Charles Frederick Cook (1872 - 1944)

Born 15 Jun 1872 in Washington, District of Columbia, United States

Ancestors

Died 26 Jan 1944 at age 71 in Washington, District of Columbia, United States

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Biography

C. Fred Cook was born in 1872. He was the son of Truman Cook and Mary Scrivener. He died in Washington DC 26 January 1944. ^[1]

"The newly elected and installed grand master of Masons is a native-born and lifelong resident of this city. He is a member and past master of Tempie- Noyes Lodge. No. 32, and, incidentally, is the first member of that lodge ever to attain to the exalted office to which he has Just been elected. Treasurer of Temple-Noyes. He is also high priest of Mount Pleasant Chapter, No. 13, Royal Arch Masons. the presiding officer of that organization, to which station he was elected by unanimous vote January 26, 1930. He is a member of the Convention of Anointed High Priests of the District of Columbia, which is open only to high priests and past high priests of chapters of Royal Arch Masons. In addition to being a past master, he is treasurer of Temple-Noyes Lodge, and for many years, until recently, was chairman of its Entertainment Committee. He is a member of Mount Pleasant Council, No. 5, Royal and Select Masters: is a thirty-second degree Mason of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry; is a prophet of Kallipolis Grotto. No. 15, Mystic Order Veiled Prophet of the Enchanted Realm, and is a noble of Almas Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.

The new grand master of Masons is well known in this city, not only as a Mason, but as a Journalist and soldier. In all three of these activities Col. Cook has served with distinction.

A native of the District of Columbia, graduate of the Washington High School, he began the study of medicine at Georgetown University, but deciding he was not "cut out” to be a physician and surgeon embarked on the newspaper sea.

Was Alvord's Secretary.

He served first as private secretary of the editor-in-chief of the Evening News, Thomas G. Alvord, who was later librarian of the Library of Congress. His service on the News was contemporaneous with that of Walt Mason, the well known humorist, and John Callan O’Laughlin, afterward Assistant Secretary of State.

C. Fred Cook joined the staff of The Evening Star March 1, 1894, and has been continuously in the service of The Star to date. As a reporter he covered not only general assignments, but, in turn, the Police Court, Police Headquarters. District Building and the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia and the Court of Appeals, the latter two for many years steadily. Promoted to be assistant city editor, he progressed steadily “in the office,” filling in turn the offices of copy editor, city editor, news editor and news manager, and for many years was in charge of the make-up of The Star.

Col. Cook's military career began as "side captain” of the Young America Rifles. In turn he became first lieutenant of the prize company. High School Cadets, captain of Company B. 2d Battalion the Morton Cadets — later the "champion military company of the United States” in Interstate and competitive drill. He served through the Santiago campaign. War With Spain, as an officer of the 1st District of Columbia Infantry, United States Volunteers, and was present at the surrender of the Spanish forces. He retired from the Guard in 1915, with the advanced rank of lieutenant colonel for “specially meritorious service.”

Served in France.

In the World War he was commissioned major of Infantry September 7, 1917, served at Camp Lee, Va.: was elevated to the command of the 305th Ammunition Train, 80th Division; proceeded to France, thence to the artillery training area northeast of St. Nazaire. He was in training for two months with train headquarters at Langon, France, and was assigned in August, 1918, as base adjutant, Base Section, No. 8, A. E. F., with headquarters at Brest.

Returning to the United States after the armistice he was assigned, in January, 1919, as chief of the Section of General Publicity, Office of the Surgeon General of the Army, and, incidentally, served as editor-in-chief of the Come- Back. the soldier newspaper at Walter Reed Hospital; supervised the publication of 42 other Army hospital newspapers, . C. FRED COOK. as instructor in newspaper production in connection with the vocational training of disabled soldiers. Praised by Gen. Ireland. He was honorably discharged on his own application, in January, 1920, the certificate of discharge being Indorsed personally by Maj, Gen. M. W. Ireland, Surgeon General of the Army: “This officer has rendered most valuable service to his country.”

He was commissioned lieutenant colonel, Infantry, Officers’ Reserve Corps, In April, 1920, and was recommissioned lieutenant colonel in the Army of the United States, April 25, 1925. He again entered the National Guard, and was promoted from major to lieutenant colonel; was appointed in October, 1923, adjutant general of the 29th National Guard Division, Army of the United States, comprising the National Guard troops of Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. He received the District National Guard Medal, massive and of solid gold, September 15, 1924, for 25 years of actual, meritorious service in the National Guard.”

Col. Cook is past president of The Evening Star Club four successive terms —is president of the Property Owners’ Protective Association, seventh election district. Anne Arundel County, Md., and is a former vice president of the Society of Natives of the District of Columbia.

He married Louise Elizabeth Baldwin, also, a Washingtonian. They have one son, Baldwin Frederick Cook. " ^[2]

Sources

1. ↑ Tombstone Inscription. See image attached. Find a Grave, database and images (www.findagrave.com/memorial/49170158/charles-frederick-cook : accessed 14 May 2021), memorial page for Charles Frederick Cook (15 Jun 1872–26 Jan 1944), Find a Grave Memorial ID 49170158, citing Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA ; Maintained by John C. Anderson (contributor 47208015) .
2. ↑ Evening Star. Washington DC. 28 December 1930,