Legislator Details

Image of Francis W. Cook
Image Description:
Francis W. Cook, Chapman (Le) portrait p. [240]

Francis W. Cook
AKA:
Number of sessions served 2
Sessions served
Gender: Male
Age at election: 34

Vital Records Information:

Birth
Date: 10/30/1848
City: Chemung, NY
County: Chemung County, NY
Country: US
 
Death
Date: 1/6/1911
City: Muskegon, MI
County: Muskegon County, MI
Country: US
Type of Burial:
Burial
Date: 1/8/1911
City: Muskegon, MI
County: Muskegon County, MI
Country: US
Cemetery: Oakwood Cemetery

Marital Information:

Number of Children: 1

Background

Religion:
Military Service:
Occupation: lawyer
Race: Caucasian or White

Education:
district schools; at age 19 studied law in Ovid, MI, in the office of J.G. Patterson

Biographical Sketch:
Raised by his grandfather. Came to Michigan at age 8 in 1855; settled first in Commerce, Oakland Co. then in Victor, Clinton Co. a year later. Admitted to the bar 1870. Moved to Muskegon, 12/1870; specialized in criminal law. He was elected police justice of Muskegon, 1872; city attorney, 1876. He acted as mediator between strikers and employers in the 1882 strike for a 10 hour day. Elected mayor of Muskegon, 1884. Member of the Oddfellows, Elks and Knights of the Maccabees.

Notable Facts:
A labor advocate. Committees: Judiciary; Harbors; Private Corporations; & Labor Interests (chair); second term committees: Judiciary,; Federal Relations; and Corporations Called for the creation of the committee on Labor Interests in 1885, as wellas a Labor Bureau. Called the first man elected on a straight labor ticket. A Greenback Democrat

Sessions Served:

Thirty-Sixth Legislature, 1891-1892
Chamber: House
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Federal Relations , Judiciary , Upper Peninsula Prison
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Muskegon
County of Residence Muskegon
District: Muskegon 1
District Description: City of Muskegon and township of Lakeside

Date Elected: 11/4/1890
Date Sworn In: 1/7/1891
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Departed

Maritial Status: Married
Notes:
Thirty-Second Legislature, 1883-1884
Chamber: House
Party: Independent
Committees Served On: Labor Interests, Harbors, Private Corporations , Judiciary
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Muskegon
County of Residence Muskegon
District: Muskegon 1
District Description: City of Muskegon, and township of Lakeside

Date Elected: 11/7/1882
Date Sworn In: 1/3/1883
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Departed

Maritial Status: Married
Notes:

Bibliography:

Chapman (Le) p.241-42, portrait facing p.241; Michiganology; USCen 1880; Cyc (1900)p.151-52
View Bibliographical Sources