JOHN S. COOK
Page 207

Mr. Cook, though not a resident of Mason county, has for twenty years been with us and of us, and we would be derelict of duty to omit an active, energetic representative man, so prominently identified with the interests of Mason county. He was born at Sackett's Harbor, Jefferson county, New York, June 15, 1828. He had excellent opportunities of early education and personal improvement, and threw none of these away. In 1854 he went to California. He did not make a million of dollars in that land of gold, and on his return settled in Illinois in 1856. He became identified with the interests of Mason county in 1859, when the Illinois River Railroad was first built (now P., P. & J. R.R.) and operated. He was the first General Passenger and Freight agent of that important line of railroad, and has been the only one to the present date. Much of its successful financial management is due to his fine business abilities. A lion's share of the good feeling which the people along its line hold towards it is due to his courteous and gentlemanly intercourse with all with whom his business relations bring him in contact. Active and correct in the business department of that important corporation, over which he has presided with such success, it is not strange that he has made hosts of friends, as well as a most successful railroad official.

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