Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature
Skip Navigation Links
  • LRL Home
    • >
  • Legislators Past & Present
    • >
  • Member Record
    • Legislators Past & Present Home

    Cook, Michael

    Sessions Served    Other Information

    Senate 1857-60 (District 5); Senate 1861-62 (District 8)

    Party when first elected:  Not Available

    Counties Served:  Rice

    BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

    Date of Birth: 3/17/1828
    Birth Place: New Jersey
    Birth County: Morris
    Birth Country: United States
    Date of Death: 12/27/1864
    Gender: Male
    Religion:
    Reported Minority: None Reported
    Other Names:
    City of Residence (when first elected): Faribault
    Occupation (when first elected): Carpenter/Mechanic

    EDUCATION

    OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

    Military: 10th Minnesota Regiment, Infantry (United States Civil War/War of the Rebellion, Mortally Wounded in the Battle of Nashville, Major); 09/1862 to 12/16/1864

    FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

    Spouse: Single
    Children:
    Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

    GENERAL NOTES

    He came to Faribault, Minnesota in 1855.

    The St. Paul newspaper traditionally listed members who won the election with party affiliation (Democrat or Republican). In 1862 they only identified the Democrats, the assumption is that the rest were Republicans. Since he wasn't identified as a Democrat, the assumption is that he was a Republican. (St. Paul Pioneer and Democrat, January 7, 1862)

    He was mortally wounded in the Battle of Nashville.

    Minnesota Place Names from the Minnesota Historical Society states he also served in the Territorial Senate in 1857. However he's not on the list in the Legislative Manual of the State of Minnesota, 1872 nor on Toensing's list.

    Cook County, Minnesota was named after him.

    Most recent term photo
    Click to view
    Total Days Served: 1861

    SESSIONS SERVED

    4th Legislative Session (1862)

      Session Details   Convened Date: 1/7/1862
    Body: Senate
    District: 08
    Elected: 11/6/1860
    Residence: Faribault
    Term of Office: 1/8/1861 to 1/5/1863
    Oath Date: 1/8/1861
    Counties Represented: Rice
    Occupation: Mechanic
    Party: Republican Party Notes: The St. Paul newspaper traditionally listed members who won the election with party affiliation (Democrat or Republican). In 1862 they only identified the Democrats, the assumption is that the rest were Republicans. Since he wasn't identified as a Democrat, the assumption is that he was a Republican. (St. Paul Pioneer and Democrat, January 7, 1862)
    Committees:
    • Railroads and Railroad Grants
    • State Affairs (Chair)
    • State Prison
    • Towns and Counties

    3rd Legislative Session (1861)

      Session Details   Convened Date: 1/8/1861
    Body: Senate
    District: 08
    Elected: 11/6/1860
    Residence: Faribault
    Term of Office: 1/8/1861 to 1/5/1863
    Oath Date: 1/8/1861
    Counties Represented: Rice
    Occupation: Mechanic
    Party: Republican Party Notes: The St. Paul newspaper traditionally listed members who won the election with party affiliation (Democrat or Republican). In 1862 they only identified the Democrats, the assumption is that the rest were Republicans. Since he wasn't identified as a Democrat, the assumption is that he was a Republican. (St. Paul Pioneer and Democrat, January 7, 1862)
    Committees:
    • Railroads and Railroad Grants
    • State Affairs (Chair)
    • Towns and Counties

    2nd Legislative Session (1859-1860)

      Session Details   Convened Date: 12/7/1859
    Body: Senate
    District: 05
    Elected: 10/12/1858
    Residence: Faribault
    Term of Office: 12/7/1859 to 1/7/1861
    Oath Date: 12/7/1859
    Counties Represented: Rice
    Occupation: Mechanic
    Party: Not Available
    Committees:
    • Engrossment
    • State Affairs (Chair)

    1st Legislative Session (1857-1858)

      Session Details   Convened Date: 12/2/1857
    Body: Senate
    District: 05
    Elected: 10/13/1857
    Residence: Faribault
    Term of Office: 12/2/1857 to 12/6/1859
    Oath Date: 12/2/1857
    Counties Represented: Rice
    Occupation: Carpenter/Mechanic
    Party: Not Available
    Committees:
    • Credentials
    • Elections
    • Indian Affairs
    • State Affairs
    Session Notes: He was sworn in on December 7, 1857 and subscribed to the oath of office on December 8, 1857. An 1858-59 session was not held due to the protracted session of 1857-58. (Minnesota Legislative Manual, 1872, p. 66) Thus, even though the first session was adjourned on August 12, 1858; the term end date for it is listed as the day before the second legislative session's start date.
    term photo
    Click to view

    OTHER INFORMATION

    Articles & Books About

    Legislators Past & Present Home