BENJAMIN H. COOK, M. D. Numbered among the most important of the learned professions, and the one that undoubtedly has made the most progress during the past several decades, is that of medicine, whose devotees are called upon to continue their studies at all times and to keep fully abreast of the times in order to observe the numerous discoveries and advancements of their honored calling, A practicing physician since 1885, Dr. Benjamin H. Cook has risen to a high place in his profession, and since 1903 has been located in Anderson, in which field of endeavor he is highly regarded both as a physician and as a citizen, He is a native of the Hoosier State, born August 22, 1858, in Hancock County, and is descended from Adam C. Cook, who located at Jamestown, Virginia, as early as 1621, The son of Adam C. Cook was Daniel Cook, whose son, Joel Cook, was the grandfather of Dr. Cook, Matt F. Cook, son of Joel Cook, and father of Dr. Cook, was born April 1, 1821, in Mercer County, West Virginia.
Benjamin H. Cook received his preliminary educational training in the public and high schools of Hancock County, Indiana, following which he entered upon a career of his own, and for a time was variously employed, accepting whatever honorable work came to hand, He eventually decided to become a physician and started the study of medicine in the offices of Dr. Lundy Fussell, of Markleville, Madison County, Indiana, following which he entered the Medical College of Indiana, and was graduated therefrom in 1885, He at once entered upon the practice of his profession, being associated with his preceptor for a time, but later went to Wilkinson, Hancock County, Indiana, and remained seventeen years at that place, building up an excellent practice, In 1903 Dr. Cook came to Anderson and here he has continued to the present time, A close and careful student, he has been successful in building up a large professional business and in firmly establishing himself in the confidence of the people of his adopted place, He has the inherent ability and sympathetic nature so necessary to the practitioner, and his success in a number of complicated cases has gained him the respect of his fellow-practitioners, He is interested in the work of the various medical organizations, and is a member of the Madison County Medical Society and the Indiana State Medical Society, Fraternally, he is a prominent Mason, belonging to Mount Moriah Lodge No. 77, F. & A. M.; Kingston Chapter No, 36, R. A. M., and Knightstown Commandery No, 9, K. T. In his political views he is a Democrat, and has served his party as a member of the Democratic central committee.
On January 30. 1889, Dr. Cook was married to Miss Laura E. Cooper, of Wilkinson, Hancock County, Indiana, a daughter of James Madison Cooper, Mrs. Cook was born at Cowgill, Missouri, and came to Indiana with her parents, in 1881. To the union of Dr. and Mrs. Cook there have been born seven. children, as follows Theophilus Pravin, Harvey Weir, Merle, Herschel Paul, Sarah Elma, Rachel Anna, and James Farley, Dr. Cook is the owner of a comfortable modern residence at No. 630 West Twelfth street, Anderson.