Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1889-09-26
PROF. COOK DEAD.
THE STATE GEOLOGIST DIES
SUNDAY.
Emu OF u Busy Life. A Man whom
the Farmers will MISS.

End Of a Busy Life. A Man whom
The Farmers Will Miss.
The sudden death of George H.
Cook, State Geologist, at New Bruns-
wick ON Sunday, of heart failure, was
great surprise to his many friends in
this city, who saw him not later than
Thursday of last week in apparently
excellent health.
George H. Cook, Ph. D., LII. D.,
Vice President of Rutgers College, Pro.
lessor OF Chemistry, Natural History
and Agriculture in that institution,
and State Geologist of New Jersey,
was born in Hanover, Morris county,
In 1878. His early education was re-
celved at select schools near home, but
in 1886 he entered Rensselaer, Poly
technlc Institute at Troy, New York,
where he remained two years, and
upon leaving it he followed actively
the profession of civil engineering. In
lo40 he received the appointment of
Assistant Professor of Engineering at
the Rensselaer, Polytechnic Institute,
and in 1S42 to the Senior Professorship.
In 1S4S he entered the Albany Academy
as Professor of Mathematics and Men
tai Philosophy, which chair he oc-
cupied until 1851, when he became
principal of the academy.
Two years later he accepted a call to
Rutgers College as Professor of Chem.
istry and Natural History. In 1854 he
was appointed Vice President of the
college, which position he has occupied
ever since.
His sattainments as a geologist secured
for him the charge of the Southern divi-
sion of New Jersey as Assistant State
Geologist, which position he held until
the survey was suspended in 1856.
In 1868 he was called upon by vote
OF the Legislature to assume position
as State Geologist. His work as State
Geologist has been varied and of great
Importance. The Typographical maps
OF the State which have been published
under his supervision have been ad-
judged to be among the best of any
published by the different States. The
last of the series was recently issued,
and DR.. Cook was at the time of his
death engaged on his final report.
Two volumes had been prepared and
are now in print.
In 1864 the State Agricultural Col
lege in Rutgers Scientific School was
established by the Legislature and the
Science of Agriculture was added to
the subjects taught from his chair. He
was the organizer of the State Board
OF Agriculture, and for long time he
was its Secretary.
Through life Doctor Cook has been
most active in all educational move.
ments and has enjoyed very high re.
putation in this and other States as an
educator and scientist.
He for many years has been an &C
knowledged authority in geology, and
his reports presented to the Legislature
have been among the ablest of the
State papers.
He became in 1886 Chief Director OF
the New Jersey State Weather Service.
He was long President of the New
Brunswick Board of Water Commits
sioners. He was also a member of the
State Board of Health, and held many
minor Offices in the State. He was &C.
tive also in work elsewhere. In 1852
he was sent to Europe by the State of
New York to make Investigations that
might aid in developing the Ononpaga
salt springs. He went again to Europe
in 1870 to study certain geological
phases, and in 1878 he was delegate
to the International Geological Con-
gress held at Paris is connection with
the French Exposition. He was a
member of the American Association
for the Advancement of Science, and
the author of many papers and ad.
dresses. He received the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy from the Univer
sity of New York, and the degree of
Doctor of Laws from Union College.
DIR. Cooks wife, one son and one
daughter survive him.
Officers Elected.
The seventeenth annual meeting of