Dates

• Existence: 1874 - 1944

Biography

Robert William Cook, 1874-1944. 1903 Spouse: Hannah Louisa Mary Cook 1882-1961. They had three daughters: Viola Elizabeth Cook, Robinia Hoya Cook ‘Bena’ and Daphne Alma Cook. Daphne married and became Mrs Daphne Adams.

The Cook family’s early days were in Rangiora. From there they appeared to move to Masterton and then on to Gisborne. R W Cook is listed as a gardener by trade, thus the flower names for his daughters. He was what we now call a landscaper.

Viola was a student at Gisborne Central in 1918. She was a teacher there 1924-25 and 1936-1940. In the 1960s she was a teacher at Mangapapa School. She and her sister Daphne were enthusiastic members of the Baptist church.

The National Library of New Zealand has an album of cards posted to Mr R W Cook of Rangiora depicting ‘Album of cards acquired by, or posted to Mr R W Cook, of Rangiora. Predominantly chromolithographs of attractive young women, and black and white photographs and art reproductions of female nudes.

Source [Tairāwhiti Museum]

Robert William Cook was the son of Job Cook [1848-1922] and his wife Elizabeth. The Cook family arrived in Lyttelton on the Crusader in 1883 with his wife and three children [Robert, Mary and Frederick] Job Cook was a gardener in Govenors Bay and late moved out to Rangiora in 1886. He retired to Christchurch in 1916.

Found in 136 Collections and/or Records: