Joseph W. A. Cooke, editor and owner of the "Daily News" and of the "Central Kansas News-Democrat" at Lyons, has devoted the most of his career to the "art preservative" and is one of the successful newspaper men of central Kansas. He springs from an old New England family, long known in Rhode Island, where its members have been well represented in the professions and in public life, a number of them having become men of prominence and distinction. He was born Nov. 29, 1867, at Chicago, Ill., a son of Dr. Nicholas F. Cooke and Laura W. Abbot, natives of Rhode Island. Dr. Nicholas F. Cooke was born in the city of Providence, in 1829, and took up the profession of medicine as his life work. He removed to Chicago, in 1865, and there commanded a large practice until his death, Feb. 1, 1885. He was a man of exceptional educational and professional qualifications, held the degree of Doctor of Laws, and was professor of diagnosis in the Hahnemann Medical College, at Chicago, from 1870 until the time of his death. His parents, also were natives of Rhode Island and his grandfather, Joseph Cooke, was the first Continental governor of that state. In 1857 at Providence, R. I., Dr. Nicholas F. Cooke was united in marriage to Miss Laura W. Abbot, daughter of Commodore Joel Abbot, of the United States navy. She was born at Warren. R. I., in 1835, and died at Chicago, Ill., Dec. 11, 1895. Four children blessed their union: Nicholas F., born in 1857, is a merchant at Durango, Colo.; Abbot S., born in 1859, is a merchant at Pittsburgh, Pa.; Joseph W. A. is the next in order of birth; and Mary G., born Nov. 17, 1869, is now Mrs. Mary G. Heberton, of Philadelphia, Pa. Joseph W. A. Cooke was educated at St. Ignatius Jesuit College, at Chicago, Ill., and after completing his schooling was a salesman in a Chicago wholesale house for five years. In 1893 he came to Kansas and established the "Leader," at Claflin, continuing its publication three years. In 1896 he removed his printing plant to Ellinwood, Kan., where he published the "Ellinwood Leader" until 1898, when he sold his newspaper interests there. He was appointed postmaster at Ellinwood, in 1900, and served in that capacity until 1908. Entering actively into the public life of that community, he served as city clerk of Ellinwood two years and also served as a member of the commercial club, of which he was president two years and secretary three years. In 1908 he removed to Hutchinson, where he engaged in the real estate business until 1910, when he bought the "Daily News" and the "Central Kansas News-Democrat," with both of which he is still identified. The "Daily News" is the only daily paper in Rice county and is a bright, interesting sheet, devoted to local news and matters of general interest. The "Central Kansas News-Democrat" is a weekly paper which stands for progress along all lines of development and accords stanch support to the Republican party policies. Mr. Cooke is a loyal Republican and takes an active and prominent part in both county and state political affairs.

On Jan. 16, 1895, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Cooke and Miss Carrie B., daughter of Stelle and Mary C. A. Giles, of Claflin, Kan. Mr. Giles was a prominent pioneer farmer of Barton county, where he died in 1905; his wife died at Hutchinson, Kan., March 8, 1910. Mrs. Cooke is a woman of education and culture and is a graduate of the art and music department of Bethany College, Lindsborg, Kan. She is a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Cooke affiliates fraternally with the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mr. and Mrs. Cooke have one son, Walter Abbot, born at Claflin, Kan., Nov. 18, 1895.