Levi Cook
Encyclopedia
Levi Cook was an American business and politician who served two terms the mayor of Detroit, Michigan
, and one in the Michigan House of Representatives.
Cook was born in Bellingham, Massachusetts
, on December 16, 1792, the son of Thadeus Cook. He moved to Detroit in 1815, and that same year became one of the trustees of the city. He also served as City Treasurer in 1822, County Commissioner from 1824–27, Superintendent of the Poor from 1827–28, and city alderman
in 1828. He was both Treasurer of the Michigan Territory
and Chief Engineer of the Fire Department from 1830–36, mayor of Detroit in 1832, 1835–36, a member of the Michigan House of Representatives in 1838, and a member of the city Board of Review in 1840–41. He was originally a Whig
, but later in life a Republican
.
Cook was a dry goods merchant. He was also a director of the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank, and served as its president from 1838–45.
He married Elizabeth Stevens of Boston
in 1818, but the couple had no children. Levi Cook died on December 2, 1866.
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, and one in the Michigan House of Representatives.
Cook was born in Bellingham, Massachusetts
Bellingham, Massachusetts
Bellingham is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 16,332 at the 2010 census. The town sits on the southwestern fringe of Metropolitan Boston, along the rapidly growing "outer belt" that is Route 495...
, on December 16, 1792, the son of Thadeus Cook. He moved to Detroit in 1815, and that same year became one of the trustees of the city. He also served as City Treasurer in 1822, County Commissioner from 1824–27, Superintendent of the Poor from 1827–28, and city alderman
Alderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
in 1828. He was both Treasurer of the Michigan Territory
Michigan Territory
The Territory of Michigan was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from June 30, 1805, until January 26, 1837, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Michigan...
and Chief Engineer of the Fire Department from 1830–36, mayor of Detroit in 1832, 1835–36, a member of the Michigan House of Representatives in 1838, and a member of the city Board of Review in 1840–41. He was originally a Whig
Whig Party (United States)
The Whig Party was a political party of the United States during the era of Jacksonian democracy. Considered integral to the Second Party System and operating from the early 1830s to the mid-1850s, the party was formed in opposition to the policies of President Andrew Jackson and his Democratic...
, but later in life a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
.
Cook was a dry goods merchant. He was also a director of the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank, and served as its president from 1838–45.
He married Elizabeth Stevens of Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
in 1818, but the couple had no children. Levi Cook died on December 2, 1866.