George William Cook, born on September 10, 1850, in Elkader, Clayton County, Iowa, is a prominent farmer in Grovena Township, Moody County, South Dakota. The son of Henry and Mary (Beckman) Cook, he received a common-school education and worked on the family farm until 28. In 1878, he moved to Moody County, where he established and improved a 160-acre homestead. Cook is also involved with the Egan Elevator Company and the Egan Lumber Company. A supporter of the People’s Party, he served as the first treasurer of Grovena Township and as a board member. Cook is affiliated with the Modern Brotherhood of America and attends the Methodist Episcopal Church. Though a bachelor, he is known for his hospitality and has many friends.
George William Cook, who is the owner of a finely improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Grovena Township, Moody County, was born at Elkader, Clayton County, Iowa, on the 10th of September, 1850, being a son of Henry and Mary (Beckman) Cook, the father being a farmer by vocation. The subject received a common-school education and remained at the parental home until he had attained the age of twenty-eight years, having devoted his attention to farming up to that time. On the 4th of March, 1878, he arrived in Moody County, whither he came from his native place, and here he took a homestead claim and forthwith began its improvement and cultivation. He has “grown up with the country,” is a progressive farmer and stock grower, and has attained success through his indefatigable and well-directed efforts. In addition to his farming interests, he is also identified with the Egan Elevator Company and the Egan Lumber Company, of Egan, Moody County, which is his post office address. In politics, Mr. Cook is staunchly arrayed in support of the principles of the People’s Party, and he was elected the first treasurer of Grovena Township, where he still resides, while he has also served as a member of the board of directors of the township. Fraternally, he is identified with the Modern Brotherhood of America, and his religious views are in harmony with the tenets of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which he attends. Mr. Cook remains a bachelor, but his home is a center of genial hospitality and good cheer, while his friends are in number as his acquaintances.
Source: Robinson, Doane, History of South Dakota: together with mention of Citizens of South Dakota, [Logansport? IN] : B. F. Bowen, 1904.