Frank Cook, Sr. (1839-1891) was born in Bromberg, Drei, Germany (near Berlin) King of Prussia. He came to Detroit, Michigan in 1868. His name was Jim Kovoch and he had his name changed in Detroit, Michigan. He married Gertrude Falerius (1848-1933) in 1871. She was born in the village of Millinbach, Germany. She came to New York in 1870 and then to Detroit, Michigan where she stayed for a time. In 1871 she arrived in Center Mine, Michigan in the copper mining area where she met and married Frank Cook who was a surface man at the copper mines. In 1878 they came to Worthington (Valley City) and located on a homestead in Hobart Township where he built a frame house, one of the first in that neighborhood. As soon as the house was built, Mr. Cook and Paul Messner went to Fargo where they bought a yoke of oxen and two cows, driving them and fording rivers to reach home. Mr. Cook purchased more land and broke land each year working for the other settlers at times. After Mr. Cook's death in 1891 Mrs. Cook continued to run the farm with the help of her children and Joseph Falerius, her nephew. In 1908 she retired and moved to a home she built in Valley City. Six children were born to the Cooks: Lena (1873-1968) married Frank Starke; John (1874-1964) married Minnie Passmel; Frank P. (1876-1967) married Agnes Collins; Herman (1875-1960); Anne K. (1887-1934) married Bert Denny; Marie (1890-1891).

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 49