Bates Cooke

Bates Cooke (December 23, 1787 – May 31, 1841) was an American lawyer and politician who served one term in the United States House of Representatives as a member of the Anti-Masonic Party representing New York. He was the son of Lemuel Cooke, a veteran of the American Revolutionary War, and grew up in a family with a strong tradition of public service and military participation. Along with his brother Lathrop Cooke, he later continued this tradition by taking part in the War of 1812, an experience that helped shape his early sense of civic duty and engagement in public affairs.

After the War of 1812, Cooke became active in local government in western New York. In 1814 he served as Supervisor of the Town of Cambria, New York, marking his entry into elective office. Around this time he undertook the study of law, and by about 1815 he was admitted to the bar. He commenced the practice of law in Lewiston, New York, where he established himself as a practicing attorney and became a prominent figure in the community. His legal career in Lewiston provided the foundation for his later political roles at both the state and federal levels.

Cooke’s professional activities extended beyond the law into business and infrastructure development. Together with his brother Lathrop, he became a partner in the Lewiston Railroad Company, which played a role in the early railroad expansion in western New York. The Lewiston Railroad Company connected with the Lockport and Niagara Falls Railroad in 1835, contributing to the region’s transportation network and commercial growth. This involvement in railroad development reflected Cooke’s broader interest in economic improvement and internal improvements that were central to public policy debates of his era.

As a member of the Anti-Masonic Party representing New York, Cooke contributed to the legislative process during one term in office in the United States Congress. He was elected as an Anti-Mason to the 22nd United States Congress and served from March 4, 1831, to March 3, 1833. His service in Congress occurred during a significant period in American history, when the Anti-Masonic movement was challenging the influence of secret societies and advocating for greater transparency in public life. In this context, Cooke participated in the democratic process and represented the interests of his constituents from New York, aligning himself with a political movement that briefly became a notable force in national politics.

Following his term in Congress, Cooke continued his public service at the state level. He was elected New York State Comptroller and held that office from 1839 until January 1841. As Comptroller, he was responsible for overseeing the state’s finances at a time when New York was experiencing rapid growth and undertaking major public works. His tenure was cut short when he resigned in January 1841 because of deteriorating health. After his resignation as Comptroller, he was appointed a bank commissioner under legislation enacted in May 1840, and he continued to serve the state in this capacity despite his illness.

Cooke’s later life was marked by his ongoing dedication to public duties even as his health declined. He died in office as a bank commissioner on May 31, 1841. He was buried at Oak Wood Cemetery in Lewiston, New York, the community where he had practiced law and engaged in local affairs for much of his adult life. His career, spanning military service in the War of 1812, local and state office, a term in the United States Congress, and significant roles in New York’s financial administration and early railroad development, reflected the varied responsibilities and opportunities of public service in the early nineteenth-century United States.