Letters and documents related to the life and career of the American journalist, businessman, and politician Henry David Cooke.

Henry David Cooke (1825-1881) American businessman, journalist, and politician. In 1846 he accompanied William G. Moorhead, his brother-in-law, consul and naval agent to Valparaiso. He then moved to California, where he was engaged in trade on the Pacific coast. In 1849 he married Laura S. Humphreys. Having lost his fortune, he returned to Ohio, his home state and, with the help of his brother Jay Cooke, became editor and owner of Sandusky Register and the Ohio State Journal. He was active in the state and national politics, supporting Salmon P. Chase and John Sherman. In 1861 became a partner in the house of Jay Cooke and Co. and was involved in raising money for the war effort. In 1871, he also acted as an intermediary for his brother in his interest in Cyrus W. Field's plan for a Pacific cable. A close friend of U.S. Grant, he was appointed the first governor of the District of Columbia, but resigned in 1873. For the last twenty years of his life he lived in Georgetown where he was noted for his charity works.

3.91 Linear Feet (2 boxes, 1 expansion folder, 1 oversize folder)

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