Woman of the Century/May A. Cook

COOK, Miss May A., pianist, born in Paw Paw, Mich.. 4th December, 1869. Her father, Prof. MAY A. COOK. E. Cook, was born in Genesee county. N. Y. During the Civil War he served in the Eighth New York Heavy Artillery as a member of the band, and saw the surrender of Lee's army at Appomattox Court House. When the regiment was discharged, he returned to his native State and resumed his studies in the normal school in Brockport, N. Y. Afterward his attention was devoted wholly to music. While teaching in Michigan, he became acquainted with Miss C. A. Tyler, and they were married in 1868. Miss Cook showed an early predilection for music, and has always been an industrious student. At the age of sixteen years she was known as the finest pianist of the Pacific Northwest. She was the first pianist to present to the musical public of that section the works of the great masters, and concertos by Weber, Beethoven and Schumann, with full orchestra, were successively given, and in such an artistic manner as to make them popular. A remarkably clear technic and great expression characterize her playing. In the summer of 1891 Miss Cook, accompanied by her mother, went to Germany, where she purposes to spend some years in musical study. Her home is in Portland, Ore.