My Genealogy Hound

Rev. J. F. Cook, LL. D. Concerning the honored president of La Grange College the following is taken from Duncan’s “History of Missouri Baptists.” “Joshua Flood Cook was born in Shelby County, Ky., January 14, 1834. He professed religion, and united with the Baptists, in 1846. In 1852 he came to Missouri, and spent the next five years teaching and attending Howard High School; then entered Georgetown College, Kentucky, where he graduated in 1858, and was married to Miss Sue G. Farmer the same year. In 1859 he became president of New Liberty Female College, which position he held until 1861, when he went south, where he remained during the war. He filled the position of pastor at Eminence, Ky., in 1865-66. At the age of thirty-two he was made president of La Grange College, Missouri, for the term of twenty-six years. For him these years have been years of excessive toil and great anxiety. No more unfavorable time could have been found for establishing a college than in the fall of 1866. When he assumed charge of the college it was encumbered with a debt of $10,000. The building was in the worst repair, and without a dollar in the treasury. He has expended over $15,000 in paying debts for building and improvements, and the college has now assets to free it from all indebtedness. As an educator Dr. Cook has no superior in the State, as is fully attested by the many prominent men in various professions, whom he has educated. In addition to his college work he has preached almost every Sabbath, and often weeks at a time. His preaching is characterized by simplicity, boldness and ‘the faith once delivered to the saints.’ He stays in the old ruts of theology, and cares little for modern progressive ideas. He is a ‘self-made man.’ Intellectually and morally his individuality is strongly marked. He has a general air of frankness, straightforwardness and honesty. May he long be spared to carry on the good work. Since 1866 he has been actively identified with Baptist interests in the bounds of Wyaconda Association, as well as in other societies of the State. He wears very gracefully and modestly the merited title of Doctor of Laws.” Dr. Cook has been continuously the president of La Grange College for twenty-one years, and bids fair to be there as much longer. He is called the “prince of educators” by many capable of judging of his ability and work. Many of the most prominent men of Missouri have been educated under his tuition. The college is now entirely free from debt, has a surplus of several thousand dollars, a good geological collection, fair apparatus, and a library of 10,000 volumes. Dr. Cook’s work in Missouri will live long in the future. He has raised an interesting family. His eldest son is pastor of a church in St. Louis, and bids fair to be more useful than his father. Dr. Cook has a beautiful home, where he entertains many friends, and is never more happy than when they are under his roof. He has educated many poor young men and women, and thus has done much to cause him to be honored and loved.