The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-10-04
COOK DIED
EARLY THIS MORNING
Continued from page one)

Continued from page One.)
Stephen Aldrich Cooke was born in this
city He was the son of Stephen A. and
Lydia (Ines) Cooke. He was educated
, In the public schools OF this city and
qualifying for a collegiate course. was
admitted TO Brown university In the
class OF 1861
While at Brown he elected TO follow
the profession OF law and Immediately
upon being graduated went 10 Harvard
university. where he was entered as law
student I'm 1862 He graduated the follow
ing year.
He began his profession in Missouri
where he was admitted 10 the bar that
year. but in 1864 he returned to his native
state and was made a member of the
Rhode Island bar. since when he had
practiced exclusively in the courts OF
this state
He was at first a clerk in the law Of
fee Of Brown & Van Slyck. He then es-
tablshed an office OF his own in the Bar
ton block and In short time associated
himself with Henry II. Allen, under the
firm name OF Cooke a. Allen.
Upon the death OF Mr.. Allen he formed
a co-parinership with Louis l.. Angel.
the firm name being Cooke & Angel,
which continued until his death
His judicial mind qualified him for a
position on the bench and for several
years he was justice OF the Providence
court Of magistrates. In 1871 he became
interested in political affairs and was
elected a member of the house Of repre-
sentatives for that and the next three
In 1856 he served In the senate, where
he distinguished himself by mastery de-
bates upon subjects pertaining 70 the well
fare OF the commonwealth.
From 1874 until 1856 he was the assistant
city solicitor under City Solicitor Nicholas
Van Slyck. He was judge OF the jus
tice court which sat In the court room
over the old Central police station on
Canal street.
When the justice courts were abolished
and the judicial court system establish
ed. he was elected judge OF the Sixth
judicial district court, serving from 1883
TO 1895.
IN city politics he was elected a mem
Der Of the common council from the
Second ward from 1897 to 1901, when he
moved into The First ward. and by the
electors OF that district was returned TO
the common council for the years 1901
1902. He was then elected as alderman,
serving until death.
Mr. Cooke was first vice-president OF
the Rhode Island Bar association. and
since the death OF Hon. Francis Colwell
had been the acting president OF the or
ganiZaton.
Alderman Cooke was chairman of the
special committee upon the proposed
easy grade thoroughfare for the East
Side. having been selected for that posi-
tion because OF the deep interest which
he took I'm the project. He was mem
ber OF the joint committee on ordinances
and chairman of the special committee
on buildings over the Moshassuck river.
As a member of the board OF alder
men, he gave close attention TO all mat
ters affecting the public veal, probing
each subject to the bottom and requiring
full explanation of the scope Of a pend
ing resolution or bill before he would give
Il his sanctioning vote.
on April s, 1868, he married Miss Mary
Amos c. Barstow, who, with three
daughters. Mrs. Wallace r.. Chandler.
Mrs. William p. Comstock and Mrs.
Charles d. owen. Jr.. survive him.