Cook, Zebedee
legislator, insurance manager, was born Jan. 11, 1786, in Newburyport, Mass. He was among the first to introduce into this country the system known as mutual insurance. He was made president in 1822 of the Eagle Insurance company, and held the office until 1828.
During the next ten years he developed his ideas so thoroughly that in 1838 he was invited to New York to become president of the Mutual safety insurance company. By his efforts the Isabella grape was introduced into New England. He procured the cuttings and began the cul- He served in the Massachusetts ture. legislature from 1835 till 1839. He died Jan. 24, 1858, in Framingham, Mass.