Elijah Cook

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Elijah Cook (born c. 1835) was a community leader, organizer of schools, and legislator from Montgomery, Alabama. A formerly enslaved person, he helped establish Montgomery's first school for African Americans in 1865 after the American Civil War. Chose the site for Swayne College in 1868. He also helped bring Lincoln Normal School, predecessor of Alabama State University, to Montgomery from Marion, Alabama. [1] The New York Public Library has a photograph of his home, business, Cook, and his wife from a book published by Chicago publisher Hertel, Jenkins & Co. [2]

Cook was born in Wetumpka. [3] He served in Alabama's General Assembly representing Montgomery County in 1875. [4]

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References

  1. "Field Trip - Elijah Cook / City of Montgomery v. Rosa Parks". www.fieldtripper.com.
  2. "Elijah Cook's residence.; Elijah Cook. Undertaker, Montgomery, Ala.; Place of Business.; Mrs. Elijah Cook". NYPL Digital Collections.
  3. "Acts of Rosa Parks, Elijah Cook recognized on new marker across from Montgomery City Hall (video)". al. September 30, 2011.
  4. Senate, Alabama Legislature (June 3, 1875). "Journal". etc. via Google Books.