Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 1003 - 1004

ROBERT S. COOK, one of the leading stock-growers of Sedgwick County, and one of her most enterprising citizens, makes a specialty of raising Poland-China swine, in which business he has been very successful. He started this industry from the herds of C. W. Jones, the standard swine-breeder of Kalamazoo, Mich., and other leading breeders, such as J. L. Lawrence, Shellabarger and others. Mr. Cook's swine are registered in the Ohio Poland-China Record. This department of farming alone yields him a handsome income. His farm, which comprises ninety acres of land, is finely located on section 14 of Wichita Township, and he selected this location after having traveled over a large portion of the Western country, including the Rocky Mountains and to San Francisco, which he has twice visited. He has abundant faith in the future of Kansas, and is contributing his share toward its prosperity. We present a number of views of farm residences in this volume, showing also specimens of the fine stock raised in the county. Among them may be found a view of Mr. Cook's residence and the pictures of some of his fine animals.

             Our subject, a native of Clarke County, Ohio, was born Nov. 7, 1849, and is the son of Andrew J. and Ann E. (Stevens) Cook, natives of Massachusetts and the Buckeye State. From there the father, in 1861, removed to St. Louis County, Mo., where he continued until 1864, and thence changed his location to Morgan County, Ill. He left Illinois for Kansas in 1869, stopping at Topeka one winter, and in May, 1870, took up his residence in this county, where he now lives. Robert S. became familiar with farm pursuits in his boyhood and acquired his education in the common schools. He accompanied his father in his several removals until reaching his majority, then started out in life for himself.

             Young Cook made his first business venture by the pre-emption of a quarter-section of the Osage Trust Lands, of which he retained possession some years and then sold seventy acres. For the ninety remaining he could easily obtain $1,000 per acre. He made his home with his parents in this county until his first marriage, which took place in October, 1875, his bride being Miss Carrie Copeland. Of this union there were born three children: Charles E., Blanche C. and Elmer, who are now at home. 

            The present wife of our subject, to whom he was married on Nov. 17, 1885, was formerly Mrs. Fanny E. (Copeland) Winger, who was born in McLean County, Ill., May 20, 1855. Mrs. Cook is the daughter of Milton N. and Zerilda (Long) Copeland, who were natives of Ohio, and are now residents of Reno County, Kan. Of this latter union there were no children.

             Mrs. Cook is a member in good standing of the Presbyterian Church, and our subject, politically, is one of the warmest adherents of the Republican party. He is at present Township Clerk, and also School Director, in which position he has served for several years. He has been Road Supervisor and occupied various other responsible positions connected with public affairs. He contemplates laying off a portion of his land into town lots, and intends building a street-car line to his farm from the city, which will involve the laying of about three miles of track. His energy and industry are proverbial, and he is numbered among the men who have been instrumental in the progress and prosperity of Sedgwick County and city of Wichita.

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