Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-07-13
An Ideal Candidate.

An Ideal Candidate.
Hon. George A. Cooke. who has been
announced as a candidate for the dem
ocratic nomination for Judge of the
supreme court from this division iD the
special election TO be held Sept 20 to
fill the vacancy caused by the, death
of Justice Guy c. Scott. is the type of
a self-made man such as has so often
adorned the pages of American his
tory. AT the age of 3 years, suddenly
bereft of his father, just as the latter
had entered upon his professional ca
reer as a physician, and losing his
mother when he was IL. his early life
was one of struggle and hardship. In
spired by an ambition to acquire an ed
ucation, he worked himself through
school, being obliged often to labor for
his board, and when he finally attain
ed the desire of his life, that of edu-
cation for the practice of his chosen
i'm debt, but full of determination. cour-
|age and pluck. And so he has succeeded
Through life. Always student and hard
worker, so he is today. Still a young
man, he has built upNa law practice
that would be credit TO practitioners
of many more years experience, and
has established for himself reputa-
ton, not only for success. but for
sound judgment in the applications of
the principles of law that fits him TO
remarkable degree for the great of
flee for which he is a candidate. He
| is an ideal man, one whom the people
always delight TO honor. and one who,
| if chosen TO the supreme bench, will
bring the same high talents and the
same distinction as did the lamented
jurist, who passed away in his prime.
and whose place he would fill
| The life of Hon. George A. Cooke is
| full of interest. He was born at New
Athens. Ohio, July 3, 1869. His father,
Thomas A. Cooke, physician, died at
| Bridgeport, Ohio, May 81, 1872, and
| his mother died at New Athens, Ohio,
June s. 1880. Upon the death of his
parents. and from whom he inherited
| only the sum of $240, he came to Mer-
Ger county in June. 1880. where he
| made his home with an uncle on Il
farm until September, 1886 While
there he attended the common school
of the district during the winter
| months and became determined to Sc
| cure an education. Although without
means, he entered the Aledo high
| school in September, 1886. and from that
time was thrown entirely on his own
resources. He completed the high
school course by his own efforts. work
| ing for his board and earning such
money as he could during vacations
graduating in May, 1888.
| In the autumn of 1888 he entered
Knox college at Galesburg and gradu
/ ated from the classical course in June
1892, having completed a regular FIVE
year course in the four years While
in college he acted as chapel monitor
for part of the time, for which he re
ceived his tuition. He conducted a
boarding club as steward, for which
he received his board. and on Satur
days did such odd jobs as he coult
find to do During his college course
he reached his majority, and the $24(
left by his mother became available
During each of the last two years o.
his college course he was loaned /;
small sum by the college at a low rate
of interest from a fund known as the
Pearson fund" which was created by
Mr.. Pearson of Chicago. to be loaned
to deserving students This none.
vas repaid after he had begun thu
practice of law some years later.
During his college course he was ont
year business manager of the colleg,
paper. one year captain of the football
team. represented his literary societ!
in debating contests, and graduate,
with high standing. He was mem
Der of the Greek letter fraternity, Bet;
Theta Pi.
| Upon graduating from college he en-
tered the law Office of Pepper & Scot
at Aledo, and pursued the study of ;
law course under the supervision o
/ the members of that firm. He was ad
mitted to the bar in 1895. In the AL
tumn of that year he opened an offic'
i'm Galesburg, H., where he practice'
until Aug. 1, 1896, when he formed ;
partnership with the late Justice Gu.
C. Scott and removed to Aledo. Sine
that time he has remained in the prac
tice at Aledo.
Oct. 20, 1896. he was married Il
Miss Sarah Blee of Aledo. He has fou
children-two boys and two girls.
He has served two terms in the legis
lature as member of the house. ant
two terms as member of the democratic
state central committee. and is nov
secretary of that committee.