Background
His father was killed during the War of 1812, and a few years later he left home to find work.
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Charles Cook
Edit Profilepolitician member of the New York State Senate
Career
He became a clerk in a store in Herkimer, New York, then went to Utica, New York and learned how to build canals. From 1823 on, he took part in the construction of the Delaware and Hudson Canal. Cook bought large tracts of land and invested in improvements.
In 1846, he ran on the Whig ticket for Canal Commissioner, but was defeated.
In 1847, he was one of the first three Canal Commissioners elected under the New York State Constitution of 1846, and drew the one-year term. He was re-elected to a full three-year term in 1848, remaining in office from 1848 to 1851.
In 1854, he finally succeeded in his effort to create Schuyler County, New York with Havana, New York, as the county seat. After only seven years the county seat was moved to Watkins against Cook"s fierce opposition.
He was one of the owners of the Blossburg Coal Company, in Blossburg, Pennsylvania.
He took part in the construction of the Erie Railway from Binghamton, New York to Elmira, New York which was used for the shipping of the coal. He founded Cook Academy at Havana, New York, a boarding high school which closed after World World War World War II The building houses now the New York Academy of Fire Sciences.
Membership
He was a member of the New York State Senate (27th District) in 1862 and 1863.
