He was generous to the poor and needy, and contributed a large sum towards the building of the first Lutheran church in the area.

During the 1837 Rebellion, his home was searched late one night because Mackenzie was rumoured to have paid Cook a visit.

The militia officer commanding the troops was John Crysler, who told Cook that he could be hanged if they found he was sheltering Mackenzie.

[4] Cook stood for re-election in the 1844 general election, but was defeated by George Macdonell, who supported the Governor-General's government.

[5] The sons of his brother George, James William, Hermon Henry and Simon, became merchants and political figures in Ontario.