Frederick Cook (politician)
Encyclopedia
Frederick Cook was an American businessman and politician.
, and worked for his brother-in-law who was a shoemaker. Then he opened his own butcher
shop at Batavia, New York. After that he became a brakeman
on the Buffalo and Rochester Railroad
, and later a conductor
on the New York Central Railroad
a position he held for twenty years during which he became wealthy. (There is a story about this: Asked by Cornelius Vanderbilt
how he could buy vast pieces of real estate and live expensively on $75 a week, Cook is said to have answered "Oh, I makes (sic) my money trading horses with Jockey Mason," which became something of a proverb at the time.)
but was defeated by George G. Clarkson while otherwise the whole Democratic ticket was elected. In 1875, Governor Samuel J. Tilden
appointed him Assistant Adjutant General
and Chief of Staff of the 7th Division of the National Guard. He was a delegate to the 1876 Democratic National Convention
. He was Secretary of State of New York
from 1886 to 1889, elected in 1885 and 1887
.
in Wyoming County, New York
.
He was the President of the Rochester German Insurance Company, the German-American Bank of Rochester, the Rochester Driving Park Association, the Rochester Telephone Company, the Rochester Street Car Company, Vice President of the Bartholomay Brewing Company, and had interests in many other companies.
He was married twice and had one daughter. He died of apoplexy
.
Life
He came to the United States in 1848, and changed his German name Friedrich Kuch to Frederick Cook. He first lived in Buffalo, New YorkBuffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
, and worked for his brother-in-law who was a shoemaker. Then he opened his own butcher
Butcher
A butcher is a person who may slaughter animals, dress their flesh, sell their meat or any combination of these three tasks. They may prepare standard cuts of meat, poultry, fish and shellfish for sale in retail or wholesale food establishments...
shop at Batavia, New York. After that he became a brakeman
Brakeman
A brakeman is a rail transport worker whose original job it was to assist the braking of a train by applying brakes on individual wagons. The advent of through brakes on trains made this role redundant, although the name lives on in the United States where brakemen carry out a variety of functions...
on the Buffalo and Rochester Railroad
Buffalo and Rochester Railroad
The Buffalo and Rochester Railroad, like many others of its day, was a short line that lasted a short time.-The gist of the idea:Initially, the germ of the idea for this line came from the perceived need for a rail line to serve Steuben and Livingston Counties in New York. Farmers and merchants in...
, and later a conductor
Conductor (transportation)
A conductor is a member of a railway train's crew that is responsible for operational and safety duties that do not involve the actual operation of the train. The title of conductor is most associated with railway operations in North America, but the role of conductor is common to railways...
on the New York Central Railroad
New York Central Railroad
The New York Central Railroad , known simply as the New York Central in its publicity, was a railroad operating in the Northeastern United States...
a position he held for twenty years during which he became wealthy. (There is a story about this: Asked by Cornelius Vanderbilt
Cornelius Vanderbilt
Cornelius Vanderbilt , also known by the sobriquet Commodore, was an American entrepreneur who built his wealth in shipping and railroads. He was also the patriarch of the Vanderbilt family and one of the richest Americans in history...
how he could buy vast pieces of real estate and live expensively on $75 a week, Cook is said to have answered "Oh, I makes (sic) my money trading horses with Jockey Mason," which became something of a proverb at the time.)
Political career
In 1872, he left the railroad, and entered politics. Governor John Thompson Hoffman appointed him Judge Advocate of the 7th Division of the National Guard. In 1874, he ran for Mayor of Rochester, New YorkRochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
but was defeated by George G. Clarkson while otherwise the whole Democratic ticket was elected. In 1875, Governor Samuel J. Tilden
Samuel J. Tilden
Samuel Jones Tilden was the Democratic candidate for the U.S. presidency in the disputed election of 1876, one of the most controversial American elections of the 19th century. He was the 25th Governor of New York...
appointed him Assistant Adjutant General
Adjutant general
An Adjutant General is a military chief administrative officer.-Imperial Russia:In Imperial Russia, the General-Adjutant was a Court officer, who was usually an army general. He served as a personal aide to the Tsar and hence was a member of the H. I. M. Retinue...
and Chief of Staff of the 7th Division of the National Guard. He was a delegate to the 1876 Democratic National Convention
1876 Democratic National Convention
The 1876 Democratic National Convention assembled in St. Louis just nine days after the conclusion of the Republican National Convention. The convention opened with three contenders, Bourbon Democrat Samuel J. Tilden of New York, Thomas Hendricks of Indiana and Union General Winfield S. Hancock of...
. He was Secretary of State of New York
Secretary of State of New York
The Secretary of State of New York is a cabinet officer in the government of the U.S. state of New York.The current Secretary of State of New York is Cesar A...
from 1886 to 1889, elected in 1885 and 1887
New York state election, 1887
The 1887 New York state election was held on November 8, 1887, to elect the Secretary of State, the State Comptroller, the Attorney General, the State Treasurer and the State Engineer, as well as all members of the New York State Assembly and the New York State Senate.-History:The United Labor...
.
Business
In 1892, he sued the Silver Lake Ice Company, and tried to establish his claim to be the owner of the Silver LakeSilver Lake, New York
Silver Lake, New York may refer to:* Silver Lake, Orange County, New York - a lake in town of Wallkill, New York* Silver Lake, Otsego County, New York - a hamlet in the town of Pittsfield, New York...
in Wyoming County, New York
Wyoming County, New York
Wyoming County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. At the 2010 census, the population was 42,155. The county seat is Warsaw. The name is from a modified Delaware Indian word meaning "broad bottom lands"...
.
He was the President of the Rochester German Insurance Company, the German-American Bank of Rochester, the Rochester Driving Park Association, the Rochester Telephone Company, the Rochester Street Car Company, Vice President of the Bartholomay Brewing Company, and had interests in many other companies.
He was married twice and had one daughter. He died of apoplexy
Apoplexy
Apoplexy is a medical term, which can be used to describe 'bleeding' in a stroke . Without further specification, it is rather outdated in use. Today it is used only for specific conditions, such as pituitary apoplexy and ovarian apoplexy. In common speech, it is used non-medically to mean a state...
.
Sources
- http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9F02E4D9153FE533A25755C2A96F9C94649FD7CF His "record", in NYT on September 26, 1885
- The Political Graveyard: Index to Politicians: Cook, E to F at politicalgraveyard.com Political Graveyard
- http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9D01EFDC1F31E033A25753C3A9679D94639ED7CF His lawsuit, in NYT on November 30, 1892
- http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9B07E7DD1F3BE631A2575BC1A9649C946497D6CF Obit, in NYT on February 18, 1905