Frank Toffey Cooke was born on 10 March 1876 in Jersey City, New Jersey. Little is known about his parents or his childhood, except that as a child he moved with his widowed mother and siblings to Milan, Ohio, where he grew up in the home of his maternal grandfather, Dr. Morgan Stuarts. As a young man he worked with Frank Riggles in amateur photography.

In 1898, he moved to Oberlin, Ohio where he worked for several years as a clerk in the bookstore, A.G. Comings and Son. In 1912, he became an agent for the Eastman Kodak Company. He moved his photographic supplies and finishing agency several times until 1924 when he established his own business in the Comings' Bookstore. He remained there until his retirement in 1949. During these years, he became known in Oberlin as "the photo-finisher."

On 9 July 1901, Mr. Cooke married Clara Helen Paul (b. 1881 in Massillon Ohio), the daughter of Theodore and Fredricka Paul, then living in Milan, Ohio. Mrs. Cooke was a member of the Girl Scouts Council for over thirty years, during many of which she served as the treasurer. She was also a member of the Oberlin Women's Club and an honorary member of the Literary and Social Club. The couple had three children, all of whom attended Oberlin: William T. (c. 1921-24); Helen S. (Mrs Stephen Cool, c. 1928); and Frances Lydia (Mrs. George E. Stansfield, c. 1937).

Clara Paul Cooke died in Huron, Ohio on 9 January 1958. Frank Toffey Cooke died in Oberlin on 2 December 1965.

"Celebrate 50th Wedding Anniversary at Oberlin." Elyria, Ohio Chronicle Telegram. 15 July 1952.

"Cookes to Observe Golden Wedding on July 12 [1952]." Oberlin, Ohio News Tribune. 6 June 1952. n.p.

"Frank Cookes Are Wedded 50 Years, Celebrate." Elyria, Ohio Chronicle Telegram. 9 July 1952. n.p.

"Frank T. Cook [sic]." Obituary. Elyria, Ohio Chronicle Telegram. 3 December 1965. n.p.

"Frank T. Cooke, 89 dies at his home on Forest Street." Obituary. Oberlin, Ohio News Tribune. 9 December 1965. n.p.

Gastier, Dorcas Paul (Mrs. John L.). Letter to Roland Baumann, Oberlin College Archivist. 25 August 1997.

"Golden Day in Oberlin." Cleveland, Ohio Plain Dealer. 28 June 1952. n.p.

Mrs. Frank Cook [sic] Dies After ear's Illness." Oberlin, Ohio News Tribune. 16 January 1958. n.p.

Mrs. Frank P. [sic] Cooke. Obituary. Elyria, Ohio Chronicle Telegram. 10 January 1958. n.p.