In 1871, John F. Cook Jr. oversaw the severance of ties between his Grand Lodge and the National Grand Lodge (Compact). John F. Cook Lodge #10 in Washington, DC is named in his honor. John F. Cook Jr. was married to Helen Appo Cook (1837-1913), and together they had five children: Elizabeth Appo, John Francis III, George Frederick, Charles Chaveau, and Ralph Victor. Helen Appo was a prominent and influential activist in her own right. She helped found the National Colored Women's League and served as its president for decades. With his inheritance, Cook made real estate investments, and in 1895 he was reported to be D.C's wealthiest black resident, worth over two hundred thousand dollars. Due to this wealth, in addition to his political power, Cook and his wife repeatedly appeared on D.C.'s "elite black 400," a list of prominent African-American socialites. His wealth and high social standing drew criticism from other blacks, and he did not earn the respect of many whites. Wealthy whites believed that Cook was trying to create an aristocratic society of wealthy blacks who, "clamored for admission to the theatres on the white level," and believed they were worthy of the same respect as whites. Low to middle-class blacks believed that Cook only cared about the wealthy blacks, and could not identify with him, as they believed he was only concerned with the elite black community. Cook also served for ten years as Grand Master of what is now the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia (MWPHGLDC). He was a Worshipful Master of Eureka Lodge #5, one the oldest and most prestigious Free Masonry lodges in D.C.  Cook also served many years on the board of trustees for the Columbian Harmony Society, which owned one of the largest African American cemeteries in Washington, D.C. Cook was buried at Columbian Harmony Cemetery, and later, his wife, Helen Appo Cook, and other Cook family members. John F. Cook Jr. dedicated his life to the advancement of the black community in Washington D.C. As an educator, politician, activist, and philanthropist, Cook promoted political and cultural causes, tasked with uplifting D.C.'s African American community, in addition to fighting racist and discriminatory policies and practices. And as a member of Washingtonian's black elite, Cook demonstrated living proof that a black man in 19th century United States could infiltrate the three main spheres of influence in American life: the political, the social, and the economic.