near his home until twelve years of age. It then became necessary for him to seek employment, whereby he might earn his own livelihood, and thus early in life he put aside his text-books and entered the business world as a farm hand, being engaged in this capacity until twenty-one years of age.
Upon attaining his majority he took up farming on his own account in Paradise township and has since been a resident of that township with the exception of three years spent in Denison township. He is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of rich farm land, upon which he has placed many modem improvements, and the well kept appearance of the property denotes a life characterized by thrift, industry and perseverance. Progress has also been a forceful element in his career and has been a potent factor in the acquirement of a goodly prosperity which has come to him with the passing years.
On the 8th of November, 1893, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Cook and Miss Ellen A. Green, a daughter of Ezra and Emily (Clarke) Green, who came to Crawford county from Wisconsin about 1870 or 1871. The father passed away in this county on the 20th of August, 1880, but the mother still survives and makes her home at Rolfe, Iowa.
They were the parents of ten children. as follows: Frank, of Dow City, Iowa; Fred, deceased; Elsworth, residing near Plover, Iowa; Ellen A., who became the wife of our subject; Charles, of Rolfe. Iowa; Bessie, Arthur and Jessie, all now deceased; Earl, a resident of Rockwell City, Iowa; and Raymond, also living in Rolfe.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cook have been born one son, Oliver Arthur, who was born July 19, 1899, and is now attending school. Before her marriage Mrs. Cook was an educator of much ability and taught school for twenty-five terms in Crawford county. She and her husband are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Cook is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America at Dow City.
Interested as all American citizens should be in the political situation of the country, he has thoroughly informed himself concerning the questions and issues of the day and gives stalwart support to the republican party. He was school director and is a strong advocate of progress along educational lines as well as in other phases of community life. He early learned the lesson that success must be purchased at the price of earnest, well defined labor, and with the passing of the years perseverance, diligence and integrity have constituted the guiding posts of his career, bringing him to the honorable position which he now occupies in the opinion of his fellow citizens, among whom he has long lived and labored.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.