Thomas "Tom" S. Cook
Tom S. Cook, Early Pioneer This Area Dies in Douglas
Tom S. Cook, 87, pioneer of this section of Wyoming, died Friday, Sept. 8th, while he served with other members of the Douglas Masonic ledge in the laying of the cornerstone ceremony for the new Converse County memorial Hospital.
He marched with his brother Masons from the Temple to the building site, carrying the Bible which was used in the service and just at the close of the ceremony collapsed and died instantly.
Thomas S. Cook arrived in Douglas the year before the Chicago and North Western railroad reached that site. He was born in Scotland, Oct. 31, 1862, coming to Pennsylvania at the age of five. He grew up in that state and attended schools there and then moved to Iowa.
At the age of 23, while working in the mines at Moingona, Iowa, he, along with four other men, was asked by the president of the railroad to come to Wyoming to prospect for coal for the railroad.
The railroad brought the crew, a span of mules and wagon, and the necessary drilling tools to the end of the line, which was then at Lusk.
Mr. Cook was well known by many residents of Lusk and made Douglas his home for more than 60 years.
He was married to Miss Nellie Hartman at Chadron, Neb., Dec. 18, 1886. His wife dying in 1917. In 1919 he was married to Miss Ada Brown who taught school in Lusk for a number of years. She preceded him in death in August, 1947, also two daughters by his first marriage.
He is survived by a daughter, Miss Florence Cook of Douglas, three grandchildren and five great grand children and a brother, John Cook of New York State.
Funeral services were conducted Monday, Sept. 11 in the Congregational Church at Douglas with interment being made in the Douglas Park cemetery.