George Smith Cook 1819 - 1902

 ..A Brief Biography

Could Geroge S. Cook really be
. . . a Connecticut Yankee?
. . . ex-partner of famed Mathew Brady, parting
      ways before the War between the States?
. . . known as one of the first to produce quality
      daguerreotypes in this country?
. . . famous in his own name for being first to
      capture on film an exploding shell?
. . . the photographer who was ordered to 
      retreat because his camera was drawing fire?
. . . so talented with a camera that he could
      "find beauty in any face"?

Who Is George Smith Cook?
 

George Smith Cook, Civil War Photographer 

Birth:  "Born in Stratford, Connecticut, four miles east of Bridgeport, 
February 23, 1819, he was orphaned as an infant." (page 16)

Left his home in New Jersey: "At the age of fourteen, George Smith Cook 
joined the westward migration. .. Leaving Newark late in the year 1833, he .. worked his way down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers." (pages 16-18)

Arrived in New Orleans: "Cook arrived in New Orleans either in 1837 or early 1838. ...." (page 19)

Returned to Newark: "George Cook operated as a daguerreotypist in New Orleans until mid 1845. Late in the summer, he left ... was in Newark by October 4 where he began a protracted visit in the home in which he had been raised."  ...  "George Cook returned to Newark in 1845 to purchase the latest daguerreotype apparatus, but this was not the only reason for his trip......" (pages 26, 28)

First Marriage: "Like other young men who went west in the 1830's, the twenty-six years old returned home (Newark) to find a wife. .... Elizabeth Smith Francisco, thirty, a resident of Newark...." (pages 28 - 30)

Arrived in Charleston: "On September 12 (1849), he ... packed his equipment, and began the journey .. By October 10, the Cooks were in Charleston. .. Cook believed he could build a reputation in the South Carolina city, and, in time, make a fortune." (page 32)

Employed by Mathew Brady: "...At some time prior to July 1851, he (Brady) contacted Cook and selected him as the one who would take charge at 205 Broadway. Brady was impressed with Cook. ...." (page 36)

Built home in Charleston: "On July 2, 1860, he (Cook) purchased two parcels of land on Charleston's South Battery. He paid ... " (page 45)

Moved to Columbia, S.C.: "Sumter was little more than a pile of rubble. ... He would need to find a safe place for his family. ... Late in the year, he decided to relocate ... a site near the state capital, Columbia, where there would be no danger of invasion by sea." (page 69)

Returned to Charleston: "Spring came at last. Cannon no longer boomed across the bay. .. An extant photograph dated April 1865 showed the Cook home tightly locked .... but, by the beginning of May, George Cook and his son were back in Charleston." (page 77)

Second Marriage: "An entry dated September 24 recorded Cook's second marriage: 'My Father was married to Lavinia Pratt at 1/2 past 2 o'clock by the Rev. Mr. Terhume of the 1st Reformed Dutch Church of Newark, N.J.' .. After the Ceremony, Cook, his bride and his daughter, Fannie, began the trip to Charleston by rail." (page 81)

Moved to Richmond, VA: "In April 1880, he (Geo. L. Cook, son) included this entry: 'Father ... goes there (Richmond) to purchase Mr. D. H. Anderson's Gallery, 913 Main Street." ... and in August the family followed him to Richmond on the train. (pages 101-102)

In Maturity: "A photograph of George Cook taken during the late 1890's portrayed him as a dignified man near his eightieth birthday with a full, white beard. Penetrating eyes were evidence of a keen mind and a quick wit. There was a slight parting of the lips as though he had spoken immediately before he braced himself for the time exposure. If he had, doubtless he gave instructions to his son behind the lens." (page 116)

Illness and death: "A journal entry dated November 27, 1902 described his final moments: 'Father died at 7:50 p.m. after 48 hours of sickness. He had a stroke of paralysis. He was over 83 years of age.' A penciled note added by the granddaughter corrected the statement by giving his exact age at death: '82 years 9 months and 4 days.' Two days later he was buried in Richmond's Hollywood Cemetery on the banks of the James River." (page 116)

All page numbers above are indexed and quoted as found in
Photographer .. Under Fire
THE STORY OF GEORGE S. COOK (1819 - 1901)
by Jack C. Ramsay, Jr.

 Photographer .. Under Fire
THE STORY OF GEORGE S. COOK
by Jack C. Ramsay, Jr.

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