Jesse "Pat" Patrick Costlow

Pat Costlow, Prominent Citizen of County Since 112, Dies Friday

Jesse P. Costlow, 79, early day teacher of this county, former Lusk businessman and public official for many years, died Friday at Colorado Springs following a lingering illness.

During the past several years Mr. Costlow made a hobby of studying the history of the Frank Lusk family. The Town of Lusk was named for Frank Lusk. His findings are in the Niobrara County Library.

Mr. Costlow served Niobrara County as Representative in the Wyoming Legislature 1941-1943.

Funeral services were held Tuesday morning at 10:00 from the Peet Chapel in Lusk with the Rev. James Davis officiating. Military services were conducted by Weiten Dupes Post No. 4 of the American Legion. Burial was in the Lusk Cemetery.

Mrs. Gerald Bardo, organist, played "Nearer My God to Thee" and "Abide With Me".

Honorary bearers were Bud Cantwell, Andrew McMaster, Pete Owens, Fred Hansen and Otto Klemke. Casket bearers were C. E. Marvin, Walter Fernau, Otto Krekeler, Charles Vaughan, Jerry Hollon and Al Davenport.

Mr. Costlow was born March 7, 1888 on a farm east of Kohomo, Ind., to Benjamin Judson Costlow and Katie Lowery Costlow. His mother died when he was two and his father remarried.

He lived most of the time until graduation from high school in Kirklin, Ind. He received his teachers' credentials at Marion College at Marion, Ind., and taught school in Indiana in Jackson and Clay from the fall of 1908 to 1912. Moving to Niobrara County, he taught in ranch schools including Kirtley, Old Woman's Creek, Bonsell and Sunnyside from 1912 and 1916. He worked on the Bell ranch as a cowboy from that time until he enlisted in the army in October, 1917.

He married Anna Thompson June 17, 1918. He then served overseas in France and returned to the U. S. for discharge April 30, 1919.

He taught one year at Van Tassell in 1921-22. He was elected and served the County of Niobrara as clerk of court and country treasurer. In 1929 he became deputy insurance commissioner for the State of Wyoming at Cheyenne.

He returned to Lusk in 1935 and operated a grocery store in partnership with his brother-in-law, Don C. Taylor. In 1944 he became city clerk for Lusk and served until 1955 when he suffered a broken hip. He had been retired since then.

Mr. Costlow served the Congregational Church of Lusk as treasurer for many years and was an active member of the Masonic Lodge for over 40 years. He was commander for the American Legion Post in Lusk and received his 45 year pin from that organization.

He was a member of the Selective Service Board for 15 years and served many years in the National Guard, his last rank being Lieutenant.

Survivors include his widow, Anna of Colorado Springs; one son, Thomas J. Costlow, Colorado Springs; a daughter, Mrs. Katherine Costlow Bixby, Glendale, Calif., four grandchildren, Patrick Bixby, Jean Hennessey, Judy Costlow and Kathleen Costlow; and one brother, Ralph, Orlando, Fla.

Mrs. Costlow, who has been in poor health, was unable to be here for the services, Mrs. Taylor, her sister, returned to Colorado Springs with her nephew and niece.

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