The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24


chosen profession in his natal town, and
has since that period built up an excel
lent practice in the Federal, United
States Circuit court Of appeals at Rich
mond. Virginia. Supreme court of the
State and other Courts. Colonel
Cook has been peculiarly successful in
mis- practice. His thorough knowledge
of the law, the rigid method of the pre-
paration of his cases, and his intensely
logical method of appealing to a jury,
have made him a competitor and an adj
vocate, the peer of any in the State. His
keen. searching intlrrogaltory and apt
penetration are some of the bases of his
great success.
October II, 1871, he married Miss
Marina Williams Jones, of Warren coun-
ty. daughter of Joseph Speed Jones' and
this union has been blessed with an III
teresting family of eleven children. eight
of whom are living.
Aside from his professional duties. Mr..
Cook has given Il great duaI OF attention
to military matters. About twelve years
ago, he joined the State Guard as Il
private and so served for four years.
At the expiration Of that period he was
promoted from the ranks to the office
of small arms practice with the rank OF
Captain. When the regimental mspec-
tors were abolished he was appointed
Assistant Inspector at small arms prac-
ticc. to Colonel Bennehan Cameron with
the same rank. and SO served until
March 1895. when Colonel Cameron re-
signed. A this period our subject was
appointed Inspector of Small Arms
Practice, with the rank of Colonel. lie
served in seven encampmemts in four OF
which Captain Thad W. Jones and
Lieutenant w. f. Shipp, both of the
United States Army, were his inStr1c-
tors He still holds tine position of In
spector of Small Arms Practice. In
politics Colonel Cook, is an ardent Re
publican and as such has rendered much
assistance in pushing forward the inter
ests of his party. For many years he was
Trustee of the State University. In
1884 he was the Republican candidate
for Attorney General of the State. In
1887 he Was elected a member of the
State Senate, and reelected to the same
position in 1895. Two years later he
represented Warren county in the House.
During President Harrison's administra-
tion he was United States attorney for
the Eastern District of North Carolina.
I'm 1886 and 1895, he served as a Re
publican member Of the State Canvass
ing Board In 1895 he was elected
Judge of the Eastern Criminal Circuit
by the Legislature. I'm the discharge
of the duties of these vaTions offices he
merited the high esteem or all with
whom he came into contact. While in
the Senate, in 1895 he was chairman Of
. the Judiciary committee. While mem
Der of the House in 1897 he was chair
man of the committee on Privileges and
Elections. He also served as chairman
of the Special committee to prescribe
terms upon which foreign corporations
should transact business in North Caro-
lima and on the North Carolina Railroad
lease; also was chairman OF the special
joint committee ON county government
and election laws. His voice was al
ways heard in favor of tie people, tht,
State and his party. Absolutely fearless
bold as a lion. he never hesitates to con,
denim what ihe considers wrong, or 10
commend what he considers right ana
just. He is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church.
During the year 1898, Colonel Cook
was nominated for the State Senate, hut
subsequently was nominated for the
.JudgeShip of the Superior court of the
Second Judicial District hence he re-
signed his candidacy for the Senate
made the race for the .Iudgeshp, but
went down under the Democratic land
slide.
During the latter part of June, 1925
during the American-Spanish war, Colo
mel Cook was telegrarhed to come 20
Washington, and an order was given
to the Secretary of War from President
MCKINLEY, appointing Colonel Cook Il
Brigadier General in the United States
Volunteer Army. TO fill the first vacan-
cy. About this time the burtIes of San,
tiago and El Carney, etc, were fought
and the Spanish virtually surrendered
hence the appointment was not made
Colonel Charles Alston Cook is known
and esteemed all over the State as n
man with an emviahle record, as one
whose social and mental graces win adj
miration, as one who for years has never
failed to respond TO any call of public
nature, any plea Of charty. or distress,
whose very name is synonymous with
generosity and public spirit. Colonel
Cook is enjoy ne his well earned pros
perty. This is hut brief tribute to
the worth of the man, but a just one
His achievements do him vast credit.
while in social and private life he stands
forth shining example for all who are
willing to put self in a secondary posi-
ton and help promote the general good.