Background
Born in Whitestown, New York, in 1836 Cook moved with his father to what is now Davenport, Iowa, which at the time was in Michigan Territory and then in Wisconsin Territory.
Born in Whitestown, New York, in 1836 Cook moved with his father to what is now Davenport, Iowa, which at the time was in Michigan Territory and then in Wisconsin Territory.
Studied law.
After studying law, he was admitted to the bar in 1842 and commenced practice in Tipton, then in Iowa Territory. After Iowa was admitted to the Union in 1846, he served in the Iowa Senate from 1848 to 1851. He relocated to Davenport in 1851 and continued the practice of law.
In 1850, he was an unsuccessful candidate for election to represent the Second District in the Thirty-second Congress, losing to Democrat Lincoln Clark.
According to one account, "the Iowa Whigs shelved Mr. Cook because of his pro-slavery record." When the Whig party disappeared Cook became a Democrat.
He continued the practice of law and also engaged in banking in Davenport until his death there on April 17, 1872. He was interred in Oakdale Cemetery.
He served as member of the Iowa Territorial Council from 1842 to 1845.