John Francis Cook II

John Francis Cook Jr. (1833-09-21, Washington, D.C. – 1910-01-21, Washington, D.C.) was born free to Rev. John Francis Cook Sr. and Jane Mann Cook and was educated first at his father’s Union Seminary before attending Central College in McGrawville, New York, and Oberlin College. He taught at Union Seminary and later led a school for free children of color in New Orleans until the Civil War forced his return to Washington, where he continued teaching until the city created a public school system for African Americans. Cook then entered municipal service, first as a clerk in the tax office and later—by appointment of President Ulysses S. Grant—as collector of taxes for the District of Columbia, a position he held for roughly a decade; he also served as register of the city and participated in Republican National Conventions. He advocated actively for Black Washingtonians, monitoring congressional legislation, lobbying for school appropriations, and supporting improvements to Black neighborhoods. His civic roles included service on the Board of Children’s Guardians and on the board of Howard University, as well as charitable work benefiting destitute Black women and children. In 1864 he married Helen Appo; at his death he was survived by his wife and children Elizabeth A., Charles C., John F., and George F. Cook. He died at home after a series of paralytic strokes and was to be buried following services at Fifteenth Street Presbyterian Church.