Frederick Cook

Notes:

FRED COOK is one of the popular and widely known officials of Clayton County, as he occupies the important position of Sheriff to which post he was elected in the fall of 1893. Back then he declared himself as an Independent candidate and was endorsed by the Republ1cans in the Convention. In the election he received a majority of 1674 votes, one of the largest ever polled in the county. His pleasant home is situated in Elkader where he has resided for one year. Before that he lived in Garnavillo for more than twenty years. A native of the Buckeye State, Mr. Cook's birth occurred in 1846, in Chillicothe, Ohio and during his early years fate seemed to deal hardly with him for he was deprived by death of his parents when he was two years of age. His boyhood days were passed in Ohio and Kentucky and at the age of ten years be came to the Hawkeye State with his sister, settling in Ft. Madison, Lee County, Iowa where he received the advantages of a public school education. When 19 years old he commenced his career by learning the blacksmith's trade at Ft Madison. In the spring of 1865 he first set foot in Clayton County, Iowa. His apprenticeship was served at Guttenberg, where he remained until 1870. About that time he removed to Garnavillo where he embarked in the farm implement business in partnership with Fred Harberg. Later the firm name became Cook & Harberg. He remained in that business until he was elected Sheriff. In the year 1869 our subject was married to Miss Clara S. Cooley, who was born and grew to womanhood in this county. Her father, A. S. Cooley was one of the pioneers of this locality having located within the limits of the county as early as 1839 [1837]; he was one of the leading farmers of Garnavillo Township for many years. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Cook has been blessed with two sons: Lee F. and George W. From his early years he has had to "paddle his own canoe" and though he has met with many obstacles and discouragements on the journey of life he has bravely and courageously met and overcome them, seeming to acquire new strength for further conflict at the same time. Few men have a better reputation in this locality for honorable and upright methods and he truly deserves the high esteem in which he is held by those who know him best. Mr. Cook is active in several fraternities belonging to Garnavillo Lodge No. 90, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Garnavillo Lodge No. 29, Independent Order of Odd Fellows (I.O.O.F.) and to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Garnavillo IOOF Lodge Nr 29 was organized 25 Dec 1850 and is the oldest fraternal organization in Clayton County. Among its first officers was Fred Cook. Garnavillo Lodge No. 90 A. F. & A. M. was organized by dispensation on the 25 May 1855. Among the charter members was Fred Cook. On 24 Jun 1879 the following persons were duly installed as officers of Garnavillo Lodge No. 90 A.F. & A.M.: ... Fred Cook JW - Junior Warden is charged with the supervision of the Lodge while it is in recess for meals or other social purposes.
Clara S Cook was appointed administratrix for Fred Cook Estate 23 Dec 1902 in response to a petition by her son Lee F. Cook. Fred died intestate and Lee took the estate inventory resulting in real property worth $1600 and personal property of about $2500.

Frederick married Clara Salome Cooley about 1869 in Probably Iowa. Clara (daughter of Andrew Sutherland Cooley and Salome Warren) was born on 3 Sep 1848 in Garnavillo Twp, Clayton Co, Iowa; died on 7 Mar 1941 in Strawberry Point, Clayton Co, Iowa; was buried about 1941 in Garnavillo Community Cemetery. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
There is presently (Dec 2020) no marriage information on this couple. The Dubuque county history has 1849 as the marriage year.

1. Lee Fred Cook was born on 13 Aug 1873 in Garnavillo Twp, Clayton Co, Iowa; died on 23 Jan 1963 in Bettendorf, Scott Co, Iowa; was buried about Jan 1963 in Oelwein, Fayette Co, Iowa.
2. George Wilbur Cook was born on 6 Nov 1876 in Garnavillo Twp, Clayton Co, Iowa; died about Jul 1962 in Portland, Multnomah Co, Oregon.