History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century/4/John C. Cook
JOHN C. COOK was born in Seneca County, Ohio, December 26, 1846. He studied law and was admitted to the bar. He came to Iowa, taking up his residence at Newton in Jasper County, where he entered upon the practice of his profession. In 1878 he was chosen judge of the Sixth Judicial District. In 1880 he was nominated by the Democrats for Representative in Congress in the Sixth Congressional District. His competitor on the Republican ticket was M. E. Cutts. The returns in several precincts were disputed but the certificate was awarded by the canvassers to Mr. Cutts. Mr. Cook contested the seat before Congress and, after a long delay, during which time Mr. Cutts was acting as the member, the seat was awarded to Mr. Cook who served the remainder of the term. He removed from Newton to Webster City where he became the attorney for a railroad company.