The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-10-14
James |. C. Cook. Proprietor and
Publisher of the Milford Jour.
nal is Hale and Hearty at
Eighty-Four
THE OLDEST PRINTER
IN THE UNITED STATES
For More Than 10 Years He Has
Worked Daily at His Case
sticking Type" and Bids Fair
to Continue For Many Years to
Come

Special to The spy.
| Milford, Oct 13.-James I. G. Cook,
senior proprietor of the The Milford
Journal, attained today the saith ami
versary of his birth. The venerable
printer, whose friends claim for him
the honor of being the Oldest man, in
point of service and in years in the
| United States in his profession, is still
| hale, hearty and enjoying to the full
and complete degree, the rich reward
of a well spent life.
The career of the venerable Milford
printer, who for more than 70 years
has worked at his case sticking type"
| is known Familiarity to readers of The
| Spy and to hundreds of printers
Throughout the country. He is really
one of those notable oldtimers in the
printing business whose influence and
interest in the development of the trade
has reflected credit on the old style and
the so-called new style of journalistic
enterprise. James l. G. Cook as the
oldest printer in the country has re-
markedly brilliant record on his book
of life; added to his own very notable
individuality, there are boys in Mil
terest of the father" who do not
cease to remember the son, the late
William Henry Cook, for many years
editor of the paper, with which their
name has been identified so long.
Mr.. Cook first saw the light of day
in yellow tavern" in Bellows Falls,
VT, of which his father was the land
lord. The Cook family, with which he
was identified dates back to Aaron
Cook, in this country, the latter being
made freeman in Dorchester in 1885.
Mr.. Cooks father, Coleman Cook, Jr.,
was born in Old Hadley, this state, and
his mother, Eunice Green, was born in
what is now a part of Springfield.
James 1. c. Cook was thrown upon his
own resources when a mere boy and
that he is today product of the real
genius of American enterprise and
thrift, is truly manifest. He possesses
exceptional mental and physical vigor
and is in many ways man, the equal
of which would be hard to find.
He has had q most brilliant, varied
and interesting newspaper experience.
He worked his own way up the ladder
and started his son, the late senator,
on the road of successful journalism;
both of them contributed largely to the
instruction of Milford young men who
were willing to see and realize the
benefits of master minds in that pro-
| fession. The late w. H Cook became
W
in the state and the Milford Journal Of
| flee, for suburban sheet" has, under
! the management of the Cooks, greatly
advanced the welfare Of the community
and increased the opportunity for pro-
motion to numerous persons.
Mr.. Cook began as an apprentice in
the office of Cook & Taylor, in 1880, in
Bellows Falls, the senior partner being
his brother. His life from that time on
NJ GGad in n nffipns in NpHxr
York state and New England and dur
ing the time, the little chap who sat by
the printers case, grew into a really
notable figure in newspaper and po-
litical life in the localities in which he
lived. He was for 80 years connected
with the publication of the Vermont
State Banner at Bennington, it being
on this sheet that the late w. H. Cook
began his career as an editor when
hardly out of short pants. He was
certal2Iy the youngest editor in the
state. From 1861, until he moved with
his sons to Milford in 1872, James 1. c.
Cook was postmaster at Bennington,
his commissions bearing the signatures
of Lincoln, Johnson and Grant.
Mr.. Cooks home life has been as
notably happy as has been bis public
life. He lives simply, quietly enjoy
ing the surroundings of his family and
those who are his friends. He loves
his home, is devoted to his friends and
for that reason the venerable publisher
and printer is known and respected,
honored by all. There was no celebra-
ton of the event but his personal and
business friends did not forget to ex-
tend congratulations
Mr.. Cook worked Saturday as he has
every other day, the full working period
and despite his remarkable old age, he
knows well a bUhat &c
knows how to get it and can run the
paper as if he were in his prime. The
Spy congratulates Milford's grand
old man"