Charles Cook (New York)
Encyclopedia
Charles Cook was an American politician from New York
.
, and a few years later he left home to find work. He became a clerk in a store in Herkimer, New York, then went to Utica, New York
and learned how to build canals. From 1823 on, he took part in the construction of the Delaware and Hudson Canal
. In 1829, in company with his brothers Hiram and Elbert, he engaged in the construction of the Chemung Canal
, and settled at Havana, NY
, which was incorporated as a village in 1836. Cook bought large tracts of land and invested in improvements.
In 1846, he ran on the Whig ticket for Canal Commissioner, but was defeated. In 1847
, he was one of the first three Canal Commissioners
elected under the New York State Constitution of 1846, and drew the one-year term. He was re-elected to a full three-year term in 1848, remaining in office from 1848 to 1851.
In 1854, he finally succeeded in his effort to create Schuyler County, New York
with Havana, NY, as the county seat. After only seven years the county seat was moved to Watkins
against Cook's fierce opposition.
He was a member of the New York State Senate
(27th District) from 1862 to 1863.
He was one of the owners of the Blossburg Coal Company, in Blossburg, Pennsylvania
. He took part in the construction of the Erie Railway from Binghamton, New York
to Elmira, New York
which was used for the shipping of the coal.
He founded Cook Academy at Havana, NY, a boarding high school which closed after World War II
. The building houses now the New York Academy of Fire Sciences.
He never married. The estate was inherited by his brother Elbert.
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
Life
His father was killed during the War of 1812War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, and a few years later he left home to find work. He became a clerk in a store in Herkimer, New York, then went to Utica, New York
Utica, New York
Utica is a city in and the county seat of Oneida County, New York, United States. The population was 62,235 at the 2010 census, an increase of 2.6% from the 2000 census....
and learned how to build canals. From 1823 on, he took part in the construction of the Delaware and Hudson Canal
Delaware and Hudson Canal
The Delaware and Hudson Canal was the first venture of the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company, which later developed the Delaware and Hudson Railway...
. In 1829, in company with his brothers Hiram and Elbert, he engaged in the construction of the Chemung Canal
Chemung Canal
The Chemung Canal is a former canal in New York, USA. The canal connected Seneca Lake at Watkins Glen to the Chemung River at Elmira, New York. Its larger significance was to connect New York's Erie Canal system with Pennsylvania's Susquehanna River watershed....
, and settled at Havana, NY
Montour Falls, New York
Montour Falls is a village in Schuyler County, New York, United States. The population was 1,797 at the 2000 census. A waterfall in the village gives the village its name...
, which was incorporated as a village in 1836. Cook bought large tracts of land and invested in improvements.
In 1846, he ran on the Whig ticket for Canal Commissioner, but was defeated. In 1847
New York state election, 1847
The 1847 New York state election was held on November 2, 1847, to elect the Lieutenant Governor, the Secretary of State, the State Comptroller, the Attorney General, the State Treasurer, the State Engineer, three Canal Commissioners and three Inspectors of State Prisons, as well as all members of...
, he was one of the first three Canal Commissioners
Erie Canal Commission
The New York State Legislature appointed in 1810 a Commission to Explore a Route for a Canal to Lake Erie, and Report which became known as the Erie Canal Commission...
elected under the New York State Constitution of 1846, and drew the one-year term. He was re-elected to a full three-year term in 1848, remaining in office from 1848 to 1851.
In 1854, he finally succeeded in his effort to create Schuyler County, New York
Schuyler County, New York
As of the census of 2000, there were 19,224 people, 7,374 households, and 5,191 families residing in the county. The population density was 58 people per square mile . There were 9,181 housing units at an average density of 28 per square mile...
with Havana, NY, as the county seat. After only seven years the county seat was moved to Watkins
Watkins Glen, New York
Watkins Glen is a village in Schuyler County, New York, United States. The population was 2,149 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Schuyler County.The Village of Watkins Glen lies on the border of the towns of Dix and Montour....
against Cook's fierce opposition.
He was a member of the New York State Senate
New York State Senate
The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...
(27th District) from 1862 to 1863.
He was one of the owners of the Blossburg Coal Company, in Blossburg, Pennsylvania
Blossburg, Pennsylvania
Blossburg is a borough in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The population was 1,480 at the 2000 census.-History:In 1792 a party of immigrants who were building the Williamson Road from Williamsport, in Lycoming County, to Painted Post in New York under the leadership of Robert and...
. He took part in the construction of the Erie Railway from Binghamton, New York
Binghamton, New York
Binghamton is a city in the Southern Tier of New York in the United States. It is near the Pennsylvania border, in a bowl-shaped valley at the confluence of the Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers...
to Elmira, New York
Elmira, New York
Elmira is a city in Chemung County, New York, USA. It is the principal city of the 'Elmira, New York Metropolitan Statistical Area' which encompasses Chemung County, New York. The population was 29,200 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Chemung County.The City of Elmira is located in...
which was used for the shipping of the coal.
He founded Cook Academy at Havana, NY, a boarding high school which closed after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The building houses now the New York Academy of Fire Sciences.
He never married. The estate was inherited by his brother Elbert.
Sources
- The New York Civil List compiled by Franklin Benjamin Hough (page 42; Weed, Parsons and Co., 1858)
- The New-York Civil List compiled by Franklin Benjamin Hough, Stephen C. Hutchins & Edgar Albert Werner (pages 406 and 443; Weed, Parsons and Co., Albany NY, 1867)
- http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=9F04EFD7123FE533A25752C2A9679D94679FD7CF Bust unveiled, with bio, in NYT on November 21, 1886
- http://www.crookedlakereview.com/articles/67_100/85apr1995/85bell.html Charles Cook - The Father of Schuyler County by Barbara H. Bell in The Crooked Lake Review (April 1995)