Cook County was created by act of the legislature on July 30, 1918, and was named for Gen. Philip Cook, who fought in the States and Seminole Wars. He served in Congress from 1872 to '82, was Secretary of State for Georgia from 1890 to 1894 and from 1898 to 1918, and served as one of five commissioners to erect the present State Capitol. Among the first county officers were Sheriff W. T. Dougherty, Ordinary C. O. Smith, Clerk of Superior Court F. R. Booth, Tax Receiver J. A. Kinnard, Tax Collector J. B. Wright, Treasurer W. M. Tyson, Surveyor E. R. Slade, and Coroner A. D. Wiseman.