Frank Judson Cook, county abstracter, was born in Paris township, Kent county, Mich., October 30, 1860, and is the son of Abram F. and Maria (Patterson) Cook. In the public schools of his native township he received a practical English education, and so assiduously did he apply himself to his studies that, at the early age of eighteen years, he had advanced sufficiently to obtain a teacher’s license. During the succeeding fifteen years he was engaged in teaching in the common schools of Kent county, and his frequent retention in the same place attests his efficiency as work in the educational field was in the townships of Paris and Cascade, and he points with pardonable pride that seven consecutive years were spent in the old home school-house where he was first instructed into the mysteries of the alphabet and elementary branches. The high character Mr. Cook achieved as a teacher made him well and favorably known throughout the county, and in view of the energy displayed in the school room it is safe to assume that, had he concluded to devote his life to the profession, he would have gained much more than a local reputation as a teacher. (Page 110)On the 1^st day of July, 1893, Mr. Cook was assigned tax collector in the city treasurer’s office. Grand Rapids, under M. H. Sorrick, and served as such till January,1895, when he was appointed by John T. Gould deputy register of deeds, the duties of which position he discharged in an eminently satisfactory manner until January 1897. Previous to holding either of the above places, Mr. Cook served as treasurer of Paris township, to which he was elected in 1890, serving as such until 1894, when he was chosen township clerk, holding the latter office one term. In 1897, he was appointed county abstracter and has since given his attention to the office, proving himself in this, as in the various other stations to which he has been called, fully competent and most obliging and courteous in the discharge of the duties pertaining thereto. In addition to his duties as abstracter, Mr. Cook is also justice of the peace for Paris township, to which office he was elected for the full term of four years. Mr. Cook has had a very busy life, and in all of its relations has fully met the expectations of his friends by acquitting himself with credit and honor. He is now in the prime of life, possesses genial manners and sound scholarship, and his years in the schoolroom, together with the time spent in the various official stations to which he has been called have been the means of laying a broad foundation for a future of still greater efficiency and usefulness. On the 21^st of September, 1881, Mr. Cook entered into the marriage relation with Miss Jennie Thompson, of Paris township. She is the daughter of Leroy and Eliza (Earl) Thompson, and her birth dates from the 16^th day of December, 1863 Mr. and Mrs. Cook are the parents of two children—Lillian M., born March 9, 1884, and Arthur A., whose birth occurred on the 29^th day of March, 1893. The family are members of the Church of Christ, in Grand Rapids, and are highly esteemed in religious and social circles of the city. Mr. Cook is active in many fraternal, social and religious organizations, belonging to the Maccabees, Royal League and Knights of Pythias, being past chancellor and commander of Cowan Lodge, No. 89, of the order last named. He is a leading spirit in the Young Men’s Republican club of Grand Rapids, holds the position of vice-president of the Lincoln club, and is an associate member of the New Era Life Insurance company of this city. In connection with his official duties, which, by the way, are many, he owns and personally superintends a successful green-house at his home in Paris township, the building covering 7,000 square feet of ground, and being supplied with a fine assortment of plants. The twenty-seven acres comprising his place are devoted to fruit growing and vegetable culture, and he obtains there from a comfortable income.